There’s a new King in Queens with the Mets acquiring left-handed ace Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins yesterday in exchange for four prospects. Of course, the deal is contingent on a contract extension, but we’ll assume that happens, because if you’re the Mets, you’re not making a deal like this without committing to Santana on a lucrative, long-term deal (like six years, $150 million). Let’s look at the winners and losers in the wake of the Santana trade.
The Winners
The New York Mets (obviously) – Santana is the best pitcher in the game, having recorded at least 15 wins and 235 strikeouts for four consecutive seasons, the second longest such streak off all-time. And they got him without having to give up Jose Reyes, David Wright, or Carlos Delgado.
The Cleveland Indians – Now with Santana out of the division, the Indians have the two best pitchers in the A.L. Central with C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. Plus their line-up is back in tact, with Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez, and Ryan Garko leading the charge. If anyone but Cleveland emerges from the Central, it will be a surprise.
The Boston Red Sox – While they didn’t land the big fish in the pond, they held on to their own prospects. Plus, Santana didn’t end up with the Evil Empire, as once feared.
The New York Yankees – Ditto the Boston Red Sox.
The Losers
The Minnesota Twins (obviously) –This is a team that once traded A.J. Pierzynski for three prospects – Francisco Liriano, Joe Nathan, and Boof Bonser – and that turned out pretty well for the Twins. But this is the second All-Star to flee Minnesota this off-season with Torii Hunter signing for big dollars in Anaheim . Liriano is coming off on Tommy John surgery, so his effectiveness is a huge question mark. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, while both fine players, aren’t carrying this team.
The Philadelphia Phillies – The 2007 N.L. East champs continue to squabble with Ryan Howard over his contract, sign mid-level free agents (see “Feliz, Pedro”) in an attempt to replace the production of the departed Aaron Rowand, and convince everyone that they’re comfortable reporting to Clearwater with a rotation of Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer and Adam Eaton. Their biggest rival, meanwhile, just acquired a Cy Young winner who will head their rotation for the next 6-7 years. This is not a good development for the Fightin’ Phils.
January 31, 2008
January 21, 2008
Back in First Place (With a Vengeance)
Here’s a snap shot of the Eastern Conference standings as of this morning:
1. Ottawa – 48 Games; 30-14-4; 64 Points
2. Philadelphia – 46 Games; 26-15-5; 57 Points
3. Carolina – 50 Games; 23-23-4; 50 Points
4. New Jersey – 47 Games; 27-17-3; 57 Points
5. Pittsburgh – 47 Games; 27-17-3; 57 Points
6. Montreal – 47 Games; 24-15-8; 56 Points
7. Boston – 47 Games; 24-18-5; 53 Points
8. New York Islanders – 47 Games; 23-19-5; 51 Points
That’s right, the Philadelphia Flyers, courtesy of weekend wins over the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators, have tied the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the Atlantic Division and would be the #2 seed in the NHL playoffs if the season ended today.
With a 10-1-1 mark in their last 12 games, to say that the Flyers are on a hot streak would be something of an understatement. Paced by the highest rated power play in the league (converting at 25.0% efficiency), the Flyers have scored 153 goals, good for third in the league. They’ve got six players with at least ten goals and ten players with 20 or more points.
And perhaps most impressive, they’ve done it with arguably their best player, Simon Gagne, on the shelf for 30 games with concussion-related ailments.
There are a few hallmarks of a true Stanley Cup contender – balanced scoring, solid goaltending, better than average special teams, and good chemistry. It certainly appears, at least to this point, that the Flyers have all of the pieces in place.
Now it will be up to Coach John Stevens to keep it all together.
No Welcome Mats at Wachovia Center
Rumors out of Toronto have the Leafs shopping center Mats Sundin and the Flyers among the potential suitors. The Ottawa Sun reported that the Flyers would send Jeff Carter and a first round pick to Toronto in exchange for Sundin.
Personally, I don’t see why the Flyers would make any move (including bringing back Peter Forsberg) that would upset the chemistry that this team has developed.
Sure, Sundin has been a great player in this league for a long time, but he’s clearly on the down side of his career. Plus he’s unrestricted at the end of the year, meaning he’d be a six-month rental, and an expensive one at that.
