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Showing posts from August, 2012
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Football Picks for 2012-13 on the Ink

          Once again I’ll be posting picks against the spread for college football and the NFL games. I skipped the baseball season up to this point after a bumpy NBA playoffs. For a little fun I will also be making a “survivor pool” pick for as long as I am alive, which is usually (ok, never ) very long, and continuing to play Streak for the Cash. I recently created a profile for the Philly Sports Blog on the Ink. I don’t have much company yet, so please check it out here and hopefully I can get involved in some different groups on ESPN.           Unlike other guys out there making picks against the spread, especially the so-called “godfather” on 97.5, I actually let people know exactly how I do each week when I’m actively making picks. Not much has changed since I wrote an introduction to my picks last year, although I haven’t checked out any of the handicappers mentioned in a while. I’m guessing I’ll still check out Al DeMarco this season.           I also plan go back to

Week-in-Review: Utley vs. Rollins, No Mayor’s Cup love, Not-so “Sweet Caroline,” more

          Alright, so technically it’s an 8-day Week-in-Review. I’m trying to gear back up to posting five days a week – while still writing something other than a sports blog on a regular basis – as the football season approaches. (Finally, the football season approaches! )           Here we go: ·        Jim Salisbury ‏ of Comcast SportsNet was the first I saw to report (on Twitter) that Chase Utley had taken “ground balls at third . . . to see if it would be option down road. Will do it again.”   Later, Leslie Gudel ‏ tweeted that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. “says he talks to Chase a lot about team’s future and Utley said ‘Can I play third base?’ Ruben ‘Can you?’, Utley ‘I don’t know can I?’” I’ll admit I have a “man crush” on Utley, but let’s be clear. Utley asks if he can change positions, going to a more difficult spot to field, to help fill a hole on the team. Jimmy Rollins mopes if he’s batting lower in the lineup, something the team would benefit from if it was don

Once again, no hustle by Jimmy Rollins

...and he’s benched.

Commenting Crybabies

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          I’ve always said comments are not only welcomed on the blog, they are encouraged. But lately my sports posts and tweets have garnered some of the dumbest and whiniest responses I’ve received since I started blogging about Philadelphia sports almost eight years ago.           While tweeting during the Eagles preseason game last week, I noted how quickly the Birds had gotten sloppy at one point in the game. It seemed like there was a penalty on every play. I later noticed a non-follower, @ thenextdawkins , tweeted me a reply saying, “ @ robqblogs # EaglesMobile # eagles since when? We start sloppy and improve. How many 4th quarter comebacks does Vick have?” His profile picture makes him look to be about 12, so I tried to help him out by explaining that Mike Vick wasn’t actually playing due to injury, nor would he be playing in the fourth quarter of any preseason game regardless of injury. (I didn’t bother attempting to explain that comebacks in preseason aren’t really t

Even when I liked a guy like Brian Westbrook, the idea of the one-day contract to retire w/ the #Eagles or any team is weak.

Remember Terrell Owens for his Days with Eagles? No thanks!

          In one of the worst sports arguments I’ve read in a long time, Spike Eskin of the WIP / CBS3 connection wrote that Terrell Owens should be remembered as an Eagle .           The wide receiver was cut on Sunday from the Seattle Seahawks, his most recent “last chance” to play in the NFL. Conjecture is that this really will be the last time we see the controversial wide receiver in an NFL uniform. In the past, Owens’ obnoxious personality has cost him a roster spot while this time it appears he just isn’t good enough to play anymore.           Regardless, the idea that Owens’ career should be remembered for his days in an Eagles uniform doesn’t hold up to any scrutiny. Even the younger Eskin, son of Howard, realizes Owens played eight seasons in San Francisco after which he went to 4 different teams – not counting his brief stint in something called the Indoor Football League or his summer with Seattle. Not to be confused with an Arena Football League team, Owens’ IFL

