Jody Mac
09-07-2010, 12:21 PM
Now that another Labor Day has come and gone, school is just around the corner for the youngsters, it's time to zero in on the two major Philly sports, baseball and football.. not necessarily in that order. Or maybe in EXACTLY that order. Since we are into the stretch of the MLB season and have yet to open the gates on this year’s Eagle season, we'll start today on the diamond.
We are officially into the final four week sprint to the finish line of this 2010 MLB season. The Phils are in good not great shape in their NL repeat quest. All division, all the time from here on out. The Marlins have already proven to be a thorn in their September side. In case you didn't notice, Florida's Mike Stanton is going to lead the NL in homers some day. After yesterday's double-dip, they have more road games than home games left. While worrying about the streaking Giants closing the wild card gap, perhaps it's the coming-apart-at-the-seams Padres that the Phils are going to have to keep in their rear view mirror.
Trying to handicap the inconsistent Phils offense has been close to impossible this season. If the Phils are to return to post-season play this year it’s going to be on the arms of their three-man stud rotation leaders. By the way, I think it's time we come up with a nickname for the Philly 3 amigo hurlers. I've come up with two.. tell me which one you like better. First, they can be referred to as Coles-Royz (As in Rolls-Royce). Get it?? Alright, that one's only OK. How 'bout H2O? (H alladay, H amels, O swalt). There are some "high water mark" lines to be had in there. "Sink or swim". Opponents "drowning" against them. We could have some fun with this one. Plus that's the probable order they'd be used in a playoff series, the lefty bookended by the righty Roys. But they have to get there first.
Sunday marks the start of another Green fall here in town, one that for me brings less belief in post-season inclusion than any time in the last Andy Reid-lead decade. Not just because of the change under center, this team has some serious question marks. Start in front of Mr. Kolb and his offensive line. Who in that group do you believe has a chance to make the pro bowl this year? No more John Runyun, no more Tre Thomas, no more Shawn Andrews (Before his back and his looniness began to act up). Somehow Jason Peters made the pro bowl in his debut season with the Birds last year but I'm still trying to figure out how after watching him in the trenches last year??
Behind the QB is not a given, heading into the season either. Shady McCoy is now not only the main man in the Eagle backfield, he might be called upon to be a major workhorse. Mike Bell was to no one's surprise, injured in pre-season and what he'll be able to contribute is anybody's guess. We are one jarring hit away from looking at Ezra Buckley or Martell Mallet getting key carries for the Eagles this year. Does that have you brimming with confidence this year Eagle fans??
Let's get to the Eagles offensive strengths, receiving, receiving, receiving!! Top flight talent and depth is a lethal combo. Kevin Kolb should have open teammates to get the ball to, even against nickle and dime packages which Philly will see a lot of. That being said, they better be effective throwing the ball, because they're going to do it a lot. If it doesn't go well, the old rant of run-pass ratio will be screamed from all corners of the city.
On defense, the Birds look stronger in the trenches on this side of the ball. They should be stout against the run again and 1st round pick Brandon Graham will be allowed to pin his ears back and get after the opposing QB. Stewart Bradley looks like he hasn't missed a beat despite missing an entire season. As for the rest of the Birds backers, I'm not sure there's a playmaker among them. Ernie Sims brings some needed "at-ti-tude" but can a bad team like the Lions afford to give up on a guy like him? Maybe that's why they are a bad team. We'll start to find out Sunday.
There’s lots of youth in the defensive backfield, and I think they got some potential above average talent back there, but much like with the QB, there may very well be some growing pains. Those type pains at those positions can end up in opposition's touchdowns. Starting against one of the best passing game's in the business, Aaron Rodgers and his fellow Packers.
The NFL schedule makers did the Birds no favors, by bringing Green Bay to the Linc for the 2010 opener, but the rest of the opening month does lighten up after Green Bay. The Eagle season will be decided in December not in September. I see a rough end to the season. The Eagles have been below .500 but once in the last decade. Make that twice!! My prediction is 7-9 for 2010, but enough positives to make you believe things will be getting better in 2011.
Nice tradition going with the Mayor's Cup game between Temple and Villanova on the gridiron. The loss doesn't compromise the Wildcat’s chance to defend their 1AA/FCS championship and the win does help the Owls chance at a better bowl bid if they can be at least as successful in the MAC as they were last year. Now if you bet the game, as well as rooted home your favorite Big 5 squad, depending on who you took, you're either thanking your maker or questioning his existence!!!
