Philly Sports Net - With the Phillies off to their worst start since 1982, manager Charlie Manuel is once again the focus of those who follow the team. To be accurate, he is always the focus of a certain segment of fans who assume that just because he will never win a debate on style points, he can’t possibly be capable of putting together a coherent thought. But with the team’s poor play and poorer results, additional attention is brought to Manuel, even by his usual supporters.

Manuel’s greatest support comes from the players on the team and the daily beat writers in the local media. Those two groups comprise the people that spend the most time with Manuel and know him best; they see the way he massages the egos of the players and have had enough conversations with him to know he is a kind baseball man that loves to talk hitting and wants to win. In other words, unlike his predecessor behind the managerial’s desk, he keeps things loose, and make no mistake, this is important.

His supporters are quick to point out that the one thing Manuel continually asked for this offseason was a stronger bullpen and while general manager Pat Gillick made many moves to (hopefully) fortify catcher, third base and the starting rotation, he did little to improve the bullpen, outside of the addition of some retreads.

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Philly Sports Net - So here's the official Philadelphia Eagles 2007 schedule. First impressions are good. But can we really have a sense of how things will be played out? Remember last year? When the Eagles schedule came out, it was scrutinized and the prevailing sentiment was - the Birds better start fast, because the 2nd half of their schedule was to be dotted with NFC landmines. Then the Eagles went 6-2 to end the season. So much for that!

Sunday, September 9 at Green Bay 1:00 pm FOX
Monday, September 17 Washington 8:30 pm ESPN*
Sunday, September 23 Detroit 1:00 pm FOX
Sunday, September 30 at NY Giants 8:15 pm NBC*
Sunday, October 7 BYE
Sunday, October 14 at NY Jets 1:00 pm FOX
Sunday, October 21 Chicago 4:15 pm FOX*
Sunday, October 28 at Minnesota 1:00 pm FOX
Sunday, November 4 Dallas 8:15 pm NBC*
Sunday, November 11 at Washington 1:00 pm FOX
Sunday, November 18 Miami 1:00 pm+ CBS
Sunday, November 25 at New England 8:15 pm+ NBC*
Sunday, December 2 Seattle 1:00 pm+ FOX
Sunday, December 9 NY Giants 1:00 pm+ FOX
Sunday, December 16 at Dallas 4:15 pm+ FOX*
Sunday, December 23 at New Orleans 1:00 pm+ FOX
Sunday, December 30 Buffalo 1:00 pm+ CBS

Continue with further analysis on the upcoming 2007 NFL season

The Philadelphia Inquirer has learned that Eagles’ Donte’ Stallworth is a participant in the NFL substance abuse program. No reason why Stallworth is in the program has been made public.

What is clear is that such a revelation will bear heavily on the success or failure of Stallworth's free agency campaign.

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Philly Sports Net - Jack McCaffery renews my faith in him being an idiot today. Good for him. Today McCaffery argues that Jeff Garcia got the “T.O. Treatment.” Whatever the hell that means. Did Garcia get suspended? Did the Eagles garnish his wages?

McCaffery also commits a cardinal sin in my book, when he calls the Philadelphia Eagles cheap. Nothing could be farther from the truth. People like to throw around this cheap moniker without actually caring to do any kind of research on the matter. Angelo Cataldi is a big offender here.

This is why I love sports writers. They love to float half baked opinions as facts, and in today’s information age, the practice just doesn’t cut it anymore. So the Eagles are cheap you say? I can see how the uninformed could derive such an opinion, as the Eagles are notorious for letting high profile veterans fly the coup. Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor, Hugh Douglas, Jeremiah Trotter, and now Jeff Garcia.

Well lets do a little research shall we? Below is the total payroll for all NFL teams spanning from 2002 through 2005. All of this data is readily available on USAToday.com, but why would anyone waste his/her time to actually fact check an opinion?

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Philly Sports Net - It's the year for Philadelphia to trade its superstars. First it was Iverson. Then Webber. Now Forsberg. Is McNabb next?

