- Lidge coming in as the last NL pitcher and promptly losing the all star game is a very bad sign of things to come, just my opinion. The other loser tonight was Billy Wagner, who totally blew the one run lead in the eighth inning. I revel in Billy's tough outings, Billy being a guy with no love lost for Philly sports fans. I'm not saying I blame him, but I can't root for him.
- Sixers actually signing Elton Brand is a good thing. If he stays healthy, and there is no real reason to think that he is going to be injured except pessimism. Tonight I watched some of the Sixers-Lakers rookie summer league game and I thought that Thaddeus Young didn't look as impressive as he did during the season, and that Mareesse Speights isn't as big as I thought he was, although he played very well and I feel good about Speights as a contributor on the team this season. I feel good about Young also, I think his is a case of incredible expectation based on limited success.
- The Flyers stood still/ got a little worse in the offseason, and everyone that directly competes with the Flyers got better. Except the Penguins, who didn't get significantly worse but didn't sign Hossa, either. Maybe Umberger for Eminger will work out, but right now I can't see how. It's time for Richards and Carter to take the lead full time, and lets all hope that Gagne can stay healthy and produce at the level he did before his concussion troubles.
- Quick movie reviews: I loved There Will Be Blood, loved it. PT Anderson can put a story on film and make you feel a certain way about the cinematic experience. Daniel Day-Lewis took me through the gamut of feeling for his character, and his accent and direct pronunciation provided the canvas on which a portrait of a deeply flawed character developed over the course of a few hours. Sound and picture at it's very best.
- Also really liked No Country for Old Men, strong contrast between the operations of Tommy Lee Jones' sheriff and Javier Bardem's serial killer. Anton is a creep, but a utilitarian at heart, and I love the way he talks to Woody Harrelson's character in their main scene.
- Good family fare in Disney Pixar's WALL*E. Animation looked great, well scored, everything I expected and a well placed Oscar nom song from Peter Gabriel in the hopeful credits. Is WALL*E really that much better than Cars? I don't think so, but I love dialogue, well developed characters and plot turns, and this film lacked all three.
- Semi-Pro was funny, I don't know if I would watch it again, but I did laugh out loud a few times, mostly at Ferrell and Will Arnett, who steals a few scenes.
- It's E3 week, and I watched Nintendo's press conference yesterday. I don't know what to think about WiiMusic, it looked just ok, and that's what I said last year about WiiFit. Later in the day the Rock Band 2 tracklist came out, and the only thing that's missing for me is The Kooks' She Moves in Her Own Way. I will be blasting out Interpol - PDA on the release date, that's a promise. I think I'm the target audience for that game, looking at that list.
- Finally, I think I can sleep.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Couldn't Sleep
Maybe I am just too wound up from the extremely long MLB All-Star game tonight, lost by Phillies closer Brad Lidge (bad sign). Maybe I am too excited for rookies to report to Lehigh on July 21st. Maybe I am too excited for the release of Rock Band 2 after reading the full 84 song tracklist. Whatever the reason, I can't sleep. Thoughts:
Monday, June 16, 2008
Veering to the Left
I had a scary moment driving home tonight. Green light, popular intersection, I am driving through like I would any other green light at any other intersection. A car comes the other way, not paying attention to the red light and it's approaching quickly. I am halfway through the intersection, realizing that this car is not going to stop for the light, I veer quickly to the left, almost into the opposing traffic lane. The car brakes late and we narrowly miss contact. In my head, my quick turning made the difference, might be the case, might not. Afterwards, my heart pounding not unlike it does when I am on a roller coaster, I wasn't even angry at the other driver, who had stopped and reversed out of the intersection to stop in the correct area. I was grateful, relieved that I did not have to deal with the aftermath of an accident, thankful to all the right parties that I was still alive and well. On Father's Day, of course.
I don't post as much as I would like, not sure why. I want a custom graphic for the title of the page and I want more original pictures, because I love original content. So much has happened through the winter, spring and beginning of summer in Philadelphia sports. Briefly:
- Sixers make the postseason, fall apart at the end of the regular season and miss a chance to play the Orlando Magic in the first round. The Sixers did hang with the Detroit Pistons for 4 games, leading at halftime of Game 4 with a 2-1 lead in the series, but Detroit woke up and that was all she wrote for a fun young team that overachieved greatly and took steps to regaining the love of this city.
- What I would like to see the Sixers do is 1. Emerge from the draft with a player that can go into the rotation this season. I think this can happen at 16, as I feel the draft has a few stars but a bunch of first round players that will play regular minutes in the league for years to come. 2. Go after Elton Brand. A hard working power forward to complement Sammy D's loose style, like a more offensively refined version of Reggie Evans, is what this team needs the most to continue to improve. 3. If all else fails, resign Iguodala. I am possibly in the minority that likes Andre Iguodala and feels that he has a bright future in the NBA. Not as a stand out, all-star player necessarily, but as a gritty 2/3 that can score and play defense. No, I would not give him a max deal, and would not match such a deal if another team is foolish enough to sign him to a max deal (a la Rashard Lewis to Orlando). What's a rational amount? 55 million over 6 or 7 years? Under 10 million per year? We'll find out.
- The Flyers come up 2 wins short of the Stanley Cup Finals. Another young team with a lot of energy, the Flyers were inconsistent throughout the second half of the season. In the end, it didn't matter as the Flyers caught fire at the end of the season, played entertaining and heated playoff hockey until their ouster at the hands of Finals runner up Pittsburgh. The Penguins were simply the better team, especially after a trading deadline deal brought over Marian Hossa and Pascual Dupris from Atlanta. The Pens-Flyers should be a very heated rivalry over the next few seasons, although if the Washington Capitals can sustain the talent level around Alexander Ovechkin for the next few seasons, the Caps will have a lot to say in the playoffs.
- What I want to see the Flyers do: Not a whole lot. I am that one guy that is not sold on Martin Biron as a playoff stud goalie (blasphemy, I know). I can't see him being unseated any time soon however, so a focus on acquiring more help on the defense is key. What counts the most in the "new" NHL is developing your own talent, and that is my number 1 priority for the Flyers. Number 2 is keeping Jeff Carter and RJ Umberger. And I want to see more out of Steve Downie, and I want Claude Giroux to make the club out of training camp. Is that too much to ask for?
- The Phillies are in first place in the NL East as I type this. The team is better than last year, getting a very unexpected boost from the best bullpen in the NL. No, it's the Phillies bullpen, seriously. It is going to be hard to hold on to this position if the hitting or bullpen falls off dramatically over the course of the season. And if they do make the playoffs, Hamels game one then pray for rain.
