Aromashodu!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have no clue who the guy is, or where he came from, but Devin Aromasodu just put the Birds' playoff destiny in their own hands to gain the two seed and a must needed first round bye. All I can say is thanks, Devin. May you and your incredibly long last name live well and prosper.

As for Sunday's upcoming game against Dallas, I am deathly afraid. I don't like this matchup. Something about this group of Cowboys scares me. All the sudden, Tony Romo is clutch and the 'Boys defense looks really tough. We'll get into it more later in the week, but I'm not very positive as we head into this game. The news of Jamaal Jackson's season knee injury didn't help much in that category.

On the bright side, if the Birds can pull out another victory, you have to like their chances of heading deep into the playoffs as a 2 seed. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. There is plenty of work to do and we know the Birds have screwed up seemingly favorable situations previously. (See 2003 NFC Title Game, Eagles vs. Tampa).

However, tonight is a night to be hopeful. There is light at the end of the tunnel and the Birds are surging at the right time.

In Game Blog

I haven't done this in some time, but I figured I'd break out the in game blog with my witty, insightful comments as events occur in real time. However, since I've told no one I'm doing this and I'm sure no one is reading live, it will make zero sense after the fact.

Oh well, here we go:

-I missed the first minute of the game as I forgot that CBS had the game and not FOX. Bad job by PSP

-Ok, let's get this out of the way...it's pretty friggin strange seeing Dawk covering B West

-McNabb looks pretty sharp so far through the first quarter.

-Jason Peters can look pretty crappy at times. He's clearly not a guy that I have 100% confidence in.

-Champ Bailey is doing an ok job on DeSean. He clearly doesn't look afraid of him.

-Stokely is an idiot. How do you put yourself in that situation?

-I'm never comfortable with our defense. They annoy me to no end. That TD drive was sloppy on their part.

-I am playing against Brent Celek in my fantasy football semi's. I'm the only person in Philly rooting against him right now.

-Can we bring in the back up QB to do the QB sneak? McNabb is in his 10th year and still has no clue how to run it effectively.

-I really like Maclin. I can't wait to see what he will be like next year with a year under his belt.

-Uh oh...my little girl just woke up from her nap...This could end the in the game blog faster than a two for one happy hour stops the Flyers' Old City Crew from getting fully prepared for an afternoon game the following day.

-My buddy the Capt just texted "I'm a big T White guy in nickle." Gotta agree, Capt. I have no idea who he is or where he came from, but he does a nice job in the nickle.

-Overall, pretty decent half. If we get points off the 2nd half's first drive, we may be cruising.

-By the way, thanks to the idiots who scheduled a Flyers game at 5 pm. I thought I'd at least catch a couple plays during the half, but they are in the First Intermission. The NHL schedule makers are complete idiots. No wonder they can't grow the league.

-I miss the start of the 2nd half...crappy job by me again...The first play I catch is the pick by Champ Bailey...terrible decision by D Mac.

-It is only a matter of time until the Broncos score a TD to officially give them live and get them back into the game.

-I love how our secondary is trying to play flag football out there (other than Sheldon).

-Knowshon Moreno would fit great in our offense...forget his skills, I'm talking about his name. We already have DeSean and LeSean.

-Refs are trying to bail us out with the two men in motion call. Didn't see it.

-Come on, Boys...you need to pick that.

-Wow...a tackle by a DB! Great play by Q...hopefully, he's not hurt.

-Dinner time...Xmas leftovers! I can't wait!

-Ok, I'm back...dinner was surprisingly good for being two days old.

-Let's recap...Birds got lucky with a couple questionable calls on the Broncos and got very fortunate on the TD to Avant. After the TD, the Birds are starting to melt down. They gave up a 3rd and 22, almost let the Broncs score before a great pick by Asante. However, the Birds went gangsta on the return and put themselves deep in their own territory. After averting disaster on three straight plays, the Italian Aussie put one off the side of his foot. The Broncs are now driving again....Wow, pretty eventful ten minutes.

-The Birds' defense couldn't wait to give up that TD. They were dying to let the Broncs back into this game.

-By the way, I wouldn't stop running that WR screen until we stop it.

-I've had enough of Macho. He stinks.

-Ok, this team has now completely stopped playing since the Avant TD. If we stop these guys on the next drive, I will be totally shocked. I am at a loss for words. I'm throwing around the eff bomb left and right.

