- Hard to believe the Eagles are still alive for the playoffs. They are on life-support, but faint hope still lingers. With Minnesota's loss to Seattle last night, the Vikings drop to 6-6-1. Carolina is 6-7, like Philly. Problem is tie-breakers. Since the birds lost to both the Vikings and Panthers, they both own tie-breakers. The Seahawks look like they win win the first wild card spot. The Eagles are contending for the last spot, but they need to win their final three games. With the Rams, Texans and Redskins remaining, it's an even more daunting long shot.
In reality the Eagles are cooked. Plus they don't deserve the post-season. They failed to beat Dallas at home on Sunday Night Football. They choked against Carolina, coughing up a 17-point fourth quarter lead at the Linc. They lost to now mediocre teams in Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Tennessee.
Philadelphia isn't the same team that won the Super Bowl last season. Different players, different coaches, less motivation. Harder schedule, the bulls-eye on their backs. Too many celebrations and books written and guest appearances on TV shows. But the bottom line is that the Eagles simply weren't good enough this season.
I actually hope they don't make the playoffs. They will only get knocked out as they would play all of their post-season game son the road. Lose and they get a higher draft pick ( probably around No 14-16 in the first round), an easier schedule in 2019, and hopefully more incentive to find the hunger which made the team great last year.
Doug Pederson isn't the same coach this year. In 2018 he would've gone for the two-point conversion at the end of the Cowboy game. The Birds are 5-for-5 in two-pointer conversions this season. They were at the Dallas one-yard line after a cowboy penalty. Pederson knew he had a tired defense. Yet he elected to play it safe and kick the extra point to tie the game.
At the time I agreed with that decision. Hindsight is always 20/20. If the Eagles failed to convert Dallas could've ran out the clock since Philly only had one timeout left.But why think negative? If you do convert Dallas could still win the game with a field goal. But converting the two-point play not only gives you the lead, it assures that you won't go into overtime with a tired defense.
The more I think of it, the more I feel that Pederson should've tried to win the game right there.
Either way, you've got a defense that has spent an incredible time on the field. Dallas had twice the amount of possession time. They dominated, with the help of a few terrible calls by the refs, yet the Eagles had the opportunity to go ahead for the first time. Would the Cowboys choke once behind? We never got that chance to find out.
Pederson wrote a book during the off-season called Fearless. Maybe now it would be titled Bogus?
- The Phillies are in Las Vegas at the Winter meetings. Rumors persist they are still more interested in Manny Machado rather than Bryce Harper. Why?
Harper sells you more tickets. Now that Rhys Hoskins has moved back to first base where he belongs since the Carlos Santana trade, an outfield position is open, perfect for Harper, who would be a perfect righty-lefty compliment in the line-up with Hoskins.
Machado already announced that he doesn't always play hard or hustle. Yet you're going to give him big money for a long time? He's also a diva about where he plays, as he insists on playing shortstop even though he is a brilliant third baseman. The Phillies need help at third. They filled their shortstop hole by acquiring Jean Segura recently.
Phillies management will be meeting with the agents for both Machado and Harper this week. They are "trying to move the needle" and "won't be held hostage by two players". Sounds like the Phils want to get something done soon, whereas the free agents and their agents wouldn't mind dragging negotiations out longer to bolster the asking price.
The fans appreciate that stance. Plus the Phillies are trying to sell tickets before Christmas. I'm sure they would like to make a big move now.
They are also linked to lefty J.A. Happ. Happ is a solid pitcher but he is 35. Do you really want to commit big money and a few years to a 35-year old pitcher?
There's also interest in lefty relievers Andrew Miller or Zach Britton. I feel the Phillies should address catcher and Miami's excellent backstop, J.T. Realmito is apparently on the trading block. A combination of Odubel Herrera and Jorge Alfaro may get it done.
Also reported is that the Phillies may end up keeping second baseman Cesar Hernandez. It would be nice to finally slide Scott Kingery into second, his natural, Gold Glove-winning position, but it seems that no one wants Hernandez after a down year. The Phils believe that Hernandez, finally healed from a broken foot, will rebound, especially in a contract year ( Hernandez will be a free agent after the 2019 season(.
Kingery would be a super-utility guy this season if Hernandez stays. An infield of Hoskins- Hernandez-Segura- Machado would be great both offensively and defensively.
It can't be a good week for players on the bubble like Herrera, Hernandez and Franco, all of whom could be changing uniforms or could be in Clearwater come February.
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