Who sucks more, the Flyers or their radio announcers?

I don't watch the Flyers games anymore but I listen to them on the radio. While the Eagles have Merrill Reese, the Phillies have Harry Kalas, and the Sixers have Tom McGinnis -- 3 of the best announcers you'll ever hear -- the Flyers have Tim Saunders and Brian Propp, 2 of the worst ever.

Going into the 3rd tied 2-2 Tim Saunders suggested the Flyers have turned the corner on their season. Twenty seconds later the Flyers get yet another penalty and Propp is excited because he thinks the Flyers are going to score a 3rd shorthanded goal. i cant take these clowns. But the best was yet to come.

After the Flyers predictably blew another third period lead and headed into another shootout where they would inevitably lose, Propp's brilliant analysis going in was, "If you win the shootout you feel like you won the game. If you lose the shootout you feel like you lost."

No shit.

Starting at the Top

Is Gary Bettman the reason today's hockey sucks compared to the game back in the day? Dan Wetzel seems to think so. Wetzel also thinks he is the most incompetent executive this side of Ken Lay.

I could write a book about Bettman's insulting and imbecilic moves through the years (Chapter 9: "The Glowing Puck") but the main problem has always been the same. He has shown no respect for the game, for its history, for its fans, for its unique qualities.

Wetzel composes this excellent analogy:

since fighting has been curbed, the "new" rivalries haven't really taken because a hockey rivalry without fighting is like non-alcoholic beer.

While Bettman is responsible for a large portion of the downward trajectory of NHL hockey, he is only able to wreak his havoc via the approval of narrow minded, greedy, and petty owners like those in Chicago and Boston.

The Flyers lost in a shoot out last night. I missed most of the game. I saw a nice goal on a delayed penalty promptly followed by a Tampa PP goal. Flyers looked like shit for the first 10 minutes of the third, then they looked great for the last 10 minutes. Game was winable (Hatcher's missing of the net in OT was particularly frustrating), but the Flyers lost in a shoot out. The impartial Steve Coates said the Flyers dominated the second period, but I need verification. Still, this is now 5 competitive games in a row. Will we be seeing some actual victories soon? Finally, did Forsberg take more bad penalties this game?

Flyers lose to Rangers, 2-1

Really the Flyers could of won this game. Not like they should have won the Devils game before the All-Star break, but could have won, as in they played like a real NHL team. They still took too many penalties, like 5 in the first period alone. They did score a nice goal and threw a lot of good body checks. Esche was solid. Gauthier was back and looked ok. Foresberg did not have a good game, turning the puck over on numerous occassions and taking dumb ass penalties. Sanderson still looks real rusty. Of course the highlight for Ron Wood happened a day earlier, when Todd Fedoruk let Joni Pittikinen know he sucks. This scuffle was praised by Coatsey, Jones, and Stevens.

What Am I Missing?

Listening to Eskin talk about "percentages," when the guy is a complete mathematical savant, boy, it's been brutal.

I love it when The Dope takes the fact that the odds are 1/39 in converting 4th and 15 or greater, based on this year's stats (which I don't think is an accurate way to get the probability, but that's a different issue), and then proceeds to say that it is even LESS likely than 1/39 since the Eagles converted 4-10 on the play before with the false start penalty. Man, I'd love to gamble with this guy, as he clearly doesn't understand that the two events are independent of one another (unless you think they really only had a single play in their whole playbook that was capable of getting 15yds, which is absurd). Let's see, Eskin, the odds of rolling two sixes in a row is 1/36. If I just rolled a six, will you give me 36:1 payoff if i roll another one? Heck, I'll take 7:1 payoff and play that game all day long with you.

The simplest way to look at probabilities here is to realize that the two events of PRIMARY concern are:
1) odds of converting 4-15
OR
2) odds of holding nos 3 and out.

I'd argue that converting 4-15 against the saints defense is significantly more probable than holding a team to less than 10 yards on the ground when it has shredded your defense all game and only had one 3 and out in the second half. "Knowing" the run was coming didn't help the eagles all season long, and I have no idea what anybody was smoking while watching this recent game to think that was more probable than converting 4-15, particularly after your defense has been worn down for four quarters. You have to take a position that the odds of #2 are significantly greater than the odds of #1 to choose option 2. Why? Read on, as #1 has some nice second chances behind it if you think #2 is actually possible. #2 is a backup plan to start with.

