Jody Mac
01-09-2012, 11:16 AM
The Jeff Lurie "State of the Eagles Union" or "The Owners Unique Take on the Home Town Birds" took place after I filed last week's Attack. Had I known that the owner was going come out and throw the off-season spin cycle in such an opening flurry I would have delayed the posting. Even though it's been six days since the Birds big boss gave us his hometown gridiron interpretations, it still has the head-scratching effect it had last week.
Let me try and put Lurie's stance into perspective by drawing an analogy. It was like going on a first date with a women who when you pick her up, is in a mini-skirt, fish net stockings and a low cut clinging blouse revealing ample cleavage. After a great date that included much flirting coming your way, you hop in your car to take her to the conclusion of your date and she tells you to drop her off at....her husbands’ house. Yeah they are separated and living apart but she'll be staying at his place tonight....WTF....Nothing like being led down the primrose path. Those who thought Jeff Lurie was verbally teeing it up to give Andy Reid his walking papers after 13 years and are still suffering a case of whiplash from the about-face the owner did, you are not alone. While going in, most thought Andy Reid had saved his job with the Birds season ending four game win streak, I among them. But the owners used words like disappointment and unacceptable in describing his team's performance in 2011. Could this be the end of the Andy era?? No!! After eloquently pointing out the Eagles shortcomings, Lurie went to bat for his embattled coach and spun a tale on why the big guy was still the best man for the job in 2012. While I thought the owner did a very good job at articulating his position, I disagree with the ultimate conclusion that he drew. So Big Red is back for next year, with the same power base he's always had. How much pressure Lurie is putting him under for the upcoming season is a matter of reading between the lines and a subject for debate, and we'll do just that for the rest of 2012 for sure. So where does that leave this franchise?
For sure there will be changes, just not the head coach. One scape-goating shoe has already dropped. Secondary coach Johnny Lynn has been giving his walking papers. Yeah, he was the reason the Eagles D was Swiss cheese for the first half of the season! But you have to start somewhere. Although the defensive numbers ended up fairly respectable, there needs to be more changes on that side of the ball, both with the coaching and especially with the personnel. Do not put as much stock into the late run to get to .500 that this team made. This season was a DISAPPOINTMENT and any other way of viewing it or spinning it is delusional. Sorry Mr. Lurie!!
If you are part of the faction that sees a glass half full, that is in fact 3/4 empty, you are buying the momentum carrying four games season winning streak as a foreshadowing for next year. If that's the case, how much momentum are the divisional rivals Giants building up with what they are accomplishing right now? If you buy into the "pick up where you left off" philosophy you better be hoping that Big Blue doesn't go up to Green Bay and derail the Packers next week because their defense really has transformed before our very eyes. Despite the must have wins the G-Men got against the Jets and Cowboys to end the regular season and their embarrassing of the Falcons to start the playoffs, I think the Pack is a different animal. We have seen 15-1 squads come up short before but the Pack has seemed to be a team on a repeat mission all year and I don't see the Giants shutting down the Green Bay offense. As a matter of fact, I'm going to "chalk it up" with all the favorites in what should be the best weekend of football of the year coming up. The best four teams all year have been the Packers, Saints, Pats and Ravens IMO and I expect them to be facing off on championship weekend. Sorry to the Niners, Giant, Texan and Tebow fans out there. All good things must come to an end at some point. (Is there even one Texan fan out there that would read this column??) I know there are Tebow fans that are "Tebowing" non-stop after the Broncos overtime win over Pittsburgh. And well they should. Tebow is a flat out winner and his throwing of the football is definitely improving. Going mano-a-mano with Tom Brady in New England might be a mountain that's just a little to high for even Tebow to climb!! But enjoy the best football weekend of the year.
Is there a goalie controversy brewing here in Philadelphia? You bet there is! We're not talking boiling over the cauldron controversy just yet but you need to acknowledge the bubbling in the pot. It's not one of those backup is playing well while the starter has some problems controversies. It's a which of our two struggling netminders is going to turn it around controversy. Bobrovski's 2.56 goals against average would place him 25th in the 30 team NHL. The Flys 9 year 50 million dollar man "Ills" carries a 3.07 goals against which rates him 38th out of the 45 goalies that qualify for ranking in the league. Any way you slice the puck, those numbers are not good. Missing Chris Pronger on the backline is getting more and more apparent and Paul Holmgren may not be able to wait till the trade deadline to upgrade his defense, but it starts between the pipes. Bryzgalov will be given every chance to get his sometimes flighty head screwed on straight. Standing on it would do him a "humoongus" world of good. But the time has come to start to worry, who is going to stop the puck for the orange and black again??
