Lito Sheppard on the Trading Block

With the signing of Asante Samuel, the Eagles have a full secondary. They have three quality cornerbacks, and only two can be starters. Lito Sheppard may be the odd one out, according to NFL Network. Rumors are circulating that the Eagles are fielding calls for Sheppard, although there is no word on what teams are interested, and what they would have to offer.

Don't count on Larry Fitzgerald, but the Eagles could get quite a haul for the two-time Pro Bowler. I wouldn't mind seeing Lito stay, as that would give the Eagles the best secondary in the league. He would only make 2 million next year, so moving him wouldn't free much money up. If the Eagles are blown away with a deal, of course, they should pull the trigger.

Randy Moss Looking for a team

Randy Moss has been a free agent for almost a full day. He reportedly is not happy with the deal that the Patriots are offering him, so he has begun listening to other teams. Even though he seems happy to be a Patriot, Moss feels like he is worth more than the Pats are offering him.

Should the Eagles pursue? First of all, the Eagles must figure out if they can afford another hefty contract. After signing Asante Samuel to a huge deal, can the Eagles afford to pay another top free agent? Not likely. That is also why the Larry Fitzgerald trade situation won't pan out. You can't allow two players to take up 20% of your cap space and expect to field a competitive team. If the Eagles signed another free agent to a 8 or 9 million dollar contract, massive cuts would have to take place.

Of course, there is the question as to whether the Eagles would want to deal with Randy Moss. Moss seems to have changed his attitude since joining the Patriots, but that is probably due to all the winning and the numbers he was putting up. Moss feels like the Patriots are trying to sign him on the cheap right now, and he thinks he should get paid coming off a record-breaking season. Although I anticipate the Eagles being a good team next year, if they were to sign him, then somehow struggled and Moss wasn't getting enough catches, we could have a T.O. situation on our hands. This team can't handle something like that again.

Don't count on Randy Moss being an Eagle. While he would be a phenomenal player for the Birds, and he and McNabb would put up amazing numbers, he is not financially nor behaviorally an option. He would cost too much, and the potential problems would not be worth the trouble. Let's just hope that Moss doesn't sign with the Cowboys, because him teaming up with T.O. would be scary good. Maybe we shouldn't worry, though, because we do have the secondary that could handle that if it should happen!

Sixers Waive Giricek

With all the Eagles news today, it’s easy to overlook the other Philly sports teams. The Sixers made a small move today, waiving Gordan Giricek. Giricek was acquired from the Utah Jazz in the Kyle Korver trade, and never really made much of an impression with the team. He only played in 12 games with the Sixers and averaged 3.1 points per game. There is talk that Giricek will sign with another team, possibly the Suns, for the remainder of the season.

Giricek was never supposed to be much of a contributor, but this move does make the Kyle Korver deal look a little worse. I know that the move was all about freeing up cap space, but it would have been nice to get a usable player in return. When acquired, Giricek was hyped up as an above average shooter, but he never got the chance to show it in limited minutes.

What has Korver done since the trade? Upon arrival in Utah, Korver gave the Jazz exactly what they needed: a deadeye shooter. They caught fire immediately after he got there, and Korver has continued his solid, although one-dimensional, play.

The Sixers currently have no three point shooters on their squad, so they will need to address that in the offseason. Hopefully that shooter won’t end up costing them more than they gained in cap space from the Korver trade.

It's Official: Asante Samuel Signs with Eagles

The Eagles are answering Donovan McNabb's call for playmakers. After hours of speculation, the Eagles have finally signed Asante Samuel to a contract. The deal, pending a physical, is reportedly worth 54 million over six years, which is actually a little more affordable than was originally speculated.

Samuel is an instant difference maker on the defensive side of the ball. While I am not crazy about the Eagles using this much money on one player, this definitely shows their commitment to winning. The Eagles appear to be gearing up for a return into the upper echelon of teams in the NFL, and this move shows they are willing to spend the money it takes to get star players. It is a change of philosophy over their recent offseasons, where they have shied away from the big name players.

Landing arguably the best free agent available is a major coup for the Eagles, but what happens next may be even more important. They appear to be set on the defensive side of the ball after they sign defensive end Chris Clemons, but what will they do on offense? McNabb will need at least one more weapon, and since it appears Larry Fitzgerald is no longer an option, who will it be? Is there still an interest in Javon Walker?

Thomas Tapeh Signs with Vikings

It's not a big loss, but former Eagle Thomas Tapeh signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings. He will re-join former Eagle Offensive Coordinator and current Viking Head Coach Brad Childress.

The Eagles had no interest in re-signing Tapeh, who had been with the Eagles since 2004. They will be looking to sign, acquire or draft a new fullback.

Eagles to sign Chris Clemons

It looks like the Eagles are making more moves on the defensive side of the ball. The Eagles are reportedly going to sign free agent defensive end/linebacker Chris Clemons. Clemons started his career with the Redskins, and played for the Raiders last season. He had a career year last year, accumulating 8 sacks. It appears that Clemons will be the guy that replaces Jevon Kearse at defensive end.

Also in the article linked to above, it reports that the Eagles have inquired about Larry Fitzgerald, but found the Cardinals asking price to be too high. The Eagles look to be loading up on defense, what will they do to address the offense?

Larry Fitzgerald won't be an Eagle, McNabb will

Two reports from ProFootballtalk.com this morning:

Larry Fitzgerald won't be traded The guy Philly fans want the most is probably not an option. ProFootballtalk.com says that Fitzgerald won't be traded because the Cardinals don't want to and no team would want to take on his huge salary. Even though Garry Cobb is reporting it like it's a fact, I think the dream scenario of trading Lito Sheppard for Fitzgerald is out the window at this point. There is no way the Eagles can afford to take on Fitzgerald's contract if they sign Asante Samuel to a 10 million plus dollar contract.

Donovan McNabb expects to be back We all assumed this by now, but McNabb went on ESPN radio and confirmed that he expects to be back with the Birds next year. McNabb said it "would be a shock" if he didn't play for the Eagles in 2008. I think at this point, with the Eagles getting ready to sign a premium free agent, the Eagles will need McNabb next year. It would make little sense to sign top talent on defense and then go with an unproven quarterback on offense.

Gibril Wilson Set to be a Raider

Looks like the lure of going home might drive free agent Safety Gibril Wilson back to the Bay Area. Wilson, who was born in San Jose, is close to signing a deal with the Oakland Raiders. The deal is reportedly worth around 6 million per year.

Wilson had been closely linked with the Eagles for the past several days, but with the Eagles prepared to break the bank with Asante Samuel, there wouldn't be room for both in the same secondary. Of course, I would have preferred the Eagles save a little money and sign Wilson, who is nearly as good as Samuel. They could have saved around 4 million a year if they signed Wilson, and that money could have gone to a playmaker on offense or a defensive end to replace the recently released Jevon Kearse.

Nothing is official yet, so we will have to wait and see what happens next.

Asante Samuel to Visit Eagles on Friday

We are about an hour into the NFL free agency period, and there have been no Eagle signings announced as of yet. However, ProFootballtalk.com and Fox Sports are reporting that the Eagles will meet with Asante Samuel in Philadelphia on Friday. My guess is if the Eagles really want him, he won't be leaving town without a contract.

I'll Believe it When it Happens: Asante Samuel an Eagle?

A few days ago, the Eagles appeared to have the inside track to sign free agent Asante Samuel. Then, the Saints were the rumored destination for the Pro Bowler. Now, as free agency is about to begin, the Eagles appear to have the inside track again.

According to GCobb.com, whose site has crashed, the Eagles have a verbal deal in place to sign Samuel. ProFootballtalk.com confirms the story, however they warn that nothing is set in stone until Samuel actually signs the contract. The site reminds us of LeCharles Bentley back in 2006, who the Eagles thought they had a verbal deal with, only to watch him sign with the Browns.

We should get word within a few hours that will confirm or deny this report. Part of me hopes that the Eagles don't shell out the dough for Samuel, and instead use it wisely on a few other solid players.

Phils Rookie Savery Shelled in Grapefruit Debut

No one cares about the outcome of exhibition games, but they are useful for veterans to get tuned up for the season, and for rookies to get used to big league opponents. The Phillies lost 11-6 to the Pirates today, and while a few veterans are showing they might already be prepared, one rookie floundered.

Ryan Howard hit his first home run of the exhibition season and Pedro Feliz got two more hits to bring his average up to a lofty .800. The Phillies starters had another big inning, netting five runs in the third inning. Kyle Kendrick started the game and did respectable, giving up one run in three innings.

The Phils number one pick in the draft last year, Joe Savery, didn't do as well in his debut. Savery gave up five runs in his one inning of work. He showed that he has some quality stuff, as he managed to strike out two batters in his one inning, but if a pitcher gives up five runs in one frame against the Pirates, they aren't ready for the big leagues. We can rule him out as an option for the No. 5 starter spot this year.

The Phillies play two games tomorrow against the Pirates. Their number one starter Brett Myers is scheduled to pitch one game, while J.D. Durbin will pitch the other.

Eagles sign J.R. Reed, tender Joselio Hanson

The Eagles made two minor moves as they prepare themselves for free agency. Safety and kick returner J.R. Reed was re-signed to a one year contract, and corner Joselio Hanson was tendered an offer sheet worth 1.47 million for next year. Other teams have seven days to make an offer to Hanson, which the Eagles can match. If the Eagles choose not to match an offer, they would receive a second round pick as compensation.

The moves are small, but somewhat significant. J.R. Reed will be trying to make the club as a returner again next year. The Eagles should be looking to bring in some competition for him, and I had heard the name Andre Davis brought up as a possibility, although he just re-signed with the Texans. Bringing Hanson back would provide some depth in the secondary. Hanson finished last season as the third (nickel) cornerback, but hopefully he is being planned on as nothing more than a fourth next year.

It's worth noting that if the Eagles pay Hanson 1.47 million, that is already more than half of the money the saved from cutting Kearse.

Kearse Officially Cut

As was speculated, Jevon Kearse has been cut by the Philadelphia Eagles. Cutting him clears up cap space for the Eagles to pursue some top fee agents.

According to Philly.com, cutting Kearse gives the Eagles about 2.5 million more in cap space. Kearse has a contract worth 6.5 million, but cutting him is a 4 million dollar penalty against the cap.

On the field, losing Kearse doesn't effect the Eagles too much, although they will likely be looking to sign or draft another defensive end for their rotation next season.

Read my previous post on Kearse for more of my take on this situation.

Eagles Pursuing Javon Walker

We are almost ready to move out of speculation mode and into some real signings, but here is another rumor courtesy of Derrick Gunn of Comcast Sportsnet. The Broncos are likely to release oft-injured Javon Walker, and the Eagles are looking into signing the veteran wide receiver. Other teams who might be interested in Walker are two division rivals, the Cowboys and Redskins.

Walker is not a big time receiver along the lines of a Larry Fitzgerald or Randy Moss, but he would be just the type of moderately priced talent with lots of upside that the Eagles could bring in. Walker has a history of injuries, with ACL and knee problems causing him to miss numerous games in the last few years. Walker played in eight games last year, and only had 26 catches. In his last full season in 2006, Walker had 69 catches for 1,084 yards. In 2005, Walker only played in one game.

The Eagles better bring Walker in for a full physical before they consider signing him. If healthy, he would be a great option for Donovan McNabb. However, he is just as likely to get hurt again and miss significant time.

Free agency finally starts Friday, so the time for talk and speculation is about to be over. The Eagles have room under the cap to make a couple of moves, but they should proceed with caution. Just because they have money to spend, doesn't mean they should spend it recklessly on whatever talent is out there. I am sure the Eagles are evaluating their needs, and they have identified several options that can be had at reasonable prices. Let's hope they have more success in free agency this year than they have in the past few offseasons.

Sixers Win Again!

The team I proclaimed as the lone bright spot in Philly sports just keeps on winning. The Sixers beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 for their 8th win in their last 10 games. The outcome was never in doubt, as the Sixers had a 20 point lead as early as the second quarter. The win also moves the Sixers past the idle Nets and into the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Sixers were finally able to beat the Magic, who they lost to twice earlier in the season, behind another all-around effort by Andre Miller. I am beginning to sound like a broken record, but this guy can fill up the box score with the best of them. He finished with 26 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds. The Sixers look very smart for not moving Miller at the trade deadline. He is the kind of veteran presence that is beneficial to have on a team as young as this one.

The only negative for the Sixers was how bad the bench looked tonight. Rodney Carney, Reggie Evans, Calvin Booth and Louis Williams shot a combined 2 for 16, and managed only 10 points. Evans played a good hustle game so he is excused, but the Sixers need better play from their second team.

Up next for the Sixers is a trip to the Bay Area for a matchup with the Golden State Warriors.

Flyers News and Notes

A couple of quick news items about the Flyers as they gear up for tomorrow's game with the Ottawa Senators, who surprisingly just fired their coach.

*Holmgren hints more was in the works Flyers GM Paul Holmgren was on WIP yesterday and hinted that on Deadline Day the Flyers had a more significant deal on the table that fell through. Holmgren would not confirm who he was after, but he did say it was an option he will look to revisit in the offseason. It is possible that Holmgren was working on a deal for Olli Jokinen, Brian Campbell or Brad Richards, and he will try to sign or acquire them in the offseason.

*Modry Out It didn't take long for Jaroslav Modry to fit in with the rest of this banged up club. He will be out for 1 to 2 weeks with a rotator cuff strain.

*Denis Gauthier Up? There is talk that defenseman Denis Gauthier will be called up to replace Modry. This is a tricky move because Gauthier would have to clear waivers before re-joining the Flyers. He could easily be claimed and the Flyers would have to look to someone else to fill in on the blueline.

*Brian Boucher Era Ends, Again Former playoff hero Brian Boucher, who had been playing with the Phantoms, was given away to the San Jose Sharks, who have guaranteed him an NHL contract. The Flyers want to give the goaltender a chance to play for an NHL team again, so they didn't ask for anything in return. Boucher played for the Flyers from 1999 to 2002. He was originally traded in 2002 to the Phoenix Coyotes for Michael Handzus and Robert Esche. That turned out to be quite a deal for the Flyers.

Phillies win Exhibition Opener, 8-1

The Phillies started off their quest for the 2008 World Series in strong fashion by defeating the Reds 8-1 in their first Grapefruit League game. The Phillies showed off their offense by scoring seven runs in the 5th inning, led by a Greg Dobbs 3-run homerun. On the pitching side, Jamie Moyer started the game and gave up only one hit in three innings, while Rule 5 pickup Travis Blackley followed and also gave up only one hit in three innings.

The Phillies sported their probable opening day line-up, which was very similar to last years order, except with Geoff Jenkins batting 6th and Pedro Feliz batting 7th. The Phillies were allowed to use a DH, so Wes Helms batted 8th to start the game.

Of course preseason games mean absolutely nothing, but it is always nice to come out of the gate with a convincing win. The Phillies offense should be a force all season long, they just need the pitching to be this effective when the real games start.

The Phils next game is tomorrow, against the Pirates. Kyle Kendrick will get the start, unless the Phillies trade him to Japan again. Joe Savery, a first round pick last season, will also pitch. It should be interesting to see how he does against major league hitters.

