This year, major expectations were placed on the Philadelphia sports teams. To start, the Phillies had a terrible season. They are obsessed about living in the past. The period in which they scored the most runs in the league and had a dominant rotation. Now, all of their talented players they invested in four or five years ago have past their primes, but the Phillies still want them on their team. The recent re-signing of Carlos Ruiz proves my point that they want to keep their core of aging players. Along with this, Utley received an extension and Howard has a max contract to sit on the bench for half of the season. Halladay's pitching has declined with his age and he is no longer the annual Cy Young candidate he once was. Their outfield and the bullpen are the only good things they have going for them right now. Domonic Brown is developing into one of the best up and comers. Revere was able to end last season on a hot streak and his speed obviously poses a threat when he gets on base. Mayberry is solid flex play along with Hernandez. Their bullpen was up and down last year, but there are some young guns they have that can throw in the high nineties. They have building blocks, but not a deep team. Ruben Amaro needs to stop living in the past and look forward to the future.
Next up, the Eagles. Chip Kelly has done a very good job with the youth on his football team. I think the way he has handled the QB situation has been great. Although we all know Vick wants to be out there on the field, Kelly has gotten Vick to buy into Foles, along with all the Eagles fans. For the most part, Foles has been very consistent and has not made very many mistakes. He has put the Eagles in a position to make the playoffs and has led one of the best offenses in the NFL. Along with Foles, Shady McCoy has been a key part to Kelly's up-tempo scheme. He is having a career year leading the league currently in rushing. He is looking like an elite back with the quick cuts he can make and his on-a-dime acceleration. Although when most think of the Eagles, the first thing that comes to mind is their offense, but their defense has kept them in games at some points this year. Trent Cole is their best player at linebacker. Their cornerbacks led by Cary Williams and Brandon Boykin have looked a lot better than the "elite" core they had last year. I believe this team is moving in the right direction and Chip Kelly is definitely suited to be an NFL coach.
Finally, the Sixers and Flyers. The Sixers came out of the gates hot winning three straight games, two of which were against the Heat and Bulls. Since then, they have lost 9 of 12 games. They are showing why they were projected to be the worst team at the beginning of the season. Evan Turner has been a major piece to their success and inefficiencies. He is averaging over 20 PPG, but it seems like his is too self-centered. He only cares about himself when he should really be caring about getting his teammates involved. After him, Hawes has been having a solid season, but he is not that aggressive big man down low they need to compete in the East. Their team is filled with inexperience and youth. With Noel in a suit for entire season most likely, the Sixers are going to need to figure out what direction they want to go in by the trade deadline. I believe Turner will be traded by then at the latest, and this team will begin to build from the ground up with the new talent they bring in with this star-studded draft class.
Now, the other team that plays at Wells Fargo, the Flyers. After getting off to a rough start, the Flyers decided to change directions when they fired Peter LaViolette. Since then, under Craig Berube, their record is 10-8-2. They have looked like a real hockey team. Although their seven point streak ended Monday this week, that streak is still impressive for a team that had extreme doubts after their start. Currently, the Read, Couterier, and Downey line has looked like the most aggressive and impressive on the ice. Read is beginning to consistently score goals and Couturier is looking more aggressive with the extra weight he put on over the offseason. Along with the team, their captain, Claude Giroux, was ice cold to start the season. He didn't record a goal for almost the first month of the season, but now he is looking like the leader we thought of him as before the season started. Their defensive core has been impressive with Streit, Schenn, and Coburn. But as a Philly fan, we all know what the Flyers problem has been since their last cup. GOALTENDING. Steve Mason is beginning to look like the guy who won the Rookie of the Year award in 2008-09. His puck control has been outstanding, and his head is all there, unlike Bryz. As long as the Flyers can provide Mason with a little bit of support, the team should be competitive for the rest of the season.
This year has been mediocre for the Philly sports teams, but if the Flyers, Eagles, or both are able to make the playoffs my views may change on the year.
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