Philly Sports Squawkbox

Running on empty

2008-06-30T18:49:00.005-04:00

Are the 2008 Phillies this year's version of the 2007 Mets? One has to ask that question as they are mired in an embarrassing slump. The only question is, how can it be fixed?

The answer to that question is a riddle itself. The Phillies sit in first place, but if they continue to play like they are they will soon be looking up, a familiar position for the losingest franchise in sports history. Just when fans get comfortable thinking that the Phillies' imposing lineup will be enough, they stop hitting.

could never be classified as a team with enough pitching to pull off a championship. The "ace" Brett Myers (based on opening day start) is just awful this season. He's 3-9 with an ERA around 6. He's That would be fine on a team with pitching. But the Phillieswon once since April18. To say he's a rag arm would be derogatory to rags. Couldn't an almost-ready minor league go 3-9 with an ERA around 6? Myers also does all of this for $8.5 million, about $8.49 million too much. Analysis: Major Problem

The real Ace, Cole Hamels (the opening night starter), is definitely a solid pitcher to build around. He's pitched better than his 8-5 record, holding a 3.38 ERA with 103 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting only .212 against him. Hamels is like the anti-Myers, as he wins and makes only $500,000, about $8 million less than he should. The biggest concern is durability. He's already logged 120 innings, and has never pitched more than 183.1 in a major league season. Will he hold up? Analysis: No Problem...Yet

Then there's 45-year-old Jamie Moyer who reminds me of Eddie Harris from the movie Major League. ("Yo, bartender, Jobu needs a refill.") If anyone expected him to be better at this point than 7-6 with a 4.13 ERA they're crazy. The main concern, besides his age, is that after putting together a string of five straight wins from May 16 to June 12, he has collected three consecutive losses since. Analysis: Give Me More Moyers Than Myers

Probably the best surprise, especially if one believes in sophomore slumps, is 23-year-old Kyle Kendrick (pictured). He's 7-3 and has become arguably the most reliable pitcher in the rotation. Kendrick is sporting an ERA of 4.59, but he seems to get good run support. The team is 12-4 in games that Kendrick starts, which shows a lot of confidence in their youngest starter. Analysis: No Problem

Rounding out the starting pitching is the Myers-like dreadful, overpaid Adam Eaton. Eaton didn't get his first decision until his seventh start, and since then he's 2-6 with a 4.86 ERA. He hasn't won since June 3, and the team is 7-9 when Eaton starts. Like I said about Myers, couldn't a rookie from the minor leagues go 2-6 with a 4.89 ERA? Eaton also makes just a hair less than $8 million. Analysis: Major Problem

The Phillies starting staff is a classic example of paying players then getting no production. Between Eaton, Moyer and Myers, the Phillies are shelling out $22,541,666. In return those three have a produced a 12-21 record, with an average ERA of 4.94. Yet Hamels and Kendrick are receiving $500,000 and $445,000 respectively . They've combined to go 15-8 with an average ERA of less than 3.99.

Two possible solutions for Eaton and Myers could be Kris Benson, who was just roughed up in a AAA start, and Brian Mazone, who is 8-6 with a 3.28 ERA for the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Benson is a former Major Leaguer who will likely just collect a paycheck and never perform for the Phils. Mazone will be 32 this month so his clock is running out. Perhaps it's time to move Chad Durbin to the starting rotation.

(Editor's note: since this post was originally published less than 24 hours ago, the Phillies have optioned Brett Myers to the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs. According to Phillies.com, "Likely candidates to fill that rotation spot are reliever Chad Durbin and Minor Leaguers J.A. Happ and Carlos Carrasco." In other updates, Kyle Kendrick, the youngest and least paid pitcher in the rotation, won again. He's now 8-3 overall, and 5-1 on the road.)

Back for more?

2008-02-26T21:28:00.004-05:00

Looking at the free agent picture for this upcoming summer, and knowing that the 76ers have a new GM who needs to make a splash, could the team possibly go after a dream scenario of bringing back Allen Iverson? Even with Iverson, the Nuggets are not real contenders in the West, and he was much more of a national star playing in Philly. He also has an early termination clause in his contract.

With the emergence of some young players, and a true point guard in Andre Miller, the original AI could be the missing piece to the puzzle. Thaddeus Young and the Andre Iguodala have both come on as threats with their all around games. Add in a dose of a true scoring threat like AI and the Sixers become immediate contenders, and Ed Stefanski makes his splash.

Recently, owner Ed Snider commented how he was surprised to see the 76ers poor numbers at the gate. That's shocking. He's been around sports long enough to know that stars on the court put butts in the seats. It's not a secret formula that should take forever to figure out. The Sixers are putting out a no frills product of emerging players, and the attendance is a direct reflection of that low level of excitement.

Bringing back a star like AI would do the trick at the gate and at the turnstile. But he's not the only potentially available player who can light it up. In Miami, the recently acquired Shawn Marion also has an early termination clause. He is one of the better all around players in the game, and could gel nicely with this bunch. He rebounds, scores (a combo that the Sixers currently lack) and plays with a never ending intensity. At his age (30 in May), he might also be with the Sixers longer term than AI (33 in June) would be.

Stefanski has an important summer coming up. With the draft and free agency, it'll be time to make a splash. Hopefully the end result will help Snider wipe the surprised look of his black & orange skinned face.

Cap room commeth

2007-12-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

New Philadelphia 76ers President Ed Stefanski made his first move on Saturday, sending 3-point threat Kyle Korver and his bloated contract to the Utah Jazz. The trade, which netted the Sixers Gordan Giricek (pictured) and a future draft pick, created the cap room that Stefanski wanted.

In order to make the team competitive, Stefanski will have to strengthen the roster. Giricek is a step in the right direction. Like Korver, he's also a 3-point specialist. The key is that his contract expires at the end of the year. The other reason why this makes sense is that Giricek is also from Europe, a basketball breeding ground badly neglected by the 76ers.

Congratulations Mr. Stefanski on your first move. It was smart and truly in the direction of moving forward.

Stefanski's first move?

2007-12-26T21:25:00.000-05:00

When Ed Stefanski was brought in to resuscitate the Philadelphia 76ers about three weeks ago, there was a sigh of relief among Sixers fans. Sine then, though, there has been little news. The team is playing to the best of their ability (12-16), and they are impressing some people who had them pegged to finish dead last.

Rumors, however, have begun to fly that Stefanski is about to make his first move. Andre Miller (pictured), who is averaging over 16 points and six assists per game, may soon be suiting up for another franchise. ESPN is reporting the team that covets the services of Miller, a point guard in his ninth year out of Utah, is the defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

The deal that ESPN rumors would net the Sixers little for Miller, and might not be the best offer out there. Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Ira Newble would be the bounty. Gooden is the only one of the lot that I would think can contribute to the team effectively.

Stefanski denies the deal will take place, but if he wants to right the ship sent listing by Billy King, he needs to make some personnel changes soon. No matter how good or bad a front office is, teams need talent on the court. Did King seriously think that Kyle Korver and Samuel Dalembert deserved bloated contracts? They're role players, not building blocks.

With two months of the season nearly complete, the Ed Stefanski era needs to lift off soon.

Ding Dong the Dingbat's Gone

2007-12-04T17:08:00.000-05:00

Fans are rejoicing on Broad Street once again. The man who has almost single-handedly destroyed the Philadelphia 76ers, Billy King, has finally been given his pink slip. To call him a lame duck GM would be a disgrace to lame ducks everywhere. King was a boil on the neck of the Sixers, allowed to fester as ownership concentrated more on hockey than basketball.

With the Flyers erasing the memory of last year’s dismal run, Ed Snider and the powers of Comcast have finally looked to make the Sixers competitive. Normally when a team loses a remarkable amount of games, a coach is the scapegoat for poor performance. But in the case of the 76ers, how could you blame a guy for not winning when given a roster full of players who would be at best a third option anywhere else? When he came back to Philly as a head coach, I’m sure Maurice Cheeks was expecting a little help from the front office. Seemingly, the opposite kept happening.

Chris Webber loafed his way into a buyout, and Allen Iverson was traded for less than his value. Undeserving, bloated contracts were also handed to Samuel Dalembert (the Haitian Sedation), Willie Green and Kyle Korver. The latter of the three is the only one who would even hold a little trade value as he shoots the three phenomenally…at times. Dalembert could have some trade value if his contract wasn’t bigger than he plays. Let’s not even get into the long list of King’s draft day duds. Hey Billy, there’s some great talent overseas you might have wanted to analyze.

Ed Stefanski, now the former GM of the New Jersey Nets, will replace Billy King. I don’t know if it’s such a great thing to hire someone who was so readily available from a division rival, but maybe he knows how to win a little. Either way, he helped take the Nets from perennial bottom feeders to division overlords almost overnight.

To Billy King I say good riddance. To Ed Stefanski I say good luck. Unlike in East Rutherford where the stands are half empty for a playoff team, in Philly the fans have passion. Our stands are half full for a cellar dweller.

Rollins: A.K.A. "The Best"

2007-11-20T17:12:00.000-05:00

Jimmy Rollins is the man. Not because he won the NL MVP award on Tuesday, but because he walks the walk. As September rolled around, a bold prediction made last offseason seemed nothing more than wasted ink on some paper long ago sent to the recycling center.

Rollins, unquestionably the best shortstop in the NL, said that the Phils were the team to beat in the NL East. Down and seemingly out of the playoff hunt with less than a month to go, Rollins willed the team back to an improbable division crown.

Things like this don't happen often in Philly, so it was a sweet ride watching the Phillies handle their business when it counted. Rollins had help, but he was the leader. Congratulations Jimmy!

Blink and it's gone

2007-10-08T23:17:00.000-04:00

The MLB playoffs were actually in Philadelphia this year. Did you blink? Cause if you did, you might have missed it. With two beatings starting before 5th graders got out of school, followed by a prime time exit, the Phillies just looked like they were boys playing with men.

The playoffs began with optimism, with the thinking that the Phillies had overcome some great mountain and were about to grind it out in the playoffs. Yet, it became clear enough after the first two games that the team had already made their October plans, and playing baseball wasn't part of the deal.

The franchise mindset of accepted losing snuck back into the players minds, but is it their fault? Pitching is a commodity in baseball because it is so important in the playoffs. The Phillies brass didn't plan on a playoff team. They went out and picked up two starters, Freddy Garcia and Adam Eaton, who they thought would pan out. Eaton was a bum before and a bust now. Garcia is nothing more than a shell of himself who gets more than 10 mil a year. That leaves the oft-injured Cole Hamels as the only true weapon in the starting rotation. (Jamie Moyer is great, for his age. Kyle Kendrick will be good, and did better than most thought he would. Kyle Lohse, well, please stop trying to act like this was a good pick-up.)

In the playoffs, a staff of Hamels, Kendrick, Moyer and Lohse is just pathetic. Now I know what you're thinking, Kendrick and Moyer did well, but the competition only gets tougher as the playoffs continue. Hamels had an off inning, which was the difference in Game 1. There is one more problem, the Phillies bullpen has a huge hole in it if you are going to take a starter out before the 7th inning. Uncle Charlie did just that.

Yet I still focus on the starting pitching, and surprisingly enough on Hamels. What I am left struggling to swallow is not how he played (looking disgruntled that he was forced to play in October by the great Mets collapse), but what he said before Game 3. He went on TV and explained that the Phillies goal all season was just to make the playoffs. Hey, just like the Army - Mission Accomplished!

Phillies Fever

2007-10-01T20:24:00.000-04:00

This photo just goes to show that no matter if you are a lifelong Phillies fan (me on left), or someone who doesn't know what home plate is (dad on right), you can still catch Phillies fever. It's sweeping the Delaware Valley like the plague.

Now I'm watching to see who I can direct my "hate" toward throughout the Divisional series, and just when I thought it would be the Rockies (as I am writing this post), the Padres blow it wide open. The SoCal boys took a 4-3 lead after a grand slam, and now lead it 5-3 in the 3rd. I guess it's anyone's game.

Here's to a Red October!

Phillies hot, Birds not

2007-09-30T23:54:00.000-04:00

What a bittersweet Sunday it was. The joy surrounding the Phillies clinching the division and their first playoff appearance in 14 years was followed by the Eagles' worst performance of a dismal season.

The Phillies, led clearly by should-be MVP Jimmy Rollins, Took the division crown following a tremendous final 17 games of the year. That finish was proceeded by a Mets loss, giving the fightin' Phils their first division crown since 1993.

The Eagles, on the other hand, have proven that they are just plain awful. Putting the season in perspective, last week's points explosion against the Lions was just a fluke. The defense is old, and the offense has no rhythm. Without an offensive line enhancement, the team has no prayer.

Go Phils! Hopefully they can send Jamie Moyer to another Phillies victory parade. (Fact: He skipped school to attend the 1980 celebration.)

Do you mind if I ask?

