PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

The current state of Philly sports..

EAGLES-

* Philadelphia did a great job hosting the NFL Draft. But I hope they do nOT bring it back next year. A sequel is never as good as the original. The draft returning next year would be too soon and anti-climatic. Let it go to Dallas or wherever. Let other cities have their chance to shine as Philly did. Maybe it will grow from the limited venue of Radio City Music Hall to more wide open spaces. As long as they don't turn it into a WWE-like cheesy, campy event. It is what it is- guys reading a list of young, soon-to-be millionaires.

Maybe other cities will succeed, in leu of a Super Bowl. Or maybe other cities will fail, and Philly will look special. In five years bring the draft back, when it can fully be appreciated.

* Most people are giving the Eagles' draft high marks. I stick with a B-. I don't like the fact that Sidney Jones may not play this year. But as long as he comes back healthy, I'm OK with the pick. I still am confused by the fact that the Eagles are sending out mixed signals to the fans, signing free agents to one-year contracts, with a win-it-now attitude, yet preaching patience in selecting Jones.

I still think running back Donnel Pumphrey from San Diego St. will be the highlight of this draft.

* Articles in the paper comment on Coach Pederson and his presence ( or lack of) at the draft and in the off-season.He is a puppet for the Eagles front office, a complete reversal from Chip Kelly and his total control. If the Birds win this year, or at least show signs of improvement, Pederson will be in town a long time. If not, the Eagles cut ties and seek a more experienced coach to guide the up-and-coming team to the promised land.


PHILLIES-

* The Phillies were swept in Los Angeles this weekend, their recent six-game winning streak fading into the western sunset. The bullpen  remains a mess. GM Matt Klentak did nothing to improve the 'pen during the off-season. He knew Gomez was shaky at the end of 2017 yet expected him to remain the closer? Owner John Middleton needs to put his money where his mouth is and start buying some talent. He claims he is waiting for the front office to give him the word when to start spending. How about yesterday? While the young prospects develop at Lehigh Valley, put an interesting, competitive team on the field at Citizens Bank Park. And that means not neglecting the bullpen.

* Cameron Rupp is still batting under .200. He lashed a double yesterday with no outs- then proceeded to get picked-off at second base. His post-game reaction was all excuses. He needs to step up his game immediately. Rupp forgets where he's been. Not a highly thought of prospect. Marginal at best. And now he has one of  a hungry prospect in Jorge Alfaro  nipping at his heels. Rupp needs to wake up or lose his job.

Same thing for Tommy Joseph. Rhys Hoskins seems ready to take over first base full-time. Joseph will be trade bait soon if he doesn't show some effort.

* I've said it all along-Obdubel Herrera is not special, and the Phillies will regret signing him to a contract extension. Once again yesterday Herrera didn't run out a ground ball. He needs to be benched. Manager Pete Mackanin needs to imply more discipline in the team Galvis, Franco and now Herrera have all shown lack of hustle in this early season. One of Mackanin's supposed strengths was as a communicator and disciplinarian.  yet his team looks lazy and without emotion.  They don't hustle. That's on the manager.

Herrera may be holding down center field for Mickey Moniak or Mike Trout . But until then, Herrera needs to also wake up. He was a dog before, then oddly rewarded. Now, he's got the money, so even if he is benched, so what?

Slowly, this current Phillies team is evolving into more then just a poor talent squad. They are morphing into a team that doesn't care. On a team full of young players, there is nothing more dangerous.

* After Saturday night's brutal loss to the Dodgers, I had the sense the Phils would go on a long losing streak. Emotionally, it was a killer of a loss. Things don't look better with four games against the World Champion Cubs in Chicago and a weekend series again vs, the division-leading Nationals.