Two big stories have developed for the birds since the blockbuster Jason Peters trade.
The first revolves around the Eagles' rumored interest in Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno. Our buddy SalPal has said that the Eagles may even trade up to get the multi-purpose back if they have reason to believe he won't be around at #21. Here's what Sal had to say on ESPN's NFL Live (via Bleeding Green Nation):
With the 21st pick in the first round Philadelphia is targeting Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno.They've expressed a willingness to trade up in the first round to make sure they get him according to league sources. With Brian Westbrook turning 30 at the end of training camp, coming off an injury plagued season, and knee surgery this offseason the Eagles have to find an heir apparent. If Moreno is gone, look for the Eagles to trade down and take a back later.
This is definitely a sexy pick. Who doesn't like a big name running back being taken by their team in the first round? Aside from a trade for Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards, this would be the most high profile move the birds could make. It makes a lot of sense too. Westbrook isn't getting any younger and Buckhalter is now a Bronco - there is a clear need at running back. In reality though, its the week before the draft so teams have clearly ramped up their BS'ing. Its hard to believe any 'breaking news' at this point. We'll just have to wait until Saturday to see how true this rumor really is.
The other big Eagles news this week surrounds cornerback Sheldon Brown. Sheldon Brown thinks that Sheldon Brown deserves a new contract. If Sheldon Brown did his homework then he would know that the Eagles (usually) don't re-negotiate contracts.
So now Sheldon is requesting a trade that he is not likely to receive. Didn't he see what happened to Lito last year? Sure Lito eventually got traded, but he talked himself out of a big contract in the meantime. If Lito would have played at a high level on the field and kept his complaints in house he could have made himself some money. Instead he went to the media, got himself benched and cost himself millions in the process. Not a great decision by Lito, and a terrible decision by Sheldon (who hasn't even been to a Pro Bowl).
You have to love Donyell channeling his fellow out of shape, elderly, Philly bench player Matt Stairs yesterday. Also, someone needs to teach Iguodala how to celebrate.
For more reasons why Sunday was so great, check out The 700 Level's montage.
Flyers postseason preview from PoorSport Breaux's Bro
Dooby, Dooby doo...
For the 2nd year in a row and the 13th time in 14 years the Philadelphia Flyers are in the playoffs. As fate would have it, the Flyers are beginning this year’s run the same way they ended last season's: with the hated Pittsburgh Penguins.
Although the teams are the same, last year’s playoff matchup is much different than last year’s…
The Enemy: In my opinion, the Pens are simply not as good as they were last season. The losses of Hossa, Malone, and Roberts hurt the Pens at the start of the season as they stumbled out of the gate. The absence of these players and the inconsistent play at goaltender cost Michel Therrien his job two-thirds of the way into the season. Since the coaching change, however, the Penguins are 18-3-4and on fire. Along with the dangerous Crosby and Gonchar, Malkin had an excellent regular season, led the league in scoring, and is most likely on his way to his first Hart Trophy. Although the Pens are not as talented as last season, they are just as dangerous.
Keys for the Flyers: As usual the key for the Flyers is between the pipes. Marty Biron has been up and down this season. He will need to be even better than he was last year against the Caps and Habs if the Flyers are to advance past the first round. Biron’s weaknesses continue to be his lack of lateral quickness and his blocker side; look for the Pens to attack both of these.
The Flyers' biggest weakness is their blue-liners. This group, which is both banged up and not very good to begin with, will have to play exceptional for Philly to advance. Both Parent (groin) and Jones (hip) are slowed by injuries which will force Coach Stevens to make some tough decisions come game time. Although Luca Sbisa (who should have been with the team all season) has been added to the playoff roster it doesn’t look like Stevens is going to dress 7 defensemen for Game 1. If/When Parent or Jones comes up lame; Sbisa will need to contribute considerably.