2007-07-24T21:53:00.001-04:00

With the doldrums of summer upon us, or, rather, another mediocre version of America’s losingest team (still love them though, just stating fact), I am left with nothing but hope. Hope for the Eagles. Hope for the Sixers. Hope for the Flyers Hope that some team will end our championship drought.

Not since the ’83 Sixers has a real trophy been hoisted by any of my beloved teams. Babies born then have spouses and mortgages and mega sports contracts (well some of them). Anyway, it’s been a while since the Promised Land was anything but a pipe dream in Philadelphia.

This Friday, the Eagles will open up training camp with rookies and select veterans reporting to Lehigh University. I’ve read some stories, and reporters debate the linemen, and the linebackers, and even the strength of the receiving core (how many number 3 options do they have now?), but no one is raising a huge stink about Donovan McNabb. No. 5 is getting a virtual free pass. Staying in Arizona and providing his own updates, McNabb is sort of on the back burner.

Do you mind if I ask? Is Donovan ever going to be as good a QB as he was during the near-Super season? Or is he just the best option the Eagles have at the position now that they jettisoned a player born for this offense? Last season, in the two or three games leading up to his injury, McNabb looked off a bit. It led me to wonder if he was already heading downhill with no true nary a weapon to throw to.

This offseason wasn’t kind to the receiving core either. The big name to exit: Donte Stallworth. The big addition: Kevin Curtis. There are no words to describe the despair. I could almost hear Donovan puking at the news of that signing. At best, Curtis is on par with James Thrash. And then there was the signing of Bethel Johnson. Good collegiate athlete, bad pro athlete.

Yet forget the defense, and most of the offense, my only question mark heading into the Birds’ 75th season is at the QB position. Will Donovan be able to rise up, avoid the deer in headlight moments, and make his receivers better than they truly are?

I hope so.

Exit interview due for Manuel

2007-04-18T20:40:00.000-04:00

The Philadelphia Phillies need to fire Charlie Manuel. There it is, laid on the line. To change is to make a change. And change is overdue. The losingest franchise in all of sports needs to shake things up. At 3-9 (down by 3 as I am writing), there is nothing to lose.

I never like my first article of the season to be about a team's need to fire their leader. In this case, I'll make an exception. Or maybe I am not. It seems that the Phillies are not following the old man's lead.

Manuel has an undeniable knowledge of the game. Let's not sell him short. But it is his ability to lead that leaves me in doubt. Since he replaced Larry Bowa, the Phillies have come close to the playoffs. But how many times can a team come close before you start to say, this team has not made the playoffs since 1993 and only twice since the franchise's only World Series title in 1980?

Who the Phillies would replace Manuel with is a tough truth. The best managers have jobs. Also, who would want the gig?

Not only have the Philly bats had trouble at times this year, the pitching has given up huge innings in almost every loss. Whether it's the bullpen blowing the lead after an outstanding start, or a starting pitcher serving up a 3-run bomb, the arms have been in trouble. Brett Myers was moved to the bullpen today with Jon Leiber rejoining the rotation. Leiber coming out I agree with, but is Adam Eaton better than Myers? In the long run, no way.

But pitchers are only half of the battery. The Phillies are relying heavily on unproven catcher Carlos Ruiz. His game experience is anything but extensive, and his pitch calling may be more of a problem than the team wishes to admit. Opposing teams are averaging 6 runs a game, and only twice have been held to two points. Does this mean Ruiz is responsible? Partly.

Overall, though, I think the Phillies are in a downward spiral and they need to come out of it. Manuel has a lot of experience in baseball, but it is obvious the players aren't buying into his system.

If the Phillies decide to wait a while before inviting Charlie for an exit interview, I do have a solution. The Phillies need to go old school. If they are still looking up at the division come the All-Star break, Manuel should be replaced by one of the people who helped get him fired.

That's right, a player-manager. Like Frank Robinson and Pete Rose, a current Phillie should be handed the reigns. This would add some accountability to the player, and it would also bring back that sandlot feel. This team needs an overhaul, and that might be the best course of action. After all, it can't hurt.

Sixers Preview - Grizz sighting in Philly

2007-03-01T13:13:00.000-05:00

The sound of ping pong balls will be ringing in the air tonight as the 76ers take on the Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams are looking at a lottery finish, and the winner of this game may be the loser.

The Memphis Grizzlies might be the worst team in basketball, but they may also be the most envied heading into the lottery. The Oden-sweepstakes leading Grizz have a gruesome 15-44 record. To top it off, like it matters, they're 34 games out of first in their division.

It's hard to believe that the Sixers were once on the brink of contending for the league cellar this season. They're still an antonym of the word elite, but they have been playing some inspired ball as of late. Yesterday, the team beatdown the Phoenix Suns juggernaut, and they're the only Eastern Conference host to achieve the feat all season. Philly even managed to lead from start to finish, another first against the Suns this season.

At 20-38, it's safe to say that the Sixers aren't headed to the playoffs, and they won't be the lottery favorites either. However, the team is showcasing its young talent (Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver, Rodney Carney), and using a crafty veteran point guard (Andre Miller) to achieve something Philly couldn't do last season, play with respect.

A squad with Allen Iverson and Chris Webber on the roster that doesn't make the playoffs is just a sad bunch to watch. The current incarnation, though virtually star-less, is an exciting group to see on the court. They play with a passion and hunger lost after the influence on big money.

I'm not a betting man, but if I was I'd... take the under. The teams scored a combined 220 points when they played in January, but Philly's defense has stopped Sacramento and Phoenix in their last two games.

Sixers officially in search for new answer

2006-12-19T22:55:00.000-05:00

Today's trade of Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets is bittersweet. On the plus side, AI will not be in the division or conference. This is a bonus especially considering that Boston was an instant frontrunner to snag him. Another plus is the fact that the Philadelphia 76ers were able to acquire Joe Smith's expiring contract, two first round draft picks and Andre Miller (pictured), a solid point guard who's averaging more than nine assists on the season.

Sadly, though, this marks the end of an era in Sixers basketball, an exciting one to boot. Iverson is one of the greatest players that ever put on a Philly uniform, and it's a shame that he isn't leaving with a ring (not his fault at all, but that's another can of worms that team owner Ed Snider should address). I've never seen a player do so much with so little stature. He truly gave 100 percent on the court every time he laced up.

Another disappointment is the fact that this is an admission that the team cannot win with Iverson and his hefty contract. Building a team around the superstar, still in his prime, just never seemed to work. As good as he is, I knew they would eventually have to part way if the Sixers were going to win a title in the future. In 2002, I met former Sixer Matt Harpring. A lifelong 76ers fan (and basketball fan in general), I was excited to have the opportunity to talk to him. In that conversation, which lasted about an hour, he told me directly that the 76ers will never win a championship with Allen Iverson. I wanted to think he was wrong, but I knew he was right.

Now it's time to move forward and embrace the newest additions to the team. Miller has impressed me at times when I saw him play live as a Clipper. He has some skills and has career averages of more than 14 points and seven assists. He is a quality point guard who should move current starter Kevin Ollie back to the bench where he belongs. Though he is no replacement for AI, who no one will replace, Miller is a young, quality point guard who could be a steady piece of a championship puzzle if the team rebuilds quickly.

Seldom used forward Ivan McFarlin will head to Denver with AI. Hopefully for McFarlin he'll participate in a win soon. His only playing time has come in Sixers losses this season (0-11 when he takes the court).

The youth movement is in full effect, and I can't help but wonder if the team won't be able to move Chris Webber around the trade deadline. If anyone is thinking straight in the front office, Webber should be on the block. Now comes the exciting part...How this new-look team handles the road in front of them.

AI can go, but problems will persist

2006-12-09T21:14:00.000-05:00

With trade rumors running through the streets of Philly faster than Rocky Balboa, the 76ers are the talk of the league. There are people who think trading away Allen Iverson will immediately set the franchise on a course to return to greatness in a few years. Then there are the doomsday predictions that say if the Sixers trade him, the franchise will never recover and the team should keep him and build.

But the Sixers will have neither prediction come true without more changes. Iverson is an amazing talent, and one of the league's top draws on the road. Losing him will undoubtedly take the Sixers down a notch, if possible sitting at 5-13.

The Sixers should trade Iverson, without a doubt. But they should also let head coach Maurice Cheeks and president Billy King follow him out the door. Neither has demonstrated an ability to do their jobs well, and both have the franchise on its knees gasping for air.

King has had one of the greatest players of all time right in his hand, yet he has continuously failed to build a team around his prized player. It's not like he's had a month. He's had more than three years. And the team of overpaid nobodies is now worse than I can remember, at least recently.

King is the one responsible for signing the players. Cheeks is the one responsible for not motivating them. I recently saw the team play at the Meadowlands. The 76ers looked like a bunch of gym league players at a pick-up basketball game. And that's just during shootaround. Cheeks looked shellshocked most of the game and it should be no surprise to anyone that this club does not look like they want to put on an NBA uniform. Cheeks had no control of his players in Portland, and appears headed down the same path in Philly.

If Ed Snider really wants to turn things around, trade AI to Memphis for Gasol and the big man they need will be here. To make it even better, send Cheeks and King with him.

A glimpse of the future?

2006-10-11T17:50:00.000-04:00

Picture this: Wachovia Center, playoffs 2010. On the bench cheering is Allen Iverson. On the floor wowing the crowd, Rodney Carney. In the stands, people wear shirts and hold signs declaring themselves believers, affectionately known as Carney Folk.

If you believe in Tuesday's exhibition win against the Suns, this could be the future you've envisioned. Sure Carney, the Sixers rookie, only scored 14 points, but keep in mind that it was in 12 minutes, and he was 6-of-9 from the floor. Most importantly, he wasn't afraid to hoist up a 3-pointer with the team trailing in the final minute. Fearless leadership; the kind of skill that no coach can teach. Carney also added 7 boards and a block. That's production.

The Sixers as a team though are potentially worrisome. For some reason, maybe it's the underwhelming offseason or the lack of change from a team that finished 9th in the Eastern Conference last season, but the 76ers look to repeat as the NBA's best impersonator of an amusement park ride. The roller-coaster has already started as the team dropped a game to FC Barcelona this week, then beat the Suns and CSKA Moscow.

Looking at the staff, Head Coach Mo Cheeks has surrounded himself with some great minds. John Loyer is a scouting specialist. Henry Bibby (yes, Mike's dad) has coached for 22 years. Jim Lynam is a former Sixers coach who has more than 20 years experience. And last but not least, Moses Malone, a player who helped bring the last championship to this trophy-starved city, and who should help Samuel Dalembert reach his full potential.

All things considered, the Sixers should go 42-40 and earn a playoff birth. If not, look for changes from top to bottom next offseason.

A giant collapse

2006-09-18T21:25:00.000-04:00

If only football was a three-quarter (I know they wouldn't be quarters if there were three) game. The Eagles would be 2-0 instead of an embarrassing 1-1. Jevon Kearse would be walking fine, now he's out for the season. And the Eagles would've won their first NFC east game following six straight losses, now make it seven.

All day today, the radio was filled with armchair GMs talking about the reason the Eagles lost. But people are missing the big picture. The Eagles were up 24-7 at the start of the fourth quarter. If they'd been up by only seven or 10, one mistake could've been blamed. But they just flat out fell asleep.

Eagles Quarterback Donavan McNabb auditioned for "Dancing With The Stars," albeit at the wrong moment. Running back Brian Westbrook fumbled. And the Giants exploited the one problem with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's schemes. They're hurry-up plays prevented the Eagles from setting up and rotating players in and out.

If the Eagles plan on making a playoff run, they'll need to plan for teams to go hurry-up toward the end of the game. It could be tough for the Eagles' coach Andy Reid to recognize this, as his own offense is commonly known for falling asleep in crunch time.

All I saw yesterday was a collapse. When the Eagles needed big plays, the well was dry. They lost the game. They lost their seventh straght in the division. They lost "The Freak." And they lost some credibility.

Health key to Birds redemption

2006-08-02T16:36:00.000-04:00

The sweltering heat in Philadelphia has helped thaw the freezing cold winter that was the Eagles offseason. Officially out of town is WR Terrell Owens (he'll be back for a wallop on Oct. 8), and officially in town is Jabar Gaffney (left).

Sure it may seem like a disappointing bait-and-switch, but it fits the formula of the Eagles success. The Birds played in four straight NFC title games without that "go-to" guy, finally making it back to the Super Bowl after the 2004 season. So not having a "stud" out there isn't all that alarming.

The thing that Philly must do is stay healthy. Last season (6-10) was punctuated by a rash of boo-boos to key players on both sides of the ball. This season though, the Eagles brass got wise and landed themselves Jeff Garcia, a very capable QB to back up Donovan McNabb. Even if the former scrambler fails to make it out of the pocket healthy, the Eagles playoff hopes won't be immediately dashed.

If the Eagles manage to stay healthy, the chances of making the playoffs are great. This year's team is much like the ones that went to the NFC title games and Super Bowl, and managed to go 66-26 from 2000-2004.

One key to the season that the players must remember is that this could be the last hurrah. Another disastrous season like 2005, and the team will have to make some serious personnel decisions.

