Bryz Back, Returns To Practice Friday

After a little bit of a injury scare following Monday nights loss to the Tampa Bay Lightening, Illya Bryzgalov returned to practice on Friday after sitting out for a few days with a small fracture in his foot.

Bryz suffered the injury in warmups before Monday nights loss after taking a slap shot to the skate when he was looking in the other direction.

Interviewed by reporters at the conclusion of Friday's skate around, Bryz provided us with another one of his memorable quotes stating: "I'm tough and Russian"

Head coach Peter Laviolette and Danny Briere also gave their input on the Bryz' injury:
Video here courtesy of CSNPhilly.com

Torn Achilles Curses Another Philly Athlete..Newest Victim: Jason Peters

First it was Ryan Howard.

Lazily slapping a ball to second base to end game five of the 2011 NLDS, dashing Phillies fans hopes and dreams of another World Series Title run. Lying on the turf on a crisp October night in Philadelphia in excruciating pain on the first base line in front of 46,000 plus awestruck fans, lie Ryan Howard.

We know the difficulties that Howard has endured during his come back from achilles surgery.

First a come back was believed to come in early May, when Howard was seen doing some light jogging, field work, and raking balls in the batting cage. After a set back though, that date has since been shifted to a late May, early June return that leaves the Phillies fan base both nervous, and anxious.


phillysportsdaily 

We can now add Jason Peters to the recent list of Philadelphia athletes who have suffered a serious injury...An achilles injury to be exact, probably left lying on the ground of some miscellaneous weight room after squatting an entire house.

While doing some off season training on Tuesday, Jason Peters reportedly ruptured his right achilles tendon which will require surgery and most likely sideline one of the best left tackles in the National Football League for the entire 2012 season.

Peters was coming off arguably his best season in the NFL in 2011 and with Todd Herremans, Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, and Danny Watkins all set to return to the trenches, the Eagles were shaping up to have one of the best offensive lines in football.

Not anymore. 


It will be a mammoth void (literally) to replace the 6' 4'' 340 pound Peters who has been elected to 5 Pro Bowls and has been named an NFL All-Pro four of his eight years in the league.

Todd Herremans is a candidate to replace Peters as well as King Dunlap, who Philadelphia just resigned today.

Ouch



phillysportscentral 

Xfinity Live! Brief Description And Short Video Tour

It is very well documented that no city is as sports crazy as the city of Brotherly Love.

To shed some more light onto the greatest sports city on earth, all of the beautiful stadiums (Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, Wells Fargo Center) are so close in radius that you can be 400 pounds on a 100 degree day wearing a winter coat with ski pants and still make your way to each spot without too much exhaustion.

With 'Xfinity Live!' being added to the equation, Philadelphia might just be the most attractive destination for any sports fan to come hang out, pound a few beers, grab some delicious grub, go to a game, then return to only pound some more beers and then travel safely home.

Here is a brief written preview of what to expect, courtesy of: www.xfinitylive.com/

XFINITY Live! Philadelphia is a dining and entertainment district opening in spring 2012 in the Wells Fargo Complex. Venues include The Philly MarketPlace, Spectrum Grill, Broad Street Bullies Pub, PBR Bar and Grill, Victory Beer Hall and the NBC Sports Arena.

The expansive outdoor area of XFINITY Live! Philadelphia is centered around the XFINITY™ On Demand Theater, a 24-foot wide, Sony LED video board, which will show both sports game and family friendly movies. Adjacent to the XFINITY™ On Demand Theater, the NBC Sports Field, an outdoor miniature artificial turf field, will host numerous activities and free concerts.

Through a partnership with Sony, XFINITY Live! Philadelphia will open with state-of-the-art audio and video systems, including Sony flat panel televisions, to ensure everyone in the venue will have a high definition view of the game.

To put it simply, I cannot wait until I'm 21 to experience this mayhem. 

Virtual Video Tour Here! Courtesy of CSNPhilly.com


metro.us



philly.com

Trade Rumors: Asante Samuel Could Be Dealt

Asante Samuel appeared in 14 games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, racking up just three interceptions. His lowest total since 2005, and third lowest total in his 9 year career in which he has spent five seasons with the New England Patriots, and four in Philadelphia.

When the Eagles traded Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals last summer in exchange for Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, it was thought the Eagles were shopping Samuel. According to sources that was the case as the Eagles and Detroit Lions had a deal in place. Samuel let his displeasure be known about the situation and a deal never came to fruition.

Slated to make over $10 million dollars this upcoming season, Samuel is again a topic of swirling trade rumors. According to a league source the Birds and  Tennessee Titans have been discussing a potential deal to reel in the four-time Pro Bowler in exchange for an unknown draft pick.

