The Eagles have an opportunity to make up ground against the Cowboys.  Despite their 6-1 record, the Cowboys have some weaknesses that can be exploited. They have a weak secondary.  Most of the teams that they have beaten did not get good QB play.  The Bills QB was making just his 2nd start. Their offense has been plagued by slow starts.  If the Eagles can get a lead, they can make the game more about Tony Romo than the Cowboys running game.  Tony Romo is prone to mistakes when he gets pressured.  The new contract that the Cowboys gave him points up the shortage of quality QBs in the league.  He has 17 starts and zero playoff wins.

Brain Dawkins return will help the Eagles pass D, but how much will have to be seen on Sunday. If the D rallies around his presense and creates some turnovers, the Eagles have a good chance of winning this one and dusting off their playoff hopes. I think the Eagles can continue to improve each week. Many of the problems they have had were self inflicted. As their confidence level increases, they can put themselves in a position to make a lot of noise in the second half.
They must win this week for that to happen.

The Eagles are prepping for the Cowboys, and some good news has been announced. Brian Dawkins is expected to start.  This is great news for Eagles fans, especially considering the talk in some corners that he might not take the field again until his number was retired.  Dawkins return hopefully will add some playmaking to the defensive backfield which is not generating enough turnovers.

 Trent Cole has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.  He had 2 sacks and 3 tackles for losses against the run on Sunday.  He has a league leading 9 sacks this season. That is the most by an Eagle since Hugh Douglas got 12.5 in 2002.

2007/2008 76ers Prediction from The Sports Network 

The 76ers are about to begin a new season, and a new chapter in the franchise history.  The changes of last year, trading Allen Iverson, releasing Chris Webber and the efforts to make something tangible from the remaining games after sealed the deal on the mesmerizing if not satisfying AI era.  Now things threaten to be frightfully boring on and off the court.  The rest of the division has improved, or was already ahead of this team.  Now that AI is gone, Andre Iguodala has to step up to be their focal point and leader.  He tried to begin that transition last year and had some success.  His ability to raise his play another level is a big key to how this year will evolve. 

The major addition in the offseason by GM Billy King, was trading for Reggie Evans.  This trade seems rather inconspicuous on the surface, since Evans was not a starter in

The other components of the team are mostly unchanged from a year ago.  Andre Miller came to the Sixers in the AI trade and will provide strong steady leadership from the point.  Strong point guard play is at a premium in the NBA and the Sixers are blessed with one of the better players at that position.  Willie Green and Rod Carney will get most of the time at the 2.  Green is so inconsistent.  Some nights he looks great, some he looks like he is not interested.  I think King overvalues him.  I would rather give Carney every chance to take his minutes.  He was erratic last year as a rookie, but he has a ton of athletic ability and basketball skills.  If Cheeks can mold his play into a consistent scoring threat, that would go along way to improving the Sixers chances of climbing above the basement. Dalembert had a career year, playing all 82 games last season but is another player that the team likes too much.  He can block shots from the weak side and rebounds well.  The problem is his D is not very good straight up on other centers and he has a very limited offensive game.  He came to the game late, as a teen, and it shows. He does not have good court sense.  Lastly, and firstly for this team, Andre Iguodala will have to prove it to me.  I think he is a better complementary player than a leading man. To his credit, he is not shying away from the role.  He is making every effort to fill the void.  He is just not a complete enough player to make it work well for the 76ers.  Until I see a consistent outside jumper to take advantage of sagging defenders guarding against his drives to the rim, I have to think that he will remain a tier 2 player.  Sixth man small forward, Kyle Korver gives the team a consistent 3 point threat off of the bench, but his D is a big issue. He is another overvalued player by the Sixers brass. I think his abilities could bring you someone in a trade that could add something substantial where you really need it, on the interior.

The Sixers received 2 first round picks for AI.  They drafted Thaddeous Young and Jason Smith (actually acquired when the team swapped picks with the Heat) with those picks.  As primary pieces in the move to untie the team from Iverson, the newest Sixers are a bit underwhelming right now.  Young is a 6′8″ athletic forward who has obvious upside potential, but is raw.  He only played one year at Georgia Tech, and while he had a good season, he was not the primary weapon on his team.  He could at some point make his selection a good one, but that is not going to happen immediately.  Smith is a 7 footer who is going to play right away a lot due to the lack of depth at the center and power forward spots. He will get pushed around by centers when he is defending, but could cause them match up issues when he has the ball on offense.  He was not a great player in college, merely good, while playing at

Besides Korver, the Sixers bench has another interesting player.  Louis Williams came out of high school directly to the pros 2 years ago.  He has been working quietly to round his game into NBA form.  He displayed a strong scoring ability in the chances he had to play at the end of last season.  That continued in the summer league.  If he continues to develop into a strong back up to Andre Miller, Miller could become a chip at the trade deadline.  Miller is the kind of player that teams look at and see the missing piece to their playoff aspirations. Otherwise, the bench is unremarkable.

