Protests Muted, but Emotions Still High for Vick

By Tim McManus

The day Michael Vick plays his first game as an Eagle.
Everyone wondered what The Day would be like. Just how big of a circus would come to town? How large of a demonstration would encompass the sports complex? And how much of the hostility would spill into the Linc?

In terms of grandeur, the scene fell short of a spectacle. Turns out, most of the battles were subtle if not internal.

The demonstrators were few. A small cluster of independent protestors gathered at the corner of 11th and Pattison, just across the street from Citizen’s Bank Park and in the direct path of Eagles faithful making the trek into the stadium.

A light rain set the mood for what was a dampened protest.

“I wish there was more of us. Maybe the weather has something to do with it,” said Denise Dinacola, holding one edge of a large sign that read, ‘NFL, Eagles Tolerate This’ above a picture of a mauled and bloodied dog, in full color.

Ron Lonero was holding the other edge.

“I just came down trying to find somebody holding a sign,” Lonero said. “You have to wonder why bigger organizations aren’t here.”

There were about 20 protestors in all. The signs included:

‘Ethics Over Athletics’;

‘National Felon League’;

‘Stop. Think. Boycott. Your wallet bleeds green while the tortured bleed red.’;
and

‘Buying a ticket = supporting murder’.

Overwhelmingly, the pedestrians who chose to react vocally to the demonstrators had a dissenting opinion.

Scathing remarks ranged from “Get a job, hippy!” to “You are the ones that are sick!” as fans worked there way through the gathering. Arguments were heated at times, but never escalated – plain-clothed Philadelphia Police Officers were there to ensure that.



“Stupid. Seems to be a waste of time,” said Jon Schauer, watching from the edge of the sidewalk with two of his friends. “There are more people here that want Vick than there are protestors.”

And some who wore their support of the Vick signing on their back.

Donald Folks was one of dozens who sported a Vick Eagles jersey, contrasting sharply with the posters he had to walk by.

“They can do what they want,” Folks said of the demonstrators. “The guy paid his dues. They should be holding up signs for health care, or helping the homeless guy walking down the street.”

Is the jersey to support Vick?

“Nah, man. I bleed green,” said Folks.

“We support forgiveness,” added his wife, Queen.

Moments later a father and his young daughter passed through the demonstration; the little girl clearly distressed, the father already in the midst of explanation.

“That’s because of Michael Vick. He used to fight dogs and…”

Jeff Cox and his two sons walked through soon after. They were silent, but clearly moved, as they took in the scene.

“I hate him,” Cox finally said. “I am a lifelong Eagles fan and I can’t believe they made me choose between my team and ethics. It’s my son’s birthday, that’s the only reason I’m here.”

More protestors arrived sporadically as kickoff approached, greeted warmly by their kin and then mocked in the next blink by a disapproving Eagles fan.

The exception to the trend was Fred Shaffer, a man appearing in his 70’s who donned a military-style crew cut and a white Eagles poncho as he marched toward the stadium.

“I agree with you,” he shouted to the outnumbered protestors. “Keep up the good work!”

When tracked down, he provided the following explanation:

“I have been an Eagles fan since 1957. I have been to, watched on television or listened to every Eagles game since then. I think it’s disgusting he’s on the football team. Does he deserve a second chance at life? Absolutely. But not in the NFL.

“I will always be an Eagles fan, but it’s a disgrace he is on this team.”

With that, the rest of the fans scurried into the stadium to see the opening kickoff. And when Vick took the field on just the second play of the game, most of the crowd rose in unison and greeted their new weapon warmly.

Left unspoken in that gesture of team support is a division that is unlikely to be sealed, and internal strife for many that is unlikely to be soothed by quality play.

Flyers Prospect Camp

I was able to squeeze out two days this week at the Flyers 2009 Rookie Camp at the SkateZone in Voorhees, NJ. Watching these players for just two mornings really does not allow for a complete review but I figured I would talk about some of the more important names in the Flyers system that we may very well see suiting up for the Orange and Black in the next few seasons.

James vanRiemsdyk - 2007 Round 1 (2nd Overall)
-In the two mornings, certain players would catch my eye, and others would just kind of blend in. JVR just seemed to blend in. That is not good considering he is thought of as the top prospect in the Flyers system. On Friday, he was barely noticable on the ice. I had to look to find him. During the scrimmage portion of the day, a penalty would result in a penalty shot. On Sunday, JVR took one penalty shot and also participated in the shootout at the end. For a kid with the abundance of skills he has, he did not show them in either attempt. He looked real bad taking both shots (missed the net on the first and mishandled the second). He did show flashes of speed Sunday once he got his legs moving, but his lack of explosiveness is cause for concern. He does look to have gained some muscle weight since the end of the Phantoms season, but he would have to really turn it up at training camp in September to make the Flyers roster.

Kevin Marshall - 2007 Round 2
-The Flyers traded up two years ago to take Marshall, a defenseman, in the second round. When I saw him at Rookie Camp 2 years ago he was small and thin and I really did not see what all the hype was about. Within the last year, he has grown a couple inches and put on some serious muscle. He looks like he could be a force this year in the organization. He will most likely play for the Phantoms this season. It was tough to watch him really play because I was on the opposite side he was playing defense on. He has all the makings of being a punishing physical force on the blueline for the Flyers one day. As for the upcoming season, he will have to take the next step in the AHL with his first season as a Phantom.

Marc-Andre Bourdon - 2008 Round 3
-Bourdon is a highly touted defenseman in the Flyers system. He can provide offense, be physical, and even drop the gloves. He really impressed the organization in the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). This was my first opportunity to watch him play, and in the little bit of time, I liked what I saw. He has descent size but plays big with his body. He threw a couple big hits in the scrimmage and moved the puck well. He made some mistakes but that is to be expected. I wish I had more of an opportunity to watch him.

Oliver Lauridsen - 2009 Round 7
-It's not too often a 7th rounder in his draft year catches your eye. This kid sure did. He is 6'6 and was easily the tallest and most physically dominating player in the two days I saw. I would consider him more of a "project" but he moved surprisingly well for a big kid. I was really impressed and if he continues to develop in the next few seasons at St. Cloud St., I believe he will be a solid defenseman in the AHL and, he will have to work hard, but with his size could crack an NHL lineup. In Sunday's scrimmage he drew some attention with a couple big body checks, one on Phantoms enforcer Matt Clackson. Clackson took offense to it and challenged him. Lauridsen did not seem willing. Clackson spent the rest of the scrimmage chasing him around challenging him to fight. There is one more day of camp for them to go. Unfortunately I will not be able to see it.

Rocco Carzo - Undrafted
-I mentioned Rocco in my last blog. Carzo practiced with my varsity hockey team at Cardinal O'Hara when I was a senior and he was in eighth grade. He played only his freshman year at O'Hara contributing in their only Flyers Cup Championship in 2006. He graduated O'Hara this past spring, while also playing in the USHL (United States Hockey League) for Des Moines. He did not play hockey for O'Hara sophomore through senior year. He really impressed me this week. He got much taller and gained some muscle since the last time I saw him. He was one of the youngest players at camp this week and did not look out of place at all. He was invited to camp this season even though he is undrafted and unsigned. I believe he is going to play in college this upcoming season. I did get to watch him work with the Flyers skating coach, and he was showing Carzo different ways to use his legs to be a more explosive skater. The best thing Rocco can do this week is learn as much as he can and apply is next season in college. He can only improve if he continues to work hard.

There were a couple things I noticed that could reflect what the organization is thinking for the upcoming AHL season. There were two line combinations that played together throughout the week that could very well be the top two lines for the Phantoms this upcoming season:

Andreas Nodl - Jonathon Matsumoto - James vanRiemsdyk
Patrick Maroon - Jon Kalinski - David Laliberte

All six played for the Phantoms last season, even though JVR did not join the team until late March. These are the next six prospects we will see this season at some point with the Flyers. Last season it was guys like Darrell Powe, Jared Ross, Nodl and Kalinski. Kalinski had the serious blood clot in his leg last season and from the looks of it at camp, he is ready to take the next step. Maroon, Laliberte and Matsumoto had break-out seasons for the Phantoms last year and will be expected to match the contributions. If they do, we could see them called up if injuries occur to any Flyers on the roster.

With rookie camp about over, we are about two months away from training camp. It cannot come fast enough. I really do not see the Flyers doing anything serious in terms of roster moves before camp. There will be rumors but aside from little tweaks, I do not foresee anyone like Briere or Gagne being moved. The new season is right around the corner. I really cannot wait for it.

Free Agent Frenzy

Going into the NHL draft at the end of June, the Flyers had already come to terms with new starting goalie Ray Emery on a one-year deal. The team was still looking for a top-tier defenseman, a back-up goalie, and other role players at the forward position.