Asante Samuel to Sign with Saints

According to ProFootballTalk.com, Asante Samuel has agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints and Samuel have reportedly verbally agreed to a deal that would pay Samuel the 10 million dollars plus per year that he wants. The former Patriot, who the Eagles have been rumored to be interested in, can't officially sign a contract with the Saints until free agency begins in a few days, so nothing is set in stone.

This could be good news for the Birds. Signing Samuel would eat up a huge chunk of the Eagles salary cap space and might not allow them to fill other holes. This could lead to the Eagles signing a guy like Gibril Wilson, who Rotoworld predicts the Birds will sign, and also be able to get a few other playmakers on offense.

Brett Myers to start Opening Day

It looks like Brett Myers will go from closer to number one starter. In a somewhat surprising move, the Phillies announced that Myers will be their starting pitcher on Opening Day against the Nationals. Most people assumed that Cole Hamels would start on Opening Day because he is widely considered the Phillies best pitcher. Analyzing the rotation it becomes clear that making Myers the first pitcher in the rotation allows the Phillies to alternate their lefties and righties a little more. Putting lefty Cole Hamels as the second pitcher and lefty Jamie Moyer as the fourth allows the Phillies to play with the match-ups a little more, and it breaks up the right-handed pitching.

This could also be a question of loyalty. Charlie Manuel could be showing Myers that he appreciates the way Myers put the team first in making the move from a closer to a starter. This will also be the second year in a row that Myers is the Opening Day starter for the Phils.

Beerleaguer has a great take on this situation, and points out that this will actually give Cole Hamels the ball in some key games in the first month, including a possible matchup against Johan Santana and the Mets.

*Minor Move The Phillies also claimed infielder Ray Olmedo off of waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. There is no way this guy is going to make the team, so he will be an emergency call-up that will stay in AAA most of the year. Baseball Prospectus describes Olmedo as a marginal utility infielder.

Flyers Quiet as Deadline Passes

The NHL trade deadline is always a crazy day filled with numerous swaps of big name talent, and today was no exception. There were 25 total trades, with 45 players changing teams. Some big names were moved, including Brian Campbell, Brad Richards and Marian Hossa.

The Flyers were not one of the teams that made a big splash. After acquiring Vinny Prospal last night, the Flyers were not a participant on deadline day. It wasn't for a lack of effort, however, as GM Paul Holmgren said the team looked for a top defenseman, but after Brian Campbell was moved to the Sharks, there weren't any left. The Flyers also were looking into dealing for another former player, Ruslan Fedotenko, but nothing got done there.

I would say it is a slight disappointment that the Flyers were unable to land another defenseman, especially given the health issues they are having now that Jaroslav Modry suffered an injury against Buffalo yesterday. It isn't a huge shock that the Flyers stood pat, because it made very little sense to make any move that would hurt the Flyers in the long run. This team is a few years away from playing its best hockey, so there was no reason to go for broke this year. Jeff Carter was the player that every team wanted, and with the way he stepped up in the Buffalo game, now was not the time to move him.

So who were the big winners of the day? With the exception of the Flyers, every other team within the Atlantic Division made a deal, with the Penguins making by far the biggest move. The Penguins got Marian Hossa, but had to give up a ton of young talent and a first round pick. The Penguins also acquired defenseman Hal Gill. The Devils made the first move of the day, which turned out to be their last, acquiring defenseman Bryce Salvador from the Blues. The Rangers made two minor deals, picking up Christian Backman in a deal with the Blues, and picking up three young guys, Fredrik Sjostrom, David Leneveu and Josh Gratton from the Coyotes. The Rangers gave up their former goalie of the future, the 6th overall pick in the 2004 draft, Al Montoya. The Islanders did a bit of selling, giving up Chris Simon and Marc-Andre Bergeron for draft picks. They also picked up Rob Davison from the Sharks.

The Penguins pickup of Hossa makes them the favorite in the Atlantic Division, and maybe even in the entire Eastern Conference. He is a tremendous talent, and putting him with Malkin and Crosby makes for a scary offensive punch in Pittsburgh. None of the rest of the moves the Atlantic Division teams made will have a major impact. Across the rest of the league, the Sharks and Stars made the other two impact moves, with the Sharks getting Brian Campbell and the Stars acquiring Brad Richards.

The Flyers sat back while a flurry of moves were made today. In the short term, the team may continue to struggle, but in the long term, not giving up their youth or draft picks will be a great benefit to Flyers teams for years to come.

Brad Richards to Stars

The trade deadline is starting to kick into high gear. The Flyers had been rumored to be interested in Brad Richards, but the Dallas Stars have jumped in an acquired him.

Richards is likely the biggest name that will get traded at the deadline. With Mats Sundin, Tomas Kaberle and Alex Tanguay all refusing to be moved, and Dan Boyle signing an extension with the Lightning, there are few other superstar talents out there to be had. I will be happy if the Flyers can get one more defenseman with some solid upside, like Ryan Suter.

Flyers Acquire Vaclav Prospal

Welcome back, Vinny! After finally notching a win, the Flyers got more good news, as they announced they had acquired former Flyer Vaclav Prospal from the Tampa Bay Lightning for minor league defenseman Alexandre Picard and a draft pick. Prospal was in a feud with the Lightning coaches over his playing time, so the Flyers might have gotten a bargain. Here is a hilarious interview he did after a recent Lightning game:

Prospal has 29 goals and 28 assists in 62 games this year. His 29 goals are 6 more than any other Flyer has scored this season. Prospal was originally drafted by the Flyers, and played 2 1/2 seasons with them before being traded to Ottawa for the lousy Alexandre Daigle.

The move for Prospal came out of the need for more healthy bodies, and it shows the Flyers won't sit tight at the trade deadline. Now if they could just go out and get a defenseman......

Flyers Finally WIN!!

Danny Briere got the last laugh. After being booed all evening by the Buffalo fans that used to root for the former Sabre, Briere scored the clinching goal in the shootout to lead the Flyers to a 4-3 victory over the Sabres. The loss finally stops the Flyers 10 game losing streak.

It was a great come from behind win for the Flyers, who were down 3-0 in the first period and looked clueless. The defense played sloppy and gave the Sabres a ton of chances. The Flyers didn't give up like they had so many times during their losing streak, though. They showed their resiliency with goals by Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell that made the score 3-2 at the end of the first period. A goal by R.J. Umberger in the third period forced overtime. After a scoreless overtime, Briere won the shootout with a slick double move, and the celebration began. To see the goal, plus highlights from the rest of the game, click here.

The game really turned on the play of Carter and Umberger. Every time they were on the ice, they made plays and both had a ton of good scoring opportunities. Amidst all the trade rumors, I hope this effort by Carter proves that he should stay with the club.

Eagles Rumor Roundup: The Latest on Samuel, Wilson, Sheppard, Walker

With the NFL free agency period beginning Thursday, the rumors continue to fly. It seems like nearly every big name player who might be available has been linked with the Eagles at some point. Let's sort through the latest rumors:

*Asante Samuel ready to sign? Definitely the hottest name out there, a number of sources are reporting that the Eagles will sign Samuel, with Peter King of Sports Illustrated reporting the deal will be around 5 years, 55 million. King warns that the Eagles might be making a mistake signing Samuel to such a large deal, however. He points out that Samuel is a finesse corner who doesn't like contact. King also says he was exposed by the Giants in the Superbowl when the Patriots couldn't get pressure on Eli Manning. The Jets have reportedly dropped out of the running, so besides the Eagles, the only other team rumored to be willing to spend the money it would take to get Samuel is the Saints.

*Gibril Wilson in the mix I posted on him earlier in the day, and if the Eagles want a cheaper option that will be productive in their system, Wilson is their guy.

*Lito Sheppard to the Patriots? With the parting of Asante Samuel, the Patriots will need some secondary help, and rumors are floating that the Pats want Lito Sheppard. This doesn't make much sense to me, because Lito wants a new deal, and if the Patriots aren't willing to pay Samuel, why would they want to give Lito a big contract?

*Guard Alan Faneca a possibility? Although not a playmaker, I am sure Donovan McNabb would welcome this guy to the Eagles. According to SI.com, the Eagles might be interested in signing the top guard on the market, Alan Faneca. If they signed him, Jon Runyan would probably be released, and Shawn Andrews would move to tackle. Although I would hate to see Runyan go, this makes sense if the Eagles need to clear up more cap space.

*Javon Walker to the 'Boys? He was rumored to be a trade possibility for the Eagles, but it looks like a division rival might snatch him up. The Cowboys are working on a deal that will bring Walker to Dallas, costing them only a fifth round pick.

*Chad Johnson to the 'Skins? Another division rival, the Redskins, are looking to swing a trade for Johnson. Of course, the Bengals have been denying that they will trade him at all.

So, it looks like the Eagles will get some secondary help, possibly signing either Samuel or Wilson. But, what receivers will they go after? It might take a trade to get a player of any significance, as the free agent options are pretty slim. Expect rumors to continue to swirl right up until the start of free agency.

Forsberg Signs with Avs

Well, so much for a return to Philadelphia. In what might make Flyers fans breathe a sigh of relief, the Colorado Avalanche signed Peter Forsberg for the remainder of the season. The oft-injured forward will attempt to make his comeback on the team that he began his NHL career with.

This is a fitting end to this story. Most Flyers fans were initially excited about the possibility of Forsberg returning, but as time went on, and it became clear that Forsberg was far from healthy, they began to sour on the idea. At this point, with all of the issues the Flyers have, a hobbled Forsberg wasn't going to be their savior. Let the Avalanche deal with the daily issues as to whether he will play, and how many shifts his foot will be able to take.

It would have been nice to have the Peter Forsberg of three years ago back in Philly. Too bad that's not the Foppa that will be playing with the Avalanche this year.

Eagles targeting Gibril Wilson

The rumor wheel just keeps on turning. The Eagles have long been rumored to be pursuing Asante Samuel, but with his astronomical price tag, they may look to a more feasible option. Speculation from today's Philadelphia Inquirer says that the Eagles will make a strong attempt to sign Giants Safety Gibril Wilson.

Wilson is much less flashy than Samuel, but he is probably the better fit. Wilson is especially attractive to the Eagles because he knows Jim Johnson's defensive system, as the Giants ran it last year. The Eagles will also need someone to replace Brian Dawkins very soon, and Wilson could be that guy. More importantly, he is in the Eagles price range, meaning he could be had for much less than Samuel.

Gibril Wilson might make more sense for the Eagles, and he won't break the bank. If the Eagles really want to get a solid receiver and a good secondary guy, then a cheaper option like Wilson is the way to go. Asante Samuel would look great in an Eagles uniform, but not for the amount of money he wants.

Sundin won't waive his no trade clause

Not that he was going to be a Flyer anyway, but the hottest commodity at the NHL trade deadline is now off the table. Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs refused to waive his no trade clause, meaning he will stay with Toronto for the remainder of the season. It was widely speculated that Sundin, who will be a free agent after this year, would be traded to a contender and then re-sign with the Maple Leafs for next season. I actually really respect Sundin for this decision, he is showing an old school attitude in that he wants to finish his career with the team he started with.

This means little to the Flyers, because they were never interested in him. What it does mean is that all the teams in the Sundin sweepstakes will turn their attention to Brad Richards, who the Flyers were rumored to have an interest in. This will drive up his price, making it even more unlikely that he will end up in Philly.

This is shaping up to be a crazy trade deadline in the NHL. We know the Flyers will make some kind of move, but what will it be?

Lidge out 3 to 6 weeks

We can all exhale now. Following knee surgery, Brad Lidge will be out 3 to 6 weeks, meaning he might still be ready for opening day. The Phillies should still have a back-up plan ready, just in case Lidge takes a few weeks to get his velocity back. Tom Gordon will do as a temporary replacement, but like I said yesterday, if it's any longer than a few weeks, we won't be able to count on Flash.

Despite this good news, signing either another reliever who could close in a pinch, or another starter so Brett Myers can be moved back into the bullpen, would be the smart, safe move at this point. I doubt the Phillies will spend the extra money to make it happen.

Richards Injury Opens Door for Forsberg?

So Mike Richards went down, he'll be out three weeks with a torn hamstring. These are the types of kick-us-when-we're-down injuries that seem to only happen in Philadelphia. Well, as soon as Richards was knocked out, Hockeybuzz re-started our favorite rumor: Peter Forsberg is coming to Philly. From Hockeybuzz.com:

Forsberg: The Flyers, Sens, Wild, and Rangers are all in Peter, however I was told again today that a team may very well have already worked out a deal with Peter and that team may very well be Philadelphia.

It actually might make some sense now. The Flyers need another center after losing Richards. They also have lots of cap space now that Simon Gagne is off the books. The only thing that might keep Forsberg from coming here is that the Flyers aren't really a Stanley Cup contender, one of Foppa's original demands. Maybe now he is willing to come here and be a savior, the guy that breaks the losing streak and leads the Flyers back into the playoffs.

The only other question is, do we want all of the drama that Peter Forsberg brings to the team? It actually could be a good thing for all of the young guys who are feeling the pressure to win. Forsberg could deflect a lot of that pressure onto himself. Or, he could just end up causing more trouble. Forsberg has only two more days to decide if he is coming back. Let's hope the Flyers know what they are doing.

The Sixers: The Lone Bright Spot in Philly Sports

Lost in the haze of 10 straight losses, injuries (Lidge, Richards) and arrests (Patterson), is the fact that the Sixers just keep rolling along, having won 7 of their last 9. Yes, they only beat the terrible Miami Heat (9 wins?!?), and it did take overtime, but a win is a win. The Flyers would take it any day.

The Sixers scored the final ten points in overtime to secure the victory, 101-96. The Andre's continued their solid play, as both finished with 24 points. Iguodala added 12 boards, while Miller added 9 assists. The Sixers were unable to slow down Dwyane Wade, who tallied 33 points, but no one else on the Heat did any damage.

The win keeps the Sixers in the 8th seed in the weak Eastern Conference. To give you an idea of how crummy the East is, if the Sixers were in the Western Conference, they would be in the 12th seed, and would be sitting 9 games out of a playoff spot.

So let's try to focus on the lone bright spot in Philadelphia sports: a team that is overachieving, yet is still seven games under .500. That's the best we got, and that's depressing.

Latest Phillies Commercial: Sweetheart

Here is the latest Phils commercial, featuring J-Roll, Shane Victorino and the already-injured Brad Lidge talking about their manager, Charlie Manuel. Talk about some terrible acting.


So, who are the worse actors? The Phillies, or Mike and Mike?

Flyers Lose Richards, 10th in a row

This is getting ugly. The Flyers lost their tenth straight game tonight, tying their franchise record they set last season. They also lost the services of Mike Richards, their best player and lone all-star forward, for at least three weeks with a torn hamstring. This brings to mind one of the favorite sayings of Philadelphia fans: when it rains, it pours.

The Flyers keep finding new ways to lose. After a second period goal by the slumping Danny Briere, the Flyers shut the Panthers down and looked like they were going to snap their losing streak. Instead, with 3.7 seconds left, Jay Bouwmeester tied the game at 1-1. The Panthers then won the game 2-1 in overtime on a powerplay goal by Olli Jokinen. It was a tough loss, especially considering the Flyers managed only 1 goal against the mighty Panthers goaltender, Craig Anderson.