- What I want to see the Phillies do: Find a starter. He doesnt have to be famous or high paid, it could be a Kyle Kendrick type call-up or Kyle Lohse type after the deadline deal, but the wear on Moyer's arm is going to be too much for October, and Myers is kinda scary right now. I didn't agree with taking him out of the bullpen, but Lidge has been so good back there it leaves Myers without a defined role that I would use him in. And I am not ready to give up on Ryan Howard, I don't want to boo Ryan Howard, he will come along. Even if he doesn't, Howard has earned the unaffected support of the local fan base with his play since his initial call-up.
- I am as excited for the Eagles as I am for anything else happening this year. I can not render an objective review of the team, as I always look for a way to predict that the Birds will win. That's just how I look at this team, and here is how they can do it this season: 1. No key injuries. 2. Increased production from WR's and or TE's. 3. There has to be consistency in the red zone in the second half of the year. 4. Have to actually get to the QB and not just force him outside the pocket, and I am talking about Jason Campbell, Eli Manning and Tony Romo here. 5. More efficient special teams, with less backup WR's on kick coverage. 6. Donovan has to be having fun. The last strong run I can think of for McNabb was in 2006, and when I think of his performance that season at home against Dallas with TO for the first time, that is the fun McNabb I have rooted for, throwing the deep ball with a little success, getting out and running if he has to, not throwing the ball too hard into the ground or forcing passes into double or triple coverage. Can Lorenzo Booker be an impact player? It all looks so easy in June.
I don't post as much as I would like, not sure why. I want a custom graphic for the title of the page and I want more original pictures, because I love original content. So much has happened through the winter, spring and beginning of summer in Philadelphia sports. Briefly:
- Sixers make the postseason, fall apart at the end of the regular season and miss a chance to play the Orlando Magic in the first round. The Sixers did hang with the Detroit Pistons for 4 games, leading at halftime of Game 4 with a 2-1 lead in the series, but Detroit woke up and that was all she wrote for a fun young team that overachieved greatly and took steps to regaining the love of this city.
- What I would like to see the Sixers do is 1. Emerge from the draft with a player that can go into the rotation this season. I think this can happen at 16, as I feel the draft has a few stars but a bunch of first round players that will play regular minutes in the league for years to come. 2. Go after Elton Brand. A hard working power forward to complement Sammy D's loose style, like a more offensively refined version of Reggie Evans, is what this team needs the most to continue to improve. 3. If all else fails, resign Iguodala. I am possibly in the minority that likes Andre Iguodala and feels that he has a bright future in the NBA. Not as a stand out, all-star player necessarily, but as a gritty 2/3 that can score and play defense. No, I would not give him a max deal, and would not match such a deal if another team is foolish enough to sign him to a max deal (a la Rashard Lewis to Orlando). What's a rational amount? 55 million over 6 or 7 years? Under 10 million per year? We'll find out.
- The Flyers come up 2 wins short of the Stanley Cup Finals. Another young team with a lot of energy, the Flyers were inconsistent throughout the second half of the season. In the end, it didn't matter as the Flyers caught fire at the end of the season, played entertaining and heated playoff hockey until their ouster at the hands of Finals runner up Pittsburgh. The Penguins were simply the better team, especially after a trading deadline deal brought over Marian Hossa and Pascual Dupris from Atlanta. The Pens-Flyers should be a very heated rivalry over the next few seasons, although if the Washington Capitals can sustain the talent level around Alexander Ovechkin for the next few seasons, the Caps will have a lot to say in the playoffs.
- What I want to see the Flyers do: Not a whole lot. I am that one guy that is not sold on Martin Biron as a playoff stud goalie (blasphemy, I know). I can't see him being unseated any time soon however, so a focus on acquiring more help on the defense is key. What counts the most in the "new" NHL is developing your own talent, and that is my number 1 priority for the Flyers. Number 2 is keeping Jeff Carter and RJ Umberger. And I want to see more out of Steve Downie, and I want Claude Giroux to make the club out of training camp. Is that too much to ask for?
- The Phillies are in first place in the NL East as I type this. The team is better than last year, getting a very unexpected boost from the best bullpen in the NL. No, it's the Phillies bullpen, seriously. It is going to be hard to hold on to this position if the hitting or bullpen falls off dramatically over the course of the season. And if they do make the playoffs, Hamels game one then pray for rain.
- What I want to see the Phillies do: Find a starter. He doesnt have to be famous or high paid, it could be a Kyle Kendrick type call-up or Kyle Lohse type after the deadline deal, but the wear on Moyer's arm is going to be too much for October, and Myers is kinda scary right now. I didn't agree with taking him out of the bullpen, but Lidge has been so good back there it leaves Myers without a defined role that I would use him in. And I am not ready to give up on Ryan Howard, I don't want to boo Ryan Howard, he will come along. Even if he doesn't, Howard has earned the unaffected support of the local fan base with his play since his initial call-up.
- I am as excited for the Eagles as I am for anything else happening this year. I can not render an objective review of the team, as I always look for a way to predict that the Birds will win. That's just how I look at this team, and here is how they can do it this season: 1. No key injuries. 2. Increased production from WR's and or TE's. 3. There has to be consistency in the red zone in the second half of the year. 4. Have to actually get to the QB and not just force him outside the pocket, and I am talking about Jason Campbell, Eli Manning and Tony Romo here. 5. More efficient special teams, with less backup WR's on kick coverage. 6. Donovan has to be having fun. The last strong run I can think of for McNabb was in 2006, and when I think of his performance that season at home against Dallas with TO for the first time, that is the fun McNabb I have rooted for, throwing the deep ball with a little success, getting out and running if he has to, not throwing the ball too hard into the ground or forcing passes into double or triple coverage. Can Lorenzo Booker be an impact player? It all looks so easy in June.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Finding the Mojo
I have a new favorite channel, with a collection of very good programs, 1080i resolution, and content designed for men who earn twice my salary. Late nights without scripted television to watch on the dvr created a void, and NBA games run until 1:30 AM the latest, so I was looking for something to watch. I really only scroll through the sports tier and hd channels, and that's where I found MOJO. The channel is at it's best with the business and food related programs, and they are featured prominently on the late night schedule.
Changing pace here, the Eagles signed Asanti Samuel yesterday. As always, negative spin was flowing over the sports talk airwaves, most seemed to come from callers, and it's not without some merit. I think it's great that the Eagles recognized a need on their defense and aggressively pursued the best available solution for that need. However, in doing so, the Eagles alienate a 26 year old cornerback who has been an All-Pro at that position already. Lito Sheppard appears to be the odd man out of the Eagles secondary, and that makes me think of a few possible reasons why:
1. Sheppard actually just moves to the other side of the field, bumping Sheldon Brown, who becomes a free safety. (doubtful)
2. Sheppard, often injured, saw his play decline last season due to an injury that the team feels will compromise his effectiveness into the future.
I can not see a reason why the Eagles would pay so much for a CB when they have both current CB's locked up in favorable contracts. This team is all about saving money, so to spend at a position where the talent is young, underpaid and accomplished only makes sense if they are not going to keep one of the current starting CB's.