Just prior to draft Friday I wrote my last blog talking about Jay Bouwmeester and how I thought he would be the best option for the Flyers to attempt to acquire as the top-tier d-man. I figured forward Joffrey Lupul would be the cap casuality as would d-man Randy Jones or Matt Carle. Well, we found out as the draft began that I was correct on only two of the pre-draft predictions. Those two were Joffrey Lupul and the fact that the Flyers would trade out of the first round. Paul Holmgren shocked almost everyone in Flyerdom with a blockbuster trade that sent Joffrey Lupul, top prospect Luca Sbisa, 2009 1st round pick, 2010 first round pick, and a conditional 3rd round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for superstar defenseman Chris Pronger and minor league Ryan Dingle.

Many fans of the Orange and Black feel the Flyers gave up too much for the 34-year-old Pronger. I tend to agree with Paul Holmgren in that you have to give up something to get something. Chris Pronger is the ultimate warrior. Almost everyone that disliked this trade will change their minds the first time Malkin, Crosby or Ovechkin cut through the crease and meet Mr. Pronger. Pronger also steps up his game in the playoffs. In 2005-06 with the Oilers, Pronger led an underdog Edmonton team to the Cup Finals only to lose to the Canes in seven games. The following year he went to Anaheim where he helped lead the Ducks to a Stanley Cup championship. Even this past season in Anaheim, the Ducks barely squeaked into the playoffs as the 8th seed, but upset the President's Trophy winner San Jose Sharks in the first round. Then they took the defending champion Red Wings to the seventh game. Through all of that Pronger was one of the major players for the Ducks. He will be loved in Philadelphia, even if it is only for one season.

With Pronger now a Flyer, the defense is now set, unless Homer decides to dump salary by getting rid of Matt Carle or Randy Jones. I do not really think that is necessary right now, but if something comes along, who knows what could happen. As it stands now, the defense looks like this: Timmonen, Pronger, Coburn, Parent, Carle and Jones. If those six players are used correctly, I do not see many weaknesses.

When July 1 rolled around last week, it started the free agent period in the NHL. The Flyers wasted little time setting up the goaltending tandem for next season with the signing of former Flyer Brian Boucher. Boucher is a different goalie than Flyers fans remember. He's older, wiser, and was the backup for the best team in the NHL, the Sharks, last season. He played a significant role in that as well putting up solid numbers in San Jose. I am very confident with Boosh backing up Ray Emery.

Many fans wanted Mike Knuble to be resigned. Unfortunatley because of the salary cap, the Flyers were not able to do it. Knuble will take his 30 goals down south to Washington and play on the powerplay for the next two seasons with Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green and Nick Backstrom. He should continue to score for the Caps. The Flyers responded by bringing in another locker room leader by the name of Ian Laperriere. When I first heard the signing I was a bit annoyed with bringing in another fighter. Then doing some reading, I learned just how valuable of a player Laperriere is. He does not just fight. He is a leader, and like Pronger, a warrior on the ice for your team. I remember being at the game last season when he chased Scott Hartnell of the Flyers around the ice until he fought him. It was because Hartnell was running a couple Avalanche players. Laperriere came to their defense. Flyer fans will love him as well.

So within the last month, the Flyers got two new goaltenders, a top-tier defenseman, and one role player. They did lose about 50 goals of production from Lupul and Knuble, but that is ok because of two reasons. Adding Pronger's offensive upside, a healthy Danny Briere, and an emerging star in Giroux, that should make up most of the lost goals. The other reason is the amount of goals the Flyers should give up this season. A revamped defensive group and new goalies will, in my opinion, lower the goals against of this team by a large amount. The numbers will end up evening out. This Flyers club, on paper and healthy, is better than last season's team.

The upcoming week will be a big one for Flyers top prospect James VanReimsdyk. The Flyers begin rookie camp this week. In my opinion, this is the first step JVR has to take to show the Flyers brass he is ready to make the jump to the NHL. If he shows he can step in, it would save the Flyers more cap room since they will not have to go out and sign another winger. He will not make the roster this week, but with a poor showing, he can certainly kill his chances.

Rookie camp runs this Monday through next Monday at the SkateZone in South Jersey. Thursday the group will head to Stone Harbor for the annual Trial on the Isle where the players will participate in a mini triatholon and charity softball game.

I will be heading over to the SkateZone Friday morning to watch some of the on-ice practice. I will be sure to write up another blog shortly after talking about some of the Flyers top prospects. I will be sure to look out for JVR, top defensmen Marc-Andre Bourdon and Kevin Marshall, and also local kid Rocco Carzo. Carzo was an eighth grader practicing with my varsity hockey team at Cardinal O'Hara during my senior year. He starred for O'Hara in high school before going out and playing in the USHL.

NHL Draft Week

There is a lot going on right now in the Philadelphia sports world. The Phillies are attracting a lot of attention, and rightfully so, after finishing up one of their worst homestands in team history. The Eagles recently finished up OTAs and the local media is still finding more ways to dissect McNabb's new contract. And the Sixers are preparing for the NBA draft this week and trying to launch a new slogan for the coming season.

Even though most media outlets in the city will not cover it, the NHL draft also takes place this week, Friday night in Montreal. The Flyers currently own the 21st pick in the first round, but in hockey circles right now, the Flyers are being mentioned more for trade rumors than who they will select with the pick. Scouts are saying that the current draft class is top heavy, meaning that past the 10th to 15th pick, it could potentially be hit or miss with a future impact player. The Flyers currently have no picks in rounds 2 or 4 and GM Paul Holmgren has indicated he may try to acquire a second round pick. I would not be surprised if the Flyers traded out of the first round in order to secure more picks. We will have to see what they decide come Friday.

Now onto the exciting trade rumors swirling about. The Flyers are one of a handful of teams believed to be trying to acquire the negotiating rights to Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and trading for his right would give that team exclusive negotiating until July 1. It is no secret the Flyers want a top tier d-man to complement current defensemen Kimmo Timmonen and Braydon Coburn. Bouwmeester, or J-Bo as he is referred, would be the perfect fit. He is 6'4 and only 26 years old. He has scored 15 goals the past two seasons for the Panthers and has potential to put up even more when surrounded by a more talented group of teammates.

I have heard differing numbers on what J-Bo's asking price may be. Personally I think he will command anywhere from 6.5-7.5 million dollars per season. Right now the Flyers have 6 million under the current cap, and they still have other needs to fill. The Flyers are able to trade for his rights and sign him now, even though it could put them over the salary cap. The Flyers can be a certain number over the cap in the offseason, but must be back under by October.

For all this to work, the Flyers would have to clear significant cap space. Three names being tossed about that the Flyers could move are Danny Briere, Simon Gagne or Joffrey Lupul. I would be shocked if Briere went anywhere. Not only is he making significant money, he has a very restrictive no movement clause. I just do not see him waiving that. Gagne is an interesting case. Gagne is set to make 5.25 million through the 2010-11 season. He also has a no trade clause but his is less restrictive than Briere's leading to some speculation that he could be dealt to clear salary. Personally I believe Joffrey Lupul will be the one moved if cap space needs to be cleared. A new contract for Lupul kicks in this season paying him 4.25 million and he has no restrictions on trades like Briere and Gagne.

Trading Lupul would clear space but not enough to get where the Flyers want to be for the upcoming season. I would suspect either Matt Carle or Randy Jones would also have to be dealt in order to make room for J-Bo. Jones is making 2.75 million and Carle is making slightly more than 3.4 million. I would like to see Jones dealt, but the way Holmgren talks about him, and head coach John Stevens coaching him in the minors and now with the Flyers, I do not see the Flyers dealing him. I do not think Jones is a bad d-man, but making 2.75 million to be a number 5 or 6 d-man is just too much. Carle does make more, but also is a better d-man and can be a solid 3 or 4. I think Carle is more likely to go along with Lupul. That would leave the Flyers with, in my opinion, one of the best defensive corps as a whole in the NHL: Bouwmeester, Timmonen, Coburn, Ryan Parent, Jones, and most like young Luca Sbisa. These six d-men would be very solid in front of newly acquired goalie Ray Emery.

Speaking of goaltending, and Emery (I like the signing a lot), the Flyers still need to sign a backup. Antero Niittymaki is a UFA and there has not been much talk as to if the Flyers will re-sign him to back up Emery. There has been more talk about the possibility of bringing back former Flyer Robert Esche from Russia where he spent the past year playing really well in the Continetal Hockey League. Esche still has a year left on his KHL contract and their GM was quoted saying he would let Esche out of his contract if he can find a suitable replacement. So Esche is still up in the air, but a duo of "Sugar Ray" Emery and "Silent Bob" Esche would create many stories the media will feast on all season.

We are less than 4 days away from this year's draft. Wherever J-Bo is dealt, it appears that it will happen some time before the draft ends. Only time will tell if he will be a Flyer. I for one am hoping he is.

