A Dirty Bird Last year, Falcons defensive back Dunta Robinson — who shall henceforth be referred to as Mr. Cheapshot — nearly decapitated Desean Jackson on a crossing route as he illegally launched himself into the defenseless receiver while also leading with the crown of his helmet. Both players were diagnosed with concussions, with Jackson missing time and Robinson initially being fined $50,000. After Mr. Cheapshot leveled a nearly identical blow on Jeremy Maclin during Sunday night’s loss, the NFL should seriously consider a suspension for the repeat offender. Fortunately, Maclin …
Welcome back, Patch readers! Let's breakdown the Eagles first game of the season, and then jump to baseball as the magic number steadily drops to zero. Eagles 31 - Rams 13 The Eagles got off to nice start to their season with an 18-point road victory over the St. Louis Rams, who many consider to be a dark-horse candidate for the playoffs this year. Passing Offense: B- Vick's completion percentage was rubbish, but the Rams have a solid front-four, and their coach is known for his blitzing scheme. Vick's ability to scramble effectively stopped the first-half blitz craze, and accounted for …
Welcome back, Patch readers! It's been a rough few days for the Eagles (and a little rough for the Phillies), so we're breaking out our trusty sports psychology hats to hopefully talk a few people off the ledge. Think happy thoughts! Philadelphia Eagles Reasons to worry: Nate Allen - Free Safety Allen had a miserable game on Thursday, as he was completely abused by Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense. He was frequently out of position, and when he was beaten, he was beaten badly. On the bright side, Allen is a second-year player coming off a knee injury. He's learning a new defense…
Welcome back, Patch readers! This week, our sole focus will be on the Eagles’ first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. We'll grade out each position and throw in a few notes. Insert witty launch mechanism here! So, That's What A Pass Rush Looks Like? For the past decade, we've heard over and over again how the Eagles’ defensive line would be throwing "fastballs" at defenses, but more often than not, they looked more like knuckleballs, or even slow-pitched softballs. Lengthy is the list of failed defensive line draft picks and free agent acquisitions, so fans had every right to hold…
The Bean Brawl There's plenty of bad blood between the Phillies and the Giants, dating back to last season when Jonathan Sanchez hit Chase Utley in the back with a fastball. Utley casually tossed the ball back to Sanchez, which resulted in a tense back and forth between the two players. The Giants later ended the Phillies hopes of back-to-back-to-back World Series appearances with a 4-2 series victory over the reigning National League champs in the 2010 NLCS. This season, the Giants came into Citizens Bank Park, and out-dueled the Phillies starters to take another series victory, causing …
Welcome to part two of our special edition of Phour for Phour! With the NFL lockout officially over, nearly five months of trades, acquisitions and training are now being condensed into a period of a few weeks. Training camp at Lehigh began today, and even though free agents can't officially sign contracts with new teams until Friday at 6 p.m., that hasn't stopped anyone from conditionally agreeing to terms in the mean time. It's going to be a wild ride until week one of the regular season, so let's take a look at what has already been accomplished, important milestones and dates, and …
Welcome back Patch readers! This week, we’ll discuss an ex-Eagle’s run-in with the law, the silly added meaning of the All-Star game, and the possibility that the NFL lockout is all but over. The Good Light at the End of the Tunnel It looks as though the NFL lockout could come to an end in the next couple of days, according to multiple sources throughout the league. After months of failed negotiations between team owners and the former players’ union, there seems to be common ground and agreements in place regarding several of the more contested issues, including profit sharing, the rookie …
Welcome back, Patch readers! Now that half of the baseball season is in the books, we're going to change things up for the week as we hand out our midseason grades and awards. We'll also announce the winner of last week's Phillies ticket giveaway. It's been a great half for the Phillies historically, in which they tied their record for most first-half wins. They're sitting pretty with a 3.5-game lead over Atlanta, and the All-Star Break should serve the team well, giving the walking wounded a chance to heal and rest. Put on your hindsight goggles! PITCHING: A+ The Phillies enter the break …
This week in Phour for Phour we'll take a look at the four Phillies All-Stars, another four-win week for the Fightin's, and the signing of a 39-year-old has-been by the Flyers. You'll also have a shot at a free pair of Phillies tickets. The Good Three Aces and a Third Baseman The Phillies will be well represented in the 2011 All-Star Game, with Halladay, Hamels and Lee all being selected to the Midsummer Classic. Also joining the trio of starting pitchers is third baseman Placido Polanco, and possibly Shane Victorino, who currently leads the fan vote for the final All-Star opening. Notable …