Changing pace here, the Eagles signed Asanti Samuel yesterday. As always, negative spin was flowing over the sports talk airwaves, most seemed to come from callers, and it's not without some merit. I think it's great that the Eagles recognized a need on their defense and aggressively pursued the best available solution for that need. However, in doing so, the Eagles alienate a 26 year old cornerback who has been an All-Pro at that position already. Lito Sheppard appears to be the odd man out of the Eagles secondary, and that makes me think of a few possible reasons why:
1. Sheppard actually just moves to the other side of the field, bumping Sheldon Brown, who becomes a free safety. (doubtful)
2. Sheppard, often injured, saw his play decline last season due to an injury that the team feels will compromise his effectiveness into the future.
I can not see a reason why the Eagles would pay so much for a CB when they have both current CB's locked up in favorable contracts. This team is all about saving money, so to spend at a position where the talent is young, underpaid and accomplished only makes sense if they are not going to keep one of the current starting CB's.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Favorite Flyers and Phillie Feelings
Listening to 610 this afternoon and the mid-day team of Gargano and Martorano did a nice "Who are your favorite all time Flyers?" running poll. It got me thinking, and there are 3 names, all tied for the top spot. Understand that I come in to Flyers hockey in 1986, so there is no personal connection to the Cup winning Bullies teams of the 1970's.
1a. Eric Lindros - Lindros teared up when he accepted the Hart trophy after the strike shortened 1995 season, and that was really enough for me. I never blamed Lindros for his troubles with the team here, maybe it was the parents, our medical staff, Clarke, or a combination of all parties involved. What I knew was what I saw, that Lindros was physically dominating with an amazing scoring touch from '92-'99. It did end ugly.
1b. Rick Tocchet - Fighter and scorer on the extremely tough '86-'87 team, I was 7 years old and a big Tocchet fan. Still am.
1c. Ron Hextall - If for no other reason than his check and fight with Chris Chelios in the 88 playoffs.
I want the Phillies to spend a ton of money. In any other sport, it is favorable to spend wisely to stay within salary restrictions, like a cap. MLB does have the luxury tax, but that mechanism has proven ineffective at shrinking the distance between the top 3 and bottom 3 payrolls. I, as a fan, am not rooting for the Phillies to make money, I want them to win a championship, and to that effect, they can not spend enough money. Put it in player development, free agency, however they wish. I cannot support their cost cutting, budget conscious decisions, even if they make sense (low-balling Ryan Howard). I will be at the CIT this spring and summer for certain, I just hope the Phils spend as much as is needed to field a team with the best possible chance at winning the World Series.
1a. Eric Lindros - Lindros teared up when he accepted the Hart trophy after the strike shortened 1995 season, and that was really enough for me. I never blamed Lindros for his troubles with the team here, maybe it was the parents, our medical staff, Clarke, or a combination of all parties involved. What I knew was what I saw, that Lindros was physically dominating with an amazing scoring touch from '92-'99. It did end ugly.
1b. Rick Tocchet - Fighter and scorer on the extremely tough '86-'87 team, I was 7 years old and a big Tocchet fan. Still am.
1c. Ron Hextall - If for no other reason than his check and fight with Chris Chelios in the 88 playoffs.
I want the Phillies to spend a ton of money. In any other sport, it is favorable to spend wisely to stay within salary restrictions, like a cap. MLB does have the luxury tax, but that mechanism has proven ineffective at shrinking the distance between the top 3 and bottom 3 payrolls. I, as a fan, am not rooting for the Phillies to make money, I want them to win a championship, and to that effect, they can not spend enough money. Put it in player development, free agency, however they wish. I cannot support their cost cutting, budget conscious decisions, even if they make sense (low-balling Ryan Howard). I will be at the CIT this spring and summer for certain, I just hope the Phils spend as much as is needed to field a team with the best possible chance at winning the World Series.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
So I Watch A Lot of TV
The current writers' strike has really put a damper on my habit of recording shows on my DVR and keeping up with multiple shows at once. I am clinging to what is left of new scripted material (House, The Wire), and my TV winter highlight will be the Fans vs. Favorites Survivor starting on February 4th. I really enjoyed this week's Entertainment Weekly, which provided a survival guide for getting through this impasse. Two thoughts:
1. When I moved into my first (and last) apartment away at college, we did not have cable TV for the first month. I thought it would be a nightmare, as I was raised on all types of TV. It was hard for a day and then I didn't even think about it. Probably the most productive month of my life, in fact.
2. My actual strategy of using the extra time, which really breaks down to about 8 hours a week, is a mixed addition of other sedentary actions, which can be broken down into three categories: watching movies, playing more video games, using the computer/internet.
The shows I will miss during this strike (top 5):
1. Heroes
2. How I Met Your Mother
3. House
4. The Office
5. 30 Rock
1. When I moved into my first (and last) apartment away at college, we did not have cable TV for the first month. I thought it would be a nightmare, as I was raised on all types of TV. It was hard for a day and then I didn't even think about it. Probably the most productive month of my life, in fact.
2. My actual strategy of using the extra time, which really breaks down to about 8 hours a week, is a mixed addition of other sedentary actions, which can be broken down into three categories: watching movies, playing more video games, using the computer/internet.
The shows I will miss during this strike (top 5):
1. Heroes
2. How I Met Your Mother
3. House
4. The Office
5. 30 Rock
Monday, December 31, 2007
Starts with 2007...
I managed to pull myself away from Rock Band for a few minutes to add to the collection of posts that is OVIT. It was difficult, believe me. I want to use the blog to have more fun in the coming year, and really that's about the only resolution that I can make for myself heading into 2008. 2007 was a very eventful year for me, but I am going to look at the year through shades of sports and pop culture, maybe..
The best story in national sports in 2007....
1) Patriots go 16-0 in the NFL regular season: I wanted it to happen in the end for two reasons. 1. 16-0 is impressive and a special feat to watch, with most Pats games on national TV this season. 2. The Patriots played this season like they were playing Madden. Run up the score? Absolutely. Start all your guys to try to win every game even when it has no playoff implications? Yes. I can salute that, because it adds credibility to anyone who has ever played a Madden season in the pursuit of total perfection.
2) Tiger Woods takes time off when his son is born, still is #1 golfer this year. Woods is the best athlete of this era and continued to prove his legacy in '07. I think we have many more years of Tiger dominating this sport and his consistency is just the best story of the year.
3) Keeping with the same theme, Tim Duncan and the Spurs claim the NBA title with great defense and team play. Hard work pays off and the Spurs embody that statement. I think they are going to win again this season.
The best local sports story in 2007 was....
1) Phillies make the postseason and Jimmy Rollins wins MVP! This is a no-brainer. The Phils were the beneficiary and cause of the greatest collapse in Major League Baseball history. To top it off, Phillies' win two MVP's in a row! The Phillies still need pitching and to win a postseason game, but they defied my expectations for this season and I really hope they can build on the experience.
more to come....