Your Philadelphia Seventy-Tricksters

By T. Williams

Horrendous, appalling, awful, dreadful, abominable, frightful, ghastly, horrible, and shocking. These are the adjectives that I use to describe the shameful way that the Philadelphia 76ers underwhelming season concluded in Game 6 of the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic. Listen, despite the fact that at the start of the season I had Philly winning 50-55 games, it’s not like I am upset with the Sixers because they didn’t advance to the second round. As a matter of a fact, quite the contrary, I was actually proud of the fact that they were taking it to the higher seeded Orlando Magic and were actually in a good position to advance to the second round or at the very least, push things to a game 7.

Then Orlando’s superstar and quite possibly the best big man playing in the NBA today, Dwight Howard, gets suspended for game 6 because of a blatant elbow to the head of Philadelphia straw man Sam Dalembert. Add to that, Howard and his wild style of play also knocks out his own starting SG Courtney Lee for the playoffs! At this point, the stage seems to be set for the Philadelphia 76ers to take game 6 and some momentum into Orlando for game 7, to decide who would make it out of the first round. Unfortunately for us, game 7 never happened, and judging by the effort shown by the Sixers neither did game 6.

It’s amazing to see how much people’s perceptions can change within a 48 hour period. Before game 6, the 76ers were a young team with upset potential written all over them in the first round of the 2009 playoffs. Sure they got off to a slow start at the beginning of the season, but that was all Mo Cheeks fault right? I’ve said it once and I will say it again. I believe that Mo Cheeks got absolutely hosed when he was fired as the Sixers head coach at the start of the season, and here is where I believe the problem begins.

At the time Mo Cheeks was fired, the Philadelphia 76ers were 5 games below .500 at 9-14. The Sixers were also struggling with several issues such as finding a way to force Andre Iguodala to become a shooting guard, when he is a natural small forward who has ZERO consistency in his mid range game; trying to find a proper place and time to fit emerging star Thaddeus Young into the lineup; a center who’s more concerned with playing soccer in some field off in Haiti or Canada than he is with playing professional basketball in the NBA, and most importantly how to mesh Elton Brand’s half court game into the fast break young, run and gun Sixers style of play.


Listen, I can understand the frustration by Ed Stefanski and the Sixers front office. Like I said, at the start of the season the Sixers were a team with extremely high hopes of making it deep into the playoffs, since acquiring the low post presence that was desperately lacking the previous year in Elton Brand. But, to fire your coach 23 games into the season, when he was only 5 games below .500, then to replace him with your Senior Vice President and Asst. GM Tony Dileo, whom by the way has zero NBA coaching experience, after you just gave Cheeks a contract extension the previous summer, absolutely reeks of a lack of vision, direction and management skills on the part of Ed Stefanksi.

Let's face it guys, Tony Dileo is NOT an NBA head coach. Hell, until Ed Stefanski decided to hand over the head position in Philadelphia to him, Dileo wasn’t even an assistant coach on the NBA level! So, should it have even been a surprise to any of us, when the favored 76ers at home in the Wachovia Center, in game 6 of the NBA Playoffs, lose to the Magic who are minus the most dominating inside force playing in the league today? Of course he couldn’t hold the team together and stop them from underestimating the wounded Magic. Tony Dileo is a personnel guy, not a coach, and it couldn’t have been anymore evident than it was in game 6. Add to that, it’s obvious that this team wasn’t on the same page before game 6, because the second the buzzer sounded in the fourth quarter, effectively bringing the Sixers season to a close, this is when you begin to hear all of the clubhouse dissension that had previously gone unnoticed.

Please, save me the time of hearing the argument that Dileo started off 18-10 after Cheeks was fired, ok? First of all, two of his first three wins came against the Washington Wizards, one of the worst teams in all of the NBA and the third was against the Milwaukee Bucks, another team that also didn’t make it to the post season. And if you take a look at the time that he actually had Brand on the roster and not on injured reserved, the Sixers went 4-6, suggesting that maybe it wasn’t Mo Cheeks fault for being 5 games under .500. Fortunately for Dileo, Elton Brand hangs it up for the remainder of the season, leaving the Sixers with the same team that made it to the playoffs last season, and now suddenly without the burden of attempting to work Brand into the offense, meanwhile allowing Iggy to go back to his natural position at small forward and giving Thaddeus Young the playing time he deserves.

If Tony Dileo was such a good coach, what exactly is it that he did different than Cheeks? Is anyone actually trying to suggest to me that the Sixers couldn’t have the same EXACT outcome at the end of their season if they kept Mo Cheeks, minus the game 6 implosion? When Theo Ratliff, a 13 year pro who by all accounts is a true professional and rarely rocks the boat, criticizes your lack of ability to manage substitutions and control the game in pressure situations, that should be the ultimate of red flags to the Sixers management.

In my opinion, Ed Stefanski is already skating on thin ice with 3 major strikes against him, one of which being the mismanagement of the coaching situation. The next couple of problems were the wasteful signings this past offseason of Andre Iguadala and Elton Brand which have now totally handcuffed the Sixers cap space for the foreseeable future. I’m sorry, but I like Iggy and Brand but not for the price tags that they were both signed for. Was there any reason that we had to resign Iggy to the largest restricted free agent contract of the year? And as far as Elton Brand is concerned, I like the guy just fine. I believe he was a superb player in his prime three years ago. But personally I believed the Sixers should have gone after the Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith. Yes, I understand that the Hawks had threatened to match any deal that any team threw out there but seriously, when was the last time you remember the Atlanta Hawks breaking the bank on any player, EVER? And I always hear the argument “well if we went after Josh Smith, we might have missed out on Elton Brand!” and to that I say, SO WHAT?!?!? Better off to miss out on a player that fits your offense and style of play, than to go “All In” on a player who isn’t nearly as athletic and apparently healthy enough to be able to help the Sixers win any games.

So we are now left with one fundamental question. Who are the Philadelphia 76ers? What direction is this team headed? Is this a young, up and coming team flooded with raw talent, that’s just waiting for the right time to peak? Or is this a mismatch team of athletes, and not basketball players, who at best will remain a .500 ball club? Well let me help you out a bit Mr. Stefanski since you seem to be having a little trouble with this. The first thing you need to do is to find a direction for the Sixers, any direction. Find a coach and commit to him. Make up your mind as to what kind of team you want to have and then hire a new coach accordingly. Do you want to have a half court offense or do you want to remain a run and gun style team? Do you want a coach who is a teacher and a nurturer or do you want a hard nose, take no excuses disciplinary type of a coach? Will your emphasis be on offense or defense? These are the questions you need to be asking yourself before you can begin to make any player personnel moves this off season.

Next thing you need to do is to get all of the garbage and dead weight, or soon to be dead weight off of the team. First person in my cross hairs is Samuel Dalembert. Let me just say this, the reason Sammy D has not improved at all is because he doesn’t care! Newsflash, he will never care because he doesn’t care about basketball. He is a soccer player!!!! And I’m not talking about someone like Steve Nash, who has a competitive edge regardless as to what sport he’s playing, Dalembert a soccer player that was told one day “You’re playing the wrong sport. If you want to make money, you should play basketball.” He is a joke and needs to be off this team one way or another. I don’t care if you trade him, cut him, or just pay him to stay away from the team like Stephon Marbury and the Knicks. His lackadaisical attitude is infectious and needs to be weeded out before the younger players are affected. Willie Green is not a starting shooting guard and Lou Williams is not a point guard. Andre Miller is a nice player but is getting old, do not resign him! And most of all, you absolutely must figure out what to do with Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand and Thaddeus Young. You have 3 forwards on your team that all deserve starter minutes, therefore you cannot keep all three on the same team and expect it to work.

There is a lot of potential here, and I don’t believe that all hope is lost for this team, but at the end of the day, some crucial moves need to be made if this franchise wants to take another step forward instead of being a stagnant .500 club or worse. Find a way to get rid of both Dileo and Dalembert and either trade Thadd Young, Iggy or Brand for some other pieces that fit whatever direction you choose to take the franchise in. Good luck Ed, because you already know, Philly will be watching…

Crosby vs Ovechkin

When something in sports is hyped as much as this series, it usually does not live up to it. Through the first two games, Crosby and Ovechkin have stepped up to the plate and delivered for their respective teams. This may in fact go down as the best playoff series of all-time.

Game 1 was played last Saturday on NBC in front of a sold out Verizon Center in Washington with Caps fans "rocking the red" wearing red shirts. It did not take long as Crosby struck first scoring just 4 minutes into the game. The Caps would respond with a goal of their own by David Steckel and then followed it up with a tallie by Ovechkin. The Caps ended up winning the game 3-2, but the individual score was Crosby-1 Ovechkin-1.

