🦅 Doing Jalen dirty? | Sports Daily Newsletter
And what your Premier League team says about you.
It’s Thursday. LeBron James is still playing with our emotions, the Phillies had another hard time figuring out the Dodgers, and we’re still about three-plus weeks away from getting an early look at the Eagles.
Let’s stick with that last part, because we want to gauge your thoughts on the news that Birds quarterback Jalen Hurts doesn’t rank within the Top 10 of NFL quarterbacks — yet again, according to league executives, coaches, and scouts.
It’d be a debate until you realize that QBs like Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, Jared Goff, and (wait for it) Dak Prescott beat out the former Super Bowl MVP. In fact, one pundit, former NFL linebacker Manti Te’o, said that, “Jalen Hurts is at his best when [Eagles rusher] Saquon [Barkley], in 2024, was running crazy.”
Anyway, that’s just some of the chatter about the Eagles ahead of training camp. The good news? If the forecast is correct, we are looking at potentially a picture-perfect day, with sunny skies and highs in the low 80s.
— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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❓Do you think Jalen Hurts is a Top 10 NFL quarterback? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.
Three weeks. That’s how long basketball fans have waited to see where James will take his talents next. But it’s not just fans; the league also waits with bated breath as the second wave of NBA free agency has hit pause and the league schedule-makers can’t round out the 2026-27 season.
What we know: Philly is still in the running to win the LeBron sweepstakes.
What we don’t: Whether or not real estate agents from Moorestown, N.J., to the Main Line will have to start dusting off their vacant luxury properties.
What we’re wondering: Did an alleged mistake by the Miami Heat social media team serve as foreshadowing that LeBron might move back there?
What we have: The latest LeBron news courtesy of Inquirer writer Gina Mizell, on what’s being said and how it relates to his chances of joining the Sixers.
Uar Bernard is an absolute freak of nature. But is he a football player? Furthermore, is he an Eagle? That’s the latest question as our Eagles team continues to analyze the new faces in the Birds’ player pool ahead of the season.
Bernard, the seventh-round draft pick from the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, impressed scouts with his athleticism and the fact that he’s a mere 6% body fat at 306 pounds. Inquirer writer Ryan Novozinsky dives into what more he’ll need to do at the defensive tackle position to see him in Eagles green.
What we’re …
👏🏽 Applauding: Over 66 million Americans watched the World Cup final, setting a record.
💻 Reading: ESPN’s story on how coaches are feeling slighted despite the NFL’s “Rooney Rule.”
🤔 Wondering: Will Charlie Woods try a cheesesteak while in the area for the U.S. Junior Amateur golf championship this week?
⚾ Sharing: Here’s what kept Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh out of the lineup last night against the Dodgers.
Sad that the World Cup is over? Honestly, so are we. And with the Union still trying to crawl out from the bottom of the standings in Major League Soccer, looking for another team to support isn’t a bad thing right now. Ever wonder what English Premier League team suits your personality? Ever wonder if the EPL team you support is the right one? Take our quiz based on your sports personality to find out.
The Union return to league action Wednesday night against the rival Red Bulls New York turned out to be a successful debut for interim manager Ryan Richter.
On this date
July 23, 2023: Former Phillies slugger Scott Rolen gets inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
VAUGI STADE
Today’s word jumble is for the local (and really, hyperlocal) baseball fans in the area. This former Malvern Prep star and current ACC Player of the Year after his sophomore season at Louisville just received a spot on Team USA. Think you know? Take a guess and then click here to see if you’re correct.
What you’re saying about the Phillies
We asked: How do you think the Phillies should address their fifth-starter spot?
Trade [Andrew] Painter to the Red Sox for Ranger [Suarez] — Bill M.
We have no fifth starter. Zero wins the entire season. Kinda late in the year to figure it out. Actually, we barely have a fourth starter in [Aaron] Nola. Let’s face the facts. As we get down to “Magic Number” time, there will only be three starters, especially if we make the playoffs. Not having someone in triple-A they could bring up is a disgrace. — Ronald R.
Easy. Move Nola to the bullpen for middle relief, get another starter, go with four and use Nola when you need a fifth. That solves two of their problems. — Richard K.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Sam Morris, Matt Mullin, Ariel Simpson, Ryan Novozinsky, Owen Hewitt, Lochlahn March, Jonathan Tannenwald, Gina Mizell, Lauren Jones, Conor Smith, and Mia Messina.
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.
Appreciate your time as always, Philly. We’ll be back in your inboxes tomorrow to get you set for the weekend. Enjoy today. — Kerith