PhilaBright Sports

Flyers trade Pitkanen

Ryan T. Bright — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 23:17:56 +0000

The Philadelphia Flyers are reporting that defensemen Joni Pitkanen and forward Geoff Sanderson have been traded to the Edmonton Oilers for defensemen Jason Smith and forward Joffrey Lupul. Smith, the captain of the Oilers is a solid defensemen that brings toughness, character and experience to the Flyers. Lupul is a finesse player coming off a poor year statistically with only 16 goals, but has a lot of skill and potential, showing some of his potential production with 28 goals in the 2005-06 season.

Flyers secretly shopping Pitkanen?

Ryan T. Bright — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:05:37 +0000

After being drafted fourth overall in the 2002 NHL draft by the Philadelphia Flyers , Joni Pitkanen was expected to be a star in the NHL almost immediately. But after showing good numbers in his first couple seasons in the NHL, Pitkanen’s 2006-07 season could be the one that defines, as well as ends his career with the Flyers.

Pitkanen is about to become a restricted free agent at the start of the 2007-08 season, which means other teams can make offers toward him, but the Flyers get an opportunity to match. This type of situation happens often in the NHL, usually with no teams making an offer at a RFA, since clubs almost always match the offer for their player.

This situation is slightly different however, with Pitkanen coming off such a disappointing season. Pitkanen and his agent want a substantial raise from the Flyers, considering Pitkanen as a potential all-star, still young enough to be a great player in the NHL. The Flyers on the other hand want to pay Pitkanen according to the horrendous season he had in 2006-07. This giant gap between what Pitkanen wants and what the Flyers want to pay him, opens the eyes of many franchises who would pay Pitkanen the money he wants in order to hopefully develop him into fulfilling potential.

According to the Edmonton Journal, the Edmonton Oilers are one of the teams very interested in acquiring Pitkanen. They are reporting that “Four to five teams are reportedly doing background work on the Finn”, and that the Flyers are secretly shopping him. This report makes even more sense considering a report today by Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer, stating that the Flyers are taking Pitkanen and his agent to arbitration, to iron out a deal. Since the arbitrator will find the middle ground between what the Flyers want to pay and want Pitkanen is asking for, the Flyers will lock Pitkanen back into a contract , which makes a trade for him more attractive for buyers.

Flyers’ GM Paul Holmgren denies the reports of intention to deal Pitkanen, and despite the facts pointing to a deal, trading Pitkanen still might not occur. But regardless of what is being said by the Flyers, the Pitkanen situation is something for Flyers’ fans to keep a watchful eye on.

From bad to worse: Flyers miss out on number one overall

Ryan T. Bright — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:52:50 +0000

It has been reported by multiple media sources, that despite the having the league’s worst record in the NHL, the Philadelphia Flyers will choose second overall in the 2007 NHL entry draft. They lost out to the Chicago Blackhawks, who beat the odds to jump from the league’s fifth worst team to choose first overall. This is a depressing thought for Flyers’ fans, who’s only consolation from the Flyers’ record breaking bad season, was the first overall draft pick. Luckily for the Flyers however, there is no clear cut number one overall pick to choose. This years draft lacks an official top tier stand out, much like Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin were in their drafts, but is still loaded with talent at the top. Because of all the talent available high in the draft, falling to number two is not the nightmare it may have been in years prior. The Flyers could very likely still get the player they targeted the entire time. The draft will be held in Columbus, Ohio, on June 22, 2007.

John LeClair Back in Orange and Black?

Ryan T. Bright — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 18:23:41 +0000

According to the Camden Courier Post, former Philadelphia Flyers’ great John LeClair was at the Flyers’ practice facility Friday, undergoing a physical for what could be a contract signing with the Flyers. The signing would most likely not be an active one, but would allow 37-year old LeClair a chance to retire as a Philadelphia Flyer. LeClair was cut from the Pittsburgh Penguins this season after clearing waivers in December. The cost cutting move for the Penguins unceremoniously sent the once great player back to his home outside Philadelphia. Yet rumblings from the Flyers’ front office suggest that there is a slight possibility the Flyers would allow LeClair to play in a handful of games at the end of the season to officially cap off his career with active duty in a Flyers’ jersey. The other scuttlebutt surrounding LeClair is if the Flyers will retire his number 10. This became a legitimate possible after the Flyers’ front office supposedly denied newly acquired Scottie Upshall the number 10 jersey number he requested. Though LeClair’s statistics with the Flyers rank him in the top ten among other Flyers’ greats, many believe that his numbers alone may not justify him a retired number. But if you speak in terms of what John LeClair and the jersey number 10 mean in the grand scheme of the orange and black, any Flyers’ fan would be hard pressed to say John does not deserve to be officially encased in Philadelphia Flyers’ legend.