Paul Holmgren has made some outstanding moves since taking the reigns from Bob Clarke last November. In my estimation, the best move he can make now is to not make a move on Sundin.
Or Forsberg.
1. Ottawa – 48 Games; 30-14-4; 64 Points
2. Philadelphia – 46 Games; 26-15-5; 57 Points
3. Carolina – 50 Games; 23-23-4; 50 Points
4. New Jersey – 47 Games; 27-17-3; 57 Points
5. Pittsburgh – 47 Games; 27-17-3; 57 Points
6. Montreal – 47 Games; 24-15-8; 56 Points
7. Boston – 47 Games; 24-18-5; 53 Points
8. New York Islanders – 47 Games; 23-19-5; 51 Points
That’s right, the Philadelphia Flyers, courtesy of weekend wins over the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators, have tied the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the Atlantic Division and would be the #2 seed in the NHL playoffs if the season ended today.
With a 10-1-1 mark in their last 12 games, to say that the Flyers are on a hot streak would be something of an understatement. Paced by the highest rated power play in the league (converting at 25.0% efficiency), the Flyers have scored 153 goals, good for third in the league. They’ve got six players with at least ten goals and ten players with 20 or more points.
And perhaps most impressive, they’ve done it with arguably their best player, Simon Gagne, on the shelf for 30 games with concussion-related ailments.
There are a few hallmarks of a true Stanley Cup contender – balanced scoring, solid goaltending, better than average special teams, and good chemistry. It certainly appears, at least to this point, that the Flyers have all of the pieces in place.
Now it will be up to Coach John Stevens to keep it all together.
No Welcome Mats at Wachovia Center
Rumors out of Toronto have the Leafs shopping center Mats Sundin and the Flyers among the potential suitors. The Ottawa Sun reported that the Flyers would send Jeff Carter and a first round pick to Toronto in exchange for Sundin.
Personally, I don’t see why the Flyers would make any move (including bringing back Peter Forsberg) that would upset the chemistry that this team has developed.
Sure, Sundin has been a great player in this league for a long time, but he’s clearly on the down side of his career. Plus he’s unrestricted at the end of the year, meaning he’d be a six-month rental, and an expensive one at that.
Paul Holmgren has made some outstanding moves since taking the reigns from Bob Clarke last November. In my estimation, the best move he can make now is to not make a move on Sundin.
Or Forsberg.
January 16, 2008
He's Number One!
The Phillie Phanatic was named the number one sports mascot according to Forbes magazine's sports marketing department. The contest was scored based on consumer responses in eight attributes: appeal, aspiration, awareness, endorsement, influence, notice, trendsetter and trust.
The Phanatic edged out the World Famous San Diego Chicken, who finished second, and Mr. Met, who came in third.
My inside sources tell me that Mr. Met was actually in the lead late in the competition, but in true Mets fashion choked away the lead, allowing the Phanatic to claim the crown.
The Phanatic edged out the World Famous San Diego Chicken, who finished second, and Mr. Met, who came in third.
My inside sources tell me that Mr. Met was actually in the lead late in the competition, but in true Mets fashion choked away the lead, allowing the Phanatic to claim the crown.
January 14, 2008
And They STILL Haven't Won a Playoff Game Since 1996!
So what am I supposed to do with all of this popcorn?
In case you missed it, the Dallas Cowboys lost another playoff game yesterday, this one to the New York Giants in Dallas , culminating in a weepy Terrell Owens sobbing through his press conference while doing something he’s never done.
Standing up for the quarterback. His quarterback.
Owens burst into tears while fielding a question about the criticism that is bound to fall on Tony Romo’s shoulders in the wake of his bye-week sojourn to Mexico with girlfriend Jessica Simpson.
In case you missed it, the Dallas Cowboys lost another playoff game yesterday, this one to the New York Giants in Dallas , culminating in a weepy Terrell Owens sobbing through his press conference while doing something he’s never done.
Standing up for the quarterback. His quarterback.
Owens burst into tears while fielding a question about the criticism that is bound to fall on Tony Romo’s shoulders in the wake of his bye-week sojourn to Mexico with girlfriend Jessica Simpson.
"This is not about Tony,” Owens said. “You guys can point the finger at him, you can talk about the vacation, and if you do that, it's really unfair. It's really unfair. That's my teammate. That's my quarterback. You guys do that, it's not fair. We lost as a team. We lost as a team, man."