Here's what the Saints would have been left (a second chance) with if the Eagles failed to convert 4-15 and could really hold the Saints to 3 and out (as some believe) after that:

a) NOS makes a FG with the line of scrimmage (LOS) no closer than the Eagles 30, at least a 47 yarder (no gimme), PHI -6, ball on their own 25ydline after a kickoff, 1min to go, 75 yard TD drive required. This would be tough for the Birds to pull off, obviously, especially as the field gets pretty short in those last 20 yds having to go for a TD vs. a FG.
b) NOS miss a FG with the LOS no closer than the Eagles 30, PHI-3, ball on their own 37yd line (or better), 1min to go, need to drive 30-35yds to get a FG. Considering the position this would have put PHI in (pretty good), you have to think NOS would have opted to punt, option c below.
c) NOS punts from the Eagles 39-30 yard line, PHI-3 gets the ball on their own 10ish yard line as long as the punter doesn't put it in the end zone, 1 min to go, need drive 60yds to get a FG.

I doubt the Saints would have gone for A, given the consequences (B) of a miss and the fact they were playing at home with a lead. They'd probably end up punting, and the Eagles would have been left trying for a 1 minute 60 yard drive for a FG. Compare that to where they would have been if they held the Saints after punting to them (as AR hoped): their own 40 yard line, -3, 1 min to go, needing 30-35 yards for a FG (oh and a chance that BWest makes a return miracle, but c'mon... you can't make part of your backup plan the primary plan... besides it leaves NOS a full minute on the clock against our sorry defense).

So, let's talk percentages here, then... I'll take one more shot at a first down at 4-15 with 2 TO's and 2 mins to go on the clock WITH the backup plan being a 60yd drive (assuming BWest can't return a 30 yd punt anywhere) plus FG with 1 minute on the clock. That's gotta be more favorable than starting with the backup plan but only having to only drive 30-35yds plus a FG with 1 minute on the clock (and give BWest a crack at a big return). You're risking only -25 yds for a chance to keep the ball in your offense's hands, retain two timeouts, and have an extra minute on the clock. Unbelievable still to me.

What Am I Missing? I keep hearing all this percentage talk, sometimes by football folks who are more knowledgeable than Eskin. I don't get it.

Free Agents

Shawn Barber, LB
Correll Buckhalter, RB
Reno Mahe, RB
Koy Detmer, QB
Jeff Garcia, QB
Roderick Hood, CB
William James, CB
Michael Lewis, SS
Quintin Mikell, FS
Donte' Stallworth, WR
Juqua Thomas, DE

These are the Eagles Free Agents. Who do you resign and who do you let go?

My Opinion: Barber is gone. He even sucks at special teams. Buckhalter did everything asked of him (wish they asked more) and seems to have recovered from his many injuries. Reno Mahe is going nowhere and knows the offense so he could be re-signed at the minimum or kept on the practice squad and activated as need be.

Garcia may or may not go somewhere else. The Eagles should make him an offer on principal but they are just asking for a QB controversy if re-ups. Feeley has done ok as a back up before. The thing is that McNabb may not be back for the start of the season. This means either Garcia or Feeley or Detmer starts the season. This is a very interesting situation. If McNabb is not ready for the start of the season then some combination of Garcia and Detmer must be signed.

Hood, Mikell and James are all weak and should be let go. Upgrades in the secondary are a must. Lewis will most likely sign elsewhere, but if he could be re upped at a back up/special teams rate I would do that. Stallworth and Thomas should be re-signed.

What In The Heck??????

...is the difference between 4-10 and 4-15 from your own 39?????? Put the ball in the opposing team's hands (a team that ran the ball down your throat all game)???? AR is a freakin' idiot. If you think your defense is gonna stop them, then why not go for it (keep the ball in YOUR hands)? Why not, worst case (if you don't convert), stop them on your own 39 to 29, and let a FG happen (which as a 47yder isn't a gimmee anyway)???? Geez, this guy is a dope. He rightly gives the play calling over to MM, but he still can't situationally make the right calls for the team. MORON. OH, and screw the NFL, freakin' cheatin punks. All the calls. No, ALL the calls, right there for the illustrious city of misfortune. Unreal.