Stay Tuned

Michael Stutes Scratched From His Scheduled Appearance On Friday

Michael Stutes came out of nowhere to make a significant impact out of the bullpen for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.

The 25 year old right hander was an eleventh round draft pick out of Santa Clara University in the 2008 Major League Baseball amateur draft appeared in 57 games, winning 6, tossing 62 innings while compiling a 3.63 ERA in 2011.

Stutes had a stellar spring training in 2011 which lead to him being listed on the Phillies opening day roster.

That has not been the case this spring.

Stutes has appeared in 9 games and currently has a 5.79 ERA during spring ball, but is still a lickely candidate to make the squad. As of now it's looking like Stutes is in contention with David Herndon for the final spot in the bullpen alongside Jose Contreras, Antonio Bastardo, Chad Qualls, Kyle Kendrick, and closer, Jonathon Papelbon.

Scheduled to make an relief appearance in Friday's Grapefruit League matchup against the New York Yankees, Stutes has been scratched due to a shoulder issue that has caused some inflammation.

The injury is not thought to be serious, but with all nagging arm injuries in the sport of baseball, the Phillies are taking precaution.

Hunter Pence Goes Old School On Us, Nabs Philadelphia Magazines April Cover

It was late in the month of July, 2011. The Phillies offense was in a rut. Big name position players kept finding  their names on the disabled list and the Phils were desperate for a high average hitter who could provide some pop and protection for the "Big Peice", Ryan Howard. With that, General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. pulled off another one of his ballsy trades, sending four minor leaguers to the Houston Astros in return for right fielder Hunter Pence. 


Pence was the heart and soul of the dying organization that is the Houston Astros. Houston needed to get younger and bring in some young, talented prospects. Pence was probably on the move once his contract expired if the Astros didn't decide to send him on his way.


So on July 29th, 2011, the trade was finalized and Hunter Pence threw on the red pinstripes, only to be immediately adored by the Philadelphia phaithful. His loose personality on and off the field, his hilarious tweets, mixed with his raw talent, and ruthless play made him a Philly favorite from the start. 


Mr. Lets Go Eat ended the season with a .314 batting average, good for fourth in the National League, and knocked in 97 runs, good for eighth in the National League, bashing 22 balls out of the yeard (11 with the Phillies).


Nine months later, Pence has been labeled the cover boy on  Philadelphia Magazine's April issue with the glorious title "The Next Great Phillie"...Pretty damn impressive.


Pence is expected to have a monster sophomore season in Philadelphia and will be batting cleanup in the Phillies lineup that will have to make due without both Ryan Howard and Chase Utley to start the 2012 season. 


Its pretty scary how much Hunter Pence looks like Lou Gehrig....

Illya Bryzgalov Has A Small Fracture In His Foot

13 games started, 10 wins, 2 losses, 1 overtime loss, an astounding 1.47 goals against average, and a .947 save percentage.

Those are Illya Brygalov's statistics in the month of March... En Fuego! 

When January and February kicked off, who would of thought that Illya Brygalov could accumulate those numbers in just one month of play the way his first season in Philadelphia was going?

I certainly was on the bandwagon of Flyers fans who were calling for Bryzgalov's head, and chances are, you were too. Bryz has since reversed those fortunes and turned in one of the greatest months of any Flyers goaltender in franchise history. The man looks tuned in, focused, and comfortable in the Orange and Black and may we praise the lord, because in turn, we did sign the net minder to a nine year fifty-one million dollar contract.

If it wasn't for Matt Carle lazily turning the puck over in the defensive zone on Monday night against the Tamba Bay Lightening which led to an easy Tom Pyatt goal, leading to a dagger in the chest of Flyers fans and a 5-4 victory for the Lightening, Bryz' numbers would be even more impressive.

His final stat line on Monday night was fourteen saves on eighteen shots, but today it was discovered that Illya Bryzgalov played the whole game with a minuscule fracture in his foot that he suffered during warmups before Monday's contest.

Worry not! Although Bryz will not make the trip to Toronto for Thursday's matchup against the Maple Leafs, General Manager Paul Holmgren stated today thet Bryzgalov should be back in the lineup this weekend when the Flyers return home to face the Ottawa Sentators on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center (puck drops at 1:00) then travel to Pittsburgh in a crucial game, possibly a first round matchup in the playoffs against the Penguins, nationally televised on NBC (12:30)

Bryzgalov is 32-15-7 withsix shut outs and a 2.46 goals against average on the year, in what has been a whirlwind of a season for the 31 year old Russian.