The best story in national sports in 2007....
1) Patriots go 16-0 in the NFL regular season: I wanted it to happen in the end for two reasons. 1. 16-0 is impressive and a special feat to watch, with most Pats games on national TV this season. 2. The Patriots played this season like they were playing Madden. Run up the score? Absolutely. Start all your guys to try to win every game even when it has no playoff implications? Yes. I can salute that, because it adds credibility to anyone who has ever played a Madden season in the pursuit of total perfection.
2) Tiger Woods takes time off when his son is born, still is #1 golfer this year. Woods is the best athlete of this era and continued to prove his legacy in '07. I think we have many more years of Tiger dominating this sport and his consistency is just the best story of the year.
3) Keeping with the same theme, Tim Duncan and the Spurs claim the NBA title with great defense and team play. Hard work pays off and the Spurs embody that statement. I think they are going to win again this season.
The best local sports story in 2007 was....
1) Phillies make the postseason and Jimmy Rollins wins MVP! This is a no-brainer. The Phils were the beneficiary and cause of the greatest collapse in Major League Baseball history. To top it off, Phillies' win two MVP's in a row! The Phillies still need pitching and to win a postseason game, but they defied my expectations for this season and I really hope they can build on the experience.
more to come....
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Week 8 NFL Selections
My overall NFL picks have been off the mark against the spread so far this season. Today I am narrowing the games down to three and giving a couple of confident choices. Here goes:
1) San Diego (pk) over Houston: the uncertainty of the location of this game took the line off of the board. You can't help but feel for the victims of the wildfires, and I can't help but pick the Chargers w/ the imaginary tease down to a pick 'em.
2) Buffalo over NY Jets: today marks the official start of the trent edwards era in buffalo, and the continuation of the end of the eric mangini era in new york.
3) Miami (+9) over NY Giants: I believe neutral site games, like the one today in london, play closer to a pick 'em than to one side or another. The Giants have been hot lately, and the Dolphins look like another cupcake on an easy schedule, but taking the game out of USA keeps the score closer.
1) San Diego (pk) over Houston: the uncertainty of the location of this game took the line off of the board. You can't help but feel for the victims of the wildfires, and I can't help but pick the Chargers w/ the imaginary tease down to a pick 'em.
2) Buffalo over NY Jets: today marks the official start of the trent edwards era in buffalo, and the continuation of the end of the eric mangini era in new york.
3) Miami (+9) over NY Giants: I believe neutral site games, like the one today in london, play closer to a pick 'em than to one side or another. The Giants have been hot lately, and the Dolphins look like another cupcake on an easy schedule, but taking the game out of USA keeps the score closer.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
testing a mobile blog
Brief thoughts from work (of all places) as I attempt to post from my smartphone for the first time:
- It looks like the Red Sox will once again be champions of Major League Baseball, barring another miracle from those magical Colorado Rockies.
- College football has been a lot of fun so far this season, and today proved no different as Oregon beat USC and Kansas stayed undefeated at Texas A&M. I just don't like the fact that Michigan is ranked after losing at home to Appalachain State to start the season, but what can I do about it?
- Another Flyers win today against Boston. This is a team of destiny, and will be the team to bring a championship home to Philadelphia. So far, Paul Holmgren looks like a genius.
- The NBA season is about to begin, and I am very excited for the new season. I say this in spite of the fact that the Sixers are virtually assured of a spot in late spring... in Secaucus. No ref-point shaving scandal is going to defer my love of the game of basketball at the highest level.
Allright end test
- It looks like the Red Sox will once again be champions of Major League Baseball, barring another miracle from those magical Colorado Rockies.
- College football has been a lot of fun so far this season, and today proved no different as Oregon beat USC and Kansas stayed undefeated at Texas A&M. I just don't like the fact that Michigan is ranked after losing at home to Appalachain State to start the season, but what can I do about it?
- Another Flyers win today against Boston. This is a team of destiny, and will be the team to bring a championship home to Philadelphia. So far, Paul Holmgren looks like a genius.
- The NBA season is about to begin, and I am very excited for the new season. I say this in spite of the fact that the Sixers are virtually assured of a spot in late spring... in Secaucus. No ref-point shaving scandal is going to defer my love of the game of basketball at the highest level.
Allright end test
Monday, September 10, 2007
I Should Change The Title to "Bad Losses"
... since I only seem to chime in after a gut-wrenching loss. The Eagles provide the fodder today, losing a season opener in Green Bay after muffing two punts that lead to crucial scores by the Packers. There is a lot of bad here, starting of course with the special teams, and the decision by the coaching staff that an experienced punt returner was not needed. The defense played well against a Packers team with an aging Brett Favre at QB, rookies starting at both RB spots and at WR, a TE and WR that are both in their 30's, and no good protection to speak of. So I won't continue to downplay the good in this game, but this will be the worst offense the Eagles play against all year.
Troublesome to me, and looking past the obvious here, is the lack of offense generated by the Eagles. As bad as the Packers O is, their D is that much better, and they were playing at home yesterday, but that's not good enough. The Eagles are (or were) a Super Bowl pick from some analysts, a playoff guarantee by most prognosticators, and a team that is going to overcome a tough defense needs more than two big plays and 13 points on offense. The turnovers on special teams is a direct fault for this loss, but the underlying problem that this loss reveals is that when it counts (end of 3rd thru middle of 4th quarter), the Eagles offense could not put away an inferior opponent.
Silver lining time: In addition to the defense playing well, although not always tackling well, the Eagles also lost a game to a team from a Bay last season on a last second field goal, and they still made the playoffs, although if they had won that game they would have been home against New Orleans, won that game, and who knows what would have happened against the Bears.
The Eagles-Packers game was the lowlight of a great weekend of football for me. I'm a guy that works alot of weekends, and the opportunity to watch games Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday was a welcome notion that I took full advantage of. Some thoughts:
1. On Thursday night, the Colts looked unstoppable. They played at home, in the season opener, all fired up about winning the title last season, but still... the offense looked unstoppable and the pass defense looked great against a team that features a lot of weapons in the passing game. Common preseason logic gave us Pats-Colts in the AFC championship, week 1 supports that hypothesis.
2. Brian Brohm and Jimmy Clausen will be NFL QB's. Clausen getting to start against Penn State made the game, as constant shots to his "shocked" family, who all eerily looked alike, filled almost every second of non game action on the ESPN telecast. On the same telecast, I liked the gratuitous footage of Todd Blackledge eating a huge omlette. Granted, ESPN ran it because a player was injured and that isn't cool, but lets see more of announcers eating their way to death during breaks in the action of football games.