-The stupidity this team is capable of bewilders me.

-That face mask penalty was ridiculous. How dumb are these guys?

-I think I might just put the Flyers on at this point. At least I expect them to annoy me.

-Guaranteed that wasted time out will come into play somewhere at the end of the game.

-Rocca needs to go....NOW

-Ugh...not only does this tie the game but the guy I'm playing against has Prater....F&*K!!!!!

-Seriously...McNabb hasn't run in weeks. He runs 20+ yards and he looks like he is going to keel over and pulls his hammy. Does this guy do any conditioning?

-Hey, I'm about to have a heart attack over this game, but at least the Flyers won.

-Huge third down at the 2 minute warning. If they hold them, they will get the ball back with time to drive it down for a field goal.

-Lord, I hope this is a catch.

-This game may kill me off. I need to double up my blood pressure meds.

-Come on Akers!

-IT'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PSP's EAGLES' PICK

I felt a lot better about this pick before all these home teams started losing today, but I have the Birds winning 27 to 17.

I think we'll see Dawk show some age, but make a few plays that leave us with seller's remorse.

I see Brent Celek as the star of the game.

So, Are These Guys Any Different?

Let's face it. We've been in this same exact situation with the Eagles five other times in less than eight seasons. This team appears perched to win a division and make a deep playoff run....ho hum. We've been there and done that. We've seen teams fall short of the Super Bowl numerous times after having great regular seasons. I think the question in all our minds is what makes this group different than those other teams that have failed in the ultimate quest to win a Super Bowl.

Initially, the easy answer is that we have never seen an Eagles team this explosive, with this many offensive weapons at their disposal. Sure, the 2004 team with TO and B West in their primes was pretty dominant, but they didn't have a TE, #2 WR, FB, jack of all trades back up QB and slot WR like this team. Our offense is ridiculously deep and when McNabb and the O line come to play, they will put points up on anybody. I don't give a shit if the '85 Bears line up against us, the Birds will put up 24 points. Only the Saints in the NFC compare to our offense.

However, where this team differs from the prior Andy Reid led Eagles is on the other side of the ball. In prior years, the defense was the back bone of the team. Not this year. Even last year's defense was rock solid in the second half of the year. This year, all I know is that this defense can beat bad QB's and that's about it. Unfortunately, with Brees, Warner, Rodgers, Warner and Romo likely to make the playoffs, the Birds are going to face pretty decent quarter backs the rest of the way. Although, this current Eagles' defense does create turnovers and we all know that they are the true equalizers. Overall, I don't have a lot of faith in this group. Matter of fact, I think they could use an upgrade at DE, OLB, CB and FS for next year.

In short, this team is flawed. However, the real question is whether their defensive flaws will ultimately doom them or like the 2008 Phis, can they hide their flaws and cover them up long enough to win a title.

Currently, I don't think they can. I believe ultimately the warts will show up and the defense won't hold up and wind up causing the Birds to get knocked out of the playoffs.

I sure hope I'm wrong, but I'm having a hard time believing in Antonio Dixon, Joe Mays, Sean Jones and Co.

PSP's EAGLES' PICK

Ok, have to get a quick pick in for today's game after shoveling all friggin' day.

After last night, I'm now 100% convinced that this season will come down to week 17. The only way that can happen is if the Birds lose a game somewhere before the finale. I think this is the week. The 49ers are a tough team and I think they will turn this game into a slug fest and we know that's not the Birds' strong suit. Plus, the offense has been sailing along pretty smooth and D Mac is due for a clunker. By the way, this team has a great tight end and I don't think we've stopped a good one yet.

I see a 24 to 17 loss for our Birds.

You didn't think things would be that easy, did you?

6 to 1...The Flyers have lost all dignity.

At this point, I pray the rumors about Hartnell's wife and Carter are true because I can't explain the problem.

We Need A Halladay, But At This Price?

I'm really having a hard time getting a grip on the proposed Halladay trade. The more I read, it sounds like two separate deals. The Halladay deal and then the Cliff Lee salary dump. However, the more information that comes out, I don't understand the Phils' logic.

