As the Eagles go into the bye week at 4-3, it is still difficult to know what to think of this team. My preseason prediction was that they would finish 8-8, which is still certainly possible. However, with the lack of dominant teams in the NFC this season, the wide open playoff race can give Eagles fans reason to hope.
The most noteworthy story thus far is clearly the quarterback situation. After Kevin Kolb was named the starter in the offseason, Michael Vick took over following Kolb's injury in the season opener. After Vick played very well for two and a half games, he was injured himself, ceding the job back to Kolb. Following the bye week, Vick is expected to start the next game against Indianapolis. Kolb was considered the franchise's QB of the future and remains so, but Vick, with his form so far this year, gives the team a better chance to win right now. With the wide open NFC, the Eagles cannot afford to not take a shot at the playoffs this year.
Celek has not met expectations
As for the rest of the offense, the wide receivers have performed as expected, but DeSean Jackson suffered memory loss and a concussion due to a hit during the week 6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. LeSean McCoy has performed well at running back, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and scoring 5 touchdowns, although the Eagles continue to be a pass first team. Perhaps the biggest disappointment on the offensive end is that the expected breakout season from Tight End Brett Celek never materialized, much to the chagrin of fantasy owners everywhere. Also, the Eagles offensive line, though finally free of the overpaid "Andrews Sisters" Shawn and Stacy, has struggled immensely. This is another factor in favor of Vick starting; with his mobility he is less affected by the poor pass protection than a conventional pocket passer like Kolb.
Stewart Bradley
Meanwhile, the Eagles defense has welcomed back middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, who missed last season with an ACL tear. Bradley's bolstered a shaky group of linebackers, but the defense has still had its struggles. The biggest concern appears to be the secondary. Corner back Assante Samuel continues to be provide sound coverage but poor tacking, but fellow cornerback Ellis Hobbs may be the weakest link of the defense. Hobbs was exposed against the Tennessee Titans last week, allowing Kenny Britt to reach 255 receiving yards and score 3 touchdowns. Perhaps most worryingly, the defense lacks a killer instinct, always seeming to allow opposing teams to come back late in games. It is for this reason mostly that speculation is rife over the job security of second year defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.
As for special teams, David Akers, aside from one poor performance against Atlanta, has been his old reliable self. Punter Sav Rocca has been solid, averaging 47.1 yards per punt.
Updated prediction: Based on what we have seen so far, it is very difficult to determine just how good this team really is. With several difficult games coming up after the bye week, we may soon find out. For now, I stand by my original prediction of 8-8.
Just several months removed from an illustrious Villanova career in which he became the school's second alltime leading scorer, was named a first team All-American, and led to the Cats to four NCAA tournament appearances and a Final Four, Scottie Reynolds' future in basketball is at a crossroads. After becoming the first first team All-American in the modern era to not be selected in the NBA draft, Scottie played for the Phoenix Suns summer league team before signing a contract with Prima Veroli of Italy's Serie A2 (the second highest league in the country). Now, a mere four games into the season, Scottie has left the team. Veroli was unhappy with Scottie's performance in relation to the lucrative contract they had given him, and were likely to cut him anyway. According to an article in the Italian newspaper La Provincia, "In short, Reynolds gave up, threw in the towel after less than four league games, from "All American" which was to astonish Italy will be remembered as one of the biggest hoaxes of all time, a personal failure, and technical character, because if decide to do a professional player at the highest levels must deal with any difficulties of adaptation or at least longer engage in trying to do it."
At this point, Scottie's future in basketball looks bleak. He is likely to land a spot in the NBA's developmental league, but given his small stature, lack of speed, and defensive liabilities, the prospects of an NBA career are slim. After the experience in Veroli, offers from European clubs will also be hard to come by, but could happen again down the road. Despite these setbacks, Scottie continues to be an outstanding representative of Villanova, and we wish him the best.
