Just wanted to post one last time to bring this site to a close.

I had a great time working on this after Roman brought me on and it was fun to work with everyone here: Chris, Foley, Dany, Mike, Kevin & all of the guest posters we’ve had.

In the end, we just don’t have the time that we once had to devote to the blog.  Careers & other interests have taken up that time.

Good luck to everyone that has done anything for this site over the past couple of years, especially big Rome Z, without whom this would have never happened.

We’ll still keep the Twitter & Facebook pages around, so keep up with us there.

As I said in the above tweet…

Peace out girl scouts.

-KK

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I know it’s been a while for us here at Phinally Philly, but as the above tweet shows, we’ve been on a semi-permanent hiatus for a few months. Everyone involved kind of got busy with other things, be it school related, job related, or just plain busy. I’ve felt bad not giving an update, so I figured today would be a good day.

However, as anyone following our Twitter account could tell, we’ve been quite busy today. I don’t know where the sudden burst of activity is coming from, but I like it.

There may even be a chance of a return to posting here. I don’t want to promise anything, but I’ll try to keep things updated on where the blog stands.

Things are always in discussion between everyone here. (I’m still waiting on a promised State of the Blog Report that’s going on 8 months now…)  As I said, we’ll try and keep everyone updated and we’ll see where the site goes from there.

-KK

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Amidst the craziness that is the Philadelphia sports scene lately, it’s safe to say the Sixers aren’t being discussed around the water cooler in your office. 

However, that doesn’t mean the Sixers aren’t making moves.

On Thursday the Sixers made a deal with the New Orleans Hornets. Sending longest tenured Sixer, Willie Green, and former 1st round pick Jason Smith to the Hornets in exchange for big man Darius Songaila and 21st overall pick in this years draft, Craig Brackins. 

The deal seems to be a win for the Sixers, and down right baffling from the Hornets end. 

Green, while a veteran, doesn’t have the tools to play productive minutes. Jason Smith had shown flashes of perhaps becoming a talented and versatile player down low, but injuries have taken that spark away. 

Songaila is a decent shooter but probably won’t contribute too much to the team in the form of minutes. 

Brackins is an athletic big man, standing 6″10, who has the ability to shoot from outside. Brackins was the 21st pick in the 1st round by Oklahoma City before being traded to the Hornets. Brackins is a player whose reportedly been on Rod Thorn’s radar for a few years now. Some scouting reports claim that Brackins would have easily been a lottery pick had he come out a year ago. 

Clearly the 76ers are changing the culture of this team. For once embracing the athletic ability of the current roster and surrounding that talent with equally athletic players with an importance on those players ability to shoot from outside. The Sixers will be a defense first team, though you’re slowly starting to see the creation of what kind of offensive attack they hope to bring this season. 

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For the first time since May 30th, the Philadelphia Phillies woke up on top of the NL East today with a 1/2 game lead over the Atlanta Braves.  Since holding a 7 game lead over the Phillies on July 21st, the Braves have gone 24-22. Over that same stretch, the Fightins have gone 32-15 to overtake Atlanta.

Everyone has been waiting for Atlanta to fall back to Earth at some point this season, but they do appear to be a legitimate thread to deny the Phillies a 4th straight NL East crown. With Chipper Jones out for the year, the Braves made a deal to acquire Derek Lee from the Cubs, but he hasn’t been the offensive spark that he could have been.

Of course, the biggest reason behind the Phillies’ recent surge has been the fact that the regular lineup has finally gotten a chance to play together. With everyone returning from injury, including Chase Utley & Ryan Howard, the Phillies finally resemble the team that is the 2 time defending National League Champions. With all of the injuries, it seemed as if the Lehigh Valley IronPigs were on the field at Citizens Bank Park at some points this summer.

At 80-60, the Phillies have 22 games left in the season. With 6 of those against the Braves, it’s going to be a very entertaining race down the stretch. To eclipse last year’s total of 93 wins, the Phillies would have to go 14-8 in their final 22. That’s going to be tough to do as the schedule is all NL East teams from here on out.