3. Michigan sucks this year, and in that same game, Oregon's offense was really fun to watch. Michigan is the kind of big program that needs drastic measures immediately to show they want a better product: like fire all of the coaches today. Ed Snider needs to be on the board at Michigan, that would make it happen. I loved Oregon's approach on offense, they had 3 guys, including the QB, who can run with the ball, so they put all three guys in a shotgun set, as if to say, ok we're buying some time back here to see what happens, we might throw it but if you open a seam up front someone is going to run through it, or maybe we'll screen pass for 5-10 yards if you commit a LB to coverage. Crazy fun.
4. I think Randy Moss is going to keep having games like yesterday against the Jets (183 receiving yards and a TD). This is like TO and the Eagles in 04, only Brady will just put up with Moss' crap when the time comes, knowing there is a ring in it for everyone if he does.
5. Speaking of TO, I loved the postgame on the Dallas-Giants game, which was a very fun game to watch. Tony Romo is player of the game after throwing for 4 TD's and running another in himself. Romo is asked about how TO went catchless in the first half and his response was that he told TO to "stay with me" and remarked with a laugh about how Owens did better in the second half (3 catches, 2 TD). That's how you handle playing with TO.
6. LaDainian Tomlinson is really really good. Like really good. But you already knew that.
7. Final thought from the Giants-Cowboys game is that I think either team would have crushed the Eagles yesterday. It's a long season, but that's how it looks after one week.
Tonight promises two more division rivalry games with Baltimore at Cincinnati and SF at Arizona. I'm going to watch both games tonight, setting a weekend record for football watched, shattering my old college mark from 2000. We'll take Baltimore getting 2.5 points, and SF giving 3.
Troublesome to me, and looking past the obvious here, is the lack of offense generated by the Eagles. As bad as the Packers O is, their D is that much better, and they were playing at home yesterday, but that's not good enough. The Eagles are (or were) a Super Bowl pick from some analysts, a playoff guarantee by most prognosticators, and a team that is going to overcome a tough defense needs more than two big plays and 13 points on offense. The turnovers on special teams is a direct fault for this loss, but the underlying problem that this loss reveals is that when it counts (end of 3rd thru middle of 4th quarter), the Eagles offense could not put away an inferior opponent.
Silver lining time: In addition to the defense playing well, although not always tackling well, the Eagles also lost a game to a team from a Bay last season on a last second field goal, and they still made the playoffs, although if they had won that game they would have been home against New Orleans, won that game, and who knows what would have happened against the Bears.
The Eagles-Packers game was the lowlight of a great weekend of football for me. I'm a guy that works alot of weekends, and the opportunity to watch games Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday was a welcome notion that I took full advantage of. Some thoughts:
1. On Thursday night, the Colts looked unstoppable. They played at home, in the season opener, all fired up about winning the title last season, but still... the offense looked unstoppable and the pass defense looked great against a team that features a lot of weapons in the passing game. Common preseason logic gave us Pats-Colts in the AFC championship, week 1 supports that hypothesis.
2. Brian Brohm and Jimmy Clausen will be NFL QB's. Clausen getting to start against Penn State made the game, as constant shots to his "shocked" family, who all eerily looked alike, filled almost every second of non game action on the ESPN telecast. On the same telecast, I liked the gratuitous footage of Todd Blackledge eating a huge omlette. Granted, ESPN ran it because a player was injured and that isn't cool, but lets see more of announcers eating their way to death during breaks in the action of football games.
3. Michigan sucks this year, and in that same game, Oregon's offense was really fun to watch. Michigan is the kind of big program that needs drastic measures immediately to show they want a better product: like fire all of the coaches today. Ed Snider needs to be on the board at Michigan, that would make it happen. I loved Oregon's approach on offense, they had 3 guys, including the QB, who can run with the ball, so they put all three guys in a shotgun set, as if to say, ok we're buying some time back here to see what happens, we might throw it but if you open a seam up front someone is going to run through it, or maybe we'll screen pass for 5-10 yards if you commit a LB to coverage. Crazy fun.
4. I think Randy Moss is going to keep having games like yesterday against the Jets (183 receiving yards and a TD). This is like TO and the Eagles in 04, only Brady will just put up with Moss' crap when the time comes, knowing there is a ring in it for everyone if he does.
5. Speaking of TO, I loved the postgame on the Dallas-Giants game, which was a very fun game to watch. Tony Romo is player of the game after throwing for 4 TD's and running another in himself. Romo is asked about how TO went catchless in the first half and his response was that he told TO to "stay with me" and remarked with a laugh about how Owens did better in the second half (3 catches, 2 TD). That's how you handle playing with TO.
6. LaDainian Tomlinson is really really good. Like really good. But you already knew that.
7. Final thought from the Giants-Cowboys game is that I think either team would have crushed the Eagles yesterday. It's a long season, but that's how it looks after one week.
Tonight promises two more division rivalry games with Baltimore at Cincinnati and SF at Arizona. I'm going to watch both games tonight, setting a weekend record for football watched, shattering my old college mark from 2000. We'll take Baltimore getting 2.5 points, and SF giving 3.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Gut Reaction on the End of a New American Classic
What I have always loved about The Sopranos is the connection that I felt as a viewer to the characters and storylines, a connection built through the way the episodes were told. I like feeling like there is so much more to look into, more than the surface viewing of the show gives me. Tonight's finale proved again how this connection is so strong.
I feel, as a viewer, the way the characters are feeling throughout the season. This last season seemed to be about the depression involved in the realization that the top has been reached, and everything is downhill from that point forward. The first two seasons were full of excitement, and watching the episodes, I felt like I understood the morale dilemmas, but felt the rush of excitement as Tony prepared to take control of the family and elevated his financial status. We tread water carefully with Tony over the next few seasons as he reacted to threats to his status as leader, and we watched his family dynamic come apart and then mend back together, never the same as before.
Overall, the feeling of maturation was present for all characters and their familial relationships, whether it was the actual family or the "family", each character changed with time given their circumstances, which we were most often privy to. The final season had benchmarks where Tony is really thinking, "What next?", or "What now?". Towards the bitter end, he is hiding, still not really valuing his actual life as much as the life that crime has created for him, as he continued to provide excuses not to visit Silvio in the finale, or speaking to A.J's shrink, when he expresses his unhappiness at the fact that she is keeping patient-docor confidentiality even though it is Tony who is footing the bill. I liked the finale. I was nervous watching it, and I think that I was right to feel that way. Tony was nervous, up through the last seconds of the show, always wondering who is coming through that door. The feel of the last set of episodes almost set up an air of captivity in the entire family's everyday life: Carmela is not proud enough of Meadow, A.J will never find reality and realize his fancy lifestyle, Tony is left with just Paulie outside Satriale's, his friends and business associates alike disappearing before their time. Tony could be depressed, and if he is, then he is trapped inside it, without his loyal therapist there is only life to look in the face, and the good times of his career largely behind him, Tony's outlook is not strictly bound to the life of crime. I think a life inside a corporation would leave the same reaction, given the same meteoric rise to success.