Game 2 tonight was a game that will go down in Stanley Cup Playoff history. It will be called the "Crosby/Ovechkin Show." The Caps won the game 4-3, but the remarkable thing was that Crosby and Ovechkin combined to score 6 of the 7 goals. Each tallied a hat trick, with the Caps getting one other by David Steckel. Ovechkin had a highlight reel goal for his third, just to have Crosby follow it up with a highlight reel goal of his own with under a minute to play in the third period.

Being overlooked in this series is the goaltending. The average age of the goalies starting for their respective teams is 23. Simeon Varlamov recently turned 21 years old and only started six NHL games in his career before the playoffs. He came in relief in Washington's first round series and led them over the Rangers in 7 games. Since, he leads all playoff goalies with a 1.51 GAA and is second with a .945 save percentage while picking up 2 shutouts along the way. In Game 1, he robbed Sidney Crosby on what might go down as the "save of the playoffs" by stopping the shot with just his stick as Crosby had a wide open net to shoot at. In the other net is Marc-Andre Fleury, the 24-year-old Penguins netminder. Fleury has been unbeatable at points in the playoffs, but has also been exposed at times. The key here is that even though all the hype is around Crosby and Ovechkin, the series can be won by spectacular goaltending by Varlamov and Fleury.

Even though the Caps are up 2-0 in the series, it now shifts back to Pittsburgh where the Penguins are not just going to roll over. Games 3 and 4 will be played Wednesday and Friday nights at the Igloo in Pittsburgh. Game 5, if necessary, is back in Washington Saturday night. Game 6 and 7, if necessary, will be played in Pittsburgh and Washington respectively on Monday 5/11 and Wednesday 5/13. Unfortunately all remaining games in the series will be shown on Versus Network. Only Game 1 was shown on NBC. It is just typical of the NHL that they would have the ideal series of Crosby/Ovechkin and only have one game on NBC. For those of us with Versus, we are being treated to something special, and hopefully it will continue throughout the rest of the series.

Many hockey fans in Philadelphia may not like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Say what you want about both of them, they are the best two players in the NHL today. Both players are carrying their teams right now. There is no denying it. Flyers' fans do not have to cheer for either player, but after watching what these two superstars are doing in this series, fans of the orange and black should at least have respect for them. They are the current faces of the NHL.

TV appearance

950 ESPN's Tim McManus on ESPN News

RedLasso

RedLasso

Harry Kalas tribute info

- Courtesy of the Phillies

The Kalas family and the Phillies have announced the following details for Saturday’s Harry Kalas tribute to be held at Citizens Bank Park:

Beginning at 8:00 a.m., on a first come, first served basis, fans will have the opportunity to pay their respects on the field as they pass by Harry’s casket which will be located behind home plate. To accommodate as many fans as possible, the starting time of the memorial tribute program has been moved back to 1:30 p.m.

Fans will pass by the casket until approximately 12:45 p.m. at which time all persons in attendance will be directed to seats. Beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m., current and former players -- some of whom are travelling great distances to be here to pay their final respects -- broadcasters, front office employees, and friends and family members will pay their final respects before the on-field tribute begins at 1:30 p.m.

Fans will be directed to enter Citizens Bank Park through the Third Base Gate at Pattison Avenue and Citizens Bank Way and will be asked to leave the ballpark through the First Base Gate. Although fans are not being asked to bring flowers or other mementos, if they choose to do so such items should be left in the area of the Mike Schmidt statue prior to entry at the Third Base Gate.

Parking will be free. Fans are encouraged to park in the lots on the west side of the ballpark, located on the site of the former Veterans Stadium. Limited concession stands will be open.

All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative program, an 8”x10” photograph of Harry and a poem written by him in 2002 as a fan tribute.

When did Abreu grow stones?

Top five teams to win it all (Part II)

By T. Williams

Editors note: The Original copy of this was written before Manu Ginobili suffered a season ending injury. San Antonio was the original team I had seated at #3, pending the health of their big 3. Now, with Ginobili out, San Antonio no longer makes my top 5. So Boston and Orlando move up a slot and Utah is now the 5th team on my list

#3 Utah Jazz

Jerry Sloan has been coaching the Jazz since I was playing with my Transformer toys in sandboxes, and was recently voted to be in the next class of the Basketball Hall of Fame. With the Jazz, Coach Sloan has been to the NBA Finals twice, and presumably the only thing that stopped him from winning the NBA championship was fellow 2009 Hall of Fame Inductee, Michael Jordan. Also, in this hall of fame class is Coach Sloan’s point guard from those Western Conference championship teams, John Stockton. Stockton, along with Karl Malone, wreaked havoc on the NBA’s Western Conference for the better part of two decades, to eventually become the NBA’s All Time Assist leader. Fast forward about 20 years, and Jerry is back at it again with another young stud point guard. Deron Williams, whom is second in the NBA for assists (10.6 apg), and sixth in the NBA for double doubles (40), and was a member of the gold medal USA Olympic Basketball team, is without question one of the NBA’s top 3 point guards and the unquestioned leader of the franchise. Although, Carlos Boozer is no Karl Malone, 10.4 rebounds, and 16 points per game is nothing to scoff at, either. Paul Milsap and Ronnie Brewer are two absolute beasts that have proven this year that they are ready to step up and more, when their number is called, and Matt Harpring and Kyle Krover provide the jump shooting. Add that to energy man and defensive stand out “AK47” Andre Kirilenko and “The Poor Mans Dirk Nowitzki” Mehmet Okur, this year’s Utah Jazz are a young, deep, versatile squad with a lot of potential.

#2 Cleveland Cavaliers

What can you say about this year’s Cleveland Cavaliers? For starters, they have the future of the NBA in LeBron James as their leader and captain, and he has been playing out of his mind this season! He leads the NBA in efficiency and triple doubles and is in the top 10 in points per game (2nd in the NBA with 28.4), and assists (7th with 558). But, more importantly, for once the King has a cortege of players with him in his quest to concur the NBA, and none more important than fellow All-Star Mo Williams. Williams provides that second scoring option that LeBron desperately needed in order to keep opposing defenses honest, averaging almost 18 points per game. No one really made that big of a deal when the Cavs acquired Williams from the Bucks in the off season, but Mo has proven that he is a legitimate scoring threat, prone to outbursts, including the 44 point tirade he unleashed on the Phoenix Suns in mid February. Meanwhile, Coach Mike Brown has maintained the team’s defensive focus, with the Cavs allowing an NBA low 91 points per game. Cleveland, who will presumably wrap up the top seed in the East, has only one loss at home all season, a feat that if completed, will tie the ’86 Celtics as the best home record in NBA history. The only thing that makes me question whether or not this is Cleveland’s year to take home the gold, is their lack of ability to show up in big games this season. Against the other four teams on this list, Cleveland is 4-6 with one game against Boston, at home, left to play.



#1 Los Angeles Lakers

What can you really say about L.A.? They have the championship experience from playing in the Finals last year (Kobe and Fisher of course were on the championship teams of the early ‘00s), they have three legitimate All Stars on their team with Kobe, Gasol and Odom, they have a young cast of role players who are about as effective as you can ask one to be with Ariza, Walton, Vujacic and Radmanovic and to top it all off, they are coached by the Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson, who already has six rings to his credit! Add to the mix, big man Andrew Bynum will be back for the playoffs, and if memory serves correctly, Bynum’s true potential was just beginning to blossom right before his regular season ending injury. If Andrew Bynum can come back and put up the same numbers he was averaging before his injury (14.0 ppg, 1.9 bpg, 8.2 rpg), that gives the Lakers another inside presence to play against the likes of Yao Ming, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard or whoever else they may see in the playoffs. Listen, any team with Kobe Bryant has the potential to go all the way. He has the work ethic of a young Michael Jordan and the game to match. His numbers are down this year, but don’t get it twisted, Kobe is still the Mamba! If Andrew Bynum can come back healthy, and ready for the playoffs, and can re acclimate himself into the Lakers rotation, I just can’t think of a logical reason as to why the Lakers shouldn’t be holding the NBA title this June.

2009 NBA Finals: Tops 5 teams to win it all

By T. Williams

A few months ago, I wrote a piece about the NBA having only three legitimate title contenders: Boston, Cleveland and Los Angeles. This was written around the quarter point of the season. Now with only a fraction of the season left, a couple of teams have stepped their game up and have shown some promise. Meanwhile a couple of teams have taken some big steps back. So I, in turn, decided to make a list of the NBA’s Top 5 Title contenders, to kind of gauge where the best teams truly lie. Houston, Utah, Detroit and even the Sixers were teams at the start of the season I believed could have been on this short list at this point of the season. But when it comes to reaching the ultimate goal of winning an NBA Title, only 5 teams, in my opinion, belong in the discussion.