The 76ers will have to scratch and claw for wins.  They are just too under talented as a whole to compete strongly.  I hope that they can find a way to get to .500 but a 35 -38 win season seems more likely.  That could be improved if Andre Iguodala becomes the 25+ pt per game guy, and Rodney Carney makes strides to be an additional consistent scoring threat.

From philly.com

The extension deal nears a deadline Wednesday night.

By Marc Narducci

Inquirer Staff Writer

With a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday looming, the talks between the 76ers and Andre Iguodala regarding a contract extension have taken on a sense of urgency. Iguodala’s agent, Rob Pelinka, flew from his office in California to meet for three hours yesterday with Billy King, the Sixers’ president and general manager.According to NBA rules, if an extension is not agreed to by Wednesday night, the two sides cannot meet again until July. At that point, Iguodala could be a restricted free agent, but the Sixers would retain the right to match any offer.

Still, it’s clear that both sides hope to avoid that scenario.

Pelinka is one of the NBA’s most successful agents. One of his clients is Kobe Bryant. Despite all the trade rumors surrounding Bryant, Pelinka felt it was important to meet in person with King. Negotiations have been continuing since July, and by all accounts, they have not been acrimonious. However, the lack of a deal at this point indicates that more progress needs to be made.

Pelinka said yesterday the two sides were “using our best efforts to find a compromise position on extending Andre’s contract with the Sixers before the Oct. 31 deadline. That is our collective goal and was the focus of [yesterday’s] meeting.”

The Sixers have a policy of not commenting directly on negotiations.

Entering his fourth season, the 23-year-old Iguodala is coming off a banner year in which he averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He has been described as a player the team would like to build around.

The Sixers have been impressed by his versatility, his ability to play defense, and his character.

This season, he is scheduled to make $2.8 million, and that won’t change even if he earns an extension.

There is no doubt that the uncertain status of the negotiations has affected Iguodala. He was asked after yesterday’s practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine if he was getting antsy over the situation. “A little,” he said, “but I’m really looking forward to Wednesday. That is all I’m thinking about, and I’m not thinking about the past week.”

Iguodala was not referring to the deadline for negotiations. He was talking about the Sixers’ regular-season opener against the Raptors in Toronto.

Other players in Iguodala’s 2004 draft class have not enjoyed complete success in receiving contract extensions.

Orlando’s Dwight Howard, the No. 1 pick in that draft, signed an extension. So did Dallas guard Devin Harris and Sacramento guard Kevin Martin.

Other fourth-year players, such as Chicago’s Luol Deng and Ben Gordon, Minnesota’s Al Jefferson, and Charlotte’s Emeka Okafor, have yet to receive extensions. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last week that the Atlanta Hawks did not plan to sign forward Josh Smith to an extension by Wednesday’s deadline.

Orlando’s Howard signed an extension for a reported $85 million. No one raised an eyebrow because he is considered an all-star fixture at center for years to come.

Harris signed a five-year extension for a reported $42 million, but teams will be looking at Martin’s deal, which is reportedly for nearly $55 million over five years.

Martin is one of the emerging shooters in the NBA, but Iguodala has proved to be a more well-rounded player.

Notes. Center Samuel Dalembert, who returned for a light workout Saturday, took part in yesterday’s entire practice. After missing nearly 21/2 weeks with soreness from a stress fracture in his left foot, Dalembert was encouraged. “I have to admit, I was surprised at myself today,” Dalembert said. “I was out there reacting.” Dalembert said he expected to play in the opener Wednesday, but a key test will be how he feels this morning. . . . Coach Maurice Cheeks said he still hadn’t decided whether Rodney Carney or Willie Green would start at shooting guard. . . . Rookie center Herbert Hill will undergo surgery tomorrow in Alabama to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.

In a game that at times displayed the Eagles knack for self inflicted injury, Donovan McNabb peeled off another layer of comeback rust, and led the Eagles to their third win of the season, 23-16 over a struggling Vikings squad. Against a run tough Minnesota D, he passed for 333 and a score from inside the red zone. The TD pass was not a drop back laser, but instead came on a designed shovel pass to Brian Westbrook. Regardless of the method, it was a cheery moment when it happened. That play had been a staple of the Eagles red zone offense and has been inexplicably unused this season.

McNabb was the primer for the offense, displaying his returning gift for stretching a play. He had several nifty evasions and runs, including a quarterback draw.

“I definitely feel like the burst is coming back,” said McNabb. “That gives me the opportunity to do a lot of different things that I’m used to.”

While number 5 has been working all season to regain his Pro Bowl form, the missing parts of his game have been apparent. Games have been lost as McNabb missed opportunities built mostly on Brian Westbrook’s efforts. Not so in the Metrodome. Westbrook only gained 46 yards on 21 attempts today. He added another 46 on 4 catches. His day also included 2 TDs from inside the 20.