Flyers Acquire Biron as Deadline Nears

Ryan T. Bright — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:18:16 +0000

The Philadelphia Flyers continued their dealing on Tuesday Feb 27, acquiring 29 year old Buffalo goaltender Martin Biron, for the Flyers’ second round draft pick in the 2007 draft. The Flyers, who have had struggled in goal all season aimed to secure their goalie ranks in an attempt to recover from their atrocious 2006 season as quickly as next year. Many experts believe Biron to have starting goalie talent, but he was rarely used in his past two seasons due to the outstanding play of Buffalo starting goalie, phenom Ryan Miller. The only issue with Biron, is that he is a unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, so the Flyers must be confident to re-sign him before the season concludes, or else they gave away a second round pick for nothing in return.

The goaltending situation in Philadelphia is crowded to say the least. The recently acquired Michael Leighton, was placed on waivers and picked up by the Montreal Canadians within days. This leaves Robert Esche, Antero Niittymaki and Martin Biron, all vying for playing time. Esche, who is a unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, is thought to be dealt before the final deadline, considering he is the odd man out.

Flyers’ Captain Forsberg Traded

Ryan T. Bright — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 01:00:07 +0000

After being told by Philadelphia Flyers’ owner Ed Snyder to decide his fate by February 18th, The indecisive Flyers’ captain Peter Forsberg was declared a healthy scratch in the Flyers’ February 15th game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, despite contributing in the pre-game skate. This is a screaming indication that the Flyers have all but completed a deal with a team for Forsberg, which is heavily rumored to be to the Nashville Predators for two prospects and a 1st round draft pick in the 2007 entry draft. One Nashville player rumored to be involved in the trade for Forsberg, is quick playing solid defensemen Ryan Parent, who’s surname will surely fit in Philadelphia. Though this is speculation at best, more draft picks could be added, as well as a possible NHL ready player. The trade has to be approved by league offices in Toronto which could be the cause of the information delay.

Update: ESPN is reporting the Philadelphia Flyers have officially completed a trade with the Nashville Predators for Peter Forsberg. The trade consists of Peter Forsberg to Nashville for agitating forward Scottie Upshaw, shut down defending prospect, Ryan Parent, a first round draft pick, and a conditional 3rd round draft pick in the 2007 draft. Regardless of the trade, Forsberg is a free agent at the end of the season, and could possibly re-sign with the Flyers at that time.

Heartbreak On The Bayou: Saints End Eagles’ Improbable Run

Ryan T. Bright — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:34:55 +0000

The Philadelphia Eagles’ decision to punt the ball with one minute and fifty seconds left in the game perplexed Eagles fans everywhere, who watched their storybook season end with a disheartening whimper, rather than with the fight this Eagles’ season had come to represent. The Eagles’ loss to the New Orleans Saints was not directly an end result of the decision to punt or not, but in a game in which the birds gave the Saints enough fight to leave New Orleans with a victory. The loss forces fans and analysts to examine the smaller plays and game decisions that could have made the difference.

The first quarter started expectedly, with the New Orleans Saints amidst an adrenaline storm, throwing everything they had an Eagles’ defense that was just trying to survive the initial onslaught in the raucous Superdome. The Eagles’ defense weathered the Saints excitement, giving up only six points, a result of two John Carney field goals. The second quarter differed from the first in that the early adrenaline had died down, and the game turned into a grind. Much like a heavyweight bout, both teams flurried offensive momentum, trading touchdown for touchdown, and jousting for field position. The Eagles finished the half with an attractive drive that ended with a Brian Westbrook leap over the pile from the one yard line, giving the Eagles the 14-13 lead at the half.

The second half started with the Eagles having total momentum. What looked like trouble for the New Orleans Saints, was solved by Saints’ running back Deuce McAllister. McAllister ran the ball like a Sherman tank, wearing down a Philadelphia Eagles’ defense that was clearly exhausted. All of a sudden the Eagles struggled to find an answer for the Saints’ attack. This, mixed with some questionable play calling on offense, led the Eagles down the path of heartbreaking defeat in a game they had full control of early in the half. The Saints eventually defeated the Eagles 27-24.

