Phinally Philly

Yes, it’s probably way too early to be convinced that Brad Lidge is back from his struggles, but he may be turning a corner.

In his last two saves, Lidge has faced six batters and retired all six of them. He has looked more like the closer who was perfect in save opportunities last year than the reliever with the highest ERA in the major leagues.

Is this a sign of Lidge finally coming around? Has he finally regained his dominant form from last season? It’s still not possibly to tell. His first two outs were very loud, and he wasn’t exactly overpowering the hitters.

He did manage to lower his ERA down to a bit over 7 at 7.03 for the season. Still extremely high, but when you’re a reliever who only pitches an inning at a time, that number can go up and down dramatically with a few good or bad outings in a row.

Brad Lidge is obviously an important part of this Phillies team and they need him to be the Lidge of ‘08 as opposed to the Lidge of ‘09, but that will be impossible. However, if Lidge can manage to hold the lead and finish out the game, which is his job incidentally, then the Phillies will be even more dangerous.

When Lidge comes into the game, it should send a message to the other team that the game is over. He hasn’t been doing that so far this season, but he’s taken a few steps towards getting there in recent days.

As I’ve been saying, Lidge is the best closer on the team, and he looks like he’s out to prove it finally. It’s about time Brad.

Just when you thought the middle linebacker battle was down to Joe Mays and Matt Wilhelm, another veteran has entered the fray just two weeks before the start of the regular season.

Omar Gaither will practice with the first team defense this week, signaling that the starting spot in the middle of the D is still wide open. Not a good situation to be in with only one preseason game to go. This really shouldn’t come as a surprise given the fact that neither Mays nor Wilhelm impressed in the first three games.

Is Gaither a better option though? Historically, the answer is a resounding no.

“Gaither, in fact, has twice lost his starting job. He lost his starting middle linebacker job to Bradley near the end of the 2007 season, but was moved into a starting role at weakside linebacker. He lost that starting job to Akeem Jordan when the Eagles played at Baltimore in Week 12 last season.”

Unfortunately outside of Gaither or Mays the Eagles options at MLB are extremely limited. Barring a significant cut by another team trimming a roster the Birds will most likely be stuck with a less-than-ideal starter anchoring the defense. Stewart Bradley’s injury just might be the most devastating loss the Eagles suffer all season not because he is an elite talent (although he’s certainly no slouch), but because the Birds were already so thin at the position that they couldn’t afford to lose their man in the middle.

I’ll even go as far as to say losing Bradley would be worse than losing a starter at just about any other position on the roster, with the exception of Trent Cole, or maybe Brent Celek. Lose Westbrook? At least you have Shady McCoy. Asante Samuel? Sheldon Brown, Ellis Hobbs, and Joselio Hansen are still there. As for middle linebacker, the Eagles can only hope Akeem Jordan and Chris Gocong can help pick up the slack on the outside.

 

Former Sixer GM Billy King recently sat down with Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer to chat about what else, Allen Iverson. 

Recent discussions have Iverson perhaps suiting up for the Charlotte Bobcats and reuniting with former head coach Larry Brown. Brown has lobbied for Iverson to join Charlotte, and despite their history has backed a reunion a hundred percent. 

The GM during that relationship was Billy King, who later traded Iverson to the Denver Nuggets before being fired. 

King had some harsh words to say about Iverson, though nothing he said is anything Sixer fans didn’t already know. 

“Everything is about Allen, and it can’t all be about Allen at this point in his career,” King told the Observer. “He’s no longer that intimidating figure who can just blow by everybody. So he’s got to do other things, and I’m not sure he will.”

King’s comments are spot on here. Iverson struggled in Denver to mesh with superstar Carmelo Anthony, he was then traded to Detroit where he became the sixth man at best. 

Iverson lacks the speed and athleticism to do what he use to, there is no doubt about this. Worser still is that he doesn’t have the ability to be an effective NBA player without the speed and athleticism he once had.

It’s a wonder that only the cellar dwelling teams are ringing his phone. Memphis and Charlotte are looking for the quick spike in attendance and merchandise sales that would accompany “The Answer.” 

