A strange story out of the Novacare Complex seems to point to a Philadelphia Eagles organization that, both on and off the field, simply doesn’t have a clue.
News of a firing by the Eagles broke overnight. If you’re wondering why there’s no hubbub over it, it’s because it was of someone who has nothing to do with the mess that has unfolded on the field in the 2012 season. Or anyone you’ve even heard of. The team fired VP of Communications Rob Zeiger.
So….yeah. Zeiger’s responsibilities included heading up the Birds’ public affairs department, as well as serving as a liaison between owner Jeffrey Lurie, other members of the Eagles’ front office, and the media.
More meaningful to many of us, Zeiger is the poor soul trotted out to confront fan outrage on WIP following the loss to the Cowboys over attempts to raise the volume of the music at the Linc to drown out the boos of Eagles fans to a primetime audience.
If you’re keeping track, this is the second firing of an Eagles big-wig this season that will do absolutely nothing to improve the situation in which the team finds itself. The first, of course, was the firing of defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, who is sitting home cackling at how things have unfolded as I write.
There is already much speculation and trepidation about how things will go down on Monday night, both on and off the field. Will the nation witness on Monday Night Football exactly how much fan disgust, disdain and outrage there is for Andy Reid and the Eagles’ woeful performance this season? And just how badly will team officials botch up attempts to “manage” the situation?
Or, here’s a novel idea. Perhaps the team will actually play like it belongs in the National Football League and defeat the only team in the NFC with a worse record, the Carolina Panthers. And then sure, there will be signs, but the Eagles fans who bother to show actually may have a little something to cheer about!
A little head shake for you as you start your Thanksgiving plans and preparations. Be good and stay safe.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
The Philadelphia Eagles, while embroiled in a battle for their season against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, did not need any more drama directed their way. Enter Marcus Vick, brother of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mike Vick. Marcus doesn’t like how the Birds’ o-line has been playing and he doesn’t care who knows it.
He deleted the tweet that started the national furor, but here is a screencap from what I retweeted during the game.
Why that singular tweet was removed and the rest of his rant against the Eagles is a mystery. Read from the bottom up.
Oh but wait. MV the non-NFL player had more to say.
Great going, man. Exactly what your brother needs right now – more drama.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
There are some things going on in sports these days that have me feeling bad for young athletes. Some of the things that have me feeling sympathetic are:
The increasing amount of stories I read about kids being scouted by college and professional sports teams as young as the seventh grade
The fact that my nephew and I sit and watch the Little League World series games on the family of ESPN networks, with the championship game being aired on ABC.
Turning to ESPN and seeing a high school basketball game between two high schools that aren’t even in the same state
An article I recently read discussing the growing popularity of athletic trainers for kids
Lastly, a website I stumbled onto that says they specialize in training young athletes http://kidssportstraining.com/
It seems like as soon as a kid shows any promise or potential, the predators come running. There is no room for the average kid to play sports, and the kid that is the standout feels the pressure early. My nephew is 12. He’s short for his age and just started playing basketball a year ago. I heard someone tell him that he’s going be short and he started playing too late, so he might as well stop playing. What’s wrong with him playing just for fun or exercise? When I think about how children with or without athletic abilities are treated, it makes me wonder…when do kids have the chance to play their favorites sports, simply for the love of the game?
This morning I wake up to check my email and I come across a report by Mark J. Miller of Yahoo sports (http://goo.gl/YsEgH) saying that there are strong rumors going around that the Golden State Warriors would be willing to trade guard Monta Ellis to the Philadelphia 76ers for forward/guard Andre Iguodala. ESPN’s and former NBA point guard Mark Jackson was named head coach last night and the Warriors are looking to make changes to their franchise. The trade makes some sort of sense for both teams and I’ll tell you why from my point of view.
The Warriors started a talented backcourt of Ellis and 2nd year point guard Stephen Curry, and they were effective offensively. But their lack of size and defensive ability was a hindrance all season. Both of them are only 6’2”-6’3” and teams would use their bigger guards to post up and put them in pick and roll situations. A trade for Iguodala would give the Warriors a bigger wing player to go alongside Curry and a legit defender that this team desperately needs. Golden State plays an up-tempo type of basketball and Iguodala would be the perfect fit.
The Sixers lacked a legit number one scoring option this season and because Iguodala was the highest paid player, most Sixers fans thought he should be that. But he’s not, and he caught hell during his career here after he signed that big contract a few years ago, for not developing into the player the Sixers thought he would. Monta Ellis would give the Sixers a legit scoring option on the perimeter and go to guy. Ellis has averaged 24.5 ppg over the last two seasons, but has the tendency to take shots early in the shot clock and makes no effort on the defensive end. He also has three years left on a contract paying him $11 Million per year.
I’m in favor of moving Iguodala for sure, but I don’t want another big contract back in return (like Rudy Gay). Monta Ellis is a good player, but is he good enough for the Sixers to avoid being a 7 or 8 seed yearly, and make it out of the first round of the playoffs? The right medley of front office decisions can take you from a laughing stock to a game away from the conference finals (check out the Grizzlies), and even though the Sixers will have to deal with the Miami Heat for the next five years, along with the Bulls and Knicks, they need to make progress.
I’m all about winning it all, not making lateral moves to just stay in the middle of the pack or stay afloat. The way the NBA is currently structured, the only way to get out of purgatory is to dump salary and/or get lucky in the NBA lottery and make the right draft pick. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a $14 Million trade exception they can use and if I were the Sixers, I would try my best to ship Iggy’s ass there. But hey, I’m not the General Manager. I’m just tired of the circle of mediocrity this franchise has displayed since the trip to the Finals in 2001. It has been a damn decade and it has to stop.
Rob Parker of ESPN's First Take and ESPNNewYork.com
Rob Parker of ESPN’s First Take and writer for ESPNNewYork.com will be back in The War Room this Thursday, May 5th to discuss his thoughts on the NBA Playoffs, the NFL Draft, and his biggest surprises thus far in the 2011 MLB season!
Tune in Thursday, May 5th at 6pm EST to hear our conversation with Rob! To tune in, go to www.WarRoomSports.com and click the “Listen Live” button…or dial 323-410-0012 to listen live by phone.
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Now in the words of Amare Stoudemire “The Knicks are back” and that is primarily due to the decisions made by GM Donnie Walsh. He has completely revamped a roster that has been deplorable in recent history and for the first time in years the Knicks are like Charlie Sheen and they are “Winning”.
“The Knicks Are Back!” FOH!! Back to what?
With that being said I constantly hear rumors that the Knicks owner regularly consults with former Knicks Coach/President Isiah Thomas and I’m baffled as to why he would do so. I can sit here and name several horrible decisions that Isiah made when running the Knicks but I will just say that Isiah traded for Eddy Curry.
Why is James Dolan still consulting him, and why are there rumors about him coming back to the Knicks. Even if it is not true Mr. Dolan should have said so. If it is true I believe Isiah has pictures of Mr. Dolan with a “low pro hoe that’s cut like an afro”. There is no other logical explanation as to why Isaih would still have anything to do with the Knicks in any capacity. The Knicks were so bad under Isaih that I would rather watch Jodeci perform on The Varnell Hill Show then to watch Isiah’s teams play. So Mr Dolan do me and all of N.Y. a favor and cut it the hell out!!!