The sentiment may have been more genuine if it wasn’t expressed by a man that said Jeff Garcia was gay when they were teammates in San Francisco and threw Donovan McNabb under the bus following the Eagles loss in Super Bowl XXXIX.
“I’ve always had a good relationship with quarterbacks,” Owens stated at one point.
The homosexual Garcia and exhausted company-man McNabb may disagree.
T.O. apologists will say that this is a man that learned from his mistakes in San Francisco and Philly and is now a team player. T.O. haters will say that a leopard doesn’t change his spots.
In all honesty, the truth is probably somewhere in between.
Either way, the Cowboys have been eliminated, meaning Romo and coach Wade Phillips are both still winless in their post-season careers. And that Owens’ best chance at a championship may have already passed him by.
Now I can watch the Super Bowl without the potential of the Cowboys hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Maybe I’ll do so while eating a big bowl of popcorn.
The sentiment may have been more genuine if it wasn’t expressed by a man that said Jeff Garcia was gay when they were teammates in San Francisco and threw Donovan McNabb under the bus following the Eagles loss in Super Bowl XXXIX.
“I’ve always had a good relationship with quarterbacks,” Owens stated at one point.
The homosexual Garcia and exhausted company-man McNabb may disagree.
T.O. apologists will say that this is a man that learned from his mistakes in San Francisco and Philly and is now a team player. T.O. haters will say that a leopard doesn’t change his spots.
In all honesty, the truth is probably somewhere in between.
Either way, the Cowboys have been eliminated, meaning Romo and coach Wade Phillips are both still winless in their post-season careers. And that Owens’ best chance at a championship may have already passed him by.
Now I can watch the Super Bowl without the potential of the Cowboys hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Maybe I’ll do so while eating a big bowl of popcorn.
January 12, 2008
We've Got Controversy
The Flyers defeated the Rangers 6-2 last night to reach the halfway point of the 2007-08 season. Last night’s game was also the third straight start – and win- for back up goalie Antero Niittymaki.
In his last four starts, Niittymaki is 4-0 including a shut out win in Florida and a 54-save effort in Toronto. During the streak, Niitty has only allowed five goals, stopping 158 of the 163 shots he has faced.
Flyers coach John Stevens has already said that Niittymaki will get the start on Saturday afternoon against the Boston Bruins.
Lost in the wake of Niittymaki’s excellence is number one goalie, Martin Biron.
Biron has been in the league long enough to understand that when a goalie is on a hot streak like Niittymaki is, he’s going to continue to get starts. But this scenario has to be all too familiar to Biron, who asked out of Buffalo when he was supplanted as the starter by Ryan Miller.
Biron has been streaky this season, looking like an all-star for stretches and an American Leaguer for others. Of late, Biron has been playing well, winning two of his last three starts.
It’s just that Niittymaki has been playing better.
For a team that has had considerable goaltending issues in recent years, having two capable keepers is an asset to the Flyers and their playoff chances.
Hopefully the keepers see it that way, too.
At the Turn
Through 41 games this season, the Flyers are 22-15-4 (48 points), good for third place in the Atlantic Division and sixth place in the Eastern Conference. That’s 22 points ahead of where they stood a year ago, when they were the worst team in the NHL.
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star
Congratulations to center Mike Richards and defenseman Kimmo Timonen for being named to represent the Flyers on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
Richards leads the Flyers in goals (19), assists (28), points (47), and plus/minus (+12), so he was an obvious add. Timonen has 20 points (5 G, 15 A), the majority of which have come on the power play. He’s also averaging better than 24 minutes of ice time per game, most of it against the opposing team’s top forward line.
In my opinion, center Daniel Briere should feel somewhat snubbed. He was fourth among forwards in fan balloting, and has more points (42) than Carolina’s Eric Staal (41), New York’s Scott Gomez (40), and Atlanta’s Marian Hossa (38), all of whom were selected. I mean, this isn’t baseball where every team must be represented. Why any of the aforementioned were given the nod ahead of Briere (who was the MVP of last year’s All-Star game), is beyond me.
