Check out Jon Tamari from the Inquirer’s simple breakdown of the NFL lockout ruling that happened today. Judge Susan Richard Nelson decided to end the lockout and side with the players, but the owners aren’t giving up very easy. There is still a lot that has to be settled before football is played. At least it’s a step in the right direction.
Archive for April, 2011
Let’s be honest, Michael Vick has not made the best decisions in life.
He paid his price for the dog fighting escapade by serving 18 months in jail. Since then, No. 7 has improved his public image during his rehabilitation process by giving back to the community and becoming an animal rights activist.
I don’t know how I haven’t seen this video until now, but it’s going to make you wonder what Vick (and his public relations rep) were thinking after answering this question: is there anything you would change about your life?
The answer will baffle your mind.
While the lockout continues to transpire, many NFL athletes that aren’t named Michael Vick or DeSean Jackson are struggling to make ends meet financially. ESPN’s Rick Reilly gave a unique look into the majority of players that aren’t financially set through massive contracts.
Relating specifically to the Philadelphia Eagles, Reilly highlights wide receiver/specialist Chad Hall. The 24-year-old received minimum salary last season after playing in 11 games. If there is no NFL season in 2011, he plans to open a wings restaurant in Atlanta with his sister’s boyfriend, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
To read the complete article, click: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6388708
07
Apr
11
PHILLIES: Starting Off Strong
So, it appears that the era of the 4 aces and overwhelming expectations has gotten off to a pretty solid start.
With the first week of the MLB season coming to a close, the Phillies are sitting at 4-1 in their first 5 games, with Thursday’s series-finale rubbermatch against the Mets hanging in the balance.
Yes. I am well aware that we are only 5 games, or roughly 3%, through the season.
But, considering Chase Utley, Brad Lidge, and top prospect Domonic Brown have been out action since the first pitch was thrown at Citizens Bank Park last Thursday, the opportunity to win five out of their first six games would go a long way to silencing any critics who said that the Phillies season was doomed from when Cliff Lee signed that dotted line in December.
Speaking of Lee ( 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER. 11 K’s in a 9-4 win over the Houston Astros), he was just one of quite a few Phillies that have stood out so far.
(Statistics accurate as of 4/7)
Ryan Howard: For all those who were worried that the Big Piece’s production would suffer with the absence of Utley in the lineup, let’s just hope the first week was not just an admiration. Howard is what baseball scouts would like to call “locked in” at the plate right now. So far, the Phillies 1B and cleanup hitter is 11-for-21 (.524) with 2 HR, and is already leading the National League in RBI’s with 8. The only blemish for Howard is that, like usual, the strikeouts are not hard to come by (6 in 5 games).
Placido Polanco: Was a little worried about Polly going into the season. Getting up there in age, had off-season elbow surgery, production diminished greatly at the back end of the 2010 season. However, like last season, Polanco has gotten off to a scorching hot start. However, in contrast to 2010, where a power was the story for Polanco, a .450 BA with 4 RBI’s and a .522 OBP has made him quite the catalyst in the early going for the Phillies.
Ben Francisco: Talk about making the most of an opportunity. In the absence of Domonic Brown, who is scheduled to return later this month after undergoing surgery for a broken hambone, Francisco has absolutely been tearing the cover off the ball so far during this 2011 campaign. While his .333 BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI’s says a lot, it is impossible for a simple statline to include 2-3 balls hit that were knocked down by the wind at Citizens Bank Park that would have been as good as gone if they were hit in June or July.
Honorable Mentions: Jimmy Rollins (.368 BA hitting out of the 3-hole), Raul Ibanez (.300 BA, 4 RBI’s), Wilson Valdez ( .294 BA, 2 RBI’s), Roy Oswalt (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6 K’s in first start), Antonio Bastardo ( 1-0, 1 Hold, 2.2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 K’s)
Check out Sheil Kapadia of Philly.com’s organized list of every player that visited and worked out with the Eagles this offseason:
Thanks to MrFlyerGuy for this video.
…This goal was all Mike Richards, but still nice to see van Riemsdyk get a goal in front of all his friends and family (50+ were in attendance at the Rock last night).
FLYERS COACH DOWNPLAYS LEADERSHIP ISSUES
…There’s no doubt in my mind the Flyers miss Chris Pronger and Jody Shelley on a consistent basis in that locker room. When their both back, maybe the team’s in-game focus will increase, but it seems to me like veterans Mike Richards, Kimmo Timonen, and Danny Briere aren’t having as much effect as Pronger and Shelley clearly did earlier in the season.
I’ve said time and time again: Chris Pronger is the Flyer the team can LEAST afford to lose, and, unfortunately, my point is being very much proven over these last few games.
01
Apr
11
PHILLIES: Opening Day Drama
Phillies fans..
Opening day has come and gone, and fortunately for this quick write-up, the game can be summed up in one word.
WALKOFF!
In dramatic fashion, the Phillies capped off a come-from-behind victory against the Houston Astros with a 3 runs in the 9th inning, the last one being on a John Mayberry Jr. pinch-hit RBI single that would end the game.
If you watched the game, you would know that it wasn’t what you would call a “pretty” victory. The Phillies were basically shut down by their former teammate Brett Myers through 6 innings, and if it wasn’t for a Brandon Lyon meltdown, they would probably be sitting in the clubhouse with a losing record right now.
Nonetheless, the Phillies came away with the victory with a combination of a solid start from ace Roy Halladay, a strong bullpen showing from Ryan Madson and Danys Baez that helped keep the Astros lead in reach, and 6 singles in the final frame which manufactured the 3 runs that would win the game.
Impressive stuff.
For more on the Phillies comeback victory, check out Philly.com San Donnellon’s take on the season opener.
01
Apr
11
FLYERS: PostGame – Reaction
Paul Holmgren:
Mike Richards:
Kris Versteeg
Josh Getzoff
Alex Cohen
Stephen Watson
Zach Field
Ian Stancato