Thumbs Up
Brian Westbrook
Again Brian Westbrook showed how underrated he is as a running back in front of a national audience. Despite three drops (one of which would have resulted in a touchdown) Westbrook is clearly the keystone and catalyst of the Eagles’ offense. Westbrook had 116 rushing yards on 13 attempts, with two touchdowns. This kind of rushing production from Brian was only discovered toward the second half of the Eagles’ season, and should be something to watch for next season with the return of Donovan McNabb. It will be interesting to see if coach Andy Reid continues this dimension of offense that gave the Eagles so much success down the road, and if this extra dimension will take an already outstanding quarterback in Donovan McNabb, and make him even better.

Donte’ Stallworth
Donte’ Stallworth’s probable final game with the Eagles was a memorable one, as he had three receptions for 100 yards, and one touchdown. The speedster Stallworth gave the Eagles a credible deep threat against New Orleans’ secondary, which helped them spread the field with the ball. Though Stallworth seemed to develop a mutual love affair with the Eagles and their fans this season, this is his contract year. With the boorish Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, Stallworth will most likely ask for top dollar, and go to the highest bidder. There is no doubt the Eagles would like to resign him, and will make an offer. But they will not throw franchise money at any oft-injured receiver simply due to decent numbers and a shining personality.

Sheldon Brown’s Hit
What appeared only two plays into the game to be a game changing hit, turned into an example of star rookie running back, Reggie Bush’s toughness and resiliency. The hit was set up by a sniffed out screen pass to a flanking Bush. Brown knew the pass was coming for Bush and broke off his coverage to move in and make the hit. Bush caught the ball, planted his feet, and was instantly clobbered by Brown. Sheldon Brown can tackle but is far from the hardest hitter on the Eagles’ defense. One may not want to imagine what could have happened if madman Brian Dawkins was on the giving end of a hit like that… Bush may have evaporated.

Thumbs Down
Andy Reid
“I guess with hindsight we should have done that,” Coach Andy Reid spouted when asked about his decision not to attempt a first down on 4th and 15. The Eagles’ defense had not been able to stop Deuce McAllister and the Saint’s offense all day, and continued to struggle after giving the Saints the ball back with less than two minutes. This decision did not lose the game for the Eagles but it certainly did not give them a chance to win. The play calling was questionable all game, specifically around the 10 minute mark in the 4th quarter. The Eagles had the ball at the goal line, and Reid chose to try everything possible except run the ball. Reid is not at total fault for the Eagles loss, but considering the players playing their tails off, and this being Philadelphia, someone has to be at fault.

Special Teams
The Eagles’ special teams was atrocious all game. Eagles kicker David Akers failed to get kickoffs into the end zone, which resulted in giving the Saints good field position at around the 35 yard line all day. With five total kickoffs, Akers managed to hit the end zone once, and did not get a touchback all game. This is compared with the Saints who had a total of six kickoffs, and reached the end zone four times with two touchbacks.

Run Defense
The Eagles’ poor run defense allowed the Saints to run for 208 yards on 37 carries. What killed the birds specifically was allowing the Saints’ run game to convert third downs. The Saints converted 15 first downs by the run compared to the Eagles’ five. This inability to stop the Saints from driving down the field, doomed the Eagles once they gave up the lead in the 4th quarter.

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Headed To New Orleans: Birds Post Giant Win

Ryan T. Bright — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 23:14:18 +0000

With the memory of Tony Romo’s infamous field goal gaffe still fresh in their minds. David Akers took a rainy field, along with newly re-acquired holder Koy Detmer, in an attempt to kick the Philadelphia Eagles to a place deemed unimaginable a month prior. Unlike the Dallas game the night before, the ball was snapped and held to perfection. Akers’ kick was dead on — sending the Eagles to the second round of the playoffs as well as concluding another chapter in their fairytale season.

The New York Giants came out flying in the first half, capitalizing on the Eagles’ over pursuit and jitteriness with a first possession score. They also made a big first stop on defense which was reminiscent of the Eagles’ awful midseason form. The momentum changed on the Giants’ second possession when Eli Manning made a poor decision throwing into coverage which resulted in an interception by Sheldon Brown. The rest of the half was controlled by the Eagles, who scored two touchdowns and added a field goal to make the game 17-10. The second half was much more of a back alley brawl as both teams grinded for field position. The Giants eventually wore down the Eagles’ defense, and tied the game with a Plaxico Burress touchdown pass with five minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. With overtime looming the Eagles took control and Brian Westbrook gashed the Giants defense, eating up the remaining five minutes, and giving David Akers a chance to win the game with a field goal. Akers made the field goal with no remaining seconds to give the Eagles the 23-20 win over the New York Giants.

