Analysis: Reid & Co Are Flying High After 2012 Draft
By Michael Lipinski on Twitter @mike247sports
I apologize for the late draft recap but I was busy watching horrible baseball (Phillies) and looking for a house (fingers crossed). But enough of that…on with the show! Fans and reporters have taken the Eagles to task over the past decade for essentially ignoring the defensive side of the ball during the draft. Yes they’ve taken defensive players early (Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley to name a few) but those early picks were usually considered “reaches.” The Eagles have routinely ignored the football factory that is the SEC in favor of “smarter” picks out of smaller conferences and other divisions. Well, the Eagles broke from tradition and went defense crazy-ish in 2012. They moved up to select arguably the best defensive lineman in the nation and picked primarily defensive players early on. Howard Mudd must’ve locked Andy Reid in the lunch room and we’re thankful for that. Overall, the Eagles made a huge splash and it would be hard not to grade this draft as a B+.
Check out the breakdown of the newest Eagles…
And Now…We Wait
All six possible Flyers opponents have gone to Game 7s, causing an endless list of scenarios. (Photo courtesy of mentalfloss.com)
BY BOB SHARPE, on twitter @bsharpegmu
Well, the New Jersey Devils pulled off a thrilling OT victory Tuesday night to force every Eastern Conference series sans the Flyers to go to a Game 7.
The west is already set. St. Louis will play LA, while Phoenix will play Nashville.
The east meanwhile, is in shambles. Scenarios are breaking out everywhere. The Flyers are giving the correct company and political response saying it does not matter who they play in the second round.
Brian Dawkins Retires
Brian Dawkins has retired from the National Football League. Dawkins, who played 16 seasons mostly with the Eagles, announced his decision on Twitter. His statement reads:
“The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years. I would like to thank the Eagles & Broncos 4 believing In me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that I have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL.”
Next stop for B-Dawk…Canton, Ohio.
What If Pronger Played?
Chris Pronger's intimidating style and swagger are greatly missed in this series. (Photo courtesy of NBC Sports).
BY BOB SHARPE, on twitter @bsharpegmu
As I sat and watched the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins brawl more than play the game Sunday, one thought creeped into the back of my head: What if Chris Pronger was out there?
Game 3 greatly resembled the format of how the original Broad Street Bullies used to play the game. Winning the game not just on the scoreboard, but physically and through pure intimidation.
Those are all the qualities the Flyers’ captain possesses. Pronger is a relentless competitor, and with the lawlessness that has ensued on the ice in this series, he would thrive in it. Pronger not only agitates, he changes the dynamic of a game. He brings a physical presence and intimidation (he’s 6’6, 220) that truly instills fear in opponents and forces them to change their game.
Keys to Beating the Penguins
Courtesy of the NHL.
BY BOB SHARPE, on twitter @bsharpegmu
It's the time of year fans have been waiting for: the NHL playoffs. Tonight, the Philadelphia Flyers will begin their strongly anticipated series with cross-state rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Many experts are making their playoff picks based off of paper instead of analysis and on-ice results. I've always picked the Flyers when I've done predictions and I no longer want to associate myself in the category I just mentioned above.
So instead I will post what needs to happen in order for the Flyers to win this series:
- Ilya Bryzgalov must outplay Marc-Andre Fleury. This is what the $51 million man was brought here to do, win playoff games. Based off their recent play, Bryzgalov certainly has the edge after winning the NHL First Star of the Month for March as he looked virtually unbeatable during that stretch. Fleury has been criticized for his play lately and rightfully so. He gave up 17 goals in his final five starts, and had an abysmal .857 save percentage. However, Fleury has the ability to hit the "on" switch at any moment, so Bryz needs to be in top form and making himself "humongous big" in the net to keep the Pens' scoring chances minimal.
- The rookies must step up. Any team would be drooling at the prospect if they knew their rookies would score 60-plus goals overall during the season. But the playoffs are a different animal. The Flyer rookie that has the most pressure and needs to perform at an elite level is 20-year-old Brayden Schenn. The coveted prospect of the Mike Richards trade, Schenn has been one of the Flyers' best players at both ends of the ice in the final month scoring big time goals and being physical in all three zones. With Danny Briere just getting back from injury, Schenn needs to continue to be in top form.
- Special teams will determine this series. These are the two most prolific offenses in the entire NHL, and they have elite power play potential. The Flyers led the league in minor penalties this season and their penalty kill is not exactly a sure thing. Therefore, while they want to agitate the Penguins and get under their skin, they have to know where to draw the line so it does not cost the team.
Some final thoughts. The Flyers cannot continue to fall behind each game. They have to storm out of the gate and take a lead early if they want to have a long playoff run. Also, while the Flyers have been an exceptional road team, they must win the series within six games. They cannot leave it to a game seven situation. However, all the Flyers have to do is earn a split out in Pittsburgh before thinking about anything. Regardless, this will be a series for the ages.