Bye Bye Bobby

2006-07-31T11:13:00.000-04:00

To simply sum up the Bobby Abreu (sorry Cory Lidle) trade to the Yankees, it's about time. The first order of business for GM Pat Gillick shouldn't have been to sign the dreadful Ryan Franklin (a loser even on steroids), it should have been to buy back the no trade clauses of Abreu and Pat Burrell.

To think what might have been if that clause had been removed before the season. At any cost, it could've blown trade negotions much more in our favor. We could possibly have traded Burrell as well.

The years of banking on the outfielders have come and gone in failure, much like many of the teams in the club's 123 year history. The Phillies fortunes now clearly lie with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels. That's right, for the first time in a while, we have a bright young pitcher to look forward to seeing more of.

Getting rid of Abreu is step one in the process of moving forward. Next, will be to try and unload Burrell (2007 trade deadline possibly). At least Gillick is moving the Phillies in the right direction.

The GM traded Rheal Cormier to the Reds for Justin Germano, a young starter. He traded 3B David Bell to Milwaukee for minor league pitcher Wilfredo Laureano. And in the Yankees deal, Gillick acquired 20-year-old minor-league shortstop C.J. Henry, the Yanks No. 1 pick in 2005 and 27-year-old left-handed reliever Matt Smith. The Phillies also received minor league catcher Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios, while the Yankees took on responsibility for Abreu and Lidle's contracts.

The tune of these trades, it seems to me, is to feed our farm system while freeing up cash. Quite a few talented position players have emerged from the Ed Wade era, but pitchers have been pretty lousy. Gillick is also stressing patience, which shouldn't be too hard to preach to fans of a team with 1 championship in 123 tries. Desparation passed us by about 50 years ago.

Draft Report: Sixers get their guy

2006-06-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

For the past week leading up to the draft, mock drafts had the Philadelphia 76ers selecting small forward Rodney Carney of Memphis with the 13th pick. When it was all over, they had their guy, but not the conventional way.

When their name was called, the Sixers passed on Carney in favor of Thabo Sefolosha from Switzerland. After the Bulls selected Carney with the 16th pick, the Sixers traded the rights to Sefolosha to Chicago for Carney and cash.

Later in the evening, Philly traded for another small forward, Bobby Jones of Washington. Jones had been selected by the Timberwolves with the 37th pick.

To round out their night, the Sixers traded cash to the Raptors for the rights to the No. 56 Edin Bavcic. The Bosnian center who has shooting range will likely stay in Europe for a couple of seasons.

All in all, not a bad night. Though, between now and the tip-off of the 2006-2007 NBA season, expect some fireworks out of Philadelphia.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Phillies Pitching

2006-06-24T14:05:00.000-04:00

This is the initial offering of a new series I'm going to feature, "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." Seeing that it's baseball season, what a better way to start than by examining the Philadelphia Phillies' cache of arms.

The Good: The Phillies have the third best bullpen in baseball, and just added another veteran arm in Cincinnati castaway Rick White. Closer Tom Gordon is tied for fifth in the majors with 20 saves, and sporting a nifty 1.47 ERA. He also has 40 Ks in only 30.2 innings. Another offseason addition, Arthur Rhodes, is tied for second in the big leagues with 15 holds, an important stat for setup men.

The Bad: For as good as the relief pitching is, the starting pitching is equally bad if not worse. In fact, the starting rotation (if eight pitchers is still considered a rotation and not a platoon) is the worst in the league. In May, every eye in the city turned to Cole Hamels as the savior. Here we are in June and he's sporting a record of 1-3 (three straight losses). Not exactly the answer we were hoping for. The rotation has a combined record of 24-27, with a gaudy 6.05 ERA. That'd be fine if Philly had the lineup of the Yankees...but they don't.

The Ugly: As if being the "Ace" of a woeful pitching staff wasn't embarrassing enough, the Phillies Brett Myers proved this week that he is a despicable person. On Friday, Boston police arrested Myers, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 240 pounds, for beating his wife on a local street. Reports of the incident said that Myers pulled his wife by the hair and struck her in the face. The Phillies, who are a reflection of their manager Charlie Manuel, hopeless, need to take action and suspend Myers after today's start.

Technorati Tags:Phillies,Brett Myers,Tom Gordon

Second at best

2006-06-14T23:58:00.000-04:00

After witnessing my third (live) Phillies game this season, I'm sad to say that the team will finish no better than second. With the division leading Mets (and about 15,000 of their fans) in town through tomorrow, the fight-less Phils are reeling. After another embarrassing loss, they sit 8.5 games back at 33-32.

The reasons for this season's demise are obvious. The starters can't pitch. There's only so much a fielder can do. Brett Myers (4-3) is promising and Cole Hamels (1-1) looked brilliant in his first three starts, though horrid in his last one.

Through today, seven different pitchers have started for the Phillies, going a combined 22-22. That's not exactly playoff material. They also boast a 5.91 ERA. Will it get better? We'll have to wait until Saturday to see if an eighth pitcher, Scott Mathieson of Double-A Reading, can help move this rotation to respectability.

But the problem for the Phillies goes deeper than the players. Charlie Manuel has lost the respect of the fans and seemingly the players. Just the other day, while discussing a certain pitch, he and Hamels had an "in-the-press" disagreement. The energy level of the players, with the exception of a few, has been lackluster. That's a sign of an unmotivated ballclub; one without respect for their mentor.

Case in point: Bobby Abreu is playing like the Phillies are sitting 30 games up in first place. To get the attention of fans and players, he should be traded for a talented arm (maybe Scott Kazmir of Tampa Bay). For the money Abreu's making, he should be lighting the place up every night.

Maybe it's me and maybe I'm sour over the taste of another loss to the Mets, but the Phillies have got to make a real change. Manuel and Abreu must go.

Technorati Tags:Phillies,Charlie Manuel,Bobby Abreu

Draft can't cure Sixers ills

2006-06-07T19:35:00.000-04:00

On the eve of the NBA Finals, the 76ers are preparing to watch it at home for the 22nd time in 23 years. But later this month, comes the draft, a day when all of the lovable losers of the NBA pick up their newest saviors and goats.

Although a part of me wants to keep hope alive for a great pick, the Sixers really have no shot of fixing their problems. GM Billy King's picks since 2000 have been lackluster role players at best, with only one flashing signs worthy of a first-round draft pick (Andre Iguodala).

What the team needs is a trade. Allen Iverson and Chris Webber are obvious choices. Some fans I've talked to have said that trading AI will lead to years of cellar dwelling. If you don't make the playoffs with him, who cares if they're in third or last?

Iverson is still a great player and one of the best draws around the league. Even so, with the money that he brought in, the 76ers have never been able to find a running mate that can coexist with him (see Jerry Stackhouse, Keith Van Horn, Larry Hughes...even Chris Webber). Speaking with a former Sixer a few years ago, I was told, flat out, that "Philadelphia will never win a title with AI in town."

It was blunt, but I'm beginning to believe it, with sadness. Since he's arrived in town, AI has played the game harder than anyone I can remember. He gives a total effort on every play, which makes his on-court life admirable. Off the court, Iverson's had his media troubles, but nothing truly serious.

Although Webber can still score, he's a shadow of his former self. For as long as I can remember, he's been a player long on talent, but short on game presence. The Webber experiment in Philadelphia should be put out of its misery.

Speaking of needing to be put out of its misery, maybe it's the Billy King era. He was even outdone this season by Clippers GM Elgin Baylor. When that happens, it's time to go. Some people might ask, well who could replace him? I'm sure there are some assistant GMs somewhere looking to move on, or maybe Larry Brown would want to come back and finish the job. But two less obvious choices could be Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Both are part of the 50 greatest players of all time, and have front office and scouting experience.

With King making the choice on June 28, and a shower-deep draft pool, another mediocre player is surely on his way. Cheers to standing pat...in the middle of the pack.

Technorati Tags:Allen Iverson,Chris Webber,76ers

Season over, lockout over

2006-05-10T18:17:00.000-04:00

Now that the Philadelphia Flyers have hung up their skates for the summer, my ban on hockey talk is over. The Flyers' had me biting my tongue all season long, and I'm finally going to let it rip.

First off, how does a team fool a city into believing there is a chance of a championship when they can't even choose a goalie. Sure the team did well during the regular season, and they fought valiantly through injuries, but when the postseason rolls around, you need a goalie who is ready. What Philly had were two guys afraid to make mistakes.

Against the Sabres, both Robert Esche and Antero Niittymaki (pictured) finished with a goals against average above 4. Esche, who played all six games of the playoffs, could never get into a comfort zone as one mistake could have ownership flipping on their radios and listening to the fans, AGAIN.

When it came to his goalie, it was clear that GM Bobby Clarke could not make a decision. If you turned on the radio after an Esche loss, all the fans would be calling for Niittymaki. If the latter lost, every fan would be calling for Esche. At times, it looked like Clarke was listening. Pick one and stick with it. Goalie is the only position that doesn't change with the line shift and the reason is comfort and repetition. Neither goalie was afforded those luxuries.

What does the future have in store? More of the same, I'm afraid. Clarke stated in a post-season press conference that he doesn't see a problem with the goalie situation and that he was pleased with how they played. Go figure, another complacent GM in Philly who is afraid to admit their problems by fixing them.

Technorati Tags:Flyers,Antero Niittymaki,Robert Esche

The great debate rages on

2006-03-21T15:08:00.000-05:00

In case you guys haven't checked it out, The Broad Street Journal, another blog that I write for, has been running a debate about the greatest athlete in Philadelphia sports.

Be sure to check it out.

The stage is set for Villanova

2006-03-15T00:34:00.000-05:00

This is a sore point for me, as I'd love to watch Villanova run the table and bring the city a national title. But to do so they have to knock off my alma mater Monmouth in Round 1. Sure Monmouth is a 16 seed, but I still dare to dream.

Realistically, Villanova has a great shot to win it all, and have toppled some great competition this year. If healthy, look for the Wildcats' to contend deep into the tourney.

Also congratulations to Penn for taking the Ivy League title.

Go 'Nova (except on Friday).

Technorati Tags:Villanova,Monmouth,Penn

Chaney exits with dignity intact

2006-03-15T00:05:00.000-05:00

Congratulations and many thanks to John Chaney who officially resigned his head coaching position at Temple University today. With the Owls' overtime loss to Akron in the first round of the NIT, a game in which Chaney skipped to be with his ailing wife, his Hall of Fame career came to a close.

Throughout 34 years (the last 24 at Temple), Chaney racked up 741 wins. Though he went to the NCAA Tournament 17 times, the Owls never advanced past the Elite Eight.

A two time national coach of the year, Chaney was a true leader. He saw the value of his players lives outside of basketball, and taught 18-year-old boys how to become 22-year-old men.

Thanks for the memories Coach Chaney.

Technorati Tags:John Chaney,Temple,NCAA

No longer the "Answer?"

2006-03-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

For years, the Philadelphia 76ers with Allen Iverson have been a decent team with mid-level draft picks, and no real chance at a title, save for 2000-2001. Excitement has always been promised, and usually delivered, but the end result is always the same. Once again, this season is no different, with a notable exception, attendance.

The 76ers are ranked 22nd in home attendance, behind such world-class organizations at the Hornets, Clippers, Warriors and Raptors. However, on the road they are ranked 5th, a stat that tells us the AI show is evidently more popular off Broad Street.

Like any form of entertainment, after a little while, the same dog and pony show gets boring. People will put aside winning for the potential of a bright future in the beginning, but after a while, victories become the answer. Such is now the case for the Sixers.

But AI is no longer the "Answer" for USA basketball either. Admirably, AI was one of the few top-flight players who longed to suit up for the red, white and blue. But realistically, team USA is not about selling tickets, sneakers and jerseys.

AI has been a maestro for years at marketing himself even though he's been mired in a situation where winning hasn't been the constant. But for USA basketball, Iverson just doesn't have the game it's going to take. Cooperative and unselfish are words seldom used to describe AI, but are traits of the players who Team USA needs to be competitive on the world scale.

Last week, Howard Eskin, of 610 WIP, brought up the possibility that by the 2008 games, AI will be too old and that's why he's not on the invite list. Huh, then why would Bruce Bowen be invited when he'll be 37? AI will only be 33.

Another point brought up on WIP in the morning was that possibly Team USA officials were afraid that if they invited him and had to cut him, it would hurt his feelings. What!?! Sorry, but that's just not an excuse.

What the USA needs are players with no names on their jerseys going out there and opening a can of "Made in the USA" whoop-ass. I watched the Italian National team take on many countries in the summer of 2005 and, sadly, AI just wouldn't be able to lead a team into battle against those guys. They are a cohesive team, not a 1-on-5 glory squad.

Whereas AI is not the "Answer" when it comes to winning in the NBA or taking home an Olympic gold medal, he continues to be one of the bigger draws in basketball, at least away from home.

