There’s so much time now to ask questions, to ponder decisions, to crystal-ball the future. For the first time in quite some time, the Eagles’ fortunes don’t favor a chance to get to a Super Bowl, and as it stands at the moment, a real chance of making the NFL playoffs.
So what are those questions? Inquirer columnist Mike Sielski has a few for a team devoid of several key starters, most notably the one-two punch of its mercurial quarterback, an undaunted wide receiver, and surefire running back.
However, Sielski’s presents three different questions sure to make Eagles fans ponder.
In the forward-looking view, fellow columnist David Murphy asks the question of just how much the Eagles will keep an eye on what’s expected to be a fire sale in Indianapolis ahead of the trade deadline, and what that could mean for Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and Colts coach and former Birds offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.
A pair of back-to-back op-eds around the state of the Eagles is what we’re leading off your Thursday with, one that’ll see temperatures reach the 70s under sunny skies.
— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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❓What questions do you have for this Eagles season? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.
The Sixers had fans brown-paper bag breathing last night after squandering a 15-point first-half lead, being down by 13 at the end of the third, all before winning by five on the road against the Indiana Pacers last night.
Inquirer writer Gina Mizell wrote: Prior to the 76ers’ Wednesday matchup at the Pacers, coach Nick Nurse spoke about his revamped roster not only stringing together longer periods of good minutes, but limiting stretches of bad ones.
And as Mizell’s latest story portrays, last night’s game featured both.
With a ragtag starting lineup against the best team, record-wise, in the league, the Union battled to a scoreless draw on the road against Nashville SC last night.
The club also had the fortune of knowing at halftime that taking a point from the match would assure a trip to the MLS Cup playoffs, after Red Bull New York lost to New England earlier that night.
Inquirer writer Jonathan Tannenwald has more on the match and what happens next.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio took full responsibility for the team’s defense being less than prepared in Monday’s loss to the Cowboys. He went as far as to literally say, “I didn’t have them ready.”
On the flip side, Eagles players like Jonathan Greenard noted that the blame falls on them for not meeting the moment — particularly in the pass game — in what was a crucial loss at home in front of what’s becoming some very restless fans.
So, who should shoulder the blame? That’s a bit of what Inquirer writer Olivia Reiner explores in her latest piece.
Coming back from thoracic outlet syndrome was always going to be an uphill climb for Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. Good thing for him, a collective of his peers also recognized that.
While it’ll be two more weeks before Comeback Player of the Year in the National League, Wheeler was named the NL Comeback Player in the annual Players Choice Awards, announced Wednesday by the MLB Players Association. The Phillies’ ace edged fellow pitchers Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins and Martín Pérez of the Braves.
With a condition that has meant the end for several MLB pitchers, Wheeler went 14-5 with a 3.00 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 162 innings. Inquirer writer Scott Lauber has more on what the distinction means for Wheeler.
On this date
Oct. 29, 2008: Philly became a party after the Phillies defeated Tampa Bay in Game 5 of the World Series. Cole Hamels was awarded Most Valuable Player, and Broad Street became bedlam after the team collected just their second-ever World Series title in their 126-year history.
“It used to be, ‘Oh, we got so many new guys.’ Everybody does. So now it’s a matter of how do you get the group to come together as [quickly] as you can?” — Temple head men’s basketball coach Adam Fisher on the revolving door that has become college basketball in the aftermath of NIL and the transfer portal.
What you’re saying about Philly sports
We asked: If you could be the GM of any Philly team, which one would you pick and why?
If I were given the opportunity to be a general manager, I would pick the Phillies, who are the team I feel that I am the most familiar with. But in reality, no matter how much we fans think we know or know what should be done, I think we would find ourselves outmatched and underqualified when we actually started to go to work. — Everett S.
Without a doubt, I’d toss Howie out and pick the Eagles. Not saying that I could do it better, but can’t be any worse than what we’re working with currently. I for sure would look after the welfare of my players so I can keep them on the field and give us a fighting chance. — Paul K.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Mike Sielski, David Murphy, Gina Mizell, Jonathan Tannenwald, Olivia Reiner, Faiyaad Kamal, and Scott Lauber.
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.
No shortage of stuff to talk about. I’ll be back tomorrow with more to get you ready for the weekend. Also, is anyone else wowed by the accuracy of the actor playing Sylvester Stallone in the upcoming movie, “I’ll Play Rocky?” Spitting image. — Kerith