In his last four starts, Niittymaki is 4-0 including a shut out win in Florida and a 54-save effort in Toronto. During the streak, Niitty has only allowed five goals, stopping 158 of the 163 shots he has faced.
Flyers coach John Stevens has already said that Niittymaki will get the start on Saturday afternoon against the Boston Bruins.
Lost in the wake of Niittymaki’s excellence is number one goalie, Martin Biron.
Biron has been in the league long enough to understand that when a goalie is on a hot streak like Niittymaki is, he’s going to continue to get starts. But this scenario has to be all too familiar to Biron, who asked out of Buffalo when he was supplanted as the starter by Ryan Miller.
Biron has been streaky this season, looking like an all-star for stretches and an American Leaguer for others. Of late, Biron has been playing well, winning two of his last three starts.
It’s just that Niittymaki has been playing better.
For a team that has had considerable goaltending issues in recent years, having two capable keepers is an asset to the Flyers and their playoff chances.
Hopefully the keepers see it that way, too.
At the Turn
Through 41 games this season, the Flyers are 22-15-4 (48 points), good for third place in the Atlantic Division and sixth place in the Eastern Conference. That’s 22 points ahead of where they stood a year ago, when they were the worst team in the NHL.
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star
Congratulations to center Mike Richards and defenseman Kimmo Timonen for being named to represent the Flyers on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
Richards leads the Flyers in goals (19), assists (28), points (47), and plus/minus (+12), so he was an obvious add. Timonen has 20 points (5 G, 15 A), the majority of which have come on the power play. He’s also averaging better than 24 minutes of ice time per game, most of it against the opposing team’s top forward line.
In my opinion, center Daniel Briere should feel somewhat snubbed. He was fourth among forwards in fan balloting, and has more points (42) than Carolina’s Eric Staal (41), New York’s Scott Gomez (40), and Atlanta’s Marian Hossa (38), all of whom were selected. I mean, this isn’t baseball where every team must be represented. Why any of the aforementioned were given the nod ahead of Briere (who was the MVP of last year’s All-Star game), is beyond me.
Winter of Discontent
"Now is the winter of our discontent..." – William Shakespeare
As I sat in front of the television watching the NFL Wild Card playoff games this past weekend, I found myself surprisingly disinterested. It took me a few seconds to pinpoint the reason for my indifference, but eventually it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I know the Flyers are nearing the midway point of their season and would qualify for the NHL playoffs if the season ended today. I know that the Sixers have shown signs, not only of playing well this season but of building for the future. I know that Phillies pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater in less than a month.
I also know that Philly is first and foremost an Eagles town, and with the Birds at home in January, the NFL playoffs don’t have the same allure. Each of the four games has had its exciting moments, but all in all, none has been must-see TV.
I even opted for the Republican Presidential Candidate debate for part of Saturday evening in lieu of the Redskins-Seahawks and Jaguars-Steelers games.
The fact that the Eagles are not in the playoffs doesn’t mean they’re not in the news.
Check out this recent blog posting:
"Now that the season is over and we are concentrating on 2008, I hope we are able to secure some playmakers in all three phases of the game…There is room for improvement. This is a competitive sport. It's about putting together the best players, the best team, and giving yourself the best chance to win. I bet that anyone who wants to see the Eagles win – from Mr. Lurie, to the entire locker room, to every Eagles fan who bleeds green would agree."
On the surface, this type of commentary is abundant and therefore not out of the ordinary. In fact, the opinions expressed above can be heard daily on WIP and from Eagles fans in all corners of the Delaware Valley and beyond.
What makes this particular article newsworthy is its author – Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
For the first time in his tenure in Philadelphia, McNabb is speaking out against the company line that the receiving corps is good enough to win a Super Bowl. McNabb has never been the type to publicly cry for help like this, and I for one am glad to see him doing it now.
Maybe he thinks his days in Philly are numbered and he’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Or maybe he feels, like I do, that this team is closer to the NFC Championship than not. Either way, hopefully Mr. Lurie and Mr. Banner will read and oblige.
As I sat in front of the television watching the NFL Wild Card playoff games this past weekend, I found myself surprisingly disinterested. It took me a few seconds to pinpoint the reason for my indifference, but eventually it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I know the Flyers are nearing the midway point of their season and would qualify for the NHL playoffs if the season ended today. I know that the Sixers have shown signs, not only of playing well this season but of building for the future. I know that Phillies pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater in less than a month.