Thumbs Up
Brian Westbrook
Having cramps and feeling sick through out the game did not hinder Brian Westbrook in posting career postseason rushing highs. Westbrook out dueled Tiki Barber in a run fest that totaled 278 rushing yards between the two. Westbrook, who is one of the more underrated backs in the NFL, made his case in front of the nation by running for 141 yards and one touchdown. He was the backbone of the Eagles offense that struggled to find consistency through out the game. Many sources believe that the Eagles’ turnaround this season has much to do with the role Westbrook has played as leader on the field as well as off. With the injury to Donovan McNabb, the leadership door had opened for Westbrook, who has embraced it, and helped this team turn around.

Secondary Blocking
The Eagles were extremely successful in their running game once the ball was carried past the line of scrimmage and into the secondary. Players like Donte’ Stallworth, Reggie Brown, and LJ Smith, made key blocks on multiple plays that allowed Westbrook to gain large chunks of yardage once he hit the open hole. This was most noticeable in Brian Westbrook’s 49 yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The run was a result of Westbrook’s talent to make tacklers miss, but the touchdown would not have been possible without the key blocks down the field.

David Akers
After an injury plagued 2005 season, David Akers did not return to the ‘lights out’ form he was known for. Though he was not below average in the 2006 season, Akers was not as reliable as he was in the past. This all changed with the re-signing of Akers’ long time holder Koy Detmer. Detmer’s familiarity with Akers gives David the confidence he needs to return his game to where it was just in time for a playoff run. This was proved when Akers and Detmer combined for three field goals, including a 48-yarder, and a 38 yard game winning kick in the rain.

Thumbs Down
Defensive Line
The best way to get Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning off his game is to get pressure on him consistently. Though that can be said for most quarterbacks in the league, Eli is especially known for making colossal mistakes at the hands of pressure. On a day when the Eagles played a mediocre game overall, the defensive line were below average. The defensive line spent the first half getting pushed around, letting Tiki Barber slip through big holes. They also achieved little to no pressure on Manning in the first half, allowing him time in the pocket to make plays. It was not until the second half that the Eagles defense started to collapse around Eli, but they could have had the game locked up if they had forced pressure early.

League Schedule
Before the game ended against the Giants, it was announced by FOX that if the Eagles were to continue to the next around against the New Orleans Saints, they would be playing at 8pm on Saturday. This started a rumble in the Eagles’ community because a game on Saturday would mean a short week for the birds to prepare for the Saints. With Friday as a travel day to New Orleans, the Eagles would only have four days to prepare themselves for the Divisional playoffs, against a team that had an earned BYE week — giving them ample time to be ready. Though it may appear juvenile to be concerned with the results of one extra days preparation. It irked Eagles’ faithful who see this poor scheduling as making an already tough road to the Superbowl, an even more difficult one.

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

How the Birds Stole Christmas

Ryan T. Bright — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 07:21:03 +0000

Much like the legend of the Phoenix, the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans accepted that hope had been lost, and the end of the season was near. Getting symbolically set ablaze in Indianapolis, the Birds took this torching by the Colts, only to rise from the ashes anew — stronger than ever. Taking down division rivals Washington and New York on the road, Christmas day gave the revitalized Eagles a chance to create a legend of their own in front of the nation.

In a game that many felt was going to be a lopsided mugging by the media darling Dallas Cowboys, started and finished the exact opposite. Never trailing in the game, the Eagles were up 13-7 heading into halftime, and finished the dismantling of the Cowboys with a final score of 23-7, dominating almost every aspect of the game.

Thumbs up
Coaching
With the season ending injury to aspiring league MVP Donovan McNabb, Andy Reid and coaching staff had a tall task ahead of them, keeping confidence up while working without their best player. Not only did Reid, Johnson, and Mornhinweg, step up their coaching effort in the face of tribulation, but they realigned the Eagles philosophy, essentially creating an entirely different looking team. The biggest change that is leading to this newfound success is the unleashing of running back Brian Westbrook. Formerly overprotective of the smaller back, Reid has let Westbrook run between the tackles more often which has produced a new dimension to the Eagles offense, and took a major toll against the Cowboys. Winning the time of possession by 15 minutes, the Eagles took a lead and kept it unlike any other game this season.

Jeff Garcia
Though it is late for the contention of comeback player of the year, Jeff Garcia is wearing his heart on his sleeve and becoming one of the NFL’s best comeback stories. Winning big division games in December is not something many quarterbacks in the league can accomplish, yet resilient Garcia wracked up four huge December wins. Garcia’s best attribute in his short time playing is the lack of mistakes he makes in crucial situations. Although he threw one interception against Dallas, it was more of an anomaly rather than a trend. Garcia went 15-23 for 238 yards with one touchdown, one interception. His statistics were no more than adequate, yet it is the way Garcia managed the game that makes him so successful in this system, and keeps the Birds winning.