Technorati Tags:76ers,Allen Iverson,Team USA

Eagles dreams partly lie within

2006-03-06T09:06:00.000-05:00

As the city still comes to grips with the embarrassing 6-10 post-Super Bowl season that was 2005, people need not worry. The results of the tumultuous season are not lasting, and the Eagles could easily regain their rightful place on the perch of the NFC East.

With all of the free agency talk of late, it's hard to imagine that the Eagles won't pounce on a major free agent. Their defense needs some strengthening up, and their offense needs a little tweaking, plus a running back who can truly rush.

In addition, the Eagles could help to right the ship from within. Andy Reid's play calling was atrocious last season, and became the easiest thing to read since "Fun with Dick and Jane." Shake it up a bit big fella, passing is not always the answer. Also, the Birds were plagued with injuries at key positions all year. You throw Philly's top guys in at most of the offensive spots, and the wheels on the bus start moving.

Wide receiver is a concern, but it shouldn't be the biggest. The Eagles need a quality running back in the worst way. Brian Westbrook is decent and has world class hands, but the Eagles cannot run it up the middle of the field with him, and need to acquire the thunder to go with his lightning.

All in all though, the Eagles are not in terrible shape for a team coming off of a 6-10 season.

Technorati Tags:Eagles,Free Agency,NFL

Flourishing Phillies spreading spring fever

2006-03-06T08:56:00.000-05:00

Sunshine. Warmth. Laced leather hurtling through the air at 90 mph. Yes, it's Spring Training, and the Phillies are off to the best start (4-0) of all the teams in the Grapefruit League. Is it due to the top players in baseball taking a leave of absence to play in the World Baseball Classic, or is Philadelphia really this good?

Probably it's a mixture of both. The Phillies record won't be gaudy this season at all. With a consistently weak rotation, little to no pop at the plate and players who look something like Robin Williams's character in "Deconstructing Harry," Philly's future rests on guys stepping up and playing above their averages.

For now, we'll have to play a game of wait and see. The strong spring start gives hope, but it holds little importance to the outcome of the regular season.

Technorati Tags:Phillies,Spring Training,MLB

Iverson trade a real possibility?

2006-02-22T08:59:00.000-05:00

Though Allen Iverson's a perennial league leader in scoring, and always near the top in steals, some people feel that the 76ers should rid themselves of their superstar while his trade value is high. The Denver Nuggets seem to be making the first serious run for AI.

Other fans, however, feel a little like myself. There's a real honor in a player staying with one team for their entire career. Not only does it make the player more identifiable, it also links him to the city for life.

Michael Jordan was a Bull, and it was painful to watch him in a Wizards jersey. Karl Malone was Utah, not L.A. Patrick Ewing should've just marked the end of his career by retiring as a Knick, not kidding himself in Seattle and Orlando.

Not to mention, Iverson is the Sixers. Currently, he is the only superstar player, and the main attraction at the box office. Ten years ago, the new building was enough to make fans come watch a bad team. Then AI arrived and the promise of a bright future came with him.

A championship is a different story. A former Sixer and current player in the Western Conference once told me flat out that Philadelphia will never win a championship with Iverson. Three summers ago, he suggested that the Sixers needed to make a trade.

Trading AI would be tough in many respects. He's one of the few superstars in professional sports that has embraced Philadelphia. Even when fans and media were getting on him, he stuck it out because he likes the city. To trade a player who wants to be here for one that would likely be disgruntled would be a shame. Besides, it's not the same situation as Sir Charles Barkley who wanted out of town in the worst way.

Unless an offer comes along that's too good to refuse, the Sixers should hang on to Iverson. He brings in the fans, sells merchandise, and gives an exemplary game-time effort. Team President Billy King just needs to complement Iverson with a team like the 2000 squad. Gutsy, conditioned, hungry role players who know defense. Add a couple of guys who can score 15 points a game. Keep three-point specialist Kyle Korver for crucial situations, a la Steve Kerr. And, for the love of god, finally get a big man in the middle who can play. It's obvious that no one is afraid of Samuel Dalembert and Steve Hunter.

If anyone should leave town this season, it should be Chris Webber. He can score at times, but his decision making skills in pressure situations are questionable at best (and always have been - see Michigan 1993). But he still might have enough trade value so that the Sixers can shed salary and pick up a draft pick or two (and maybe go after some European player for once).

Technorati Tags:76ers,Allen Iverson,NBA

Winter work for the "Boys of Summer"

2006-02-21T22:47:00.000-05:00

As we fans work and play in the freezing cold, our heroes (fingers crossed) are busy preparing themselves for the grueling MLB season -- in warm, sunny Florida. The Grapefruit League kicks off in just over eight days, and the Philadelphia Phillies need to prove their noisy yet shaky offseason is behind them.

Noisy in the sense that Bobby Abreu was rumored to be headed out of town about 20 times, which he says he's shrugged off. Shaky in the fact that the only real improvements are in centerfield (Aaron Rowand) and setup (Arthur Rhodes). No other pickups look poised to be improvements over the 2005 Phillies, unless Abraham Nunez beats out David Bell at third base. Bell hit only .199 against righties in 2005, .248 overall. That average would be justifiable if complemented by some power, but this guy would need to bat from second base to be a real threat. Nunez batted .285 overall, .277 against righties.

Charlie Manuel (pictured) has his work cut out for him, especially with the core of starters in the fold. In 2005, projected starters Jon Lieber, Brett Myers, Cory Lidle, Ryan Franklin and Ryan Madson were a combined 57-52 with an ERA of 4.34. With a new closer whose best days are long since gone, the starting rotation must display some improvement if the Phils are to sniff the postseason.

My prediction: I think the Phillies will finish with an above .500 record, but fall short of the playoffs. Expect a third place finish in the division, second if the Mets implode again.

Technorati Tags:Phillies,Spring Training,MLB

Wildcats claw past Huskies

2006-02-14T00:37:00.000-05:00

In what could very well be a preview of the Big East Championship Game on March 11, the Villanova Wildcats proved (again) they belong among basketball's elite by taking down the top-ranked UCONN Huskies. 'Nova now leads the Big East with a 10-1 conference record (20-2 overall).

The fourth-ranked Wildcats have been on fire all season, with their only losses coming to #9 Texas (58-55) and #11 West Virginia (91-87). With the pro team spinning its wheels, the 'Cats have given Philadelphia a real winner to stand behind.

Now I know that the NCAA Tournament is still a month away, but I can't help but make my first prediction. I see the Wildcats going on a tear and ending up at the Final Four. Somewhere, Rollie Massamino and the Class of '85 are smiling.

Interesting fact about tonight's game: It was played in front of the largest crowd ever assembled in Pennsylvania for a college basketball game. (Source: NBC 10)

Technorati Tags:Villanova,NCAA,UCONN

Reid's still the best bet

2006-02-12T14:18:00.000-05:00

Around the area, I hear rumblings from people about their discontent with the season of losing that Head Coach Andy Reid and his Philadelphia Eagles orchestrated in 2005. Everyone's happy that Reid slimmed down his waistline, but that's the only losing that some people will accept.

I'm not making an excuse for the team, however the injuries they faced were crippling. Somehow people like to place the hones for this at Reid's feet. Some of the discontent should go to him due to his far from balanced play calling. Also, he had a part in the Eagles losing Corey Simon and Derrick Burgess. But when you have an offense loaded with second string players it's really tough to stay competitive - something the Eagles were able to do in many of their late season games.

The calls in the area to relieve Reid from his post are asinine. Who are the Eagles going to go after to coach this team? If there was a coach out there that was better, then start to speak up. Until then, Reid is still the best bet. This is a coach who has been to four NFC title games and a Super Bowl in seven seasons with the club.

Also, good luck today to Pro Bowlers Mike Bartrum, Brian Dawkins and Jeremiah Trotter, the only Eagles who will see postseason action this year.

Sixers need a stroke of luck

2006-02-03T01:38:00.000-05:00

The Philadelphia 76ers face their toughest challenge on Friday night, hosting a 38-6 Detroit Pistons squad that's chasing history. Even tougher, they will be doing it without leading scorer Allen Iverson.

With the Answer sidelined the Sixers will be easily overmatched, and will require major contributions from their role players like Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver and Samuel Dalembert.

Speaking of Sammy, expect his minutes to increase now that the 76ers have traded away Steven Hunter. Two get two draft choices for Hunter (as well as escaping his undeserved contract) was a great refund for Sixers President Billy King, who deactivated his other main offseason acquisition, Lee Nailon, last week. (Hey Billy, 0-2 is hardly the kind of offseason that you build your career on.)

So to the Sixers, sans the true A.I., I say good luck.

T.O. headed a "Mile High?"

2006-01-30T21:57:00.000-05:00

According to ESPN.com's Senior writer Len Pasquarelli, outspoken, yet talented, Philadelphia Eagles receiver Terrell Owens met with Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan today. The get together was described as a "get-acquainted session."

Pasquarelli writes:

The consensus around the league has been that, since most teams believe the Eagles will release Owens before they must pay him bonuses totaling $7.5 million in March, the trade market for him would be blunted. Eagles coach Andy Reid insisted during Senior Bowl all-star game practices last week, though, that several teams had indicated an interest in having trade talks.

As bad and cliche as this sounds, the addition of T.O. would make Denver an instant frontrunner for the Super Bowl.

Calm waters once again

2006-01-25T14:47:00.000-05:00

The fervor that was the Philadelphia Phillies making some noise this offseason, albeit for only two days, has pretty much subsided with no action. Mike Piazza wants to go to the West Coast and/or the American League and is likely never going to be seen in a Phillies uniform.

As for the Jason Michaels trade with Cleveland for Arthur Rhodes, that's on hold. Cleveland was looking to obtain Michaels only if it went through with a deal to send outfielder Coco Crisp to Boston. That deal is in limbo after the pitcher they were to get for Crisp, Guillermo Mota, failed his physical.

According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark:

It's possible the Red Sox could substitute a reliever (perhaps highly regarded
prospect Manny Delcarmen), which would allow both trades to take place basically as previously devised. But sources said that the Indians always preferred Reds outfielder Austin Kearns to Michaels.
So it's also possible that, with the firing of Reds GM Dan O'Brien, the Indians and Red Sox will attempt to revive their much-discussed three-way trade with Cincinnati that would have sent Kearns to Cleveland, Crisp to Boston and Matt Clement to Cincinnati. It was O'Brien who killed the most recent version of that one last week.

The outcome of the Michaels saga also will help shape the Phillies starting rotation. If the deal can be made with the Indians for Arthur Rhodes, then Ryan Madson would head to spring training as the fifth starter. If not, there are a number of Phils who will be competing for the spot.

As usual, it's a wait and see situation.

Philadelphia finally making waves

2006-01-24T17:20:00.000-05:00

Waves aren't normally seen along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, but the Phillies were making some of their own on Tuesday (and late Monday). The rumors, two completely separate deals, feature trading outfielder Jason Michaels to Cleveland for a setup man, and inking free-agent catcher Mike Piazza (pictured).

The Michaels trade with the Indians is said to be for one of three players, Guillermo Mota, Arthur Rhodes or David Riske. The Phillies need pitching, and either of the three would work well in the bullpen. The trade could also signal the end of the Phillies trying to move Bobby Abreu, as Michaels would've been his likely replacement.

The Piazza signing is intriquing. The Norristown native recently had Philly included on his no-trade list, and he clearly cannot return to catching full time. His only other viable position in the National League is first base, and the Phillies are set there with emerging star Ryan Howard.

So how does Piazza fit in? According to ESPN.com, the Phillies would use him to spell Mike Lieberthal and Howard when necessary. But I smell trade bait. Now that the Phillies are likely keeping Abreu in the fold, Piazza is a much bigger name to trade to an American League club. He would serve a much larger purpose there, as an everyday DH and back-up catcher.

Whether they keep him or trade him, Piazza would be a great pick-up for the Phillies. If he stays, he'd be a great back-up and help put a famous face into the marketing plan. If he goes, the Phils would likely get something decent in return.

Phillies could've done better than Franklin

2006-01-22T13:01:00.000-05:00

Although the Philadelphia Phillies search for an ace continues, attracting a top-flight hurler has proved fruitless. Last Sunday, I presented a list of pitchers, none of whom are number one arms, but who might help the rotation more than Ryan Franklin (pictured). My list included Jose Lima, Kaz Ishii, Matt Herges, Julian Tavarez, and Keiichi Yabu.

Franklin is the Phillies prized pitching acquisition of the offseason. A career loser (35-50 with a 4.34 ERA), the former Mariner couldn't even win when he was on steroids (suspended August 2-11, 2005). The fact that Franklin was so openly touted by the Phillies brass is a clear indication that winning is NOT a priority.

I received a lot of flack for the pitchers I suggested. Now, I never said these guys were aces, just better options than Franklin. And I stand by my statement. Lima is a fiery guy who could benefit the Phils' clubhouse. He's 24-24 over the past three years, and has won more than 13 games three times in his career. Franklin is 23-44 in the same span and has given up 95 home runs to Lima's 71.

