tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39113428621814307812023-06-21T00:03:29.499-04:00Keith's KornerKeithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-39414339079875989152018-05-03T09:50:00.003-04:002018-05-03T09:50:53.337-04:00Should the Sixers be even better?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In all the Euphoria over the Sixers current playoff run, all
the accolades tossed, and deservedly so, In Brett Brown’s direction, no one
seems to be taking to task the man who has all but dismantled the process, Bryan
Colangelo. He has squandered so many of the assets the process’ architect, Sam
Hinkie, carefully acquired, it is not to be believed. I will be generous in my
scoring: He traded Nerlens Noel, the sixth pick in the draft, the first piece
in the process, for Justin Anderson, an energy player, one deep on the bench,
but at least a contributor. Noel has played his way out of Dallas, overvaluing
his skill, so let’s call this a win for Colangelo. He drafted Ben Simmons with
the first pick in the draft. A big win, but one that anyone, and I mean anyone,
who has the first pick in the draft would have gotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He traded Jerami Grant for Jump shooting
power forward Ersan Ilyasova, filling a need for the Sixers, then inexplicably
traded him away in the same season, for Tiago Splitter, who never contributed
at all. He then, rather than taking whatever offer he had in place for the
number three pick Jahlil Okafor last season, held on to him until this season,
then traded for 30 year old bench player Trevor Booker, who Colangelo then
released to pick up…Ersan Ilyasova. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially
giving away the number three pick in the draft for a player he already had
given away for free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(He does deserve
credit for picking up Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli after buyouts, but those two
practically begged to come here to join Brown (certainly not Colangelo)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, and most damning, he traded an extra first-round
pick to move up two spots to the number one pick in the draft and grab Markelle
Fultz, who, it appears, is a wasted pick. If he had stayed at three, he could
have drafted Jayson Tatum, last seen dropping 28 points on the Sixers in game
one of their playoff series, to fill a position of need, or, as the Celtics
insist, their target was Tatum all along, they could have remained at three,
still drafted Fultz, and retained the first-round pick. As hated as Hinkie was
around the rest of the league, and as difficult as future trades may have
become I can’t imagine that he would have squandered the Sixers assets so
wantonly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-81446272492039711782016-02-03T12:04:00.000-05:002016-02-03T12:04:53.373-05:00Say It Ain't So<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rumor has it that the National League is considering adopting the abomination that is the DH. I know I'm tilting at windmills, but please, please don't let it happen. Having the DH removes a large part of the strategy from baseball. If your pitcher is throwing a great game, but trailing 1-0 and his spot comes up in the seventh inning, do you remove him for a pinch hitter to try to score some runs and risk turning the game over to your suspect bullpen? If the DH is in place, not even a choice.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have heard that it makes a place for all those good hit, no field players (Ryan Howard, anyone?)...but again, baseball has always had that trade-off...do you squeeze Daniel Murphy into a position for which he is ill-suited (second base) to get that bat in your lineup? You may get homer runs in six straight postseason games, but you'll also get a key error in the World Series. It is part of the strategy of baseball, one of the components that can spark endless debate and second-guessing, and for me makes it the most interesting of sports.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The player's union will argue that it creates extra jobs for one-dimensional players. I have a suggestion. Eliminate the DH in both leagues, but add a 26<sup>th</sup> roster spot. This will create extra jobs without removing a key strategic element from the game. Please don't let this plague spread to the National League.</div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-16588156344849591312015-03-11T14:50:00.004-04:002015-03-11T14:50:51.357-04:00What is Chip Kelly thinking?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Chip Kelly is certainly keeping things interesting with
the Eagles. In a time when the Sixers are following “the process” leading them
to the number one pick in the draft, the Flyers are throwing away whatever slim
chance they had for a playoff spot as they too prepare for a rebuild, the
Phillies are embarking on rebuilding season that at best, leaves them three
years from contention, the Eagles are making headlines seemingly every other
minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The release of the two longest tenured team members, Todd
Herremans and Trent Cole, along with starting corner Cary Williams, plus the
free agent departure of top receiver Jeremy Maclin and the expected departure
of defensive backs Bradley Fletcher and Nate Allen were just the prelude to the
two most shocking moves. The trade of Eagles all-time leading rusher LeSean McCoy
to Buffalo and quarterback Nick Foles to St. Louis. That leaves the Eagles with
four new starters on both offense and defense minimum (more if linebacker Kiko
