tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29361297028276804402024-02-07T04:55:02.926-08:00Jack McCaffery's blogJack McCaffery is the lead sports columnist for the Daily Times and delcotimes.com. He has spent several decades covering everything from the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and Sixers, to college hoops, to high school sports in Delco.Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.comBlogger618125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-16503744543703803112017-04-05T06:22:00.002-07:002017-04-05T06:23:09.218-07:00SIXERS DEFENSE DECAYING<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Jack McCaffery</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="mailto:jmccaffery@21st-century-media.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">jmccaffery@21st-century-media.com</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
PHILADELPHIA >> With too many injuries, too few players, too much front-office caution and too little time, the 76ers long have been down to minimum of possible 2016-2017 achievements. Through it all, though, Brett Brown has hoped for one reasonable achievement.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The only goal that we set, from a numerical standpoint, from our second day at Stockton,” Brown said Tuesday, before a 141-118 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. “was that we wanted to be a Top 15 defensive team. If you go back to the tenets of, 'Who are we?,' we'd better grow this through defense, space and pace. It has to begin with that. And as we sit, with four games left after tonight, we're 14<sup>th</sup>.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That has been Brown's philosophy in his four years as head coach. And for most of this season, at least the Sixers seemed to comprehend the concept. But without their two most capable defenders, Robert Covington and Joel Embiid – three, including the traded Nerlens Noel - their defense has been decaying. And by Tuesday, it had practically vanished.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Sixers allowed 40 points in the first quarter and 41 in the second, the Nets' 81-point output being a Wells Fargo Center floor record for a half. Down to what would have been its fourth center entering the season in Richaun Holmes, Brown's team had little presence in the middle. Without Covington, projected as at least a second-team NBA All-Defense choice, their perimeter defense was not much better. In the first quarter, the Nets, often left open, mad 15 of 21 shots, including six of nine from three-point range, for a staggering 71.4 percent success rate.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“None of us could guard any of them,” Brown said. “I could leave now and that should be the headline.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That was about it.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It was hard,” Dario Saric said. “It was under any NBA level. I always try to talk honestly and I apologize to Philly fans. I hope we have the opportunity, with three more games at home, to try to show who we are.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In allowing the 19-59 Nets to score 141 points on just 75 shots, the Sixers dipped from No. 14 to No. 17 in the NBA's overall defensive ratings. With only four games remaining, there can't be too much volatility in any season-long statistic. But the Sixers will play those games without Covington, who has a torn meniscus in his right knee.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It's hard,” Brown said. “When you take away Nerlens and you take away Joel Embiid and you take away Covington, it's hard. So you just have to rely on more team concepts. You've got to do everything by committee. It's not like you can make mistakes and there's Joel and Nerlens at the rim to put that fire out.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Sixers have surrendered 112, 122, 107, 107, 101, 99, 122, 113 and 141 in their last nine games, and were ranked No. 23 in average points allowed before eight Nets to score in double figures.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
With that, Brown's singular goal was moving out of reach.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That's the only numerical stat that I reference to our team,” he said. “The 30 wins and other things, I understand. But for me, it is that: It is being a Top 15 team with the understanding that we want to get in the top 10 next year.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-23705323427323311932017-04-03T05:35:00.001-07:002017-04-03T05:35:56.397-07:00PROJECTING BASEBALL'S 2017 WINNERS<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A baseball forecast for 2017:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
N.L. East champion: The Mets, in a breeze.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
N.L. Central champion: The Cubs, on a roll.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
N.L. West champion: Dodgers, narrowly.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
N.L. Wild card: Giants.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
N.L. Wild card: Pirates</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A.L. East champion: Yankees, pulling away late.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A.L. Central champion: Indians, still around.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A.L. West champion: Angels, as Mike Scioscia finds a way.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A.L. Wild card: Blue Jays.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A.L. Wild card: A's.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
N.L. champion: Mets.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A.L. champion: Indians.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
World Series champions: Indians … it's their turn.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
N.L. MVP: Giancarlo Stanton is on a mission.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A.L. MVP: Mike Trout, from start to finish.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
N.L. Cy Young: <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Noah Syndergaard, none better.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A.L. Cy Young: Corey Kluber will dominate.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Jack McCaffery</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-30396512897609715392017-04-03T05:32:00.001-07:002017-04-03T05:32:49.186-07:00PROJECTING THE PHILLIES<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Projecting the Phillies' 2017 achievements, 162 games in advance:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
TEAM MVP: Tommy Joseph. While technically a surprise last season after having all but fallen out of the Phillies' plans, he was the centerpiece to the odd 2012 trade of Hunter Pence to the Giants.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Relieved of concussions, and his eye trouble corrected, the powerful Joseph can be a middle-lineup force.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
BEST PITCHER: Jerad Eickhoff. His mix of control – he hardly walks anyone – and velocity, along with a wicked curveball, will make him an All-Star at age 26.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
MOST IMPROVED: Maikel Franco will improve on his plate discipline, stay healthy and add to his status as a franchise centerpiece.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
BRIGHTEST SURPRISE: Despite a shaky spring training, a healthy Aaron Nola will show the talent that made him the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 draft.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Freddy Galvis can be the Phillies' best defensive shortstop ever … Larry Bowa and Jimmy Rollins included.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
ALL-STARS: Eickhoff, Joseph.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
TOP ROOKIE: Brock Stassi can become a quick fan favorite.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
BEST NEWCOMER: Pat Neshek will be a settling, effective bullpen force.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Jack McCaffery </div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-86604496975110411072017-04-03T05:30:00.001-07:002017-04-03T05:30:46.332-07:00PHILLIES BY THE NUMBERS<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A look at the 2017 Phillies, by the numbers:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
0: Members of the 2008 championship team on the Opening Day roster.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1: Cesar Hernandez's spot in the batting order.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1.14: The WHIP of Jerad Eickhoff in his first two seasons, second lowest by any Phillie since 1901.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2: The number of 2016 All-Stars – Odubel Herrera and Michael Saunders - who will be in the starting outfield.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
3: The number of years that Cameron Rupp's father once pitched in the Montreal Expos system.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
4: The number of projected Phillies starters who hit at least 20 home runs last season – Maikel Franco, Michael Saunders, Tommy Joseph and Freddy Galvis.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
5: Positions (first, second, third, short, left) played by Andres Blanco last year.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
6: Saves blown in 2016 by Jeanmar Gomez.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
7: Countries represented by major and minor league Phillies in the World Baseball Classic.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
8: Seasons since the last Phillies world championship.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
9: Times in his 11-year career that Howie Kendrick has hit .285 or better.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
10: Seasons since MVP Jimmy Rollins called the 2007 Phillies the “team to beat.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
11: Consecutive appearances by Joely Rodriguez last season in Reading without allowing an earned run.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
13: Times Hernandez was caught stealing last season in 30 attempts.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
14: Wins in April for the 2016 team, against 10 losses.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
16: Strikeouts by Vince Velasquez of San Diego Padres last April 14.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
18: Games for the Phillies played by Pete Mackanin in 1978 and 1979.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
20: More games lost than won by the 71-91 2016 team.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
23.0: Consecutive scoreless innings thrown by Aaron Nola from April 22 through May 8 last season.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
33: The 2011 round Brock Stassi, who won a spot on the Opening Day roster, was drafted in.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
37: Saves from Gomez in 2016.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
39: Joaquin Benoit's age.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
46: The uniform number of the late Dallas Green, the Phillies wearing a patch this season in his memory.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
102: Strikeouts by Hector Neris last season, second most by a reliever in Phillies history. Dick Selma had 153 in 1970</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
