* As the Eagles enjoy their weekend off, some thoughts...
* Why not the Eagles? They are 5-1 with 3 consecutive home games coming up. Savor the record and the good times- they come too often. Think playoffs! Why not? Yes, it's still along season. But the Eagles are on a roll.
Are the Eagles a team of destiny? Everything is going their way. Dallas will lose Elliot soon for six games. The Giants suck and are dead. The Redskins already lost once to the Birds and face a must-win showdown in Philly a week from Monday night.
The team should be getting back key injured players Darby and Johnson. CB Sidney Jones is their ace up their sleeve. He may not need to play later this season, healing until 2018.
The Birds should win at least 10 games, usually the qualifier for the playoffs. But why not 12, 13 wins? Why not get home field advantage thru-out the playoffs and a bye? Make Green Bay and Seattle come to the Linc, don't go to icy Green Bay or wild Seattle in January.
We don't want to be letdown again. Don't want to build up our Super Bowl hops, only to get fooled again. We are so used to losing around here, it seems weird to have a team 5-1 and in first place. We don';t know how to act.
But let's enjoy this run. The Eagles are breaking the ice. The Flyers have a young, exciting team, as witnessed by their 8-2 blow-out of the Washington Capitols. I can't wait to see the Sixers healthy and together on the same court at the same time. And I'm looking forward to spring training in 2018, a full year of Hoskins, Williams and getting a first-look at Scott Kingery with the Phillies.
It's a great time to be a Philadelphia sports fan. And the Eagles lead the way.
* Ironic that the only penalty called on Carolina last Thursday night ( a disgrace) turned out to be so big in the outcome of the game. When the Eagles converted a two-point play in the third quarter of their win over the Panthers, it changed the entire game. Big difference between an 8-point lead and a 6-point bulge. Carolina was fighting uphill in their comeback late in the-game, knowing they had a two-score deficit to overcome.
Psychologically, it had to be daunting. A field goal did them no good in the fourth quarter.
Give Coach Pederson credit for having the guts to take an extra point off the scoreboard and go for two points at the one-yard line. But the Carolina penalty which moved the ball closer to the goal line- Carolina's only penalty called all night- changed the game.
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* I mentioned on the the Steve Trevelise show on WIP Sports radio early this morning that I hoped the Phillies gave ex-slugger, now hitting coach Mark McGuire an interview for their managers' job. Think out of the box! I'm not excited about retreads like Buck Showalter. The Phillies claim to be looking forward in their search for a skipper, someone to grow with their up-and-coming young prospects. McGuire fits the bill and would convince the organization that the home run should be a key factor in playing at Citizens Bank Park.
* I hope the Phillies bring back Jayson Werth. They can afford him. Plus they need a veteran presence in the line-up and in the clubhouse. As long as he doesn't take up significant time form the young outfields, he would be a great addition.
Having a fourth outfield as potent as Werth would be a terrific rotation next season. Werth still has power, can hit, still has a great arm and can play left or right field. As a pinch-hitter I would have faith in him to come up with a big, late-inning hit.
I know the Phils couldn't give Werth the money he made form the Nationals. But I was sorry to see him go, despite his run-ins with Phillies fans. He was a good player here, energetic, and always gave 100%. Mostly, he wanted to win.
Bring back Werth!
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The Flyers got their home season off with a bang Saturday evening with an 8-2 crushing of the Capitols. They have four more home games coming up in the next two weeks. They are fast and young, with a good mix of veterans sprinkled in. Beating a team like Washington, who you know will be contenders in the end, is a big statement, confidence boost.
Eight goals was the most goals the Flyers had in a home opener in 35 years.
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The Houston Astros held serve and won it's two home games to take a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series. Now let's see what the Yankees do going back to New York. Houston is in good shape. If the split in the Big Apple they have the series by the throat.
But don't count out the Yanks. They overcame an 0-2 deficit against defending AL champ Cleveland.
But the Astros seem the better overall team.
In the National league, the Dodgers ( my pick to win the whole thing). got off to a 1-0 advantage by beating the defending champion Cubs. LA can take a 2-0 series lead by beating the Cubbies tonight before the series moves to Wrigley Field in Chicago.
The Cubs know how to win and don't want to give up their crown just yet. So I expect a fight and a deep series back to Los Angeles, maybe for a Game 7.
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