Welcome back to another round of Phour for Phour! This week will take a look at Cliff Lee throwing back-to-back-to-back shutouts, the Flyers making headlines by trading their team captain and Oswalt being back on the disabled list. We also want to point out that it was "Winner's Weekend" for Patch readers, as five readers who won tickets to a Phillies game got to see Halladay dominate the A's, and another pair of readers watched the Union stink up the first half, only to have them play their best ball of the season in the second. Be on the lookout next week for another pair of free Phillies …
Welcome back to another round of Phour for Phour! This week we'll look at Hamels hitting a milestone, Romero getting the boot, Oswalt's struggles, and Vick still being protested two years after his release from prison. We're also going to skip a week of ticket giveaways in order to get feedback from the readers. What types of sporting events would you like to attend? Reading Phillies? Lehigh Valley Ironpigs? Philadelphia Union? Or would you like us to continue to give away tickets to Phillies games? Email your suggestions to slavetologic@gmail.com. The Good 1,000 Congratulations to …
Welcome back to another round of Phour for Phour! This week, we'll look at a Phillies team that just keeps winning, a late inning blunder by Charlie Manuel and the Joe Buck hate being censored during a national broadcast by Fox. We'll also announce the lucky winner of two tickets to see the Union host Chivas USA, but before we do that, let's break down some baseball. Batter up! The Good Winning! Despite the injuries, the offensive woes and the recently poor defense, the Phillies continue to win. Two weeks into June, the Phillies are the first team to 40 wins with a league-leading record of 40…
This week, we’ll talk about Plaxico Burress donning a Phillies cap, the Phillies issues with PNC Park, Hamels and Halladay and Michael Vick being Finally Free. We’re also serving up a pair of tickets to see the Philadelphia Union battle Chivas USA at PPL Park on June 25. That’s right, soccer fans. I’m a lover, not a fighter. Let’s begin! The Good The Halladay Effect After the 2009 season, which ended with regrettable comments and multiple poor performances by Cole Hamels, the Phillies traded to acquire Roy Halladay. Seamheads across the region wondered if Halladay and his work ethic would be…
Welcome back, Patch readers! This week at Phour for Phour, we'll take a look at a startling turnaround for the Phillies offense, the possibility of Plaxico Burress becoming an Eagle, and we'll answer a few user-submitted questions about soccer. We're also going to announce the winner of last week's Phillies contest, but you'll have to read on, because if I have to answer questions about soccer, you have to read them. It's only fair. Doop! The Good They're baaaaack! I've never been one to pat myself on the back, so instead I'll pat Ambler Patch blogger Mark Picirilli on the back for pretty …
Doesn't it feel a bit like Groundhog Day? In our sixth week of Phour for Phour, we're still talking about a Phillies offense which has gone from sluggish, to slump, to historically bad. It also doesn't help that the Phillies are facing a steady stream of playoff teams during this 20-games-in-20-days stretch. Should we panic and pick out our favorite spot on the Walt Whitman? Probably not, but there is legitimate cause for concern. This week we'll take a look at Utley's return, how the Phillies are dropping the ball in their management of Brown, and some questionable decision making by the …
Despite Jimmy Rollins' ninth inning heroics on Wednesday night, it's been an otherwise rough sports week for the Philadelphia fans. Hockey and basketball are in the rearview mirror, football seems like a distant memory and the Phillies are becoming painful to watch, even when they win. This week, we'll take a look at the excitement outdoor hockey can bring, the Phillies and their continued inability to hit, and the prospects of a stadium for the Flyers minor league club in Allentown. And as a new feature, we're adding the Philadelphia Union to our television schedule below. Yes, you've …
Welcome back, Patch readers! In this week’s Phour for Phour column, we’ll take a look at the Phillies love/hate relationship with hitting and the emergence of Vance Worley, and we’ll reflect on the 2010-11 Flyers season, which ended Friday on the heels of a sweep by the Bruins. Due to an overwhelming response to our free ticket giveaway, we’ve decided to hold another contest, where one lucky Patch reader will find himself—or herself—rooting on the Phillies at a game! Details are below, but before you jump at the tickets, let’s talk sports! The Good - It’s a Wonderful Worley! Last season, …
In this week’s edition of Phour for Phour, we’ll take an in-depth look at a rollercoaster week of Philadelphia sports, as well as give one lucky reader a free pair of Phillies tickets. The Good - Ville-delphia! After back to back losses to the Sabres, one of which was a heartbreaking overtime loss, the Flyers found themselves facing elimination on Sunday in Buffalo. After the first period, Philadelphia was staring down a two goal deficit, which subsequently led to yet another change at the goalie position. With Brian Boucher in and Michael Leighton out, the Flyers fought back, tying the game …
In this week's column, we'll take a look at dominant pitching performances by the Four Aces, a rough start for the Sixers in their return to the playoffs, and the Flyers first round match-up with the Sabres. Let's begin ... The Good The Philadelphia Phillies continued their hot start to the season, going 4-2 over the past week, with wins against the Braves, Nationals and Marlins. Credit has to go to the pitching staff, especially when considering the Phillies have scored four or less runs in their last six games. A look behind the numbers shows an amazing string of quality starts in their …