Alonso replaces Demeco Ryans as expected), all from a team that won 10 games
each of the last two years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">All the moves can be justified, some replacing aging
talent (Cole, Herremans), some as salary cap savings (McCoy, Williams) where
the price tag doesn’t justify the return, with the exception of the quarterback
swap, Nick Foles for Sam Bradford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Kelly must really think Bradford is that much better than
Foles, or will be with his coaching. Bradford is making almost 20 time the salary
of Foles, has missed 31 of a potential 80 games due to injury, and has not won
anywhere near the percentage of the games he’s started when compared with
Foles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To call Bradford<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a complete bust as the number one pick in the
draft s a little harsh, his stats are decent for such a bad team, when he did
play,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but I still don't see it. Is his
arm that much stronger? Is he that much more accurate (his completion
percentage is lower than Foles’) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or has
that much quicker a release? Maybe that rumored swap of first picks is still in
the mix somehow, pending some future transaction, and Kelly is trying to keep
people from finding out what he's up to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">If not, it’s quite a gamble, Kelly has paid a huge price,
both in dollars and talent, in the hopes that Bradford will stay healthy and
that Kelly will be able to bring to the fore the promise that made Bradford the
number one pick in the draft.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-67585889638868036272014-07-30T14:58:00.001-04:002014-07-30T14:58:01.803-04:00Phil's Approach Pales in Comparison to Sixers
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Phillies have been trying to hang on to their glory
years, keeping their well beyond their prime stars after having devastated their
farm system in the attempt to stay on top after their 2008 World Series
Victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their recent signings have been
older players such as A.J. Burnett and Marlon Byrd, players whose contacts will
expire at approximately the same time as the core 4 of Utley, Rollins, Howard,
and Ruiz (along with Lee and Papelbon). At that time, the cupboard will be
bare. The farm system has failed to produce viable replacements, with such disappointments
as Domonic Brown, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Freddy Galvis, and Cesar
Hernandez, and utter failures such as Sebastian Valle, Tyson Gillies, and Tommy
Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Cody Asche and a few of the
bullpen arms (Justin DeFratus, Jake Diekman, Mario Hollands, and Ken Giles)
show promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farm system was also
devastated by high risk/high reward draft picks the Phillies made when they
were drafting low in the order thanks to all their first division finishes. Few
of these panned out, others are years away, leaving the cupboard bare at the
upper levels. Recent drafts have focused on more major league ready players,
but no one ready to step in to help today, or even tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Additionally, the training in the system has to be
questioned, when so few prospects appear to be major league ready when they do
arrive, some, such as Domonic Brown, display a shocking lack of knowledge of
how to play the game, running poor routs in the outfield, swinging at the first
pitch after the opposing pitcher has walked three in a row, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Phillies are in a bind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other teams are locking up young stars before
they become free agents, and trades are difficult with nothing to send back
except high contracts. The only real solution is the long route, draft well,
focus on development, and perhaps step up international scouting and signing.
Unlike the Sixers, the Phillies future is not so rosy, even for a few years
down the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-44161964310340027402014-06-30T14:21:00.000-04:002014-06-30T14:21:07.775-04:00A Tale of Two Approaches
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In Philadelphia,
two of the 4 “major” sports franchises are in rebuilding mode, the main
difference is only one will admit to being in such a state. The Sixers are flat
out admitting they are rebuilding, all their energies are focused on the future.
The Phillies are in denial, insisting they are trying to win now with the aging
remnants of their 2008 World Series champions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both are losing (or expect to lose once the season starts) games at a
rapid pace. The difference? The Sixers have told the fans what they are
attempting, and so far, their actions have been in support of their words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last season amounted to an extended tryout of
young players, (not a tanking of the season as many in the media have called
it) many of whom had been first round draft picks of other teams (usually draft
picks of good teams that picked well after the lottery picks). These players
had trouble cracking the starting lineup of their playoff contending teams, but
they were first round picks for a reason. The Sixers may have found a few
keepers amidst all the losing, players such a s Tony Wroten, Hollis Thompson,