The Flyers have traded Forsberg to the Predators in exchange for:

Scottie Upshaw - RW - #6 overall pick in the 2002 draft

Ryan Parent - D - #18 overall in 2005 draft

Draft picks are reportedly a 1st round pick and a 3rd round pick.

Another superstar is out of Philadelphia. I can’t say I blame the Flyers. Forsberg is on the downside of his career, he can’t seem to stay healthy (as if he ever could), and he’s a free agent after this season.

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Philly Sports Net - I’d like to ask my brethren of Philadelphia, who is the worst sportswriter in our great city of Philadelphia? I know this could be a little overwhelming because the pool of candidates is vast. Kind of like trying to figure out the drunkest guy in the parking lot on Sunday. Below is my list of top offenders. Please nominate potential candidates, as, I’m sure to overlook someone. This is going to work like the stock market, as suggestions and votes are tallied, writer stocks will rise and fall.

By all means, this is not the be all and end all. Any writer at any time is one “LeCharles Bentley is coming to Philadelphia” story away from rocketing up the charts to take the top spot on any given week. These rankings are always vacillating as varying levels gross negligence and idiotic opinions pour from the sportswriters’ minds, through his/her pen, and into the collective consciousness of Philadelphia.

The candidates:

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Philly Sports Net - There are reports that the Eagles brass are considering moving Gaither into the middle linebacker spot (replacing Trotter) in 2007.

A few days ago I said that I wouldn't be surprised if the starting LB core consisted of McCoy and Gocong as OLBs and Gaither as the MLB. In 2006, Trotter played like Sammy Sosa the year the MLB started testing for steroids. He’s scheduled to make 2.6 million next season, and he’s become a lumbering two down player with horrific coverage skills. In fact, there were several games this year, where opposing coaches specifically gameplanned to target Trotter and isolate him in coverage. And as Howard Eskin would likely put it, Trotter was exposed!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do not endorse this new grouping of LBs. In fact, it could be their weakest ever. Gaither played half a season well on the weakside. Does that make him a starting MLB? Not really. When Gaither was drafted, scouts lamented the fact that Gaither, who was a strongside backer at Tennessee, would likely have to make a move to the weakside because of his lack of bulk.

Keep reading for more linebacker analysis

Philly Sports Net - Chase Utley, the Phillies' superstar second baseman, has signed a 7 year, 85 million dollar contract extension. Utley is being rewarded for his stand out play during his first two seasons, during which he only made about $500,000 per year.

The contract keeps the Phillies from facing arbitration hearings and is also a sign of their committment to being contenders well into the future. The deal is said to include a $2 million signing bonus as well as a steadily increasing salary that peaks at $15 million per year in each of his final 4 seasons.

Philly Sports Net - Although it hasn’t yet been acknowledged by the squad, Australian sources are reporting that the Eagles have signed Saverio Rocca as a punting prospect. Who is Saverio Rocca you ask? He’s an Australian rules football player who routinely kicks his trademark “torpedo balls” 60 meters downfield.

Watch a few of his torpedo balls!

Philly Sports Net - Last year I attended Phillies Spring Training in Clearwater for a bachelor party. I couldn’t recommend it more.

At the time of the trip my buddies and I had a couple things going for us because:

A. Officially it was Spring Break at Clearwater Beach
B. The “fruits” that accompany such a weekend in the presence of college coeds were plentiful

At the age of 27, I had officially become a dirty old man. The schedule? Take in the Tampa Bay game on Friday, followed by the Pittsburgh game on Saturday. Drink a couple brew peps and celebrate the ultimate demise of one of my best buddies. So I’ll break this down in three quick episodes if one were a newbie to Spring Training, and could use a quick primer to get to know the surrounding area. So here we go.

The Local Stadium Area

Where we stayed:

The La Quinta Inn, a short 5 minute walk to Brighthouse Networks Field. Also within a 5 minute walk along the US 19 strip was an Econo Lodge, and a Hampton Inn. I overheard the Hampton is where the younger players and career minor leaguers make their home in the spring. So if you want the prospect of playing wiffle-ball with Ryan Howard at 4 am in the hotel hallway, I’d say go Hampton Inn. Otherwise, my group paid $487 (with tax) for a suite at the La Quinta. On four guys that’s just over $100 for three nights. A bargain if you ask me.