While I understand the need to give up Lee after picking up Halladay's contract and how it is better to have Hallday for five years than Lee for just next year, I can't figure out why the Phils decided to finally trade Drabek and Michael Taylor. After refusing to give them up last year, why do it now? I really don't understand. I thought it would have been a smarter move to use the prospects picked up in the Lee trade to use in the Halladay deal.

I hope Ruben Amaro knows what he's doing because I'm a bit skeptical about whether this deal makes a ton of sense.

*****By the way, how about the Phils knocking the Birds off the back page after they won a Giants game that put them in first place in the NFC East? Don't see that every day.

Happy Halladays! Doc is a Phil!

Would have liked to have kept Lee but this makes sense long term.

Wow...Need for Difibulator Averted

I'm wiped out. I seriously didn't feel comfortable with this game until the last snap. Wow. What a battle. That is what the Philly/NY rivalry is about, baby! Close games, no quit by either side, fights at the end. I put Philly/NY up with any city rivalry in the country.

That being said, I'm going to miss the Meadowlands. I've been to many games there. It was not that out dated. There wasn't a bad seat in the house to watch a football game.

I just have a question. Where the hell was the defense? Reggie White, LT, Seth Joyner, Carl Banks, Chuck Bednarik and Sam Huff must be turning over in their graves....wait, some of those guys ain't even dead yet! The Birds made Eli Manning look like Joe Montana tonight.

A couple of other thoughts:

1) it took 13 weeks, but Big Red finally figured out how to use Michael Vick. He is now a legit weapon. His pass to D Jax in the first quarter was a thing of beauty.

2) our secondary is slow and a bunch of pathetic tacklers. This could be potentially a deadly combination.

3) DeSean Jackson is beyond explosive. Let's just say he is incendiary.

4) Let's hope Jeremy Maclin is ok.

5) Can someone tell Shady McCoy to cover up the ball. He scares the crap out of me every time he touches the ball.

6) Has anyone seen our pass rush? It was non existent for most of the night.

7) Brent Celek and Leonard Weaver are warriors. How can you not like how hard they play?

8) That was probably the best game our O Line has played all year.

9) Eli makes a lot of Favre-ian type plays to make something out of nothing when he looks like he's about to be sacked.

10) You know things were going to go well for the Birds when Sheldon recovered the bouncing ball and ran it back for a TD.

11) Tonight's game was the worst officiated game I can remember in years.

Time to call it a night. I have to check out the season finale of Dexter.

Big Red Has No Ups

Thanks to my DVR

Classic Comment

Sitting here watching the Birds and my sister in law just laid this classic comment on me after De Sean back pedaled into the end zone:

Erin: DeSean looks like a punk. Where's he from?

Me: Long Beach, CA

Erin: Really, I would have guessed Detroit. A lot of punks come out of Detroit.

I don't know. You guys may find it benign, but I found it funny on a couple levels, mainly how would she know that so many punks come from Detroit? (Maybe she's watch 8 Mile too many times).

By the way, DeSean is the most explosive athlete in Philly since the early days of AI.

Also, I'm really hoping the missed PAT doesn't come into play. They always seem to. (Yes, I'm trying to reverse mush.)

PSP's EAGLES' PICK

With the Cowboys' predictable December swoon continuing (I guess I better start working on that post comparing the end of year slumps of the Mets and Cowboys), tonight's game just got infinitely more interesting.

The Birds are fighting to take sole possession of first place. The Giants can see a clear path to the playoffs if they win tonight.

Normally, in this type of situation, I like the team fighting for their playoff lives as opposed to the team that is just fighting for playoff seeding. However, I think I'm going to stray from that this evening.

Something drastically changed in the dynamics of this rivalry the day Plaxico Burress decided to pop a cap in his thigh. When the G Men had Plaxico on the field, the Birds had absolutely no answer for him. He was the Giants' Atomic Bomb. He was the solution every time things got tough. Without him, it seems like the Birds know that the G Men are playing without their biggest weapon and play with a lot more confidence. The defense can focus on the Giants run game and it seems like the offense (when playing up in the Meadowlands) makes enough plays to win.

Now that the rain seems to be moving out, I like the Birds 28-17. I think we will be giving a warm welcome back to De Sean Jackson and a fond farewell to Giants Stadium.

(By the way, if the football gods see to it that Brandon Jacobs scores both of those TD's on 60 yard+ runs, I'd really appreciate it as I need him big time tonight to win a fantasy playoff game!)