Take the over

1/13 8:00 PM ET	Opening	BoDog	Sportsbook	Pinnacle	WSEX	5Dimes
Philadelphia @ New Orleans	48 -4.5	49 -6	49 -5	49 -5	49 -5.5	49 -5.5

Matchup

BONUS QUESTION: Which team has improved the most since the regular season game?

Just like old times

This game was more like one where McNabb was leading the Eagles more than the last couple under Garcia. Opening drive by Giants goes for a TD which was expected but not the offense struggling and being really tight and Garcia being McNabb like on (in)completing screen passes and starting the game with 3 straight 3 and outs. But the defense stiffened (except for that terrible drive that tied the game at 20 - 1st and 30? 3rd and 12? Pathetic) and Westbrook was the star of the game and the rest of the offense pitched in enough to win. So Eagles beat the Giants and Dallass choked it away in great fashion. Does it get any better (other than winning a Super Bowl)?

OTHER NOTES: I guess Detmer earned his money and Reid is a genius for getting him back. They need to create a Pro Bowl spot for Detmer. Oh yeah, great kicking Akers. On the Giants side, Feagles was great punting it in the first quarter. Also on the Giants side, Tiki was good in his last game. I like the guy but won't miss him. On Mahe's 5 yard punt returns there is never a penalty, only on Westbrook's when he takes it all the way back. The only pass downfield all game was the Stallworth TD right before the half. And how about that, another drive before the half for points! And a drive at the end of the game to win it, eating up all the clock! Amazing. Where were the tight ends? LJ Smith was thrown the ball once twice. Schoebel caught one on the game winning drive for the his only catch. Shockey sucks. Dawkins would have picked that pass Howard tipped. How about that Dawkins Mexican wrestler tackle? Best joke of the season was Aikman mentioning that Tapeh caught the pass while they were talking about bald guys and comb overs. Reid answering, "The wire" to "What's this game going to come down to?" was a good one too. How about the blocking downfield on Westbrook's run? Westbrook's run kind of reminded me of Montgomery's vs. Dallass in 1981, the last time the Eagles beat an NFC team in the playoffs.

Mortal, Indeed!!!

How FREAKING awesome was that? I hope all of the true fans watched that last night. Actually, I even hope Boo stayed up until the fantastic ending. BDB almost decided to just crash (coming home from a three hour late red-eye the night before), but the game was just too close. A Birds victory later today will cap off a fantastic football weekend.

They better win

1/07 4:30 PM ET	Opening	BoDog	Sportsbook	Pinnacle	WSEX	5Dimes
NY Giants @ Philadelphia	46.5 -6.5	46.5 -7	46.5 -7	46.5 -7	46.5 -7	OFF OFF

Matchup

BONUS QUESTION: Which trend will prevail, the Sports Illustrated cover jinx, the Eagles not having beaten an NFC East opponent in the playoffs since they beat Dallass in 1980-81 or the Eagles winning the last 5 games of the season, which they last did in 1949 when they won the last 9 and went on to win the NFL Championship?

Winning Streak at Two

Flyers got a new player, Dmitry Afanasenkov, claimed off of waivers from Tampa Bay. This guy is a defensive forward. Maybe he can replace Sami Kappanen who was hurt in last night's victory. Yeah, that is not a typo, the Flyers, lead by strong games from Foresberg, Fedoruk, Hatcher, Eager, Esche and Calder defeated the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers played even with the Hurricanes for most of the first period, and Mike Knuble scored a goal during the last minutes of the period, which the referees disallowed. Luckily seconds later Simone Gagne may or may not have scored a goal on a sweet feed from Peter Foresberg, but this goal was allowed to stand. In the second period the Flyers reverted to form turning over the puck, taking penalties and generally playing like crap. They finished the period with 5 minor penalties, being out shot 18-3 and, most amazingly, still leading 2-1. Human turnover machine Zhitnik scored on a feed from ace set up men Forsberg and Fedoruk with 16 seconds left in the period. Carolina cried that Ward was interfered with, but this clown was outside the crease so shut up Lavalette. In the third period the Flyers played much better and capitalized on their chances- a lucky bounce lead to Mr. Assist, Todd Fedoruk feeding Ryan Potunly and a break away goal by Kyle Clader. Knuble added an empty net goal that led "no fighting" Lavalette to cry to the officials. Game got chippy at the end, with Hatcher crushing Justin Williams after a questionable hit on Afanasenkov. Esche was solid but made only 4 outstanding saves, as most of Carolina's 40 shots were aimed at the six hole. However Carolina's goalie disagreed:

`We dominated the whole hockey game,'' said Cam Ward, who finished with 14 saves for Carolina. ``Give credit to Esche. He played outstanding and ultimately stole them a hockey game.''

