I've got some autographed jersies I'm not hanging on to any more...

MCCOY - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280710213446&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

JACKSON - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280710212111&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

MACLIN - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280710212446&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

CELEK - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280710212985&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

CUNNINGHAM - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280710211229&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

RYAN HOWARD - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280710209892&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

So, with the probable impending date with the Evil Empire, what are you guys feeling for a rotation?  It's obvious that right now Cliff is the man, but do we want to start him in Game 1?  Let's look at this carefully...  The Yankees are using a three man rotation, assuming we use the same rotation we used in the NLCS, the matchups would look like this:

• Sabathia vs. Lee
• AJ vs. Cole
  
• Pettite vs. Pedro
• CC vs. Cupcakes
• AJ vs. Lee
• Pettite vs. Cole
  
• CC vs. Pedro

Let's be honest...  Games 1 is a toss up and right now AJ looks sharper than Cole.  Throw in that Pedro will be a bit of a wild card in Game 3, and then we get CC versus Cakes in Game 4.  I'm not really feeling this.  However, if we start Cole in Game 1, I think we have a better pitching matchup for the series as a whole:

• Sabathia vs.Cole
• AJ vs. Lee
  
• Pettite vs. Pedro
• CC vs. Cupcakes
• AJ vs.Cole
• Pettite vs. Lee
  
• CC vs. Pedro

The goal for Games 1 and 2 should be a split.  I'd rather take our chances, and perhaps put the chips on Game 2, where Lee should have an advantage over AJ.  If we split and go to Philly 1-1, good.  If Cole puts together a gem in Game 1 and we steal that too, even better.  I'd look to exploit Game 2 and hope that Pedro shows up in Game 3.  I think we have the advantage if we're 2-2 when we roll around to Games 5 and 6.  Hopefully we get a good performance from Cole in Game 5 versus AJ and Lee should be able to outlast Andy in 6. 

Thoughts?

Additionally, I've been thinking about the Cole Hamels situation.  Now, I'm going to throw out an theory which I neither have the time, resources, or talent to test.  But if you do, by all means please follow through.  We've looked at metrics over and over to show that, besides a hugely inflated BABIP, Cole is the same pitcher.  Well, I think that's exactly the problem; he's the same exact pitcher as last year and the opposition has adjusted.

We've been assuming that the inflated BABIP is due to a mixture of luck and some defensive lapses, but other than luck, what affects BABIP?  I say the quality of swing and contact on the pitch that's put in play.  So is it just luck that the little grounders to Jimmy and Chase from last year are now shots in the hole?  Is it luck that the lazy outfield flies are now gap shots?  Or is it that Cole has become so predictable that the opposition can sit on pitches in certain counts and put better quality swings on the pitch?  I think this might be the case...  which would explain why all of the other metrics are the same as well.

There's a way to test this, but it would take some work.  I think this problem is most prevalent on the following counts: 2-0, 1-2, and 0-2.  Practically everyone knows Cole loves the 2-0 change up.  If I can sit at home and call it, do you think the hitter knows its coming?  He's fallen in love with it.  What about 1-2 and 0-2 you say?  I've noticed that Cole is giving up lots of hits (especially HRs) in pitchers counts.  Again he's predictable.  He doesn't mix in the curve enough and his change is his bread and butter for his put away pitch and when down 2-0.  I know it's coming, and so does everyone else.  His fastball isn't overpowering, so I think they're sitting on the change in these three counts and just fouling off fastballs until they get it.

Anyone have the tools and the talent to take a look at Cole's pitch selection in those three counts this year versus last year and the BABIP as well?  Something tells me that when hitters had more guessing to do last year, the BABIP was way down here.  Also, I would bet his pitch selection in these counts is similar, but the BABIP is huge.  And that's especially bad for 1-2 and 0-2 counts where he should have the advantage.

Thoughts?

I know this was reported yesterday, but it's still worth mentioning.  Jim Johnson seems to be doing well with his cancer treatment.

All of the NFL attendees at Playboy's golf outing got shiny new Tasers.