With a 6-2 start to September, the Phillies have continued their pace from August, where they won 18 games. They have also won at least 17 games in each of the past 4 Septembers. If they can do that again this month, with 6 against the Braves, the Phillies have a very good shot at advancing to the postseason for the 4th consecutive year.

This team has the potential to be very scary in the playoffs, with the three-headed monster of Halladay, Oswalt, & Hamels pitching in front of an offense that always turns it up a notch in the fall. Now they just have to get there.

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Tonight’s final preseason matchup against the Jets will be one for the hardcore fans. The game, which begins at 8 at the Linc, will be devoid of all of the familiar faces. While you won’t be able to get your fix of Celek, Kolb, or DeSean, there will be plenty of important things to keep an eye on that will have an effect on the team as they head into their season opener on September 12 at home against Green Bay.

With 10 days to go until the season begins, the final 53-man roster is all but wrapped up, but we could see guys slide up and down the depth charts, or if there’s a really remarkable performance, one or two guys sneak on to the team.

These are the things that I looking at tonight:

1. Michael Vick: The backup quarterback has actually looked worse this year. Although his speed seems to be back, lost are his throwing accuracy (not that he was ever the best passer) and his ability to hold onto the ball. There are some people who have it in the back of their mind that Kolb’s success isn’t assured, so the Birds need to have a guy at backup ready to step in. The jury is still out on Vick, and he needs to show tonight that he can make the right decisions under pressure.

2. Macho Harris: While his action has been limited due to a severe hamstring injury, the second-year player needs to make a case for himself at the crowded safety position. He will be competing with Quintin Demps and the so far impressive rookie Kurt Coleman. Admittedly, I’ve never been high on Harris, but this is a position of need for the Birds, so having some extra push and pull could motivate all of these guys to go above and beyond.

3. Wide receivers: In my mind, the guys that are a lock are DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, and Riley Cooper. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess and the last 1 or 2 guys will come down to three guys – familiar face Hank Baskett, Kelley Washington, and Chad Hall. We all know the story with Baskett, and Hall started out training camp by pulling down everything in his sight, but Washington could usurp them both by showing that he is strong enough to play in the NFL.

4. Rookies: Plenty of rookies have really made a name for themselves during the preseason, and none are more obvious than first round pick Brandon Graham and free safety Nate Allen (the Donovan McNabb pick), but how the roles of a few other guys play out will be very interesting. One guy I particularly like is tight end Clay Harbor, especially with the constant confusion surrounding Cornelius Ingram. Harbor has proven that he can catch the ball, but more importantly, he looks to be the blocking complement to breakout
star Brent Celek. Fourth-round cornerback Trevard Lindley will likely hit the field with the starters tonight, and he could continue making his case to the team.

After tonight, the countdown to the 2010 season will be officially underway. While many casual fans will choose to tune out of this contest, this matchup is just as important for the team as the three previous games. The way things shake out with Vick and the rookies will be particularly important for the Birds going into this season.

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When the Sixers took Andre Iguodala 9th overall in 2004, they drafted him in hopes he’d become the eventual face of the franchise. Since then the team has gone through it’s ups and downs. Now 6 years later, the future maybe now.

Iguodala has earned a spot on the USA Basketball squad for the 2010 Worlds, something that could jump start his career. The opportunity to play with some of the NBA’s best young talent, under the tutelage of Coach K, is one Iguodala has seemed to take full advantage. His game has continued to grow in other areas besides the point total.

Only a few short months ago, the Sixers were shopping Iguodala heavily around the NBA. Now, it seems as if he’s going to get another opportunity to become what the Sixers had hoped he would when they drafted him 6 years ago. Iguodala deserves a lot of credit for earning the teams changed perception of him. When things were at their worst, he stood tall, reiterating his desire to stay in Philadelphia,  again and again. 

Like any successful player, one needs a strong supporting cast. With the revolving door of head coaches, and some foolish front office moves, it’s been an uphill battle for Iguoala. He could of openly asked for a trade like Samuel Dalembert did, moaned and groaned his way out like Chris Webber. Criticized the organization like Greg Buckner or just plain given up like Glenn Robinson  or the aforementioned Mr. Webber. Though, he hasn’t, he’s shown the desire to compete. Now does he have the will? 