155: The number of games started by Herrera in center last season, most in the National League.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
.194: The batting average that Pat Neshek held opponents to last season in Houston.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
230: Reporting weight at spring training for bulked-up Edubray Ramos.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
.306: Maikel Franco's batting average over the final 26 games of last season.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
333: The pick in the 2004 draft that the Mariners spent on Michael Saunders.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
382: The career home runs gone with the buy-out of Ryan Howard.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
.500: The modest goal for the record, at least early in the season, set by Mackanin.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
.944: OPS of revived Aaron Altherr in spring training.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
.987: Freddy Galvis' fielding percentage last season, tops among National League shortstops.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
9,208: Total victories in Phillies history.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
10,317: Total losses in Phillies history.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
23,643: The Phillies' disappointing average home attendance last season, 24<sup>th</sup> best in baseball.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
17,200,000: The dollars Jeremy Hellickson accepted for one year as a qualifying offer, rejecting free agency.</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-32976572768779131702017-02-18T05:41:00.001-08:002017-02-18T05:41:45.762-08:00ROY JONES JR. WINS ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIPWILMINGTON, Del. >> Roy Jones Jr., the former world heavyweight champion, showed enough of his familiar skills Friday night to win the WBF cruiserweight championship with an eighth-round TKO of Bobby Gunn.<br />
<br />
Before a packed Chase Center, with a capacity of about 2,200, Jones won just about every round (six of the seven scored on the Daily Times card) and staggered Gunn late in the seventh round. Gunn's corner waved off the fight before the eighth round, which technically had begun. Thus, Jones' victory occurred at seven seconds into the eighth round.<br />
<br />
Gunn, better known earlier in his career as a bare-knuckle champion in Canada, fell to 21-7-2 as a pro. Jones, a certain Hall of Famer to be, is 65-9. Asked if his career would continue, Jones indicated it would, as long as it was worth his while.<br />
<br />
Gunn was impressed by Jones, who has won world championships in four weight classes and is recognized as one of the best, all-time, pound-for-pound: "I enjoyed seeing him beat me up."<br />
<br />
Jones, 48, has won 10 of his last 11, though against dramatically downgraded competition from when, in the 1990s, he was voted as the fighter of the decade.<br />
<br />
Earlier Friday, Kanat Islam showed why he was ranked No. 4 by the WBA with an impressive first-round knockout of Robson Assis. His forehead severely bleeding from an early head-butt, Islam, of Kazakhstan, used his remarkable hand-speed and instinct for violence to overwhelm Assis of Brazil.<br />
<br />
The KO came at 2:12 of the first, and Islam's camp immediately called out Floyd Mayweather. He improved to 23-0. Assis is 16-4.<br />
<br />
Also, popular lightweight Joey Tiberi Jr., of Delaware scored a fourth-round TKO over game Bryan Simmons of St. Joseph, Missouri at 2:04 of the second. Tiberi improved to 14-2. Timmons is 5-9.<br />
<br />
Frank DeAlba of Allentown (21-2-2) won a unanimous decision over German Emeraz of Mexico (55-42-1) in a junior lightweight prelim. And Dagoberto Aguero of the Dominican Republic impressed in improving to 11-0 with a super bantamweight majority decision over Olimjon Nazarov of Uzberkistan (14-5).Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-62741757819182430082016-12-13T06:30:00.000-08:002016-12-13T06:30:32.427-08:00Pederson overwhelmed by offensive line upheaval<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
By Jack McCaffery</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="mailto:jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
PHILADELPHIA >> Doug Pederson was at his office desk early Sunday morning, still preparing to coach the Eagles against the Washington Redskins. When the phone rang, his job would grow more complicated.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
For the second time in three games, veteran guard Brandon Brooks had reported a game-day stomach illness that would prevent him from playing. The result, which was complicated by a variety of in-game offensive-line injuries, was that the Birds would lose, 27-22. The more lasting challenge would be for the Eagles to find out why Brooks, who also missed the Nov. 28 game against visiting Green Bay, has twice had such trouble just hours before kickoff.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
“That's something we're going to continue to explore today with him and just see,” Pederson said Monday at the NovaCare Complex. “It's obviously unfortunate, but we need to get to the bottom of it and just find out why.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Brooks, 27, has reported to have battled ulcers. Oddly, however, that distress has not caused him to miss any practices. He even was at the Linc Sunday, prepared to participate in pregame drills, before reporting that he would be unable to play.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Why?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
“That's something that our medical team will dive into,” Pederson said, “and try to find out.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Brooks, who was signed in the offseason as a free agent, missed a Houston Texans game against the Buffalo Bills last season.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Clearly, Pederson didn't expect Brooks' trauma to be lasting, announcing Monday that the guard would be ready to practice Wednesday. And when asked if Brooks were still a starter, Pederson indicated, “Yes.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Pederson did admit that the uncertainty surrounding Brooks complicates his preparation. Against the Redskins, rookie Isaac Seumalo would start in Brooks' place.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
“Well, it can be a challenge,” Pederson said. “I think for us, as coaches, and as a staff, by giving Isaac these reps during the week, it definitely prepares us for anything. It's obviously no different than if Brandon were to go down with an injury, say, in the first quarter and Seumalo has to go play.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
“It is a difficult situation, but at the same time, we feel comfortable with Isaac and giving him the time during the week to be ready and handle the situation.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
As it would happen Sunday, Brooks' late sick-call was the first in a series of offensive-line complications. During the game, right tackle Allen Barbre sustained a Grade 1 right hamstring-strain, according to Pederson. Matt Tobin would replace Barbre and suffer a Grade 2 left-knee sprain that likely will cost him the rest of the season.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Also, long-snapper Jon Dorenbos broke his wrist, requiring surgery, and will be placed on the injured-reserve list. Tight end Brent Celek, also the backup snapper, reported a stinger during the game.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
It was the nature of the Brooks absence, though, that was the most mysterious.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
“It's happened on the actual day of the game,” Pederson said. “There is a little bit of history there, but it's something our medical team will do more to investigate as we go.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Pederson said he spoke with Brooks Monday morning.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
“He definitely wants to explore the reasons why this is happening,” the coach said. “If we can help him, I want to help him and make sure it doesn't happen again.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
“Again, medically, I don't know what it is. I'm not Brandon, so I can't speak for him. But it’s something we’ve got to get to the bottom of and help him as an athlete.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Tobin was injured on the Birds' next-to-last offensive play, then was beaten by Ryan Kerrigan, who sacked Carson Wentz, forcing a fumble with 21 seconds left. By then, Pederson's only remaining available offensive lineman was backup center Josh Andrews. Guard Dillon Gordon was a pregame scratch.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
By Monday, Pederson was still unsure of how his line will look Sunday when the Birds visit the Baltimore Ravens.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
“Well, we're looking at all that,” he said. “We still have Dillon Gordon. But there's going to be probably opportunity to work out some guys and bring some guys in and try to fill those spots.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
“The next couple days will be big days for us.”</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-60211424675957285392016-10-20T14:10:00.007-07:002016-10-20T14:10:55.074-07:00HAKSTOL: At age 50, Flyers have 'responsibility' to build upon tradition<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Before the Flyers would entertain the Anaheim Ducks Thursday in the Wells Fargo Center, in the home opener of the 50th season, Dave Hakstol met with the press.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This was the conversation:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>On 50<sup>th</sup> year,
particularly Ed Snide</b>r:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think he's a central
figure to everything our team does and I think his presence is always here and
always felt. I'm not sure exactly what's in store for the pregame ceremonies,
but I am looking forward to it. I think there's going to be a lot of emotion
that comes with it and is attached to it, and those are emotions that are
positive for our team.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>No championship for a long
time, but much success, Hall of Famers, good teams, more. Can that tradition
provide a benefit on the ice?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You always build on your
history and your tradition. You have a responsibility to those who have come
before you, to those who have built this organization that have come before us.
We have a responsibility to them to not just respect that but to also build on
it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>How would you characterize
that first road trip?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I haven't looked for a way
to characterize it. We played a (heck) of a game in L.A. We found a way to get a
point on a tough back-to-back the next night. And it was a disappointing finish
to the road trip in Chicago. But there were a lot of real good spurts of
hockey. There was not a full, complete 60-minute hockey game really in any of
the three. So it's early in the year. But those are things that you have to
work on and build on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Was the comeback something
that can be built upon?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That's a positive. I'm not
looking for positives. I know what the positives are. We didn't like getting
into a hole. Quite honestly, we played a pretty good first period in Chicago.