Special Teams: Philly has been the most penalized team in all of the NHL this year and you know that Mr. Crosby and Mr. Malkin have a way of “drawing” penalties. Since the Flyers have not been a very good 5 on 5 team this year, they NEED to win the special teams aspect of the game. Prediction: Unfortunately I have a very bad feeling about this series. The Flyers have not played well in the past few weeks and their already crappy defense is playing injured. The Pens aggressive forchecking will put the Flyers' blue liners to the test early and often in the series. I just don’t think Philly has the skill at the blue line or the firepower to win this Keystone Clash. I hope I’m wrong but I think it’ll be the Pens in 6.
Other matchups…
East Bruins vs Habs – This fierce rivalry will be one sided this year. B’s are just much better. B’s in 5.
Caps vs Rangers – The pesky Blueshirts will make it a series. Caps are even worse than Philly at D but their reds at forward will be enough. Caps in 7.
Devils vs Canes – Up and down year for NJ. Canes are gritty and Ward can be tough but I have a feeling the Devils will pick up their game. NJ in 7. West Sharks vs Ducks – Ducks take too many penalties and Giggy is off his game. Sharks in 5.
Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets – Great job by Coach Hitchcock getting Columbus into the playoffs for the first time ever. I like their goalie Mason but the Wings are just too good. Wings in 5.
Canucks vs Blues – St. Louis is the feel good story of the year. Awesome job by John Davidson and others out there but…Vancouver is the MOST DANGEROUS team in the playoffs this year. Canucks in 5.
Hawks vs Flames – Flames are a Jekyll and Hyde team. Hawks are good but young and I never would bet against Kipper. Flames in 7.
It’s nine o’clock on a weeknight. Despite protest, my mother has sent me to bed. I’ll never wake up for school, she says. But it’s the seventh inning, and I don't want to miss this. Cocooned under the covers in my bottom bunk, I turn on my AM radio and slip on a pair of headphones. I turn the dial until I hear a familiar chorus of muffled voices and static: the sound of anticipation. Then, the game speaks to me in a mellow, baritone voice. It tells me how confident the pitcher looks, how he might not need that fast-as-lightning jab-step pickoff move.
Terry Mulholland threw a no-hitter that night. Or another night. It doesn’t really matter.
It’s a couple of years later. I’m having a catch with my father in the backyard. He’s dressed in khakis and an oxford shirt: the attire of a store manager. His briefcase sits on the hood of a beleaguered Toyota Corolla that has now been mercifully allowed to rest. There’s just a sliver of daylight left. The sun is setting behind me; it must be hard to see. But I am still firing away, trying to knock my tired old man off his feet. In my head, I'm Curt Schilling, and a familiar voice is saying: “Now, the 0-2 pitch…Struck him out!”
High school. I’m nearing the end of my playing days. Baseball has a way of letting you know when it’s time to hang it up. There comes a point when you can stay with a curveball, or you can’t. Batting practice is about the only time I can still get my hits in. Our star pitcher, a compulsive practical joker, is watching from behind the backstop. I swing as hard as I can on a pitch right down the middle, but I drop my shoulder. Pop up. And as the ball sails upwards, I can hear it from behind: “Loooooong drive….that ball is…OUTTA HERE!” It's a spot-on impression. There’s laughter from the dugout. I manage a chuckle, too.
Some years later, I watch from the stands as the Phillies win the World Series. I’m there with my family. There’s pandemonium and wild celebration. I’m happy and proud. But mostly, I can’t wait to hear what was said in those final moments.
These are all true stories, about the way baseball has spoken to me through the years. I’ve found that baseball doesn’t rely on historical facts to persist, but on faces, feelings, emotions, and the joy of shared experience. Thus, a baseball story is free to evolve and, in doing so, remain immediate; to pass beyond the limits of mere recollection. It's an ongoing conversation with the past.
When the heart is captured, the mind doesn't resist.
In short, baseball speaks to the soul. And more often than not, it has spoken to mine in the voice of a humble, unassuming man from the Midwest who flew into the airwaves over a hard-luck town just about the same time my parents decided to make it their home; a man with an uncanny knack for channeling the soul of the game and making it apparent to all willing listeners.