The worst part of the game was the injury to Mike Richards, who has easily been the most consistent Flyer and is one of the leaders of the dressing room. Late in the third period, as Richards was hustling in on net, his leg and ankle twisted in a way they aren't supposed to. According to GM Paul Holmgren, he will miss at least three weeks with a torn hamstring. Judging by the way the injury looked, it could be longer:

(Video courtesy of 700level)

That's about it for this Flyers season. The injuries are mounting and they are digging a hole so deep, they may never get out. Look for the Flyers to stand pat at the trade deadline; any moves that sacrifice the future to win now would be foolish. Perhaps the Flyers will consider moving some veterans for cap space and draft picks.

There are 36 more days until the Phillies play real games. It's going to be a long month.

Phillies Commercial: Reservoir Phils

This certainly is a better campaign than last years' "Goosebumps". The Phillies latest commercial features Charlie Manuel, Brett Myers, Geoff Jenkins and Shane Victorino, and is a take-off on Reservoir Dogs. Watch it here:


Bugs and Cranks has more on this, including the original Reservoir Dogs scene.

3 Days Until Deadline: Flyers Trade Rumors

In the hockey world, at this time of year, trade rumors swirl around every team. Things are starting to heat up with the trade deadline right around the corner: next Tuesday, February 26th. Unlike most other sports, the NHL does come through with dozens of trades leading up to the deadline, so look for nearly every team in contention to make a move.

What will the Flyers do? A few weeks ago, when they sat near the top of the Eastern Conference, they figured to make a couple of small moves to gear up for the home stretch. Now, as they slip out of playoff contention, they could either go for broke and make some big moves, or do absolutely nothing. I would bet the Flyers do the latter. They have plenty of developing players who will be even better down the road, so there is no reason to think this year will be their best shot. They should have no motivation to unload a truckload of players and prospects to get a star player who will only help them get a round or two into the playoffs.

Regardless of what the Flyers should and shouldn't do, here are the names that are being rumored to come to Philly, and the odds of them being a Flyer:

*Tomas Kaberle, D, Toronto Maple Leafs This one is not going to happen. Apparently Flyers GM Paul Holmgren had a trade in place that would have sent Jeff Carter and a draft pick to the Maple Leafs for Kaberle, but Kaberle refused to waive his no-trade clause, so this deal is dead. Odds: Off

*Ryan Suter, D, Nashville Predators The Flyers are interested in this young defenseman with the great lineage. No word on what it would take to get him, but it probably would involve Jeff Carter. Odds: 8-1

*Dan Boyle, D, Tampa Bay Lightning Boyle has also been rumored for weeks, but there has been no indication of what the Flyers would have to give up. Odds: 25-1

*Brad Richards, C, Tampa Bay Lightning The Philadelphia Inquirer says there is no chance he is a Flyer, while Hockeybuzz.com says they are still in the running. The Flyers would have to give up Carter and several other young players and picks to get this superstar. Odds: 100-1

*Phil Kessel, RW, Boston Bruins Holmgren turned down a deal that would have sent Jeff Carter to Boston for Kessel. Kessel is only 20 years old, and I have no idea why the Bruins would even look to trade him. Odds: 50-1

*Mats Sundin, C, Toronto Maple Leafs Just throwing it out there, because it isn't going to happen. The chances that Sundin actually gets moved are remote, and the chances he waives his no trade clause to come to Philly are even more remote. Odds: 10,000-1

You'll notice that all rumors begin and end with whether the Flyers will give up Jeff Carter. He definitely seems to be on the trading block, and for the right return, I wouldn't mind the Flyers shipping him out. Truthfully, though, the Flyers are probably more likely to bring Peter Forsberg back than they are to acquire any of these guys.

Phils Closer Lidge Hurt During Practice

Brad Lidge was brought in this offseason to solidify the back end of the Phillies bullpen and allow Brett Myers to move back into the starting rotation. He can only do that if he can stay healthy. Lidge, already recovering from offseason surgery on his knee, injured himself during batting practice today. He threw a pitch and limped off the field. The Phillies have given no indication as to the severity of the injury.

One question invariably arises next: Who would be the Phillies closer if Lidge can't go? I say it depends on how long he is on the shelf. If he would only miss a few games, then Tom Gordon could easily slide into the role. However, if Lidge proves to be out for months, then the Phillies may have to look to Brett Myers again. Myers is preparing to be a starter this season, so only an extreme emergency should send him back to the pen. Lidge being out for a long period of time would count as that emergency, because Flash Gordon has proven he can't stay healthy for long enough to lock down games, either. Of course, if Myers returns to the closer role, the Phillies would likely need to sign another starting pitcher. I hear Kyle Lohse is still available!

Eagles to Cut The Freak

In a move to free up more cap space, the Eagles will cut defensive end Jevon Kearse. NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that Kearse was offered a pay cut by the Eagles, which he refused, so the Eagles will release the 9 year veteran and his hefty 6.46 million dollar salary. Kearse's production has declined over the years as he has struggled with injuries. He recorded only 7 total sacks in the last two years combined, a far cry from the 14.5 sacks he had back in 1999 as a rookie.

This move comes as no surprise to those that have been following the Eagles offseason. They are going to be serious players in the free agent market, and this move helps them to secure more money to make a run at the high end available talent, like Asante Samuel. The Eagles will need a ton of money if they want Samuel, so this move is a start. The Eagles were previously only 12 million under the cap, so dropping Kearse gives them 18 million to work with. More moves to free up even more cap space may be coming soon. Will Darren Howard be the next to go?

See ya Freak, and thanks for helping us to the Super Bowl. It's too bad you couldn't stay healthy for more than a season.

Eagles DT Mike Patterson Busted With Pot

The Eagles offseason starts with some bad news. Defensive tackle Mike Patterson was arrested for possession of marijuana. He was found sitting in his car on the side of the road with his brother, Tyrone, at 6 a.m. when police smelled pot and arrested both Pattersons. Mike admitted that the pot was his. According to police, Tyrone, who has several outstanding warrants, resisted arrest.

This could be bad news. Patterson is a key player along the front line, and, although it is unlikely, he could face a suspension. He was found with less than 50 grams of marijuana, so that is better than the alternative. The arrest happened last Saturday, so it is odd that the news took so long to get out. Also, what were they doing driving at 6 a.m. anyway?

According to Rotoworld, Eagles will sign no top Receivers

Not the best source of information, but Rotoworld has been putting up Free Agency Primers the last few days. Today, they previewed the top free agent wide receivers, and speculated where each one will sign. Surprisingly, the Eagles were not projected to sign any of them. Here are the top 5 free agent receivers, and who Rotoworld says they will sign with:

D. J. Hackett: Redskins
Bernard Berrian: Raiders
Jerry Porter: Vikings
Donte' Stallworth: Titans
Bryant Johnson: Bears

So what to take from this? Absolutely nothing. Rotoworld is a decent source, but they are just throwing darts here. I can see the Redskins signing one of these players, but I haven't heard that the Raiders are in the market for a receiver.

Eagles Sign Patriots Wide Receiver!

No, it's not Randy Moss or Donte' Stallworth. The Eagles signed wide receiver Brandon "Bam" Childress, who has been on the Patriots practice squad for the last few years, to a two year contract. This is not the move for a playmaker that we have been waiting for, as Childress has only 3 career receptions. He may also have some kick return ability. He went to Ohio State, where he won a national championship in 2002.

Maybe we are looking to get a little bit of the Patriots magic here in Philly? The better question is, will he tell us any of their taping secrets?

Flyers Claim Thoreson from Oilers

This isn't the big acquisition we have been waiting for. In another minor roster move, the Flyers claimed forward Patrick Thoreson off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers. Thoreson is small, but he is a playmaker that can play on the wings or at center. He's 24, and according to TSN he has the potential to be a top-six forward some day. He has played 85 career NHL games, and scored 6 goals and added 13 assists.

With Claude Giroux going back to his junior team, the Flyers had to make a move to ensure they would have enough healthy bodies. This is not an earth shattering move, but it had to be done, and at least the guy is young and has some upside. It's not the move for Michael Peca that is making the rounds on the internet, but it's still something. As the losses mount for the Flyers, it's looking more and more like they will just stand pat.

Sharks Beat Listless Flyers

The losses keep mounting. The last place Flyers lost their ninth straight game against the San Jose Sharks, 3-1. They lacked energy and any will to actually win the game. The Sharks played the night before, and still had much more jump than the rested Flyers, who were out-shot and out-hit. The only highlight for the Flyers was a fight between Riley Cote and Jody Shelley, where Cote pounded Shelley at the start of the fight, although Shelley fought back and got some good punches in at the end. Watch the fight below:

Moss Not Tagged by Patriots

Don't get your hopes up, Eagles fans. Even though I wrote ten days ago that the Eagles would be interested in Randy Moss if he was available, it appears that the New England Patriots won't be placing the franchise tag on Moss because they have agreed to a multi-year deal with the receiver. The deal can't be announced until free agency starts, so I am sure there will be much speculation up until that time.

Flyers Look to avoid 9th Straight Loss

Three weeks ago, the Flyers sat at the top of the Atlantic Division. Eight straight losses later, they have dropped all the way to the 8th seed in the East. They welcome the Sharks to town tonight, another top team that has been struggling lately with 5 straight losses of their own. Here are some things to look for today:

*Jeremy Roenick Returns The Sharks signed the former Flyer this offseason, and he has had a respectable season for San Jose. He has 22 points in 53 games, and notched his 500th goal of his career back in November. The Flyers will be doing a short celebration for Roenick and his 5ooth goal tonight before the game.

*Last chance to watch Giroux Tonight will be the last time Cluade Giroux will be allowed to play with the Flyers before he has to go back to his junior club. We won't be seeing him again until next year, when he may be asked to step into Simon Gagne's spot on the top line.

*Jaroslav Modry suits up tonight Modry will play his first game with the Flyers tonight, and he will wear number 25. He will possibly take Jim Vandermeer's spot alongside Kimmo Timonen.

*Tonight's Lines As always, courtesy of Bill Meltzer:

Hartnell - Richards -Giroux
Umberger - Briere - Kapanen
Upshall - Carter - Knuble
Cote - Dowd - Kukkonen/Ruzicka

Timonen- Jones/Modry
Coburn- Modry/Jones
Smith - Parent/Kukkonen

With the way Lasse Kukkonen has been playing, he deserves to dress for the game.

The Sixers almost got Tracy McGrady..... in 1999

Billy King's legacy in Philly would have been very different if he didn't chicken out of a deal back in 1999. King, an analyst for ESPN, said on the air that he had a deal in place with Toronto that would have sent the Raptors Larry Hughes, and the Sixers would have received Tracy McGrady and a first round pick. King said that after Stephen A. Smith broke the news, he got cold feet and backed out of the trade.

Just another reason to hate Billy King, and Stephen A. Smith for that matter. To have such a sweet deal in place, where the Sixers not only get future superstar Tracy McGrady, but they also get a first round pick!? Granted hindsight is 50/50, and, at the time, Hughes was actually the better player, but McGrady always had the higher upside. This would have been an absolute steal, and we might have seen that 2001 Sixers team actually win two or three games in the Finals. Knowing Billy King, though, he would have traded McGrady in the deal to get Toni Kukoc instead of Hughes.

By the way, the irony of Billy King being an analyst on ESPN should not be lost on anyone.

Mike and Mike on Guiding Light

Soap Operas are known for their awful acting, but when Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg of ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning were on Guiding Light yesterday, they took awful to a whole new level.

NBA Trade Deadline Day: Expect No Sixers Moves

Today at 3 pm Eastern is the NBA trade deadline. The Sixers currently are the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. The Atlanta Hawks, the 9th seed, made a move for Mike Bibby that will help their playoff cause. So, will the Sixers, fresh off their 40 point thrashing of the Knicks, make any moves today? Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, Shawn Marion and Nene are all names that are rumored to be on the move. Andre Miller's name has been thrown out there as someone the contenders, like the Cavaliers, are interested in.

However, Sixers GM Ed Stefanski came out and downplayed any potential moves yesterday, saying "There's no deal on the table now that anyone should get excited about and think we're going to make". He said that the Sixers have no plans to move Miller, or anyone else.

Hopefully Stefanski sticks to his word. This team isn't going anywhere this season, so it would make very little sense for them to deal their future away for an Artest or O'Neal, knowing they won't be winning a title with those guys anyway. Moving Miller for some draft picks and youth would be an acceptable move, but Miller has been an integral part in teaching the Sixers youngsters the right way to play.

Making no moves might be the right move for the Sixers.

Howard Wins Arbitration, 10 Million

This is one that the Phillies might not mind losing. Ryan Howard won his arbitration case against the Phillies, earning the 10 million he asked for, instead of the 7 million the Phillies offered. That figure ties the record given to a player in arbitration. Alfonso Soriano also won 10 million back in 2006. This is also the first arbitration case the Phillies have ever lost, and the first any team has lost this year.

So, did the Phillies lose on purpose just to appease their slugger? I doubt it. They aren't the type of team that likes to spend any more money than they have to. I think this is simply a case of a special player deserving to win his case. I was listening to an interview with Jayson Stark the other day, and he was saying the only player did anything that compares to Ryan Howard's 127 home runs hit in his first 2 1/2 seasons would be Babe Ruth when he first became a hitter. If Ruth a comparable player, then Howard will easily earn his 10 million. Let's hope that any hard feelings Howard might have had for the organization are gone now, and he can focus on hitting. Another solid year this season should guarantee him that long term deal he is looking for.

J-Roll Responds to Beltran

You knew that Jimmy Rollins would respond, especially after Carlos Beltran mentioned the reigning NL MVP by name while making his claim that the Mets are "the team to beat". The Phillies as a team shrugged off responding to Beltran's claim, waiting for their team leader to fire back once he arrived at Spring Training.

Rollins, responding in a completely non-hostile way (which you can listen to here), was at first simply surprised that Beltran would have said something like that, since he is usually so quiet. After that, he got into the meat of the statement:

"Two things: One, there are four other teams that are going to make sure that (the Mets winning the division) doesn't happen, and two.......has anyone ever heard of plagiarism?"

Rollins would go on to say that the Phillies can play with anybody, stopping just short of saying they are the best team. He concluded by saying:

"What I said last year still rings true. My mind isn't going to change. My feelings aren't going to change about that. At the end of 162 games, we'll be looking to go win the next 11."

Rollins knows exactly the right words to say. He took his shots, in a playful manner, and managed to come across as very confident, both in his teammates and in himself. He truly believes that the Phillies are the team to beat again this year, and he doesn't even have to say it again. His comment about winning the 11 games after the regular season was spoken like a guy who has had a taste of the postseason and wants more. Beltran fired the first shot, and Jimmy Rollins responded in the exact way you want a team leader to respond. We can all look forward to April 8th, when the Phillies and Mets can take this to the field.

Gagne Done for the Season

The bad luck is coming in bunches now for the Philadelphia Flyers. Fresh off their 8th straight loss, the Flyers learned today that Simon Gagne, who hadn't played since he suffered a concussion on February 10th, will not play for the remainder of this season, including the playoffs. Gagne, who has had three concussions this season, met with the same concussion specialist that Eric Lindros once used, James Kelly. He was informed that playing again this season could lead to permanent brain damage.

Gagne may never be the player he once was, as he is starting down the Eric Lindros career path. The concussions are coming easier for him, with even smaller hits knocking the star player out. Let's hope that he can take the next few months to fully recover and come back at full strength next year. He never was healthy this season, but he still managed to notch 18 points in 25 games.