We played a pretty darn good first period, and all of a sudden, we were down,
three-nothing. We got through the second, didn't get a whole lot done. I am
impressed with our players, to go out and tie the game up. And like I said,
from there, we are disappointed to not come away, once we were back, to not get
some road points.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-3213017002064576642016-10-17T13:27:00.001-07:002016-10-17T13:27:56.314-07:00Stats from O'Hara and Conwell-Egan football game<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Cardinal O’Hara 16, Conwell-Egan 13</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Card. O’Hara<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>7<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>7<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>0<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>—<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>16</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Conwell-Egan<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>0<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>0<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>7<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>—<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>13</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">First Quarter</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">COH: Santilla 16 pass from O’Hara (Calamita kick), 1:38</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Second Quarter</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">COH: Kutufaris 48 run (Calamita kick), 7:58</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Third Quarter</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">CEC: Garwo 2 run (Bareras kick), 7:40</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Fourth Quarter</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">CEC: Garwo 34 run (kick blocked), 2:38</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">COH: Safety. Gould tackles Jones in end zone.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">TEAM STATISTICS</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>COH<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>CEC</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">First downs <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>13<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>13</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Rushes-Yards <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>31-158 44-153</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Passing yards <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>168<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>136</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Total yards<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>326<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>289</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Passing <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>9-21-0 7-10-0</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Punts-Average <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>3-31.3 4-36.5</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Fumbles-Lost<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>4</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Penalties-Yards <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5-30 6-60</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Rushing: Card. O’Hara — Kutufaris 2-91, O’Hara 17-37, Santilla 2-16, Henderson 7-8, Johnson 3-6. Conwell-Egan — Garwo 14-82, Bronson 10-26, Jones 17-22, Bentley 2-18, Majors 1-5.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Passing: Card. O’Hara — O’Hara 9-22-0, 168. Conwell-Egan — Jones 7-10-0, 136.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Receiving: Card. O’Hara — Santilla 3-66, Johnson 3-48, Redd 1-44, Jones 1-5, Kutufaris 1-5. Conwell-Egan — Bronson 3-84, Cohen 3-50, Goldsby 1-2.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Interceptions: None.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-10475541807912311022016-10-03T09:07:00.002-07:002016-10-03T09:07:43.302-07:00Klentak shows patience with most of coaching staff<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Jack McCaffery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="mailto:jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com">jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
PHILADELPHIA >> The
first formal indication of Matt Klentak's offseason disposition was revealed
Monday: He will be patient … to a point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Confirming what sources
revealed Sunday, the Phillies have officially released Steve Henderson, who had
been their hitting coach since 2013. However, despite finishing 20 games below
.500, the rest of the staff will be retained, including Larry Bowa (bench),
Rick Kranitz (bullpen), Bob McClure (pitching), John McLaren (catching), Mickey
Morandini (first base) and Juan Samuel (third base).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Manager Pete Mackanin is
under contract through the 2017 season. The Phillies hold a club option to
extend that agreement through 2018.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Henderson, 65, played for
the Mets, Cubs, Mariners, A's and Astros and was a .280 major-league hitter in
16 major-league seasons. But the Phillies hit .240 this season, the
second-worst average in baseball. Their 1,376 strikeouts were the third most in
the National League.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mackanin supported Henderson
throughout the struggle, often mentioning how he was teaching the proper things
around the batting cage. The message was not getting through, however, and the
manager also routinely lamented a poor team-wide approach at the plate,
particularly with two strikes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think our group as a
whole has done a really nice job this year,” Klentak said in a recent
interview. “We talked a lot in spring training about the energy level, staying
positive, particularly with a young group. And we’ve had one of the youngest
rosters all year long. The effort level of this team and this staff has been
very good. I won’t say we’re going to commit to anything at this stage for next
year, but at the end of the year Pete and I will sit down and talk about it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Generally speaking, I’m
pleased.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When asked if he alone would
make those decisions, the general manager replied, “Pete and I will talk about
it together.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The decision to part ways
with Henderson was made Sunday and confirmed by sources. Though coaching-staff
changes immediately after Game No. 162 are common in baseball, it's likely the
Phillies chose to wait a day rather than to allow any announcement to clutter
their tasteful tribute to Ryan Howard, who has played his last Phillies game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Though Klentak appreciated
Henderson's effort, the results were too drastic to ignore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That’s a challenge in any
organization, separating process from results,” the general manager said. “The
effort level has been there, not only from Steve, but from the whole staff.
They can only play the players that are on the roster. Some players are going
to naturally be better at certain things than others. It’s just the reality of
business and the way things work. I agree with what Pete has said. It’s
certainly not for a lack of effort.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Klentak remains supportive
of Mackanin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Our relationship has really
grown as the year has gone on, not surprisingly,” he said. “Our communication
has been very open. I think he’s done a pretty good job. It’s not easy to keep
a team that’s likely out of contention playing hard until the very end, but
this team continues to fight every day. That’s a very good sign as an
organization.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-22349003215890934002016-10-01T10:16:00.002-07:002016-10-01T10:20:36.362-07:00Nominations sought for writing, broadcasting awards<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
This is a press release from the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association:</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
CONTACT: PSWA President Sam Carchidi</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
215-313-3315</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
RELEASE DATE: IMMEDIATELY</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
NOMINEES NEEDED FOR BILL CAMPBELL, STAN HOCHMAN AWARDS; PSWA BANQUET TICKETS AVAILABLE</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Two of the most iconic figures in the history of Philadelphia sports media _ broadcaster Bill Campbell and columnist Stan Hochman _ will again be honored with awards named in their memory at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association's Feb. 3 banquet at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
“If something important happened in Philadelphia sports during most of our lifetimes, there’s a good chance Bill and Stan were there to cover the event,” said Sam Carchidi, PSWA president. “For a Philadelphia sports journalist, I can’t think of a more prestigious local honor.”</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
The PSWA is accepting nominees for the second annual awards. Writing entries should be submitted to Rob Parent at <a href="mailto:parentr1@hotmail.com" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;">parentr1@hotmail.com</a>, and broadcast entries can be sent to Carchidi at<a href="mailto:scarchidi@phillynews.com" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;">scarchidi@phillynews.com</a>.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
This is the second year the awards have been presented. Eagles announcer Merrrill Reese won the Bill Campbell Broadcast Award last year, while The Inquirer's Mike Sielski won the Stan Hochman Writing Award.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
The Hochman award is given to the best-written sports story in the calendar year, whether in a newspaper, magazine, book, or online.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
The Campbell award is presented for excellence in broadcasting; local sportscasters, talk-show hosts, and radio/TV reporters or commentators are eligible.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Campbell, whose remarkable career touched parts of nine decades, was a broadcaster for the Eagles, Philles, and Warriors/76ers and also a sports talk-show host. A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he died in 2014 at 91.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Hochman, known for his distinctive writing style and his incomparable interview ability, was an award-winning sports columnist for the Daily News for 55 years before his death in 2015.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Numerous Flyers captains from their history will be at the PSWA banquet, celebrating the franchise's 50th anniversary. Several other local pro athletes and teams will be honored, and it will be a night to salute Villanova's national men's basketball championship.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Tickets are available at phillysportswriters.com.</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-16878536107774417002016-09-20T14:09:00.002-07:002016-09-20T14:09:41.408-07:00Howard says he's healthy, but is not in the lineup against a right-hander tonight<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ryan Howard says he is ready to resume playing after recovering from a small knee situation.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Phillies, though, are saying not-so-fast.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With that, the informally scheduled Howard farewell tour at Citizens Bank Park will not likely resume until the Phils return from a road trip for a three-game series with the Mets starting Sept. 30.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pete Mackanin, who typically arrives at