We are officially into the final four week sprint to the finish line of this 2010 MLB season. The Phils are in good not great shape in their NL repeat quest. All division, all the time from here on out. The Marlins have already proven to be a thorn in their September side. In case you didn't notice, Florida's Mike Stanton is going to lead the NL in homers some day. After yesterday's double-dip, they have more road games than home games left. While worrying about the streaking Giants closing the wild card gap, perhaps it's the coming-apart-at-the-seams Padres that the Phils are going to have to keep in their rear view mirror.
Trying to handicap the inconsistent Phils offense has been close to impossible this season. If the Phils are to return to post-season play this year it’s going to be on the arms of their three-man stud rotation leaders. By the way, I think it's time we come up with a nickname for the Philly 3 amigo hurlers. I've come up with two.. tell me which one you like better. First, they can be referred to as Coles-Royz (As in Rolls-Royce). Get it?? Alright, that one's only OK. How 'bout H2O? (H alladay, H amels, O swalt). There are some "high water mark" lines to be had in there. "Sink or swim". Opponents "drowning" against them. We could have some fun with this one. Plus that's the probable order they'd be used in a playoff series, the lefty bookended by the righty Roys. But they have to get there first.
Sunday marks the start of another Green fall here in town, one that for me brings less belief in post-season inclusion than any time in the last Andy Reid-lead decade. Not just because of the change under center, this team has some serious question marks. Start in front of Mr. Kolb and his offensive line. Who in that group do you believe has a chance to make the pro bowl this year? No more John Runyun, no more Tre Thomas, no more Shawn Andrews (Before his back and his looniness began to act up). Somehow Jason Peters made the pro bowl in his debut season with the Birds last year but I'm still trying to figure out how after watching him in the trenches last year??
Behind the QB is not a given, heading into the season either. Shady McCoy is now not only the main man in the Eagle backfield, he might be called upon to be a major workhorse. Mike Bell was to no one's surprise, injured in pre-season and what he'll be able to contribute is anybody's guess. We are one jarring hit away from looking at Ezra Buckley or Martell Mallet getting key carries for the Eagles this year. Does that have you brimming with confidence this year Eagle fans??
Let's get to the Eagles offensive strengths, receiving, receiving, receiving!! Top flight talent and depth is a lethal combo. Kevin Kolb should have open teammates to get the ball to, even against nickle and dime packages which Philly will see a lot of. That being said, they better be effective throwing the ball, because they're going to do it a lot. If it doesn't go well, the old rant of run-pass ratio will be screamed from all corners of the city.
On defense, the Birds look stronger in the trenches on this side of the ball. They should be stout against the run again and 1st round pick Brandon Graham will be allowed to pin his ears back and get after the opposing QB. Stewart Bradley looks like he hasn't missed a beat despite missing an entire season. As for the rest of the Birds backers, I'm not sure there's a playmaker among them. Ernie Sims brings some needed "at-ti-tude" but can a bad team like the Lions afford to give up on a guy like him? Maybe that's why they are a bad team. We'll start to find out Sunday.
There’s lots of youth in the defensive backfield, and I think they got some potential above average talent back there, but much like with the QB, there may very well be some growing pains. Those type pains at those positions can end up in opposition's touchdowns. Starting against one of the best passing game's in the business, Aaron Rodgers and his fellow Packers.
The NFL schedule makers did the Birds no favors, by bringing Green Bay to the Linc for the 2010 opener, but the rest of the opening month does lighten up after Green Bay. The Eagle season will be decided in December not in September. I see a rough end to the season. The Eagles have been below .500 but once in the last decade. Make that twice!! My prediction is 7-9 for 2010, but enough positives to make you believe things will be getting better in 2011.
Nice tradition going with the Mayor's Cup game between Temple and Villanova on the gridiron. The loss doesn't compromise the Wildcat’s chance to defend their 1AA/FCS championship and the win does help the Owls chance at a better bowl bid if they can be at least as successful in the MAC as they were last year. Now if you bet the game, as well as rooted home your favorite Big 5 squad, depending on who you took, you're either thanking your maker or questioning his existence!!!