This is a huge blow to the Flyers chances this season. Gagne, when healthy, is a talented sniper that adds a lot of energy and offensive firepower to the club. Without him, there is a huge void in top line talent. This news might lead to the Flyers giving up their hopes of acquiring those last few pieces to make a Cup run, and instead hold on to their youth for next season.

This should also put to bed all of those on again/off again rumors about Peter Forsberg returning to the Flyers. One of the main draws for Forsberg to suit up for the Flyers was being able to play with Gagne again. With our Cup chances dwindling, he won't want to play for Philly, and we certainly don't need him now.

Flyers Trade Vandermeer

Well, the writing was probably on the wall for Jim Vandermeer. The fans had been calling for his benching, and Flyers coach John Stevens called him out for his sloppy play. We all got our wish today, as Vandermeer was traded to the Calgary Flames for a third round pick.

This move comes a day after the Flyers went out and got defenseman Jaroslav Modry, which made Vandermeer expendable. Vandermeer played in 28 games for the Flyers this season, tallying 6 points and a plus/minus of -1. His play had been under scrutiny lately because of sloppy passes and ill-timed turnovers. Most Flyer fans wondered why Vandermeer was logging so many minutes, maybe it was to keep his trade value high. As you may recall, the Flyers acquired Vandermeer for rugged Ben Eager earlier in the season. Eager has been out with a concussion since late December. This trade essentially becomes Ben Eager for a third round pick, which is a pretty good deal.

This is the second time the Flyers have traded Vandermeer. Back in 2004, the Flyers shipped him out to get Alexei Zhamnov to help with their Cup run that year. Let's hope we don't see Vandermeer suiting up for the Orange and Black ever again.

Howard's Big Day

Today is Ryan Howard's arbitration hearing. Arbiters will be deciding whether the big slugger will earn 7 million or 10 million next year.

I have given my thoughts on the situation.

As always, Beerleaguer has a great take on it.

We won't hear the results of today's hearing until sometime tomorrow. My prediction? Given that no player has won his arbitration case this year, the Phillies are 7-0 lifetime, and receiveing 10 million in an arbitration case would be a record, I think the odds are against Howard. He is a special, unique player, but it's still unlikely that he we will win. Let's just hope it doesn't affect his play on the field. Howard needs to have another standout year, then the Phillies will be forced to give him the big contract he wants.

UPDATE: For all the updates on the proceedings of the day you can handle, go to this Phillies blog, done by Scott Lauber of Delaware Online.

Mo Cheeks to get Contract Extension

Since when does coaching a team to a 96-127 record get you a contract extension? The Sixers are close to giving head coach Maurice Cheeks a new contract. He is currently on the last year of a three year deal. There is no word yet on how long the deal is, or for how much. Maybe Cheeks should only get paid if he can finally guide the Sixers to the playoffs.

All jokes aside, Cheeks has done enough to warrant an extension. He hasn't had much to work with, and he has done a good job transitioning the team from the Allen Iverson era to the Andre Iguodala era. He gets the team playing hard, and while a record of 23-31 this season isn't that impressive, with the talent he has been given it is better than expected. As long as he can keep the young guys playing hard, he deserves to be the coach of this team. The contract extension will also keep our old friend Larry Brown from swooping in and trying to snatch the job away.

UPDATE: Cheeks got a one year extension, with an option for a second year, worth up to 3 million.

*Sixers lose to Timberwolves I hope that GM Ed Stefanski watched tonights game and used it as leverage when talking about the value of Cheeks' contract. The Sixers looked lethargic and got blown out against the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves, who got just their 11th win of the season. Stat line of the night had to go to Willie Green, who in 19 minutes shot 3 for 10, and managed to record zero assists, rebounds or steals. They play the Knicks tonight, at home. Normally I would say it is a winnable game, but this is the Sixers.

2008 NFL Salary Cap Numbers

This comes via ProFootballTalk.com, and shows all 30 teams in the NFL and how much cap space they have. The salary cap is projected to be 116 million. The Eagles are currently sitting at 104 million. After they re-sign some of their free agents, the Eagles will only have a few million to work with. It might be hard for them to afford the top end free agents unless they make some cuts.

Other teams are in some trouble. The Panthers, Colts and Redskins are all over the cap. They will have to cut some players, or re-work some contracts. At least the Colts and Redskins made the playoffs, but what excuse do the Panthers have?

The teams with the most salary cap room are the Titans, who have 36.6 million to work with. The Dolphins are next, as they are 31 million dollars under the cap. The Titans did well to get themselves out of the salary cap hell they were in a few years ago and still remain competitive.

The Forsberg Comeback Story Just Won't Die

I hope everyone else is getting as sick of this story as I am. After Peter Forsberg's agent came out yesterday and said it looks "unlikely" that Forsberg will be healthy enough to play, Forsberg said today that he isn't ruling out the possibility of a return. Forsberg said the following in a Swedish television interview:

"The foot doesn't feel 100 (percent), but there is still one week left until the deadline"

Hockeybuzz has confirmed that Forsberg hasn't completely ruled out a return.

This all sounds like a guy who hasn't given up hope that he might come back. The only question I have is whether the Flyers can afford to sign him, what with the acquisition of Jaroslav Modry. Would that put them too close to the cap, and unable to sign Forsberg? And, at this point, does anybody really care anymore?

Flyers GM Paul Holmgren added his thoughts on the flip-flopping Foppa:

"He didn't close the door completely. It's still open a crack......we'll all have a definite answer in a week"

After yesterday, I thought we had closure. It looks like this story won't go away until the trade deadline, which thankfully is only 7 days away.

Big week ahead for the Flyers

Seven straight losses. Think about it. Seven straight games with no points, not even an overtime tie! It’s a tough time to be a Flyers fan. The team has gone from penthouse to outhouse in record fashion. Yes, they have already won more games this season than they did last year, but with their solid start and scorching January, expectations began to rise for this club. After their recent performance, a few more losses might put the Flyers outside of the playoff picture.

Things don't get any easier for the Flyers this week, with the Senators and Sharks the opponents. The recent acquisition of Jaroslav Modry, while not a bad deal, is not enough to turn this around. The team needs to come together and fight their way out of this mess. Players that have been struggling lately, like Danny Briere and Jim Vandermeer, need to get out of their funks. Just one win can bring all of the confidence back. Another loss, and there might be no coming back.

*Roster Moves As I discussed yesterday, prospect Claude Giroux will be making his debut for the Flyers tonight. The Flyers are just going to get a glimpse of Giroux's potential for a few games, as he won't be with the club for long. Giroux will only be with the Flyers until someone comes back from an injury. He isn't the savior that this team is looking for, either. The Flyers also recalled Stefan Ruzicka from the Phantoms. Ruzicka is not much of a prospect, and has had 16 points in 53 career games with the big club.

*Tonights Lines Claude Giroux will likely be playing on the first line, which suits his playmaking abilities. Here are the lines projected by Bill Meltzer for tonights game:

Hartnell - Briere - Giroux
Umberger - Richards - Kapanen
Upshall - Carter - Knuble
Cote - Dowd - Ruzicka

Timonen- Vandermeer
Jones - Coburn
Smith - Parent

There has been some talk that Vandermeer will sit when Modry joins up with the team on Thursday, but Meltzer speculates that Jason Smith might rest because he is pretty banged up. Lasse Kukkonen may also play some as a forward tonight, which would mean Ruzicka wouldn't suit up.

Jaroslav Modry a Flyer

The Flyers finally made a move to shore up their defense, acquiring Jaroslav Modry, age 36, from the Los Angeles Kings for a third round pick. According to TSN, Modry is a "quietly effective player in the offensive zone" and has "excellent instincts". Looking at Modry's stats the last few years, he doesn't put up big points, but he is usually on the positive side in the plus/minus department.

This is not a move that will get most Flyer fans excited. Coming off the heels of the news that the Flyers are interested in Tomas Kaberle, this move could be looked at as somewhat disappointing. However, the Flyers got a steady veteran who has some limited playoff experience. With Derian Hatcher out for a few more weeks, Modry makes a nice addition to a depleted back end. A third round pick seems like a reasonable thing to give up for a steadying presence.

Pat Burrell could be the key in 2008

There is an interesting article today at Philly.com by Todd Zolecki discussing Pat Burrell and his future with the Phillies. Burrell is in the final year of the $50 million dollar contract he signed back in 2003. Zolecki speculates that Burrell could be in for a big year as he looks to cash in as a free agent one last time, whether it is with the Phils or another team.

Burrell is overpaid, but he isn't useless. He made 13.25 million last year, and hit 30 home runs and drove in 97 runs. While he continues to strike out too much (120 K's last year), and hit for a low average (.258 lifetime), he had a career high OBP last season of .400. He's a bit of a stiff with the glove, and Charlie Manuel doesn't hesitate to pull him out of games in the later innings for a defensive replacement. Nonetheless, if the Phillies can get that kind of offensive production again from Burrell, they will be happy.

Pat Burrell might be the key to the Phils lineup. Burrell figures to get a ton of RBI opportunities batting fifth, after Ryan Howard and before the Geoff Jenkins/Jayson Werth combo. More importantly, Burrell figures to be the Phillies main source of power from the right side of the plate. That is why he is so important. Burrell is a streaky hitter, either crushing the ball like he did last July and August, or completely stinking up the joint, like in May and June of last year. If Burrell can find some consistency, it will help the Phils as a whole be consistent. When Burrell is on, Manuel will even bat him fourth against tough lefty pitching, which allows the Phillies to break up their left handed hitters.

While Pat Burrell is hardly a fan favorite, the guy has been here through it all. He's played for the Phillies since 2000, and he has been through the low points and been with the team as it rose to the top. In what will most likely be his final year with the Phillies, Burrell could make or break his legacy in Philadelphia. If he helps to lead this team to the World Series, it would go a long way towards silencing all of the boos.

Report: Kaberle to Flyers "Heating up"

Now that the injury-plagued Flyers know that Peter Forsberg isn't returning this year, they are looking into other ways to improve their club. The Ottawa Sun reports that the Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs are discussing a possible deal that would send Tomas Kaberle to Philly. There is no word on what the Flyers would be giving up to get the speedy defender. The only problem is Kaberle has a no-trade clause, and he has said in the past that he has no intention of waiving it.

What would it take to get Kaberle? Besides his teammate Mats Sundin, he might be the hottest name on the market. He is exactly the type of puck-moving, shifty-skating, top defenseman that the Flyers, and really every team, covet. If Tomas Kaberle agrees to waive his no-trade clause, there would be a bidding war for his services. The Flyers would likely have to give up a draft pick or two, and a young player or two. Jeff Carter's name continually comes up as a player the Flyers should move, and let me go on record now as saying there is no way they should trade Carter. You don't trade someone that young with that much upside and not regret it later. Think the Flyers wish they still had Justin Williams? How about Vaclav Prospal or Patrick Sharp?

I am all for the Flyers going out and improving the club, but not at the expense of a guy like Jeff Carter. I trust GM Paul Holmgren not to make a "Bob Clarke move" and mortgage the future for the present, especially with a club that probably doesn't have a chance at the Cup this year anyway. The problem then becomes, how do you get any of these top players without giving up youth? The Toronto Maple Leafs are not going anywhere this year, so they won't take guys like Sami Kapanen and Mike Knuble. Holmgren is going to have to get creative to get what he wants. His record in trades so far is impressive, lets see what his next move is.

Lito Sheppard Rumor a Joke?

This is why we can't believe everything ESPN is spewing out. Derrick Gunn of Comcast Sportsnet asked Lito Sheppard about the rumor that he was being shopped by the Eagles, and Lito thought Gunn was joking with him. Sheppard's contract runs through 2011, and according to Gunn he has every intention of making things work in Philly. A team spokesman went on to say that "any reports that suggest we have allowed Lito or his agent to seek a trade are absolutely and undeniably false".

Another interesting part to the article is that Lito feels like he has outplayed his contract, and he will ask the Eagles for a new contract. We know the Eagles won't give him a new deal, so that could lead to Lito requesting a trade.

The only way the Eagles would consider moving Lito would be if they were guaranteed to land a defensive back like Asante Samuel in free agency. There is no way they would be able to know if Samuel would sign with them until free agency starts, which is 11 days away.

The rumors concerning the Eagles are flying. One thing is for sure, we know that the Birds are looking to improve this team one way or another. They should be looking into all of the available options, hoping that one of them pans out. The front office should be doing its due diligence to ensure they can acquire whatever talent they can to help the team. Moving a guy like Lito Sheppard, while probably a bad idea, would be a move that would help free up money for another player. I can't wait to see what other crazy rumors come out in the next few days.

Lito Sheppard on his way out?

ESPN just continues to fuel the Philadelphia Eagles rumor mill. The latest news comes out of their show NFL Live, where John Clayton reported that the Eagles have given Lito Sheppard permission to seek a trade. Sheppard is currently in the midst of an 8 year deal that he signed in 2004. It looks like Sheppard wants to cash in with a new deal, something that the Eagles will not do. They never restructure a players deal, especially when it is only 2 years into an 8 year pact.

This news certainly gives some credence to all the rumors that the Eagles are looking to pick up one of the top free agent defensive backs available, like Asante Samuel or Marcus Trufant. If they don't plan on picking up one of those big names, then this move makes no sense. Yes, Lito is injury prone, but he is a two-time Pro Bowler, and when paired with Sheldon Brown they make one of the best cornerback duos in the league.

Just like the rest of the rumors that ESPN has been spouting out about the Eagles this off season, let's wait and see what happens. Teams would be interested in Lito, and they might be willing to give up a couple of high draft picks for him. Free agency starts in eleven days, so hopefully this cloud of rumors will begin to dissipate then.

Forsberg Not Coming Back This Season

No sooner than I had finished my previous post, news came out that Peter Forsberg has decided not to come back to the NHL. His agent has advised all of the teams in the running for his services that Forsberg does not feel confident enough in his health to make a return. We knew all along that unless Forsberg felt like he could return to the Foppa of old, he would not come back.

For the Flyers, I think this is good news. They didn't need another injured player. Foppa at anything less than 90% wouldn't help this team. The fact that Forsberg finally made his decision also means that Flyers fans and players can stop looking to him as some kind of savior. The Flyers can now move ahead and make the necessary deals to shore up a flailing team.

Forsberg Expected to Make Decision Tuesday

Peter Forsberg may finally be ready to make a decision about whether he will return to the NHL. According to Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, Forsberg is expected to announce whether he will return on Tuesday. Forsberg is still mulling his options as he figures out if his foot is healthy enough. The fact that this information is coming from the Flyers GM makes it pretty clear that Philly is the number one destination for Foppa. The Flyers recent losing streak may force them to re-evaluate and change their position on bringing Forsberg back into the fold.

A report over on Hockeybuzz.com says that Forsberg may even make the decision on what team he will play for by Wednesday. They also speculate that the Flyers may have backed off and that the Minnesota Wild are stepping up their efforts to sign the 34 year old Swede.