“Foles Fever” is Really Nothing New

          Brad Goebel .           Bobby Hoying.           The Detmer brothers, Ty and Koy.           A.J. Feeley.           Kevin Kolb.           And now, Nick Foles.           I really don’t understand how people keep going down the same road, but once again Eagles fans are swooning over a backup quarterback. Foles wasn’t even the backup quarterback a few weeks ago.           Maybe guys my age have stopped calling the sports talk shows. We certainly had our turn at being in love with the guy who was going to be wearing a baseball cap on the sideline come the regular season. No doubt older fans smirked at us the way we should be smirking at those in love with Foles. Maybe we’ve been replaced on the phone lines by guys too young to remember the laundry list of quarterbacks the Eagles have trotted out during the preseason who fans couldn’t wait to crown future Pro Bowlers.           I understand that a pocket passer is like an endangered species in Philadelphi

How SWEEP it is! #Phillies sweep Nationals. Werth Ks in 8th on Fri w/ men on and in 9th Sat & Sun...love it!

The rich get richer. Not one team had the guts to put in a waiver claim to stop the Dodgers-Red Sox trade? #Phillies asleep?

Questioning Charlie’s Manual

          At the Phillies game last night I didn’t have the benefit of the team-paid announcers explaining the supposed thought process of Charlie Manuel. Watching him go by the book was especially maddening. Maybe it was the windy, rainy start to the night or the crappy seats the Phillies stuck us in for reasons I’ll get into later on Page 2 .           Cole Hamels got a hit in the bottom of the 5 th to start the inning, and Manuel has his leadoff hitter in the lineup bunt. It was ridiculous. I’m so sick of watching this team be forced by the manager to give up an out. Jimmy Rollins even had the night off (until entering as a pinch-hitter), so Manuel didn’t have to worry about the “pop-up king” doing his thing.           Ultimately, Hamels ended up on third base with two outs and was stranded. I understand all the reasons Manuel had Juan Pierre bunt – tight game, Johnny Cueto pitching for the Reds, pitcher running. And it can never be known what Pierre would have done. But th

Rapid Fire Week-in-Review: Angry Andy, Dumb Eagles, Kobe’s & Clemens’ Egos, more

          Here’s my weekly look at everything I haven’t already ranted about in sports world. I’m thinking it needs a better name, so give it a read and let me know what you think. And tell me what I missed.           Here’s my Rapid Fire Week-in-Review: ·        It took into his 14 th year as head coach of the Eagles, but we finally got some raw emotion from Andy Reid on Monday night. He was caught on camera getting into his starting defensive line after they were pushed around by the Patriots’ reserves. Cullen Jenkins had the stones to jump up in the coach’s face, and “Big Red” didn’t give an inch. Kudos to the coach, who started barking at defensive line coach, Jim Washburn, when he tried to break it up. The old Reid would have had Jenkins pushing a blocking sled on Tuesday. He should have made Jenkins walk home from Foxboro then cut him from the roster. ·        Shortly after the Reid-Jenkins confrontation, DeMeco Ryans did a sideline interview on the ESPN telecast of t

I just heard a WIP caller refer to Nick Foles as Tom Brady, Jr. WTF are #Eagles fans smokin'?

#Eagles can thank Bill Belichick and the #NFL for rendering their preseason meaningless

...unless Mike Vick gets hurt...or they lose. Still shocked seeing Reid getting in Jenkins' face. Has he ever had to be separated from a player before?

The Rollins Act is Old

          The Jimmy Rollins act has grown old.           Last week everyone in Philadelphia seemed shocked that the Phillies veteran shortstop didn’t run out a ground ball. That’s akin to being shocked at seeing another sunrise.           Rollins added to his performance in the Wednesday loss by not bothering to even attempt break-up a double-play. He literally strolled into the infield to avoid the throw to first.           Of course, J-Roll wasn’t done. He later made it clear that he had no apology for his action, utilizing every athlete’s favorite outlet for proving their stupidity. Rollins responded to a tweet from a fan saying, “Yo, @JimmyRollins11 , try runnin out the play man. Youngsters are watching you,” with “@1_krazy_puck well u make sure u tell them what to do.” Not surprisingly, the tweet is no longer available on Rollins’ timeline, but he didn’t delete it fast enough to avoid the media picking up on it.           Ironically, just one week earlier Rollins wa

Another appearance from "good Kyle" #jeckyllandhyde - 8.0 innings, 0 ER. I believe that's 15 consecutive scoreless innings for him.