The future molding of that answer maybe in the process of being constructed at the World Championships.

I asked my Twitter followers (follow me @Mike__SB) what they thought. Will Iguodala’s experience playing for Team USA help his game? Leadership? Or the Sixers chances? 

Here’s a few responses: 

“I think he is what he is at this point. He doesn’t have to be the leader there either so not much will change” ( @ArenaMj )

-Could be right, may have little affect on his leadership with the Sixers. I still believe that he’s really embracing the role, and the younger guys will look to him for leadership. 

“Playing for Coach K never hurt anyone, that’s for sure.” ( @GregDietz )

-Can’t argue with you there. Coach K is certainly running this team like a team. A team made up of equally important parts, not just a team of superstars. 

“Think it helps his defense. He is seeing how important it will be in this setting. Collins will have the same message. I feel he could be more of a leader because of this.” ( @NBAtipoff )

-I agree, Iguodala is already, in my mind, a terrific defender. It will surely help ready himself for Doug Collins whose going to preach defense first. As well as offense from defense, no Princeton offense this season. 

“Maybe help him realize he will never be the star but just a role player. Know your role!” ( @ScrappleSports )

-The Sixers hope some of the scoring load will be taken off his shoulders with Evan Turner on board. If Turner is successful I think we’ll find out exactly how important and perhaps underrated Iggy is. 

With lots of work left to do, the Sixers believe they are finally headed in the right direction. 

Along with new Head Coach Doug Collins, 2nd overall pick Evan Turner, and a young nucleus headed by Jrue Holiday, the Sixers are poised for a rebirth of sorts. A franchise that last season was in the doldrums of the NBA , suddenly has hope. 

This hope hinges on what type of impact Iguodala will have going forward. The experience he takes away from playing in the Worlds could have the biggest impact on what happens to the Sixers this season. Having some success at the international level, representing your country? Don’t let the magnitude of that become lost. Whether or not you care about it as a fan or not doesn’t mean it couldn’t have a great effect on Iguodala himself. The hunger and desire to make his own success at the NBA level can only become larger. 

Iguodala may not be lighting up the scoreboard at the Worlds but he’s continuing his growth as a player. I say continuing because it started during last seasons disaster of a season, for the 76er. Last season Iguodala achieved his highest averages in rebounds, assists, and blocks per game. Seems as if the growth of his game is starting to build. 

Will Iguodala be able to take his game to the next level? Become the leader of this young Sixers team? 

Those questions will likely be answered soon. 

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Taking too much stock in preseason football can make a pessimist out of even the most positive fan. This team has taken their lumps in many of the expected areas, and while the playoffs seem like a longshot this year, things are not all bad.

The outcome of a season can never be based on the results of the preseason, especially when the starters only see action in six quarters over the course of four games. These games are more about figuring out chemistry and fleshing out the roster.

With 75 players still in camp, there’s a lot of trimming needed to be done to get down to 53. We now know that guys like receiver Riley Cooper, defensive end Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, and tight end Clay Harbor will be important additions to the 2010 Eagles team. Training camp and the three preseason games played so far helped these guys rise to the top of a very crowded fray.

Look at the rest of the NFC East and their preseason slate. Things haven’t looked good for “America’s Team” Dallas Cowboys, who all of the experts are already calling Super Bowl-bound. With a terrible offense that has not scored more than 16 points in any game, they’ve looked like shit. I doubt that anyone is worried, especially not their smug fans.

Just down 95, things aren’t so nice in Washington, D.C. Donovan McNabb is – wait for it – injured yet again, and likely will not be ready for the season opener. Offensively and defensively these guys are just not gelling.

Boy wonder Eli Manning has gotten battered, and he and his Giants got absolutely clowned by the Ravens yesterday. Granted Baltimore is a very good team, but judging a team’s worth by the score in the preseason is as ineffective as picking a Cy Young winner strictly on the games won.

As the Birds come home to face the Jets in their final matchup before the regular season begins, the starters will be sitting in lieu of the guys on the bench. Will it be nice to win the game? Sure, but it won’t mean anything.

