My opinions about Philly sports and more...
EAGLES- I will be at the Eagles-Vikings game this Sunday..The Birds need to get back to basics and play good, fundamental football like they did in the first three games..no turnovers..control the clock with the running game, get ahead and make Minnesota play catch-up...I wouldn't mind the Eagles looking to trade for Joe Thomas, the right tackle from Cleveland, and/or Alshon Jeffries, the wide receiver from the Bears. Both are with losing, going nowhere teams, and a 4th round draft pick for each would bot only be good for this year, but for seasons beyond...The schedule is weird this year.Two roads games sandwich this Minnesota home game, followed by two more road games. The schedule is back-loaded with home games later in the year. Hopefully the Eagles are still in contention for the NFC East to make those games matter.That's why the last two losses- especially a winnable game in Detriot- hurts.....Green Bay and Cincinnati- once feared games later in the season- now look winnable. The key to getting the season back on track are the next three contests- against the undefeated Vikings, and division games vs the Cowboys and Giants. Win those games and the Eagles are 6-2 with more control of their own destiny....
FLYERS- I think the Flyers will be ok after a not-so-great start, but , like last season, they will struggle to score goals. Next year, when they getting a little salary cap relief, they can add a free agent piece who can score..The two goalies are ok, but the Flyers need a solid number one goalie. Mason and Neuvirth are good goaltenders but not great and they may carry the team through the regular season, but when it comes to the playoffs and they need a goalie to carry the squad on his back to a Stanley Cup, they just dont have that guy yet.
PHILLIES- The World Series will be over in about a week or so, which starts the Hot Stove League talks of trades, free agent signings, etc..always a fun time of the year. I expect the Phils to make a few trades, especially to bolster the bullpen and maybe add another hitter, but I don't expect them to sign a top-notch , expensive free agent. left-fielder Mark Trumbo, who hit 49 home runs for Baltimore this season, who be a nice edition for a year or two in left field, but what the Phillies really need to do is continue to ease the logjam at Lehigh Valley and Reading and start to bring more young prospects up to Philadelphia . You are not going to know if guys like Crawford, Williams, Couzens and Hoskins can play-or if you need to look elsewhere for the future- unless you ive them a chance to play..The Phils aren't going anywhere until at least 2018 when the free agent crop is more abundant. Now is the time to continue to see what you have and what you don't have for the future...We haven't heard anything about Aaron Nola and his damaged right elbow. I hope I'm wrong, but I have a funny feeling he will need surgery and we won't see him until 2018.
SIXERS- Without the injured Ben Simmons, the excitement about the upcoming start of the season is somewhat diminished. Still, it should be an interesting year, and a chance to finally see some of the fruits of the years of tanking blossom. It will be a rebuilding year, don't expect more than 25 wins. Next season, after signing more ley free agents and more high draft picks to cash -in, will be the beginning of hopefully years of success
MORE- It looks like the Cubs will face the Indians in the World Series, a clash of two snake-bitten franchises. The Cubbies haven't won a championship since 1908- hard to believe- but the Indians haven't won a World Series since 1948. If the Cubs do finally win and set-off the greatest celebration in baseball history, who will be the next hard-luck loser on the horizon?..
.To me, the reason for the drop in NFL TV ratings is a combination of factors. Too much football on now, the games aren't as special and not that good, too many commercials, penalties and stops in the game, football isn't as fun as it once was- what's the big deal about end zone celebrations? Football is entertainment, let the fans be entertained.....Fans can turn on the NFL Red Zone show and get the highlights and scoring plays without the stops...We live in a fast-paced generation, where fans want their info now, so I really think a lot of fans don't have the time or patience to sit and watch a slow, 3 + hour game, when they can get their quick highlights on Red Zone, or on their phone or tablet...
I really don't care about Thursday football..I like the Thanksgiving Day games annually, but that's the only time I like my football on a Thursday. I also think they should do away with Monday Night football, now that Sunday night has gotten popular. Consolidate the games to just Sunday afternoons and Sunday night, and see if TV ratings improve.
I made it through week 7 of the WIP Last Fan Standing pool. I had Green Bay beating Chicago last night..Speaking of WIP, I'm a loyal listener, especially to Steve Trevelise on Friday nights form 10pm-2am, but I'm not sure of the upcoming changes on the station. I guess we have to give the "new" hosts a chance. Trust is the key- that's why I love listening to Glen Macnow and Ray Didinger every Saturday morning. The only negative point I have is it seems like almost every show has a former Philadelphia eagle on it. I love the birds, but WIP seems like all-football all the time. I get it- Eagles football rules in this area, even during the off-season. I wish there more diverse hosts-why not any ex-Phillies for a strictly baseball show at least once a week?.
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