“Allen never made the people around him better in the first place, because it’s always about Allen,” King said.

 Everyone knew the Sixers team that went to the Finals in 2001 was one and done, Iverson was the reason. You can’t build a team around a superstar that doesn’t want a team built around them. He was stubborn and sometimes childish, but got away with it because he was everyone in the front office and ownerships meal ticket. With Iverson came lots and lots of money and they knew it. 

Once Iverson became more of a financial problem then a team distraction it was time for A.I to go. And ever since, he’s been a burden every where he’s went. 

Denver was looking for a change, someone they thought would compliment their rising superstar. Guess they didn’t watch the carousel of “compliments” the Sixers brought in and out to pair with Iverson. 

He was traded to Detroit simply for cap reasons, Detroit used his big cap number to pull off deals for Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. 

Now he’s flirting with joining either the Memphis Grizzlies or the Charlotte Bobcats. What has happened to this former MVP and scoring Champion? What we all saw coming. 

-Mike Santa Barbara

*** Follow Me on Twitter @Mike__SB ***

A few cheers and jeers from the win over Jacksonville…

Cheer – Jason Avant, WR

Avant was all over the field, finishing with 5 catches for 92 yards. He showed good hands, and a knack for getting open at just the right time. There is no doubt he’ll have a prominent role in this offense.

Cheer – Kevin Kolb, QB

He recovered from a shaky start to lead the Eagles to a comeback win. That touchdown pass to Reggie Brown was a thing of beauty.

Jeer – Michael Vick, QB

Vick looked tentative to say the least in his first game back. He lacked any explosiveness on his one carry, where he clearly showed he was scared of getting hit as he ducked to the turf to avoid a hit. It’s obviously too early to doubt his effectiveness for the regular season, but there is another interesting storyline brewing here.

Vick came in for McNabb on several plays leading some to question whether he was knocking Donovan out of rhythm. McNabb didn’t deny it either. I hate to harp on the same thing over and over, but this is yet another reason the Eagles should have never signed Vick. Aside from the fact that he is a thug, of course. It’s going to be crucial that Andy, Marty and co. find a way to integrate Vick in to the offense without taking McNabb out of the game entirely, although I’m not sure I’m a fan of lining him out wide like he did several times last night. You’re just asking for a freak injury in that scenario.

Jeer – Jason Peters, OT

Peters took a false start penalty that killed an early drive, and looked shaky on the whole (though not as bad as Hugh Douglas might lead you to believe.) The Eagles didn’t make Peters one of the highest paid linemen in the league for this kind of performance, period.

Cheer – Jason Babin, DE

Babin should have a spot locked up on this team by now and he had another strong performance last night. He could end up being one of the more underrated signings for Birds if he keeps this up.

Cheer – Asante Samuel, DB

Samuel was all over the place, picking off a Garrard pass, forcing a fumble on the goalline, and narrowly missing another INT. He looked like he was in midseason form last night.

For more observations from that game philly.com has a couple nice recaps, one from Bird’s Eye View and another from Moving the Chains.

So, after that terrible series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, the Phillies’ record at PNC Park dropped to 9-12.

Seriously Phils? The Pirates have been the worst team in the National League for years, but for some reason, the Phillies just seem to not play well in Pittsburgh. If not for Ryan Howard’s 10th inning 3 run HR the other night, the Phillies would have been swept by the Shittsburgh Butt Pirates.

The pitching has been good, it’s the offense that is failing the team right now. This team has lived and died by the longball, and that’s now coming back to haunt them. There have been so many instances where the offense has failed to advance the runner in order to score runs.

They just can’t seem to play small ball. Everyone on this team is just looking to get a run with one swing. That’s not going to cut it, as seen by the series in Pittsburgh. When the home runs don’t come, this team is struggling to score.

From Todd Zolecki:

The Phillies were hitless in five at-bats with runners in scoring position last night. They hit .107 (3-for-28) with one homer and six RBIs with RISP against the Pirates this week, and have hit .214 (52-for-243) with 14 homers and 86 RBIs with RISP since July 27.