Sleep!
I feel, as a viewer, the way the characters are feeling throughout the season. This last season seemed to be about the depression involved in the realization that the top has been reached, and everything is downhill from that point forward. The first two seasons were full of excitement, and watching the episodes, I felt like I understood the morale dilemmas, but felt the rush of excitement as Tony prepared to take control of the family and elevated his financial status. We tread water carefully with Tony over the next few seasons as he reacted to threats to his status as leader, and we watched his family dynamic come apart and then mend back together, never the same as before.
Overall, the feeling of maturation was present for all characters and their familial relationships, whether it was the actual family or the "family", each character changed with time given their circumstances, which we were most often privy to. The final season had benchmarks where Tony is really thinking, "What next?", or "What now?". Towards the bitter end, he is hiding, still not really valuing his actual life as much as the life that crime has created for him, as he continued to provide excuses not to visit Silvio in the finale, or speaking to A.J's shrink, when he expresses his unhappiness at the fact that she is keeping patient-docor confidentiality even though it is Tony who is footing the bill. I liked the finale. I was nervous watching it, and I think that I was right to feel that way. Tony was nervous, up through the last seconds of the show, always wondering who is coming through that door. The feel of the last set of episodes almost set up an air of captivity in the entire family's everyday life: Carmela is not proud enough of Meadow, A.J will never find reality and realize his fancy lifestyle, Tony is left with just Paulie outside Satriale's, his friends and business associates alike disappearing before their time. Tony could be depressed, and if he is, then he is trapped inside it, without his loyal therapist there is only life to look in the face, and the good times of his career largely behind him, Tony's outlook is not strictly bound to the life of crime. I think a life inside a corporation would leave the same reaction, given the same meteoric rise to success.
Sleep!
Monday, April 09, 2007
If I Could Be Who You Wanted... All The Time
I'm thinking about many subjects tonight, sharing my thoughts on a few.
The Phillies are off to a 1-5 start, leaving many runners on base, and the bullpen has blown a few games. If you only read that sentence, you would have no idea what year I was talking about, could be this season, last season, three seasons ago. What makes this season even more interesting is that tonight the Phils go to Shea for the New York Mets home opener. The Mets, and their fans, are revelling in a 4-2 start despite losing a weekend series to Atlanta. Fuel for the fire between the Phils and Mets was provided before spring training by Jimmy Rollins, who claimed that the Phillies were the "team to beat". A few Mets spoke out about Rollins' confident comments, including David Wright and Billy Wagner (big shocker there). Tonight, Boy Wonder Cole Hamels takes on John Maine, who took the defending champion Cardinals apart for seven innings in his last start. Tonight is a big game for the Phillies, since Adam Eaton pitches game two of the series, and I haven't seen anything from Adam Eaton that might indicate that he could win on the road in New York in April. Hamels threw a cold weather gem his last start, a quality start that was ruined by Phillies closer Tom Gordon in the top of the ninth inning.
There is an eerie similiarity to the way I feel about the Phillies as they begin this new season and the way I felt about this past season's Flyers team. I don't think the Phillies will set new records for futility, but then again I didn't think the Flyers would, either.
On the finally completed Flyers season: Since the last time the Philadelphia Flyers did not make the NHL playoffs, I have graduated high school, and college, gotten married, had two children, worked for 4 companies, lost a grandparent, my mother got married and divorced, my father got married... wow. They've had a good run. This debacle, caused by the salary cap and the league catching up to an old style of play, and inexperienced young players, and injuries, this debacle can not be repeated. The air was completely let out of the Wachovia Center this season, and it is not simply the new rules or the "new NHL". The local team sucked, plain and simple, from not having a clear situation in goal to not have a defense at all. This season, the Flyers couldn't spend their way out of it, and while some writers find that amusing, or cause for celebration, it caused great frustration for me as a fan. What is wrong with a hard salary cap? The revenue generators can not use their available resources, and then they have to share their money with the teams that beat them every night. The result is often times parity, and inconsistent rosters, levelling the playing field almost every season, giving the fans less of a reason to watch, since they can not build a strong attachment to a great portion of the roster, which turns over when the first team can not afford to pay acheiving players. This is why baseball is my favorite sport to follow, teams are rewarded for their success, even with the presence of a luxury tax.
I'm proud of the competing Sixers. Certainly all of these late season victories will cost the team in the draft, still one of the deepest in recent years, but I like the karma of not purposely losing games. Honestly, there appears to be quite a big drop-off between the second pick and the third pick in this draft, but is there a huge difference from 3 to 9? Who do you want with the third pick? Joakim Noah? Brandan Wright? (No.) Corey Brewer? I'll sit at 7 or 8 and see what happens. I'm a picky fan, I won't settle for the 7'1" Chinese center, nor will I tolerate a Spencer Hawes pick. Can we re-sign Joe Smith, but to a smaller contract? Am I way off base on that one?
The addition of XM radio to my car last year opened my sports talk radio options even more, and I have taken some advantage of that. Right now, XM lets me listen to Steve Czaban, Tony Kornheiser, Ben Maller, Major League Baseball, and Dan Patrick. Still can't beat Mike and the Mad Dog.
This is a long post, so I will end with a list. Recently the Flyers celebrated their 40th anniversary by losing the most games in franchise history as well as releasing a series of DVD's with fans' favorite games from the past 40 years. I voted for some of these games, others I didn't agree with, including some recent selections. So here is a list of 5 Flyers games that I personally would put on a DVD set. All of these games are from my viewing age, which started after the Broad Street Bullies Era, and after the Cups, and after we beat the Soviets. Those are all important games, but I couldn't relate the importance to a point in my life, and this is a self-centered list.
5. Flyers 5 - Tampa Bay 4, Game 6 2004 Eastern Conference Finals. Amazing goal by Gagne keeps a tired Flyers team in it, the swan song for hockey as we knew it in the "old NHL".
4. Oilers 3 - Flyers 1, Game 7 1987 Stanley Cup Finals. Yes, they lost, but the excitement before this game was unmatched in my years following the Flyers. A win away from the Cup. Against the greatest team of all time. We even struck first.
3. Flyers 4 - Rangers 3, OT, Game 2 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-finals. Kevin Haller's OT winner from Lindros, the loudest I ever heard the Spectrum.
2. Flyers beat Pittsburgh in 5 OT, 2000 Eastern Conference Semis. Yeah, I watched the whole thing. It was late in Chicago when that one ended.
1. Flyers beat Pittsburgh on Easter Sunday, 1995. On the list because we tied it in the last minute, won it in overtime, and I was there. Plain and simple.