Sergei Bobrovsky will be starting in goal for Philadelphia until Bryz returns back to the lineup.

The Flyers have clinched a playoff birth and currently sit in the fifth slot in the eastern conference with a record standing at 44-24-8, with 96 points, just four points behind Pittsburgh for the fourth seed with just six games left in the regular season. Two of those six games are against the Penguins, in Pittsburgh (April 1st, April 7th)

Buckle your seat belts!

At last, A Linebacker!!!!!!!!

Hallelujah!!!!!

For the first time since Jeremiah Trotter was in his prime (2004) the Philadelphia Eagles have a true man in the middle of their defense.

Philadelphia, welcome with open arms (not the one the 2011 Eagles defense tackled with) from the Houston Texans, DeMeco Ryans.

The Bird gang acquired the two time pro bowler via trade with Houston for a fourth round pick in next months NFL Draft, and have also agreed to swap third round picks.


Pretty solid deal.

The 2011 defense was quite deceiving as they finished top ten in the league in both points and yards allowed, but failed to produce any grit during the latter stages of the ballgame.

At 6 feet 1 inch, 247 pounds, Ryans immediately brings some beef to the middle of the field and a true middle linebacker presence in which the Eagles have lacked since Jeremiah Trotter refused to sign the franchise tag, and vacated Philadelphia for a short stint in Washington. 

DeMeco Ryans will be turning 28 in July and is under contract through the 2015 season, so if able to stay healthy, will provide a notable presence on the Eagles defense for quite some time.

Originally a second round pick (33rd overall) out of Alabama, Ryans was named as the defensive rookie of the year and second team all-pro during the 2006 campaign leading the National Football League with 156 tackles, while recording 3.5 sacks. 

Ryans suffered a season ending achilles injury in 2010, missing the last ten games of the season (the only games missed during his career), and somewhat struggled last year in newly touted Defensive Coordinator, Wade Phillips 3-4 defense. But worry not! Houston is said to of needed to dump Ryans salary (around $6.5 million) in order provide some much needed cap space. Ryans is a proven defensive star in the league.

Not only does DeMeco Ryans bring a successful pedigree on the field, but is known to be a vocal leader on the field and in the locker room. All three of which the Eagles desperately lacked last season, and seasons prior on the defensive side of the rock.

Heres a glimpse of what we will be seeing as the Philadelphia Eagles new middle linebacker. Ryans shows patience in the passing defense, pursues the ball, and proceeds to put a lick on former Giant, Jeremy Shockey during the 2011 season. I like! 

I'm getting a feeling Ryans will be a fan favorite in the city of Brotherly Love.

Gold Digger Edition: Allen Iverson's Wife Demands List Of The Answers Sex Partners

The life of Allen Iverson has always been that of a difficult one. Iverson traveled up a bumpy course to stardom, and even after his playing days in which he accumulated close to, or around $250 million that might be close to spent. Today, tread continues to be taken off his running down wheels.

In the latest headline of Iverson's downfall, his ex wife and high school sweetheart, Tawanna Iverson is demanding that A.I composes a list of all extra marital affairs Iverson was involved in during their marriage from 2001, to the date of the trial. This according to papers filed on March 7th in Fulton County Family Court.

It is thought to be believed that Tawanna Iverson is going this route in order to push for a settlement. When the divorce was initiated, Tawanna claimed that she wasn't filing for separation because of Allen Iverson's involvement with another women (hmmmm) She has since flipped that story and wants an entire list, including full names and phone numbers of women Iverson had previous encounters with.

Along with trying to throw Allen further into the gutter, Tawanna Iverson is also seeking to seize custody of all five of their children.

Gold Digger. 

Payday: DeSean Jackson Inks Deal With The Birds

It's. About. Time.

The controversy is well documented. The training camp lockout already went down causing some rifts. The benching and suspension came and went but the man has deserved his money for a long time. On Wednesday afternoon it all seized and Jackson got what he was seeking in a big way.

DeSean Jackson joined the flurry of significant wide receivers to sign a contract since free agency broke by inking a 5 year deal with Philadelphia worth $51 million according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Initially, the Eagles placed the franchise tag on Jackson which guaranteed the Birds ownership of the two time pro bowl playmaker. It was thought that under the franchise tag, Philly would either sign Jackson to a  long-term contract, or ship him away in return for some high valued players.