Phillies Search for Power Could Lead Them to Baltimore
Mark Reynolds (c/o Zimbio
By Michael Lipinski on Twitter @mike247sports
The Phillies are off to a 1-3 start for the first time since 2009 (remember they won the NL East and the NL pennant) and people are panicking…BIG TIME! After listening to about 2 minutes of WIP and reading some tweets it’s become obvious that Phillies fans want the team to get a power bat. The overwhelming majority of fans want that bat to be a third baseman. Come summertime, I preface summertime because trades general don’t happen during the first five days of the season; there might be some options for the Phillies in that department. Fans will want the Phillies to go out and trade for David Wright or Jose Bautista but that would cost WAY too much talent wise. However, a guy the Phillies could, and probably should, look at is Mark Reynolds.
Runs…Yeah, You Need Them to Win! Phillies Lose Home Opener, Losing Streak at 3
As a Phillies fan you had to realize that runs were going to be at a premium this season. Well, the Phillies themselves are out to prove that. The Phillies dropped their third straight game, falling 6-2 to the Florida Miami Marlins in the home opener. The clip above tells the story…even though the Phillies had more than one hit.
Don't worry Doc will save us on Wednesday! Remember what happened the last time Doc pitched against the Florida Miami Marlins while the Flyers were in the Stanley Cup playoffs (are you following all of that?!)? Perfecto.
Opening Day: New Look Phillies Win 1-0
Doc. (Photo c/o Zimbio)
Scouts: “Halladay is hurt. Halladay is losing something. Blah, blah, blah (paraphrasing all of this)!” The story of spring training was the supposed downfall of ace #1RoyHalladay. It looks like the national media and the National League will have to wait for Doc’s demise. Halladay pitched eight scoreless innings today leading the Phillies to a 1-0 win over their one-time rival, the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Halladay allowed two hits in the first inning, got out of a jam, and then allowed nothing although he did hit two batters. The fifty-eight million dollar man, Jonathan Papelbon, came in for a 1-2-3 ninth to secure his first save as a Phillie. The Phillies new look offense was able to muster up just enough, a single run on a Carlos Ruiz sacrifice fly in the 7th, to give the Phillies a much needed victory.
Mike’s Take: Despite scoring one run, the Phillies offense wasn’t horrible. They were able to put up 8 hits, one of which was a bunt by Jimmy Rollins. The offense was stymied by the two double plays that rookie Freddy Galvis hit into. If one or two of those get by we might be talking about a three or four run game for the Fightin’s. Fans should get used to this because the Phillies are going to win a lot of games like they did today.
Three Stars of the Game:
#1. Roy Halladay- Win (1-0), 8IP, 2H, 5K, 1-for-3, single
#2. Carlos Ruiz- 3-for-3, sac fly, RBI
#3. Jonathan Papelbon- Save (1), 1IP, 1K
Bryz Returns, Time to Move On
Flyers-Penguins highlights from Sunday, courtesy of the NHL.
BY BOB SHARPE, on twitter @bsharpegmu
After Sunday afternoon's circus at Consol Energy Center, the Philadelphia Flyers will get back to work tonight at the Wells Fargo Center against another rival, the New York Rangers.
Tonight also marks the return of goalie Ilya Bryzgalov from a chip fracture in his right foot. Bryz is coming off winning the NHL First Star of the Month. The Flyers have not beat the Rangers yet this year, and must focus on recovering some kind of mental confidence against the Rangers before the playoffs, which will be difficult after everything that transpired in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
We already know what ensued, but here is the bottom line: both sides are to blame. It's a two way street.
Sidney Crosby was swinging his stick like an ax on Sunday. Scott Hartnell was agitating like he always does with face washes, starting scrums after the whistle, etc. Evgeni Malkin was Ndamukong Suhing Claude Giroux's head into the ice behind the play. And of course, Brayden Schenn cross checked Sidney Crosby well after the play late in the third period.
There is no reason to bicker about who started. These two teams HATE each other. This is how it's supposed to be. I agree with head coach Peter Laviolette that the targeting of players in a 6-3 game with just over one minute left was "gutless."
However, Crosby also was right in questioning why the Danny Briere line was even out there? The only explanation could be Pens head coach Dan Bylsma used the last change to his advantage and Briere could not get off the ice. But considering Briere was carrying the puck up the ice when he was CLEANLY annihilated by rookie Joe Vitale, that is a bit hard to believe. The fourth line of Max Talbot-Eric Wellwood-Zac Rinaldo should have been out there.
Which is why all the chirping including that of Mike Milbury is pointless. I've been arguing all day on twitter as I have here, the blame lies with both teams. It sure does provide a great appetizer for what should be a great regular season finale and playoff series.
For now though, the Flyers must focus on the task at hand. Finding a way to beat the Rangers, getting Bryz back into his March form, and possibly winning home ice advantage are what the Flyers must devote their effort to, not exacting revenge on the Penguins. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m.