You’re not going to win many games with numbers like that.

Anytime you have to quote court jargon in a sports-related sign you should probably just stay home and shoot yourself in the face.

Notice the poor picture selection, and the fact that this chump couldn’t even spring for a color printer?!? What about the fifth grade level coloring job/hand writing? He really wasn’t smart enough to write a little bigger to fill some of that empty white space?

I decided to fix this picture. Muuuuuch better…

Hey folks! We’re less than ten minutes from kickoff, and I decided to do a little live blog here for the first half of the Eagles – Jaguars game for those of you who aren’t able to watch. Just keep refreshing your broswer and I’ll probably have something new for you every few minutes.

Have any questions? Just leave me a comment below and I’ll answer it to the best of my ability.

7:02 ET – The guys on NFL Network are asking which is weirder to see: Favre is a Vikings uniform, or Vick in an Eagles uniform? Being an Eagles fan I may be a bit biased, but I never imagined he’d end up here.

**Crap, I’m stuck watching this online and NFL Network will only show when the Eagles have the ball. I’ll try to find the full game, but if not I’ll have to wait to judge the defense till I find a copy of the game online later.

7:07 – McNabb on the field to start. Eckel starts for Weaver at fullback. First play McNabb overthrows a wide open Avant…and here comes Vick to a loud ovation. Some boos, mostly cheers.

First play was a shovel pass for a short gain out of the shotgun.

3rd and 6 – McNabb avoids pressure, flushed to outside and overthrows Avant again, although Avant had a shot an had it bounce off his hands.

Rocca decent punt inside the 20. Aaaaaand it’s back to the NFL Network talking heads.

**Good point by Eisen…will bringing Vick in knock McNabb out of a rhythm? Sure looked like it did on that first drive.

7:13 – Jags go 3 and out. Here we go again.

McNabb to Curtis for a good gain on 1st down just inside the Eagles 35.

1st and 10. Vick in shotgun, McNabb out wide, Vick runs for a short gain/loss. Looks slow, hesitant.

2nd down – Maclin catches the screen and makes a move to get the first down. Avant had a nice block on the play.

1st and 10…no room for McCoy and he’s stuffed. This makshift O-line can’t run block.

2nd and 8. Vick in slot, McNabb at QB…McCoy carries for 4 or 5 but there’s a flag…holding on Celek. Still 2nd down.

**FYI Westbrook isn’t playing, after it was originally reported he would.**

2nd and 18. McNabb eludes serious pressure, and finds Avant for a big gain. He’s settling down. Avant looks great…really getting open.

1st and 10. McCoy runs up the middle for 4.

2nd and 6. McNabb short pass over middle to Celek for 4.

**Westbrook is being held out as a precaution: Hugh Douglas “He’s like a fine merlot. You know what he brings to the table…why take a chance at getting him hurt?”**

The Eagles were trying to line up with Vick at QB but it took too long and they had to take a timeout.

7:22 – I doubt we’ll see Vick this often in the regular season. The Eagles are probably just trying to get a feel for how in shape he is.

3rd and short. McNabb toss to McCoy and it’s close. He had a hole but it closed up quick.

Bad spot, I didn’t think he got it, but he did.

1st and 10. Vick in @ QB. Pass over the middle is caught by Basket. Nice throw and catch with a defender right there.

1st and 10. Screen to McCoy for just a yard. Nice tackle by some Jag. He needs to run north south more and stop dancing.

2nd and 9. Big pressure on McNabb and he had to throw it away.

7:26 – 6:10 to go in the 1st Q. 3rd and 9. McNabb hit as he threw and almost had it picked in the end zone. Delayed corner blitz. Donovan has NO time to throw.

Akers 31 yard field goal attempt…Good! 3-0 Eagles.

**I found a full feed of the game. Check this out.**

1st and 10 JAGS. Maurice Jones Drew (MJD) rushes for two…Eagles D snuffs it out nicely.

2nd and 8. Draw to MJD but the Eagles do a great job of getting to him and forcing him out for a short gain. They were all over it!