The Birds did not overwhelm, at times committed boneheaded penalties (especially in the first quarter),  but did show grit.  Brad Childress pulled another trick out of Andy Reid’s seldom used bag when he on-sides kicked after the Vikings took a 7-0 lead.  The Eagles never saw it coming and Minnesota had the ball back inside the 50, with momentum.  On the first play from scrimmage from the 48, Trent Cole burst past the Viking’s tackle and sacked Kelly Holcolm for a 9 yard loss.  That took the wind out of the sails of the Vikings crowd, and the Eagles D held.  Cole had a great game, collecting 2 sacks and 8 tackles.

McNabb was assisted mightily by his receivers. Reggie Brown continued his resurgent play with 8 catches for 105 yards including a terrific toe tapping sideline snare in the first quarter. Kevin Curtis had 3 grabs for 76.  His highlight was a sensational steal of a ball, over-top of a Viking D back.  He snatched the ball out of the defenders hands with just his right  hand as he tumbled over him to the turf.

Adrian Peterson ripped up the Bears.  How will the Eagles stop him?

Position has former Rays GM working with Lakey, Gillick

By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA — Chuck LaMar, who most notably served as Tampa Bay Devil Rays general manager, has joined the Phillies’ as a director of professional scouting.

In an added position, LaMar will work with director of Major League scouting Gordon Lakey, and provide input on trades for GM Pat Gillick.

LaMar, 51, spent the 2007 season with the Washington Nationals, serving as special assistant to general manager Jim Bowden and national cross-checker.

For 23 years, LaMar has served in various capacities with several teams. He headed the Devil Rays from their inception in 1995 through the 2005 season. Under his watch, Tampa Bay drafted and developed Major Leaguers such as Carl Crawford, Aubrey Huff, Rocco Baldelli, Delmon Young and B.J. Upton.

LaMar also spent five years with the Braves as director of scouting and player development and assistant general manager for player personnel, and also worked for the Pirates and Reds.

The Sixers have won just 1 preseason game, that was against a Celtics team that played without Garnett and Pierce.  Last night they were beaten by the Knicks for the 2nd time this preseason, 103 - 90.  I have been paying casual attention to them, but one thing that I have noticed as the season draws near, 1st round pick Thaddeus Young is not playing much.  He logged just 4 minutes last night.  He got about 5 against the Celtics and 10 minutes against the Jazz last Thursday.  It does not look like he figures into Mo Cheeks early season rotation.  Not what you want to see from your lottery pick.

On the other hand, Jason Smith looks to see considerable time as Dalembert continues to rest his foot.  He may be ill suited to defend at the 5, but he will cause some match up issues for opposing centers as they try to defend him.

Is Andre Iguodala going to play like the team leader we hope he turns out to be?

Sunday’s contest between the Eagles and Vikings will pit two teams that are trying to climb up from the bottom of the pile against one another.  While the 2-4 Eagles have seen several winnable games slip away, despite veteran leadership, the 2-4 Vikings are going through growing pains with young players in key positions. The teams have other similarities too. 

Both squads have defenses that are outperforming their offenses. The Eagles have only allowed 16.8 points per game, 2^nd best in the NFC.  The Vikes have allowed 19 per game, making them the 7^th stingiest team.  The icings are the conferences best against the run, allowing only 76.5 yards per game.  The Eagles are 4^th against the run at 88 yards per outing. Where the Vikings have trouble is in pass D.  They are last in the conference against the pass, allowing 282.5 per game.  Andy Reid commented in one of his press conference this week that the Vikes play a lot of the

On offense, both teams are in the top 5 in the conference in rushing.

The scoring averages for the clubs are nearly identical at 19.2 for the Vikes and 19.3 for the Birds.  That is ironic, as the Vikings are led by 2^nd year head coach brad Childress, who is a protégé of Andy Reid, and was the Eagles offensive coordinator from 2002-2005.  Given the Eagles inability to score TDs from inside the 20, and the Vikings difficulties in passing the ball, I expect a low scoring game.  I have written several times on my blog that the Eagles are missing in the end zone by a small margin.  The difference as I see it is Donovan McNabb is not 100% recovered from his knee injury of last year.  Each week he has shown various signs of regaining his form. Last week, he seemed more elusive in the pocket and had a couple of nice scrambles, one for a key first down.  The one area that has yet to snap back is his red zone passing.  When that happens, suddenly, Andy Reid will again appear to be a coach at the top of his offensive game.  I just don’t know when to expect that to materialize.  I have not picked against the Eagles yet this year.  I know I am a pathetic homer, but I have believed that they would win each game, and they could very well have been 4-2 at this point had they not blown the Bears game last week and the Packers game in week 1.  All of that said, I still think the Eagles win this week. 

Eagles 19 Vikings 14

Joffrey Lupul, Jeff Carter and Lasse Kukkonen scored for the Flyers, who had their five-game winning streak snapped.

“We got beat to some loose pucks in front of our net and we just allowed them too much time with the puck in our end,” Flyers coach John Stevens said. “We haven’t been doing that to this point.”

The game began a season-long eight-game road trip for the Flyers.

Read the entire article - Panthers 4, Flyers 3