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Philly Sports Net - The Eagles face the Saints Saturday night in Divisional Playoffs despite the fact that two months ago such a thing was unthinkable. Nonetheless, we couldn't be happier. Here's a position by position preview of the game:

Jeff Garcia vs. Drew Brees: Jeff Garcia has revitalized a team that looked dead in the water a mere seven weeks ago. He’s been efficient, completing nearly 62 percent of his passes while throwing ten touchdowns and just two interceptions. While he doesn’t have the same playmaking ability as Donovan McNabb, he’s made enough plays to lead the Eagles to six straight wins. Drew Brees has been far and away the best QB in the NFC. He’s thrown for over 4400 yards with 26 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. Coming off a devastating shoulder injury, he finished second in the MVP voting behind all world running back LaDanian Tomlinson. Advantage: Saints

Brian Westbrook/Correll Buckhalter vs. Reggie Bush/Deuce McAllister: This is a tough one. Brian Westbrook has been arguably the biggest playmaker in the NFC while Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush are the best one two punch in the NFC. Both teams are soft against the run and all of these backs stand to have big days. Advantage: Push

Donte Stallworth/Reggie Brown/LJ Smith vs. Marques Colston/Joe Horn/Mark Campbell: Another squeaker. Stallworth has spent part of the year on the sidelines with a nagging hamstring injury but still managed 38 catches for 725 yards for 19.1 yards per catch. Reggie Brown has found the endzone eight times and had over 800 yards receiving. L.J. Smith is mind numbingly inconsistent but put up some good numbers with 50 catches for 611 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Saints receivers are a big play waiting to happen. Marques Colston should have been rookie of the year hauling in 70 catches for 1038 yards and 8 TD. Joe Horn has battled injuries all year but is always a threat. The tight ends of the Saints aren’t a big part of their offense with Mark Campbell and Billy Miller combinging for just 32 catches and not even 300 yards receiving. Let’s not forget Devery Henderson, the Saints’ big play threat who had over 745 yards receiving and averaged over 23 yards a catch. Oh yeah, Reggie Bush and Brian Westbrook are two of the best receiving running backs in the game. Advantage: Saints (barely)

Offensive Line: The Eagles have the best O-line in the NFC. They’ve given up just 28 sacks all year and maul you in the run game. Shawn Andrews could be the best Guard in all of football and veteran tackles Jon Runyan and William, don’t call me Tra, Thomas have been spectacular all season. They’re one of only two teams to start the same offensive line all season. The Saints O-line has been fantastic in the pass game allowing just 23 sacks all season. They’re not as strong in the run game. Despite having two outstanding backs, the Saints have averaged just 110 yards a game rushing. However, without the big names the Eagles have on the line, they have been solid all season. Advantage:Eagles

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Philly Sports Net - Chris Webber, we hardly knew ye.

Sources within the Philadelphia 76ers say Chris Webber’s contract has been bought out, parting ways with the 14-year veteran. The five-time All Star spent nearly two seasons with the Sixers, mainly to be used as a compliment to Allen Iverson.

As this city has seen, that last sentence couldn’t be further from what actually transpired. Over the course of the next two seasons, Webber was a key cog in the demise of this franchise. From clashing with then coach Jim O’Brien to the point that O’Brien was relieved of his duties, to seeing limited playing time due to decrepit knees, to not showing up at Fan Appreciation Day, to becoming a salary-cap calamity, the fanfare that the Chris Webber trade was met with was possibly the only fanfare ever tossed his way.

The Webber acquisition will be looked back at as Billy King’s Last Stand in trying to equip the mercurial Iverson with a second scoring option. Webber will be at the top of the list that includes such names as Jerry Stackhouse, Keith Van Horn, and Derrick Coleman. Unfortunately for King, Ed Snider, and those who still follow the Sixers, this desperate attempt has hamstrung the team into financial and basketball purgatory.