I also know that Philly is first and foremost an Eagles town, and with the Birds at home in January, the NFL playoffs don’t have the same allure. Each of the four games has had its exciting moments, but all in all, none has been must-see TV.
I even opted for the Republican Presidential Candidate debate for part of Saturday evening in lieu of the Redskins-Seahawks and Jaguars-Steelers games.
The fact that the Eagles are not in the playoffs doesn’t mean they’re not in the news.
Check out this recent blog posting:
"Now that the season is over and we are concentrating on 2008, I hope we are able to secure some playmakers in all three phases of the game…There is room for improvement. This is a competitive sport. It's about putting together the best players, the best team, and giving yourself the best chance to win. I bet that anyone who wants to see the Eagles win – from Mr. Lurie, to the entire locker room, to every Eagles fan who bleeds green would agree."
On the surface, this type of commentary is abundant and therefore not out of the ordinary. In fact, the opinions expressed above can be heard daily on WIP and from Eagles fans in all corners of the Delaware Valley and beyond.
What makes this particular article newsworthy is its author – Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
For the first time in his tenure in Philadelphia, McNabb is speaking out against the company line that the receiving corps is good enough to win a Super Bowl. McNabb has never been the type to publicly cry for help like this, and I for one am glad to see him doing it now.
Maybe he thinks his days in Philly are numbered and he’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Or maybe he feels, like I do, that this team is closer to the NFC Championship than not. Either way, hopefully Mr. Lurie and Mr. Banner will read and oblige.
January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
First and foremost, Happy New Year to you and yours!
A year ago at this time, the Flyers were laboring through the worst season in their 40-year existence. What a difference a year makes.
At the genesis of calendar year 2007, Paul Holmgren was the interim general manager, assuming the position after the abrupt resignation of Bob Clarke. Holmgren wasted no time in re-tooling the team, unloading veteran players like Peter Forsberg and Alexei Zhitnik on playoff contenders and stockpiling young prospects and draft picks. He acquired Martin Biron, the number one goalie the Flyers haven’t had since Ron Hextall. In the off-season, he fleeced Nashville again, this time for free-agents-to-be Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen, signing both to long-term deals before they could hit the open market. He added Buffalo cast-off Danny Briere in free agency. Holmgren had turned the Flyers from NHL doormat to playoff contender seemingly overnight.
Holmgren was widely lauded around the league for all of the moves he made, but perhaps his best deal was the one that garnered the least attention. On July 2, 2007, the Flyers acquired defenseman Jason Smith and winger Joffrey Lupul from the Edmonton Oilers for an aging forward (Geoff Sanderson), a talented but underachieving defenseman (Joni Pitkanen) and a 3rd round draft choice in 2009.
Through 37 games this season, "Loops" has 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points, good for third on the team in scoring. Smith meanwhile was elected captain prior to the season and has brought an element of toughness and leadership that this young teem desperately needed. Courtesy of their current three-game winning streak, the Flyers (42 points) are the sixth seed in the loaded Eastern Conference.
Pitkanen and Sanderson have played in a combined 56 games, amassing eight goals and 11 assists. With 36 points, the Oilers would not qualify for the playoffs if the second season started today. Unless the draft pick the Flyers sent to Edmonton turns into a Patrick Kane-type prospect, it sure looks like the Flyers came out winners in the Smith-Lupul deal.
If there was an award for Philadelphia Sports Executive of the Year in 2007, it would be Holmgren hands down.
New Year’s Resolution: Clean House
Speaking of executives making moves, new Sixers GM Ed Stefanski began his rebuilding project by dealing three-point specialist Kyle Korver to Utah in exchange for Gordon Giricek and a future first-round draft choice.
Stefanski is wisely looking towards the future and trying to stock pile draft picks and free up cap space. Giricek’s contract expires and the end of the year, meaning his $4 million salary will come off the books, leaving the Sixers approximately $10 million below the 2008-09 salary cap.
A good move for the Sixers? Absolutely. That is, as long as it’s not the only move.
New Year’s Resolution: Be Aggressive
The Eagles finished 2007 8-8 and out of the playoffs for the second time in three years, and there seems to be a varying opinion as to whether or not this team is close to a return to contendership.
