* The Lane Johnson feud with the Patriots' organization is stupid. Now former New England players are joining the fray. Who cares if Patriot players "don't have fun" while playing for New England. It's their loss. They have a different way of going about their business. I like Johnson, but sometimes he does and says dumb things.
Such as, he mentioned that he would "rather win only one Super bowl and have fun then win five Super Bowls and not have fun." Huh? Why can't you do both? Ask the Phillies about only winning one world championship during their run 10 or so years ago. That Phillies team won in 2008, lost to the Yankees in the World Series the following year, won a club record 102 games in 2011 but lost to St. Louis in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Phillies should've won more than one world championship during their run. The Atlanta Braves won 14 consecutive National league East titles yet only one World series in the 90s. With three Hall of Fame starters on their staff- Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz- they should've won more world championships then they did.
Win, baby, win!
* Now Mike Pereria, former head of officials, is saying the 'Philly Special" play in the Super Bowl was illegal. But WR Alshon Jeffrey said he checked with an official before the key play and the ref was OK with the Eagles' formation. Ferrara has a podcast ( who doesn't?) and is looking for an audience.
Who cares? The play stands in history. Don't try to diminish what the Birds did. They earned the win over the Patriots. And, even if he was an illegal formation, so much the sweeter. After all the cheating new England has done over the years, they deserved to get a taste of their own medicine.
* Carson Wentz was on the WIP Morning Show today. What a mature, classy guy! The Eagles and their fans should feel blessed to have such a young leader. he is the future at quarterback for Philadelphia. Hopefully Foles stays with the team as a back-up ( I wouldn't trade him for anything less than a first rounder) but there should be no question that Wentz is the man at QB now and for the next 15 years or so for the Eagles.
* I thought the Birds were going to wear kelly green for one game this past season/ Wasn't Lurie on board with gradually mixing the kelly green with the midnight green and black uniforms?
Eagles' gear is still selling like hotcakes. It will be interesting in a few weeks if we see any Phillies' caps out there. Baseball season is upon us soon, yet it's still Eagles, Eagles, Eagles, and rightfully so. Our other sports teams are going to have to try like hell to grab our attention this year. The Flyers and Sixers still haven't lost a game since the Eagles won the Super Bowl. They may make the playoffs, and the Phils may have a surprising summer, but the character of this Eagles' team, and the way they won the championship, will not only live for the rest of this year, but forever.
*******************************************************************************
* The Sixers won again last night, beating the awful Knicks and winning their 10th consecutive game at home. Guard T.J. McConnell scored the first triple-double of any 76er ever coming off the bench. They play tomorrow night at home again vs Miami. The momentum of winning is carrying over to our winter teams - the Flyers are on a streak as well-and hopefully the Phillies jump on the bandwagon this spring and get out to a strong start, making this summer interesting and fun.
* I doubt that No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz will play again this season. Shut him down and get him ready for the fall, as Embiid and Simmonds did. Hopefully Fultz doesn't turn out to be a bust. Boston's Jayson Tatum, the overall Mo. 3 pick in last June's NBA draft, looks like a stud. Did GM Danny Ainge and the Celtics outwit the Sixers' brain trust yet again?
*************************************************************************
Pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater tomorrow, but some guys are already at spring training, working out. Pitchers and catchers happen to be two of the more interesting topics as the Phillies head to Florida for six weeks. Who starts after Aaron Nola? Will GM Klentak add a veteran or two to the staff to bolster the rotation/ Does Jake Arrieta fit? What two out of three catchers- Rupp, Alfaro or Knapp- make the squad?
Alfaro needs to stick since he is out of options. If they can't trade Rupp, Knapp could go back down to Lehigh Valley. In Rupp you know what you have- a slow, average-hitting guy with some power and is below-average defensively. Plus he doesn't always call the greatest game.
In Knapp you have a switch-hitter with decent power who needs work defensively but whose ceiling we haven't seen yet.
I still expect Klentak to make a major deal soon. Package Rupp, Tommy Joseph for pitching. I expect them to keep Cesar Hernandez, at least until June or so, when Scott Kingery should be up form the Iron Pigs to take over second base. I see the organization giving Mychel Franco one last chance this summer . If he fails, I look for the Phils to pull out all stops to sign soon-to-be free agent Manny Machado from Baltimore to anchor third base ( or shortstop, while moving J.P. Crawford to third).
This makes for an interesting spring training. Competition is good and there should be lots of it in camp. Plus how will new manager Gabe Kapler play in his first-ever gig as a manager? Stay tuned.
No comments:
Post a Comment