Ishii, who was a sought after free agent when he came over from Japan before the 2002 season, has a career record of 39-34. He had a rough season last year, but has been an effective starter for most of his brief career. Given a welcome home, Ishii could be effective. If anything, the Phillies should keep him for the first half of the season when he's most potent.

Herges, who is coming off by far his worst year, has a career 3.83 ERA. He's a good reliever, and could be an asset to the team as he is experienced in hold situations.

Tavarez was signed by the Boston Red Sox, thus making him unavailable to the Phillies. He was probably the best pitcher on the list.

Finally there's Yabu. The 37-year-old reliever from Japan was 4-0 last season in 40 games with Oakland. He's since been signed by the Rockies.

Someone mentioned to me that the Phillies should go after Jeff Weaver. I agree that he's better than Franklin, but to pay nearly $10 million per season for a career loser who couldn't even win with the Yankees powerhouse lineup behind him is not a good idea. If Weaver's price tag fit his talent, he might be a viable option.

A week full of news, but still no ace

2006-01-22T12:19:00.000-05:00

What a week it was for the Philadelphia Phillies. First, GM Pat Gillick announced to the media that his team is not good enough to win the division. Then, both Jayson Stark (ESPN.com) and Kevin Roberts (Courier-Post) published articles commenting on the obvious lack of an ace in the starting rotation. Now, in today's Courier-Post, there's an article about the left field wall of Citizen's Bank Park being moved back and heightened to help prevent home runs, making the park more desirable for pitchers.

I agree with Gillick that the team is going nowhere, and with the anonymous roster, I doubt anyone will notice outside this area. As for the reporters, all I have to say is, "duh." They could've just recycled the same article they've written since Curt Schilling left (save for the season that they all thought Kevin Millwood would be the ace). And as for the wall, good luck on that experiment. I was sitting in the left field stands this season when the Mets knocked seven out of the park, and the five feet they're moving the wall back (plus the 30 inches in new height) wouldn't have changed a thing. Those balls were launched. If they want to reduce the home run total with this cache of arms, try moving the fence back to the parking lot.

Lima could be a steal for Philadelphia

2006-01-15T21:01:00.000-05:00

In the past 10 days the Phillies have agreed to terms with Brett Myers (deservedly so) and taken a chance on Ryan Franklin (uh, why?). It got me thinking, maybe the Phillies should start looking at a potential free agent steal, Jose Lima.

Lima is one of those pitchers, whether winning or losing, that adds personality and heart to the dugout. Sure, he can be rough around the edges, but when he's "on" we're talking a potential 15-game winner.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of throwing money around on chances, but it appears the Phillies' front office is. So, while they're tossing around the green, they might want to consider a man like Lima.

I also began to think of a few more arms (either SP or RP) who Philly should evaluate, all of which make more sense than Franklin. Here they are in no particular order:
Kaz Ishii
Matt Herges
Julian Tavarez
Keiichi Yabu

Sixers only defense is offense

2006-01-14T15:04:00.000-05:00

Not that it wasn't abundantly clear before, but the past week has proven that the Philadelphia 76ers defense is horrendous. Sitting now at 18-18, after a thrilling 125-124 overtime victory last night, Philly is ranked 29th (out of 30) in opponents points allowed with an average of 102.9.

Luckily for the Sixers, they are ranked 2nd in scoring with 102.8. With a defense that's as sturdy as melted butter, the 76ers offense is their saving grace. On any given night, they have the ability to outscore almost any team in the league.

For Philadelphia fans, this deficiency on defense has led to some nailbiters, but also some very exciting and hard fought contests. Case in point, last night's game against the Boston Celtics. Down by ten points after three quarters, the team roared back to tie it up and send the game into overtime.

The end of the first overtime saw the teams tied at 109. Then the remarkable happened. Philadelphia trailed near the end of the second overtime by three. And, with a hand in his face and time expiring, Kyle Korver (pictured) buried his usual, a clutch 3-pointer. Result: triple overtime.

The longest game for Philadelphia since 1992 saw the Sixers go down 124-121 before dropping four unanswered points on the Celtics. It was jubilation afterwards for the players. As for Head Coach Maurice Cheeks, he saw the problem with the defense almost cost the team the game. The 3OT win will have a very positive effect in the locker room, but a loss could've just as easily torn it apart.

So as the Sixers rollercoaster season continues, the team will have to search for a better answer to their defensive woes. Offense is not always the best defense.

Eagles fishing for something in return

2006-01-12T13:25:00.000-05:00

The news this week that the Philadelphia Eagles have granted agent Drew Rosenhaus permission to seek a trade for his exiled client, Terrell Owens, was more of a step sideways than forward. On his way out, Owens likely won't be traded, an end result that will bear no fruit for the Eagles, and potentially less green for T.O.

Rosenhaus has done some wheeling and dealing in the past, but when every owner in the league knows a player will be available in the spring as a free agent, it's tough to convince them that it's in their best interest to give something up. That is where both T.O. and the Birds lose even more.

For the Eagles, it's the loss of a prime time playmaker with nothing to show for it, not even a ring. Granted, Philly has known that day was coming ever since training camp in 2005, if not earlier. But I'm sure in the back of their minds, they figured we'll at least get a draft pick or two down the line.

For T.O., who signed a contract of 7 years for $49 million in 2004, the huge payday he wanted from the Eagles might be hard to find elsewhere. While with the 49ers, T.O. was like the flu compared with the cancer he was to Philadelphia. Teams who want to win a championship will be wary about signing up his services for a long term deal. He'll most likely end up with a contract full of out clauses.

Then again, it could be an out clause that helps Philly receive nothing for their troubles.

Congratulations, Smarty Jones

2006-01-10T18:23:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Smarty Jones, the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner from the Philadelphia area, whose first foal was born today in Paris, KY.

On Philly.com, Amy Wilson wrote:

"The foal is a medium-size bay, with a white blaze and four white stockings. She
stood 40 minutes after birth and was turned out with her mother this morning.
Stone Farm manager J.R. Sebastian said the baby "bounced around a little bit"
while staying very close to mama."

Once again, I offer congratulations to Philadelphia's biggest sports star of 2004.

Are the Phillies being shunned again?

2006-01-10T15:44:00.000-05:00

In my post last night I posed the question: "Is Philly really undesirable?" Evidently, it is.

Miguel Tejada isn't the only superstar with recent reservations of playing for a 123-year-old franchise that has won only one world title. In yesterday's Boston Globe, Gordon Edes wrote that the Phillies were interested in trading for Manny Ramirez. Of course they offered Bobby Abreu, a talented player who (outside of Philadelphia) couldn't be picked out of a lineup of one. His contract is the biggest hurdle in trade talks. He's owed $31 million over the next two seasons, and $18 million for a third year if traded.

But the article points out that Manny, who has a long relationship with Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel, is uninterested in leaving Boston for Philly. I guess it kind of proves my theory that if you want to keep a disgruntled star on your turf, post a rumor about a possible trade to Philadelphia.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Is Philly really undesirable?

2006-01-09T23:41:00.000-05:00

As the Phillies continue to sit by and settle for players like Ryan Franklin (who is a combined 23-44 as a starter the past three seasons), other teams have discovered a way to quiet their stars' trade demands. Just wait for the Phillies to offer Bobby Abreu.

Once again last week, Philadelphia tried to send Abreu packing to no avail. This time, the trade offer was for the disgruntled Baltimore Oriole Miguel Tejada, a perennial MVP candidate. Tejada made his trade demand a couple of times, most recently on Dec. 29. Within 37 hours of hearing the rumors that he might be shipped to the City of Brotherly Love, Tejada rescinded his demands and reaffirmed his commitment to Baltimore.

It got me thinking, is Philly really undesirable. Sure it's muggy in the summer, but with the harvest of cash his contract guarantees him, Tejada could fly himself, and a planeload of Dominicans, to and from every series. He wouldn't have had to spend the winters in town. It's the fourth largest market in the country, grander than that of the Orioles. And, Philadelphia's hitter-friendly stadium is newer.

So what could it be? Perhaps it's the front office's neutral approach to the improvement of the ball club. Tejada and others are not dumb in knowing that they would be the only star in town, and likely the main goat if team expectations are not achieved. The Phillies, as talented as they are, really have no names for the marquee, nor a face for the cover of the media guide. They're kind of like a "who's that?" team.

Sure the dumping of Jim Thome was a coup for the Phillies as they were able to move the huge contract of a broken player. But it is only a benefit if that money is spent on improving the team. Using the money to add bums like Franklin is equivalent to telling jokes at a funeral.

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2006-01-08T22:05:00.000-05:00

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Bedtime Fan Fuss - Childress departure leaves a feeling of neutrality

2006-01-08T21:28:00.000-05:00

Friday's non-surprise announcement of the Minnesota Vikings new head coach, now former Eagles Offensive Coordinator Brad Childress, left me feeling a little neutral. If the rise, and subsequent fall, of Philly's offense could be considered his fault, I might be saying it's time for change.

But the vast majority of play calling is done by Head Coach Andy Reid. Thus making Childress not much more than a preparation coach. That makes you wonder why he's been given this opportunity in the first place, but that's Minnesota's problem. The feeling of neutrality is that the Eagles have promoted Marty Mornhinweg to lead the offense.

On the Eagles coaching staff since the 2003 season, Mornhinweg was laughable as he guided Detroit to a 5-27 record in two seasons as their head coach (2001-2002). But his pedigree is not measured as the head man. He was Brett Favre's QB Coach when the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI (Favre also won the MVP that season), and he spent 1997-2000 as the Offensive Coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Mornhinweg was the main recruiter of both Terrell Owens and Mike McMahon. Whether you like or loathe those moves, they were steps taken to win and add depth. This season, McMahon filled in and led an offense full of backups and T.O. started shopping for a new home.

All of this, of course, is moot if Reid continues to call the plays. The work Mornhinweg will do could be in preparation only and not on the sidelines.

So after thinking about it, talking about it and writing about it, I truly feel neutral.

Sixers a bust on West Coast trip

2006-01-08T19:10:00.000-05:00

Not that it's any surprise to the watchful eyes of a Philadelphia 76ers fan, but the recent road trip to the West Coast yielded yet another swoon for the team, as they went 2-4. The losing trend was just another chapter in a growing history of bad trips out west.

Since the start of the 2002-2003 season, the Sixers are a combined 8-14 on their annual December/January swing to the warm side of the country. Sure you could blame the perfect weather, or maybe the relaxed atmosphere of the cities they visited. But the real culprit, at least this season, is a bad case of inconsistency.

This year's Sixers (16-17, second in the Atlantic) are undoubtedly more excited to be in front of the Philly faithful than on the road, owning a 10-5 record at Wachovia. But away from the Center, they look weary, and their playoff dreams look dreary. The team has a record of 6-12 as out-of-towners.

As a case study, lets look at this season's games of the Sixers versus Lakers, a decent team that went 1-1 with Philly in '05-'06. At home on November 11, the 76ers won a hard fought game 85-81. Down at the half and at the start of the 4th quarter, the Sixers rallied behind a stifling defense that held Kobe Bryant to 17 points, on 7 of 27 shooting.

Friday, with thoughts of returning east with a .500 road trip dancing in their heads, the Sixers "D" fell flat on it's face. L.A.'s main man, dropped 48 points on 19 of 29 shooting. Bryant made all seven of his 3-point attempts, and collected 10 boards. Another thing, can somebody please guard Smush Parker? Benefiting from the Bryant double-team, Parker's having a career year, including an average of 18.5 ppg, 3 apg, 2 rpg, 3 spg, and 70% 3-point shooting against Philadelphia. Amazing what a professional can accomplish in a 1-on-none situation.

All in all, the Sixers woes wouldn't be so magnified if the new division leaders, New Jersey, weren't on a 10-game winning streak. But the ship can be righted, as long as the defense shows up every for contest.

Mercifully, it's over

2006-01-03T00:37:00.000-05:00

With the click of another "L" attaching itself to the wrong side of the 2005 Eagles record, the season has finally ended. Mercifully, it closed at home so hopefully the backup brigade that was the second half Philadelphia Eagles didn't have to travel too far to start their vacation. Gone are the trips to Hawaii, the playoff atmosphere, and most of the wind that was in the sails of the Philly faithful.

The final whistle heralded more than just an end to the loss at the hands of the playoff-bound Washington Redskins. It trumpeted the promise of a better tomorrow. A new day filled with healthy starters, experienced backup, and depth at many positions.

The end of the season also brings with it speculation. Andy Reid and his coaching staff did all they could do with the pieces they had. Injuries (and a bruised ego) ripped this team apart, and one of next year's biggest tasks will be to unify a fractured team psyche. There's also the question as to who the team will sign. Maybe Reggie Wayne. Possibly Eric Moulds. Would they look for a primo running back?

Ah, while the Birds rest up, the fans will spend this offseason talking about the future and what might have been if the lineup implosion hadn't happened.