The Miami Heat's new big three of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh visited Philadelphia to open the season last night, but the game was also noteworthy for being our first look at #2 draft choice Evan Turner. Turner was a first team All-American guard at Ohio St. last season, and was voted the top player in college basketball by numerous publications. For a team that had been mired in mediocrity for nearly a decade, Turner represents the potential to develop into the superstar we have so clearly missed since Allen Iverson's departure. Turner failed to impress during the preseason. According to Bill Simmons, "When you talk to NBA people, they keep lobbing red flags in the air about him. Bad body language, a step slow, doesn't really have a position, bad fit with Iguodala, Doug Collins already hates him. " Despite these concerns, Turner's performance in his first regular season game was a bright spot. Although Miami defeated the Sixers 97-87, Turner's team high 16 points and overall performance on the court gave Sixers fans reason to be optimistic. Turner seems to carry himself with a confident swagger that his been missing from the team for quite some time, and has made highlight reels with his sick crossover on Dwayne Wade, seen below around the 40 second mark.
Very reminiscent of a crossover from another rookie Sixers guard
Tonight is Game 1 of what is sure to be one of the least watched World Series ever, much to the chagrin of Fox. However, much attention will be paid to the pitcher taking the mound for the Texas Rangers tonight, Clifton Pfifer Lee. Lee, now playing for his fourth team in the past two seasons, has developed a reputation for postseason dominance, with a postseason record currently standing at 8-0. This offseason, Lee will be a highly soft after free agent, and could possibly receive a contract comparable to the 7 year $161 million deal that C.C. Sabathia signed with the Yankees two years ago. Let us take a look at Lee's possible destinations.
New York Yankees
The Yankees, recently defeated by Lee's Rangers in the ALCS, have a clear need for starting pitching given the under performance of A.J. Burnett and possible retirement of Andy Pettite. Lee's postseason dominance of the Yankees over the past 2 years has only served to further enamor them with him. A factor that may work against the Yankees is that Cliff Lee's wife was reportedly harassed and spit at in Yankee Stadium during the recent playoff series. However, the Yankees usually get their man, and they are further aided by Lee's close friendship with his former Cleveland teammate Sabathia.
Texas Rangers
There is much incentive for Lee to remain with his current team. They are in the World Series, and have a strong core that is likely to contend for the next several seasons. Texas is close to Lee's home state of Arkansas, and has significantly lower income tax than New York. With new ownership in place, the Rangers have secured a new tv deal and have money to spend, but it remains to be seen if they can prevail in a bidding war with the Yankees.
Philadelphia Phillies
Although only a Phillie for half a season, Cliff Lee reached folk hero status in Philadelphia during his dominant 2009 playoff run. Lee's legend has only grown given his current status as the one that got away. General Manager Ruben Amaro has been widely criticized for trading Lee to Seattle for three prospects last offseason, although his acquisitions of Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt seem to make up for it. Lee clearly enjoyed his time in Philadelphia, and was vocally upset when he was traded. With several contracts, including Jayson Werth, coming off the books, is it possible the Phillies could find the money to make a run at Lee? Although the prospect of a Halladay/Lee/Oswalt/Hamels super rotation is salivating, it is also extremely unlikely, especially considering that one of the major reasons for trading Lee is that Amaro didn't feel he would resign. With that being said stranger things have happened, and in the immortal words of Jim Carey, "You're telling me there's a chance!"
Verdict: It would not be surprising for Lee to resign with Texas given all the factors in their favor, but I just have a nagging feeling that the Yankees will tap into their financial resources and make Lee an offer he can't refuse. Look to see Lee in blue pinstripes next year.
Many things changed in the world when I was on deployment, among them the Spectrum, one of the nation's best loved arenas has closed. The long time home of the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers, as well as countless college basketball games, concerts, and other events. Though not as large or sophisticated as the Core States/First Union/Wachovia/Wells Fargo Center, the Spectrum had a character that few buildings can match. Let us take a moment to remember some of the Spectrum's greatest memories:
Honorable Mention: Rocky vs. Apollo Not eligible to be ranked being a fictional event and all, but the Spectrum served as the setting for one of the greatest movies of all time.
