* We will see if Phillies' new manager Gabe Kapler knows how to manage a baseball game. But his fresh, positive attitude and different, unorthodox methods have drawn interest form fans and the media. The Phils need all the attention they can get.
It should be a fun summer. What will happen when the team goes on a long winning or losing streak? How will Kapler react? What about when he has a disagreement with an umpire? Will he go crazy and kick dirt and throw stuff like Billy Martin did, or will he try to reason and schmooze with the ump?
Most of all, what will Kapler do when outfield Odubel Herrera fails to hustle? ( You know it will happen).
Kapler has baseball fans talking. That's quite an accomplishment since the Eagles just won the Super bowl several weeks ago. It's been all-Eagles all the time. Even though both the Flyers and Sixers have lost only one game combined since the Eagles won the championship, the headlines continue to be about "The Philly Special" and Nick Foles' future.
So, it's great for the Phils that there is interest, even as spring training starts. Winning, getting off to a fast start will keep the positive momentum going. Kapler thinks the Phillies can contend right thru September. Who knows? Winning is contagious and the Phillies may just feed off the rest of the sports teams in Philadelphia and surprise everyone.
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* The Flyers won again last night, beating Montreal in overtime, 3-2. Alex Lyon played well in goal.
The Orange and Black are close to both Pittsburgh and Washington for the top spot in their division. Making the playoffs seems assured now, but let's see how new goalie Petr Mrazek plays. Plus, Wayne Simmonds will be out several weeks with a reported "upper body injury " ( sources say it's a broken finger).
The Flyers are starting to take on the characteristics of the Eagles. Next- man- up mentality, overcoming adversity, underdogs.
The Sixers continue play on Thursday against the Bulls in Chicago. They are riding a winning streak as well. Nice to see our winter teams playing so well and giving us hope of deep playoff runs by both in the spring.
Think about the spring: Flyers and Sixers in the playoffs, Phillies, under Kapler, sparking interest with young guys like Hoskins and Kingery. The Eagles in the NFL draft . The rumors about Foles and free agency. Add in the usual spring sports events, like the Masters, the Kentucky Derby, the Indy 500, the NBA draft, March Madness.
Great time to be a sports fan. My favorite time of the year.
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* Yesterday the Birds named former wide receiver coach Mike Groh as their new offensive coordinator. Groh did wonders with the receivers, especially Agholor. Head coach Doug Pederson is still going to call the plays. Running backs coach Duce Staley will remain as RB coach but now has a new title of assistant head coach.
*Everyday there are new thoughts on the future of Nick Foles in Philly. I'm still thinking he will stay, at least until the Birds are sure that Carson Wentz is healed. GM Howie Rossman would have to be totally overwhelmed by any trade offer at draft time to let go of the insurance that Foles brings. True, the organization like QB Nate Sudfeld. And Pederson could do the same thing with Sudfeld as he did with Foles- game-plan to his strengths.
As I see it now, I don't think the Birds will extend the contract of Foles. That would mean investing too much money into a back-up quarterback. I don't think Foles would sign an extension, no matter how much he says he wants to stay in Philly. Why should he? He can test the market in a year and will be offered much more money on the free agency circuit. That is, unless he really doesn't care about money, but I'm sure his agent will have a say in that.
Foles can play out the remaining year on his Eagle contract ( unless he is traded), and the Birds can re-assess this time next year. If Foles is honest about his love for the city and the organization I'm sure he will give the Eagles a fair chance to re-sign him next spring.
*Combines start next week in Indianapolis. if the Birds stay at No. 32 in the first round, who will they pick/ Offensive line depth, middle linebacker and speedy receiver/running back/punt returner look to be positions of need.
So, my gut feeling is this: Foles will not be traded. The Eagles will keep him around, knowing that Wentz may not start the season. Foles is already under contract. The Eagles will not offer him an extension. If Wentz is shaky in his comeback the Birds can always extend Foles later. Otherwise, Foles will play out his final year and see what free agency holds in 2019, still a Super Bowl MVP QB. He will get his money and playing time either way, filling in for the injury-prone Wentz in Philly, or starting for another team for the next five years or so.
For Foles, it's a win-win situation. for Rossman, he holds all the cards and can't go wrong. Either he gets a good draft pick (s) back in a trade, or he gets another year of Foles, then turns to Sudfeld, whom he loves.
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