Oranges look sweet for Penn State

2005-12-30T18:59:00.000-05:00

After an exciting season that saw just one loss, in the last second mind you, the Penn State Nittany Lions are about to show America just what they're made of. As if the number three ranking isn't enough, a trip to the Orange Bowl to take on Florida St. is in store for them this Tuesday.

The coaching matchup provides some added intrigue. It pits no. 1 (FSU's Bobby Bowden, with 359) vs. no. 2 (PSU's Joe Paterno, with 353) in Division I-A football victories in what could become the bowl-game equivalent of Bobby Fischer against Boris Spassky. Neither coach wants their team to pack it up with a loss hanging over them, and both are proven victors.

So who has the better team? According to ESPN.com's "Bowl Pick-em," 88.6 percent of the voting public thinks that Penn State will reign victorious. I couldn't agree more. A team that went 10-1, took home the Big Ten title, and has earned a slew of major awards has to be the front runner.

I may be biased, but this season felt like the Big Ten was an all-around stronger football conference than the ACC. Sure the ACC sported Boston College, Miami and VA Tech. Yet beyond them the conference is full of major cupcakes with the likes of Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia and Wake Forest.

Ranked or not, the teams in the Big Ten are not cupcakes, though Illinois did stink it up this season. These teams have records that take a hit because their conference schedule is strong. For Penn State to have the season it did against this level of competition proves that they belong among the NCAA's elite.

Come Tuesday, the forecast in Miami will be calling for a white out. Too bad for FSU, it's a little too late to run and hide. The Lions are on the prowl.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Could the Phillies' infield be improved?

2005-12-27T00:46:00.000-05:00

When studying my bank statements, it's evident that I don't work in the Phillies front office. Thankfully. Because if I did I'd be on the verge of getting fired for speaking up about the organization's blasÃ© approach to improving a team that just wasn't good enough in 2005.

Every time players are dealt and signed, I go into a deep malaise and wonder if new GM Pat Gillick is feeling it with me. Recently, after admiring the acquisition of another team, I began to think about what we need. More pitching and a bat with some pop. Pitching is going to be hard to come by as the best free agent reliever sits in aVenezuelann jail cell awaiting trial. But the bat with pop could be had.

It is widely known that second baseman Alfonso Soriano is unhappy with his new team's (Washington Nationals) decision to move him to the outfield. They won't budge and neither will he. If I'm sitting in the GM's chair, we're pouncing on this situation trying to offer Washington a solution. Soriano, who hit 36 home runs and drove in 104, could be the piece of the puzzle that the Phillies need not only to compete, but also squeeze some fans through the turnstiles.

Sure we have Chase Utley at second, but he can be moved to third. Adding Soriano would give us a top-flight infield of Utley, Jimmy Rollins (SS), Soriano and Ryan Howard (1B). Not too shabby.

Who, you might ask, would we trade? How about a package of Bobby Abreu and David Bell. Bell is worthless as a starter, but could be good in spot duty. Abreu, on the other hand, fills the Nationals' need for a quality outfielder. It's a "win-win" for both teams as Jason Michaels could move into Abreu's spot in the Phils' outfield.

If I'm contemplating this deal, I hope to God that Gillick is looking into it. Two teams getting what they're looking for is the key to all trades. This is one of those scenarios.

A Christmas wish unanswered

2005-12-24T22:25:00.000-05:00

Signed, sealed and delivered. The official losing (below .500) record has returned to the Eagles doorstep. This time, it's worst of all, because the Birds entered the season with such promise that this outcome seems like a kick to the roasted chestnuts.

For the seventh time in nine weeks, the Eagles suffered a loss, dropping their overall record to 6-9. But today's loss comes at the hands of the perennial doormat Arizona Cardinals. Former division foes, the Cardinals were able to strike the Birds' secondary with their amazing weapons, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Too bad Philly lost the battle of two teams headed south for the winter; a .500 record would've been at least bittersweet.

Today's highlights are slim, but Mike McMahon did impress a little with three TDs and only one interception. The problem: His 21 rushing yards led the team. The next closest rusher was Ryan Moats with 13 yards.

The loss today also marks the third time this season that the Eagles have lost to another team named after a bird. Both Seattle and Atlanta previously took down Philly.

Before the afternoon crowd left the mall, I rushed to get on Santa's lap. I wished for an Eagles win and the fat man agreed. Must've been too much egg nog.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Ageless Wonder

2005-12-22T01:12:00.000-05:00

After a tumultuous start to the decade, Joe Paterno's age is finally a good thing. His Achilles heel, the thorn in his side, the reason he should've retired, age. Now, it's the thing that sets him apart. And the word "old" is being replaced by "experienced."

On Tuesday, the Associated Press named Penn State's JoePa as the NCAA Division 1A Coach of the Year. Congratulations, not just for such a successful season (Penn State finished third in the rankings behind only USC and Texas), but also for proving the naysayers wrong.

For a great article about subject, check out The Broad Street Journal article "PennsylvaniaÂs College Football Powerhouses: A Study in Contrasts," written by Mark Tavani.

The Faceless Fightin' Phils

2005-12-21T11:12:00.000-05:00

Sitting in front of a classroom full of seventh graders today, I noticed that the students had art projects all over the walls. The main display showed a collage of what each child enjoyed in their lives. Most of the boys had sports-related items, and among them were photos of Donovan McNabb and Allen Iverson. But there were none, not one display, with any Phillies.

I started to rack my brain, thinking of who they could possibly add to their posters. Jim Thome? Traded. Billy Wagner? Gone via free agency. Bobby Abreu? Please, chico, no one wants to spend hard-earned cash to see a guy who's as exciting as a number 2 pencil. Pat Burrell or Ryan Howard? Maybe after a couple of more years like 2005.

As the Phillies miss out on one free agent talent after another, I'm beginning to wonder, who are they going to market to the fans to keep and attract season ticket holders? The new stadium factor only works for so long. Soon, you will need to provide a recognizable face. At this point, the Phils might as well add the first names to the back of the jerseys, because no one knows who these people are.

At this point, the most notable members of the organization work in the front office. Recently, Phillies executives partook in an event at a soup kitchen. The management, not the players. This could mean that signing a marquee player is not a serious priority.

Don't get me wrong, the Phillies are a decent team, and they might be improved in 2006 after finishing a close second in 2005. But a team without a star is a team without asses in the seats. And a team without asses in the seats, is a team with no added energy to pump them up in crunch time. Without an "in demand" product, the Phillies really won't have the home-field advantage of a raucous crowd.

A star player might not change the Phillies fortunes on the field, but it will add the zest a crowd needs to get excited. That electricity could be the difference between the playoffs and another extended winter break.

Philadelphia teams win, but lose

2005-12-19T13:35:00.000-05:00

The Sixers and Eagles were both winners, yet could ultimately both be losers after an eventful weekend.

The win for the nowhere-bound Birds was ugly, save for the Ryan Moats TD run, and uglier still it could mess up their draft position. But the "W" was nice to see.

For the Sixers, victors of five of their last six games, the weekend saw a rout of the "can't get right" Toronto Raptors. But it also brought a reconciliation of sorts between Ron Artest and the Indiana Pacers, meaning that the 76ers won't be attaining his services. I guess Ron's ego took a hit when the organization, and fellow players didn't bat an eye when he made his announcement. Though several teams were interested in his services, none were willing to offer any of their top talent. On WIP, the rumor was that Sixers President Billy King balked at sending the oft-injured Samuel Dalembert.

I know the front office of sports franchises are like nepotism havens, but let's play armchair GM for a second. Check out the stats on Dalembert and then on Artest. Would you balk?

Supposedly the Pacers' players were not so warm to the idea of Artest returning after the stunt he pulled. Though he may appear like a hardwood version of Terrell Owens, but more violent, Artest never went as far as calling out teammates or the organization. He was just looking to play for a different employer if possible.

If Artest and the Pacers can't agree to get along, look for him to switch uniforms soon. In the instance that he can don Philly's logo, the Sixers just might have a chance to make some major noise down the stretch.

McNabb's problems anything but skin deep

2005-12-15T22:22:00.000-05:00

Michael Jackson, yes that one, once said "It don't matter if you're black or white." That couldn't be more true than on an NFL football field where the only colors that matter are on the football field. No matter how many quasi-racist Rush Limbaughs or misleading NAACP President J. Whyatt Mondesires come out of the wood work, the knock on Donovan McNabb anything but color-based.

Some people cite the Super Bowl as when McNabb's problems were exposed. Not me. His problems started when he was injured in 2002. Sure he finished that game on a great note, but it was the Cardinals.

Since returning to his spot behind center, McNabb has proven that he can be a pocket passer, but only with a game-breaking target like the suspended (and all but gone) receiver Terrell Owens. Without the talent to make up for some bad, well downright awful, passes, McNabb is no more than mediocre.

Sitting in my recliner watching the Eagles take the field in the final minutes of the fourth quarter was the most nerve-wracking part of my week when McNabb was dressed and playing through the pain. With each snap, I felt like Curt Schilling with a towel over my head watching Mitch Williams pitch to Joe Carter.

McNabb is a quality QB, and the Birds will be hard pressed to find someone better on paper, or a better face for the organization. But he proved something through his performance in the Super Bowl and this season sans Owens. In crunch time, McNabb goes limp. He either lacks the talent or the heart to win it all.

A shot of "D"

2005-12-13T14:47:00.000-05:00

Sure he was the main combatant in the worst brawl in American sports' history. Sure he has a bona fide, bad-boy reputation. But disgruntled Indiana Pacer Ron Artest has what the Philadelphia 76ers don't have, fire and energy.

Allen Iverson has talent and tenacity. He gives 100 percent, but he can hog the ball in crunch time making the rest of the team complacent. Chris Webber is a great player, but rarely has the ability to inspire his teammates' greatness. In contrast, Artest gives you 100 percent performance, is a decent scorer and can fire up the troops down the stretch. If the Sixers could somehow add his services to the current mix, they would become the team to beat in the Atlantic, hands down.

Sixers President Billy King has been quoted on the radio in recent days expressing his concern over the team's defensive play. No doubt the 76ers can lock it down (ask Kobe Bryant), it's just that the squad is inconsistent. The addition of Artest, who recently cuffed LeBron James, would be exactly what the doctor ordered. If King doesn't at least attempt this move, all the whining that he's doing over the defense would seem invalid.

I know we're all still in a hangover fog after the last of the city's malcontent experiments, but Artest brings to the table everything the Sixers need. Just ask King.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Making it official

2005-12-11T22:16:00.000-05:00

As if the 42-0, ankle-grabbing loss to Seattle wasn't proof enough, today's Eagles loss officially eliminated them from the playoffs. Just when there was some glimmer of hope for a victory, during a surprisingly exciting game, the New York Giants caused a fumble, recovered, and set up Jay Feely for the game winning, yet anything but automatic, kick. Final score, 26-23 in favor of New York.

After the demoralizing loss on national TV on Monday night, the Eagles set out to redeem themselves, and did. The makeshift offense (third string QB; second, third and fourth string RBs; second, third and fourth string WRs; second and third string linemen) made a real game out of it, making only one costly mistake. Mike McMahon can run well, but teach the boy not to hold the ball like a bag of fried pig skins. A bubble-blowing, 5-year-old girl could've knocked that thing from his hands.

In this season of unexpected disappointment, the third quarter missed field goal attempt from one of the few starters still healthy, David Akers, was just crushing. To know that if the ball traveled about two yards farther, the Eagles win 26-23 in regulation, is the kind of thought that will wake me up at night. (Ok, not really, but if it meant losing a Vince Lombardi Trophy, it would've.)

On the plus side, the Eagles current conglomeration of players seem to be like a kid's party grab bag: You really never know what you're going to see. Running back Ryan Moats was impressive, and McMahon shook off last week's pulling to post a mistake-free regulation. The defensive secondary even stepped up, especially in the fourth quarter.

If the Birds play like this the rest of the way, it should be an entertaining three weeks. All three games, @ St. Louis, @ Arizona, and home against Washington, are winable.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - (Nittany) Lions Pride

2005-12-11T00:44:00.000-05:00

When the Dick Butkis Award for the nation's top linebacker was presented on Saturday at the Orlando Downtown Athletic Club, Penn State's Paul Posluszny became the second Nittany Lion to ever accept it. The only other Penn State alum to receive the honor, now in its 21st year, was LaVar Arrington in 1999.

"Playing linebacker, to win the Butkus Award means you're the top person at your position and that's the biggest thing you can do, " commented Posluszny after the announcement.

Posluszny, who racked up 111 tackles, including 11 for loss, and three sacks, also took home the Bednarik Award as the nation's best defensive player. That award was presented on Thursday.

Thanks to a staunch defense, led by Posluszny, Penn State took home a share of the Big Ten title and earned a berth in the Orange Bowl, facing Florida State on January 3.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - The great 8

2005-12-08T23:03:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Philadelphia University basketball coach Herb Magee, who won his 800th game tonight, becoming the eighth coach in NCAA history to ever reach that milestone. It's fitting that his milestone victory took place on the eighth of the month.

