At least they won a game

Another Philadelphia team, another season without a championship. No one seriously thought the Sixers would be able to beat the Pistons and I even thought they would get swept. But after game 3 they stirred some hope. They should have won game 4 but blew it with a combination of stupidity and very unclutch shooting. To be up by 9 in the 4th quarter at home and lose in OT something is wrong with you. Weak.

Last night once again showed why people love Allen Iverson, even though he seems to have picked up a touch of Emmitt Smith Exaggerarted Injury Syndrome (ESEIS). While there was pretty much no hope he still gave it his all. That's what the sports fan wants maybe even more than winning. I also want some competent refereeing but that truly is too much to ask.

Iverson had a great series except for maybe game 2. Dalembert really stepped up and played with a fire I really hadn't seen before. I was actually impressed but enough with the drives from the top of the key and fadeaway jumpers please. Webber was his usual inconsistent self and he didn't deliver last night. What he is consistent at is disappointing Sixers fans. Iguodala was what you expect from a rookie in his first playoff series. He should maybe have been a little more assertive offensively but you can't complain about the defense. Well maybe you can because he was on Hamilton or Prince, who both lit the Sixers up but then again those guys are really good. The other starter that was new to the playoffs, Korver, was horrible. If you're not going to hit a shot and you're a defensive liability why are you on the court? From the bench, Willie Green was alright, Mark Jackson totally lost any game he had once the playoffs started and was the worst player on the team, Rodney Rodgers was good for a couple minutes in game 3 but didn't do much else, and I don't remember anyone else contributing anything.

So in the end the best player was Iverson but you need the better team to win. There's always next year, for the 1,000,000,000th time.

The draft

First Pick - Mike Patterson

One of the premier nose guards in the collegiate ranks, Mike Patterson was nicknamed "Baby Sapp," as his style of play is very similar to that of Oakland's Warren Sapp. Both rely on their suddenness off the snap, instincts and aggression to make plays in the backfield, despite yielding considerable bulk and size to the offensive linemen ... Patterson has excellent quickness and plays with recklessness and an aggressive style. He shows good pursuit speed to cover ground from sideline to sideline. Might be a little too short to play the two-gap system, but his explosion, long arms and strength make him ideal to handle the trash and double teams at nose guard. Patterson plays very quick in the short area, as his clocked 40-yard speed indicates. Does a very good job of avoiding blockers and making plays.

This guy wasn't a first round pick in any of the mock drafts I quickly scanned but he benches 520 and squats 700 and still runs a 4.83 40. Warren Sapp is his favorite player. I hate Warren Sapp.

Second pick - Reggie Brown

Brown is a very athletic pass catcher with excellent field vision and determination ... Has good overall muscle development, tight waist, good bubble and knotted calves* ... Off the snap, he shows good quickness to get into his routes and does a very good job of dropping his weight to get in and out of his cuts ... Works the short to intermediate routes well, displaying good body control and the ability to adjust to the poorly thrown ball ... Has good sideline awareness and the ability to catch outside his frame ... Will make the tough catch in traffic and can snatch and pluck the ball with ease

The negatives:

While he has the strength to gain yardage after the catch and good initial quickness, he is not a blazer and lacks the second gear to accelerate instantly ... Runs crisp short and intermediate routes, but rounds his cuts and breaks too early on the ball on deep routes ... Has made marked improvement reading zone coverage schemes, but struggles to maintain concentration on the ball, resulting in drops of easy passes ... Will disappear for stretches on the field, especially when he is not involved in the play

Seems like the perfect replacement for FraudEx, but at least Fraud caught most everything.

Third pick - Matt McCoy

McCoy is a product of hard training, having joined the Aztec program as a 200-pounder and developing into the 235-pound tackling machine that he is today. Blessed with sudden explosion off the snap, he teamed with Kirk Morrison to give San Diego State a punishing 1-2 punch in their linebacker unit. ... Has a short, but solid frame with good chest thickness, muscular arms and legs, good bubble and tight waist* ... Sudden, explosive mover who plays with very good effort and energy ... Instinctive athlete with good body control and change-of-direction agility ... Reads and reacts with a quick first step to attack at the point ... Has a nose for the ball and will not be fooled by misdirection ... Plays low to the ground and fast, seldom getting blocked when he explodes off the edge ... Readily avoids and slips past blocks and plays strong for his size, never giving blockers a clear shot at his body ... Drops back fluidly in pass coverage and breaks sharply coming out of his backpedal.

This guy seems good and fast but a little small -- another Simoneau? A criminal justice major genius.