Offensive and Defensive Line
Most NFL games are won and lost in the trenches, and which team wins the battle of the lines. This game was no different as the Eagles offensive line bullied the Cowboy defense around running the ball at will. The Eagles rushed for an amazing 204 yards, including ten rushing first downs. If it was the offensive line who started the road to winning this game, it was the defensive line that finished it. The Eagles stopped the Dallas’ dangerous run game outright in the first half, but failed to get pressure on Tony Romo. The Eagles defensive line eventually wore down the Cowboys, and sacked Romo three times. The pressure forced Romo into making mistakes in the passing game, which led to 2 interceptions, and the end of Dallas’ offensive threat.

Thumbs down
Terrell Owens
Christmas night against the Eagles gave Owens another shot and sticking it to his former team. After an embarrassing no show in the first confrontation, T.O. disappointed again. Dropping more balls than he caught, the boos in Cowboys Stadium reigned down for Owens who has simply become a serviceable receiver in the NFL, rather than the great one he once was. After the game the T.O. excuse machine was in full effect as he blamed not getting the ball enough early in the game on his poor play later on. This bewilders many fans who do not see Owens making the plays dealt to him now, questioning his bid for more opportunities.

Carrie Underwood
There were many questions after the game as to why so much attention was given by ESPN to Carrie Underwood and Tony Romo. Romo, who is a new media darling, was shown during the pre game warm-up flirting it up with Country music, and American Idol superstar Carrie Underwood. The cameras panned to her multiple times in an obvious attempt to promote support for Romo, who was supposed to drive his Cowboys to a division title on Christmas. Regardless of what ESPN wanted, the game resulted in a lackluster effort from Romo, which hopefully halts the Romomania, because the media attention is becoming nauseating.

—
The past few weeks the Eagles have been playing football with house money. With no expectations or pressure, they are playing excellent football that has even the former skeptics saying that this team could be a Superbowl contender. Next week the Birds host the distraught Atlanta Falcons, who are mathematically playoff eligible but are sinking quickly. If the Eagles continue their solid play, and their tough run defense, the Falcons should not impose any problem that will keep the Eagles from the improbable NFC East Division title.

Photo by (AFP/Getty Images)

Parcells’ Past Could Indicate Future For Cowboys

Ryan T. Bright — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:49:00 +0000

As the smoke begins to clear in the battle for the NFC, a surprising team is not only left standing, but looking healthy heading into the final playoff picture.

The Dallas Cowboys were left for dead a little less than midway through the season, but have clawed back with the second best record in the NFC, only trailing the quick starting Chicago bears. After a horrid loss to the New York Giants, the Cowboys were facing a disappointing record of 3-3. Something desperate needed to be done to turn the Cowboys’ season around, and thus it was granted. Much maligned quarterback Drew Bledsoe was permanently replaced by back up quarterback Tony Romo, who was chosen by Dallas fans to be their great savior. So far Romo has not disappointed.

Going 4-1 in his next five games, Romo has almost reached legendary status in the big D by single handedly bringing the Cowboys’ season back to life. He has started off strong by throwing 10 touchdowns, but more importantly only two interceptions in five games. His recent success makes him one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league, and has made the Cowboys a force to recon with.

Before Tony Romo’s name is pasted on a banner and placed in the ring of honor next to Troy Aikman, the Cowboys’ upward swing may not be a total result of Romo’s play, but more so of Cowboys coach Bill Parcells.

Parcells has won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, and was defeated in one with the New England Patriots. Each of his three visits to the Super Bowl were with his fourth season with the team. Parcells started with the Giants in 83′ and he won the championship in 86′ and ’90. When he started in 93′ with the Patriots, he achieved the Super Bowl in 96′. This may seem like pure statistical coincidence, but this being Parcells’ fourth season with the Cowboys, things are looking eerily up for his team in the weak NFC.

What makes the Cowboys’ upswing appear even more a result of Parcells is his second half of the season career record. In his 15 coaching seasons prior to being in Dallas, Parcells is 51-21 in the final five games of the season. This shows the overwhelming success Parcells has down the stretch, which could be a result of the mental toughness he demands from his players.

Despite Parcells’ successful past, and Tony Romo’s new found stardom, the Dallas Cowboys are still far from a great team. Yet with a feeble NFC, and the inconsistent play of the so-called “playoff” teams, any steady, well-coached team can make a serious run for the Super Bowl. And the Dallas Cowboys are doing just that.

Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images