For the record, I said not to re-sign #Rollins - right here http://bit.ly/SvB1hq

See the link at http://bit.ly/SvB1hq

As @HARRYMAYES975 might say, yyyyep! RT @975TheFanatic We speak for the fans! http://fb.me/26eFYWQuY

See picture at http://fb.me/26eFYWQuY

Why I struggle to stay w/ #WIP & #Cataldi: 9-9:30 he imitated Howard Stern, interviewed an actress he wasn't even familiar with, & kissed John Bolaris' ass.

Week-in-Review: Reid’s Agent Classless, Two Lockouts, ESPN’s Absurd Poll, more

          I have a few things to get to this week, and a few that I haven’t gotten to previously. Here’s my rapid fire Week-in-Review:   ·        It didn’t take long for Andy Reid to blow through the sympathetic feelings flowing his way after his son’s tragic death. Just six days later his agent, Bob LaMonte, was at Eagles training camp sniffing around for a contract extension for his client. It was the most disgraceful attempt to play the sympathy card in a very long time. Even if common sense doesn’t make it obvious, multiple reports made it clear Reid would have had to approve this action by the agent. The move was classless. ·        It was probably just agent speak, but LaMonte’s claim that Jeff Lurie once said he wanted Reid to be his coach for as long as he owns the team should spook the hell out of Eagles fans. ·        Howard Eskin was the first person I saw to report that the rumblings that Lurie’s soon to be ex-wife would be getting a significant part of the

And tonight, #Phillies get good Kyle - 7.0 innings, 0 ER. #jeckyllandhyde

Thrilled to read Manuel won't just hand Polanco his 3rd base job back. Not saying Frandsen is a solution, but Charlie's loyalty can to players can hurt the team at times.

Cole Hamels w/ back-to-back lines of 9.0 innings and 0 ER. The #Phillies having him signed long-term is getting better every time he steps on the mound.

Per @Jeff_McLane article: #Reid's agent at camp seeking contract ext w/ 2 seasons left on deal. Less than a week after the coach's son died. Seeking the sympathy vote? Very questionable.

Saw glimpses of #USA Basketball's #Olympic gold medal W at the Y, and still saw two cheap shots from our side. Seemed like the bully who didn't like being challenged early on. Just sayin'.

At the #Phillies for the walk-off; sweet way to get a W. Gotta love Juan Pierre hustling for the two-out infield hit. W erased some bonehead plays.

Eagles Win, Starters Look Awful in Preseason Opener

          No one thought that the Sixers would be the big story in Philadelphia the day after the Eagles opened preseason, but the football franchise ought to be delighted to have the spotlight go elsewhere today.           The Eagles eked out a victory over the Steelers last night long after the regular players had taken off the pads. But if any Birds fans are taking solace in the win they’re delusional.           The Eagles’ first-team offense went 3-and-out in their two series. To be fair, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek did not play, but the regular offense did absolutely nothing. Michael Vick even managed to waste a timeout on the third play of the game. The best thing he did was not break his thumb when he banged it on Jason Kelce’s helmet on his last play of the night.           If it was possible, the Eagles’ first-team defense looked just as bad at times. They did get pressure on Ben Roethlisburger, but the Steelers’ offensive line is one of their biggest concerns and

Sixers Land Bynum, Trade Iguodala as Part of Dwight Howard Blockbuster Deal

          According to ESPN late last night the Sixers are involved in a multi-team deal bringing L.A. Lakers center Andrew Bynum to the team and shipping Andre Iguodala out of Philadelphia. The bigger headline, of course, is that the deal includes Dwight Howard going from the Orlando Magic to the Lakers. However, in terms of local interest, this is a potentially huge deal for Philadelphia.           The report said Iguodala is going to Denver, while Nikola Vucevic and a protected first round pick from the Sixers are going to Orlando. The Sixers get Bynum and Jason Richardson, a shooting guard from the Magic. Additional reports at philly.com say the Sixers also gave up Maurice Harkless, this year's first round draft pick.           The only thing holding me back from doing cartwheels about the deal as a fan of the Sixers is that, according to sports talk radio on Thursday, Bynum will be in the last year of his contract this coming season. Presumably, Bynum will want to t