Fourth pick - Ryan Moats

Moats is a jitterbug type of runner with excellent quickness through the rush lanes. The Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year ... Has a stout build, with broad shoulders, thick thighs and smooth skin* ... Shows suddenness coming out of his stance ... Has a quick initial burst and suddenness to gain advantage ... Accelerates through the holes, doing a nice job of keeping his feet while working through traffic ... Picks and slides with ease in the hole, displaying a proper feel for the cutback ... Doesn't create much on his own, but makes good adjustments on the move ... Not an inside power runner, but compensates with his ability to pick and slide through the trash ... Not a vocal leader, but lets his actions talk for him (good team player)

Seems like a Westbrook type of player except Westbrook can create on his own. Is a Basic and Career Studies major and has smooth skin.

*Doesn't this stuff sound somewhat like something you'd hear at a slave auction?

Who will the Eagles pick?

Below are a bunch of "experts" best guesses. This year's draft has disagreement right from the start so knowing the Eagles pick at 31, take all this with a large rock of salt and remember how great they did last year.

Eagles needs seem to be filling the annual wide receiver hole, tight end because Chad Lewis appears on his way out, defensive line especially at the Corey Simon spot, running back probably but maybe that can wait till next year, and they can always use more offensive lineman and linebackers. I don't think they'll draft a wide receiver, linebacker, or running back early. A tight end or defensive lineman is my guess for their first pick. The player I hope they draft in the later rounds is Craphonso Thorpe for obvious reasons.

First Round Guesses

About.com
Heath Miller, TE Virginia
The Eagles could use another weapon at wideout, but Miller can do as much to loosen up opposing defenses as any receiver Philadelphia could add at this point, and he is a tremendous value this late in the round. The Eagles also like to run a lot of two-tight end sets, and with Chad Lewis and Mike Bartum nearing the end of their careers, bringing in some youth should be a priority.

The Sporting News
Matt Roth, DE Iowa
The Eagles lost free-agent defensive end Derrick Burgess and are looking for a two-way replacement to play opposite Jevon Kearse, who will get pressure off the edge and play strong run defense. Roth plays with nonstop hustle and sometimes gets a little out of control. To adapt to Jim Johnson's upfield scheme, Roth would need to improve his pass-rush discipline to match his great potential.

TSN
Roscoe Parrish, WR Miami
This is a need pick and might be a reach, but Terrell Owens needs a little help. Parrish is a speedy player who could play the slot position in Philly's offense. He is also a dynamic punt returner, which would alleviate RB Brian Westbrook from that maintaining that responsibility.

Don Banks on SI.com's site
Reggie Brown, WR Georgia
Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell are simply not enough of a threat to keep folks off No. 1 receiver Terrell Owens. Brown turned a few heads with a good week at the Senior Bowl, and he has nice size and reliable hands.

Don Banks on philly.com's site
Demarcus Ware, DE/OLB Troy

CBS Sportsline's 3 experts
Anttaj Hawthorne, DT Wisconsin
It would have been nice to control the Patriots up the middle.
Kevin Burnett, LB Tennessee
Eagles start collecting depth with eyes toward the future.
Heath Miller, TE Virginia
They need a player to replace Chad Lewis. Miller has slipped some, but he's still the best tight end.

Yahoo Sports
Matt Jones, WR, Arkansas
The former Razorbacks' quarterback is making the switch to wide receiver. It's rare that a player who switches skill positions when he enters the league is picked in the top-10. Then again, it's rare that a player stands 6-6 and weighs 240 lbs., yet is able to run a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. We'll feel even more confident in this sleeper projection if the Eagles make good on the rumors that they intend to release or trade loudmouth wideout Freddie Mitchell.

Fox Sports
Barrett Ruud, ILB Nebraska
Linebacker is the only weak link on an elite Eagles defense. Jim Johnson likes to blitz from everywhere and needs smart, playmaking linebackers to be most effective. Ruud, a versatile defender, isn't the most gifted athlete, but he plays smart and has great character, both important traits to the team.

Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders' Digest via USA Today
Chris Henry, WR West Virginia

NFL Draft Countdown
Roddy White, WR U.A.B.
In recent years the Eagles have been very proactive when it comes to the draft, not afraid to trade up for a specific player they have targeted. That will likely be the case again this year since they have so many choices, all of which can't possibly make their roster. When all is said and done look for them to package a number of picks and move up for a shot at someone like Travis Johnson since that is a position they are looking at considering Corey Simon's long-term future with the team is in doubt. However, since it doesn't make sense to predict trades the best player available on the board for them is White, who will provide them with depth and insurance with the Terrell Owens situation lingering. Todd Pinkston has been a disappointment on almost a weekly basis and now appears afraid to catch the ball where he might be hit while Freddie Mitchell's bark is much worse than his bite (just ask Rodney Harrison) so to land White here would be a coup. White is an underrated player who many don't know a lot about but he is a dynamic receiver with a great combination of size and speed who is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball due to his ability to run after the catch. Philly could also be looking defensive tackle here with guys like Johnson, Shaun Cody and Luis Castillo being possibilities and with the losses of Nate Wayne and Ike Reese linebacker depth is a major concern as well so don't rule out names like Darryl Blackstock and Kevin Burnett either.

