PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

Current sports items to talk about..

EAGLES- Would you sign Washington receivers DeSean Jackson or Pierre Gaston? Both are up for free agency. Both would be ideal for the Eagles. Jackson is a former Eagle who still has speed and could stretch the field for the Birds. Gasyon is more of a possession receiver who would catch the ball (novel for Eagle wide-outs) and converts third downs.

Jordan Matthews is Gaston, only not as good. Gaston is probably overall better than Jackson at this point in their careers. Either one would drastically improve the team. Gaston doesn't give you the off-the-field worries. Still, I would take Jackson for his long ball threat, and draft a young receiver in the spring.

The Falcons won't get back to the Super Bowl next season. Most Super Bowl losers don't. Add to the fact it was such a disheartening defeat, and Atlanta will be sitting home next February 4th.

Now starts the off-season phase when the Eagles cut players before free agency begins. CB McKelvin was cut this week, expect more in the days ahead. I wouldn't be surprised to see Connor Barwin go, maybe Jason Kelsey, definitely Ryan Mathews.

How sad to be a gambler last Sunday, have Atlanta +3, have a 28 point cushion in the 3rd quarter, and then lose? That hit would be bad enough to make guys swear off gambling, once and for all. But probably not.

SIXERS- I want to go to my first Sixer game in years so bad next season. Embiid should be playing every game by then, although I would be concerned about his long-term durability- he always seems to get hurt. Ben Simmons should be a go as well-finally. And hopefully the two high draft picks the team collects this June should play major roles in the process. BUT..I really hate this front office. Why not be honest with the fans? It's easy to say, if Embiid is out for the season, just don't go to the games. What about the fans who already have season tickets?

Everything the Sixer organization does- from botching the National Anthems to disappearing in front of the media and allowing your long-suffering coach to face the press and take the bullets- they seem to screw up. Somewhere, Pat Croce must be scowling with disgust.

So, as much as I want to "Raise The Cat" with the other loyal fans, I can't see my self give the Sixer clueless, greedy front office any money. I'll watch the team at home until the team is sold.

FLYERS- The team is back to it's old self-unable to score goals. The Flyers are in purgatory. It's pretty obvious that their current make-up isn't good enough. But the team doesn't have cap space, plus they don't want to trade any of their young prospects. The problem is that their core of Giroux, Vorachek, etc will be getting older as their prospects fill out the squad in Philadelphia. Goal tending is still an issue. Let the current inconsistent goalies test free agency after the season and go with Solarz and the other young net minders in the minors?

The Flyers weren't expected to win the Stanley Cup this year. But it would be safe to say that continued improvement  needed to be seen, and so far,the season has been a major disappointment. The 10-game winning streak was fools gold. Coach Dave Hakstol seems confused and reaching for straws, especially when dealing with his young players.GM Ron Hextall has been patient so far with his young players. Would he fire the coach after the season, especially if the flyers fail to reach the palyoffs?

PHILLIES- It seems almost certain that the Phillies will induct Pete Rose into their Wall of Fame on August 12. They contacted major league baseball recently to find out if they could nominate Rose. They answer was yes. Even though many younger baseball fans don't remember Rose, I'm sure he will be voted into the Wall of Fame( you can vote at phillies.com later this month).I have tickets for that August 12th game vs. the Mets. Will Charley Hustle sell-out Citizens Bank Park that night? I think so, if only for a last hurrah.

Baseball's proposal of putting a runner on second to start extra innings, and hopefully speed up the conclusion of games is stupid. It's like the college football rules which. in overtime, gives the ball to each team at the 25 yard line.

I agree with some of baseball's other measures to cut out wasted time, especially allowing teams to intentionally walk a batter by simply issuing a free pass rather than toss four meaningless pitches Pitchers and hitters need to keep the game moving by not stepping off the mound o out of the batters box  so often But tainting the game by allowing a runner to start the inning at second base would help to ruin the game. Extra inning contests are often suspenseful and exciting, the sudden death factor kicking in.

It doesn't look like there will be much drama in spring training this year. Positions are pretty much set, other than reserve players and bullpen help. I'm looking forward to the second half of the summer, when hopefully the Phils will begin to promote more young prospects like J.P> Crawford and Nick Williams from Lehigh Valley to finally give them a shot. The club has got to find out who can play and what holes they need to fill before entering free agency next off-season.

Finally, the fans will have something fun to watch  and a reason to go out to the ballpark again.