Hopefully for the Bills, Marshawn Lynch was in attendance so he can avoid any future three game suspensions.

It doesn't seem like Troy Aikman was every too thrilled about the T.O. experiment.

This is a few days old, but it's pretty funny.  Plus, wide receivers and hot girls... sign me up.

Well geez, I guess these could double as a boat anchor in a quick pinch.

And, just for good measure, here's some Megan Fox from the new Transformers movie.

One issue that is currently under discussion at the NFL Owners Meetings in California is the topic of regular season expansion.  For the fans, this would be fantastic.  Who wouldn’t want an additional game to watch?  I’m sure the players have to qualms with this topic, but that’s to be expected.  For the owners, again, this is a winning situation; another game to reign in the profits.  If this were to move forward, the preseason would be reduced.  This would result in some of the younger players not seeing as much action (as they normally find the bulk of their playing time during preseason games).  So what’s the solution?  Why the resurrection of NFL Europe (or some sort of developmental league), of course.

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Right now, the Eagles sit and wait for the draft.  Could there be a huge deal in the works for a receiver that the fans covet?  Sure, but it seems far more likely that the receiving corps that you presently see will pick up a rookie in the draft at some point and move forward.  In all honesty, barring a late veteran signing for depth, if you add some rookies to the current roster, that’s probably what the 2009 team will look like.  After handing out a pair of one year contracts to two safeties and a one year deal to Leonard Weaver, we currently sit around $35M under the salary cap.  We look at our veritable cornucopia of draft picks (far too many to utilize), put two and two together and come to the conclusion that we must be trading for a marquee player.  Add the fact that we recently shipped Greg Lewis to the Patriots and the conclusion is that we must be targeting Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards, right?  If not, the only other reason to hold onto all of this cap space is that it just provides more padding for Jeffrey Lurie’s money mattress, right?

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I was reading part two of Spadaro's interview with Andy Reid on PE.com this morning.  Just like part one, it was some pretty vanilla stuff covering issues that we already know existed.  Of course, a question about the quality of our wide receivers popped up.  Andy gave a very general answer, as always, and that's fine.  The one aspect of his answer that stood out to me was the way he addressed Jason Avant.  He seems to be very high on young Jason, and I can understand why.  However, the part that stood out was the mention of Avant having sports hernia last year.  This hit me a little bit, as I was unaware of it.

We should all know what sports hernia is at this point, but if you don't, it's a situation that occurs in the lower abdomen.  The muscles or tendons in the lower wall weaken and allow a pouch to form.  As we should all know by now, the treatement for this is surgery.  Depending on the severity, surgery can be a simple snip and sew situation, or in McNabb's and Curtis' case, meshing is inserted to strengthen the area.

The recovery period from this type of injury is about six to eight weeks, but in all honesty, full recovery can take almost twice as long.  To be honest, I don't think I ever heard of this type of injury until McNabb, and now it seems like we see atleast one player every year on the Eagles wtih it, but I don't see the same trend around the NFL.  Since 2005, McNabb, LJ Smith, Curtis, and now Avant have had this surgery.  Seems odd that there's such a large concentration here and not everywhere else.

By now, we're all aware of the tragic death of 59 year old Mario Reyes on Saturday 
morning in Miami and the involvement of former Eagle Donte Stallworth.  Up until now, the information that was released regarding the incident portrayed it as a horrible accident that claimed the life of an innocent civilian just after the start of a beautiful Miami morning.  Stallworth was said to have been deeply saddened by the tragedy and was more than cooperative with law enforcement officials.  Things may have taken a turn for the worse.

A report out of Cleveland is now stating that Stallworth had a blood alcohol content of .12, which is above the legal limit of .08 in Florida.  When questioned regarding the report, officials responded by saying that at this time the report was not confirmed, but that information would be released when they make an arrest. That sounds like a tongue-in-cheek way of confirming it without actually doing so.

Miami Beach Detective Juan Sanchez said, "That has not been released or confirmed by us. They went with that story without confirming it with us.''

Sanchez added that although results of the toxicology report are due Friday, "we will not be releasing those results until we make an arrest.''