Second Round Guesses

35. Ciatrick Fason, RB Florida
63. Elton Brown, OG Virginia

35. Justin Tuck, DE Notre Dame
63. Roscoe Parrish, WR Miami

Iverson Leads Sixers Into Playoffs

Ok, I don't really care much at all, but there's nothing else going on in Philly sports right now (I heard them talking about another freakin' horse on WIP yesterday).

Is Iverson really learning how to share the ball (12 more assists last night), or is this just a byproduct of playing bad teams? Angelo was adamant about his quest to guarantee the Sixers will not win a single playoff game, but I gotta believe they can do that - but not much more.

BOOOOOOOOO! to T.O.!

Will TO Prove To Be A Boobie?

First of all, I have no issue w/ TO and his contract desires if he shows up to training camp in August and plays hard on the field. Can't rip him personally for trying to get a new contract, so long as his behavior is hard working and competitive and team oriented. Fine, skip the voluntary and "mini" camps in the off-season. I expected some of that. But, once training camp starts, he better be there.

However, I have no desire to see his latest contract complaints satisfied. He's in the NFL, where there are no guaranteed deals. It is the greatest thing for the sport and the reason why the NFL is the only professional sports league worth following anymore. The players all have incentives to play hard with a good part of their upside money on the line. And just because the teams can cut a player at any time, doesn't mean it is a lopsided deal for the players. They are guaranteed their signing bonuses. If the player gets injured or starts sucking, who eats that? Yes, the teams do.

TO signed a contract. He WANTED to play for the Eagles and claims that the Eagles used that to strong-arm his numbers. I say he USED the Eagles to get him out of a place he didn't want to go. Why didn't he just fight the situation by himself and once a free agent go make his deals? There was VALUE to him in having the Eagles sign him and fight for him. He said he wanted to play for the Eagles, cuz they were winners and he was the missing link. Well, he proved to be just that and the Eagles went to the Superbowl. There was VALUE in that. He also said he wanted to play for DMac and that there was value in that over his former supposedly not-straight QB. Now he rips DMac as out of shape. I wonder how long until DMac is dubbed not-straight. TO got a signing bonus that he was hapy with at the time. He took the security offered by that money and opted out of more money in the base salary. Now he wants to undo that, given his solid performance last year. Gee, I want those options contracts back that I sold on Qualcomm 10 years ago, since the stock turned out to far outdo the money I got for the options. What a joke. Maybe I can blame my stock broker for a tip he gave me that was bad and I FOLLOWED, just like TO is blaming an agent he formerly employed. Sheesh, where does it end? Stand up and take some accountability for yourself amidst your verbal public bickering.

TO, quit your whining or go back to being property of the 49ers/Ravens. That's what you are if you're not an Eagle and the current contract is bogus.

Big Daddy B

Eagles 2005 schedule

Sep 12 @ Atlanta 9:00pm
Sep 18 San Francisco 1:00pm
Sep 25 Oakland 1:00pm
Oct 2 @ Kansas City 1:00pm
Oct 9 @ Dallass 4:15pm
Week 6 BYE
Oct 23 San Diego 1:00pm
Oct 30 @ Denver 4:15pm
Nov 6 @ Washington 8:30pm
Nov 14 Dallass 9:00pm
Nov 20 @ N.Y. Giants 1:00pm
Nov 27 Green Bay 4:15pm
Dec 5 Seattle 9:00pm
Dec 11 N.Y. Giants 4:05pm
Dec 18 @ St. Louis 4:15pm
Dec 24 @ Arizona 4:05pm
Jan 1 Washington 4:15pm

Is it me or is this year's schedule easier than last year's?

Highlights

So I watched some of the Phillies game last night. It was pretty boring but the Sixers were also blowing a 25 point lead at the same time so between the 2 of them I managed to stay mildy entertained.

The highlight of the Phillies game occurred in the 8th inning as Worrell was blowing the lead and the Nationals were hitting around. They showed Trotter on the big video screen and the loudest cheer of the night erupted followed by E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES! cheers reverberating around the stadium. These were then interupted by boos directed at the Phailing Phils.

Should He Stay Or Go?

The Birds are trying to deal Corey Simon for a couple of picks, but it isn't clear who has their best poker face on. The "TAG" did seem a bit pricey and some sort of a bluff. Does Simon really want to stay in Philly? Is he using this trade idea to figure out what his real longer term value is before signing a realistic multi year deal with the Eagles? I certainly wouldn't mind a couple of picks for him, but if the Eagles can reduce his price and sign him for a few years, that may be best.