the ballpark around 1 p.m., was counseled by trainers to provide
Howard with additional rest Tuesday, even with the visiting Chicago White Sox starting right-handed pitcher James Shields.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since the White Sox are scheduled to
start left-handed Chris Sale, Howard would not start Wednesday,
either. That will have given him a five-day, four-game rest after
he'd reported a slight fluid buildup on his left knee Saturday.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“When I originally talked to
(trainer) Scott Sheridan he said he thought it would be best to give
him another day,” Mackanin said. “It's not in his best interest
even to tweak it a little bit, this late in the year.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Phillies had planned to start
Howard as often as possible, particularly against right-handers,
during their late-season home games. They are expected to exercise
their option to buy out the final year of Howard's contract at
season's end, and they were trying to give their fans as many chances
as possible to see the top left-handed home-run hitter in franchise
history.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But Howard sat out Saturday and Sunday,
and the Phillies were off Monday. By Tuesday, he was ready.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Why wouldn't I be?” he said. “I
said I had a small problem. That's all it was. I had some rest. We
isolated the problem and controlled the problem.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Howard was available to pinch-hit
Tuesday and Wednesday. After that, they will take a seven-game, eight-day road trip to visit the Braves and Mets.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think the worst thing that could
happen is that if it did blow up again,” Mackanin said. “It's not
going to help him for next year. He'll play quite a bit on this next
road trip and certainly the last three games here.”</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-42208181044373521542016-09-16T17:04:00.001-07:002016-09-16T17:44:28.549-07:00JP Crawford has surgery, should be ready for spring trainingThe No. 1 prospect in the Phillies' minor-league system underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday.<br />
<br />
According to the club, shortstop J.P. Crawford had the procedure performed on his left knee by team Dr. Michael Ciccotti.<br />
<br />
Through the Phillies, Ciccotti said, the surgery was "successful." Loose bodies were removed from Crawford's knee.<br />
<br />
Crawford will need four weeks of rest and, after that, will have a "normal" offseason, according to the report from Ciccotti, who added that Crawford will be "ready for spring training."<br />
<br />
In his recently completed season, his fourth as a professional, Crawford hit a combined .250 with seven home runs at Reading and Allentown.<br />
<br />
"We challenged him," said Matt Klentak the other day, of Crawford's season. "Even having a 21-year-old at Double-A, but certainly at Triple-A, is aggressive. I think he’s proven at both levels that he still has the ability to control the strike zone as well as anybody in our organization and probably the best in minor-league baseball.<br />
<br />
"I think his defense has taken a step forward. He’s still 21 years old. He still needs to get stronger. He still has some things he needs to work on. As I said all along, players are not always going to excel at every turn. There are going to have bumps in the road and they’re going to have to overcome them. I’m confident JP will."<br />
<br />Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-83256223910126691832016-09-12T07:10:00.001-07:002016-09-12T07:10:25.599-07:00Haverford School, West Catholic football stats<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Haverford School 37, West Catholic 34</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Haverford School 8 0 8 21 - 37</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">West Catholic 2 18 6 8 —<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>34</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">First quarter</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">HS — Hudson 77 pass from Toal (Richards pass from Toal), 11:06</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">WC — Safety. Twyman tackled in end zone, 3:43</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Second quarter</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">WC — Powell 8 pass from Kidd-Jackson (pass failed), 10:04</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">WC — Powell 15 pass from Kidd-Jackson (pass intercepted), 4:27</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">WC — Kidd Jackson 3 run (run failed), 0:18</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Third quarter</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">WC — Kent 21 pass from Kidd-Jackson (kick blocked), 9:19</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">HS — Twyman 13 run (Twyman run), 3:52</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Fourth quartrer</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">HS — Toal 13 run (McCollum kick), 11:03</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">HS — Lindner 32 pass from Toal (McCollum kick) 7:40</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">HS — Twyman 4 run (McCollum kick), 2:04</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">WC — Kidd-Jackson 14 run (Dasilva pass from Kidd-Jackson), 1:00</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">TEAM STATISTICS</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>HS<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WC</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">First downs <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>18 18</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Rushes-Yards <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>43-213 27-128</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Passing yards <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>210 269</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Total yards<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>423<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>397</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Passing <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6-18-0<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>17-36-2</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Punts-Average <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1-31.0<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2-32.0</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Fumbles-Lost<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>0-0<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1-1</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Penalties-Yards <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1-15<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>8-42</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Rushing: Haverford School — Twyman 25-171, Toal 12=19, Stallworth 5-27, Whitaker 1-(minus 4). West Catholic — Kidd-Jackson 8-73, Savoy 7-32, Wortham 7-15, Kemp 4-13, Barry 1-(minus-5).</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Passing: Haverford School — Toal 9-18-0, 210. West Catholic — Kidd-Jackson 17-35-2, 269; Barry 0-1-0, 0.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Receiving: Ridley — Haverford School Lindner 3-102, Hudson 2-86, Morrison 2-19, Hampton 1-3, King 1-0. West Catholic — Barry 7-132, Powell 4-46, Kent 3-49, Kemp 2-18, Averett 1-24.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">Interceptions: Haverford School — Towle, Mosebrook.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-29029013574943376602016-08-28T07:21:00.002-07:002016-08-28T07:21:26.077-07:00A.J. Ellis catching onto the idea of playing for Phillies<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Jack McCaffery</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="mailto:jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com">jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
NEW YORK >> When he was traded
last week to the Phillies, A.J. Ellis resisted any celebrations.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
More to the point, he was disappointed.
Even more to the point, he was disturbed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But by Saturday night, he was warming
to the idea. And by Sunday, that will be him, 60-feet, six inches
from Vince Velasquez in CitiField as the Phillies' starting catcher.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You get traded off a contending team
to a non-contender, you can’t be happy about that,” Pete Mackanin
said before the Phils' 12-1 loss to the Mets. “But he’s over it.
He’s moving forward.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ellis is the 34-year-old catcher who
had played his entire nine-year big-league career with the Dodgers.
When he was traded with pitching prospect Tommy Bergjans to the Phils
for Carlos Ruiz and cash, he was quoted as telling teammates he was
“absolutely devastated.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But there he was in the bullpen earlier
Saturday, working with young Phillies pitchers Jerad Eickhoff and
Jake Thompson.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The waves of emotion are getting
farther and farther apart, which is a good thing,” Ellis said.
“Arriving here and meeting the staff, I'm starting to feel
re-energized, refueled with a sense of purpose as to why I’ve been
placed here, and why this where I need to be at this time. I’m
excited about that.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I know I have huge shoes to fill.
Carlos Ruiz is such a fixture in the Phillies organization. The work
that he’s done here behind the plate, you can’t fill. This guy is
a world champion catcher who has been back there for so many great
baseball memories. So it’s up to me to do my part to fill the
void.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Not signed past this year, Ellis'
purpose in Philadelphia likely is as a placeholder behind Cameron
Rupp until next season, when either Andrew Knapp or Jorge Alfaro is
ready for a promotion to the majors.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The thing we like about him is his
experience and his game-calling skills,” Mackanin said, “and
things like that.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Among Ellis' earliest tasks was to help
the Phillies' hitters self-scout themselves. That's because Mackanin
had the veteran catcher share the Dodgers' “book” on each hitter.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We’ve seen these guys twice in the
last couple weeks,” Ellis said. “We can dig into those
conversations and talk to the offensive side of how we wanted to
attack them and as a catcher, things that I’ve noticed from
watching them swing the bats. Maybe that can create better offensive
at-bats.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Friday, the Phils lost, 9-4. Saturday,
it was 12-1, scoring only on Freddy Galvis' home run.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Trend?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No offense to talk about other than
Freddy's home run,” Mackanin said. “Nice to see that. But the
last two nights, there were plenty of earned runs given up. Bad
pitching. The funny thing about it is we are 11-11 in the month of
August. So it's hard to figure out. But tonight was embarrassing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“One good thing I was made aware of
is we haven't made an error in the last 11 games. So it's not like
we're booting the ball all over the place and making bad plays.