*Flyers Injury Update Of course, with all of the injuries the Flyers have, bringing Forsberg back might help just because he can actually suit up. The Flyers have 4 regulars who will be out an extended period of time. Joffrey Lupul is expected to be out 2 to 3 more weeks with a high ankle sprain. Steve Downie is being evaluated following a concussion and it is unknown how long he will be out. Derian Hatcher is out at least three more weeks, and it's unknown whether Simon Gagne will be able to play again this season. Things look grim for the Flyers, a team that when healthy has considerable depth. They will be looking more towards the young guys to step in and play, as evidenced by the recent call-up of Claude Giroux.

Claude Giroux to Debut for Flyers

Desperate time call for desperate measures. The Flyers, with injuries mounting and fresh off their seventh straight loss, have called up 20 year old Claude Giroux, who had been playing with the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. Giroux, the 22nd pick in the 2006 draft, has been tearing up the QMJHL this season, netting 88 points (33 goals, 55 assists) in 47 games. Giroux played briefly with the Phantoms last year, but he is basically skipping the AHL altogether to come and play with the big club. Hockeysfuture.com says the following about the 5 foot 10, 169 pound prospect's potential:

Giroux’s size may have been a hindrance in the old NHL, however, he appears to be a prototypical product for the net NHL, with blazing speed and dynamite skill. He has the potential to be a first-line winger.

This move signals one of two things: either the Flyers are going to look towards the youth for the remainder of the season, or they are desperate for warm bodies and want to give this kid a chance. I say it is the latter. With wingers Simon Gagne, Joffrey Lupul and Steve Downie all out with injuries, the Flyers need someone with some skill to play on a scoring line. Calling up more Phantoms would mean the team would be loaded with 3rd and 4th line talent, but a guy like Giroux has the playmaking skills to be more than just a checker.

Giroux will make his debut against Ottawa on Tuesday. With the Denis Tolpeko injury, the Flyers probably have to make another move for a forward, so look for them to call someone else up. I would guess that Kyle Greentree will continue his trek back and forth across the parking lot and come play for the Flyers on Tuesday. This is a tough week for the Flyers, with the Senators and Sharks on tap. This could be a make or break week. If the Flyers lose both games and end up on a nine game losing streak, they can forget about Peter Forsberg and look to get more guys like Giroux some playing time.

One last, random fact about Claude Giroux. He plays roller hockey in his spare time, for the Ottawa L'Otekipe of the National Capital Inline Hockey League. He tore the league up last year, getting 51 points in 10 games.

Kyle Kendrick Punk'd

I just can't believe Kendrick fell for it. Are major league teams even allowed to trade their players to Japan? The looks on his face when he hears the news, and then when he realizes it was all a prank, are priceless. It's amazing to me the number of guys in on it, too. Manager Charlie Manuel breaks the "news" to him, local reporters ask him questions, and they have an itinerary prepared for him for his trip to Japan. They even have him sign a contract! Also funny is the fact that he is traded for a guy named Kobayashi, who is the hot dog eating champ.

Donte' Stallworth to be a Free Agent

Former Eagle Donte' Stallworth has been told by the New England Patriots that he will not recieve his 6 million dollar roster bonus, which would make Stallworth a free agent. Stallworth had a decent year for the Pats, catching 46 passes for 697 yards and 3 touchdowns. His role with the team clearly lessened as the year went on, and by the playoffs another former Eagle, Jabar Gaffney, got more snaps.

Stallworth should be on the Eagles radar. If the Eagles miss out on the top flight guys that might be available, like Larry Fitzgerald or Chad Johnson, then Stallworth is part of the second tier of receivers that the Eagles should target, along with Bernard Berrian and D.J. Hackett. Stallworth would welcome a return to Philadelphia, if the money is right. He strikes me as the kind of guy who will play anywhere if they show him the money.

Flyers Lose. Again.

There are losing streaks, and then there is what is happening to the Flyers. They lost their seventh game in a row tonight, 5-3 to the Canadiens. The loss drops the Flyers into fourth place in the Atlantic Division behind the Rangers, and into the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers are currently only one point ahead of the two teams tied for the 8th seed, meaning with another loss they could drop out of the playoffs altogether. Only two weeks ago, the Flyers were in the hunt for the top overall seed, and now they are finding themselves closer to the bottom than the top.

Injuries have played a role in this losing streak, with Simon Gagne, Joffrey Lupul, Steve Downie and Derian Hatcher, all key contributors, out of tonights game. The Flyers only suited up 11 forwards against Montreal, and when Denis Tolpeko was knocked out of the game after a big hit in the first period, the Flyers essentially only had three forward lines.

Injuries don't tell the whole story though. The Flyers haven't been playing with much energy, losing many of the battles in the corner. The defense, even when everyone is healthy, is average at best. The goaltending has been good, but neither Antero Niitymaki nor Martin Biron have stood on their heads and single-handedly won a game. Neither goalie has stepped up to grab the number one spot, either, so they will continue to switch from game to game. All of this adds up to a team that is merely average.

GM Paul Holmgren has his work cut out for him. Getting Peter Forsberg won't be enough for this team. They need to find a defenseman or two. If Gagne is out for much longer, they will need another skilled forward. Perhaps the Flyers would be better off riding out the season with what they have. Let the young guys play and get experience and see how far they can get. Making a trade that would jeopardize the future just to win a few extra games this season isn't smart. There is little chance an extended Stanley Cup run is in this teams future unless they immediately turn this thing around.

Click here for highlights of tonights game.

Eagles "Going Hard" after Larry Fitzgerald

According to a story on GCobb.com, the Eagles are "going after Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald pretty hard". We have been hearing rumors about this situation for a few weeks, so this is just more confirmation of the Eagles' interest. The Cardinals are reluctant to keep the star receiver because of how much salary cap space he will take up. His current contract pays him 14.5 million next season and over 17 million in 2009. Fitzgerald is not a free agent, so if the Eagles want him, he would have to be acquired in a trade.

Fitzgerald would look really good in an Eagles uniform, and would make the offense potent. He has had over 100 catches twice in his career. Fitzgerald had made recent comments that he might sign a long term deal with the Cardinals that would reduce his salary cap number, so if that happens all possible deals are off. I have no idea what it would take to get him, maybe a first round pick and a couple of solid young players, but whatever the price, he would be worth it. If he is made available, there will be a slew of teams making offers which will drive up the price. Of all the players rumored to be headed to Philly, he is the most exciting because of his ability and because he is only 24. Trades in the NFL are rare, however, so this is definitely a remote possibility.

I have made my opinions of the Eagles reluctance to spend money known recently, and this is another situation where they would have to go out of character to get what they want. For all of the players linked to the Eagles this offseason (Asante Samuel, Randy Moss, Chad Johnson), it would require the front office to step up and change their philosophy. It would have to mirror what the Patriots did last off-season, where they opened up the wallet and spent a ton of money to get Tom Brady the weapons he needed on offense. If the Eagles are dedicated to making one last run with Donovan McNabb, they owe it to themselves to pursue every avenue for available players, regardless of their price tag.

Flyers Back at it with Canadiens

After losing their sixth straight game yesterday to the Canadiens, 1-0, the Flyers will have a chance to redeem themselves in a rematch today in Philly. Offensively, nothing is clicking for the Flyers right now. They can't score at even strength, so if teams can stay out of the penalty box, they have a good chance to beat the Flyers. You can't blame yesterday's loss on goaltender Antero Niitymaki, who played well and only let in one spectacular goal by Andrei Kostitsyn:


*Injury update Talk about getting kicked while your down. The Flyers will be without the services of Joffrey Lupul again, as he had a high ankle sprain against the Canadiens. That makes two high scoring wingers, Lupul and Simon Gagne, on the mend. Steve Downie also will be out of tonights game with an upper body injury. Scottie Upshall returned to the ice yesterday, and should be fine going forward. Two defensemen, Braydon Coburn and Derian Hatcher, will probably be back in the lineup for todays game.

*Greentree down, Tolpeko up Kyle Greentree has been sent down and called up several times in the past few days, and today he was sent back down again in favor of Denis Tolpeko. Tolpeko played 24 games with the Flyers earlier this year, registering one goal and five assists.

*Continued Line Shake-up With all of the injuries and ineffectiveness, Flyers coach John Stevens is juggling lines on a daily basis. Here are the possible line combinations for tonights contest, courtesy of Bill Meltzer:

Hartnell - Richards- Briere
Upshall - Carter- Kapanen
Tolpeko - Umberger - Knuble
Cote - Dowd - (Seven D?)


Timonen - Vandermeer
Smith - Coburn
Parent - Jones
Kukkonen??

The Flyers don't have enough forwards up with the big club, so the speculation is that they will play seven defensemen. Briere will be kept on the wing. It obviously didn't work yesterday, but so we'll see how long they stick with it.

Superman Dunk Was Weak

This was easily the best, most creative dunk from last night's contest:


I don't get why everyone is so amazed by the Dwight Howard Superman non-dunk. He just threw it in. Yeah, he got up, but Green's dunk was far more impressive.


Either way, we can all agree that the Dunk Contest is back. If creative guys like Dwight Howard and Gerald Green keep participating, it will continue to entertain.

Carlos Beltran: Mets are Team to Beat

The first shot has been fired. Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, discussing his team's chances for 2008, said the following:

"Let me tell you this: Without Santana, we felt as a team we have a chance to win in our division. With him now, I have no doubt that we're going to win in our division. I have no doubt in that. We've got what it takes. We have good chemistry as a team. He fits great because he's a great guy. He's one of the best pitchers in the game. Who doesn't want to have him on any ballclub? Without him last year we did good, until the end of the season. So this year, to Jimmy Rollins, we are the team to beat."

Beltran, apparently not one for originality, is calling the Mets the team to beat this year, just like Rollins did last year. Beltran does it by taking a direct shot, calling out J-Roll. Rollins is already on record as saying he thinks the Phillies can win 100 games this year.

I have no problem with a guy having confidence in his team and predicting they will win the division. It's spring training, every team should be entering the season with the mindset that they're going to win it all. Heck, most people agree with Beltran. However, the way he mentioned Jimmy Rollins by name shows very little class. The war for the 2008 NL East is on, and lets hope that our reigning MVP settles it not with more words, but on the field. Maybe a few more sweeps of the Mets will shut them up.

Blackhawks Make Offer to Forsberg

Hockeybuzz.com has been updating the Peter Forsberg situation on a daily basis, constantly speculating on where and when Foppa will return. The latest news today is that the Chicago Blackhawks have made an 3 year, 10 to 12 million dollar deal to Forsberg. Seems like a lot of years for a guy that may not be able to skate. Hockeybuzz puts the following percentages on Forsberg's destination: Philadelphia 40%, Chicago 15%, NY Rangers 15%, Ottawa 15%, Minnesota 10%, Vancouver 5%. So, the Flyers are still the front runners, I just hope it doesn't take a three year deal to make it happen. A two year, incentive-laden deal would be in the best interests of the Flyers.

*New Lines Tonight The Flyers square off with the Canadiens tonight, looking for a much needed win. Bill Meltzer posted the offensive lines for tonight, and it includes a major shake-up:

Hartnell - Richards- Briere
Upshall - Carter- Lupul
Kapanen - Umberger - Knuble
Cote - Dowd - Downie

Danny Briere has been moved to the wing, and R.J. Umberger has been moved to center. Steve Downie moves down to the fourth line. This makes for some great offensive balance on the top three lines, with the fourth line being the agitators. Briere moving to the wing might be a smart move, especially when/if Forsberg comes back and they can be put on the same line. If Simon Gagne ever gets healthy, imagine how potent a Gagne/Foppa/Briere line would be!

Ron Artest to the Sixers?

With the Sixers recently entering the playoff picture, their focus might change from selling off veterans like Andre Miller to picking up a few pieces to help get them to the next level. While no one thinks the Sixers will even win a round, it would be nice for some of the young guys to at least get some experience in the playoffs. With the NBA trade deadline approaching, rumors will start to intensify regarding what, if anything, the Sixers might do.

One rumor that seems to have come out of left field is that the Sixers are looking into acquiring Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings. While Marc Narducci shoots this idea down, I am trying to figure out how it would make any sense at all. First of all, Artest is a good player who is a solid defender and above average scorer, but where would he fit in on this team? The Sixers don't need another small forward, they already have Andre Iguodala, and that is the natural position for Thaddeus Young. Artest's character has never been his strong suit, either, so why would Philly want to risk poisoning the locker room and possibly ruining the attitudes of the younger guys? Also, the asking price for Artest is probably too high, with the Kings probably wanting two young guys and a draft pick. Would you really want to see the Sixers give up Lou Williams, Jason Smith and a first round pick?

Ron Artest belongs to a team that is in a win-now mode, not a team in rebuilding mode. The Denver Nuggets may be interested as well, and that would actually make sense. Artest would fit in on a veteran team that can ignore the stupid things he says and does off-court and just appreciate his on-court skills.

If the Sixers make any moves at all before the February 22nd trade deadline, I would hope it is for a young player, preferably a power forward, with lots of upside. If they do decide to move Andre Miller, they better get a couple of solid pieces that will help them for the next few years. Their best move might be to do nothing at all and see whether the young guys can lead them into the playoffs. Then, in the off-season, the Sixers will better know what they have, and what pieces they are missing.

Asante Samuel's Two Choices: Eagles and Jets

I spent all of last season despising the Patriots, but I am prepared to welcome one of their top defensive players to Philadelphia. According to Sal Paolantonio (and he is never wrong), there are only two teams that are in the running for Pro Bowler Asante Samuel's services next year: the Eagles and the Jets. It would take a ton of money, something the Eagles don't like to give up, to sign the former Patriot, who will be a free agent when the Patriots don't put the franchise tag on him. Samuel will be looking for more money than the 8 years, 80 million Nate Clements got last year from the Niners.

While I will not argue that Samuel would be a great fit for the Eagles, and with 16 interceptions in the last two years, he is the definition of a playmaker on defense, I just don't see it happening. Much like the Randy Moss story that was floated out there last week, this is another rumor that is pure speculation. It is so early in the off-season, and so many big names are being bandied about, that it's difficult to interpret fact from fiction. It is nice to see the Eagles are at least reportedly interested in the possibly available wide receivers, like Chad Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, but it isn't their style to go and make that huge splash in free agency. The last two times they made a splash were with the signings of Jevon Kearse and the acquisition of Terrell Owens, and both players have to be considered big disappointments. Will the Eagles continue to shy away from the big names, or will they go for it all next year?

Baseball Prospectus Projects 3rd Place Finish for Phillies

Baseball Prospectus is one of the best sources of information and analysis out there. Every year, I look forward to buying their book and scouring through all of the player projections and commentary. It's a source I go back to again and again. Once you understand all of the acronyms like VORP and MLV, there is a wealth of data that can help you understand more about baseball and all of its nuances.

Baseball Prospectus (BP) released it's predictions for the 2008 season, and they are not encouraging for Phillies fans. BP projects the Phillies to finish with a record of 84-78, and in third place behind the Mets and Braves. That would obviously mean no Wild Card berth. Now, I expected many publications to have the Mets as the favorites in the NL East, but the Braves ahead of the Phils? And the Phils will finish with 5 fewer wins than last year? I will have to wait until I get their book, which will come out next week, to figure out why BP projects the Phillies to fall back so far. With the solid acquisitions they made since last year, and the loss of only one regular player, the Phillies should finish with at least as many wins as last year, maybe up to 5 more. Johan Santana will not make that big of an impact that he will knock the Phils back that far.

