Author: backinphilly

Let’s Talk Horse-Racing and the Triple Crown

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I usually don’t particularly care about horses or horse-racing. However, now that I got a girlfriend whose big thing is horses, I guess I gotta deal with it. However, horse-racing has always been an interest of mine and my father’s. Specifically, we are annual viewers of the Triple Crown races.

This year, once again, there is a shot at the elusive Triple Crown. “I’ll Have Another” is chasing the title at the Belmont Stakes in a few weeks. Widely considered one of the most difficult race tracks in all of horse-racing, Belmont Park is the longest and final leg of the Triple Crown.

It’s been 34 years since the last Triple Crown horse, Affirmed. For those that remember Affirmed, he was a brutal race horse mainly remembered for his constant duels with rival horse “Alydar”. “Affirmed” won the Belmont by a nose, literally.

This race is absolutely relentless. “I’ll Have Another” recently acquired his own rival horse, “Bodemeister”, but this horse has declined the invitation to the Belmont, which lightens the field greatly.

I will be watching this race with great interest and anticipation.

NHL Playoffs-Lots of Drama in the Final Four

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Well, when I say drama, I mean in the Eastern Conference. The Los Angeles Kings have looked like an unstoppable force in these playoffs, knocking off the favored Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues. Now, they are two wins away from a Stanley Cup birth.

The only question is, who will the Kings (probably) compete against in the Finals?

Well, let me say this, I am very biased in the Eastern Conference Finals. My favorite team is the New Jersey Devils and they are fighting against the New York Rangers, who are a sworn rival. Do I think the Devils are going to win the series? Yes, but not just because that’s my team.

The New York Rangers faced the number 8 seed Ottawa Senators in the first round and it took them 7 games to finish them off. Next, the Rangers went into 7 games with the Washington Capitals. The Devils, on the other hand, went 7 games (including an incredible double overtime game 7 against the Florida Panthers in the first round) and 5 games against the Philadelphia Flyers, who were HEAVILY favored.

The Devils have a stellar offensive attack, an average defensive unit and the greatest goalie to ever step on the ice.

The Rangers have a decent offense, a nearly perfect defense and the best goalie of the current day (The Devils’ goalie, Martin Brodeur, is 40 freakin’ years old, yet still a top tier goalie but Henrik Lundqvist is insanely talented and is far younger).

This series could go either way. But, if I had to throw down a prediction I’d say Devils in 7 games. And that would take them to the Stanley Cup Finals.

So, if my predictions are correct, the Los Angeles Kings would face the New Jersey Devils in the Finals. Winner take all. Current conference finals show the Kings leading their series 2-0 and the Devils and Rangers tied at 1-1. This is gonna get very exciting.

You can't see it, but the puck is on the other side of the goalie, Henrik Lundqvist, in the net.

Worst Person in Sports #20-Juan Castillo

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As many of you readers may recall, I spent an awful lot of time trashing Juan Castillo, defensive coordinator of my beloved Eagles, last season. Now, he’s back with an even more atrocious act than simply calling the wrong formations.

First round pick Fletcher Cox was criticized by Castillo during the team’s rookie minicamp. I’m not talking about a playful criticism or a little teasing to haze the rookies. I’m talking full on cursing him out. The kid is brand new to the squad, and you’re gonna start yelling at him? Probably not the right approach.

Honestly, Cox handled it like a seasoned pro, only responding with “Yes sir, I’m gonna correct it, sir.” and “I know sir, I apologize.”

Class act for a rookie, if I do say so. As an athlete myself, I should explain that when a coach gets hard on you, it’s nothing personal. It’s for an athlete to recognize a mistake and correct it themselves.

My one massive issue with this was that Cox had no idea what he did wrong, and apparently Castillo failed to explain it. That’s just bad coaching. I always appreciate when a coach has something to criticize about my style of play. I always welcome that kind of criticism. But tell the kid what he did wrong, Juan!!!!

It’s the only way he’s gonna be able to get any better. There’s a lot of pressure that comes with being a team’s first round pick.

The NFL Draft-Let’s take a look

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Well, the NFL Draft has come and gone with a lot of solid performances by some already powerful teams. The New England Patriots added some strong defensive depth, adding Chandler Jones and Donta Hightower in the first round. The Baltimore Ravens were able to add even more depth to their linebacking core, drafting Courtney Upshaw. Even the Philadelphia Eagles had a strong draft, picking up Fletcher Cox, Vinny Curry and Brandon Boykin, just to name a few.