Henry Sims, and James Anderson, players who may never be stars but still be valuable
role players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, last year
they<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had two lottery picks in the draft,
one of whom, Michael Carter-Williams was rookie of the year, and one, who most
likely would have been the number one pick in the draft if he hadn’t been
injured, Nerlens Noel. The Sixers provide Noel an entire season to heal and
develop his game, without the pressure of having to win now. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Al the losing pushed them into the draft lottery again, of
course, once again, with two picks. This time, they again selected the player expected
to go number one but for an injury, Joel Embiid, and once again will likely
give him an entire season to recover. Additionally, they shrewdly selected a
point guard coveted by another team, then traded him for a more talented
forward plus an additional future first round pick. This forward, Dario Saric. like
Embiid, will likely not play for the team this year, preferring to hone his
game in Turkey before joining the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Sixers, despite having Noel for this season, will likely
continue losing without help from this year’s draft, landing them in the
lottery once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next year, they
should have Carter-Williams, Noel, Embiid, their 2015 fist round pick, and
perhaps holder Thaddeus Young in their lineup, with Saric due from Turkey the
year after that, just as these high picks start to become veteran NBA players,
and hopefully stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pain of losing
now is paving eh way to a bright future. Tomorrow, I’ll contrast that with the Phillies
approach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-23752125002257599472014-05-09T08:53:00.002-04:002014-05-09T08:53:11.975-04:00Eagles Trade First Round pick for two Third Rounders<span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;">I'm not sure trading a first round pick for two third round picks was the best idea. Okay, Okay, I know technically Marcus Smith was a first rounder, but almost no one had him rated higher than a second rounder. I wanted Marqise Lee at 22, when he was still there at 26 I thought they were brilliant, then I, heard the commissioner say Marc...wait...what? Who?<br />
<br />
<br />
So much for taking the best available player and not reaching for need (yes, a pass rusher was a need). It was just this kind of drafting, the we're smarter than everyone else mindset, that ended the Andy Reid era.<br />
<br />
Let's hope the Eagles are right and everyone else is wrong, but somehow, I don't think so.</span></span>Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-91391916443580921422014-04-30T23:17:00.001-04:002014-04-30T23:17:28.778-04:00This is how the season ends, not with a bang, but a whimper...Well, perhaps not a whimper, but a horrible second period. the Flyers started game seven against the Rangers strong, flying around, forechecking like demons, finishing checks, so strong in fact, that it appeared to be only a matter of time before they pushed on past Rangers goalie Henrik Lundquist. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so, and this failure seemed to leave them dispirited. they came out so flat in the second period, were so sloppy and so disorganized that only the stellar play of goalie Steve Mason kept it from being 5 or 6 to 0 entering the third instead of the actual score of 2-0. <br />
The Flyers came back in the third, carrying play for most of the period, but were only able to push one goal past Lundquist, and that was that, time for the season ending handshakes.<br />
<br />
Every year, I root for the Flyers to win the Stanley Cup, and failing that, I root for whoever knocks out the Rangers (this year, I may be in the unhappy position of rooting for Sydney Crosby and the Penguins).<br />
At least it appears the Flyers may have found their answer to their never ending goalie problems in Steve Mason. Let's hope so as they retool in the offseason once again.<br />
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-35046706501005682962014-03-31T15:01:00.002-04:002014-03-31T15:01:46.440-04:00Opening Day!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Opening Day, is here at last, after the winter that seemed
as if it would never end. The joy that usually accompanies this annual rite of
spring is somewhat tempered by the doom and gloom forecast for this 2014
edition of the Phillies. Most prognosticators are picking the Phillies to
finish 4th, with some going so far as to pick them dead last, below even the
lowly Marlins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This forecast is likely
going to be accurate, but, being of an optimistic nature, I’m going to go the
other way. I think the Phillies, despite their age, are going to be healthy.
And if they are healthy, they have the potential to be quite formidable. If the
core four of Howard, Utley, Rollins, and Ruiz can play 130 games each, and can
perform at 80% of their best, they form a strong lineup. Couple that with
Marlon Byrd, who seemed to put it all together last year, an experienced
Domonic Brown, who won’t be expected to carry the offense this year, and young
players Ben Revere and Cody Asche and the offense could be much stronger than
anyone anticipates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rotation with Lee, Hamels, and Burnett , has three
starters that match up with anyone, while Kendrick and Hernandez in the four
and five spots are equivalent to most other teams fourth and fifth starters.