Can These Guys Be Saved From Themselves?

In case you missed it (Christ, after a six month sabbatical I am still subliminally starting my hockey posts this way), the Flyers put Coach John Stevens down this past Friday. Much like a family dog, it was better to put him down then let the suffering continue. Sure, he might have pulled through it, but the Flyers acted at the right time.

Quite simply, Coach Stevens needed to go. After three years of watching him coach, I still can't tell you what his strategy he wanted the team implement out on the ice. Overall, he certainly didn't seem like a master technician. Frankly, he seemed to get the head job because the young guys on the team responded to him. However, it was becoming real obvious that the team was starting to tune him out. The young guys were way too streaky and the team usually followed their lead. A stronger voice in the room was needed to motivate Carter, Richards, Hartnell, etc. and I commend Homer for making the right call before it was too late. It was also nice to see someone from outside the or-gan-EYE-za-SHUN brought in to coach instead of some retread Homer/Clarkie/Snider were familiar with.

While the Peter Laviolette era did not get off to the quickest start, I really think he will be the type of voice the young guys need to hear. Which also leads to the question, where do the Flyers go from here? As evidenced by last night's victory, the team is salvageable. They are only three points out of a playoff spot with a couple games in hand. Despite the recent injury to our starting goalie, this team has the talent to be a factor this year. They just need a kick in the ass to properly focus themselves. Hopefully, Laviolette can get the Old City Crew of Richards, Carter, Hartnell, Giroux, etc., more focused on hockey and less focused on where the next party will be held. If he can do that and the Flyers get halfway decent goal tending, I like their chances to be a contender this Spring.

Welcome Back, AI

This was a welcome sight last evening. Allen is back where he belongs. He should end his career here.

The Sixers will stink this year, but it's nice to have Allen back. Who knows, he might recapture a little magic a couple times throughout the year to at least keep them interesting.

Birds Beat Up JV Falcons

Today, the Birds took apart a badly over matched Falcons team and I don't have a lot of take aways....other than I know this team. See my prediction from earlier today. I could see this blowout coming a mile away.

I knew the team would rally around Michael Vick in his return trip to Atlanta. If you didn't see it coming, you haven't been paying attention to how his teammates interact with Vick. They seem awfully deferential to a guy that hasn't done a whole lot this year. All that being said, I can't wait until the guy is off the team. He adds nothing but distraction.

Actually, I do have one major positive from today. The Birds defense. They looked competent for the first time since the Giants game. Sure, playing against a bunch of backups helped a great deal, but they still executed. The goal line stand in the second quarter was a huge pick me up that I hope the Birds build off the rest of the year.

Another issue that I take away from today is that Trent Cole is probably the most under rated player in the city. He didn't have a single tackle or sack today, but he's so disruptive. He's very active and seems to always around the ball. He simply does his job and gets very little fan fare in our city. Not sure why. He seems to fit the mold of guys we like in this city.

A couple of other issues....

1) Is anyone else flabbergasted at how the Georgia Dome can be so filled with excitement one day and then feel/look/sound like a mausoleum the next? The fans for Saturday's SEC Title Game were off the charts on Saturday, but the Falcons fans were pretty tame today except when booing/cheering for Vick. Atlanta is a brutal sports city. We really don't need much more evidence. Since we can all agree that the South only cares about College Sports, can someone please explain why the Professionals continually try to pound a square peg in a round hole?

2) Every time I hear the name Roddy White, I can't help but think of the below video clip:



Yes, that was one of the Top 5 moments of my adolescence.

3) I just read the following stat and I'm overwhelmed. Really, I don't know what to say, but wow:

Today, Reid's team won its 100th regular-season game in the 2000s. According to the Eagles, only Tom Landry (1970s), Don Shula ('70s) and Bill Belichick (2000s) have won 100 games in a single decade.

This stat reminds me of that old Sesame Street clip "One of These Kids Is Doing His Own Thing". Can you guess what separates Reid from Landry, Shula and Belichick? Of course, that's a rhetorical question.

4) The Cowboys are one more December loss away from me writing an entire blog entry comparing the Cowboys annual choke job to the one turned in by the Mets every year. With upcoming games against the Chargers and Saints, I should probably start drafting that post now.
5) Giants' week is here. Thank God they won this week, I really love when both teams are fully invested in these games. It makes them infinitely more interesting.