The franchise tag, if agreed upon by the player and the organization pays the player the leagues top average among their specific position. Jackson would of made $9.4 million in 2012-2013 under the franchise tag. The only sour part about the tag is that long term security is not assured and that is what Jackson and his agent, Drew Rosenhous were seeking. Now, both sides couldn't be more thrilled. Jackson gets his years and money and the Eagles lock up one of the most electrifying game breakers in the National Football League.

Quote via ESPN:


"We are thrilled to be able to keep one of the NFL's top playmakers in Philadelphia," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "DeSean is a gamebreaker. He has the speed and ability to score from anywhere on the field, and he has proven himself to be a big threat for our offense."

Fantastic video here on ESPN's "First Take" about how if the Eagles would regret signing DeSean to a long term deal. Stephen A. Smith makes some valid points on how this is a great signing, but happened a year too late.

This adds another signing to the Eagles bank account of home grown players. Earlier in the week, Philadelphia gave both defensive end Trent Cole and tackle Todd Herremans fresh paper while trading Winston Justice to the Colts and releasing center Jamal Jackson.

Reports have recently surfaced that the Eagles are in contact with LeSean McCoy and his representatives about a new deal that would lock up the 2011 NFL Fed Ex Ground Player of the Year.

Classy moves by the Eagles  so far locking up their own talent.

My March Madness Selections

To be blatantly honest, the NCAA March Madness tournament is right atop the ranks with the Super Bowl as my most beloved sporting event of the calendar year. Cinderella's surface, buzzer beaters are sunken, hearts are broken, memorable runs are conducted, and legends are made. The 68 team field, now down to 64 is full of stacked squads in this years tournament and every teams main objective is to advance to the Final Four in New Orleans on March 31st. Which Universities will reach their targeted destination?

Every year I take pride in having a successful bracket and 2012 is no different. Although I've always been somewhat talented at picking a crop of winners, there are always a few games that causes sports fans to scratch their heads. Research on teams is a must if you want to win some doe and pick the games right.

My favorite team in this years field? The Temple Owls. Of course, I'm going to support my institution and future alma matter but the 2011-2012 Temple Owls have their best chance to make a run to the sweet sixteen in years. When clicking on all cylinders, the Cherry and White are a top twenty program in the nation especially with a healthy Michael Eric holding down the paint. Temple's guard featuring Ramone Moore, Juan Fernandez, and Khalif Wyatt are among the best crop of guards in the nation.

Uncertainty is a fitting word to use for Temple as they head into this years tournament though. Of their last five games, Temple has lost only two of them but two of those victories came in the extra fame versus LaSalle and UMass and Temple has struggled to maintain that consistency and clean play that made them regular season Atlantic 10 Champions.

South Florida will be the Owls second round opponent in Nashville, Tennessee at 9:50 on Friday (TNT) after steam rolling California on Wednesday night. It has all the makings of a dandy! #GoOwls

Without further ado, lets cut to the chase and make these picks.


DESTINATION NEW ORLEANS

South Region
Round of 64


1 Kentucky over 16 Western Kentucky
9 UConn over 8 Iowa State
5 Wichita State over 12 VCU
4 Indiana over 13 New Mexico State
5 UNLV over 11 Colorado
3 Baylor over 14 South Dakota State
7 Notre Dame over 10 Xavier
2 Duke over 15 Lehigh

Round of 32
1 Kentucky over 9 UConn
5 Wichita State over 4 Indiana
3 Baylor over 6 UNLV
2 Duke over 7 Notre Dame

Sweet 16
1 Kentucky over 5 Wichita State
3 Baylor over 2 Duke

Elite 8
1 Kentucky over 3 Baylor

West Region
Round of 64
1 Michigan State over 16 LIU Brooklyn
9 St Louis over 8 Memphis
12 Long Beach State over 5 New Mexico
4 Louisville over 13 Davidson
6 Murray State over 11 Colorado State
3 Marquette over 14 BYU
10 Virginia over 7 Florida
2 Missouri over 15 Norfolk State

Round of 32
1 Michigan State over 9 St Louis
4 Louisville over 12 Long Beach State
3 Marquette over 6 Murray State
2 Missouri over 10 Virginia

Sweet 16
1 Michigan State over 4 Louisville
2 Missouri over 3 Marquette

Elite 8
1 Michigan State over 2 Missouri

East Region
Round of 64
1 Syracuse over 16 UNC-Ashville
8 Kansas State over 9 Southern Mississippi
5 Vanderbilt over 12 Harvard
4 Wisconsin over 13 Montana
6 Cincinnati over 11 Texas
3 Florida State over 14 St. Bonaventure
10 West Virginia over 7 Gonzaga
2 Ohio State over 15 Loyola