Luckily, looking at the rest of the BP projected standings, there are a few other places they look to be way off. They have the Yankees ahead of the Red Sox in the AL East, which is ridiculous. I expect the Sox to run away with the division this year, as the Yanks did nothing to improve themselves this off-season. In the AL West, the Oakland A's, who traded away nearly every serviceable major leaguer, are still projected to finish in second place. Not gonna happen. Finally, while the Rockies might be a one year wonder, there is no way they fall all the way back into fourth place in the NL West.

*Ryan Howard Update I am sure many of you have read all of the latest on Howard's contract situation, and heard his interview on the subject. The thing that I am most impressed by is how Howard showed up early, in good shape, and is already working on one of his biggest weaknesses, his defense. He is showing how dedicated he is to becoming a better ballplayer. He is proving to me, and hopefully to the Phillies, that he deserves that long term deal he is seeking. I am hoping that the Phillies want to see one more year of good production from Howard, and then give him his big contract. If he doesn't get paid by next year, he may not be showing up to spring training at all.

Pitchers and Catchers Report!

With the Flyers slumping, the Sixers giving us some false hope and the Eagles coming off a season of wasted opportunity, this day couldn't have happened soon enough. We all welcome the Phillies back, and hope they can build on last seasons' successes. There are plenty of great resources out there for the latest information on the Phillies and what's happening in Spring Training.
*It all starts with their roster of invitees. That list was made prior to the Kris Benson signing, so count him in.
*Here is a video of their first day produced by Philly.com.
*Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki does daily updates on his blog, the Zo Zone.
*Beerleaguer is the best Phillies site on the net.
*Delaware Online beat writer, Scott Lauber, does another great daily update from Spring Training.

It's Time for the Flyers to Bounce Back

I am beginning to sound like a broken record, but the Flyers need this one. The Tampa Bay Lightning come to Philly today to take on the Flyers. Tampa is the worst team in the Eastern Conference, but they have played well lately, winning 3 of their last 4 games. Here are some news and notes from around the rink.

*Ryan Parent Called Up With Braydon Coburn's butt injury and the so-so play of Lasse Kukkonen, the Flyers have called up rookie defenseman Ryan Parent. The 20 year old made his NHL debut last year, playing in one game. You may remember Parent from the Peter Forsberg trade last year; he came with Scottie Upshall to Philly in the deal. The Flyers have been talking about acquiring a puck-moving d-man, and that's exactly what Parent is. This kid will be great in a few years, and it will be fun to see how he adapts to the NHL level.

*Injury Update Simon Gagne and Upshall are still not ready to come back. Gagne looks to be out at least another two weeks, while Upshall might be ready to play this weekend against Montreal.

*More New Lines Bill Meltzer posted the lines for tonights game over at Hockeybuzz.com:

Umberger - Briere - Lupul
Hartnell - Richards - Downie
Greentree - Carter - Knuble
Cote - Dowd - Kapanen

Timonen - Vandermeer
Hatcher - Jones
Smith - Parent

Kyle Greentree actually looked pretty good the other day. He was big and strong, and has a good feel for the game. There might be a spot for him if he can carve out a role for himself.

*Forsberg Delays Return Forsberg asked for more time to make his decision about returning to the NHL. This story is getting to the point where I won't report anything until he actually signs. Forsberg is turning into the distraction that he was for the Flyers last year when no one knew when he was going to play. Initially I thought he would be a great addition to the Flyers, but it may not be worth all of the headaches.

Sixers Win Fifth Straight, Enter Playoff Picture

The Sixers continued their winning ways by beating a terrible Memphis Grizzlies team, 102-88. Philly had big leads all night but the Grizzlies kept fighting back in until a 11-0 third quarter run sealed the game for the home team. The win moves the Sixers into a tie for the 7th spot in the East with the Nets, who may or may not have traded their best player today. Yes, the East is so terrible that a team that is seven games under .500 can be in the 7th spot.

Every starter for the Sixers scored in double figures, with Andre Iguodala leading the team with 29 points. Andre Miller "cooled off" and only scored 14 points, although he added 11 assists and six boards. Samuel Dalembert also played well, with 16 points, 12 boards and 4 blocked shots. Current Grizzlie and former Sixer volunteer coach Aaron McKie did not play in the game and wasn't with the team for personal reasons. McKie has yet to play for the Grizzlies since he was traded there last week in the Pau Gasol trade.

The all star break comes at a bad time for the Sixers, who will now have to wait until next Tuesday to see if they can win six in a row. The potential is there for the Sixers to keep the streak going because they play the awful Timberwolves and Knicks to start the second half of the season. Are Philly fans starting to get playoff fever for our basketball team? The Sixers are at least keeping things interesting, but no one can possibly believe they will do any damage even if they somehow sneak into the playoffs, right? With the Flyers struggling, the Sixers are the only game in town.

It's Official: Kris Benson is a Phillie

Hooray for another fifth starter candidate! I guess he is worth a shot with a minor league deal. Maybe this will push Adam Eaton to be better. We can kiss Kyle Lohse goodbye now. Hope he looks good in Mets blue.
The deal is pending a physical.

Shelved Patriots Commercial: "Perfectville"

Looks like Reebok jumped the gun in making this commercial!

Phillies Close to Signing Benson and Injury News

The Phils are closing in on signing free agent pitcher Kris Benson to a deal. Assistant GM Ruben Amaro JR. said a deal is expected to be done in the next two days. The Phillies have been Benson's first choice all along because he feels they have a great chance to be competitive. I still am not getting excited about this. In the article I linked to above from Philly.com, they talk about how Benson will compete with Adam Eaton, Chad Durbin, J.D. Durbin, and Travis Blackley for the fifth starter spot in the rotation. None of those names are anything to get crazy over. You can call it pitching depth if you want, but is it really depth if none of them are very good?

*Injuries With pitchers and catchers set to report tomorrow, there are still a few lingering injuries on the pitching staff. For all of those counting on Scott Mathieson to fill a role in the bullpen, you will need to look elsewhere. Mathieson suffered a setback in his comeback attempt, and that surely means he will miss at least the beginning of the season. The same goes for lefty Matt Smith, the only decent player from the Bobby Abreu trade. Smith is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and will not be ready opening day. Another lefty, Mike Zagurski is closer to being ready after his hamstring surgery, but I hope the Phillies aren't counting on him for anything.

Finally, the most important pitcher on the Phils, Cole Hamels, is hoping he can stay healthy this season. If he can't, the Phils will be in a world of trouble.

Forsberg Whittles Down His Options

Just doing my due diligence here, because I know everyone wants to know the latest. Peter Forsberg has narrowed down his options by eliminating Anaheim from his list. Here are the six teams that remain in the hunt, according to Hockeybuzz.com:

Colorado, Philadelphia, NY Rangers, Vancouver, Chicago, Ottawa

If the Flyers continue to lose, they may actually take themselves out of the running. To many people, that wouldn't be such a bad thing. Of course, Forsberg still has yet to say whether he is coming back, although he was skating good the other day.

The Struggle Continues

The good, the bad and the ugly from the Flyers 4-3 loss to the Islanders.

THE GOOD:

*Danny Briere scores a goal It was Briere's first goal since January 22nd, and he later added an assist. About the goal, he said the following:

"Yes, it is a big relief; I'm not going to lie....There always seem to be stretches in the season where things don't seem to go your way. You question yourself around the net, and this has certainly been one of those cases. It feels good to finally get a bounce going my way. . . ."

Even though Briere had two points on the night, he still didn't have a good all-around game, as he finished with a plus/minus of -2.

*The Hartnell goal In the second period, R.J. Umberger fought through a defender and made a great pass to the middle to set up Scott Hartnell on a great looking one-timer goal.

*Biron's Commentary If you watched the game on Versus, tonight's backup goalie Martin Biron was mic'd, and he had some great comments and analysis throughout the game. He commented on both goalies and their techniques, and spent some time talking about Briere's struggles this season. Biron added a unique perspective to the game that really added a lot to the broadcast.

THE BAD:

*The Flyers were 1 for 6 on the power play The strength of the Flyers all season has been their power play, and they had plenty of chances with little success. Besides Briere's goal, they managed very few solid chances with the man advantage.

*The Flyers managed only 29 shots They had very few good chances at even strength, too. Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro was completely untested, and could have had a picnic in his own crease. In contrast, the Islanders had 47 shots, and although Antero Niitymaki played well against the barrage, he was lucky to give up only 4 goals.

*Mike Richards fails to convert on a breakaway Richards had a breakaway chance in the second period while the Flyers were shorthanded. He came in all alone on DiPietro, and missed a golden opportunity.

THE UGLY:

*It was the Flyers fourth loss in a row With every loss, the Flyers chances at the number one seed in the Eastern Conference are slowly slipping away. Also, the Rangers are sneaking up behind them in the standings, even though the Flyers have still played three fewer games.

*It was the Islanders first win at home in 2008 The Islanders also snapped a seven game losing streak. The Islanders are much closer to the bottom of the Eastern Conference than the top. This is the type of team the Flyers should be beating at this time of year.

*The playing surface Due to a monster truck event over the weekend, the Islanders had to replace their home ice. It made for a sloppy game on the bad ice. Crisp, cross-ice passes were rare in the game, and there were a lot of stops and starts.

The Flyers will look to bounce back against the Lightning at home on Thursday. This is another winnable game that looks like a must-win situation. I hate to say it, but the Flyers need to start playing with the energy and urgency that the Sixers have been showing us. Things are still backwards for the two teams.

Flyers Need to Bounce Back Against Isles

It's not a must-win situation, but the Flyers need to take care of the last place Islanders if they want to stay in the hunt for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. They need to ignore all of the injuries and Forsberg talk and go out and get a win. This team has the talent, they just have to focus and get the job done.

Here are the latest news and rumors:

*New Lines As posted by Bill Meltzer, who does a great game preview, the Flyers lines will be altered again due to the injuries. Either R.J. Umberger or Sami Kapanen will take Simon Gagne's spot on the top line, with the other filling in on the third line. New call-up Kyle Greentree will make his NHL debut and play on the fourth line. He is a big guy who has shown a scoring touch in the minors.

Umberger/Kapanen - Briere - Lupul
Hartnell - Richards - Downie
Umberger/Kapanen - Carter - Knuble
Cote - Dowd - Greentree

The defense remains the same, with Lasse Kukkonen playing for Braydon Coburn's injured butt.

*The Trade Front We know the Flyers want to add a puck moving defenseman, but with all these injuries, might they be looking for another forward? Makes sense to me, especially with Gagne out indefinitely. Forsberg would be the obvious choice, but we still don't know if that will happen. (By the way, the latest news on Forsberg is there is no news. No new decisions have been made, but every expectation is that something will be decided "in about a week".)

Eklund over at Hockeybuzz.com has a list of the 80 most likely to be traded players, so start your speculating from that list. If the Flyers don't get Foppa, I would love it if they went after a guy like Vaclav Prospal or a tougher guy like Brian Willsie. The trade deadline is two weeks away, so we will soon find out what the Flyers plan to do!

The Latest Phils News

Here's the latest as the team closes in on Spring Training.

*The Kris Benson Watch The Phillies were thought to be the front runner for his services, with some sources reporting they had started contract negotiations, but a deal still has yet to be done. The longer this takes, the less likely it will be to happen. More teams might be interested now that Benson has worked out a couple of times. As I have said before, this wouldn't be much of an upgrade over Adam Eaton anyway.

*The Kyle Lohse Watch The other hot free agent that is at least somewhat on the Phillies radar is Lohse, but the Daily News puts the chances of signing him "remote". Lohse has lessened his expectations, backing off from his need for a four year deal, but he is still probably too costly for the Phils. Even though it won't happen, if the Phillies somehow came up with the money, signing him would put a solid cap on a productive off-season. Look for the Mets or even the Red Sox to sign him. The Sox are believed to be interested now the Curt Schilling's future is up in the air.

*Other Free Agent Options So what will the Phillies do if they don't get Benson or Lohse? Beerleaguer has a list of some of the remaining available free agent pitchers. Nothing on that list gets me excited at all, although I am surprised that Josh Fogg hasn't signed with anyone yet after he helped the Rockies during their improbable run last year.

*Brad Lidge Ready to Go There was some concern that newly acquired closer Brad Lidge wouldn't be able to pitch right away due to a balky knee, but he is now on track to be ready. Let's hope that he has regained the confidence he lost after the Albert Pujols bomb in the playoffs a few years ago.

Footage of Peter Forsberg skating, testing out his foot

Here is a video of Forsberg skating in Sweden with MoDo. He is still testing out his foot, and from the looks of it he appears to be ready. He looks strong and does a lot of pushing off, and even scores a nice backhand goal at the end of this short clip.



This whole thing is officially turning into a circus. Will he come back or won't he? What team will end up signing him? I would still put money on him signing with the Flyers in about a week.

This is not a typo: Sixers beat Mavericks

Well, the Sixers are officially rolling. They defeated one of the NBA's elite teams, the Mavericks, 84-76 to capture their fourth win in a row. The game was low scoring, partly due to the Sixers playing sounds defense, and partly due to the Mavs going cold and shooting only 35% from the field. Of course, the Mavs were without regulars Jerry Stackhouse, Devin Harris, and Erick Dampier. And the Mavs were playing the second game of a back to back. A win is still a win, though.

For the Sixers, Andre Miller continued his hot play, scoring 21 points and filling out his score sheet with 7 assists, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Miller is either adding to his trade value, or further proving why the Sixers have no business trading him.

We can all start getting excited about the Sixers, who are now only 8 games under .500 and still closing in on a playoff seed. They might be getting hot enough to ensure a first round showdown with the Celtics. To steal the Phillies' catchphrase, can you feel the goosebumps?

Down is Up and Up is Down: The Changing Fortunes of Two Philly Sports Teams

Something is going very wrong with our sports teams. The Sixers have won three in a row and the Flyers have lost three in a row. The Sixers, who we all hope will lose as many games as possible to get a high draft pick, are on a roll, while the Flyers, who we all think have a shot to go deep into the playoffs this year, can't win a game. The Sixers, even though they are still nine games under .500, have pulled themselves to within a game from the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, and have begun talking about their playoff chances. The Flyers, who have dropped from competing for the top spot in the East to the 6th seed, have fallen from first to third place in the Atlantic Division and are talking about how soon Peter Forsberg can be added to the fold. Here are some news and notes about the two teams.

Sixers News

*Andre Miller named Eastern Conference Player of the Week Miller, whose name is still being mentioned in trade talks, was named player of the week for his efforts in leading the Sixers to a 3-1 record. We all knew that Miller was a great passer and team leader, but the most impressive thing about him lately has been his scoring. He averaged 19.5 points last week, and has been routinely putting up 20 points. The Andre's, Miller and Iguodala, are really giving the Sixers a one-two scoring punch.

*Youth is being served Another key to the Sixers solid play lately has been how many minutes guys like Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams and Rodney Carney have been playing. All three have been getting more run since Ed Stefanski took over as GM, and all three have been improving seemingly daily. Young has even moved into the starting line-up, playing as a small power forward. It seems like the Sixers are trying to see what they have in these young guys, and they aren't letting the team down.

*Sixers vs. Mavericks tonight The Sixers have mostly been beating up on the rest of the weak NBA teams, so tonight will be a good test to see if their current streak is real or just a mirage. If the Sixers keep it under a ten point loss, call it a victory.