6) With all the extensions the Birds are handing out, how about calling Leonard Weaver's agent. I really like what big Leonard adds to this team and I'd like to see him stick around for a couple more years.

7) Sheldon Brown is a pro's pro. I like this guy more and more each year.

PSP's EAGLES' PICK

Ok, folks. We are about to see the Birds' true colors today.

If you want to set your clock for the of the season, make sure to watch today's game. If the Birds win today against a back up QB and running back on the road without its biggest playmaker playing a team that is fighting for its playoff lives, then I think we have a team heading towards the playoffs and could make a little noise once they get there. Should they lose, you can pack it in for the year. This team won't be doing anything of consequence this year.

I, however, think they will win today. How exactly? I am not sure. We have seen time and time again this year that the Eagles are wildly inconsistent. They can roll up 40 points one week and then lose a close one the next. Well, after playing two straight close games, I think we're about to see a blow out. I have a feeling his Eagle teammates want to give Mike Vick a going away gift and will see to it that they give their best effort today. I also think we may see a strange reaction from the Falcon crowd today. We could see a ton of cheers when Vick gets in the game and a crowd ready to turn on their own if Chris Redman doesn't inspire much confidence early on in the game.

As for the score, I think we'll see a 30 to 14 Eagles victory this week, setting up a monster match up with the G Men next week.

The Mountaineers Are My Daddy

After 15 years of losing to those toothless Hillbillies from West Virginia, what can I say? I tip my hat and call the Mountaineers my Daddy.

Of course, some of you may recognize that quote. Fox only knocked us over the head with it about 250 times each time Pedro pitched in the World Series this year. Yup, it's borrowed from Pedro Martinez when he was totally exasperated after losing to the Yankees yet again back in 2004. I couldn't think of a better analogy of how I feel today. West Virginia is Rutgers' Daddy. They own us.

West Virginia walked into Rutgers Stadium today and practically embarrassed the Knights in the first quarter. RU did not look ready or prepared well enough to compete as the Mountaineers got out to a 14-3 lead mid way through the first quarter. After a huge freshman mistake by RU QB Tom Savage led to a pick 6 and a 21-3 lead, RU eventually fought their way back into the game and actually had the ball in Mountaineer territory with less than two minutes to play and down only three points.

The crowd (what was left of them) was alive. The snow was falling. The large contingent of West Virginia fans had finally shut up. Everything was teed up for RU to march down the field to either win or tie the game. However, things didn't work out quite as planned. RU failed to get a single first down as Savage threw another interception on fourth down and the game was over shortly thereafter.

RU now goes back to the drawing board as the streak continues for at least another year. West Virginia looked imminently beatable this year and RU benefited from a few breaks during the game. If they couldn't do it this year, it makes you wonder if RU will ever beat these guys.

Top 5 Friday - All Time 5 Toughest Losses In Philly Sports History

In an effort to not completely burn out on blogging again, I'm trying to build in a couple of new staples to the blog to keep things fresh. So, that led me to PSP's newest weekly feature...Top 5 Friday.

Most of you know that I live and die with Rutgers Football. In 2006, RU started the year 9-1 and only needed one more win at West Virginia to clinch their first ever BCS Bowl (the Orange Bowl), but it wasn't to be. RU lost in triple overtime 41 to 39 down in Morgantown when the referees decided to swallow their whistles as Ray Rice was interfered with on the game ending two point conversion attempt. I was pretty much inconsolable after the game. RU went from potentially playing in the Orange Bowl to ending up in the friggin' Texas Bowl against an overmatched Kansas State team. When I told JK about my idea for this post, she said "that was the one time I thought you were going to cry over a game." Yup, it was that bad. In honor of the three year anniversary of the toughest loss I have ever lived through as a sports fan, I decided this week's Top 5 list would commemorate the Top 5 Toughest Philly sports losses (since I know most of you could give a crap about the State University of New Jersey).

So, let's unveil the Philly Sports Phan's Top 5 Toughest list in reverse order:

5. 1981 Super Bowl (Birds vs. Raiders) - Yes, I realize the Birds were never really in this one, but I was 8 years old at the time and hadn't built up a hardened exterior to the failure of Philly teams. I cried like a baby at the end of the game.