Wheez kids

Well the boring and endless baseball season starts today and usually opening day is filled with optimism but not for the Phillies. Most predictions have them finishing in 4th or 3rd place at best. Sure they'll score runs but their pitching blows -- they have a lot of ancient arms and a lot of "potential" that is never fulfilled. So we can expect the usual 4-5 inning efforts from the starters that then erodes the arms of the bullpen until everything completely breaks down. And of course a lot of the remainder of the team is ancient as well so look for the Phillies favorite excuse -- injuries -- to figure prominently once again this year.

I predict 79 wins, 83 losses with the Phillies out of it by mid July.

Congratulations to the winner

UPDATE: I messed up bigtime. Apparently when I ran the Scenario Generator tool Yahoo wasn't done updating everyone's points and the results I got were inaccurate. So TJMC can "keep hope alive" because if Louisville and North Carolina are the finalists and North Carolina wins, he wins. Any other outcome and Netstrodamus wins.

According to Yahoo's nifty little Scenario Generator tool Netstrodamus has wrapped up willweeverwin's Tournament Pool, redeeming himself after last year's performance with a very un-Philadelphia-like worst to first turnaround. He can partially thank some big time Arizona choking and an atrocious traveling call for his victory. Seriously, how can the refs make that call? Anyway, it doesn't matter who makes the finals or who wins it all, no one else can earn enough points. The last four spots are also locked up going to GoodGrief, The Control Group, BigDaddyB, and the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. The remaining games however will determine the standings for 2nd to 6th place.

NCAA Tournament Time

It's been a couple boring sports weeks since the Super Bowl but the Tournament has arrived to sustain us until the NFL draft. (I'd rather be saying the NHL playoffs.) Once again I set up "team" willweeverwin over at Yahoo! so everyone can embarrass themselves again this year.

First go to Yahoo's Tournament Pick'em page. If you have a Yahoo ID, login. If not follow the instructions and get one. Once logged in fill out your individual info for your pick'em bracket then click the "Create or Join Group" button then choose "Join an existing group" then choose "Join a private group". When prompted, enter the following information:

Group ID#: 49583
Pass: probablynot

The willweeverwin winner will receive very limited accolades and not much else. At least that's what I got last year. Don't know if Yahoo is giving anything away. Don't forget to download the custom willweeverwin bracket gif!

Another One Bites The Dust

Per ESPN, Burgess agreed to terms with the Raiders. For a guy who missed the previous two seasons (and even a few games down the stretch this year), sounds like the guy got a huge contract. No idea if the $6MM of "bonuses" is all guaranteed money (or incentives / tbd roster bonuses), but man... if it is guaranteed, that is absurd and the Raiders are high rolling it here. Didn't the guy miss a chunk of last year and the entire two previous seasons? Unreal. Wish I could show up to work that frequently and get a big contract.

After Reese, Mayberry, and now Burgess... who's next? Oh, and now do the birds wait another year to see what McDougal really has in him or do they draft another DE this year (one of their favorite positions)?

Trotter signs with the Eagles

From the Eagles website:

The Jeremiah Trotter saga ended Friday afternoon with the linebacker agreeing to terms on a five-year contract with the team. "Philadelphia is my home and the Eagles are the team I want to be with," Trotter told PhiladelphiaEagles.com as he returns to town after visits in Kansas City and Cincinnati.

Word is he took less money to stay with the Eagles and will get a roster bonus in the second year if he remains healthy. Will they still look at Kendrel Bell now?

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ok, I hadn't boo-ed in a while, so there it went. The Eagles signed BDB's buddy, Buckhalter, to a 2 yr deal to open the 2005 FA season. Not as big a splash (cough, cough) as last year's first day, but there you have it... Assuming he makes it back on the playing field and doesn't fall over again, the blog will have to listen for two more years to BDB's complaining about Bucky's general idiocy and inept blocking. Long sigh.

I was prepared to deal with a boring opening to free agency, but Buckhalter being the sole headline of the day... that is salt in the wound.

Big Daddy B

I Just Wanna Buy A Jersey

Ron knows this, but the rest of you might not. I have a passion for collecting hockey jerseys. I don't just have Flyers jerseys but teams from around the world and even one from the Rangers. I'll get a Devils when they sign Satan. I own some real gems like an autographed Maurice Richard replica old school knitted Canadiens and some not-so-gems like an autographed Eric Lindros All Star. I use that one to line the bottom of my puppy's cage. He seems to like peeing on it and I don't blame him.

Anyway, since the NHL is self destructing I can't bring myself to buy any more hockey jerseys. So to get my fix I thought a nice new football jersey would satiate my cravings for meshed polyester and really big numbers. I figured it would be cool to buy a Patriot's jersey with some funny name on the back, but for some reason my order keeps being rejected. It turns out the same thing happened to my friend Bert Balls.