The Phillies are off to a 1-5 start, leaving many runners on base, and the bullpen has blown a few games. If you only read that sentence, you would have no idea what year I was talking about, could be this season, last season, three seasons ago. What makes this season even more interesting is that tonight the Phils go to Shea for the New York Mets home opener. The Mets, and their fans, are revelling in a 4-2 start despite losing a weekend series to Atlanta. Fuel for the fire between the Phils and Mets was provided before spring training by Jimmy Rollins, who claimed that the Phillies were the "team to beat". A few Mets spoke out about Rollins' confident comments, including David Wright and Billy Wagner (big shocker there). Tonight, Boy Wonder Cole Hamels takes on John Maine, who took the defending champion Cardinals apart for seven innings in his last start. Tonight is a big game for the Phillies, since Adam Eaton pitches game two of the series, and I haven't seen anything from Adam Eaton that might indicate that he could win on the road in New York in April. Hamels threw a cold weather gem his last start, a quality start that was ruined by Phillies closer Tom Gordon in the top of the ninth inning.
There is an eerie similiarity to the way I feel about the Phillies as they begin this new season and the way I felt about this past season's Flyers team. I don't think the Phillies will set new records for futility, but then again I didn't think the Flyers would, either.
On the finally completed Flyers season: Since the last time the Philadelphia Flyers did not make the NHL playoffs, I have graduated high school, and college, gotten married, had two children, worked for 4 companies, lost a grandparent, my mother got married and divorced, my father got married... wow. They've had a good run. This debacle, caused by the salary cap and the league catching up to an old style of play, and inexperienced young players, and injuries, this debacle can not be repeated. The air was completely let out of the Wachovia Center this season, and it is not simply the new rules or the "new NHL". The local team sucked, plain and simple, from not having a clear situation in goal to not have a defense at all. This season, the Flyers couldn't spend their way out of it, and while some writers find that amusing, or cause for celebration, it caused great frustration for me as a fan. What is wrong with a hard salary cap? The revenue generators can not use their available resources, and then they have to share their money with the teams that beat them every night. The result is often times parity, and inconsistent rosters, levelling the playing field almost every season, giving the fans less of a reason to watch, since they can not build a strong attachment to a great portion of the roster, which turns over when the first team can not afford to pay acheiving players. This is why baseball is my favorite sport to follow, teams are rewarded for their success, even with the presence of a luxury tax.
I'm proud of the competing Sixers. Certainly all of these late season victories will cost the team in the draft, still one of the deepest in recent years, but I like the karma of not purposely losing games. Honestly, there appears to be quite a big drop-off between the second pick and the third pick in this draft, but is there a huge difference from 3 to 9? Who do you want with the third pick? Joakim Noah? Brandan Wright? (No.) Corey Brewer? I'll sit at 7 or 8 and see what happens. I'm a picky fan, I won't settle for the 7'1" Chinese center, nor will I tolerate a Spencer Hawes pick. Can we re-sign Joe Smith, but to a smaller contract? Am I way off base on that one?
The addition of XM radio to my car last year opened my sports talk radio options even more, and I have taken some advantage of that. Right now, XM lets me listen to Steve Czaban, Tony Kornheiser, Ben Maller, Major League Baseball, and Dan Patrick. Still can't beat Mike and the Mad Dog.
This is a long post, so I will end with a list. Recently the Flyers celebrated their 40th anniversary by losing the most games in franchise history as well as releasing a series of DVD's with fans' favorite games from the past 40 years. I voted for some of these games, others I didn't agree with, including some recent selections. So here is a list of 5 Flyers games that I personally would put on a DVD set. All of these games are from my viewing age, which started after the Broad Street Bullies Era, and after the Cups, and after we beat the Soviets. Those are all important games, but I couldn't relate the importance to a point in my life, and this is a self-centered list.
5. Flyers 5 - Tampa Bay 4, Game 6 2004 Eastern Conference Finals. Amazing goal by Gagne keeps a tired Flyers team in it, the swan song for hockey as we knew it in the "old NHL".
4. Oilers 3 - Flyers 1, Game 7 1987 Stanley Cup Finals. Yes, they lost, but the excitement before this game was unmatched in my years following the Flyers. A win away from the Cup. Against the greatest team of all time. We even struck first.
3. Flyers 4 - Rangers 3, OT, Game 2 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-finals. Kevin Haller's OT winner from Lindros, the loudest I ever heard the Spectrum.
2. Flyers beat Pittsburgh in 5 OT, 2000 Eastern Conference Semis. Yeah, I watched the whole thing. It was late in Chicago when that one ended.
1. Flyers beat Pittsburgh on Easter Sunday, 1995. On the list because we tied it in the last minute, won it in overtime, and I was there. Plain and simple.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Disappointment from the Beginning
Only two hours away from my own return to work, and I felt the need to express some feeling at the Phillies two extra inning losses to start the season. The Phils led both games, late in the game. They lacked timely hitting and the bullpen gave away both games, allowing Atlanta to tie late and finish the game in extra innings. I compare this to a year ago, when the eventual champion St. Louis Cardinals came to the Cit and destroyed the Phillies in the opening series. I can't decide which set of losses was more painful, but if the Phillies find redemption in Adam Eaton and anyone at the end of the bullpen (Geary? Alfonseca?), it will mean a better record this season out of the gate.
The bullpen was a known problem before the season started. I watched last night's game, and I told the wife that Gordon was going to blow the save. Negativity? Maybe, but I thought the situation was easy to read, and that if the Braves got to Ryan Madson, the game would be over, which it was. Now the job is in the hands of Phillies management, at all levels, to fix the bullpen problem.
I heard at least one local sports voice calling for the Utley-Howard lineup flip flop during spring training. Maybe Charlie Manuel thought it would be better to surprise the Braves with the new lineup, but Howard's getting thrown out at home on Utley's double in the ninth was the difference between winning the game and losing the game. Ask Herm Edwards what he thinks about why we play the games, he'll tell you, we play to WIN the games! Let's hopee the lineup miscue will be corrected soon, before the Phillies lose too many more games.
The bullpen was a known problem before the season started. I watched last night's game, and I told the wife that Gordon was going to blow the save. Negativity? Maybe, but I thought the situation was easy to read, and that if the Braves got to Ryan Madson, the game would be over, which it was. Now the job is in the hands of Phillies management, at all levels, to fix the bullpen problem.
I heard at least one local sports voice calling for the Utley-Howard lineup flip flop during spring training. Maybe Charlie Manuel thought it would be better to surprise the Braves with the new lineup, but Howard's getting thrown out at home on Utley's double in the ninth was the difference between winning the game and losing the game. Ask Herm Edwards what he thinks about why we play the games, he'll tell you, we play to WIN the games! Let's hopee the lineup miscue will be corrected soon, before the Phillies lose too many more games.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Impending Spring
2006 rolled into 2007, the Eagles took a shot at the Saints and came up short; the Flyers continued their fall from grace, but got a lot healthier and made a few smart deals for the future; the Sixers seem desperate to muddle their future by winning away either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant; it is time to start talking about the Phillies. During my time away from this blog I spent a lot of time reading blogs that relate to baseball, either general, specific teams, or fantasy. I keep pace on the other sports, and the local sports talk radio scene, which becomes difficult during this time of the year in the Eagles' Philadelphia, but this year there is reason to prepare well for the forthcoming baseball season.