#5 Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic (the team of the bunch who’s least likely to win it all) were actually in a race for first in the East, until Jameer Nelson tore his labrum (Is it me or is this happening a lot lately, Philadelphia?). Then again, how can you ever count out ANY team in the NBA that has the best big man in the league on their roster, like Superman 2.0 aka Dwight Howard? To me, it seems fairly evident to say that he is next, in the long line of truly great centers in the NBA. The problem with this is, typically centers are no good with free throws, and Howard is no different. To make matters worse, the Magic follow suit with their leader, ranking last in the NBA for free throw % (.723). You can’t win championships when you’re not able to collect on the free points that the other team gives you! Why do you think home court advantage is so important? Sure, being able to play in your home, with your fans, staying in your bed last night is a part of it, too. But, we all know, the home teams expect to get the calls. And sure, Rafer Alston was a nice addition in an attempt to replace Nelson, but he’s not enough to win them a championship this year. It does, however, when you take into consideration the development of their stud guard Courtney Lee, set them up nicely for a title run next year.

#4 Boston Celtics

I really didn’t want to put the defending World Champions this far down my list but realistically, I had to. To start the season off, the Celtics looked nearly unstoppable, and I know New York and Boston fans are going to kill me for this, but the Celtics this season remind me a lot of the New York Giants of this past NFL season. They came into the year as the defending champs, riding a wave of pure confidence, and for whatever reason fell apart in the end. They both started the season absolutely ON FIRE! And, in the case of the Celtics, they got off to the best start in the history of the Boston Celtics franchise with an absurd 27-2 record. I want you to think about that for a second, the best start in the history of the storied Boston Celtics! I’m talking Russell, Cousey, Auerbach, Bird, McHale, Johnson and the list goes on. The Celtics looked to be in prime position to challenge Michael Jordan and the ’95-’96 Bulls record 72 win season. Then much like our economy, the bottom fell out with the Celts going into a relative tailspin, losing seven of their next nine games, beginning with the first rematch game from last years NBA Finals against the Lakers. Not many people were too concerned, attributing the Celtics slide mostly due to mental fatigue. And, it didn’t seem like there was much to worry about, after Boston won twelve in a row after that skid, until being stopped by L.A., again, this time in Boston. Then, in what was a bad week for the Celtics, K.G. ends up getting hurt against the Utah Jazz, and the Celtics have been playing .500 basketball ever since. With mounting injuries to key role players like Rajon Rondo, and Big Baby Davis, in addition to the Big Ticket still being a Big Question Mark, the Celtics have basically lost home court advantage to Cleveland, which I think is paramount, and are in an eternal struggle with the Magic for 3rd in the Conference. Plus, they also acquired Stephon Maurbury this season, and I don’t think any team with him will ever win an NBA Championship. The bottom line is this: Boston has yet to prove to me they can get past the Lakers when they’re healthy, how can I possibly think they can win as banged up as they currently are?

Part II coming soon...

Bears win Cutler sweepstakes

Reports out of Washington were premature. In the end, the Bears gave up two first-round picks and Kyle Orton and snagged Jay Cutler.

Cutler appears to be headed to NFC East

The Washington Examiner quotes an NFL source who said a deal between the Redskins and Broncos for Jay Cutler is "going down as we speak."

Cutler called "a little bitch"

One man who would not recommend the Eagles swap McNabb for Jay Cutler...

'Nova heading to Detroit

Get used to watching this highlight...

A New Eagle Must Land

We are now entering the month of the Draft and the Eagles have yet to make an eye-opening acquisition this off-season. I can only imagine Donovan McNabb’s thoughts the past month as he has watched long-time teammates and talent depart for new teams with little to no replacements filing on to the roster. This doesn’t mean the Eagles were wrong in letting go of their locker room leader, a massive offensive tackle, and a marijuana craving running back--in fact these were the right moves. We can’t possibly be angry at the front office with these decisions simply because they have proven to let players go at exactly the right time. Remember Corey Simon? Troy Vincent? Bobby Taylor? Stallworth? Trotter? But where are the replacements? Where is the new talent that supposedly will put this team over their NFC Championship misery and on to the Superbowl? 40 million under the cap! 12 draft picks! Having this type of ammunition leaves no excuses for the front office to not make a big time move. Maybe they are waiting to get closer to the draft? Maybe there is a deal in the works right now, but what reason is there to believe Joe Banner and Andy Reid will slip into their 2004 mindset and do something smart for a change? The next step is right in front of them—Boldin, Braylon Edwards, Tony Gonzalez, LAND ONE OF THEM!

And the Race is On…

By Theo Williams

Before March, 9th 2009 fans and spectators of the NBA were involved in a heated debate about which NBA superstar would win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award. Before March 9th, 2009 Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were entwined, not only in a race for the NBA’s MVP award, but also in a race for regular season supremacy and home court advantage through out the playoffs. Then came March 9th, 2009…….

“Here at the American Airlines Arena the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls are tied 127-127 in double overtime with: 11 left to go and Chicago coming out of a timeout. The Bulls inbound the ball to John Salmons, who looks like he will hold the ball for the final shot. Salmons at the top of the key….Ten seconds…..Eight seconds….Six seconds, Salmons drives toward the basket on Mario Chalmers. Salmons cuts back, and Dwayne Wade out of NOWHERE with the steal with: 03 left to go!!! : 02 left, Wade for the win, has to settle for the Three……IT’S GOOD!!!! IT’S GOOD!!!! The Miami Heat win the game off of the Dwayne Wade Three Pointer!!!! Oh man, we are watching one of the great players in the history of the NBA…”

Dwayne Wade ended up finishing that game with 48 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Not only is this when D-Wade officially placed himself squarely in the discussion for who is the NBA’s league MVP, this is when D-Wade etched himself into the frontal consciousness of the average NBA fan. No one had seemed to noticed that the former NBA Finals MVP had been ranked either 1st or 2nd in scoring (currently 1st) for the majority of the season, not to mention overall efficiency rating (currently 3rd). Or, how about the fact that he has taken a team full of journeymen and rookies, essentially, who last year struggled to accumulate 15 wins, to being the 5th seeded team currently in the Eastern Conference playoff picture… So it took a dramatic double overtime, game winning steal and a buzzer beating three point shot, plus a Jordanesque stat line in order for him to even have the privilege of simply entering the discussion of League MVP.

Now, I’m not trying to deny that LeBron James and Kobe Bryant both have their own legit arguments as to why they should be the NBA’s MVP. Both, Kobe and LeBron are on teams that have the NBA’s best records, both with Conference leading squads (Cleveland 2.5 gms better overall than L.A. but The Lakers hold the tie breaker if one is needed). LeBron is currently 2nd in the league for scoring (28.6), 10th in the NBA for assists (7.3 apg) and leads the league in Efficiency rating (which is used to figure out a players overall production while on the court using an assortment of stats and formulas). Not to mention the fact that he is an absolute physical anomaly, reportedly at 6’8” and 270 lbs, with an improving jump shot to the point where he can now hit three pointers from Lake Erie. There is no question he is seen as the future of the league by most of the writers and MVP voters, and you can’t be the future without MVP(s).

Then there is the reigning league MVP Kobe Bean Bryant. At the start of the season, and even immediately following the All Star break, Kobe and the Lake Show had looked to be the premier team in the NBA, vanquishing both teams, at home, that presumptuously stood in their way of an NBA title. Those teams naturally included the team that had defeated them in the NBA Finals the year before, the Boston Celtics and the then undefeated at home Cleveland Cavaliers. But statistically speaking, in my opinion, Kobe isn’t in the conversation. He’s behind both Wade and LeBron, in scoring (27.7 ppg), assist (1.83 apg), and efficiency (24.8). And, in the case of assist, Kobe “Ballhog” Bryant doesn’t even rank in the top 30; meanwhile both Wade and LeBron are in the top 10, respectively.

So where does that leave us? It leaves us with the two shining stars from the talent draped ’03 draft class, LBJ & D-Wade, The King & The Flash, Lebron James & Dwayne Wade… With a little over 10 games left to play in the season its anybody's guess as to which of the two will walk away with the coveted MVP award. My guess is it's going to end up being presented to LeBron James, considering the fact that Cleveland is in prime position to have the best record overall in the NBA and home court advantage throughout the playoffs, and that’s fine and well. But, when I consider the fact that the Miami Heat are a far less talented team (journeymen and rookies), that barely scrapped together 15 wins last season, plus a rookie head coach, minus an inside presence, until Jermaine “The Big Slouch” O’Neal showed up by way of a trade for their no. 2 scorer in Shawn Marion, and they are currently sitting 5th in the Eastern Conference standings??? Please, given Dwayne Wade being in the top 10 in practically every meaningful statistical category, I personally think it would be absolutely ludicrous for this years NBA MVP award to be anywhere else, than in Wade County.

Don't write bad things about the Eagles on Facebook

Especially if you work for the team, it cost this man his job.

Here's a spot he did for Fox in Philadelphia.