They also have Jeff Manship and Jonathan Pettitbone waiting in the wings should
anyone falter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bullpen could actually be a strength for the Phillies this
year as some of the promising young arms that were baptized by fire the last
couple of years seem to have benefited from the experience, having shown signs
of putting it all together in spring training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
bench is still week, the rotation a little thin, and, if the injury bug strikes
again the Phillies aren’t deep enough to replace their stars, but if they
remain healthy, they could be stronger than anyone thinks, perhaps even strong
enough to prop that fabled window of opportunity open one last time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-44220809735523862412014-02-26T17:13:00.001-05:002014-02-26T17:13:30.667-05:00First Spring Game..at last!The Phils lost their spring training opener to the Toronto Blue Jays...but it matters not. Baseball is here, an despite all appearances that winter will never end, it will. For the Phils, hope springs eternal, and, despite absolutely no love from the national press, the Phils have a chance, if everything goes right, that is. Unfortunately, when relying on a team full of aging players, chances of everything going right and everyone remaining healthy are slim. Ruben Amaro had very little choice, however. Essentially, the entire team (with a few exceptions for the younger players and Cole Hamels) has contracts due to expire by the end of the 2015 season. Tied into the core 4 of Howard, Utley, Rollins and Ruiz, it made sense to sign aging but still productive players such as Marlon Byrd and A.J. Burnett to two year deals, by the end of which the core four will be all but gone, and, hopefully, Ruben will have young talent ready to step in plus dollars available to attract free agents to replace the expiring contracts. At least i hope that's the plan. As always with baseball, the truth will out in the end.Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-4171756362498360392014-01-08T15:39:00.001-05:002014-01-08T15:43:55.803-05:00Say it ain't so<span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><div dir="LTR">
<span style="font-size: large;">Two outs, two on in bottom of the ninth, Phils trail by a run, Utley at the plate....</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<br />
</span><div dir="LTR">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<br />
</span><div dir="LTR">
<span style="font-size: large;">"He really wants to get a hit here..."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<br />
How will we live without insights like that? Bye, Sarge.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helv;"><span style="font-family: Helv;">(I think I'm the only guy who liked Wheels, he gave a lot of details that I appreciated, real inside the game stuff...though it took me over 30 years to like him)</span></span></span></span></span><br />Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-419659387160062702014-01-02T09:20:00.001-05:002014-01-03T13:16:13.691-05:00Save the anger and say Thanks<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As a Penn State grad I was initially angry
when I heard Bill O’Brien was considering leaving Happy Valley for The NFL’s
Houston Texans. How could he abandon all those kids who stuck with the program
through all the sanctions, especially now that those sanctions were being
lifted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On further reflection, that’s
exactly why he can leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He guided the
team through the most difficult period, kept the players together though
overwhelming negativity, made the team relevant and a destination for
recruits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly, in so doing, he
polished his own resume, going from a relatively obscure offensive coordinator on the
New England Patriots, a person known in coaching circles but not considered to
be a prime head coaching candidate, to someone who became the frontrunner for
the best available NFL coaching vacancy. The Texans are a team most people consider likely to
rebound into the playoff contender they were expected to be during this injury ravaged
season, where everything that could go wrong did, with the first pick in the draft
in their back pocket to boot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Meanwhile,
Penn State is considered a prime job again, the scandal receding, the available
scholarships increasing, the character of the players impressive. The list of
potential coaching candidates contains the cream of the crop, something that
would have been unthinkable two years ago when O’Brien arrived. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Penn State’s football program is on solid ground
and should remain so in the future and we have Bill O’Brien to thank, so
instead of being angry, be thankful and optimistic, both Penn State and Bill O’Brien
have brighter futures thanks to their pairing over the last two years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-34564033805927158952013-12-31T14:06:00.001-05:002014-01-03T12:06:24.255-05:00Quite the Turnaround<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Eagles turnaround from worst to first was impressive for several reasons, the
fact that so many of the key players on the current roster were the same
players who came in last in 2012, the fact that an entirely new defensive
scheme was introduced, a bend-but-don’t break 3-4 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that was almost 180 degrees opposite from the previous
regime’s blitz-heavy 4-3, the fact that a new head coach with no NFL experience
was bringing all sorts of new philosophies (quick tempo, different practice
schedule, a reliance on sports science) to a team full of jaded NFL veterans
who were likely to rebel against this college coaches ideas, and, perhaps most
impressively, the team’s ability to gel despite the potentially fractious
nature of the Riley Cooper fiasco makes this division title all the more