Letdown is how the Phils have left their fans at the end of every season since 1993, or 1980, depending on your view of success. My definition is playoffs, and that stands for any sports team, make the playoffs, it was a successful season. The Phils have missed the postseason by a game or two each of the past two seasons, providing disappointment of the highest level. This season, however, the payroll has increased, the starting rotation has been improved, a young core of position players gain another year of experience, and within that group, two major superstars further emerge as the leaders, or face of the team, a team that plays hard and wants to win. I like Bobby Abreu, but trading him may have provided the spark these young Phils needed to reach the next level, even if it takes this year to get there.
Letdown is how the Phils have left their fans at the end of every season since 1993, or 1980, depending on your view of success. My definition is playoffs, and that stands for any sports team, make the playoffs, it was a successful season. The Phils have missed the postseason by a game or two each of the past two seasons, providing disappointment of the highest level. This season, however, the payroll has increased, the starting rotation has been improved, a young core of position players gain another year of experience, and within that group, two major superstars further emerge as the leaders, or face of the team, a team that plays hard and wants to win. I like Bobby Abreu, but trading him may have provided the spark these young Phils needed to reach the next level, even if it takes this year to get there.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Hot Stove Fever
First off, I have been reading the Great Book of Philadelphia Sports Lists, at intervals, although it is a very hard book to put down. I have read Glen Macnow's other Philadelphia sports collaborations, first with Anthony Gargano, then Angelo Cataldi, and I believe that this latest book, written by Macnow and fellow 610 WIP host Big Daddy Graham, is the best yet. The format lends itself to sporadic, pick it up-put it down reading, which is what the previous two books became known for. The chemistry between Macnow and Big Daddy works well in print, it reads like the two are co-hosting a radio talk show. The inclusion of many celebrities and their lists provide both entertainment and insight into various aspects of Philadelphia sports history. Finally, I feel that in this third book, the subjective opinions that are the basis for the entire text are mixed fluidly with empirical data, facts and history that enrich the lists and make this the most educational of Macnow's three collaborations.
Tonight is about the fun that is Hot Stove, Major League Baseball's offseason of free agent signings, trades, sealed bid auctions, manager hirings and the like. I'll start with the Phillies, who lost one of their three old men that they hired to be coaches when Art Howe bolted for Texas to work with former pupil Ron Washington. The Phils did add Jimy Williams and Davey Lopes as coaches, and in the player department they signed Wes Helms to play 3rd base and former Reading Phillie phenom Adam Eaton to bolster the rotation. The Eaton signing caused the Phillies to catch a lot of heat as 24 million a year over 3 years for a guy who is always hurt set the market very high for those pitchers who actually have a solid history of pitching.
The dollars are high and the risk is strong, but I like the Eaton signing; I always wished the Phillies had kept him instead of trading him for Andy freaking Ashby. The problem I see is the home run problem Eaton has had when healthy. Could this be another Eric Milton situation, where Eaton pitches well but leads the league in HR allowed? Can he possibly do that with Milton still pitching in Cincinnati? I think Eaton will work out well for the Phillies if he doesnt give up 30 home runs.
The Helms signing is solid also. Helms played for Florida last season and hit over .300 in a lineup that did not include either Chase Utley or Ryan Howard. The Phils went hard after big bats Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee, both of whom ended up in the NL Central, home to the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. I was kind of glad that they missed out on those guys because the money for Soriano was ridiculous, and I question El Caballo's work ethic once he signs that guaranteed contract. I would have been on board if the Phillies threw Big Bucks at Barry Zito or Daisuke Matsuzaka, but as the Rockies have proved over and over again, you can pay free agent pitchers to come to your launching pad but it won't make the home runs go away (or make your team reach the postseason).
The Phillies are in an interesting position. They won more games in the regular season than the World Champions did, they missed the playoffs by a game for the second straight season, and they dumped a perennial all star right at the beginning of the stretch run to free up more money. I am not angry at the Phillies for dumping Abreu, even if they don't use the money on free agents. Baseball salaries are skyrocketing, just like the price of tickets, but it doesnt make sense to spend just to spend. I think they Phillies should lock up Utley and Howard to extensions like the Mets did with Wright and Reyes last season, the Phils can not afford to lose either guy. Then take some money and go after help in the pen. I am for any move that makes the bullpen better.
To Be Continued...
Tonight is about the fun that is Hot Stove, Major League Baseball's offseason of free agent signings, trades, sealed bid auctions, manager hirings and the like. I'll start with the Phillies, who lost one of their three old men that they hired to be coaches when Art Howe bolted for Texas to work with former pupil Ron Washington. The Phils did add Jimy Williams and Davey Lopes as coaches, and in the player department they signed Wes Helms to play 3rd base and former Reading Phillie phenom Adam Eaton to bolster the rotation. The Eaton signing caused the Phillies to catch a lot of heat as 24 million a year over 3 years for a guy who is always hurt set the market very high for those pitchers who actually have a solid history of pitching.
The dollars are high and the risk is strong, but I like the Eaton signing; I always wished the Phillies had kept him instead of trading him for Andy freaking Ashby. The problem I see is the home run problem Eaton has had when healthy. Could this be another Eric Milton situation, where Eaton pitches well but leads the league in HR allowed? Can he possibly do that with Milton still pitching in Cincinnati? I think Eaton will work out well for the Phillies if he doesnt give up 30 home runs.
The Helms signing is solid also. Helms played for Florida last season and hit over .300 in a lineup that did not include either Chase Utley or Ryan Howard. The Phils went hard after big bats Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee, both of whom ended up in the NL Central, home to the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. I was kind of glad that they missed out on those guys because the money for Soriano was ridiculous, and I question El Caballo's work ethic once he signs that guaranteed contract. I would have been on board if the Phillies threw Big Bucks at Barry Zito or Daisuke Matsuzaka, but as the Rockies have proved over and over again, you can pay free agent pitchers to come to your launching pad but it won't make the home runs go away (or make your team reach the postseason).
The Phillies are in an interesting position. They won more games in the regular season than the World Champions did, they missed the playoffs by a game for the second straight season, and they dumped a perennial all star right at the beginning of the stretch run to free up more money. I am not angry at the Phillies for dumping Abreu, even if they don't use the money on free agents. Baseball salaries are skyrocketing, just like the price of tickets, but it doesnt make sense to spend just to spend. I think they Phillies should lock up Utley and Howard to extensions like the Mets did with Wright and Reyes last season, the Phils can not afford to lose either guy. Then take some money and go after help in the pen. I am for any move that makes the bullpen better.
To Be Continued...
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