I am very excited for the new season to begin. I gotta wait until August to see them in action, since that’s when the preseason games start. I can’t wait to watch these teams go at it.

But of course, as is the case with every draft, there is always one just BAD selection.

That, my friends, was the Seattle Seahawks and Bruce Irvin.

Irvin, which I will take as my worst person #19, went into the draft as the number 99 overall player. He was taken in the top 15.

Even if Bruce Irvin turns out being this incredible football player, he would have been available in the second round and maybe even the third. Seattle shouldn’t have reached this far. Probably going to be a huge mistake for them.

Anyway, I’m pumped up, despite the Giants having a solid draft as well.

We are ready this year. I smell a Super Bowl for Philly!

Either that, or I smell the bust factor of Bruce Irvin.

What a year!

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It’s weird how things work sometimes. You see yourself with somebody one minute. Then, you’re with someone else the next minute.

It’s weird how this year has gone for me. I’ve made some decisions, but it’s not like I’m regretting my choices. I’ve loved every decision I’ve made this year. That’s ranging from new friends to new romantic relationships to things that happen at home to how I spend my money.

My grandfather passed away, a few friendships have died and a relationship with a particular girl has been absolutely slaughtered. With the exception of the passing of Pop-Pop, this year has been rather solid.

I have my friends, new girlfriend and family to thank for that. They stuck by me this whole year through adversity and I couldn’t be happier.

The craziest thing is….THERE’S STILL ONE MORE MONTH OF THIS!!!!!

At any rate, this was a fantastic year, yet quite confusing. There have been things that I don’t quite understand, but hopefully will soon get to realize.

Let’s finish strong and not let up just yet!!!

Brian Dawkins-The reason I am who I am

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I will cover the NFL Draft this coming week. But, being as my childhood hero just retired for the NFL, I feel obligated to discuss the retirement.

Brian Dawkins was a model football player. He was a leader on the field for his team and off the field for his dedication to the communities of Philadelphia and Denver when he signed with the Broncos.

“B-Dawk” as many refer to him, was one of the most loved athletes in the city of Philadelphia maybe only behind Rocky, who wasn’t even a real person. Brian Dawkins was the heart and soul of the Eagles for over 10 years. As long as I have been watching football, Dawkins has played. I was about just one year old when Dawkins made his debut in the National Football League.

My first memory of Dawkins is during that season, believe it or not. His rookie season, “Weapon X”, another popular nickname for the homicidal safety, made a successful open field tackle against a running back that I think you maybe have heard of, Barry Sanders.

Ya, you read that right. A rookie took down the great Barry Sanders in the open field. That was when the city began to believe.

I’d now like to share some of my favorite moments of Brian Dawkins.

I remember in an NFC championship game against the Atlanta Falcons, where the quarterback was still Michael Vick.

The Falcons were the fastest team in football with players like Warrick Dunn, Vick and Alge Crumpler.

One play in that game set the tempo early.

Vick dropped back and fired a dart about 40-50 yards down field.

Alge caught the ball. Dawkins caught Alge.

Dawk met Crumpler with a MASSIVE hit which left him down on the field for a couple minutes. While he wasn’t injured, the Falcons became demoralized, which led to an Eagles’ Super Bowl appearance.

There are so many Dawkins moments that I could dissect. But, I will randomly provide the readers with other Dawk moments as my blogs continue to come.

Thank you, Brian, for your years of service to this great game. You are the reason for my random yell into the air before every quarter of football or lacrosse that I play. You are the reason why I hit with such intensity. You are the reason that I strive to compete every second I’m on the field. Most importantly, you are the reason I have embraced a leadership role wherever I go. You taught me to be a leader. I couldn’t have asked for a better model.

And there he goes, ladies and gentlemen!

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After my previous posts of Asante Samuel being traded by the Eagles, the deal was finally finished today.

Yes, that’s right. Asante Samuel has been traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a 7th round pick.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

The sad part about that laugh is that even though from a distance this looks like a terrible deal for the Eagles after the Lions were rumored to be offering up to a second and third round pick for Samuel last year, I was laughing at the Falcons for a few different reasons.

Number 1 is that now the Eagles have the freedom to spend some money to resign DeSean Jackson. Oh wait, we already did that didn’t we? Joke’s on Atlanta. We will probably use the money to resign running back LeSean McCoy to a massive long term deal.

The second reason I laugh at Atlanta is because of the huge price they pay, literally. Their core of cornerbacks looks very similar to the Eagles last season except for one big piece.

