Philadelphia 2010 Draft Outlook

30 12 2009

by Michael DeLuca

Sure there’s a week to go in the 09′-10′ NFL regular season.  We’re not even sure exactly where the Birds will be drafting in the 2010 NFL draft.  What we do know is, it will be somewhere at the bottom of the first round…as usual for the always competitive Philadelphia team.  Many will argue, and correctly so, that densive end is the biggest need for the Eagles.  One guy who should be available and, in my opinion, would be a terrific fit for the Eagles blitz heavy scheme is TCU’s Jerry Hughes.  Hughes is a hybrid player, in the Terrell Suggs mold.  He has an explosive first step and amassed 15 sacks in 2008, his first year as a full time starter and led the undefeated Horned Frogs in sacks (11.5) and tackles for losses (15) in 09′.  On January 5, TCU will play Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.  Keep an eye on Hughes and let me know how you think he’d look in Eagle Green!


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DeSean Jackson Named Starting WR/KR In Pro Bowler

29 12 2009

So much for DeSean Jackson being slighted in the Pro Bowl process this year.  Jackson has been named not only a starting receiver for the NFC team but has been named the starting kick returner as well!  Jackson’s selection to the duel roles is a first in the history of the NFL Pro Bowl.  Let’s hope he doesn’t get a chance to play in the game though, since the two teams participating in the Super Bowl will not send representatives to the annual all star game which  is now held the week before Super Bowl Sunday.

Joining Jackson on the Pro Bowl roster are fellow starters Leonard Weaver, Jason Peters, Asante Samuel, and David Akers.  Trent Cole was named to the team as a reserve.  The Minnesota Vikings bested the Eagles for most players on the NFC roster with eight representatives.

In addition to the six players on the Pro Bowl roster, three players were selected as alternates.  Donovan McNabb was selected as a first alternate, while Sheldon Brown and Brent Celek were selected as second alternates.


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Eagles Pro Bowl Hopefuls

29 12 2009

by Michael DeLuca

Ask any Eagles fan who the most impressive Philadelphia player has been this year and undoubtedly the name returned will be DeSean Jackson.  Yet, Jackson may watch as several of his teammates are named to this year’s Pro Bowl at 7:00 p.m. eastern tonight on NFL Network (the naming of the team, not the game itself) and he is left out in the cold.

Asante Samuel is a no-brainer, he’s made the last two Pro Bowls and is having arguably his best season as a professional with nine interceptions and fewer big plays allowed than years past.  Samuel’s counterpart, Sheldon Brown, is also in the mix but with Samuel and Green Bay’s Charles Woodson, who’s making a push for defensive player of the year, locked in, there’s only one spot left and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion it goes to Arizona’s Dominique Rodgers Cromartie.  Andy Reid apparently realizes how close this one may be as well, as he has begun to lobby for Brown, saying “I’d love to see him in it, I think he deserves to go. Sheldon has had a heck of a year.” Read the rest of this entry »


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Sixers Just 3.5 Games Back In Playoff Race

29 12 2009

by Michael DeLuca

It may be an odd headline and, sure, we’re only a little over a third of the way through the NBA season but something grabbed me after viewing the standings this morning following the team’s Monday night comeback victory over the Portland Trailblazers.  The Philadelphia 76ers, despite their woeful start, are still very much alive in the Eastern Conference.  To begin, more than 50% of the teams in the league make the post season.  In addition, the Eastern Conference is top heavy, with the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Atlanta Hawks all playing .720+ ball!  The 7th and 8th spots are currently occupied by the Charlotte Bobcats and Milwaukee Bucks, both with records of just 12-17.

Are the 76ers good…no.  Are they talented…yes.  I see only one direction for this team to go and last night’s game might be an indication that they are beginning to head in it.  The team is healthy for the first time in quite a while, Elton Brand is beginning to make solid contributions for the first time as a 76er and the team seems to be grasping Eddie Jordan’s system a bit better.  In addition, you can credit Jordan with loosening the reigns a little bit and allowing the team to do a bit more of what they do best…ATTACK.