4. 1993 World Series, Game 4 (Phils vs. Blue Jays) - Yup, the infamous 15-14 game. I was a student at RU at the time and I think I cleared out my entire apartment building that night with all the yelling I did. I think my room mates were ready to have me committed.

3. 1987 Game 7, Stanley Cup Finals (Flyers vs. Oilers) - This Flyers team was totally outclassed in terms of talent by the Oilers' Dynasty, but this may be the hardest working, gutsiest team to ever play in Philly. When they got up 1-0 early in Game 7, there was hope that maybe they'd pull off an unbelievable upset behind sensational rookie, Ron Hextall, but Gretzky, Messier and Co. shattered those dreams by taking a 3-1 victory to clinch the title.

2. 1993 World Series, Game 6 (Phils vs. Blue Jays) - I think we all still ask ourselves "why didn't Frego just leave Roger Mason in to close out the game?!?!?!?!?" It's one thing to lose, it's another thing when your Manager just about quits on the team and makes an absolutely ridiculous decision. This team deserved better from their leader. I don't think I'm alone in saying that I was absolutely numb after this loss.

1. 2003 NFC Championship Game (Birds vs. Bucs) - In all my life, there had never been a set up like this. It was as much of a sure thing as I had ever seen. It was the last game of the Vet. Tampa had never won a game played in temperatures under 40 degrees. The Birds had owned the Bucs in the couple of years prior to this game. You could not have asked for anything more and it sure seemed like the Birds were heading to the Super Bowl when they took a 7-0 lead just three plays into the game. Unfortunately, it was not to be. The Birds totally stopped playing and Tampa beat up the Birds on the way to a 27 to 10 victory. That game affected me deeply. I went into a depression for nearly a month. I pretty much stopped trusting any Philly team from that moment until the 2008 Phils won the title.

By the way, I still don't think Joe Jurevicius on his infamous 71 yard momentum turning reception or Rhonde Barber on his 90 yard, game clinching pick 6 have stopped running.

Honorable Mention:

- St. Joe's Loss in 2004 Final 8 to Okie State - I have a number of friends that went to St. Joe's. They all felt like they were run over by a train after that heart breaker;

-The Fog Bowl, Birds vs. Bears - We all know how the NFL screwed the Birds in that one;

-Eagles Lose to Dallas in 2nd Round of 1992 Playoffs - The loss marked the end of Buddy/Reggie/Randall era game;

-Game 4 of 2009 World Series, Phils vs. Yanks - The Johnny Damon Double Steal Game;

-Game 5 of the 1st Round of the 1984 NBA Playoffs, Sixers vs. Nets - Sixers fall behind 0-2, force a Game 5 and then blow the game to the Nets failing to defend their 1983 title;

-2005 Super Bowl, Birds vs. Pats -Donovan pukes and fails to run the two minute offense.

Wade-ing Back Into The Pack

With my Phils' post this evening, I have come full circle in my first week back. All Philly teams have been addressed. I feel like all my children have received some attention and I can now focus on my favorites. Without any further adieu, it is time to talk some Phils.

Ahhh yes, the Phils, everyone's darlings. Who doesn't love Chase, Ryan, J Roll, Uncle Cholly and Cliff Lee after the moments we've shared with them over the last two years? They've become more like members of the family than guys that appear on a TV screen. We've come to adore them so much that they lost a World Series this past year and it hardly raised a ripple of discontent through these parts. Of course, that's the kind of good will generated by a title, followed up by another championship round visit. (I urge the Birds to try out this kind of success. I think it would give Banner and Lurie the universal acceptance they've always clamored for)

Like a lot of you, I've spent quite a bit of time basking in the glow of the best two year run of baseball in Phillies history. However, I think it's time to move on and set our sights on 2010. I think we all want to see a return to the glory of 2008, but after reading recent quotes from Ruben Amaro, Jr., I have started wondering if the Phils' brass has the balls and stomach to go for it again. I am getting nervous that the ownership group is now ready to sit on their satisfied asses and rake in the dough instead of seeking out another crucial piece or two to put them back on par with the Yankees.

Ok, I hear you. It's early in the free agent period and I should relax. Well, I urge you to take a look at this quote from Ruben Amaro, Jr the other day and let me know who it sounds like:

"We'd like to add some more depth if we could," said Amaro, who added that any signing was likely to be a low-risk, high-reward type of pitcher. "But pitchers aren't falling out of trees, and I don't have an unlimited budget."