3rd and 7. Eagles blitz, Garrard completes pass over the middle and Garrard is hurt. He got smashed! Too bad the catch went for a first but oh man he’s down and in pain. Very sad to see.

**Phew…Garrard jogged off, but he is out of the game. At least he left the field under his own power.

1st and 10. Bouman in the game for JAX (whoever that is.)

Bouman goes deep but Hobbs had GREAT coverage. Flag on JAX, holding. 1st and 20.

**Good start for Hobbs.

1st and 20. Run to outside MJD picks up 8, Jordan with the tackle. Looked like he had no room but clearly he did.

2nd and 13. Bouman hit as he threw. Couldn’t tell who got to him and these Jag announcers suck. They don’t mention anything about the Eagle players.

3rd and 13. More pressure, Bouman dumps it off to his TE and three Eagles were there including Jordan. GREAT pressure on this drive and JAX will punt.

Jackson calls fair catch. Eagles take over on their 27.

1st and 10. McNabb under huge pressure again! Had to throw it away. No blitz too.

Vick is back in. 2nd and 10. Screen to Jackson, short gain of 2. Nowhere to go. Crappy ass ex-Eagles Sean Considine got in on that play.

3rd and 11. McNabb had Curtis open but missed him. Under pressure AGAIN. Flag on the Eagles…declined. 4th down.

Nice punt, better coverage. Jags take over on their 33. 44 yard punt. Garrard back in the game.

Jags announcers just complimented the crowd, attributing them showing up to Vick playing. What they don’t understand is we ALWAYS show up. Wouldn’t expect Jag homers to realize that tho.

1st and 10. Nowhere to run for MJD.

2nd and long. Garrard pass ALMOST picked by Samuel. Cole with nice pressure.

3rd and 9. Dump pass and MJD takes it all the way down to the Eagles 21 yard line. First bad play for the D tonight.

1st and 10.  Garrard pass incompete.

2nd and 10.  HUGE blitz…should have been a sack but Garrard lucks out and gets it to MJD for a first down. Great pressure by Cole yet again.

1st and goal from the 8 for JAX.

END of 1st Quarter. 3-0 Philly

**NEWS FLASH!** We interupt this live blog to let you know Paul Bako just hit a HOME RUN!!! Holy cow! Didn’t think that was possible. 2-1 Phils top 3rd.

1st and goal. MJD runs for gain of 2 up the middle. Jordan with another tackle.

2nd and goal. Screen…Gocong is there to make a quick stop.

3rd and goal. Blitz…short pass to Hughes…he gets KNOCKED OUT but the ball comes loose, Holt picks it up and runs it in for a TD.

Asante NAILED him, but did he have possession? He definitely didn’t cross the goalline.

Receiver Nate Hughes is ok. TD stands (horrid call), but it’s preseason so who cares. Wouldn’t be surprised if Samuels is fined for that hit. 7-3 Jags.

1st and 10 Eagles after short Demps return.

False start Peters. Ugh.

1st and 15. Screen to McCoy and he’s hammered for a loss.

2nd and long. Vick in…more applause from the crowd.

McNabb out wide. Inside shovel pass to McCoy for short gain.

3rd and 13. McNabb has time. Short pass caught by Avant. Eagles punt. Horrible possession.

**Just lost the feed. Trying to find another one.

Considering I can’t find anywhere to watch the game I’ll call it a wrap on this live blog. Make sure to check back tomorrow though for my thoughts on what we saw tonight!

Emery may be a changed man, but that does not mean he has to stop having fun. No drugs, no reckless driving, no punching people, and no arrests. This of course is a good thing. We want Emery to be level-headed during the regular season, but nobody said he had to destroy his entire social life; just most of it.

This offseason the Flyers’ new goalie has been seen all over Philadelphia attending events with teammates such as Jeff Carter, who at times seemed to be his own personal tour guide for the city of brotherly love. They were teammates in Canadian Juniors so it makes sense.

Recently images surfaced with Emery having a little fun with some friends and his Flyers’ goalie equipment. This is what we got out of it:

So let’s not jump to any conclusions, but instead admire Emery’s game at every level. Those pads do look kind of awesome don’t they? I for one can’t wait for training camp.