That's something positive to think about. Just put this one behind
us.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jeremy Hellickson lasted only four
innings, allowing seven hits and two home runs, including a three-run
shot by Yoenis Cespedes and two-run Asdrubal Cabrera poke.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I've been on a nice little run,”
said Hellickson, who hadn't lost since July 15. “I just lost
command of all three pitches tonight. I think the two home runs were
two of the better fastballs that I threw. Yeah, it’s a good lineup
that’s hot right now. You can’t make too many mistakes like I did
tonight.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Velasquez (8-6, 4.31 ERA) will face New
York right-hander Robert Gsellman at 1:10 Sunday afternoon. The Phils
will be home Monday night to start a three-game series with
Washington.</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-47060578728467826912016-08-13T13:49:00.001-07:002016-08-13T13:49:38.692-07:00Carson Wentz breaks rib, likely out for rest of preseason<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Jack McCaffery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
@JackMcCaffery on Twitter<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
PHILADELPHIA >> Carson
Wentz did not make it through his first Eagles game without an issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After not throwing a pass in
a morning practice Saturday at the NovaCare Complex, the rookie quarterback was
diagnosed with a “hairline fracture in his ribs,” according to the Eagles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Eagles did not specify
when Wentz could return to football, though Doug Pederson hinted that it could
be before the end of the preseason.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Earlier, the Birds' head
coach did not seem concerned that Wentz was complaining of pain on his
right-side ribs, indicating that the quarterback would participate in practice
Sunday. But Wentz retreated to the locker room and sent word through the
Eagles' communications staff that he would not be available for comment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Later, the Birds released
this statement from Pederson: “Carson felt some discomfort and soreness as we
began this morning’s practice. We decided to limit him throughout the remainder
of practice and, as a precaution, sent him for a CT scan after practice. The
scan revealed a hairline fracture in his ribs. We do not know an exact
timetable for his return, but we hope to have him back before the end of the
preseason.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wentz completed 12 of 24
passes for 89 yards and rush three times for 15 yards in his Eagles preseason
debut.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“If you were watching the
game the other night, he took a shot,” Pederson said. “It was around the
next-to-last play. He got up a little slow. So he is just sore today. We just
wanted to protect him, so he didn’t throw.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wentz was not expected to
play much, if at all, for the Eagles this season. Rather, he was to develop
while learning from Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel. The injury could compromise
his early, training-camp development.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It bothered him to throw a
little bit,” Pederson said earlier Saturday. “But he’s fine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bradford pocketed $11
million to sign last offseason with the Eagles, the first payment on a contract
that could be worth up to $36 million.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He was just thinking out
loud Saturday, but he figures they probably expect him to appear in more than
three plays a game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After joking with reporters
that he would take as much time as necessary analyzing all three of the plays
he ran, two of them handoffs, in the Birds’ preseason opener, Bradford
acknowledged that he will play substantially longer in the next game, Thursday
in Pittsburgh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We really haven’t talked
about that a lot,” he said. “I am sure in the next couple days we will go over
that. I’m assuming we will play quite a bit over the next couple of games. I
think it will be great for us to get out there and establish a little bit of a
rhythm, get into some more game situations, try to simulate what we are going
to see in Week 1 and just try to get some live action.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Though the Eagles must
certainly see Bradford for more than three plays against the Steelers, Pederson
is committed to spreading the quarterback playing-time around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We are staying equal,” he
said, before learning of Wentz's cracked rib, “with all three.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
With Lane Johnson almost
certain to miss the Birds’ first 10 regular-season games due to a failed test
for performance-enhancing drugs, Pederson is adapting. Saturday, he used Allen
Barbre at Johnson’s right-tackle spot, dropping Johnson to the second team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“He’s played there, No. 1,”
the coach said of Barbre. “It’s been more left tackle than right, but he’s been
there in the past. I love his athleticism. He’s a smart guy out there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Left tackle Jason Peters was
back Saturday after missing the preseason opener with a quad injury. Pederson
experimented with multiple combinations throughout the practice, which unfolded
in 96-degree heat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Obviously, you got ‘Big V’
(Halapoulivaati Vaitai) sitting right there,” the head coach said. “Of course,
Jason Peters is on the left side. Matt Tobin can play both sides, and he played
well the other night in limited reps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“But it’s a situation where
this is the time. Once you get kind of through that first game, you start shuffling
your roster a little bit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pederson was not committing
to any particular alignment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What happens if Jason
Peters goes down during the regular season, or Jason Kelce goes down during the
regular season?” he said. “I just want to see different guys at those spots. In
order to do that you’ve got to take time now, this week in camp, to get that
accomplished.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He feels he will.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I’m looking for five tough,
dirty, nasty guys that want to go out and just play football,” he said. “I don’t
care which five it is, but we’re going to find the best five and the right
five. And I feel like we’ve got them here on the team.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
NOTES: Malcolm Jenkins
(quad), Wendell Smallwood (quad) and Marcus Smith (concussion) practiced, if on
a limited basis, Saturday … Brandon Brooks, who left the Tampa Bay game early
with a biceps issue, is back. Pederson: “He’s fine.” … After a tape review, Pederson touted Fletcher
Cox and Jaylen Watkins for their performances against the Bucs … Pederson said
he would take the Birds indoors for a walk-through Saturday and a similar
exercise Sunday morning. Sunday night at 7, the Birds’ practice in the Linc
will be open to the public. Admission is free.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-83155214803019746322016-08-13T04:20:00.001-07:002016-08-13T04:20:05.006-07:00Sizzling Ryan Howard could have late trade value<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Jack McCaffery</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="mailto:jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
PHILADELPHIA >> If a contending team, most likely in the American League, needs a power hitter for a month or so, Pete Mackanin has one who has 10 RBIs in his last seven games, including a grand slam Friday in the Phillies' 10-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ryan Howard, anybody?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“If I were a playoff team, I would take notice of what he did tonight,” the Phillies' manager said. “It is something he is capable of doing, either as a DH or a pinch-hitter.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Howard was 3-for-5 Friday with five RBIs, including a fifth-inning grand slam, his franchise-record 14<sup>th</sup>. Since June 22, he is hitting .320.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Any team interested in Howard would need to make a waiver deal, then have him on the roster before September to have him eligible for the playoffs. He is due the remainder of the $25 million he is owed this season and $10 million as a buyout for 2017.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Does he think about the possibility that he could interest a contender?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Really and truthfully, I am just trying to take it as it comes,” Howard said. “I haven't put too much thought into anything. Just trying to keep it simple.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Last seen leaving a game in Los Angeles and complaining of back pain, Jeremy Hellickson is likely to make his next scheduled Phillies start.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Hellickson seems to be fine,” Pete Mackanin said. “We are still going to wait, see how he feels in a couple days to see if he is going to make his next start. But at this point right now I feel like he is going to make that start.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hellickson grabbed his back after making a fifth-inning pitch in the Phillies' 6-2 victory over the Dodgers Wednesday, then was removed from the game. To that point, the right-hander had allowed three hits and one earned run. Afterward, Mackanin admitted in print to being worried. By Friday, he was relieved.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Phillies have not named a starter for Sunday. They have Monday off. That would suggest a Tuesday return for Hellickson against the visiting Dodgers.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“As I said, he told me he wanted to go back out,” Mackanin said. “But I didn't want to send him out. I didn't want another starter going down for just one more inning.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By then, the Phillies' rotation was already challenged, with Aaron Nola (elbow) on the disabled list and Zach Eflin joining him with trouble in both knees. Eflin had an MRI on his knees Friday, according to Mackanin. The Phillies did not reveal the results.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If Eflin has pitched his last game for the Phils this season, he will have gone 3-5 with a 5.54 ERA. Among his 11 starts were two nine-inning efforts in which he did not walk a hitter. For that, Mackanin believes the right-hander had shown the Phillies enough in his rookie season.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I feel like that,” the manager said. “He's had enough good starts where he's been impressive at times. And he's had chronic knee issues as it is. If they decide to take care of it now, I think that may be a good idea. But I'll leave that up to the medical people. Bring him back 100 percent next year. We'll see what they say.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A likely candidate to pitch Sunday against Colorado is Adam Morgan, who would need to be recalled form Lehigh Valley. The left-hander is 6-1 with the IronPigs and 1-7 with the Phils in a perplexing season. However, Mackanin denied that decision had been made.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jerad Eickhoff (7-12, 3.78 ERA) will face Colorado left-hander Tyler Anderson (4-3, 3.04) Saturday night at 7:05. Right-hander Tyler Chatwood (10-7, 3.58) will pitch for the Rockies Sunday at 1:35.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Simply by signing with the Phillies in 2003 as a free agent, Jim Thome helped inflate the popularity of Citizens Bank Park when it opened in 2004.