Not only are the Flyers missing Chris Pronger's on-ice contribution but their captain's absence in the lockeroom may also be a factor. To this point, no Flyer has been given Prongers "C". There are some suggestions that the Flyers would bestow the captaincy on their best player Claude Giroux. I would not. If you believe that Pronger will at sometime in the distant future return and reclaim his captaincy, you don not want to have to take it away from Giroux. When Giroux becomes the captain you want it to be a 5 or more year, uninterrupted run. The Flyers have a viable veteran fill-in choice in Danny Briere, who by the way is the Flyers second best player. Do not make the "C" a "G" thing until it's a permanent thing!!
How 'bout them Sixers?? Out to a 5-2 start rather than last years 3-13 opening. They are much improved, fun to watch and playing like a well knit unit. But before you start making deep playoff run plans, you need to analyze the schedule they have played so far. Of the 5 teams they have beaten, none have a winning record and they sport a combined mark of 13-27. The two teams they lost to both have winning records and are 11-5 combined. As they say, you can only play the schedule you are handed. But you also have to analyze the schedule and opponents that you have played as well. They are playing .714 ball right now. That equates to about 48-18 for a 66 game season. That I don't see. At some point they have to play the Heat, the Bulls and the Thunder. They will come back down to earth at some point.
That being said, the Sixers are balling right now. They are exciting to watch. I have always defended the Philadelphia pro basketball fan. They are a discerning group. Unlike other fan bases in this town who pack the house even when the team is under-performing. The Philly hoop heads will stay away when a less than acceptable product is being offered. Good for them!! Owners love blind loyalty but it should not be a prerequisite for being a fan of a team. Sixer fans, right now this team is worth the price of admission. (A price that has been cut by the new ownership that is trying to entice your return) They do not have a Kobe or a LeBron or an A.I. (You know I mean Iverson, not Iguodala) but that shouldn't matter. They are an exciting unit, without a superstar. They've gotten two good crowds for their first two home wins. If they keep winning, I hope you keep coming!!
No new Phillies news and that is not necessarily bad news. At some point, Cole Hamels extension conversations will commence. Ruben Amaro is still trawling for another bullpen arm. (Kerry Wood??) There should be a Ryan Howard speculatory rehab update coming soon. Sorry for the lack of Phillie Hot Stove info but just know, it's just 36 days till pitchers and catchers report to don red and white pinstripes in the Sunshine state.
All respect to the Hawks, the Dragons, the Owls and the Quakers but let me put them aside for a moment. When was the last time the Explorers of La Salle was the top college hoop squad in town while the Wild Cats of Villanova may be looking up at the rest of the City Six? It may not last but that is the case today. The Cats OT win over La Salle back in November is their best win on their resume so far. 10 out of 11 in the W column for the Explorers cannot be denied.. Coach John Giannini's troops can continue to fly under the radar for a while longer but they head down Broad Street to take on Temple next week and if they win at the Liacourus Center the best kept secret in town will be blown!!
Let me try and put Lurie's stance into perspective by drawing an analogy. It was like going on a first date with a women who when you pick her up, is in a mini-skirt, fish net stockings and a low cut clinging blouse revealing ample cleavage. After a great date that included much flirting coming your way, you hop in your car to take her to the conclusion of your date and she tells you to drop her off at....her husbands’ house. Yeah they are separated and living apart but she'll be staying at his place tonight....WTF....Nothing like being led down the primrose path. Those who thought Jeff Lurie was verbally teeing it up to give Andy Reid his walking papers after 13 years and are still suffering a case of whiplash from the about-face the owner did, you are not alone. While going in, most thought Andy Reid had saved his job with the Birds season ending four game win streak, I among them. But the owners used words like disappointment and unacceptable in describing his team's performance in 2011. Could this be the end of the Andy era?? No!! After eloquently pointing out the Eagles shortcomings, Lurie went to bat for his embattled coach and spun a tale on why the big guy was still the best man for the job in 2012. While I thought the owner did a very good job at articulating his position, I disagree with the ultimate conclusion that he drew. So Big Red is back for next year, with the same power base he's always had. How much pressure Lurie is putting him under for the upcoming season is a matter of reading between the lines and a subject for debate, and we'll do just that for the rest of 2012 for sure. So where does that leave this franchise?
For sure there will be changes, just not the head coach. One scape-goating shoe has already dropped. Secondary coach Johnny Lynn has been giving his walking papers. Yeah, he was the reason the Eagles D was Swiss cheese for the first half of the season! But you have to start somewhere. Although the defensive numbers ended up fairly respectable, there needs to be more changes on that side of the ball, both with the coaching and especially with the personnel. Do not put as much stock into the late run to get to .500 that this team made. This season was a DISAPPOINTMENT and any other way of viewing it or spinning it is delusional. Sorry Mr. Lurie!!
