Freak Out

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=kuharsky_paul&id=3469725



I stumbled across this interesting piece by Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com today. The story discusses Javon Kearse's attempt to return to his "freakish" ways as a member of the Tennessee Titans this upcoming season. Clearly, Kearse wants to forget about the mostly dreadful four seasons he spend with the Eagles and renew his career with the Titans with whom he found succcess early in his career.



I particularly love this quote from Kearse:



"They'll say, 'Why the hell did we let that dude go? What were they thinking?'"



Let me take you through the Eagles thought-process, if I may, Javon. They realized they had an injury-prone, unproductive former star on their hands, who was owed way too much money coming off a season in which he only registered 3.5 sacks. They also realized they had a budding superstar in Trent Cole and it was time to move on from the "Freak" era. Think about it Javon. Your play last season didn't exactly solidify your place on this roster.



I wish you well, Javon, but Eagles knew what they were doing in this case. You made their decision quite simple.



I figured I would just throw that article out there to jump-start the football chatter. Training camp opens in a few weeks and I don't think I could be more excited. Of course, there are plenty of question marks surrounding the 2008 edition of your Philadelphia Eagles. We'll address those in the blog as we get closer to the season.

In another note, related to the start of football season, but completely unrelated to the Eagles, I registered for my annual Highland Tartans Class of 2001 (with special guest Matt Rocky) fantasy football league this week. Last year, I admit I practically quit on my team in week 4. It just didn't feel like my team. I had some technical issues the night of the draft and, therefore, couldn't be an active participant. (Yes, I was THAT guy. I was forced to rely on the old "we'll draft the best player on the board" routine. This year, though, I'm armed with a new laptop, a stack of magazines and plenty of free time and I plan on winning the league for the third time in its 8-year history...and talking plenty of trash while doing it. Look to the blog this fall for updates on my progress.

Maybe the Phillies should just play in Hotlanta every night.

Tonight, the Phillies completed a 4-game sweep of their National League East rivals behind another gem from their ace Cole Hamels. Having scored 19 runs in the three-game set with the Braves, the Phillies finally look like they are waking up after falling into an offensive coma during the recent interleague portion of their schedule.

The main ingredient in tonight's win though was definitely the dominence of Cole Hamels. Hamels threw 8.2 innings while giving up 1 Earned Run, 2 walks and striking out 7. The lone run came in the ninth on a Brian McCann double down the right field corner. Unfortunately, Uncle Charlie decided to take Hamels out after that run and disrupt Cole's shot at the complete game. You could definitely tell Hamels was disappointed Charlie was taking the ball from him and he should have been. Hamels gave the Phillies 8.2 solid innings and, yet, Charlie decided to yank him when he is one out away from a complete game masterpiece. I understand Charlie wanted to avoid any potential problems by bringing in Tom Gordon's fresh arm; but give Hamels his due. Cole should have finished what he started. But, who am I to complain? I mean, the Phillies won right? Oh wait...I'm from Philadelphia cough suburbs cough. It's in our blood to find something to cry about even after a three game sweep against a division rival.

Meanwhile, down on the farm, Brett Myers made his first "rehabilitation" start for the IronPigs last night. Of course, AAA baseball isn't televised in this area so I didn't see how Brett's stuff looked but his line didn't impress me all that much: IP 5 ER 3 K 6 BB 2. Certainly commendable, but I guess I expected much more from Brett in his first start minor league start since roughly 2002. I probably just set my expectations way too high. Either way, we'll see how Myers does in his next start sometime next week.


Tonight, we finally found out who will throw for the Phillies in the series-opener Friday night against Johan Santana and the hated New York Mets. J. A. Happ will get the start for the Phils. Personally, I hoped the Phillies would bring up Carlos Carrasco from Reading for the next few weeks. His name is the most prominent name featured in any discussion about the Phillies pitching prospects in the farm system. However, since Carrasco was scratched from his last start early this week due to shoulder stiffness, the Phillies probably made the right move in choosing Happ over Carrasco.


I guess that's it for tonight. Big series against the Mets this weekend. Honestly, does it get any better than this for your Fourth of July weekend? Our most hated rivals, the Mets, come into town for a four-game set over the long holiday weekend. Truely, this is what America is all about. So, take some time this weekend to grab a hotdog, maybe some potato salad, and watch our Phightin Phils mow down the Mets in the birthplace of our country.



Enjoy everyone (all three of you who read this blog)!