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Friday, the Phillies made that official when they hammered a Thome plaque onto their centerfield Wall of Fame.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I don’t think one guy actually comes in and changes things,” Thome said before the Phillies' game against the Colorado Rockies. “I think what happens is, if a guy signs, you see other guys follow. And we were all together as a unit. And even though you don’t see at that moment, say a world championship that season, eventually you’re working towards that.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thome played just four seasons with the Phillies, including a 40-game hitch in 2012 at age 41. But he was thrilled to join Phillies legends Mike Schmidt, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton and others on a stage for the pregame Wall of Fame ceremony.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You are humbled that they would think that highly of you to put you in a great fraternity of Hall of Famers,” Thome said. “They just don’t give people that honor. To be voted by the fans, that’s something special. I know that I didn’t play here long and I know there are so many guys that are going to be in this that are deserving. I just feel so honored that they would think of me to put me in.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thome was introduced by Wall of Famer Charlie Manuel.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Overnight,” Manuel said, “he changed the way people thought about the Philadelphia Phillies.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jake Thompson earned his first major-league win, striking out six in five innings.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It's awesome,” he said. “It's kind of nice to get the first one out of the way. Hopefully, I will get a little confidence out there on the mound and keep it rolling.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When Peter Bourjos rejoined the Phillies Friday after recovering from a shoulder injury, a roster move was necessary. The Phillies chose to return Cody Asche to Lehigh Valley, keeping Jimmy Paredes, who was hitting .200 with three home runs in 49 games.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, we wanted Asche to get at-bats, go down there and figure himself out,” Mackanin said. “He hasn't been the same hitter and we're exhausting every possibility of getting him back on track and we don't want to do it here.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Asche was hitting .213 with four home runs.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“He wasn't happy, but he was fine with it,” Mackanin said. “He was disappointed. But he handled it well. Professional.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
With that, Mackanin started Bourjos in right, Odubel Herrera in center and Aaron Altherr in left.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I like the look of the outfield,” Mackanin said. “We’ve got two 'centerfielders' on the corners, Herrera in center. It’s like I have three centerfielders out there. So I like the look of that.”</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-80454875214759129812016-07-24T10:17:00.003-07:002016-07-24T10:17:42.776-07:00Sons of Hagler, Leonard to get it on ... and other sports notes<a href="http://www.delcotimes.com/sports/20160723/mccaffery-sixers-owe-it-to-themselves-to-give-simmons-okafor-combo-a-chance">http://www.delcotimes.com/sports/20160723/mccaffery-sixers-owe-it-to-themselves-to-give-simmons-okafor-combo-a-chance</a><br />
<br />
Marvin Hagler Jr., left, with Sugar Ray Leonard Jr. and promoter Damon Feldman, center<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGQkrUUcwJyPQtnPp42KDe1zo_jRs4MBOFNx9LgQtMa4iF560KuovaeiLuV1F2HHSWnNe-t4A_Gwv85iCW4Ci_gTUMD_P8BvpikZptU9WB_PFkdShtMxD5e6XKzHYG-Kq2K9qHo2FlEQ/s1600/IMG-20160707-00721.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGQkrUUcwJyPQtnPp42KDe1zo_jRs4MBOFNx9LgQtMa4iF560KuovaeiLuV1F2HHSWnNe-t4A_Gwv85iCW4Ci_gTUMD_P8BvpikZptU9WB_PFkdShtMxD5e6XKzHYG-Kq2K9qHo2FlEQ/s320/IMG-20160707-00721.jpg" width="320" /></a>Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-43284411837552856852016-06-30T18:15:00.001-07:002016-06-30T18:15:53.473-07:00Gostisbehere meets with heroic Delco police officer<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Chis Dorman, the Folcroft police officer who was shot seven times in the line of duty last week, welcomed a well-wisher today at the Folcroft Police Department ... Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">“What he’s been through the last week, I’m pretty sure his world’s been flipped upside down," Gostisbehere said, in a statement released by the Flyers. "But I wanted to take time out to lift his spirits a bit and get him in some orange and black to make him look really good now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">"People see hockey players and other athletes as role models. But when you see police officers and firefighters, and you see what he’s going through right now and you see how much of a warrior he is and walking around right now, and it only happened a week ago, he’s pretty amazing and I’m pretty sure kids are going to be looking up to him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Dorman, 25, who survived the shooting, enjoyed the visit. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">“It’s awesome," he said. "It’s really good to meet someone like him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">The Flyers gave Dorman, of the 63rd police district, a personalized No. 63 jersey.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“Awesome," Dorman said. "Perfect fit!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5zKsjoIuB8V1aHLvep2_WxhPcgv_Yax16BDGT70Tqth01_0Cjb7uNA36JTA2mWZC_iv1WKQZFLrjLbo4jixUJ0fohBwpDE-PMM3Pa1bmv65JT7jp_Mu57c4pdHmsL3oF5gCm4fAUXlU/s1600/ChrisDorman+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5zKsjoIuB8V1aHLvep2_WxhPcgv_Yax16BDGT70Tqth01_0Cjb7uNA36JTA2mWZC_iv1WKQZFLrjLbo4jixUJ0fohBwpDE-PMM3Pa1bmv65JT7jp_Mu57c4pdHmsL3oF5gCm4fAUXlU/s320/ChrisDorman+030.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XNbJu66hjWVbxIrbCrbtQiutMhPyDfO7KDLuEI8H5sACb5LVqILHpPmg8N9myk2_FO3uK8p-uyYwj_eg7oEjKBicfMWYH3wuc2cCNd_akDGR4qIf2Rv02wGoXRcUUfSMw7qTK8wFhrA/s1600/ChrisDorman+011.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XNbJu66hjWVbxIrbCrbtQiutMhPyDfO7KDLuEI8H5sACb5LVqILHpPmg8N9myk2_FO3uK8p-uyYwj_eg7oEjKBicfMWYH3wuc2cCNd_akDGR4qIf2Rv02wGoXRcUUfSMw7qTK8wFhrA/s320/ChrisDorman+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-42491579469080847502016-06-11T17:29:00.001-07:002016-06-11T17:29:07.983-07:00Phillies complete draft<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
The Phillies completed their draft Saturday, adding the following players in the 11<sup>th</sup> round through the 40th rounds:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Joshua Stephen, a high school centerfielder from Newport Beach, Calif.; Justin Miller, a right-handed high school pitcher from Fresno, Calif.; Andrew Brown, a right-handed high school pitcher from Alpine, Calif.; Darick Hall, a first baseman from Dallas Baptist University; Alex Wojciechowski, a first baseman from Minnesota-Duluth; Brett Barbier, a catcher from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Daniel Zardon, a first baseman from Nova Southeastern Florida University; Jacob Kelzer, a right-handed pitcher from Indiana University; William Hibbs, a right-handed pitcher from Lamar; Caleb Eldridge, a first baseman from Cowley County (Okla.) J.C.; Jonathan Hennigan, a left-handed pitcher from Texas State.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Also, Kyle Young, a left-handed high school pitcher from Syosset, N.Y.; Camden Duzenack, a shortstop from Dallas Baptist; Tyler Hallead, a right-handed pitcher from the College of Southern Nevada; Trevor Bettencourt, a right-handed pitcher from Cal-Santa Barbara; Tyler Kent, a high school centerfielder from Otterbein, Col.; Davis Agle, a right-handed pitcher from Spartanburg Methodist; Awa Kurok, a right-handed pitcher from Hawaii-Hilo; Alexander Kline, a left-handed pitcher from Florida Nova Southeastern.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Also, Logan Davidson, a high school shortstop from Charlotte, N.C.; Tyler Frohwirth, a right-handed pitcher from Minnesota State; James Garner, a right-handed pitcher from Northwestern State; Jackson Klein, a right-handed pitcher from Stanford; Luke Maglich, an outfielder from the University of South Florida; Carter Bins, a high school catcher from Fairfield, Calif.; Joseph Scheroler, a right-handed pitcher from Southeastern Louisiana; James Ziemba, a left-handed pitcher from Duke; Trevor Hillhouse, a high school left-handed pitcher from Canton, Ga.; Dante Baldelli, a high school centerfielder from Cumberland, R.I.; and Trey Morris, a right-handed high school pitcher from Katy, Texas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
</div>
<br />Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-76490859956507121732016-06-07T20:34:00.001-07:002016-06-07T20:34:23.469-07:00Mackanin gives hitting coach the green light<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
By Jack McCaffery</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="mailto:jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
PHILADELPHIA >> Pete Mackanin was looking at his lineup card Tuesday evening, essentially concluding that he would not immediately send it out for framing.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“It's funny,” the Phillies' manager said, before a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs. “Without (Tommy) Joseph in it, it becomes a little different.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“That's the best I could come up with.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
The Phillies having lost nine of their previous 11, Mackanin used .234 hitter Freddy Galvis in the three hole, hit Ryan Howard No. 5 spot and gave Carlos Ruiz a start.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
But as Mackanin ran his finger down the card, name by name, he wondered aloud why so many hitters were struggling. By the time he reached Jerad Eickhoff at No. 9, it was time to wonder: Is the manager still confident in his hitting coach, Steve Henderson, who has been around since 2012?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“Yes,” Mackanin said, without hesitation. “It’s funny because I listen to him and I go in the cage and I watch what they’re doing. And they are doing exactly what they need to be doing. And in the cage they do it. The hard part is taking it into a game.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“If they’re doing it in the cage, great you've got it, that’s it. Then they swing at the first pitch and they’re underneath the ball. Like I said, you can only teach so much. I’ve said this many times, but I can’t teach you how to ride a bike. You've got to get on it and feel it. I can’t teach you how to ice skate. I can tell you how to tie your skates and push off but you've got to figure it out.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
l l l</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Ruiz entered with a .226 average and hit No. 8, but supplied a single, stole his first base of the season and scored a run.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
He's 37, has lost his No. 1 catching job to Cameron Rupp … and is testing his manager's patience.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“I don't like his swing,” Mackanin said. “He's upper-cutting the ball. And he doesn't look like the same guy. And I have talked to him about it and he's just not swinging the bat real well. But early on he did. It's a mechanical thing that I think he's got to correct. When you change your mechanics as a hitter, it's very hard to take it into the game. Because it feels different and therefore it feels uncomfortable. However, if you don't make that change, you're not going to hit. And it's as easy as that.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Thus, Mackanin's stance, even if it is a bit wobbly: Ruiz's troubles are as much mechanical as age-related.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“I think it's a combination,” he said. “I'm looking at the cup half full instead of half empty. So that's the way I choose to look at it.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