Maybe Ward is feeling salty cause he gave up 4 goals on 18 shots. Whatver, good win for the Flyers. Can they make it 3 in a row against he Isles? Here is the game summary.

Dallass sucks

America's Frauds losing to the Lions was a far more fun and exciting game than the Eagles vs. the Falcons. How many times could the announcers begin praising Romo and how he got in the pro bowl (a complete joke) and right on cue he would throw an horrible interception or just drop the ball? How bad is the Cowboys defense? 39 points to the Lions? Was that Kitna or Joe Montana? How great was Furey rifling the ball into the star on the wall, knocking it off, and breaking it? He's my new hero.

Of course Dallass losing so ignominiously to a horrible team made the Eagles game pointless. The Eagles backups won, the Falcons starters lost. It was fun to watch but unexciting. Feeley played great in the fill-in role, Schoebel had his coming out party (in game 16), Baskett played well - he only catches touchdowns if the play is over 80 yards, Avant had some nice catches, the rearranged offensive line played great, the backup safeties and corners outplayed Sheldon Brown, the defense shut down Dunn and the quitter Vick. I'm sure there are other good performances I'm forgetting but I didn't bother to really pay attention.

OTHER NOTES: The Eagles were passing on every single play there for a long stretch - was that because Mahe and Moats were the running backs or because they're reverting to form? Are the fans and the media getting carried away with this team or what? They're acting like a Super Bowl appearance is a pretty sure thing. The defense played really good in the Giants and Cowboys game but they were just as horrible as ever vs. Carolina and the Redskins. Basically my point is as fast as the Eagles seemingly got back on track it could all get derailed again just as fast.

Happy New Year!

Is it all a set up?

12/31 4:15 PM ET	Opening	BoDog	Sportsbook	Pinnacle	WSEX	5Dimes
Asslanta @ Philadelphia	45 -6.5	43 -8	43 -8	43 -8	43.5 -8	43 -9.5

Matchup

BONUS QUESTION: Who is the Eagles MVP - Garcia, Westbrook, or Dawkins?

Flyers Prove they are the Worst

In a battle between two of the leagues worst teams, the Flyers showed once again why they are in the midst of losing 10 straight. I missed the first period but saw the second and third. Flyers were sloppy, turned the puck over, were unable to clear their own zone, and lost those crucial one on one battles. Even the goal the Flyers scored was weak- a pass from Calder that banked in off Belfour. Particularly horrendous was Gagne, who fanned on at least three one timers, all of which the enabler, Jim Jackson, attributed to bad ice. The Flyers power play looked like butt, as they failed to convert on two 5 on 3 advantages. The power play plan is this give the puck to Forsberg and stand around and watch as he tries to pass. No one tries to get open or goes to the net, and Forsberg apparently has forgotten how to shoot. As bad as the Flyers played the calls of referee Don Koharski were worse, especially a roughing on Calder after he was head butted and a fighting major to Ben Eager where Eager dropped neither his gloves or stick when Matador jumped him. Oh yeah Niittymaki pulled his groin and left after 2 periods. Flyers are in Tampa tonight where Martin St. Louis should score a hat trick. More on the suckage here.

Now is the time to weigh in on this question: Who wins more games this year- the Flyers or the Sixers?

Romo Isn't God

OK, being a monotheist, I knew that before this game, but nonetheless, this was a fun one to watch, despite having to endure a bunch of home field calls for the Cowgirls throughout the first three quarters. TO put his signature on the game with a fairly important drop (sorry, his TD wasn't exciting and his celebration was way lame).

Again, the Birds called a GREAT game, I'm loving the use of the run. Is this our D from here on out? Is Garcia going to remain poised (minus a bad INT)? Buckhalter recovered a handful of fumbles (although the Stallworth one on the sideline was negated by a penalty, and the Garcia fumble was caused by a missed Bucky block).

What was your favorite play? TO's first or second drop (at the end)? Trots call of the Cowboys draw early in the second half? Dawks' Willie Mays impersonation basket catch INT?

Merry Christmas, Birds Fans!