Round of 32
1 Syracuse over 8 Kansas State
5 Vanderbilt over 4 Vanderbilt
3 Florida State over 6 Cincinnatti
2 Ohio state over 10 West Virginia

Sweet 16
5 Vanderbilt over 1 Syracuse
3 Florida State over 2 Ohio State

Elite 8
3 Florida State over 5 Vanderbilt

Midwest Region
Round of 64
1 North Carolina over 16 Vermont
8 Creighton over 9 Alabama
5 Temple over 12 South Florida
4 Michigan over 13 Ohio
11 NC State over 6 San Diego State
3 Georgetown over 14 Belmont
7 St Mary's over 10 Purdue
2 Kansas over 15 Detroit

Round of 32
1 North Carolina over 8 Creighton
5 Temple over 4 Michigan
3 Georgetown to 11 NC State
2 Kansas over 7 St. Mary's

Sweet 16
1 North Carolina over 5 Temple
2 Kansas over 3 Georgetown

Elite 8
1 North Carolina over 2 Kansas

FINAL FOUR 
1 Kentucky over 1 Michigan State
1 North Carolina over 3 Florida State

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Kentucky over 1 North Carolina

Brad Lidge Joins The Dark Side

Philly, lets face it. The Nationals are a team on the rise.

With a rotation featuring Stephen Strasberg, Gio Gonzalez, and Edwin Jackson, the Nationals have well above average starting pitching. Washington has a core of solid position players as well including freshly paid Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth, Adam Laroche, Bryce Harper, and Adam Morse. Even the rear of the bullpen is something to worry about featuring Brad Lidge and up and coming closer Drew Storen. Take a glimpse at Washingtons roster  and you see the talent is relevant. 

I'm not sitting here saying the Nationals are going to over take the Phillies as King's of the National League East, but this year, as well as future years....Worrying about the Nationals will be in the back of every Philadelphia fans dome. They have clamped down on the Phillies Phaitful being able to purchase tickets to Nationals Stadium and even went as far as starting a campaign called "#FUPhilly. Jayson Werth compared Washington management taking over Nationals Park to the upheaval in attendance at Citizens Bank Park back in 2007. (Completely and utterly false), and A few days ago the Nationals manager, Davey Johnson was asked about his pitching staff and put his top three (Strasburg, Gonzalez, Jackson) right up there with Halladay, Lee, and Hamels.

"Their top three versus our top three, stuff wise, we match up as good," Johnson said. 

Yea.....Right.

Only to add gasoline to the fire, former Philly hero Brad Lidge stated today that he believes this year Nationals team is the most talented ball club he has ever been apart of. Is this the same man who was invincible and flawless during Philadelphia's run to winning the 2008 World Series, going a perfect 48 for 48 in save opportunities? Indeed, only his fastball has dipped from the mid 90's to the low 80's and is on the roster of a team who can't fill the park with their own supporters. Where did the Nationals get all of this cocky swagger from? I'd like to see them conquer something before they freely run their mouths.

Anybody else feel a rivalry brewing? 

Back In Action...Some Philly Rivals Are Getting Slapped Across The Face

Holla! I'm back after a lengthy hiatus in which school work and spring break got in the way of me being able to do what I love...Chat about sports. I honestly just needed a break after several stressful weeks in school. My patience was growing about as thin as it could but after a week of relaxing, catching up with friends and laughing my ass off back in the 610, I'm residing back on the 215 ready to grind out!

Let's take it back to 2010 in the National Football League. Tom Brady lit up defenses for thirty six touchdowns and just four picks, Michael Vick wasn't throwing mindless interceptions capturing the NFL Offensive player of the year award, and Aaron Rogers had a god-like postseason en route to claiming Superbowl 45 for the Green Bay Packers. The National Football League was also in the final year of its collective bargaining agreement which caused a non salary cap year in football. For those of you who are confused, teams basically had no spending limits. $$$$$$$$

The league office warned all NFL teams to not front load contracts in any way in order to create more salary cap room in future years. Well folks, the Cowboys and Redskins ignored the leagues warnings by front loading contracts to unnamed players and will now pay the hefty price. (Doesn't that put a glorious smile on your grill?)

How much you may ask? Washington will be affected much more significantly then Dallas. The Redskins will have $36 million dollars seized from their bank accounts, while the Cowboys lose $10 Million. (In the back of my mind I just hear Lil Wayne saying:  "a milli, a milli, a milli, a milli") 


It just so happens thats two of the most free spending owners will have millions of dollars gripped from their hands in Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones. Good for the Eagles, bad for the rivals.

Cha-Ching