remarkable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
losing their first four home games of the season the Eagles now have a home
playoff game, against the offensively prolific Saints, a tough matchup, but one
that should be easier for the Eagles to play in the cold of Philadelphia rather
than the Superdome in New Orleans where the Saints are almost unstoppable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Win or lose, it has been an incredible season
for Chip Kelly and the Eagles. The game Saturday night should continue this incredibly
entertaining season , one made even more so in comparison with the desultory
2012.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-53278803935550372072013-12-13T14:51:00.002-05:002013-12-13T14:51:51.144-05:00The “Blizzard Game’ shows difference between Kelly & Reid
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I love snow gams in the NFL , but for a while
it looked like it was really going to kill the Eagles in their game against the
Lions. The Eagles did nothing in the first half offensively. The passing game was
non-existent and it looked like Shady McCoy wouldn’t be able to employ his
patented jump cuts and direction changes with the footing so uncertain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even wanted them to play Polk with his power
running style instead of LeSean (good thing I'm not coaching). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kelly made adjustments at halftime, however,
changing to a running McCoy between the tackles and even taking advice from a
defensive back who suggested long post patterns, assuming correctly, that if he
couldn’t turn and run with a receiver their defenders wouldn’t be able to do so
either. Reid, for all his strengths, and his greatest was meticulous planning,
was unable to adjust quickly. Convinced his detailed gameplan was the right way
to attack a team, he stubbornly refused to adjust when the opponent provided evidence
to the contrary. Kelly, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on the other
hand, really seems to understand how to use his offensive personnel, and it appears
he lets the defensive coaches run the defense...imagine that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He's improving on his game management as well
(his early troubles seem to be from inexperience with the pro-game
(understandable) and because he was focusing on teaching his schemes to the
players (also understandable). Things bode well for the future, and they should
be able to concentrate on the defense in the draft (they are not terrible by
any means, but some more athletic secondary players would be nice). Of course,
if Johnny Manziel is there (he won't be), you still grab him. As good as Foles
has been playing, Manziel looks perfect for Kelly’s offense. I'd plan on keeping
Foles the starter going into 2014. If he falters next year, Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
should be coming out in 2015 and the Eagles we can try for him.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-42169506742095825382013-11-18T13:44:00.001-05:002013-12-13T14:51:31.899-05:00Chooch!<span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><div dir="LTR">
Can Pedro Feliz be far behind? How 'bout Burrell? (Shane is stuck winning championships in Boston, poor guy).</div>
<br />
I'm seriously very glad to have Ruiz back, he made the most sense for the Phils, and he can mentor whichever young catcher they bring along. He may not be able to catch 135 games any longer, but if he can catch 90 and , say Tommy Joseph can handle the other 72 while learning from the master the Phillies will be in fine shape. Ruiz' workload should diminish over the life of his 3 year deal, but he's well worth the cost in clubhouse leadership, fan support, and loyalty alone.<br />
<br />
Glad to have you here, Chooch.</span></span><br />Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-66890092431765695922013-10-30T17:05:00.001-04:002013-10-30T17:05:39.901-04:00World Series great baseball despite the absence of the PhilliesThe World Series, despite the absence of the Phillies, and in spite of the
presence of my least favorite team , the St. Louis Cardinals, whom I consider
to be the Dallas Cowboys of MLB, (I'll never forgive them for J.D. Drew, among
other transgressions), has been wonderful baseball. Two games ended on strange
plays you almost never see, well, at least not as game-ending plays, let alone
game-ending plays in the World Series, a walk –off fielder interference play in
game three, and a pinch runner, Kolten Wong, someone only getting the
opportunity to play in the World Series because they supposedly were a better
option the lame Allen Craig, instead getting picked off first base for a
walk-off pick-off in game four. The look on Carlos Beltran’s face as he stood
at home plate, the bat suddenly taken out of his hands, was priceless.<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
Otherwise, great pitching, great defense, David Ortiz so hot you are amazed
when he doesn’t get a hit…and, the one thing that to my mind, makes baseball
better than any other sport, you never run out of time. No matter how far you
get behind, you don’t lose until you make that third out in the ninth inning. Therefore,
especially in the playoffs, you never see anyone give up, there’s always a
chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, it’s what makes baseball
the best, by far. It’s almost over for the year. Catch it while you can.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-15421084380126040482013-09-30T21:50:00.002-04:002013-09-30T21:50:30.864-04:00Philadelphia Fallows?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Are Philadelphia sports
entering one of their all too frequent fallow periods? The Phillies missed the
playoffs for the second straight year, finishing with a losing record for the
first time since 2002, the Eagles are 1 and 3, just gave up 52 points in a
single game, and are struggling trying to implement a college system in the NFL,
and are attempting to play a type of defense their personnel are unsuited for.
