Mar 1

Written by: PaulySore
3/1/2009 5:10 PM

It is great to be back!  I had a little hiatus to care for the newest member of my family but am ready to get back to posting my thoughts on the Philly sports scene.  So what have I missed?  For starters, the defensive leader of our beloved Eagles has taken off to the mile high city.  Though I took the time to listen to sports radio over the past day or so, I'm not real concerned long term for this team.  Though Dawkins was a great leader and feared by opponents, he has slowed some in recent years and at his age wouldn't be long before long post passes were turned in for touch downs.  This situation is reminicent of the Jeramiah Trotter situation where Trot left a void and the team was tasked to carry on without him.  This is where Dawkins really showed his leadership.  To me, the question is whether or not the secondary can live up to Brian's intensity and bring a solid defensive performance each week.  I think they can IF they can find another solid, aggressive, in-your-face leader.  I just don't think they quite have that person on the defense so it is imperative that someone step-up but who?  No one quite comes to mind.

Hey, look at those Phillies.  World Series champions have taken the time to solidify an already solid team.  They resigned Jamie Moyer who continues to impress in spring training and show the youngsters what it takes to get it done.  The front office finally decided to get rid of Adam Eaton.  Thank you!  The 5th starters spot is shaping up with a healthy competition between J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco and Chan Ho Park.  My personal opinion is that they should:

• Start J.A. Happ - I saw him pitch one of the games he started last year.  He had better than average stuff and pitch superbly.  So far this spring, he's done well and I think he's the best 5th starter going forward.
• Put Park in the bullpen - Park did well in past years pitching out of the bullpen and with the need due to the J.C. Romero suspension, I think he's a solid contributor to help the bullpen be the best in MLB a 2nd year in a row.
• Carrasco to the minors - I'd send him down to be a starter at AAA and the first call-up if a starter goes down this season.  He's got magic stuff and a little more seasoning won't hurt.  He's a starter next year for sure.

I'm happy to say I think the Phillies will rock the NL East this year and having read that the Mutts' staff ace is having left elbow issues, I think we're good to go.

One final note: Hey Manny, many people are out of jobs and you won't take 45 million over 2 years.  You may be a super hitter but are a class A dumbass in this day and age with millions of people out of a job.  You are a great example of what is wrong with major sports in this country.  I hope you don't play at all this year and if you do, for far less than what you just were offered.

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