#5 J.J. Daignealt scores the winner
In the 1987 Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers were pitted against an Edmonton Oilers team that included Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Yari Kurri, and is widely considered the greatest hockey team of all time. The Flyers trailed the series 3-2 when they returned home for game 6. After the Flyers tied the game late in the third period, J.J. Daignealt scored the winner, in what was probably the Spectrum's loudest moment. The Flyers went on to lose Game 7 in Edmonton, in what was one of the alltime greatest postseason series in NHL history.
#4 The Shot
Among the many college basketball games hosted by the Spectrum was the 1992 NCAA regional between Duke and Kentucky. With Duke trailing by a point with just over 2 seconds left, Grant Hill threw a court length inbound pass to Christian Laettner andthe rest is history
#3 The Flyers win the Cold War
In 1976, the Soviet Red Army team, one of the most feared hockey teams of the world, embarked on a North American tour in which they defeated several NHL teams, and tied the vaunted Montreal Canadians, before concluding the series in Philadelphia. The "Broad Street Bullies" had been the scourge of the league, but they now represented the hopes of a nation. The Bullies did not disappoint, winning the game 4-1, and inflicting enough hard checks that the Russians threatened to walk out.
#2 The Doctor is In
The 1983 76ers, the last Philly team to win a championship until the 2008 Phillies, were one of the strongest squads in NBA history. The Sixers added reigning MVP Moses Malone to a team that already included Julius Erving, Maurice Cheeks, and Andrew Toney. The Sixers stormed through the playoffs, sweeping the Magic and Kareem led Lakers in the Finals. Although they clinched the championship in Los Angeles, the '83 Sixers provided many great Spectrum moments along the way.
#1 The Flyers win the Stanley Cup
The title says it all, Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent and company defeated the Boston Bruins to win their first Stanley Cup in 1974. They would repeat as champs the following season. Legendary broadcaster Gene Hart made the memorable call.
Villanova has built a highly successful program in recent years largely on the strength of Jay Wright's recruiting. That success has continued this week, as the Wildcats received a verbal commitment from their first class of 2012 recruit, Ryan Arcidiacono of Langhorne, PA. Arcidiacono was ranked the #8 point guard in the country by Rivals, and the #45 player overall. Arcidiacono's whiteness will inevitably lead to Mike Nardi comparisons, but with all due respects to Nardi, Arcidiacono appears to have a much more complete game. Check out his highlights here:
Lost in all the stories of Jayson Werth's pending free agency is the fact that the Phillies face a decision on another key contributor to the current run, our mediocre middle reliever of the week, Chad Durbin. Durbin, a right handed relief pitcher, was a typical MLB journeyman, beginning his career in Kansas City with subsequent stops in Cleveland, Arizona, and Detroit. Durbin was signed by the Phillies as a free agent prior to the 2008 season, an under the radar move that created confusion due to the presence of J.D. Durbin, who he is not related to. (J.D., a spot starter for the Phillies in 2007, is currently playing for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan). Chad had a breakout year in the Phillies championship season of 2008, appearing in 71 games and posting a 2.87 ERA. Over the past two seasons, Durbin has continued to be a solid contributor out of the pen. The Phillies have some major decisions to make about a bullpen which currently has only Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson under contract for next season: Let's hear from the readers, should the Phillies keep Durbin?
Brooklyn native Curtis Sumpter was an integral part of Jay Wright's prized recruiting class that also included Allan Ray, Randy Foye, and Jason Fraser. As a junior in 2004-05, Sumpter was the most prominent player as this group ended Villanova's 5 year hiatus from the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, an ACL injury caused Sumpter to miss the following season in which Foye and Ray led a team that started four guards to the Elite Eight. Sumpter returned to lead the Cats back to the tournament in the 06-07 season, but he never really seemed like the same player after the injury. After graduating, Sumpter was cut by Foye's current team, the LA Clippers. After a stint in Germany, Sumpter has caught on with a French team, JA Vichy. Check him out here in his ridiculous green and yellow uniform http://www.ja-vichy.com/joueurs.asp?id=2