The Flyers also missed the playoffs and start the season with an untested
goalie, and the Sixers, well, they are playing for the number one draft pick in
the NBA draft with a roster so bereft of talent that more fans may show up to
boo the owner for buying the Flyers hated rival the Jersey Devils than to
actually watch the team play. However, unlike previous periods, there actually
is some hope. The Phillies have the funds to remake their roster, the Eagles,
despite their numerous mistakes, are entraining and play in a division that I so
bad, a 1-3 record leaves them a mere one game out of first place. The Flyers
have a lot of young talent, one that could put it all together the way the
Phillies did in 2007, and the Sixers , instead of patching a mediocre roster,
have at least acknowledged the need to start over, and have acquired the draft
picks to do so. It may be a fallow period, but it is not one bereft of hope as
so many seasons in Philadelphia sports history have been.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-61338818415988549622013-08-28T15:40:00.001-04:002013-08-29T08:01:55.656-04:00With Charlie fired, what is the plan for next year?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">First of all, forget
the interim tag on Sandberg. He will be back. The young guys on the roster (and
maybe some of the vets too!) should consider this a tryout for 2014.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">2014
is not lost. The Phillies have potentially good pitching, though with a lot of
ifs (if Halladay comes back improved, and if anyone can, he can), plus Hamels,
Lee, Gonzalez, the Cuban defector, (if they actually finalize the signing, and
Kendrick back to #5 (He's a pretty good 5, not so good a 3). Additionally, I'd
resign Lannan as the swingman/sixth starter. As for their Achilles heel, the bullpen,
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. There are jobs available, and young,
strong arms to fill them, it depends who wants to take them (Diekman and
DeFratus seem to be making their moves right now).</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">If the Phils can
work in the young guys with the high priced vets, giving the older players some
rest and developing the younger guys for full time roles down the road it could
be a return to the good times. Rollins is still a good shortstop (with Galvis),
especially if Sandberg can keep him playing hard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Utley and more Hernandez at 2nd, Asche and
Maybe Franco at 3rd, and Howard/Ruf at 1st, plus Chooch as a part time starter
while mentoring the winner of the Joseph/Rupp/Valle competition next spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words I think the best bet is to hope
at least some of the stars can still play, but start working in the youth, maybe
add in an outfielder if possible via free agency, plus a bullpen piece or two and
they could be right back in the mix.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">The outlook is
workable, if still peppered with ifs, but definitely workable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-4264814876137685682013-07-31T10:25:00.001-04:002013-07-31T10:25:11.055-04:00Deadline Day<span style="color: black;">Today is the non-waiver trade deadline in MLB, and the Phillies are a mess. Their offense is almost non-existent, their bullpen is atrocious, and they are hampered by players with declining production and huge, untradeable contracts. Does this mean the Phillies are finished, that their fabled "window" of opportunity has slammed shut, dooming them to years of mediocrity at best? Not necessarily. Two year ago, the Red Sox were in the same position, and now they are once again leading the American League East. It took some creativity, but it can be done. The Phillies , like the Red Sox, are a large market team, with resources. It will take an overhaul, but, with some shrewd moves, keeping the right players, integrating the right rookies with their youthful enthusiasm into the lineup, and perhaps getting lucky and finding a trade partner to take some of the bad contracts (as the Red Sox did with the Dodgers), plus free agent signings and a change in their international signing policy (as recently exhibited with their lavish signing of Cuban defector Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez), the Phillies may turn it around quickly, perhaps as soon as next year. What happens today may be the start of this retooling.</span>Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-38832236397193536732013-06-28T16:14:00.001-04:002013-06-28T16:14:09.432-04:00Who from the “Pig Pen” will make It?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the past month the Phillies have been holding an open
audition in their bullpen, running one arm after the other from their Triple A
Farm team, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jobs are there for the taking, someone
from the “Pig Pen” will step up and claim them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Phillies bullpen, expected to be a
strength this year, with Papelbon anchoring in the closer role, big money free
agent Mike Adams signed to lock down the eighth inning, and sage veteran and
World Series component Chad Durbin returning to the fold to join holdover
lefthanded specialists Antonio Bastardo and Jeremy Horst, there were expected
to be just a few spots for the young arms being groomed in the minor leagues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well,” the best laid plans…” as they say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Durbin was frankly awful, and has since been
released. Horst wasn’t much better and is currently injured, Adams never really
was effective and is likely gone for the year, and the original best minor
league arm belonging to Phillipe Aumont <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was wild and ineffective. Since then, we’ve seen
Aumont sent down, and Justin Defratus, B.J. Rosenberg, Jake Diekman, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joe Savery and in the most recent surprise,
J.C Ramirez be given opportunities to varying degrees of effectiveness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rosenberg was sent back, Savery has been up
and down three times, and Aumont has returned (meaning two of the three players
received from Seattle for Cliff Lee (Aumont and Ramirez) are currently in the big
leagues).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The arms are strong, there
will be growing pains, and not all will succeed, but it will be fascinating
which of these young players becomes the real “piggy” and keeps a spot in the big
leagues all for himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-12422284752978907742013-05-29T08:58:00.001-04:002013-05-29T08:58:22.010-04:00What should the Phillies do?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">The
season has gone pretty much as expected for <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Phillies, who entered the 2013 season with
a lot of questions, questions that almost all needed to be answered in a
positive manner for them to contend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">Yes,
they needed to have everything go right, and, as expected, everything has not
gone right. Still, no one has really pulled away , and if things go well from
here on, they could still contend, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>especially if Carlos Zambrano has something left
in the tank. He's got to be better than Tyler Cloyd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">Should
the Phillies blow up them team and start over? Okay...how?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trade Cliff Lee (with apologies to Kyle Kendrick
and Jonathan Pettitbone, two things that have gone right) he has been their
best pitcher. sure, if they were offered Giancarlo Stanton I'd do it, but Miami
doesn't want an expensive player, so that won’t happen. Other than that or some
similar outlandish offer, I’d keep him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">Trade
Howard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not likely unless you pay almost
all of his salary, and even then you still won't get anyone. Might as well keep
him. Especially as he's a leader, good teammate, someone who can show the new
young guys the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">Trade
Rollins?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'd do it if the right offer
came...and it may. They seem to have a capable replacement in Galvis, they can
play Frandsen at second when Utley can't...intriguing, and worth exploring ,
wait for a contender who needs a shortstop and is willing to overpay.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">Trade
Utley? There's the rub. He's the leader, the kind of player you wish everyone
to emulate...but, he's older, brittle, and about to be a free agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You'd get something for him from a
contender...but Ii think getting rid of iconic players who are the face of the
team is a mistake, even though their production declines (Brian Dawkins anyone?)