For in depth coverage of this story, check out ESPN.com at: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2253111

Bedtime Fan Fuss - The biggest loss of all

2005-12-07T21:09:00.000-05:00

Losing is contagious. Nowhere in the NFC is this as apparent as in Philadelphia, where the Eagles look helpless. Not to say that the team is playing below their potential, they surely are not. This team just isn't the Philly team that played in February. The current crop is a glob of second and third stringers reaching their ultimate goal due to a sports injury, or injured ego. The Birds' biggest loss of all came on Monday (not the 42-0 drubbing by Seattle), when Brian Westbrook was injured thus ending his season.

On of the few top-flight Birds that has not been the subject of tabloid news articles or fan ridicule, Westbrook was quietly putting together a solid season. Sure he held out for a week of training camp, but that was merely a symbolic gesture to let the brass know his feathers were ruffled. Once he arrived, Westbrook left his business dealings to his agent, and just played football. He was handsomely rewarded with a new contract shortly before this fall's Philly implosion.

Westbrook, the fourth pro bowler that the Eagles have lost for the season due to injury, had amassed nearly 1,300 total yards with seven TDs. That's a great season for some, but he did it in only 12 weeks. His services will surely be missed, as the Eagles will now have a four-headed monster rushing attack; QB Mike McMahon, and RBs Lamar Gordon, Ryan Moats and Reno Mahe.

Lessons in humility have surly been learned this year by the Eagles. But this latest blow is the one that overshadows them all. Westbrook is the wingman that gets the job done well. And he does it with the silent dignity of an era gone bye.

28 Going on 45

2005-12-05T11:48:00.000-05:00

Late last night I sat down in my recliner, flipped through the 400 channels of digital cable and, after watching about 2 hours of SportsCenter, settled on the Jennifer Garner chick flick “13 Going on 30.” Still awake when the film reached FIN, I went into my sports room, sat down with a beer and began to think, what would my life be like in 17 years, when I’m 45?

Then I started to think about Philadelphia sports 17 years in the future. I took a swig of beer, and rested my head against the wall. Must have been a little too hard, though, as one of those turnstile-gift bobble head Mike Schmidt dolls dropped down from a shelf above and knocked me on my head.

Suddenly, I woke up, in a strange place. There were Phillies World Series pennants on the wall from 2019, 12-year-old twins begging for lunch money, and the mirror showed me an image of a salt and pepper haired older man with a fading mustache. Frightened, I asked one of the kids their names?

“I’m Sonny and he’s Fredo,” one said. I immediately knew they were my sons. Who else would name their kids after characters in the “Godfather?”

“Honey? Get the kids ready for the bus,” a woman’s voice boomed from another room. I was scared as hell to find out to whom I was married. Wedding photos framed on the wall revealed she was cute, but it was an old photo. Then I saw her. Beautiful. She handed me a glass of orange juice, and I dropped it. When I bent over to clean up the spill, I slipped and whacked my head on the floor. I went out like a champion who fought one fight too many.

When I came too, I was in the parking lot of Commerce Bank Field (they had conveniently taken over every stadium in town) tailgating at an Eagles-Cowboys game, which was for the NFC Championship. I looked at someone’s newspaper and the date was January 23, 2022. The Birds, playing for head coach Brian Westbrook, had reintroduced the West Coast Offense, which had become passé by 2010. The Eagles won the game, and then beat the Jaguars in Super Bowl LVI. It was the Eagles second title, with the previous victory coming in 2008 over the Kansas City Chiefs. I went to the tickertape victory parade in Center City. Some jerk in one of the offices decided to throw his stapler out the window, striking me in the back of the head and ending my elation.

Magically I arrived at my next stop, a Temple University men's basketball contest, where John Chaney was finally ending his coaching tenure, just two months past his 90th birthday. Chaney had taken a page out of Jay Leno’s book, announcing his retirement five years earlier. At the same time that he made his announcement, James Kingston, an 8th grade point guard from Birmingham, AL, was being considered for the cover of Sports Illustrated. Chaney’s announcement beat him out of it. But Kingston was a tough kid, and made the cover four times over the next four years, with the last one reading, “Hoo, Hoo, I’m an Owl.” Kingston, and many of the other top McDonalds All-Americans got together and decided to play for Chaney, looking to win the coach his first ever championship. It worked, and in his final season, Chaney cut down the nets of March for first time in his illustrious career. I was celebrating in the aisles and jumping up and down, the last time missing the step and taking a bad tumble.

My next vision was game 7 of the NBA Finals at the old, dingy Commerce Bank Center. Sixers Head Coach Jim Boeheim, whose transition to the pros was rocky, had taken over a dismal club in 2019. His winning percentage in the league was below .300, and this would’ve likely been his last chance at redemption. It worked. The players bought into his system, and competed the next two seasons with no one standing out as a star. Their starting lineup was like a revolving door, with players receiving an equal amount of time on the floor. It was a revolutionary approach, but for a team of cast-offs, past-their-prime veterans, and hapless rookies, they had nothing to lose. The gamble paid off, and the Sixers hoisted the trophy for the first time since 1983, beating, who else, the Los Angeles Lakers. I was loving it, but I knew my time was about to end there, so I picked a fight with the meanest cholo-looking Lakers fan I could find, let him hit me with a good one, and went out like a light.

I eagerly awoke on an unseasonably warm October night. I was sitting on the first base side of the brand new Veterans Stadium at Commerce Bank Park, built on the same site as the original Veterans Stadium. After retro fields went out of style in 2013, the city council devised a plan to build an L-shaped skyscraper with a ball field as the centerpiece, and the Philadelphia skyline as the backdrop. It featured a retractable roof, could be easily converted into any nouveau or retro style should tastes change, and also served as a great business rental opportunity. The aging Darren Daulton was at the helm, with a coaching staff that consisted of Mike Schmidt, Curt Schilling, Lenny Dykstra, John Kruk and Von Hayes. With their knowledge of the game, the team could do nothing but win. It was their third title in four years, and second consecutive.

With the loud crash of a bottle of suds falling from my hand and smashing on the floor, my odyssey into the perfect sports world abruptly came to a halt. Because my glimpse of the future was so vivid, I immediately ran for my sports almanac. It confirmed that I was back in 2005, and reminded me of the 22-year drought of serious hardware.

I got knocked on the head in a city that hadn’t seen a title in 22 years, and in one magical journey I witnessed four championship victories. If my fantastic voyage is any indication, Philadelphia will be sports town U.S.A. in 2022.

On the edge looking up

2005-12-04T20:37:00.000-05:00

For the first time in five seasons, the Eagles find themselves on the edge of their heated seats looking up at the rest of the NFC East. The team that's romped through the NFC East since the onsides kick to open the season against Dallas in 2000 is now one of only five teams in the league without a divisional win.

On the bright side, the Birds celebrated their second consecutive Sunday without a loss today. Tomorrow can be a celebration too, as the Eagles defense squares off against one of the top two running backs in the league, Shaun Alexander. The prolific running back, a main component of the NFL's top ranked offense, is the key to victory for both teams. Stop him, and Philly wins. Watch him run loose, and Seattle claims win number 10. If the Birds give Alexander the LaDanian Tomlinson treatment, the Seahawks will have to rely on the arm Matt Hasselbeck, turning their offense into a one-dimensional field day for Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson and his schemes.

Much like the San Diego game, with pitted Philly against a strong offensive team, a win on Monday night will depend mainly on three factors; contain the attack of Alexander, make plays on special teams (including returns for good field position), and avoid mistakes on offense. Accomplishing those tasks will help the Eagles fly.

Manny and his money

2005-12-03T17:55:00.000-05:00

The rumors all over the radio are that the Phillies are trying to ship outfielder Bobby Abreu to the Red Sox for superstar Manny Ramirez. Both players are in their early 30s, but the trade would mark the end of the Abreu wait. Waiting for him to explode, waiting for him to peak.

The fact that he is now being shopped means that his ceiling has been reached. Don't get me wrong, Ramirez's best days are in the rear view mirror, but he's still a mega star, and possibly one of the 10 best talents in the game today.

If the Phillies have a shot at landing a guy like this to make up for the Jim Thome (at least the 2004 Thome) absence in the line-up, they need to take it. The fans in this town are title starved, and can be very fickle if they don't see a team producing. Sure newly acquired centerfielder Aaron Rowand is a good player, be he strikes fear in the hearts of no one. Right now, the Phillies don't possess even one fear striking batter. The line-up can still do some damage, but to break a pitcher's confidence at the site of the batter is a great advantage.

This trade is great for Philadelphia. So if there is a trigger to be pulled, I hope Gillick yanks hard.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Go Navy! Beat Army!

2005-12-03T01:10:00.000-05:00

Ever since I was a little tyke, I've always rooted for the Navy Midshipmen over the Army Black Knights. Well, the annual Department of Defense grudge match is Saturday in Philly, and once again I have to say, "Go Navy! Beat Army!"

If by no other reason to root for Navy, they're top rusher is also their QB, and his name is Owens. Their top receiver is a kid named Tomlinson. The reverse coincidences are enough for me to bet the line.

Go Navy! Beat Army!

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Flash of Greatness? (part 2)

2005-12-02T01:08:00.000-05:00

Strike up the band and let the cymbals drop. On Monday night, I wrote about the possibility of the Phillies signing Tom "Flash" Gordon as their new closer. The very next day, ESPN.com reported that the New York Yankees were trying to keep him in the fold. I began to hope that the Yankees would outbid the Phils for his service, but it wasn't to be. Flash is now the bull in the pen waiting for the inning of glory.

The first thing that came to my mind was Kuni in the film "UHF" yelling, "stupid!" I've been doing some basic math, and figured out that the Phillies are going to save $9 million a year from Jim Thome's traded contract, and had the $10 million per year that they had offered to Wagner available to play with. That's $19 million, and the best guy they could get is Gordon. Not to mention, GM Pat Gillick offered Flash nearly double what the Yankees paid him this past season. All this for a 38-year-old guy who has, from 1999-2000, missed a season and a half in one stretch due to injury.

"Stupid! You are so stupid!" Another thing that got me was that the Phillies were offering around $10 million per year to Wagner, a proven closer with 284 career saves and eight seasons with more than 20 saves. The 34-year-old Wagner also boasts an ERA of 2.40 over his 10-year career. Instead, Gillick and the Phillies brain(less) trust offered $18 million over three GUARANTEED years to a guy with only 116 career saves, and only two seasons of more than 20 saves. The Phillies are saving only $3 million compared with Wagner's 2005 salary.

It's evidently clear that the Phillies are overpaying a "common" to replace an All-Star. What more can I say? Oh yeah, "STUPID!"

Fantasy steal riding the Philadelphia pine

2005-11-30T21:47:00.000-05:00

Sure the 76ers have studs in Allen Iverson and Chris Webber, but the key to winning your fantasy league championship is to find a sixth man who you can steal from the waiver wire when necessary.

My tip would be to pick up or watch reserve G/F John Salmons. The fourth year player from Miami (FL) is having a career year. It just so happens that it's also a contract year. When a player is looking for a big payday, it's music to my fantasy playing ears.

More good news about Salmons is that the man is owned in only about 9 percent of leagues on ESPN.com. In addition, he's been taking the ball to the rack with a fervor never before seen out of this 6-6, 207 pounder. He's shooting a little over 52 percent while averaging more than 10 points. He also gives you three boards, a steal and nearly three dimes per contest.

The knock on him, and pretty much any player from the Philly bench (sorry Steven Hunter fans, but he's been relegated to the folding chairs), is that head coach Mo Cheeks sometimes forgets to dole out the minutes. Without time on the floor, the stats just won't come.

Sure you can look for 3-point specialist Kyle Korver, but he is only available in about 17 percent of ESPN.com leagues. This leaves Salmons, who can be used at multiple positions on your roster in many leagues, as the only viable option available on the Sixers.

Is this good government?

2005-11-30T11:05:00.000-05:00

The situation in Iraq. The war against terrorism. The tensions with North Korea. The disagreement with Iran's nuclear dreams. The rebuilding of America following a devastating hurricane season. The Terrell Owens saga?

That's right fans, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has become the latest person to jump into the T.O. flavored mud. The distinguished gentleman announced on a radio show this Monday that he was exploring the possibility of having his senate judiciary committee set up a subcommittee to look into the way the NFL and the Eagles handled the T.O. situation. It seems he thought some antitrust laws may have been violated.

Antitrust laws? What happened to Owens takes place everyday in corporate America. Employees get suspended, and then, depending on their work status with the company, are either laid off immediately or paid to stay home until the contract runs out. T.O. received the latter.

To use tax payer money for this matter would be a spit in the eye to all Americans. But maybe we should look at the source. To really believe words that come from this man, you need to put out of your mind the JFK assasination's "magic bullet" theory. Specter, while working as a Warren Commission staffer, is the one who proposed and is credited with the idea of a single bullet making all of the wounds in two people.