On one hand, there are the excavators – tear the whole thing down and start over. Fire Andy Reid, trade Donovan McNabb, throw Kevin Kolb in there and let him take his lumps. It’s the only way to rebuild.
Then there are the optimists, those who think the Eagles are really only a player or two away. McNabb should be back, hopefully with a bona fide number one receiver (Larry Fitzgerald?) with him. Draft a punt/kick returner and some secondary help and secure a tight end (Dallas Clark?) in free agency and all of the pieces are in place.
Right now, I side with the latter camp. The Eagles need to go out and get some players the way they did prior to 2004 when they signed Jevon Kearse on the first day of free agency and traded for that wide receiver who is no longer relevant.
If the Eagles sit on their hands during the off-season with no signs of improvement, I could be swayed by the excavators.
A year ago at this time, the Flyers were laboring through the worst season in their 40-year existence. What a difference a year makes.
At the genesis of calendar year 2007, Paul Holmgren was the interim general manager, assuming the position after the abrupt resignation of Bob Clarke. Holmgren wasted no time in re-tooling the team, unloading veteran players like Peter Forsberg and Alexei Zhitnik on playoff contenders and stockpiling young prospects and draft picks. He acquired Martin Biron, the number one goalie the Flyers haven’t had since Ron Hextall. In the off-season, he fleeced Nashville again, this time for free-agents-to-be Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen, signing both to long-term deals before they could hit the open market. He added Buffalo cast-off Danny Briere in free agency. Holmgren had turned the Flyers from NHL doormat to playoff contender seemingly overnight.
Holmgren was widely lauded around the league for all of the moves he made, but perhaps his best deal was the one that garnered the least attention. On July 2, 2007, the Flyers acquired defenseman Jason Smith and winger Joffrey Lupul from the Edmonton Oilers for an aging forward (Geoff Sanderson), a talented but underachieving defenseman (Joni Pitkanen) and a 3rd round draft choice in 2009.
Through 37 games this season, "Loops" has 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points, good for third on the team in scoring. Smith meanwhile was elected captain prior to the season and has brought an element of toughness and leadership that this young teem desperately needed. Courtesy of their current three-game winning streak, the Flyers (42 points) are the sixth seed in the loaded Eastern Conference.
Pitkanen and Sanderson have played in a combined 56 games, amassing eight goals and 11 assists. With 36 points, the Oilers would not qualify for the playoffs if the second season started today. Unless the draft pick the Flyers sent to Edmonton turns into a Patrick Kane-type prospect, it sure looks like the Flyers came out winners in the Smith-Lupul deal.
If there was an award for Philadelphia Sports Executive of the Year in 2007, it would be Holmgren hands down.
New Year’s Resolution: Clean House
Speaking of executives making moves, new Sixers GM Ed Stefanski began his rebuilding project by dealing three-point specialist Kyle Korver to Utah in exchange for Gordon Giricek and a future first-round draft choice.
Stefanski is wisely looking towards the future and trying to stock pile draft picks and free up cap space. Giricek’s contract expires and the end of the year, meaning his $4 million salary will come off the books, leaving the Sixers approximately $10 million below the 2008-09 salary cap.
A good move for the Sixers? Absolutely. That is, as long as it’s not the only move.
New Year’s Resolution: Be Aggressive
The Eagles finished 2007 8-8 and out of the playoffs for the second time in three years, and there seems to be a varying opinion as to whether or not this team is close to a return to contendership.
On one hand, there are the excavators – tear the whole thing down and start over. Fire Andy Reid, trade Donovan McNabb, throw Kevin Kolb in there and let him take his lumps. It’s the only way to rebuild.
Then there are the optimists, those who think the Eagles are really only a player or two away. McNabb should be back, hopefully with a bona fide number one receiver (Larry Fitzgerald?) with him. Draft a punt/kick returner and some secondary help and secure a tight end (Dallas Clark?) in free agency and all of the pieces are in place.
Right now, I side with the latter camp. The Eagles need to go out and get some players the way they did prior to 2004 when they signed Jevon Kearse on the first day of free agency and traded for that wide receiver who is no longer relevant.
If the Eagles sit on their hands during the off-season with no signs of improvement, I could be swayed by the excavators.
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