Yes, it will be hard not to hear that voice on a daily basis. But I am determined to remember it; to let it live on in my imagination, so that it makes its way into the soundtrack of future memories, of true stories not yet told.
As you all have now heard, Harry Kalas has left us.
I may be the youngest of the Poor Sports, but Harry means as much to me as to any of them. He was the soundtrack to my summers. I can remember watching and listening to Phillies games with my family with his voice providing the backdrop. That smooth baritone of his always brought a smile to my face. I have so many good memories, both from the Phils and just in general, tied with the man. He loved this city and this team. This city and this team loved him. When David Montgomery, Phils President, said the city "lost our voice" he wasn't joking. I only wish I could have met the man once, to simply shake his hand and tell him thank you. Thanks Harry, for making baseball so easy to love and for making the Phils sound, just, right.
Harry Kalas, you are the man. Enjoy that big broadcasting booth in the sky, Whitney needed his partner back.
Iverson finally made his return to the Pistons lineup this week. He had been nursing a sore back that caused him to miss the previous 16 games. Now that he's (mostly) healthy, Iverson expected to resume his usual starting role and 40+ minutes a game. Neither of which has happened.
AI has been delegated to the struggling Pistons bench and hasn't played more than 21minutes since his return. He claims it has nothing to do with his health. As Philly fans know, Iverson is not a fan of sitting on the bench for any reason. Iverson regularly played the entire 48 minutes of games during his time as a Sixer and would voice his displeasure if/when he was ever taken out.
So now that ex-MVP, multiple scoring champ is headed towards his mid-30's, should he be more open to a different role than he's used to? Iverson doesn't think so:
"I'd rather retire before I do this again," Iverson said. "I can't be effective playing this way. I'm not used to it. It's tough for me both mentally and physically."
I've run the gamut of opinions regarding this whole issue over the last two days. At first glance, Iverson sounds like a typically whiny professional athlete. He's complaining about being a bench player in the NBA - a job so many basketball players dream of their entire lives. Then I thought maybe he's just getting old and needs to accept his new role. Both of those opinions are wrong for one reason - Iverson can still play. The guy has barely lost a step (if at all). This is more a product of a coach not knowing how to use his star player than it is a player not knowing his limitations.
Would you really expect Michael Curry to know how to handle a player as volatile and complicated as AI? Of course not. The Pistons are not built to deal well with a player like Iverson either. They acquired him as a stopgap before the big free agency period next year. Detroit is clearly not the place for AI to be, now or ever.
There will be a time when Iverson can't dominate a game anymore, but that time is not now. AI needs to find himself a new team in the offseason. I know a guy in Charlotte that is looking for a solid veteran to lead a group of athletic young players . . .
I just hope Curry has the intelligence to start AI on Saturday at the Wachovia Center. You know Iverson is going to bring his best against the Sixers with playoff seeding on the line.
My bitterness is out in full force today. Just when the Sixers were finally starting to look like they could actually make a run in the playoffs, this happens. I blame myself for pointing out how well he had been playing. I should have known it was too good to be true.
It appears that Thaddeus Young will be out for at least the remainder of the regular season and possibly some of playoffs. The Sixers will need to get a lot more scoring out of Speights, Lou Williams and (dear God) Reggie Evans in his absence.
The good news? The Sixers are currently tied for 5th and face the lowly Bucks tonight. There are 9 games left until the playoffs and every one of them is going to be huge. Let's hope they can hold it together until Thad returns.
After spending our entire lives rooting for Philadelphia sports teams, 4 friends decided to bring their bitching to the internet. We'll weigh-in on pretty much all things sports, with a focus on Philly teams and a dash of pop culture.
Not sure why you should bookmark this blog? Not really seeing what we have to offer? Allow me to clear some things up for you: we may not be the most updated, funny, news-breaking, or politically correct sports blog out there, but we've got the most important thing of all: all the right opinions. If you disagree, you're probably wrong. Wanna fight?