l l l</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Howard's fourth-inning home run was the 366th of his career, tying him with Lance Berkman for 80th on the all-time list. It was his ninth of the season.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
After a week in which he was benched and had a beer bottle thrown in his direction, Howard looked refreshed, sending a ball to the center field fence later in the game, and making a nice throw to second in the ninth.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“It's good,” he said. “I wasn't thinking about the week or the past 10 days. I was just thinking about that moment. I got a good pitch to hit. He hung me a breaking ball. And I was just able to hit it out.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
l l l</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Jerad Eickhoff struck out eight and walked two, allowing two hits and one earned run in seven innings.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“That was as good as he's been all year,” Mackanin said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Gaining more command of his slider and showing velocity, Eickhoff improved to 3-8. His ERA is at 3.68.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“To win games like that you have to be fundamentally sound for the most part,” the right-hander said. “And I think we were tonight in key spots. Those guys behind me did a great job tonight.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
l l l</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
With his wife, Krystle, Howard will entertain 3,000 school children at Citizens Bank Park Wednesday morning with a read-along from the Little Rhino book series. The event will be on behalf of the Big Piece Foundation.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
There will also be a chance for a question-and-answer session with some players. With the Howards, Rupp will act out some of the parts of the book.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
The Phillies will play the Cubs at 1:05.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
l l l</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
NOTES: A pregame rain chased both teams into the cages for batting practice … The Phils stole a season-high three bases … Howard had gone 50 at-bats between home runs … Jeanmar Gomez' six-out save was the first multi-inning save of his career … Vince Velasquez (5-2, 3.67 ERA) will face right-hander John Lackey (6-2, 2.88) Wednesday afternoon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-61609653773806381542016-04-30T08:48:00.000-07:002016-04-30T08:48:36.565-07:00How Sixers, Eagles plans are alike<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Into just about
every one of his public monologues, Jeffrey Lurie injects a form of
the same phrase. Lately, Howie Roseman has been providing the chorus.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Give or take an inflection, this is how
it goes: “We don't want to be risk-averse.” It's the Eagles'
justification for everything; they could hire a coach and later fire
the guy, both times proud that they were willing to take a chance.
Lurie, for one, says it so often that he must spend his weekends
leaping from Acapulco cliffs.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But no matter how many times Roseman
took pride in taking the risk of trading multiple draft picks over
multiple years to acquire the rights to draft Carson Wentz, the truth
was the Eagles were taking anything but the dangerous route to what
they believed was a championship. Rather, not unlike the Sixers, they
convinced themselves that there was only one way to NFL fulfillment,
and that was to do whatever it took to land a prospective superstar.
In the case of football, that would be a quarterback.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Sixers did their tanking up front,
losing for years and collecting Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and other
promises. The Eagles went back-door, forcing the move for Wentz,
aware that they would not have many chances in future years to
improve through the draft.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's the way idealists have warped
sports. Rather than letting something grow organically, they imagine
a model and then try to make that model work. The Eagles have grown
convinced, brainwashed even, that nothing will work without a
superstar quarterback, and that once they have one, it's just a
matter of how to arrange the parade chairs.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Carson Wentz may become a superstar. Or
not. But the Eagles are not going to become champions just because
they think they have figured out a system in a sport that is not so
easily solved.</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-29750904102952208132016-04-28T19:31:00.001-07:002016-04-28T19:31:20.697-07:00Wentz's disinterest in Bradford's situation a good sign for Eagles<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
PHILADELPHIA >> If Carson Wentz is going to be the quarterback the Eagles expect, he is going to have to shed the occasional tackle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In his first call to the Philadelphia football press Thursday night, he shed one ... and broke into the clear.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Showing a minimum of concern about Sam Bradford's feelings, contract situation or developing holdout, Wentz showed that he will hit the NewsControl Compound with a winning attitude.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"I'm not really sure how it will transpire,” Wentz said, on the phone from Chicago. “I've been an Eagle now for about an hour. So we'll see how it transpires. It's out of my control. I'm not going to worry about it. It will all work out."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wentz knows how he will react the first time he meets Bradford. And he will not be asking for an autograph.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Professionally,” he said. “We're both professionals now. It will be what it is. And I won't make it bigger than it needs to be. I'm just going to go in there and focus on what I can control and learn as much ball as I can as quickly as I can.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Check out the Daily Times and delcotimes.com Friday for my column on the Eagles unnecessarily crowded quarterback room.</b></div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-67715697629188308192016-04-27T03:17:00.001-07:002016-04-27T03:17:56.284-07:00Goaltending battle brewing, other Flyers notes<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Jack McCaffery</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="mailto:jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com" target="_blank">jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com</a></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
VOORHEES, N.J. >> Early in the postseason, Steve Mason faced a barrage of Washington Capitals shots. Late in it, he faced a more threatening barrage. That was the one to his long-term status as the Flyers' No. 1 goaltender.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In a 3-0 series hole and with little alternative, Dave Hakstol replaced Mason with Michal Neuvirth, who won two games, including Game 5 in Washington, with a 44-save shutout. He was almost, but not quite, as spectacular in Game 6, a 1-0 Flyers loss.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Neuvy came in and he had an unbelievable year,” Mason said Tuesday, as the Flyers rolled out of the Skate Zone for the final time this season. “All the credit to him. He deserved the ice time that he got. As a goalie, you want to play every game. But sometimes you’ve just got to accept the fact that a guy has come in and earned his ice time.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Moving forward, next year is an entirely new season and both of us have to earn the ice time.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That seemed to be the message Mason received after meeting individually with Hakstol and Ron Hextall.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Over the course of the summer I’m going to prepare to be a No. 1 guy,” he said. “Nothing is given. Nothing was given this year. Both of us had to earn playing time. So I think I’ll just go into next season not expecting to be given anything and having to come in and earn everything.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As for Neuvirth, who will be entering the season in the final year of a two-year contract, he understands that there will be a healthy competition for playing time.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You know, it’s been a very good year,” Neuvirth said. “Mase has been good as well. I think it’s going to be open for anybody. My goal is to be a No. 1. That’s what I’m hoping for.’’</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When last seen in public, Scott Laughton was being carried off the Wells Fargo Center ice on a stretcher after an oddly unfortunate hit from John Carlson in Game 4 of the Washington series.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hospitalized and then unavailable for the rest of the series, Laughton resurfaced Tuesday at the Skate Zone.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I feel great,” he said.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As per Flyers and hockey custom, Laughton would not share the particulars of his injury. But he did say he never lost feeling in his extremities, which was among the early fears.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I was conscious the whole time,” he said. “It was just a tough play, a really weird play. I know it was scary for a lot of people including myself. Like I said, I really appreciate all the support from all the people who did reach out and everything like that. It really did mean the world to me. It was definitely a scary moment.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Not that there was great doubt, but Sean Couturier admitted it was a shoulder injury that kept him out of all but the first 30 minutes of the postseason. Specifically, it was an AC joint separation.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If the Flyers had taken the Caps to a Game 7, Couturier said he was prepared to play.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I was close to returning,” he said. “I was skating by myself. I tried skating after Game 3 and I couldn't shoot at all. After Game 5, I started skating and I could skate a little bit. It was getting better. But it's tough to say if I was going to be able to play or not.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ryan White's one-year contact with the Flyers is up … and he wouldn't mind an encore.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'd like to be back,” the right-wing said. “I think it's a good fit to be here in Philly. I mean, my family loves it here. I love playing here.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
White, 28, played for the Canadiens for five seasons and has been with the Flyers for two seasons. But he had a productive year under Hakstol, playing regularly on a line with Chris VandeVelde and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, and also down low on the second power-play unit.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“When you get to a spot where you're getting some opportunity and people around the team all kind of have the same mindset as you do, you don't really want to test too many waters, I guess,” White said. “Business is business. Hopefully we can get something done.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