Yup, it sounds like none other than our old friend, Ed Wade and it friggin' scares the shit out of me.

Based on yesterday's press conference, it sounds the Phils are going back to the bargain basement for free agents. How does former Phil Placido Polanco at 3rd Base and John Smoltz as a reliever sound? Sounds absolutely disappointing to me.

After two straight seasons of a nearly sold out stadium, as well as the extra revenue from two full postseasons, the Phils should be in the next rung of spenders right under Boston and the Yanks. There should be nothing preventing the Phils from going after Chone Figgins to play third base. Chone is exactly what the Phils need. He could move J Roll out of the lead off spot and provide a guy that would always be on base when Utley and Howard come up to the plate. But alas, Figgins will never be a Phil as there is news this evening that the Phils are targeting Polanco. I'm seriously underwhelmed.

I just hope that someone reminds the Phils that they got to two straight World Series (winning one) by exercising the Ghost Of Ed Wade. Come on, guys. Let's not that type of philosophy anywhere near Citizens Bank Park.

(By the way, I really do hope I'm over reacting.)

Chris Pronger Keeps It Bleeping Real

I was all set to tackle the issue of the Flyers on Day Three of my return to Cyber Space. In fact, I had my target set on the hot button issue of the day. Should John Stevens stay or go? But the more I thought about it, I realized the topic is as vanilla as Stevens himself. So, I decided to go in another direction with the Orange & Black.

This evening, I had the distinct pleasure of reading Tim Panaccio's article about Chris Pronger and his unwillingness to step on Captain Mike Richards' toes as a team leader. While what you could infer from what Pronger did not explicitly say was pretty interesting (it sure seems to me that there is a divide in the locker room between the young party boys - Carter, Richards, Hartnell and the veteran warriors - Pronger, Timonen, Lapierre, and Asham), I got the distinct feeling that Pronger is the kind of guy that I would love to hang out and have a beer with based on the following quotes:

“I’ve been in his shoes. It’s not [bleeping] easy. The expectations are high on him and on the team. We’re not playing to the best of our abilities, and a lot of that gets shouldered by the captain.

“He’s been here four years and sees how things have progressed from being a s----y team to a pretty good team, to having even higher expectations. I would think he has a better read on some of these guys than I do.

“It’s not like we’re not working hard or just out there bleeping around,” Pronger added. “We’re not putting the puck in the net. Little things like that, sometimes, you over-evaluate and over-analyze things. The simplest thing is to take a step back and look at it from a simple perspective.”

“How could we have won that game in Atlanta?” Pronger asked. “Could it have been that [3-minute] power play? Absolutely! Could it have been not to take that bleeping penalty-and go down 5-on-3? Absolutely! How about scoring some mutha effing goals 5-on-5?

“We need to make it [bleeping] happen on Thursday,” Pronger said. “It needs to [bleeping] happen now, so we can get over that hump and get this ship headed into the right direction.”

****Ok, I added the "mutha effing goals" to see if anyone was still paying attention.

Anyhow, kudos to Panotch for how he relayed Pronger's comments. I absolutely love how he found a way to include the "bleeped out" portions of his interview. It helps me as the reader get a better flavor about Pronger's state of mind. Plus, I now know that Pronger is a real guy and curses as much as I do, which makes me like him more by the day.

[Not to get off on a tangent here, but the way Panotch relayed Pronger's quotes is exactly what is needed in newspapers. Do you think there is any chance Panotch gets these quotes through his editor if he was still with the Inquirer? Not a chance in hell and this is why newspapers are dying. They are stuck on their high horse instead of delivering unfiltered news. Ok, I'm off my soap box. Let's get back to the post.]

All in all, I love the emotion relayed by Pronger. I just hope Party Boy Captain Richards takes note. This is the kind of leadership this team needs. Richards, it is time to take a damn stand and show that you care more about the team than where you and your boy Cartsy are heading out in Olde City after the game or on your day off. Which leads me back to my original column idea...

It's time for Stevens to go. Pronger's comments show that this team needs an attitude adjustment. It's not coming from the "Captain", so let's bring in a coach that can work with Pronger to overhaul the attitude of this team.

Good Night, Good Hockey.