While some disappointing things have happened this preseason, fans have seen just as many good things go down as well. The Eagles have a tough road ahead of them, so it’s going to take the first team consistent playing time together before we judge this season a bust or not.

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It wouldn’t be a preseason without an injury to tight end Cornelius Ingram, and almost like clockwork, he’ll be getting an MRI on his left knee this week. He missed several days of training camp and practice with a swollen calf and issues with this knee, and with an overall disappointing preseason, this almost seemed inevitable.

This is the same knee that suffered an ACL tear while he was in college, and as well, one last year during training camp. While you want nothing but the best for a guy that should slot in right behind Brent Celek on the depth charts, it’s gotten to be a little too much by this point.

In typical Andy Reid fashion, the injury was downplayed, relaying to the media:

“He just has some swelling there. It’s just precautionary measures. It’s bothering him, so we’re going to get it checked out.”

While it sounds like this is all speculative, based on history and his excessive time missed already, Ingram is likely going to miss significant time. With rookie Clay Harbor getting plenty of first team reps – and making impressive plays left and right – the team’s backup plan is already in full effect.

What I expect to happen is that the team moves forward with two tight ends – those being Celek and Harbor, and Ingram ends up on injured reserve. This would be his second time time on IR in his two-year career. While there is the off-chance the team would just cut him, it’s hard to throw in the towel this early on a young talent.

For the sake of the team and Ingram, let’s hope I am wrong.

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Lots of people have been talking about how bad the Eagles looked on Friday. After looking back at a few key moments and letting things fester for a few days, I agree…and disagree. The key issues remain some of the team’s classic, perennial issues – converting for a touchdown inside the redzone, penalties, and the offensive line’s inability to effectively protect the quarterback.
While the team had other problems, these are the big ones that were apparent in the first half, which was when the first team was on the field.

It’s easy to say that the Birds need to get their shit together and execute these tenets of an upper echelon football team, but many of the issues run much deeper.

The offensive line is not quite decimated, but it’s not the line that the team should be putting on the field. Starting center and keystone Jamaal Jackson is recovering from his ACL tear faster than expected, but he’s still unlikely to play at all during the preseason. Mike McGlynn has been good, but he’s not what the team needs at this point. Jackson knows the line and his blocking skills are impeccable.

Additionally, Todd Herremans sat out once again, presumably not because he can’t play but because the team is being very careful with him due to his recent injuries. He’ll likely be playing against the Chiefs this week in Kansas City. Arguably the strongest member of the interior offensive line, he’ll help to offset issues brought on by the terrible Max Jean-Gilles. While McGlynn and Stacy Andrews have their own spate of issues, but the recently lapband-equipped left guard should not be playing with the first team. Defensive backs all too often run circles around him, and the excellent Bengals defense took advantage of this.

Most importantly, before you decry Andy Reid for abandoning the run, just remember that you would do the same thing if you were getting no support from your O-line.

The penalty situation is a funny one – like not funny as in “ha ha,” but funny in a “this happens all of the time” way and why the hell haven’t
you guys learned from your mistakes yet?

I’ve lived in Los Angeles for just over two years, and each Sunday I watch the game at a Philly sports bar in Santa Monica called The Shack. Not to get too far off track here, but it’s nice to be surrounded by people from back home and fans that understand the complex love/hate relationship we all have with this team and Andy Reid. Nothing exemplifies this more than the stupid penalties the Birds consistently commit. After two years of regularly going to this bar, the hooting and hollering that happens after these blockhead plays is ingrained
in my psyche.

Will this year be any different? While there is hope, I don’t expect the team to flip a switch and make everything better. Just like calling for a pop fly in baseball, this is stuff you learn when you’re a kid. It should be easy.

Over two preseason games, the Eagles have not scored one touchdown. Not one. While penalties can explain a fraction of these red zone failures, and the offensive line question marks likely make up most of the rest, it seems that this is more of a procedural problem than one of culture or mentality.