White provided 11 goals and 16 points as a fourth-line player, along with a gritty relentlessness.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I hope, obviously I had a better season, so maybe it will be a little bit better a market,” he said. “But I would like to be back and be a Flyer.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Radko Gudas is a restricted free agent. He, too, hopes and expects to remain a Flyer.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Obviously I thought I had a good year and I want to stay here as much as possible,” the defenseman said. “I really enjoy playing for Philly. I’m looking forward to staying here.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gudas, a key piece acquired from Tampa Bay in the Flyers' 2015 trade of Braydon Coburn, provided five goals, nine assists, some controversial hits and some postseason energy against Alex Ovechkin, among other larger Washington Capitals.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I’m sure they talked throughout the season, but I think it’s going to be time now that they’ll start talking more,” he said. “We’ll see where the negotiations will go.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gudas, 25, will be entering his fifth NHL season, aware that his reputation for rough play and heightened visibility will leave him as a target.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think there’s always going to be a target on my back,” he said, “no matter what.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Brandon Manning, successfully paired on the blue line with Gudas late in the season and in the playoffs, was also playing on an expiring contract.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He is not aware of any ongoing negotiations, but hopes to return.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh yeah, definitely,” he said. “The Flyers have been good to me. Hexy has been a straight shooter over the few years he's been running the show here.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Everything moving forward, it's going to be a good time to be a Flyer.”</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
l l l</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Promoted to the Flyers early in the season from the AHL, Shayne Gostisbehere did manage to play 64 games, score 17 goals and help lead a charge into the playoffs. For that, he is expected to be among the finalists for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It would be a tremendous honor to be associated with the award,” he said. “It would be very nice. I can't do it without my teammates. They really helped me along the way.”</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-91050209768075972062016-04-22T14:17:00.001-07:002016-04-22T14:17:24.284-07:00Hakstol: 'Small things' have been the difference in series so far<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dave Hakstol met with the press shortly before Game 5 of the Flyers-Capitals series at the Verizon Center Friday.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This was the conversation:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Is the team staying loose before Game
5?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You don't change your approach. Our
approach hasn't changed for a long time so it won't. It hasn't
changed in the last few days. Our approach has been the same. I don't
know how you characterize it. You characterize it as loose. There are
a lot of ways to characterize it. We've been ready to play. We'll be
ready to play tonight.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Looking back on Game 4, did Neuvirth
make an appreciable difference in how your team played?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I think our team played very similar
to the way we played the first few games. There wasn't a lot of
difference to our play in Game 4 from the first three. Like I said,
take out 15 minutes from Game 3, other than that our team has played
pretty consistently.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Staying out of the penalty box was a
key …</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, that's part of it. It's
certainly an important part of it. I would characterize it more as we
won the specialty-teams battles. And that's the only night we were
able to do that. So some nights there is going to be a lower number
of minor penalties called each way. And you have to find a way to
come out on the right side of that. Other nights, things are called a
little more closely. For us, we still can't give those guys the easy
two-minute-minor-for-slashing type penalties. We can't give them
those and expect to come out on the right side of the specialty-teams
battle on any given night.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>During the course of the season, you
can wait for a team to settle into a system, but is it different in a
short series when it comes to consistency, sticking with a lineup or
a style of play?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Well, there is balance between the
two. And obviously we didn't make much in terms of changes from Game
3 to Game 4. We made a couple of adjustments in a couple of different
areas. Our effort was probably a little more sustained throughout the
60 minutes. And we were able to win the hockey game. But when you
look at the first couple games of this series and a lot of this
series, it has been pretty close. It's been pretty tight. And small
things have decided the games.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Any adjustments to top two lines? They
seemed to work well in the last game.</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The line combinations? Those aren't
the adjustments, mostly, that I had thought had the effect for us.
But, yes, we'll keep the combinations, obviously making the
adjustment for Scott Laughton being out of the lineup, but beyond
that we're going to look pretty similar in terms of our line
combinations tonight as compared to two nights ago.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Have you talked to Laughton?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yeah.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>And?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No comment. Everything you guys
know. We'll keep that in the official statements.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>How is he feeling?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You know how I operate. And you know
what we've done all year long. So I'm not changing.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>About whether or not he was injured?
</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Absolutely.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>He was in the hospital.</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“OK. We'll move on.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Thoughts on Pierre-Edouard Bellemare being back?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Belly's a big part of our team. He
along with his line have been real important to us, five on five.
Belly as a PK-er has played a big role. It will be nice to have him
back in tonight. He should have fresh legs and hopefully he can help
us.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Other adjustments, not necessarily the
lineup?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I haven't talked about those and I
am not going to talk about them publicly. Obviously, we made a couple
of adjustments with specialty teams but like I said, we didn't make
many.” </div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936129702827680440.post-60055096868004669432016-04-21T05:05:00.001-07:002016-04-21T05:05:43.307-07:00Flyers turn on the power<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Jack McCaffery</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="mailto:jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
PHILADELPHIA >> No matter how many times they examined it, player for player, skill for skill, the Flyers never changed one belief. Their No. 1 power-play unit should succeed, could succeed, would succeed.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Their problem: They were running low on time to supply the proof.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Obviously, when their power-play is scoring and ours isn't, a little bit of frustration creeps in,” Brayden Schenn said Wednesday night, after the Flyers' 2-1 postseason-extending victory over the Washington Capitals. “We had a meeting this morning and talked about it. And it was nice to get that power-play goal early and give us confidence.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Through the first three games of the first-round series, the Flyers had 13 power-play opportunities, none good for a goal. Yet while Dave Hakstol spent more than a day tinkering with his plans, juggling some lines, making a goaltender switch, he left the No. 1 power-play unit alone.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So there it was Wednesday, less than six minutes into an elimination game, when Capital Taylor Chorney was boxed for interference and onto the Wells Fargo Center ice rolled Schenn, Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, Jake Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Forty-eight seconds later, Giroux slipped a pass to Gostisbehere at the point, the rookie defenseman fired, Braden Holtby blinked, the shot ricocheted off the post and in, and the Flyers had a 1-0 lead, and the series suddenly had a new feel.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The confidence, and that earlier meeting, had worked.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Everyone was involved,” Schenn said. “We feel like we have a pretty good power play; we have two good power-play units. And special teams are crucial during the playoffs. The PP needed to step up tonight. And I thought we did a good job.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Every game has its own dynamic. Game 4 was notable for its relative cleanliness, with just four total penalties called, two against each team. So it wasn't so much that the Flyers' power play had roared back to excellence. It was that it did so soon on a night when they needed to start answering some troubling questions.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It was nice to get that power-play early,” Schenn said, “and give us some confidence.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
While the power-play at least provided a goal, the Flyers' penalty-killing, which had surrendered eight goals in 17 chances through the first three games, was an effective 2-for-2 Wednesday, when Hakstol ordered a more aggressive approach, particularly out front, on the point.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But the early success of their own power play seemed to make everything else work.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“For our power play, it took the heat off us a little bit,” Gostisbehere said. “We've gotten a lot of bounces and they really weren't going our way. So it was good to get on the board, early especially. And I think it set the tone for the game.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Among the reasons for that was that neither the Flyers nor their coaches had lost confidence in the unit.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We know how good our power play is,” Gostisbehere said. “It was 0-for-whatever-it-was. But we stuck with it. And if you do that, it's going to go in.”<br />The Flyers moved the puck with precision, crowded Holtby a little and trusted Gostisbehere, who has come to their rescue plenty of times this season, to help change the direction of the series.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Obviously, traffic is important,” Schenn said. “Obviously, Ghost has that shot from the top, so we tried to utilize that. And he got one through. Obviously, it was a nice shot, crossbar and in.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was one goal in one game. But it bought the Flyers more time to show what they never doubted their power play, and the rest of their units too, could provide.</div>
Jack McCafferyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981712860985250682noreply@blogger.com0