Keep him to show the new wave of Phillies how it should be done.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">Trade
Kendrick?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe...his value is at an
all-time high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've always been a
supporter, thinking he was a valuable piece even as he was being pilloried by
the fanbase, but I still think he's a fourth starter at best, and if you can
get good value....I'd send him away, replace him with John Lannan when he comes
back from injury ...and begin building for the future with new guys surrounding
the old vets.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">The
Youngs? If you can get anything for either of them, do it and work their
replacements in from the minors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Darren
Ruf for Delmon, with Domonic Brown moving to rightfield, and Cody Asche at
third for Michael). These guys might help contenders, especially as they are on
one year deals so the buyer won't be stuck for long.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helv;">Bottom
line, I'd make some moves, and try to work more youth in around the core, so
not a complete blow-up. The Yankees and Red Sox never seem to completely go
with the youth movement, the try new pieces until they get it right and they
always seem to be contending. The Phillies could do the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-91515167303618343182013-04-30T15:04:00.000-04:002013-04-30T15:04:16.492-04:00Kelly plays it SafeIn the recently concluded 2013 NFL draft, new Eagles coach, and heralded offensive genius, Chip Kelly, played it straight down the middle...making the safe pick in almost every instance. The old football adages, build from the lines out, and pick the best athlete available regardless of position, certainly seemed in evidence. Taking Lane Johnson, a big, athletic, if inexperienced offensive tackle with the 4th pick in the draft, certainly followed this adage. Johnson, if ready, gives them the opportunity to return Todd Herremans to guard, have two large, bookends at offensive tackle, and motivate disappointing 2011 first round pick Danny Watkins to put up or shutup. If he's not ready, they can leave Herremans at tackle, continue with Watkins at guard, and wait until Johnson develops. Either way, a smart move. Second round pick, tight end Zack Ertz, while not a glaring need, has great potential in an offense that relies on match up problems created by tight ends. Third round pick Bennie Logan returns to the line, this time, the defensive line and appears to be a solid choice. Matt Barkley, who likely would have been a first round pick if he had entered the draft last year, has the potential to be an absolute steal in the fourth round, and may be the quarterback of the future. If not, he merely cost a fourth round pick. He will be given time to develop, and may blossom with solid coaching and without the pressure to perform immediately. Later picks were all solid, if not spectacular. All in all, safe picks...and maybe, just maybe, exactly what the Eagles need to return to perennial playoff contention.Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-53877918103480819332013-03-30T14:36:00.000-04:002013-03-30T14:36:07.384-04:00Opening Day Roster SetThe Phillies have released their opening day roster, and it contains few surprises. Once Darren Ruf showed his outfield defense was not ready for prime time, there really weren't many remaining position battles. Would Ender Inciarte, the rule 5 draftee who would have to be offered back to the Diamondbacks if he didn't remain on the roster claim the last outfield spot (at least until Delmon Young is ready to play), he did. Would Humberto Quintero or Steven Lerud be the backup to starting cather Eric Kratz until Carlos Ruis completes his 25 game suspension? It turned out to be the MLB veteran Quintero, a career backup known for his defense rather than the younger Lerud, a career minor league backup, also known for his defense. Who would claim the last two spots in teh bullpen from the remaining contenders of Phillippe Aumont, Raul Valdes and Michael Stutes? The answers: Aumont and Valdes.<br />
<br />
The lack of intrigue is a good thing, because it means there are less questions on teh remainder of teh roster. The aging core, Rollins, Utley, Howard, and Michael Young have all been healthy and productive. Ben Revere looks like the real deal in center. Domonic Brown answered one of the major questions by seizing a corner outfield spot, showing all spring that he may have unlocked his tremendous potential.<br />
<br />
The season is set to start, and the Phillies roster is pretty much what was expected. And that's a very good thing.Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-79424851164191129972013-02-16T16:03:00.000-05:002013-02-16T16:03:32.129-05:00Phils First Full Squad Workout--If Wishes were Fishes...Today is the first full squad workout for the Phillies, and so far, as is true everywhere, hope springs eternal. If everything breaks correctly, if Howard, Utley, and Halladay are healthy and their usual selves, Papelbon, Hamels, and Lee continue to perform at their historical levels, if Micahel Young can playe as he did in 2011, if Kendrick can continue to pitch as he did in his strong second half last year, if John Lannan can pitch as well as he did against everyone but the Phillies, if Mike Adams is healty and maintains his form, if some of the young players such as Dominic Brown and Darren Ruf step up, if Carlos Ruiz comes back as strong as last year after his 25 game suspension, if Ben Revere can catch everything in center field....if, if, if. <br />