Geoff Geary reflects on the Phillies in a positive light, but the fans are a different story

Brian McTaggert of the Houston Chronicle wrote a story on Geoff Geary and his thoughts on the Phillies. The former Phillie reliever talked about what it was like watching them make their World Series run last year, but also discusses the fan base.

Here's an excerpt.

“My last year before I got traded, there were fans who were threatening my life and threatening other people, saying they were going to follow me home and beat up my fiancée at the time,” he said. “Most of the fans are supportive, but the drunks and the people that are obnoxious, those are the ones that are like rabid dogs.”

Are we witness to a rebuild?

By Tim McManus

The news has been fast and furious, and your head is probably spinning much like mine is (how could it not after being blindsided by the Dawkins news, right?).

But let's take a step back and evaluate what's going on around us.

We headed into free agency under the impression that at least one of the tackles and certainly Brian Dawkins would be retained; that Donovan McNabb had a good shot at getting an extension; and that, aided by McNabb's strong stance, the Eagles would finally cave and bring in some playmakers.

Headlines read: Expect Thomas/Dawkins to be signed soon, and Eagles front-runners for Boldin.

To this point, everything that we've been told is dead wrong.

Jon Runyan is as good as gone, and according to Derrick Gunn's report, Tra Thomas might soon be a Jaguar. Buckhalter gone. The big one - Brian Dawkins gone. T.J. Houshmandzadeh is heading West. Anquan Boldin remains in Arizona. McNabb and the Eagles appear to be as far as ever from seeing eye to eye, and according to Michael Smith, No. 5 may be ready to pull the trigger on a trade demand.

Nearly every piece to the puzzle so far fits in the category of rebuild mode, no?

Younger along the offensive line. Younger in the secondary. Disposal of the man representative of the old guard in B-Dawk.

It's been at a frenetic pace since the clock struck midnight on free-agent Friday. Slow it down, and all this activity looks a lot like a youth movement.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh won't be an Eagle

It was just reported on SportsCenter that free agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh signed a five year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Mike Greenberg was able to interview him live on air, and here's a little bit on what he said.

Why the Seahawks?

"I just felt like it was the best destination, the best team and the best choice for me. It just felt right. I like Coach Moore, I like Matt Hasselbeck, and I look forward to it. I'm fortunate because I played with a good quarterback in Carson Palmer, and I get to play with another good quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck. They've been successful year in and year out. They had a down year last year, but in the last five or six years they've been in first."

Thoughts on Matt Hasselbeck?

"When you mention the best QBs in the NFL, when he's healthy, you're going to mention him."

So there's already one WR off the market, let's now see how the Eagles approach Boldin.

Free agency is coming, what will the Eagles do?

With free agency on the horizon, Les Bowen gives some scenarios on who the Eagles might sign, and who they're looking to keep.

Ray Parillo also chipped in with some possible free agents that the Eagles might look to sign.

ESPN blogger James Walker gives some possible destinations for T.J. Houshmanzadeh and explains why the Birds may or not get him.

Other news....

Christopher Murray has more on the "meeting" between McNabb and the front office.

Maybe he did get it off in time

Tom Moore says the Sixers have given in and say the Devin Harris miracle shot counted.

For more on the shot, here's what Bernard Fernandez wrote.

Kate Fagan says the Sixers still feel the sting from the unbelievable loss.

The team is now trying to move on, Martin Frank says.

A visit from injured soldiers could be what gets them over the hump, Bernard Fernandez said.



Now it's understandable that most Sixers fans never want to see the shot again, but it was just such an amazing shot that it needs to be shown again. To lose the ball, regain it and then throw it up in less than two seconds and make it is unreal. You could probably practice that scenario 100 times a day, everyday, for the rest of your life and never make it. Extremely lucky no doubt about it, but it's also something to watch.

Baseball is coming...

With the Phillies warming up for the regular season, let's take a break from the Eagles and focus on the team that knows how to win a championship -- the Phillies.

Joe Blanton will start the spring training opener says David Murphy.

Murphy also reports that Shane Victorino won't be playing in the World Baseball Classic.

Scott Lauber reports that Greg Dobbs will likely stay on the bench.

Bill Conlin writes about the not so good Phillies from the past.

Paul Hagen says the prospects traded in the Blanton deal are doing just fine for the A's.

Chipper Jones isn't exactly loved by Mets fans after scolding them for years, but he does like what's coming about from this Mets-Phillies rivalry, writes Jim Salisbury.

Well, here's a little Eagles bit, courtesy of Sam Donnellon.

Sixers-Blazers trade?

Here's what David Aldridge is saying:

A source indicated that a potential trade of 76ers point guard Andre Miller to Portland still had a faint heartbeat Thursday afternoon. The deal would involve the expiring contract of Blazers center Raef LaFrentz and another Portland guard in exchange for Miller and forward Reggie Evans. The problem is that Philly wants Portland rookie guard Jerryd Bayless, and the Blazers have made Bayless next to untouchable. Portland would be more amenable, the source said, to include a guard like Steve Blake or Sergio Rodriguez, but the Sixers aren't currently interested.
However, the trade might be resurrected if a third team -- believed to be Memphis --could get involved, sending guard Kyle Lowry to Philadelphia. The 76ers have long coveted Lowry, who starred locally at Villanova.

Carlos Beltran wants the Mets to "kill" Cole Hamels

Not with a knife or gun, but on the baseball field after Cole Hamels was goated into calling the Mets "choke artists" on the radio.

Here's the quote from AOL's Fanhouse.

With the Phillies entering the year as World Champs and the Mets making some moves, this should be the best year of this fairly new rivalry

Boldin to Philly?

John Clayton keeps reiterating it: The Eagles are the front-runner to land Anquan Boldin.

PREACH JOHN, PREACH!

The professor John Clayton talked about how he thought Anquan Boldin was going to be traded this offseason. Potential suitor? "The Eagles...for maybe a 1st and a 3rd."

John obviously reads the Dime. Tell your friends, they probably should too.

Load up the weapons

By Eric Feather

This off-season will determine the fate of this Eagles franchise for the next two to three years. It is no secret that this team lacks the star quality on offense to be a strong Super Bowl contender with their current philosophy; if Joe Banner and Andy Reid don’t snap out of their delusional, stubborn state then disappointment will be waiting once again in January 2010. This is what they must do to avoid the pain that plagues this franchise and its fans.

Objective # 1: Ocho Cinco

Now I understand that when you hear Chad Johnson the nightmare of Terrell Owens creeps into your mind. But, remember that the Eagles aren’t afraid to bring in a big ego guy—keep in mind they were tantalizingly close to signing Randy Moss last year who doesn’t have exactly have a squeaky clean record. Bringing in Johnson, who has publicly stated he would love to play with McNabb, would be a Brady-Moss scenario. Johnson would be a revived player whose talents would flourish under a new team just like Moss. A first rounder for a guy who has legally changed his name to the incorrect Spanish term for 85 is a small price to pay. Chad, Desean, Curtis = DANGEROUS!

Objective # 2: Derrick Ward

Anyone who is having their Madden fantasy dreams of signing Brandon Jacobs or trading for LT needs to put it to rest—it isn’t happening. Derrick Ward proved to be a great complimentary back to Jacobs this year, and he is a tough in-between the tackles runner who can pick up that one yard that led to so many Eagles losses over the past few years (ever think you’d pine for Dorsey Levens after he left?). Ward will only make Westbrook more of a threat because he’d give #36 more flexibility to rove outside or motion to the slot while Ward would still pose a legitimate threat in the backfield. It’s a win-win.

Objective # 3: Address the O-Line

Runyan or Thomas? One of them is most likely to go. If the Carolina Panthers do not franchise tag Jordan Gross, expect the birds to go after him full throttle and I think they should. One of Andy’s only strengths when it comes to personnel is evaluating talent on the offensive line. If Gross gets franchised, then OT Jason Smith from Baylor should be on the radar. This kid is 6’5, 300 pounds, and will hopefully not pull a Winston Justice (you’ve had your mulligan Andy). The return of Shawn Andrews and emergence of Nick Cole will greatly improve the line in ’09.

Objective #4: Tight End

LJ Smith is GONE, thank God! He’s been an underachiever since his first game in the league and it’s time to give up on this guy. Brent Celek proved that he could be the red-zone catching tight end that McNabb needs. However, his blocking is suspect. It is hard to argue with Mattare on this one; Jim Kleinsasser is the ideal candidate. He can be used in and out of the backfield for both pass and run blocking. He’s not flashy but he’s been productive and reliable throughout his career.

These are the moves that will get this offense over their NFC Championship woes in 2009!

One Last Run....

By Matt Mattare

If the Birds are going to take this roster and gear up for one last run before age and impatience leads to blowing it up and starting over, it's time to go full-throttle this off-season.