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PFT Ranks Eagles #2 In Power Rankings

29 12 2009

Profootballtalk.com has ranked the Philadelpha Eagles #2 overall in this week’s power rankings.  Perhaps more surprisingly, they are ranked ahead of the Indianapolis Colts, who suffered their first defeat of the season just this week.  First place honors went to the San Diego Chargers, who are without a doubt the hottest team in football…but still have Norv Turner as their head coach and will fail in the postseason as a result.  The Eagles opponent next week, the Dallas Cowboys, register at #4.  The showdown will take place in Dallas, with the winner being crowned the NFC East Champion.

Click Here For Complete Rankings


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Bruntlett Signs Minor League Deal With Nationals

29 12 2009

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a minor league deals with utility player Eric Bruntlett, formerly of the Philadelphia Phillies.  Bruntlett, who will turn 32 in March, was acquired by the Phils in November of ’07 along with Brad Lidge in a trade with the Houston Astros.  He was released by the team in November and replaced with Juan Castro.


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Phils Gunning For Rodney

22 12 2009

Buster Olney has tweeted “The Phillies’ interest is in Fernando Rodney, at two years and $12 million. Set-up guy, plus safety net for Brad Lidge.” Not a bad haul for a dude going on 33 years of age and coming off of a season with a 4.40 ERA. He did close out 37 games in 38 opportunities though. Jayson Stark is reporting that the Angels are in serious discussions with Rodney. The picture should become a lot more clear in the next 24 hours.


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Media Expressing Dissapointment In Phils Haul

15 12 2009

Did Ruben give up too much...too late?

Now that the details are emerging regarding the three team blockbuster between the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners, many are beginning to express disappointment in the haul the Phillies will be receiving in return for Cliff Lee, Kyle Drabek, and Michael Taylor. I have to say I agree with them. My first thought is, if you were going to give up Drabek and Taylor, why not do this last year? The team could have made their run with Halladay and Lee at the top of the rotation and then traded Lee to the Mariners after the season. In my opinion, they’re giving up the same package that the Blue Jays wanted over the summer without the benefit of Halladay for the 09′ postseason. Poor form. Anyhow, here are a couple others that seem to agree with me…

Yahoo’s Jeff Passan seems to think the Phillies are the only team that didn’t make out in the deal, liking the hauls for both the Jays and Mariners.

MLB.com’s Noah Coslov is reporting via Twitter that a member of the Philadelphia Phillies organization doesn’t understand the deal from the Phillies point of view, since Michael Taylor is Major League ready right now.


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Phillies Get Their Man

14 12 2009

SI.com is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies have landed Roy Halladay as part of a three team trade with the Toronto Blue Jays andSeattle Mariners.  ESPN’s Jayson Stark has reported that Halladay is already in Philadelphia negotiating a contract extension and that such an extension would be required to finalize the deal.  Halladay has reportedly told friends that he would be willing to take less than fair market value to be a member of the Phillies.  He is currently in the final year of his deal with Toronto.

Now for the bad news, it appears Cliff Lee will be headed to Seattle as part of the deal.  Lee, who pitched well for the team after being acquired from the Indians and went on to have a stellar offseason, had told the club he’d like to stay a part of the organization but wanted market value to do so.


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Matt Capps To The Phils?

14 12 2009

The decision by the Pittsburgh Pirates to part ways with 26-year-old closer Matt Capps was a surprising one. What shouldn’t be surprising is the Philadelphia Phillies immediate interest in Capps, who went 27-for-32 in save chances but posted a 5.80 ERA this past season. Capps career ERA is just 3.60, including a 2.28 2007 campaign and a 3.02 2008 campaign, his first two years as closer for the Buccos. The Phils have been looking for late-inning relief with closer’s experience to round out the bullpen and insure against another disastrous season from Brad Lidge. Adding to their bullpen woes, both Lidge and Romero may not be ready by the start of the season.


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Categories : Baseball, Phillies

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