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Philly Sports Net - How’s this for a trifecta of unlikelihoods to begin the 2006 Eagles’ season: Jeff Garcia would come off the bench to lead the Eagles to a 5-0 record down the stretch. The running game would be more important to this team than the passing game. Andy Reid would relinquish his death grip on the play calling and allow Marty Mornhinweg to call plays in the most critical stretch of the season.

How did we get here?

To begin the season, no one quite knew what to make of this team. Was the lackluster 2005 season just an abberation brought on by the combination of injuries to key players and the human soap opera that is Terrell Owens? Or was this team capable of returning to the form that took it to four straight NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl between 2001 and 2004?

The 2006 Eagles season started out well enough with a road romp over the perennial doormat Houston Texans.

Then there was the now infamous home opener against the New York Giants. Eagles led 24-7 in the fourth quarter before a series of mental and physical breakdowns sealed their fate as they lost to the Giants in overtime, 30-24. More than just the loss of a game, they lost arguably their biggest defensive playmaker when Jevon Kearse went down for the season with a left knee injury.

In the Birds’ defense, they responded a week later with a 38-24 drubbing of the San Francisco 49ers and a Monday night beatdown of the hapless Green Bay packers to up their record to 3-1 going into the showdown against Dallas.

Of course, the Dallas game could be an article all to itself. The return of T.O. was the biggest event in recent Philadelphia sports memory. And let us not forget that the Philadelphia faithful already hate the Cowboys with the kind of disdain that makes the outsider shudder. The game itself was magnificent. The Birds held off the Cowboys with a Lito Sheppard interception return for a touchdown in the closing minute to hang on, 38-24. The Eagles were back at the top of the division.

Not only were they division leaders, but they had all of Philadelphia talking Super Bowl. The offense had been nearly unstoppable and the defense was making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Could this be the year?

And then the bottom fell out. The downfall started innocently enough with a 27-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints in a tightly contested game that saw the Eagles comeback from a 14 point halftime defecit only to lose on a last second field goal. It happens, right? Tough losses are bound to happen, especially against a good team on the road.

The next disaster was the 62 yard field goal by Tampa Bay’s Matt Bryant, a kicker who hadn’t kicked a field goal over 40 yards all year, as time expired to beat the Eagles in another heart breaker. They followed that up with a no-show at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars and their record fell to 4-4.

The Eagles came back strong after the bye week, dominating the division rival Washington Redskins 27-3 at home.

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Philly Sports Net - Yesterday, rumors and commentary were swirling around about the prospects of an Allen Iverson trade. My initial reaction was, "Yeah, yeah, we've all been here before." But this time it's different.

All it took was to see Ed Snyder's interview on Comcast last night. Red faced, and failing to hold back his vitriol, Snyder made it clear that Iverson will be traded. No question about it. The trade will happen.

Last night, during the loss to the Wizards, Billy King was seen busily answering his cell phone and communicating over his Blackberry. No doubt that he was fielding inquiries from teams around the league. According to various analysts the trade will happen within 10 days.

Iveron is an extremely talented player, with a whole lot of on-the-court heart. Nonetheless, reports of his imminent trade have met with mixed reviews. Some feel that this is a tragic loss for Philadelphia and unfair to Iverson. Others, couldn't be happier that Iverson is leaving. Why the mixed reaction?

Well, Iverson is a mixed bag, that's why. He puts everything he's got on the court each night. He plays hard and he plays tough. He also puts up huge numbers. No one doubts that he'll be a hall of fame player. However, some also point out that he's had a mixed legacy. Despite the points and the on-the-court toughness, he's also established himself as a coach killer; as a guy who doesn't practice hard; as a ball hog. In other words, he can actually hurt the players around him.

So how's all this going to shake out? My bet is that Iverson will be traded for less than his value and that the Sixers will have to eat some of his salary. He'll go to a team that has a good, defensive supporting cast and who just needs that offensive juggernaut to get over the hump. And I really wouldn't be surprised if he shines in his new environment. He just can't shine in Philly any longer. It's time to move on.

The Iverson era is over.