TARGET #1: ANQUAN BOLDIN

He's not happy. The Cardinals won't give him up for a King's ransom--doesn't matter. The Birds can package picks (1st, 3rd, and 5th) and Lito together. If they want the McNabb-Reid tandem to be effective they NEED a stud like Boldin to make it go. He's a better alternative than TJ Houshmanzadeh (who I'm not convinced would be the stud Donovan needs) and would make the slew of marginal receivers that litter the roster better (by keeping them off the field). Tell me that McNabb wouldn't improve with Boldin, Curtis, and Desean to throw to?

TARGET #2: RASHAD JENNINGS

Jennings is a big, bruising running back out from Liberty. He's EXACTLY what the Eagles need to complement the increasingly fragile Brian Westbrook. Two years from now he could be replacing #36. This sleeper is going to shoot up draft boards in the next couple months, just watch...Snatch him in round two and don't look back.

TARGET #3: JIM KLEINSASSER

Signing Kleinsasser would kill two birds with one stone. He can replace LJ Smith in two tight end sets (sliding Celek into the starting spot) and provide a legitimate fullback which anyone with a set of eyes and a brain can see.

TARGET #4: RE-SIGN THE O-LINE

They're aging and won't be worth long-term contracts, but unless they want to shell out more big bucks for Jordan Gross it'd be the best way to maintain stability. I'm all for shelling out some big bucks for young studs that could be useful for years, but first of all I realize the front office has its limits and second of all people are going to be severely overpaying for Gross because he's good and young...he's definitely not worthy of the MONSTER contract he's going to get.

That's the offensive side of the ball. Feather, Tim, Chuck, anybody--SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!

And now for the main event...

By Tim McManus

I wonder, now that the Eagle green mist is beginning to lift, what life will be like when the Phillies fully regain the spotlight.

The Eagles run and ultimate fall in the postseason -- and the fans' hard line stance of win or go away -- disproved those who thought Philadelphians would morph into a kinder, gentler fan base now that the championship clock has been reset to zero.

The standards are still there, along with the you've-cut-me-deeply-and-I-will-get-my-revenge reaction when the standards aren't met.

But that was with the Eagles...the bridesmaid dress-wearing, time's yours spewing Eagles. Do the same harsh rules apply to the World Champs?

Only thorn-less roses have been thrown at their feet during the post-championship tour, a symbolic bronzing of a team that will only grow in legend over time. When this team dismantles and all are retired from the sport, every member will be canonized.

What of the present playing days though? What happens when the victory lap ends and 2008 stops feeling like the present? Will there be a one-year love affair? Will it last up until their first absence from the postseason, or will it subside as soon as they drop a series to the Mets?

For many, this is a great mystery, for much of the population has never experienced a post-championship season. It is tough to decipher whether a loss will sting less because there is a trophy to buffer it, or more because we'll be chasing euphoria even harder now that we know what it feels like.

It's confusing: Can we put our heart into booing Shane Victorino when he strikes out with the grand slam image rattling around? Can we come down on Cole Hamels for anything anymore? Where does the automatic applause for last season end?

For the team, the owners, and baseball flag wavers, perhaps, the important thing is not the answers to these questions, but that the questions are being asked.

Whether this is the start of a full-out love affair or a complicated love-hate relationship, it is most certainly the start of something grand in scale. Something energy-infusing; a major spike in the history chart.

The red mist is settling back in. Better run out and get an umbrella.

After further review...

Sunday, Blood Sunday – Again

By Pat Callahan, This Week in Pro Football

Get your FAQ straight:

Q: Why did the Eagles lose Sunday to Arizona?

A: It had to be preparation and coaching. It seems unanimous that Philly had superior overall talent; Donovan really didn’t play that badly (26-47-1, 325, 3TD); and while home, Arizona had not enjoyed a bye week. So what happened? Well, clearly, the Eagles were not ready defensively for what Arizona’s offensive brain trust threw at them in the first half. The D seemed completely out of sync and, if not for a very dicey call on a Rackers pooch kick at 24-6 (remember that, Eagles fans who think the Birds were robbed at game’s end on the 4th down pass to Curtis), the game could have been out of reach at halftime. Dawkins was a non-factor and the pass rush schemes did not seem to anticipate Warner’s quick releases, the slants to Fitzgerald or the effective screen passes.

Q: Has the satanic life force departed Quentin Demps’ body?

A: Yes, but not before (1) making QD look like a Mummer on a three day bender, on that flea-flicker to Larry Fitz; (2) spinning Demps’ helmet and head around, then knocking Kurt Warner down about five minutes after the play, giving Arizona a not-needed 15 free yards; and (3) causing QD to not wrap Tim Hightower up at the two yard line on that fateful screen pass late in the 4th quarter. Think about it: if Demps tackles Hightower there instead of mosh-pitting him and bouncing off, the Cards settle for a FG and the Eagles play-calling dynamic changes on the ensuing last minute drive, especially when they get to midfield.

Q: Why have they now lost four of five NFC title games?

A: The only common thread I see is (surprise) a lack of talent at WR manifesting itself in games where the defensive talent they are facing is very good. This is clearly why they lost to Carolina, partly why they lost to Tampa and again Sunday. Is Kevin Curtis a go-to guy with two minutes to go on Championship Sunday? No.


Q: Donovan?

A: Like I said, he played pretty good. But here it is: he simply can’t elevate his team to that Canton-inducing drive at the end of a Conference title game or Super Bowl. Consider:

at St. Louis – can’t convert from 1st & 10 at midfield, two minutes left,
down 29-24.

Vs. Tampa – down 20-10, he leads them on one of those clock-eating,
18-plays-of-six-yard-pass drives, then fails to find Ronde Barber (or I should say finds him easily, for a 97 yard pick six) and it’s 27-10, game over.

Vs. Carolina – never got it going.

Vs. New England – that death march, ten minute drive, down 24-14 in the
4th quarter, will never be forgotten.

Vs. Arizona – four straight incompletions, at the two minute warning.

I like Donovan. He’s a good, solid, immensely talented QB who can really
play football. But you pick your poison with Number 5. He can get you there,
but there’ll be no ring.

Q: So now what?

A: Here’s my plan for 2009:
- Redo McNabb’s deal, or else it’ll be a distraction. There is no way
the Eagles are going to release or trade him, so get it over with.
- Go hard after Giants RB Brandon Jacobs or Derrick Ward. The evidence is overwhelming that running the ball is a huge plus for this offense, so acknowledge that Brian Westbook’s best days are already played, and get ready to move on.
- If you get a healthy Westbrook for ’09, release Buckhalter and let him try to start elsewhere. There is something the Birds’ brain trust simply dislikes about the guy.
- Sign a quality, but not mentally unbalanced wide receiver. Stop pretending this hasn’t killed you over the years.
- Draft Dawkins’ replacement, or groom Demps for the job.
- Get Akers some healthy competition. That was bad Sunday, and his they-lost-it, -not-me in the locker room was worse.

Hey, catch our last show of the year, Super Bowl Saturday, from ten to noon, on 950 ESPN!

Cardinal nation is growing!

Good news:

John Lennon is alive, he lives in Wisconsin, and he's a Cardinals fan.

Cardinals fans busted

Winning really does make a difference. Apparently, they're Cardinals fans that are really nuts about their team. Either that or they hoped on the bandwagon after Jake Delhomme's fifth interception in the NFC Divisional Playoff game. But before the NFC Championship game, two guys decided to destroy the grass on Donovan McNabb's front lawn of his Arizona home. Thankfully, they were caught.

Deadspin did some looking around and the Arizona Republic says they've been caught.

32-25: A Microcosm of Another Frustrating Season

By Eric Feather

Sunday’s NFC Championship game loss had all the components from this emotional rollercoaster season. The Eagles looked like the team who got blown out in Baltimore after being almost run out of the building in the first half, 24-6. Lets not kid ourselves—not many of us believed this team could come back and win just like we didn’t think they could make the playoffs. However, Donovan McNabb and the defense were heroic in the third quarter just as they had been in most of the past six games. After a juggling catch by Desean Jackson to grab the lead it seemed as if this team was truly destined to reach the Super Bowl. Instead, the defense couldn’t get off the field in the fourth quarter and Donovan was not able to drive for a game-tying touchdown.

You have to keep things in perspective though: it is amazing that this team got this far and being one of the final four remaining teams is a huge improvement from the last three years. However, the reality is that this is just another huge disappointment in the Reid-McNabb era. There are hard questions that must be asked this off-season including whether Reid and McNabb can ever get this team over the hump in a big game.

One man’s opinion: McNabb is the man for the job and while Reid doesn’t deserve to be fired I wouldn’t be surprised if we eventually see a Tony Dungy-Jon Gruden situation play out. Dungy had good teams in Tampa Bay, but couldn’t win the big games. Gruden came in with that team and won a championship. It’s just a thought, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the Eagles organization headed down that path.