Flyers News

*Simon Gagne out indefinitely As I posted about yesterday, Gagne had a mild concussion during yesterday's game. He could be out a few games or a few weeks, depending on how quickly the symptoms clear up. This kind of injury can linger with a player for years, so let's hope he only plays when he feels 100% again. The Flyers and coach John Stevens hope Gagne comes back sooner rather than later, because their scoring lines look a lot weaker without #12 on the wing.

*Kyle Greentree recalled from Phantoms He's no Simon Gagne, and frankly I don't know much about him, but left winger Greentree will be taking Gagne's spot on the roster for the time being. He has 37 points in 48 games with the Phantoms. He will be wearing #65 with the Flyers.

*Flyers upcoming schedule The Flyers have an opportunity to bounce back, playing two last place teams this week, the Islanders and the Lightning. On the weekend, they will play a home and home with the Canadiens, who had been hot, but have lost 3 of their last 4. The Flyers need some wins if they want to keep up in the very balanced and deep Eastern Conference.

Eagles Eyeing Moss?

It's hard to tell what to believe about the Eagles this offseason. Rumors have been flying about every remotely available wide receiver, from Larry Fitzgerald to Roy Williams to Javon Walker. It's difficult to say if these are just scenarios dreamed up by fans, or if the Eagles are actually trying to appease Donovan McNabb's cry for more playmakers.

The latest rumor involves the Eagles going after possible free agent Randy Moss. Even though everything I have heard up until today has said that Moss will return to New England, Chris Mortenson of ESPN reported that the Eagles will go after Moss if he becomes available. I have scoured the internet, and have found no other source that can confirm this rumor, but it is still interesting to think about. Would Moss come to the Eagles? How much money would it take? And would the Eagles want him, with all of his character issues? If you thought T.O. was bad, at least he doesn't take plays off like Randy Moss. Moss could be a changed man after his one year in New England, but who's to say he won't revert back to the jerk he was in Oakland?

I say to take this rumor, like all the rest about the Eagles going for a receiver, with a grain of salt. I am sure that the Eagles will at least look into some of these situations, but we are more likely to see a second tier type of receiver, like a Bernard Berrian, than a true star, like a Larry Fitzgerald, playing in Philly next year. This rumor about Moss could be another attempt by Chris Mortenson to grab some headlines, like he did a few weeks ago with the story about the Ravens going after McNabb, which the Ravens flatly denied. Get ready for a whole slew of rumors about the Eagles, but don't get too excited until something actually happens.

Gagne Has Mild Concussion

This could be bad. Simon Gagne suffered a mild concussion in Sunday's game against the Penguins. Gagne has already missed 26 games this year with a concussion he suffered earlier in the season, so this could cause him to miss several games again as a precaution, even though it is only mild. Talk about bad timing, with the Flyers needing to bounce back next week after three consecutive losses. Gagne sat out the last two periods in the Penguins game.

Gagne has been inconsistent this year, mostly because of the concussions. Let's hope he straightens this out and gets back to his old self by the playoffs.

Pens Knock Flyers into Third Place

For the first time this year, the Penguins beat the Flyers. You may recall that last year, the Penguins owned the Flyers, beating them every time they played. This year, the Flyers had reversed the trend, beating their cross-state rival four times. The Penguins broke that streak today, winning 4-3 over the reeling Flyers, who have lost three in a row and have dropped into third place in the Atlantic. The Penguins are still playing without Sidney Crosby, but their other young star, Evgeni Malkin, had a huge game, getting a goal and three assists. No word yet on whether the fan in the above picture got beat up by frustrated Flyer fans in the parking lot after the game.

For the Flyers, R.J. Umberger had another spectacular game against the Penguins. He had two goals, and that gives him a total of 11 points in five games against Pittsburgh this year. Maybe this guy needs to pretend like he is playing the Penguins every night, because he has had a very ordinary season otherwise. Steve Downie got into another scrap in the first period, this time against Jarkko Ruutu, and the two traded some big blows before Downie decided to end the fight and he skated away. Watch the video of the fight below:


*Injury Update Scottie Upshall will still be out for about a week, while Braydon Coburn will be out longer. Coburn injured himself in the Rangers game on Saturday, tearing his butt. Seriously, that was his injury. He had surgery and should be out for a couple of weeks.

*Trade Rumors Lasse Kukkonen, who hasn't played in what seems like months, will get some ice time for the time being, but I would expect the Flyers to make a move for another defenseman in the next few days. Rob Blake's name continues to be bandied about, although the Sharks might be the front runner to get him. Other defensemen that have been rumored to be available include Tomas Kaberle, Brian Campbell and John-Michael Liles. All three would fit the Flyers need of an offensive defeneseman, but they would all come at a steep price, especially Campbell, who the Sabres probably won't trade.

Phillies News and Notes

We are only four days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, so I thought it would be a good time to get caught up with the latest Phillies news.

*Ryan Howard's Contract. There has been no news on this lately, so as expected this one will be going to arbitration, with the meeting date set for February 20th. We all know the story by now: Ryan Howard asked for 10 million and the Phillies offered 7 million. If Howard gets the 10 million he wants, it would tie Alfonso Soriano's record for most money given to a player through arbitration. Soriano is a decent comparison, although at the time Soriano got 10 million, he had a few more years of playing experience. The Phillies will probably win this arbitration case, and let's hope the big slugger doesn't go into a funk because of it. He deserves his payday, but it just might not be for another couple of years. For my take on this whole situation and how it affects the Phillies, read this.

*Still Searching for another Pitcher. The Phillies will be watching Kris Benson pitch today, along with probably a dozen other teams. There was some talk that the Phillies were going to sign him before the workout today to keep other teams away, but apparently they don't want Benson that bad. Benson would be a fine addition, although no one should be counting on him to pitch every fifth day. Benson isn't much of an upgrade over Adam Eaton, really.

*Kyle Lohse. Could that other pitcher be Kyle Lohse? The Phillies still say they have not ruled out re-signing him, but it would have to be at the right price. In other words, they will only sign him to a bargain deal. If the Phillies want to be competitive this year, signing Lohse should be a top priority, because not only does it give them a starter they can depend on, but it also keeps him away from the Mets. If the Phillies allow him to sign with New York, that makes the division even more of an uphill battle.

*Joe Blanton. Just throwing this out there. The A's pitcher is believed to be on the trading block, with the Dodgers, Red Sox and Reds all believed to be interested. Might the Phillies get involved? Doubtful, but he would look good in a Phillies red. They would probably have to find Jon Leiber's old uniform, it's probably the only one big enough for Blanton.

*Minor Moves. The Phillies avoided arbitration by signing Eric Bruntlett, acquired in the Brad Lidge deal, to a one year, 600,000 dollar contract. Bruntlett is expected to be a utility infielder who will be used as a defensive replacement only. He is not strong with the bat. The Phillies also released pitcher Anderson Garcia to make room for Pedro Feliz on their 40 man roster. Garcia is not a good pitcher, as he sported a 4.98 ERA in Triple A last year. He will not be missed.

*Stay Tuned. Next week, I will be starting more regular Phillies posts. I will also be doing an in-depth season preview, breaking down the Phillies and the rest of the division position-by-position.

Flyers Shut Out at Home by Rangers' Back-Up Goalie......Again

Steve Valiquette has the Flyers number. For the second time in ten days, the Rangers backup goalie shut the Flyers out, and New York got two power play goals to defeat the Flyers 2-0. The new Flyer lines, which I discussed in my previous post, did very little to generate offense. Even the Flyers vaunted power play, one of the best in the league, couldn't get anything going. It's even worse that this happened on their home ice, again. The Rangers have now won 11 of their last 12 games at the Wachovia Center. The Flyers also have fallen behind the Penguins and into second place in the Atlantic, although they still have a few games in hand on the rest of the division.

The lone "highlight" of the game came in the second period, when a good ol' fashioned hockey brawl broke out. It started ugly, as Linesman Pat Dapuzzo was accidentally sliced in the face by Steve Downie's skate. Everyone on the ice started fighting, with three pretty good slugfests going on at once. Riley Cote and Colton Orr, Steve Downie and Fedor Tyutin, and Jim Dowd and Ryan Hollweg all went at it. Of course, with one Linesman down, it was very difficult for officials to break it all up. Dapuzzo tried to help, but he was badly bloodied, and later would need 60 stitches.

Watch the highlights of the melee here, courtesy of The700level:

New Flyer Lines and the Daily Foppa

A quick update before today's game:

*New Flyer Lines. With the injury to Scottie Upshall and the return of Joffrey Lupul, the Flyers will have a new look on their top two lines:

Gagne Richards Lupul
Hartnell Briere Downie
Umberger Carter Knuble
Cote Dowd Kapanen

Both of the top lines are a good mix of scoring and energy, so if these guys develop some chemistry the Flyers should remain potent.

*The Daily Foppa. New information about Peter Forsberg seems to come out every few hours. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren made the following comments about the superstar:

"If Peter is not healthy, he will not come back to the NHL. I have full confidence in that...... I don't think he would come back unless he feels he can play at the level he needs to play. That's his big thing. He was embarrassed last year. . . . He doesn't want to put himself in that position again."

All signs point to the fact that if Forsberg is healthy, he will be signing with the Flyers. The only thing keeping him away right now is his health. The longer this situation takes, the more concerned we should all be getting. If Foppa doesn't know by now if he is healthy enough to play, how is he going to know next week?

Flyers News and Notes

The Flyers have an off-day today before their big game against the Rangers, but there have been a lot of news and rumors circulating.

*Injury News: Scottie Upshall is sidelined 7 to 10 days after spraining his ankle against the Capitals on Wednesday. His energy will be missed, although Joffrey Lupul might be returning to the ice on Saturday against the Rangers.

*New Lines?: Due to the injuries, the Flyers will need to shuffle their lines a bit, and John Stevens has said that he might want to split up Simon Gagne and Danny Briere. The two have not had the same chemistry they started the season with, although most of that is due to Gagne's injuries. Stevens said he might put Gagne with Mike Richards. I think Briere and Gagne should stay on the same line, because they are going to be counted on to be the top scorers in the playoffs.

*Forsberg!: The Canucks and Wild are two teams that Forsberg has not crossed off his list, and they both are interested in his services. The Wild owner was in Nashville last season, so he has an interest in bringing Foppa to his new team. The Flyers are still considered the front-runner, and word has spread that they have already bought a bunch of medical supplies in preparation of his return. Forsberg must make his decision soon since he has to be on a roster by the trade deadline, February 26th, or he won't be able to suit up in the playoffs.

*Trade Rumors: With the trade deadline coming, there is some speculation as to what the Flyers are going to do. Their one main need is for a defenseman, and one player mentioned is Rob Blake of the Kings. The Flyers would need to clear some cap space, and this piece speculates that Sami Kapanen, Upshall and Mike Knuble might be moved. Of course, I have also heard completely out there rumors that the Flyers want to trade Jeff Carter for Mats Sundin, but don't hold your breath. With the deadline fast approaching, we are going to hear a ton of unfounded rumors.

To get us all psyched up for a possible Forsberg return, here is his famous shoot-out goal from the 1994 Olympics. It's a little bit grainy, but you can tell that's a young, agile Foppa that we won't be getting.

Rodney Carney's Dunk over D-Wade

This one deserves its own post. Here is the dunk from last nights game where Rodney Carney posterizes Dwayne Wade.



One of the best dunks I have seen in a while.
Wade had his revenge later in the game, although he got called for taunting:

Sixers Rip Shaq-less Heat

The Sixers took advantage of the short-handed Heat, who have shipped out Shaquille O'Neal and are still waiting for the arrival of Shawn Marion, with a 101-84 win. The game was pretty close until the fourth quarter when the Sixers pulled away. They got solid performances from the Andre's, with Iguodala scoring 25 points and adding 8 boards, and Miller, who continues to have stellar all-around games, chipped in 21 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. The man who has taken some criticism from me lately, Reggie Evans (I called him the worst starter in the NBA), had a good game with 14 rebounds. He didn't start, though, and has proven to be a great spark off the bench. He is a high energy guy, so he adds more to the team when he can come in and pick guys up or help to erase a sluggish start.

The Sixers have two very winnable games coming up, with a certain loss sandwiched in between. They face the last place Clippers, the Mavericks and then the last place Grizzlies in their next three games. Philly is only, gasp!, a 1/2 game out of a playoff spot right now, and although it would hurt them in the long run because they won't get a lottery pick, if this team was to make the playoffs, it would do a lot to lift the spirits of the young guys who have been hustling all year.

Eagles Slap L.J. with Franchise Tag

Maybe the Eagles are making good on Donovan McNabb's call for more playmakers. The teams leading receiver from the tight end position for the last 5 years, L.J. Smith was given the franchise tag by the Eagles today, ensuring that he will be an Eagle next year. The Eagles will be returning this "playmaker", who had a whopping 22 catches and one touchdown in an injury riddled 2007 season, at a price of about 4.5 million. L.J. probably isn't happy with this, as he figured to garner some interest, and a multi-year deal, from other teams looking for a tight end this offseason.

While this might not be a popular move, bringing L.J. back into the fold makes sense at this price. Scouring over the possible free agent tight ends, there isn't much out there to get excited about. The tight end position is very important in the Eagles offense, so at least they will have a guy they can trust who has had some success in the system in the past. The Eagles seem to be gearing up for one last good run with all of their veterans in place, so this move makes sense from that angle. For those that are disappointed with having him another year, name some possible tight ends that the Eagles could have acquired instead. He is the right player at the right price, and will most likely be gone after next season. Let's hope he returns to his 2005/2006 form, and starts finding the end zone more often.

Flyers Lose on Ron Hextall Night

The Flyers played with grit and determination, just like the man they honored tonight always played, but they still fell short of the win. The Flyers lost 4-3 to the Washington Capitals, fighting back with two late third period goals to make it an interesting finish. The Flyers got two power play goals, one from the red hot Mike Knuble and the other by Randy Jones. The Flyers actually out shot the Capitals, but Washington continued their solid play against Philly the last few years. They have won six of their last eight against the Flyers.

The Flyers had a sure goal by Scott Hartnell that was waived off earlier in the game because the refs said that the goalie was pushed into the net. Even after a lengthy video replay, the Flyers were not awarded the goal. I watched the game through the Capitals feed, and even their announcers said the goal should have counted, so the Flyers probably should have had this game tied. Oh well, I guess just like Ron Hextall, the Flyers fell a little short of winning the big one!

*More Forsberg News! Foppa continues to cross teams off of his list. Forsberg told the Stars, Red Wings, Sharks, Penguins and Flames that he would not play for them. That leaves 25 more options for Forsberg, with the Flyers and Avalanche being the top two contenders. There are still some grumblings that the Rangers are in the hunt, but unless they start getting competitive, they won't be able to offer Forsberg the Cup run he wants. Stay tuned, he is expected to make his decision within the week!

Finally, I will leave you with a video of our beloved Ron Hextall, doing one of the things we loved him for, sticking it to Chris Chelios:

What are the Suns Thinking?