Since I found that out when I was young, every time I hear his name come up, the first thing that comes to mind is "wack-job." This is just another one of those instances.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Flash of Greatness?

2005-11-29T02:07:00.000-05:00

It's official. Billy Wagner has just signed on with the New York Mets for $43 million, leaving the Phillies searching for a closer. Where to look? How about in the same city as Wagner, but with the real NYC team, the Yankees.

Reliever Tom "Flash" Gordon, who amassed 46 saves in 1998 for Boston, is now on GM Pat Gillick's radar. With a 2005 salary of under $4 million, Gordon would be a steal if he can return to his past form. The catch is that Gordon is already 38. How long of a contract can you give a player that old, especially when he's never come close to duplicating his career year?

If the Phils are looking for longevity, they need to search elsewhere. The time has come for the team to get creative, and bringing in a guy who's nearly 40 with one great year is not the answer. The Blue Jays and Mets have both secured solid closers, because they looked around for the best player available.

Not to take anything away from Flash, but I think that nickname might better describe his "flash" of greatness '98 campaign more than it describes his current abilities. If the Phillies want to go after someone older, why not try for Trevor Hoffman of the Padres. The guy has had 10 consecutive seasons (min. 10 games) of more than 30 saves, including 53 in 1998. Or maybe Troy Percival of the Tigers, who before a sub-par season this year had racked up nine straight seasons of at least 27 saves.

Gordon might come in and close out 40 for the Phillies, but that's highly unlikely. As a believer of history, we should let it guide us. With the way fans in this town expect results for their money, Gordon could be gone in a Flash too.

Bedtime fan Fuss - Big Mouth to Big D

2005-11-28T00:14:00.000-05:00

Well it appears that Jerry Jones and his Dallas Cowboys are looking to add suspended Eagle Terrell Owens next season. Jones recently made comments to that effect on a Dallas radio show.

"In general, I am a risk-taker. We've gone down that road," Jones said when asked if the Cowboys might be interested in Owens. "I probably have a propensity to try and make things work. ... A top receiver could flourish with Drew Bledsoe. That's always appealing."

The comments supposedly broke a league rule, forcing Philadelphia to file a complaint with the NFL. Why file a complaint? Owens is under contract with the Eagles until released, and it's not like the Birds plan on keeping him in the nest.

The Jones comment did take me by surprise, however, as on a tour of Texas Stadium in April of this year, the guide frequently made references against T.O. After all, he has a pretty villainous history there. While playing for the 49ers, Owens expanded his endzone celebration to mid-field twice in the same game. On his next visit to Big D, this time with the Eagles, he made it clear he was the epitome of the enemy racking up 134 yards and three TDs.

But Jones does make a point when he says he's been down that road before. The last major player who was deactivated, Keyshawn Johnson, has resurrected his career in Dallas. The foot-in-mouth disease that plagued Johnson's stints with the Jets and Bucs seems to be all but gone under head coach Bill Parcells.

Perhaps T.O. can flourish in Dallas. With the Cowboys on the Eagles schedule twice a year, I'd relish the opportunity to watch Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard size up #81. Considering that T.O. is a cancer for any team he is a part of, there is no team in the league more deserving than the Cowboys.

Buyer beware.

Luck of the Irish

2005-11-27T22:40:00.000-05:00

How do you explain the Eagles season thus far? You can't, unless you want to point to mental errors, destructive wide receivers, poor play calling and a slew of injuries that'll increase the squad's insurance costs tenfold. Recently, though, you can chalk it all up to the luck of the Irish.

Last week, still reeling from the events surrounding the ex #81 and the loss of All-Pro QB Donovan McNabb, the offense hung in against a New York Giants' defense which hadn't allowed a TD in more than 10 quarters. The key was Mike McMahon. Though he threw for 298 yards and a score, and ran in another TD, he got the loss. (Two missed calls by the officiating crew led to the loss.)

This week, the Eagles took down the Green Bay Packers. McMahon was back at the helm, but his line was dreadful. He threw for only 91 yards and no touchdowns. Yet, McMahon got the win. Just proving the point of why football is the ultimate team sport, and why, hopefully, the Eagles can hold onto their lucky charm.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Rollercoaster season

2005-11-27T01:14:00.000-05:00

Through 14 games, the 76ers are 7-7, sit atop the Atlantic Division, and score more than any team in the NBA. Let the rollercoaster season begin.

Games like today's loss the New York Knickerbockers should be common. I foresee the team winning against teams like the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and both Los Angeles squads, but losing to teams like the Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz. The problem isn't scoring, they average 103.9 ppg, the problem is an inconsistent defense.

Watching the game today, it seemed like most of the Sixers were just watching the Knicks score at will in the second half, waiting for someone else to make a play. When the team shut down Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, it was a group effort (even Kyle Korver played real "D" that game), and no one hesitated to make a play.

The other problem the team has is use of the bench. John Salmons and Steven Hunter are always ready to step in. But the team will also need to utilize the skills of Lee Nailon. He's a player who averaged more than 14 ppg last season, and now he's not even one of the top four players off the bench. In a game that was lost at the overtime buzzer, maybe his services could've been exploited for more than this line: DNP Coach's Decision. Nailon's a career 47% shooter, and he was relegated to nothing more than a spectator.

Make sure your seat belts are clicked and you keep your arms and hands inside the ride at all times. This is going to be one fun season as the Sixers will be involved in many shootouts. Too bad the early indications show that they'll likely lose half of them.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - South Beach Diet

2005-11-25T21:44:00.000-05:00

With the Florida Marlins trimming more fat than Anna Nicole, the Philadelphia Phillies should be chomping at the bit to bring back a familiar face. Todd Jones, whose contract is meager ($1.1 million) in comparison with the premier closers in the league, racked up 40 saves in 2005, the second best year of his career. After playing for seven teams in five years, it also put an exclamation point on his comeback.

With the Jim Thome trade official, the Phillies are a closer away from a respectable team. GM Pat Gillick upped the team's offer to free agent Billy Wagner, but it appears he's headed up the turnpike to the divisional rival New York Metropolitans. Good closers are hard to find and there is no factory that produces them, so when you find one available for a bargain price you jump on it like a $10 digital camera on black Friday.

Other closers are available, but with Florida dumping salaries two years after their second World Series title (they did this right after their first championship, in 1997, as well), why look elsewhere?

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Going, going, gone

2005-11-24T02:36:00.000-05:00

As a fan I'd like to say thank you to Jim Thome for the years he spent in Philadelphia. His presence brought with it a sense of respectability for a franchise that has been bottom feeders for more than a century. When Thome stepped to the plate, it was noticed. We hadn't seen the likes of him since the great Michael Jack Schmidt decided to hang 'em up.

Yesterday I mentioned how trading Thome to the Mariners for a closer would help the team. Then today, GM Pat Gillick found a would be taker in the world-champion Chicago White Sox. The money that the Phillies will save this season from his salary compared to Aaron Rowand ($13.16 million for Thome and only $2 million for Rowand) can be used to secure a deal with a closer. Thome is owed $43.5 million over the next three seasons, so the savings, and potential room for expanding the club's depth, is phenomenal.

So good he's gone.

2005-11-23T21:05:00.000-05:00

Farewell, bon voyage, au revoir, buon viaggio, Mr. Terrell Owens. A malcontent among men, Owens's ticket is finally (ok, officially) punched. All I have to say is good riddance.

In his absence, Reggie Brown, the rookie from Georgia has stepped up and had two huge games, one with 94 yards and a TD, and another with 88 yards and a score. Sure he drops some passes, he's a rookie (ok when you're a rookie, not ok when it's Todd Stinkston in the freezing cold), but Brown's shown flashes of brilliance that keep hope alive for the future.

Happiness abounds in my heart knowing that the boat rocker finally tipped his life raft. Exiled from San Francisco, escaping Baltimore, Owens thought he could brash talk his way to the center of the Eagles nest. As he stands at the mirror staring at his only audience, maybe T.O. will learn his lesson.

Eagles fans have no fear. The birds made it to four straight NFC title games and a Super Bowl WITHOUT Owens. After this season of regrouping, the Eagles will once again soar above.

Bedtime Fan Fuss - Closed!

2005-11-23T00:07:00.000-05:00

This is a new series that I plan on writing nightly just before I hit the sack. I call is bedtime fan fuss, because I plan to rant more than some write. My first topic, and my first post about the Phillies, is Billy Wagner.

Just let him go. Why drag on the fans of Philadelphia acting like you might sign him? History has proven that Wagner is damaged goods. His arm is still lively, when in service. But is a sports car really that good if it spends half of the year in the shop? No.

The mere fact that the Mets are into signing him, making an initial contract offering today, should be a sign that he is not worth the money that you'd be paying. The Mets have been overpaying for damaged goods since losing to the real NYC team in the subway series. Besides, there are more serviceable players that can rifle a fastball for an inning every two to three days.

My pitch would be to Seattle. Send them Jim Thome, who is done as far as playing in the field and would make a perfect DH, in exchange for "Everyday" Eddie Guardado. He's only making $4 million a year compared with the $10 million that Wagner is seeking. He also had 36 saves in 58 games, compared with Wagner's 38 in 75 games. I know, Eddie has some injury woes, but it comes at half the price, with the same results come September.

Playoffs Anyone?

2005-11-21T23:56:00.000-05:00

The NBA season is already a few weeks old, but I just started this blog so I'm making my early season Sixers predictions. I smell the playoffs.

With "Sixer for life" Mo Cheeks leading the way, the team looks prepared and in rhythm for the first time since Larry Brown departed for the Motor City. With his liberal, and effective, use of the bench, Cheeks has been able to keep the starters fresh and productive. He has also found some gems on the pine to help in the playoff push.

The gems I speak of are Lee Nailon and John Salmons. Nailon is new to the Sixers this season, so he didn't deal with the rotating coaching situation over the past couple of years. Salmons was there for that tumultuous period, and survived. He's having his best season (coincidently it's a contract year), and is my pick to win the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award.

This is all well and dandy, but let me not forget that Philly sports two of the game's best in Allen Iverson and Chris Webber. The latter is averaging 21 points and 10 boards, this in his 13th NBA season. AI, a perennial scoring champion, is averaging 32.5 points. But his most telling stat is the 8.3 assists he's dishing out. If the Sixers make it further than expected this season, AI will certainly be the MVP of the league for the second time of his 10-year-career. He'll also be vying for the scoring title, again.

To sum it up, my pick for Philly is the fourth seed in the playoffs.

Does the hospital serve Chunky soup?

2005-11-21T12:50:00.000-05:00

The original Philly Mac (no offense Jim McMahon, but you're a Bear in my mind) has elected to have surgery, likely shutting it down for the rest of the season. To me, it's seven weeks and four losses too late. Why Donovan McNabb didn't have the surgery after the Dallas game is beyond me. He'd be coming back right now, in time for the stretch run.

After watching yesterday's game, it is clear to me that a healthy Mike McMahon is better than an injured McNabb. If he'd have had the surgery after week five, McNabb would be coming back to a 6-4 team. Instead, the Birds are 4-6 and McNabb is out for the season.

As if losing the Chunky soup man for the final stretch wasn't bad enough, the Eagles will also be without All-Pro cornerback Lito Sheppard. After a weird collision with the Giants' Plaxico Burress, Sheppard was carted off the field and will require surgery on a sprained ankle. This won't help the Birds' secondary which has already let up 17 TDs this season after allowing only 16 all of last year.

Optimism after Disappointment

2005-11-20T23:26:00.000-05:00

What a season it's been for the birds in green. After 10 games, they've amassed three more losses than their Super Bowl chumpian season of yore. But fans don't fret.

Taking the snaps now is a new Mac Daddy, Mike McMahon. First game for the birds and he racked up 298 yards through the air with a TD and an INT. In addition, he rushed for 31 yards and a score. Not bad for the guy promoted from third string. (Ok, he was really second string all along, but Koy Detmer was listed that way because he holds the snaps.)

Further optimism can be taken in the fact that the referees missed two blatant calls, the results of which would've resulted in a 21-20 Eagles win. In the second quarter, after the Eagles muffed the punt snap and the Giant's blocked and recovered it, the birds stuffed Brandon Jacobs at the one yard line on first down. On second down, Jacobs fumbled and Mark Simoneau came up with the recovery. Replays clearly show that he fumbled, but the men in stripes said Jacobs was down by contact. After another stop of Jacobs on third down, the Giants scored on fourth and one. The ball should've been the Eagles', and those seven points shouldn't have been on the board.

In another example of Braille Institute officiating, toward the end of the third quarter, TE L.J. Smith was held in the end zone on second down, the result of which should've been an automatic first down. A referee "no call" led to an Eagles field goal. If the referee makes the correct call, the Eagles get a new set of downs, likely score a TD instead of settling for a FG, and add four points to their total. Those four points, combined with erasing the earlier Giants' TD, would've made the final score 21-20 in favor of Philly.

So fans, my suggestion is that we remember that even with a backup QB throwing to a backup WR the Eagles would've won in a cleanly called game.