Big Daddy remembered | Sports Daily Newsletter

Long before he was Big Daddy Graham, Eddie Gudonis grew up loving local sports, music, and the written word in Southwest Philadelphia.

A traditional path through college wasn’t for him, but he found his way onto the stage and then the airwaves in Philly and beyond. From there, his paradoxical nature was on display — for those awake to hear it.

Every weeknight from 2-6 a.m., Graham’s voice was a beacon as the overnight host at 94.1 WIP — “I’m like, ‘Do you know how many people you helped?’” his daughter, Ava, said. But working that shift took a toll on his body.

And five years after his death, those who knew and loved Big Daddy Graham best share their memories.

— Maria McIlwain, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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Landon Dickerson’s stint on injured reserve means more than just a key member of the line is out for at least four weeks.

It could signal a shift along the entire line. Drew Kendall, the presumed next man up, was a center in college, and the Eagles could slot him in at center while shifting Cam Jurgens to guard. They also could insert Willie Lampkin, who had a dominant preseason.

And those aren’t the only moves the Eagles are making.

While the staff ponders its next steps, get to know Kendall.

Next: The Birds hit the road for the first time this season and will take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday (1 p.m., Fox29).

Landon Dickerson didn’t break any news on Monday night from that South Philly sports bar. But, hours after The Inquirer broke that the left guard was heading to injured reserve, he took questions. And his answers were revelatory.

They pointed toward unselfishness, which is admirable. But they also revealed an acknowledgment: No matter how talented he is, once he leaves the lineup, there’s no guarantee he’s coming back. And Dickerson, like nearly everyone else on the Eagles roster, has been all football for years. What if that suddenly goes away?

The Phillies’ playoff outlook got a little murkier on Tuesday when they placed left-hander Jesus Luzardo on the injured list with stiffness in his inflamed left shoulder. The key to any postseason success rides on the backs of their big three starters: Luzardo, Cristopher Sánchez, and Zack Wheeler.

“Definitely concerned just because I want to get back for the team and be ready for the postseason,” Luzardo said from the dugout at Nationals Park. “Level of concern for the future is not that high. I know it’s something that’ll go away with time.

“But right now we don’t have much time.”

Is he confident he can be ready for the playoffs?

Late inning bullpen struggles show up again for the Phillies in a 6-3 series-opening loss to the Nationals.

Next: The Phillies wrap up their season finale with the Nationals at 6:45 tonight (NBCSP). Zack Wheeler (12-5, 3.14 ERA) will face Nats righty Cade Cavalli (12-5, 3.12).

Just one more sleep until Flyers training camp, and there will be plenty of changes in hockey. No more fitness testing, and no more eight-year contracts.

But a lot of the names and faces inside the Flyers Training Center will be the same, as the team looks to make a playoff run for a second straight season.

Before the fun begins, Flyers general manager Danny Brière shared some insight on big names like Matvei Michkov and explained what he meant about the team potentially taking “a step back.”

Not everyone competing for a spot on the roster is a veteran, of course. Ty Murchison is turning heads and wants to prove he can be trusted in “big situations.”

Next: Training camp opens on Thursday in Voorhees.

We asked you: When was the last time the Eagles lost in a season opener? Bonus points if you can guess which team it was against.

Answer: B: 2020. The Birds dropped the 2020 opener to the franchise then known as the Washington Football Team, 27-17. It didn’t get much better as they went 4-11-1, fired coach Doug Pederson, and benched Carson Wentz in favor of Jalen Hurts.

We asked: What is your biggest concern for the Eagles after their Week 1 matchup?

Offensive line has to get better. Jalen Hurts needs more time in the pocket, so as not running as much and better blocking so Saquon and the other running backs can gain bigger yards. — Tom G.

Our CENTER still cannot block. CAM JURGENS couldn’t block last year and guess what? He still can’t block this year. He alone is jamming up the OL. Why can we see this and the coaches are blind to it. — Ronald R.

Offensive line has regressed from being the best to a very average group. Granted Dickerson was injured but the lack of depth is very concerning to me. I would expect a much smoother run game this week, they just aren’t opening lanes or creases for Saquan. Offensively, it seems as though we have some work to do as well. — Bill B.

It’s a little soon to have any long-term concerns with the Eagles after NFL Week 1. I’m not really concerned about points that the Eagles left on the board, a defense left on the field for way too long, or too many points surrendered to the Commanders. What is a concern is that Landon Dickerson didn’t just look not like his normal self on Sunday — even more is that in a season where Jalen Hurts needs protection — that he is now on IR. — Michael L.

My opinion is the head coach everybody always talks about that they have plenty of talent but they about his play calling. — Charles G.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Ryan Novozinsky, Jeff Neiburg, Scott Lauber, Jackie Spiegel, Gabriela Carroll, Lauren Jones, Conor Smith, and Mike Sielski.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

That’s it from me today! I’ll be back in your inboxes tomorrow morning with the best from Philly sports! — Maria