While sometimes honesty can bring pessimism to the forefront, I am feeling optimistic about the Birds turning things around inside the 20. This shiny new offense will hit their stride soon as Kolb becomes comfortable with who to use when. Also, as the offense line comes together, the run game will improve.

The three things that have held the team back from scoring a TD so far have been penalties, the offensive line, and fumbles, all of which can easily be addressed in practice. I am not worried about turnovers as that has never been the M.O. of this team. If I had to choose one thing that fans needed to seriously worry about, it’s the offensive line. Of course this is fodder for a (much, much) longer piece, but why Reid and company didn’t address this huge issue in the draft is beyond me. When your starting center and left guard are injured, young talent needs to be seriously considered.

The big issue Friday night were the illegal formation penalties which happened not once, not twice, but four times. Completing ignoring the old adage “learn from your own mistakes,” the team even caused a Jason Avant TD to be pulled back. Jason Peters was responsible for two of these penalties. Although this can be attributed to a preseason mindset and just trying to work out kinks, this needs to addressed in practice.

So was there some bright spots from this young team? Of course there were.

Young Captain Kolb looked great under pressure, both scrambling and getting rid of the ball early. Newly anointed starting left defensive end Brandon Graham reacted well to pressure and expertly helped to shut down the run game. All of those early predictions that he could be the Defensive Rookie of the Year don’t seem so far-fetched any more.

DeSean Jackson remains the de facto man at wide receiver. He isn’t pulling down those massive deep catches of yore, but most importantly, he’s using his speed to outrun secondaries and consistently get open. He nabbed four catches for 74 yards this past Friday against a very tough defense.

Other guys that look good include Sav Rocca (early indications point to him having a better season), David Akers (a model of consistency), Trent Cole (often unnoticed, but always great), and finally, Stewart Bradley. His huge hit on Ochocinco got the receiver talking (whining, if you want to be specific) and he’s emerging as a true defensive leader, one that was sorely missed last season.

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Strictly looking at the score, last week’s preseason opener against Jacksonville was a win, but digging a little deeper, there are plenty of things the Eagles need to work on. While some of those issues may be new, many of them are long-standing ones that plague the team year-in and year-out. Tomorrow night’s matchup in Cincinnati against the Bengals will be the perfect place to address them.

Phiadelphia’s longest-tenured athelete, David Akers, had plenty of chances to show everyone that he’s still got it last week by kicking five field goal. It’s great to make it in the red zone a lot, but it would be nice if the Birds were converting more of these opportunities into touchdowns. While we’re dealing with a young team with many new parts, this is not a new problem. If there’s ever a time for the first team to break this bad habit, it’s now. Reid and company need to find a better way to mix plays to get the ball into the endzone.

The secondary will be focal point, especially the two safeties that have stood out in camp, Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman. If both of these guys pan out – and this is looking more likely each day – then the team will be set for years to come. Both of these guys will potentially have a special challenge, which is guarding prolific loudmouths/receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. While the latter is more of a threat, both will provide the test that these rookies need.

The wide receiver corps should continue to play out this week, and surprisingly, Hank Baskett will likely be the odd man out. We all know that DeSean “Nats Hat” Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Jason Avant are locks, but the fourth guy on the depth chart is not vets Baskett or Jordan Norwood, but rookie Riley Cooper. He had a great camp, and if he continues to impress on the field, the Florida receiver will be your #4 guy come week 1.

While Jamaal Jackson is off of the PUP list, he won’t be playing in the preseason or at least the first few weeks of the regular season. Nick Cole was the presumptive guy to close out last year, but Mike McGylnn has slotted nicely into the role throughout training camp. If he continues to play well – and he has been better than Cole – it’s his job until Jackson is ready to come back.

As for who will play and how long tomorrow, Kolb and the first team will be in for the first half. Vick will have the third quarter, while Mike Kafka will be in for the final quarter. The second teamers will be in for the third and the third teamers will be in for the fourth quarter.

A few guys are questionable, including Mike Bell and Asante Samuel. Victor Abiamiri, the aforementioned Jamaal Jackson, Nick Cole and cornerback David Pender are all out. Additionally, and most troubling of all, Todd Herremans will be sitting out, presumably as a precaution.

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