Eagles Predictions

I'll add to Tim's with my five predictions...

5. The Eagles will get to Kurt Warner and force at least three turnovers

4. The Eagles inability to run the ball will make this game closer than it should be

3. Donovan McNabb will not be able to bring the Birds back if they fall behind late

2. The Cardinals will be down more than two touchdowns and claw back late...but it won't be enough

1. Eagles 20 Cardinals 13...thank the Birds defense, it'll be bring the noise on Warner all day and that will ultimately be the difference

Bonus Prediction: Steelers 31 Ravens 10...Ravens run out of gas, Flacco proves he's not Joe Montana

Eagles-Cardinals predictions

The "nobody believed in us" card is as effective as any in the NFL, and it will be used by the Cardinals this Sunday.

Expect the Arizona special teams to set a frisky tone from the opening kickoff, and for it to carry over through the first half.

The crowd will be into it, and it may seem that the roof is about to collapse on the Eagles season at some point in this game.

Donovan McNabb will be in charge of bringing the team back from a minor deficit, and will do so...thanks to some quality field position set up by the defense.

Bottom line: there are too many veterans on the Eagles side who are burning way too bad for this. They'll find a way.

Eagles 27, Cardinals 23
-- Tim McManus

Stay classy, Giants fans

Not sure if you've seen this. Giants fans, after the loss to the Eagles on Sunday, take out their anger on a Posche and later, a truck. How is this not getting more national play?

950 ESPN's Mikey Miss on ESPN this morning!

He was on to discuss the excitement that's enveloping the city during the Eagles run and defended the fans' treatment of Donovan McNabb. When ESPN analyst Smarty Jones--I mean Dana Jacobson (pictured on the left)--said that the unfair treatment of McNabb started during the draft-day booing in 1998, Mike pulled out a sugar cube and fed it to her.

Jason Whitlock is a big Donovan fan

Jason Whitlock said some pretty interesting things in his column on FoxSports.com. Some of them will blow your mind, some might make you think he's never seen an Eagles game or talked to an Eagles fan before (read No. 9).

Here it is.

McNabb answers the call

As the Birds head to the NFC title game, here's a look at how McNabb closed out the last two games.

With the game already in hand, McNabb had to make a quick call after he ran out of bounds on the Giants sideline.

Remember this from the end of the Vikings game.

LLLLLET'S GET READY TO RAMBLE!

By Matt Mattare

Too much has gone on over the past few weeks to choose a single thing to write about, so let’s touch’em all from the Birds to Happy Valley to Sir Charles to Pat the Bat.

I don’t think you can call him the MVP (because that distinction belongs to the offensive line), but Brodrick Bunkley had himself a ballgame and showed up in two of the games defining moments. His penetration on both failed Giants fourth downs blew up New York’s offensive line and any hope of a first down. Has he lived up to the hype of being a first round draft pick? I’d say on the whole no and I think he’s probably too inconsistent to suddenly blossom—but times like this show you what he could be capable of.

The people that say Joe Paterno should retire are just wrong. That being said, the people that say he shouldn’t retire because he’s still got it (pointing to a few BCS games in the last four years) are delusional. At this juncture JoePa is simply a figure-head while Tom Bradley and Galen Hall run the real show, but Penn State owes Joe Paterno everything. He put their football team on the map, he’s raised and given back millions of dollars to the University, and he’s poured his entire life into his time in Happy Valley—PSU owes it him to let him retire on his own terms. Why? Because his presence obviously isn’t hurting the team (now you can point to the BCS appearances). He still fires people up at pep rallies, goes out for a few big recruiting visits, and deflects a lot of attention from the “real” coaches while essentially overseeing the operation as Head Coach Emeritus. If things weren’t going well then I think it’d be a different story and it’d be selfish for Joe to continue to coach at the expense of the school he loves—that just isn’t the case right now.

Fearless prediction #1: Steelers over the Ravens in a tight one…the difference will be Joe Flacco remembering he’s a rookie. While we’re mentioning his name, announcers need to just stop with the stupid nicknames for rookie QB’s. Matty Ice? Joe Cool? We get it, they’re mature and composed rookies and we know they’ve started enough games that they can’t really be considered rookies anymore. I’ll give a pass on Matt Ryan because that’s actually his nickname…but Joe Cool was Joe Montana’s nickname. Anyone who thinks Mr. Flacco deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the original Joe Cool probably thinks the WNBA should expand to 32 teams.

That whole thing where McNabb went and picked up the phone on the Giants sideline was just lame. I didn’t think he was a punk for doing it and I’m all about funny things even if they draw a flag…I just thought it was stupid. Leave it to Donovan to give the media some sort of negative fodder to discuss about him after one of the biggest wins of his career. The epitaph of his Philly career will probably read something like “a great player who did everything in his power to make sure he was underappreciated.”

I don’t think Villanova guard Scottie Reynolds will ever have a notable NBA career. I just don’t think he’s got the chops…but on the college level he’s one of the most dangerous people in the game. He’s a microwave guy who is totally willing to take over a game, something that is relatively rare today. Against Seton Hall he threw up 40pts and iced the St. Joe’s game for Nova last month. Villanova isn’t a great team but come tournament time they’re a really dangerous team who could make a Sweet 16-Elite 8 run on Reynolds’s shoulders (just like last year).

Brian Dawkins has to be inching up the list of most beloved sports figures in Philadelphia history. Has there ever been a player in this town who has worn his emotions on his sleeve and—without fail—shown up giving every ounce of himself for every game of his career? He might be slipping a little bit and losing a step, but the guy deserves a tip of the cap from even the most critical Birds fan.

Fearless prediction #2: Birds will win an ugly game in Arizona…this will lead to two of the most obnoxious fan bases in all of professional sports invading Tampa Bay. Over/Under on brawls started after “Pittsburgh’s going to the Super Bowl” is responded with an E-A-G-L-E-S chant: 23.5. Get two holding cells ready.

I think Charles Barkley is one of the funniest individuals in sports and a lot of times I love hearing his opinions. But what I’ve learned is the more you open your mouth the more likely you are to sound like an idiot. His initial condemnation of Auburn for not legitimately considering Turner Gill for head football coach because of his race may have had some merit, but as he explained himself more and more he lost more and more credibility. I think the race card is played FAAAAAR too much in sports today. Of course racism is still present, but I’d say 90% of the people in power these days just don’t care about the color of a person’s skin—they care about performance. Example: Michael Wilbon’s insinuation that Notre Dame was racist for firing Tyrone Willingham was indescribably ignorant. There are exceptions to the rule though and I think that most of them are found in the Bible Belt. I agree 100% with Barkley that Auburn never would’ve hired Gill because he was black, but to say that he MUST have been the guy they hired is simply ignorant. There are a few coaches that would have been very viable candidates on par with Gill…it’s just that none of them were chosen. Charles I know it’s hard/borderline impossible, but state your point and then get out of your own way.

Pat Burrell’s off-season was one of the most bizarre things I ever witnessed. Like him or not he was a huge part of the Phillies organization over the past decade and the Phillies made it painfully obvious that they had no desire whatsoever to even extend a contract offer. According to Burrell’s agent the Phils barely even talked with him…and the thing is fans were totally ok with moving on to Raul Ibanez and somewhat miffed when he signed with Tampa. The whole thing is just weird. And for the record, Ibanez will not be as productive as Burrell on the whole, but his valleys won’t be as brutal as the slumps Burrell was capable of.

Don’t think it’s possible that the Eagles can pull it off because it’d just be too good to be true? Well consider what’s happened over the past five years: the Red Sox have won two World Series, Phil Mickelson won three majors, Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl, Kansas basketball won a national championship, Tiger Woods won a US Open with a broken leg, Notre Dame football went 3-9, Roy Williams actually won a big game in the Final Four and won a national championship, Tom Coughlin out-coached Bill Belichick won a Super Bowl, the Tampa Bay Rays won the pennant, and the Phillies ended a 100 season championship drought in Philadelphia. Tell me the sports world hasn’t been turned a little upside down right now…

Fearless Prediction #3: The Sixers will not make a run like their fellow Philly teams have in the past few months…I literally have no fear in saying this. Bet the house on it.

I just read that Jim Harbaugh interviewed with the Jets. I watched him coach at Stanford—he will never be a successful NFL coach. Stick to college Jim. Throwing hissy fits on the sidelines may be excused as passion in Pao Alto, but that kind of volatility won’t win the respect you need in the big leagues.

Fearless Big Five Prediction: Temple will be the best team in Philly within three years…Fran Dunphy is a great coach and if he sticks around—which I think he will—then Jay Wright’s Wildcats will have some serious competition for the Big Five title.

Has there ever been a more insignificant player that garnered so much attention than Pacman Jones? He’s a decent cornerback and an above average punt returner…if he didn’t nickname himself Pacman he’d be in a cell next to Rae Carruth right now.