This has nothing to do with Philly sports, but this trade is too big for me not to comment on. In case you haven't turned on the radio or ESPN in the last 24 hours, rumors are flying about a huge trade that will send Shaquille O'Neal from the Heat to the Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. Apparently this deal is going to happen, pending a physical by Shaq, which there is no guarantee the beat up center will actually pass. The trade makes a lot of sense for the last-place Miami Heat, because they can get rid of Shaq's huge contract and they acquire Marion's expiring contract. The Heat will end up with a ton of money to spend in the offseason, and a high draft pick, as they will re-tool around Dwyane Wade.
But, why are the Phoenix Suns doing this deal? The Suns are currently in first place, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Lakers, and have been playing well recently. The Suns are known for their run-and-gun offense, and they average nearly 110 points a game. The team's offense runs through the quickness and floor vision of Steve Nash. So why are they adding the slowest player in the NBA to their roster? How are they going to be a fast-break team if they have to play 5 on 4 on the offensive end half the time because Shaq is still lumbering down the floor? The only way this works is if they change their whole offensive game plan whenever Shaq is on the court. But is Shaq good enough to run an offense through anymore? Shaq has been terrible this year, and is quickly losing all of his already limited skills. Yes, the guy was one of the best centers in NBA history, but he is long past his prime. Maybe the Suns want to be able to play better playoff basketball, because their system has yet to win them a championship, but I really don't think Shaq is the answer.
Shawn Marion has been an annoyance for the last few years, and I am sure they are glad to get rid of him, but the Phoenix Suns are making a mistake with this deal. An over-the-hill Shaquille O'Neal will only take them out of the style of play that has made them successful the last few years. This trade might be a reactionary one after the Lakers made the deal for Pau Gasol. making the L.A. a formidable team in the West. It looks like one of those deals that teams make just to make a splash, because the Suns are definitely acquiring a large, square peg to fit into their round hole.

A Good Day in Philadelphia Sports

No, the Phillies didn't go out and get that starting pitcher they need so badly. No, the Eagles didn't add a big play-making receiver. And, no, Peter Forsberg hasn't yet decided where he is going to play.
However, there was good news on the court and on the ice tonight, as both the Sixers and Flyers won on the same day for the first time in what seems like months. Both teams have been on somewhat of a roll lately, with the Sixers having won 3 of their last 5 (which is really good for them) and the Flyers won their 14th in 18 games.
In a mirror image of yesterday's game against the Hawks, the Sixers had a 17-0 run in the fourth quarter to defeat the Arenas-less Wizards. The Sixers took advantage of the short-handed Wizards as they got sloppy and missed several shots to let Philly back into the game. Andre Miller had another solid outing with 14 assists and 11 points.
The Flyers game was close the whole way, with the Flyers needing a goal in the final five minutes of the game by the scrappy Steve Downie to secure the victory. Antero Nittymaki, who for some reason has owned the Thrashers, going 8-0 against them, played well in goal and Mike Richards added a goal and an assist.
Philly sports fans should be happy with the two wins today, let's hope these teams can continue to keep things interesting until pitchers and catchers report in 8 days.

Sixers Blow Big Early Lead

The Sixers just keep finding new ways to lose. They jumped out to 20 point lead in the first quarter of tonight's game against the Atlanta Hawks, only to have the Hawks quickly bounce back and pull the game close by halftime. The Sixers ended up losing 96-91. Josh Smith of the Hawks had a monster game, almost getting a quadruple double, with 19 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 9 blocked shots. Andre Miller also had a box score stuffing performance, netting 29 points along with 6 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.
A loss to the Hawks is never a good thing, but these Hawks are a little better than they have been in previous years. They are young and talented, with Joe Johnson and Josh Smith doing most of the scoring, and rookie Al Horford has been sensational and might go on to win Rookie of the Year. The Sixers look to bounce back tomorrow night against a resilient Wizards team that had been hot two weeks ago without Gilbert Arenas, but has since lost 4 of their last 5.

Ravens Not Interested in McNabb?

The Baltimore Ravens may not want Donovan McNabb after all. After reports came out a few days ago that the Ravens were going to go after McNabb, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome denied any interest, saying:

"We have not had one meeting to discuss any personnel on our team or anyone else's team.....we've been very busy hiring assistant coaches."

Newsome even went on to say that the team doesn't even have a quarterback coach yet, and therefore the team has not discussed who their quarterback was going to be. Nice try, but I don't believe that line of reasoning at all. There is no way a team would wait to figure out who will play their most important position until they hire an assistant coach.

So what are we supposed to believe? This is the exact reaction I would expect the Ravens to have, it's not like they are going to come out and say exactly what their plans are and risk losing any leverage in possible trades. My bet is they are going to pursue a quarterback, but they don't know if it will be through a trade, the draft or free agency. They will probably look into any quarterback who might be available, which may or may not include McNabb. I really don't see the Eagles making a deal unless they get an offer that completely blows them away, like three first round picks and a player or two.

An article from the Baltimore Sun about this situation is here.

A Giant Victory

I couldn't have been more wrong about my Super Bowl prediction, and I couldn't be more happy about it! The Giants, led by Little Eli, knocked off the supposedly unbeatable Patriots 17-14. It will probably go down as the biggest upset in Super Bowl history, or at least a close second to Joe Namath's victory in Super Bowl 3. There were so many surprises in the game, including the incredibly low score, the suddenly clutch Eli Manning, and the way the Giants made Tom Brady look almost human. The highlight of the game for me came on the game winning drive by the Giants, when Eli Manning evaded the rush, danced around the pocket and threw up a prayer to David Tyree, who subsequently caught the ball with one hand and his helmet. I knew from that point on that the Giants would find a way.

Looking back at my Super Bowl prediction, I listed 7 things that had to happen for the Giants to win. Let me re-visit those now:

1. Brady throws three picks Brady did not throw any, and in fact the Patriots only had one turnover the whole game, which didn't lead to any Giants points. Brady did not have a great game though, as the pressure from the Giants got to him and forced him to make a lot of bad throws.

2. Brady is sacked at least 5 times The Giants got to Brady exactly five times, and more importantly hit him on at least 6-8 other plays. The constant blitzing from all angles caused Brady to be out of rhythm and force a lot of poor passes. We can thank former Eagles assistant coach Steve Spagnuolo, the current Giants Defensive Coordinator, for his great game plan. It looked a lot like Jim Johnson's blitz packages that the Eagles employ.

3. Eli Manning throws zero interceptions Eli did throw one interception, but it was hardly his fault, as it went in and out of his receiver's hands. Manning played the game of his life, and this really was his first step towards greatness. This is one of those games we'll look back on in ten years and say it defined his career. Plus, now he and Peyton can race around Mississippi in their Super Bowl MVP Cadillac's.

4. The Giants rush for a combined 150 yards with Jacobs and Bradshaw I was way off on this one, as the Giants only ran for 91 total yards, with Eli getting 4 of them. The Giants only averaged 3.5 yards per carry. The point I was trying to make with this one was that the Giants needed to control the ball for much of the game. They ended up winning the time of possession battle, but only barely (30:27-29:33).

5. The Giants hold the Patriots to under 30 points Isn't it funny how Plaxico predicted the Patriots would only get 17 points, and then Tom Brady laughed at that idea, and the Patriots only end up with 14?!? Looking back at all the predictions that people made, Plaxico's might be the closest of all.

6. Randy Moss continues to sleep walk through the playoffs Moss played better, but still didn't have a big game, with only 5 catches for 62 yards and a score. He was invisible in the first half of the game, and never got any really big plays. The Giants did an excellent job of taking away any of the big plays that the Patriots love to make. Again, it was all of the pressure put on Brady.

7. Wes Welker breaks his leg Welker came up big, with 11 catches. That little guy was open on nearly every play, and has a knack for getting like 10 yards after the catch every time. The Giants couldn't stop him, but they stopped everyone else.

So of those 7 things, only 2 of them actually happened, although I was close on a few others. The Giants defense really won the game for them. This was a Patriots team that routinely put up 40 points back in October, and the Giants limited them to only two touchdowns. They really dominated the play, and although no one would say that the Giants were the best team this year, they certainly were the better team on Sunday, when it mattered. As an Eagles fan, I can't stand the Giants, but it was great to see them put an end to the Patriots perfect season. Now I hope Eli goes back to his normal self and the Eagles beat them twice next year.

My Super Bowl Prediction

It's finally time for me to step up and make my own prediction. I had a post yesterday that had a list of a bunch of "experts" and their predictions for the big game, and now I will chime in with my own thoughts.

First of all, is there any chance the Giants win? I say no, unless the following things happen:
1. Brady throws three picks (just like the AFC Championship game)
2. Brady is sacked at least 5 times (He was only sacked once when they played back in Week 17)
3. Eli Manning throws zero interceptions (good luck with that one)
4. The Giants rush for a combined 150 yards with Jacobs and Bradshaw
5. The Giants hold the Patriots to under 30 points
6. Randy Moss continues to sleep walk through the playoffs (He has only 2 catches)
7. Wes Welker breaks his leg (He had 11 catches last time they played)

If all of those things happen, it would be a close game. The Patriots played one of their worst games of the season back in Week 17 when these two teams met, and they still pulled out the victory. The Giants played their best game, and lost. The week off also probably killed most of the momentum the Giants had following all of those road victories. Finally, can you really trust Eli Manning? 2 months ago, his career was about to go into the tank. He was one of the 10 worst starting quarterbacks in the league. He has miraculously turned things around, and even hasn't thrown an interception yet in the playoffs. That probably means he is due.

My prediction: Patriots 34, Giants 20. The Giants score a late touchdown to make the score seem closer than it really is. Tom Brady is the MVP with three touchdown passes, two of them to Wes Welker. Most of America turns off the game right before Tom Petty performs, as the game is 27-10 at the half.

Belichick Could be Suspended for One Year!?

A report has surfaced from Sal Paolantonio of ESPN that if the latest allegations against the Patriots taping the Rams walk-through at Super Bowl XXXVI turn out to be true, he will be suspended for a full year. Turns out that after what happened with the Jets earlier in the year, Commissioner Roger Goodell warned Belichick that the next time something like this happens, he will be suspended. That could make today's game his last with the Patriots. For more, read the article over at ProFootballtalk.com.

This is huge news, and a suspension of a full year would be unprecedented. If the Patriots are found to have cheated again, they deserve whatever they get. I have a hunch that Belichick will just retire after the game today, rather than take any more penalties from the NFL. I would not expect this to affect his coaching ability, if anything it might make him more hungry to go out a winner.

Ravens Going After McNabb?

The Baltimore Ravens want to upgrade their quarterback position, and they may be targeting Donovan McNabb. Chris Mortenson of ESPN reports that the Ravens are going after our quarterback, and may be willing to offer up their number 8 pick in the draft this year. Mortenson does not report that the Eagles are interested, simply that the Ravens are willing to "do what it takes" to get a solid quarterback for next year. Remember, too, that the Ravens hired former Eagle coach Jim Harbaugh to be their head coach, so there is a connection there. For my take on this situation, read my previous article, Weighing in on McNabb. Needless to say, if the Eagles do make this deal, they better get a standout receiver or lineman with that 8th pick.

Flyers Bounce Back

The Flyers bounced back from a poor effort against the Rangers by shutting out the Stanley Cup Champs 3-0. Like always, the Flyers were outshot (27-25), but Martin Biron was strong in goal, stopping everything the Ducks could muster. The Flyers offense was all provided by Mike Knuble, who had the first hat trick of his career. This is surprising, considering he has topped 30 goals in a season twice in his 11 year career. Knuble has been playing on a checking line with R.J. Umberger and Jeff Carter for the last few weeks, so it has been great to see that he is combining strong defensive play with his scoring touch. On the fighting front, Riley Cote continued to prove his worth by squaring off with Ducks tough guy George Parros. Even though Cote was soundly beaten in the scrap, he has continually shown that he is willing to fight anyone, anywhere. Cote will continually find himself in the line-up for the Flyers, even when everyone is healthy, if he maintains this level of toughness.

*Yes, more Forsberg! Another day, another piece of news on Peter Forsberg. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren hopped on a plane to Sweden to go and talk to Forsberg. Everything is being set into motion, and I bet by the end of next week, Foppa will be wearing the orange and black again. The only question will be what number he will wear, seeing as how Jason Smith has #21 already.

A Smattering of Super Bowl Predictions

Here are a bunch of predictions for the Super Bowl from experts and analysts from various sources:

Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Patriots 34-27
Dr Z, Sports Illustrated: Giants 24-20
John Clayton, ESPN: Patriots 38-24
Len Pasquarelli, ESPN: Patriots 31-20
Tom Jackson, ESPN: Patriots 31-21
Ron Jaworski, ESPN: Patriots 41-21
Bill Simmons, ESPN Sports Guy: Patriots 42-17
Jeremy Green, Scouts Inc: Patriots 27-23
Keith Kidd, Scouts Inc: Patriots 27-20
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Patriots 34-24
Mike Greenberg, ESPN Radio: Giants 24-23
Mike Golic, ESPN Radio: Patriots 31-24
Plaxico Burress, New York Giant: Giants 23-17
Princess the Camel: Giants Win

As you can see, you need to either be a fossil (just how old is Dr Z now anyway?), know little to nothing about sports (I can't remember a prediction Greeny got right), looking to pump your team up (and subsequently giving the Patriots even more of a reason to be fired up....way to go Plaxico) or be a camel to pick the Giants to win the Super Bowl.

Will I go the way of the camel?? My prediction coming soon!

Sixers Volunteer Coach Aaron McKie Traded to Memphis

It's not every day that a coach gets traded, and it's even more rare when that coach is traded and the team he works for isn't even involved in the trade. Local guy and former Sixer Aaron McKie was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Pau Gasol trade yesterday. Apparently McKie never filed his retirement papers and the Lakers were the last team he played for, so he was still their property. The Lakers needed to move him to make the salaries even out in the trade, so they signed him to a contract and then shipped him out. Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni, a forward on the Sixers last championship team, said that McKie will fill a player/coach role with Memphis. McKie had been working with the young guys on the Sixers, and apparently was playing a lot in practice to stay in shape. I bet McKie plays the rest of the year in Memphis, seeing limited action, and then comes back to the Sixers in a coaching role next year.

*Read Marc Narducci's Inquirer article about it here. The most interesting item from the article was that the Sixers are still paying McKie from a contract they signed him to several years ago. Aaron McKie, the Memphis Grizzlie, is being payed 7 million dollars by the Sixers this year. Gotta love Billy King.

Flyers Demolished by Rangers

In a game that was painful to watch, the Flyers were shut out by the Rangers, 4-0. The Rangers netted the 4 goals all before the 2 minute mark in the second period. All of the goals were scored on Antero Niitymaki before he was pulled from the game for Martin Biron. Niitymaki didn't play terribly, the defense in front of him, especially Jim Vandermeer, who was a -3 for the game. Offensively, the Flyers never got much of anything going and only managed 20 shots in the game. It was especially disheartening considering the Flyers were shut out not by the Rangers All-Star goalie, Henrik Lundqvist, but by their seldom-used back-up, Stephen Valiquette. Watch highlights of the game here, if you dare.
The Flyers still stand atop the Atlantic Division, but with the Ducks coming to Philly on Saturday, they are going to have to step it up to stay there.

*Obligatory Forsberg Update
Peter Forsberg finally announced today that he plans on returning to the NHL. He told his agent to start talking to teams about a contract. The top three teams I keep reading about in rumors are the Flyers, Red Wings and Avalanche. That Rangers rumor from the other day looks to be bogus. Click here for an interesting article by TSN insider Bob McKenzie on Foppa's impending return.