Last year, Asante was worth about 10 million dollars, Nnamdi Asomugha was worth 12 million and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie about 4 million, which is a huge amount of money.

Now check this out.

The Falcons, this coming year, must pay Asante 10 million (being as his new contract won’t kick in immediately) Dunta Robinson is worth about 10 million and Brent Grimes just signed a 10.5 million dollar contract. Thats about 30 million dollars at one position and also the most amount of money at the cornerback position by one team in NFL history.

Will I miss him? Yes. Am I really all that upset about it? No.

I remember when the Eagles first signed Asante. I was home sick from school on the first day of NFL free agency that year. I was really excited because I heard that a few teams were talking to Samuel, one team being the Eagles, considered the favorite to sign him. My mother told me point blank, “John the team always screws us. It’s not going to happen, and I think you know that. The team is run by idiots.”

While I agree with the last part of that, Asante Samuel was signed about one hour later. I was watching in my bed with some soup on my table.

“Breaking news, the Philadelphia Eagles have signed cornerback Asante Samuel to a 6 year, 60 million dollar contract.”

“MOM! THEY SIGNED HIM! OH MY GOD THEY GOT HIM YES! I FREAKIN’ TOLD YOU MA!”

While he was an Eagle, he was one of my favorite players. I love him. I still have his jersey in my drawer at school.

I will miss you, Asante. The Eagles play the Falcons this coming season, so I’ll watch him again, just from the wrong side.

Good luck, Asante. I’m sure you’ll make the Falcons a real contender. Keep stuntin’.

Worst Person #18-Ryan Leaf

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A while back, I discussed Jamarcus Russell being a massive draft bust in the NFL, and possibly the biggest draft bust in NFL history. However, if any one player could challenge Russell for that title, it’s Mr. Ryan Leaf.

Leaf was the number 2 overall selection in his NFL Draft, one pick after NFL legend Peyton Manning. In fact, he was such a good player that the Colts originally wanted to select Leaf over Manning in that draft. However, his off-the-field issues turned the Colts off, and man, was that a blessing.

Now, Leaf finds himself in trouble with the law. Today, Ryan Leaf was arrested for burglary and possession of dangerous drugs.

I mean yea, athletes sometimes find themselves in less than positive situations. It could happen to anyone. But, this arrest was the second arrest in two days. Leaf was arrested for burglary over the weekend as well.

After being signed to such a large contract, and being highly sought after during college, Ryan Leaf has disgraced himself and the game he played. The NFL is a better place without him.

Prom Season…The Perfect Prom Couple

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This year, the prom theme is famous couples and this just BEGS to be taken out of context.

I’ve heard a lot of ideas thrown around. I’ve heard Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. I’ve heard Barbie and Ken. For God’s sake, my girlfriend tried to get me to agree to a Tom Brady and Gisele matchup (Hell no).

There’s a lot of wild celebrity couples out there.

However, you know that old saying that no couple in the world is perfect, no matter how in love they are?

I BEG TO DIFFER!!!

I know of one particular couple in popular culture that is nothing short of perfect.

Sadly, they had a very devastating breakup. But, while they were together for years, they were not only life partners, but best friends. They were a perfect team, as two partners are meant to be. They were such a beautiful couple that I won’t even insult them by using their names.

Well, I mean unless you really want to know.

Do ya?

Are you sure?

Well ok.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Just playing with you guys.

Probably the most dysfunctional couple in the history of the planet, Kobe and Shaq had their ups and downs. Judging by this picture, Shaq is having Kobe up, but he’s just begging to be put down. (see what I did there?)

Happy prom season to all. Also, to all who celebrate, enjoy the Easter weekend!

C’mon man! WE NEED HELP!!!!!

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Demetrius Bell left Philly without a contract this weekend, which is not good news for the Eagles.

Following the injury to star tackle Jason peters, the Eagles need some serious help on the offensive line, and the team brought in Bell to try and get a contract done. Unfortunately, they screwed up and missed out.

Now, the Eagles may have to focus their attention to either obtaining another free agent O-lineman or drafting a replacement for Peters.

Either way, something must be done now. This is not a good sign, but thank God (or Tebow, whichever you prefer) that there’s a lot of time before the season stops.

Time to get serious, though.

By the way readers, Sorry I haven’t been doing any worst person stories lately. I’ve been really focused on free agency and have been covering that mainly. I will be getting back to those very soon.

Enjoy this random picture of happiness for my return to the worst person stories.