Tonight the Eagles take on the Jaguars at the Linc, and there is a lot on the line for several fringe players trying to make the final roster. Here’s what I’ll be watching…

- Some guy named Michael Vick will be making his Eagles debut tonight and it might get a tad bit of attention around the NFL. It will be intriguing to see if he still has the physical gifts he had prior to his prison sentence.

- You gotta figure at this point that two out of the following three wide receivers are going to make the roster: Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown, and Brandon Gibson. Sheil Kapadia brings up some speculation that Brown could see a lot of work as a way of showing him off to up his value in a trade to the Jets or Ravens.

- Stacey Andrews will make his Eagles debut along the O-line tonight. I’m sure a lot of eyes will be focused on Winston Justice at right tackle as well, considering he may be the Week 1 starter if Shawn Andrews can’t go. Jason Peters will have to improve after giving up a sack against the Pats in his only preseason appearance thus far.

- Brian Westbrook will make his preseason debut. To be honest I don’t even care how he looks, I just want him to stay healthy. I can’t imagine he’ll be out there past the first few drives.

- Joe Mays and Matt Wilhelm will both have a chance to take over the starting middle linebacker job. Neither has impressed through the first two games.

- A couple of backups who will be looking to build off strong performances in Indy: TE Rob Myers and RB Eldra Buckley. Myers may be a longshot to make the team (especially with former-Cowboy Tony Curtis now on the roster), but neither Matt Schobel nor Eugene Bright have looked good this preseason, so you have to figure the door is open at least a little bit for the undrafted free agent.

- Jeremy Maclin needs to show he can hang on to a few punts and make more of an impact as a receiver. I wouldn’t be surprised if Desean Jackson returns a punt or two either.

- Ellis Hobbs was terrible against the Colts. At the start of the preseason he was battling Sheldon Brown for a starting job, but I would assume Brown has that locked up. As of now Hobbs is battling Joselio Hansen for the nickelback spot.

- Former first round pick Jason Babin has looked outstanding through the first two preseason games. If he spends anywhere near the same amount of time in the Jags backfield as he did in Indy he should have a spot on this team come week 1 in Carolina.

Additional Reading:

- Les Bowen tries to predict the final 53-man roster.

- Iggles Blog has plenty of insight into tonight’s game.

- Inside the Iggles takes a look at linebacker Moise Fokou.

So, another blown save by the Phillies’ bullpen, but this time the Phils actually came back to get the win.

Ryan Madson, who everyone and their mother was calling to replace Brad Lidge, blew this save almost as quickly as Lidge did the night before. In doing so, he wasted a terrific outing by Cole Hamels, who pitched 8 shutout innings on his way to a no decision.

In what I think is the dumbest rule in baseball, besides the DH, Madson gets credited with the blown save as well as the win, because he came back out for the 10th. Hamels should have gotten this win, plain and simple.

Luckily for Madson, the Big Piece Ryan Howard saved his ass with a 3 run bomb in the top of the 10th inning to get the win for the Phillies.

While all of this was going on, Brett Myers was pitching 2 strong innings of relief up in Reading. He struck out 5 batters, walked 1, and didn’t give up a hit. Myers seems to be on his way back to Philly sooner rather than later.

Many have been calling for Madson to get a shot at the closer’s role, and I just don’t think he has it in him at this point. Myers has done it in the past, and has done it successfully. He will be on a strict pitch count when he comes back because of his hip surgery, but I think he deserves a shot at the closer’s spot.

When Myers eventually gets added to the big league roster, it will be very interesting to see how Choly uses him. I’m sure he’ll have a few relief appearances before being thrown into the closer’s role. The best thing about Myers coming back however is that it finally gives Manuel a legitimate second option to use as a closer. Having a second proven closer can’t be a bad thing for a team which, for a moment tonight, had the Senior Circuit’s best record.

I’m sure the closer situation will sort itself out by the end of the regular season, but who will that guy be? Lidge? Madson? Myers? Chan Ho? At this point, it could be any of them.

My money is still on Lidge, but I’ve been wrong before.