<br />
Probably to many ifs for the Phils to seriously contend, still <strong>if</strong> any team can, its this one. We can only hope.Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-21861565335244399542013-01-30T16:19:00.001-05:002013-01-30T16:19:57.759-05:00Phillies Offseason Review on the Eve of Spring Training <h3 style="background: white; margin: 9pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Spring training is less than two weeks away, and the Phillies have all but completed their offseason moves (some minor league roster tweaking not withstanding), and to all accounts they have finished with the third in the NLEast offseason, just as they finished third in the NL east standings. Both the Nationals and Braves made bigger splashes, the Nationals acquiring centerfielder Denard Span from the Twins (while the Phillies acquired his backup from the Twins)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and signing former Yankees closer Rafael Soriano (giving them three closer quality relievers in Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, and Soriano. The Braves acquired both B.J and Justin Upton and the Phillies acquired Delmon Young. True, the Phillies did sign the best eight inning reliever on all of baseball over the past five years in Mike Adams, a useful bullpen component in Chad Durbin, and a former batting champ at third in Michael Young. Still, on paper, things look bleak. No addition to their roster is likely to bolster the Phillies on base percentage, all the additions are free swingers, meaning the Phillies will likely continue their trend of scoring 10 runs one game, then 1 or less the next two.<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What they did maintain is payroll flexibility, if things break correctly, they should have the cash available to make a difference making acquisition at the trade deadline, and if things go poorly, they won’t be stuck with long term contracts for unproductive players. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they Phillies season breaks down to what it always has, the health and performance of their aging superstars: Ryan Howard, Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, Cliff Lee, Jimmy Rollins, along with in their prime stars Cole Hamels and Jonathan Papelbon. These guys must remain healthy and perform as a semblance of their normal selves for the Phillies will contend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, the Phillies can begin to shed these movable contracts to build for the future.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3911342862181430781.post-77167263203270073572012-12-31T11:26:00.001-05:002012-12-31T11:26:09.861-05:00So long, Andy
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As expected the Eagles have fired Andy Reid after an awful <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4-12 season, marred by high priced free agents
failing to live up to expectations , the firing of overmatched assistant coaches,
and, most damaging of all, the team quitting on the coach. Yes, it was time for
Reid to go, yet he was, and by a large margin, the best coach the Eagles have
ever had. Their run of success, 9 playoff appearances in his first eleven years
was unprecedented in the teams mostly sorry history. He had his weaknesses,
certainly, most of them stemming from his strengths. He was a meticulous
planner, he famously claimed the Eagles job as a dark horse candidate by
displaying a thick binder detailing every facet of his plans for a team as head
coach, and he firmly believed his plan was the correct, and only way. While
this generally resulted in his teams being well prepared and ready to play, it
became his downfall when things went awry. He couldn’t adjust midgame (as
evidences by wasted timeouts, inability to switch to the run when teams took
away his passing options, options he firmly believed were the best way to run
an offense).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When his plan worked, the Eagles
often appeared unstoppable( the 2000 season opening game against the Cowboys
(the pickle juice game ) where the Eagles started with an onside kick and won
going away 41-14, and the Monday night game against the Redskins where Michael
Vick led the Eagles to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a 28-0 lead in the
first quarter before winning 59-28 come to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it didn’t, well the last two seasons are
full of examples of what could result. It always perplexed me that such a meticulous
planer couldn’t see his own weakness, and hire a coach to help him make these
adjustments in the heat of battle. Late defensive coordinator Jim Johnson
excelled at in game adjustments on the defensive side, and this often helped the
Eagles while he was here. The Eagles haven’t been the same since his passing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe Reid will get his due as we look back on his
tenure and the memory of his two most recent seasons fade, and I firmly believe
some other team will quickly snap him up and benefit from his strengths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, the Eagles will strike gold again
with their next coach, someone who can come in and build on the expectation of
excellence that Reid engendered in a formerly forlorn franchise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03866404986695740179noreply@blogger.com0