If you are part of the faction that sees a glass half full, that is in fact 3/4 empty, you are buying the momentum carrying four games season winning streak as a foreshadowing for next year. If that's the case, how much momentum are the divisional rivals Giants building up with what they are accomplishing right now? If you buy into the "pick up where you left off" philosophy you better be hoping that Big Blue doesn't go up to Green Bay and derail the Packers next week because their defense really has transformed before our very eyes. Despite the must have wins the G-Men got against the Jets and Cowboys to end the regular season and their embarrassing of the Falcons to start the playoffs, I think the Pack is a different animal. We have seen 15-1 squads come up short before but the Pack has seemed to be a team on a repeat mission all year and I don't see the Giants shutting down the Green Bay offense. As a matter of fact, I'm going to "chalk it up" with all the favorites in what should be the best weekend of football of the year coming up. The best four teams all year have been the Packers, Saints, Pats and Ravens IMO and I expect them to be facing off on championship weekend. Sorry to the Niners, Giant, Texan and Tebow fans out there. All good things must come to an end at some point. (Is there even one Texan fan out there that would read this column??) I know there are Tebow fans that are "Tebowing" non-stop after the Broncos overtime win over Pittsburgh. And well they should. Tebow is a flat out winner and his throwing of the football is definitely improving. Going mano-a-mano with Tom Brady in New England might be a mountain that's just a little to high for even Tebow to climb!! But enjoy the best football weekend of the year.
Is there a goalie controversy brewing here in Philadelphia? You bet there is! We're not talking boiling over the cauldron controversy just yet but you need to acknowledge the bubbling in the pot. It's not one of those backup is playing well while the starter has some problems controversies. It's a which of our two struggling netminders is going to turn it around controversy. Bobrovski's 2.56 goals against average would place him 25th in the 30 team NHL. The Flys 9 year 50 million dollar man "Ills" carries a 3.07 goals against which rates him 38th out of the 45 goalies that qualify for ranking in the league. Any way you slice the puck, those numbers are not good. Missing Chris Pronger on the backline is getting more and more apparent and Paul Holmgren may not be able to wait till the trade deadline to upgrade his defense, but it starts between the pipes. Bryzgalov will be given every chance to get his sometimes flighty head screwed on straight. Standing on it would do him a "humoongus" world of good. But the time has come to start to worry, who is going to stop the puck for the orange and black again??
Not only are the Flyers missing Chris Pronger's on-ice contribution but their captain's absence in the lockeroom may also be a factor. To this point, no Flyer has been given Prongers "C". There are some suggestions that the Flyers would bestow the captaincy on their best player Claude Giroux. I would not. If you believe that Pronger will at sometime in the distant future return and reclaim his captaincy, you don not want to have to take it away from Giroux. When Giroux becomes the captain you want it to be a 5 or more year, uninterrupted run. The Flyers have a viable veteran fill-in choice in Danny Briere, who by the way is the Flyers second best player. Do not make the "C" a "G" thing until it's a permanent thing!!
How 'bout them Sixers?? Out to a 5-2 start rather than last years 3-13 opening. They are much improved, fun to watch and playing like a well knit unit. But before you start making deep playoff run plans, you need to analyze the schedule they have played so far. Of the 5 teams they have beaten, none have a winning record and they sport a combined mark of 13-27. The two teams they lost to both have winning records and are 11-5 combined. As they say, you can only play the schedule you are handed. But you also have to analyze the schedule and opponents that you have played as well. They are playing .714 ball right now. That equates to about 48-18 for a 66 game season. That I don't see. At some point they have to play the Heat, the Bulls and the Thunder. They will come back down to earth at some point.
That being said, the Sixers are balling right now. They are exciting to watch. I have always defended the Philadelphia pro basketball fan. They are a discerning group. Unlike other fan bases in this town who pack the house even when the team is under-performing. The Philly hoop heads will stay away when a less than acceptable product is being offered. Good for them!! Owners love blind loyalty but it should not be a prerequisite for being a fan of a team. Sixer fans, right now this team is worth the price of admission. (A price that has been cut by the new ownership that is trying to entice your return) They do not have a Kobe or a LeBron or an A.I. (You know I mean Iverson, not Iguodala) but that shouldn't matter. They are an exciting unit, without a superstar. They've gotten two good crowds for their first two home wins. If they keep winning, I hope you keep coming!!
No new Phillies news and that is not necessarily bad news. At some point, Cole Hamels extension conversations will commence. Ruben Amaro is still trawling for another bullpen arm. (Kerry Wood??) There should be a Ryan Howard speculatory rehab update coming soon. Sorry for the lack of Phillie Hot Stove info but just know, it's just 36 days till pitchers and catchers report to don red and white pinstripes in the Sunshine state.
All respect to the Hawks, the Dragons, the Owls and the Quakers but let me put them aside for a moment. When was the last time the Explorers of La Salle was the top college hoop squad in town while the Wild Cats of Villanova may be looking up at the rest of the City Six? It may not last but that is the case today. The Cats OT win over La Salle back in November is their best win on their resume so far. 10 out of 11 in the W column for the Explorers cannot be denied.. Coach John Giannini's troops can continue to fly under the radar for a while longer but they head down Broad Street to take on Temple next week and if they win at the Liacourus Center the best kept secret in town will be blown!!