If convicted of DUI manslaughter, Stallworth would face a 15 year jail sentence under Florida law.  It is terrible that an innocent civilian has lost his life; when will people learn?

Is Darrius Heyward-Bey on the Eagles radar?  Heyward-Bey is a 6'2" 210 pound  wide receiver from the University of Maryland.  Recently, he ran a 4.3/40 at the NFL Scouting Combine.  Heyward-Bey is coming off a pair of strong seasons at UM where he accumulated over 1400 yards and 8 touchdowns; averaging 15.4 yards per catch.

It is no surprise that the Baltimore Ravens are working Heyward-Bey out as he is projected to be a late first round pick and Baltimore, who is in need of wide receiver help, holds the 26th overall pick.  However, it seems that the Eagles are also a team that have Heyward-Bey scheduled to work out for them.

The Philadelphia Eagles have also arranged a workout in College Park, and three more teams - the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams and Vikings - have extended invitations to Heyward-Bey.   

Heyward-Bey is a player that presents game breaking ability.  He has great vertical speed and is excellent at creating seperation from press coverage.  Also, he has the ability to make tough catches with a 40" vertical leap and good hands.  Additionally, he has the ability to turn a short catch into a long gain.

A few weeks ago, I started up the Football 101 posting series with an initial post dealing with technique and gaps.  Once free agency approached, I decided to hold off on moving further into the series to concentrate on the latest rumors and signings that the Eagles were involved in.  Now that the initial frenzy is winding down, I’m going to get back to the series and get our general football knowledge database well stocked.  If you’re new to the site, you can read my introductory post here and also the first post of the series here.  Also, now that there’s more than one post and the series will be filling up fast, I’ve added a new Section on the left side of the BGN homepage to keep things nice and organized for you.  Today’s topic is going to be the Base 4-3 Defense.

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The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born -- that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.

If Warren G. Bennis was correct in his assertion, then one thing that this team should not lack moving forward is leadership.  The one aspect of Brian Dawkins’ departure that many fans fear is the leadership void that has been created.  Dawkins was the heart and soul of the team, and steered the ship when the seas were rough.  Look through Bennis’ eyes for a minute, and contemplate the reality of the situation.  We need to remember that the other members of our defense got to play with and learn from Dawkins; some as long as six years, and I have to believe they’ve absorbed some insight from him.  Let’s not also forget some of the tougher seasons that we’ve had in the past few years.  If leaders are forged in the fires of adversity, then we should have quite a few stout ones ready to step in and fill our sudden void.

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Good morning, BGN.  It’s Monday, March 2, 2009 and Brian Dawkins is no longer a Philadelphia Eagle; but the sun still rose.  So far, in this fledgling off season, Dawkins’ departure has been the hot story surrounding this franchise.  Most of, if not all of, the Eagles’ fanbase had an emotional attachment to the man that patrolled our secondary for 13 years.  Currently, emotions are ranging from anger, to disgust, to hope; and I think it’s key for us to focus on that last one. 

I did some analysis yesterday in an attempt to get a feel for what we should expect from the defense sans Brian Dawkins, but before we get into the statistics, let’s get a few things out of the way.  This, by no means, is meant as an attack or an anger-driven outlash due to the circumstances.  I’m going to be as objective as I can; although I may add some opinion at the end.  I have nothing but respect and gratitude for everything that #20 did for this team for the better part of a decade and a half, and I wish him and his family well with their future endeavors.  Now that that’s out of the way; onto the meat and potatoes.

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It's the dawn of a new day my friends, both figuratively and literally.  Free agency kicked off yesterday, so let's get a little recap of what we can confirm right now:

• Sean Considine has reportedly agreed to a 2 year, $3M deal with Jacksonville.
• Correll Buckhalter has reportedly agreed to a 4 year (monetary figures unknown) deal with Denver.
• Lito Sheppard has been dealt to the Jets for a 2009 5th round draft pick and a conditional pick in 2010 (possibly as high as a 2nd).
• Stacy Andrews has been visiting with the Eagles and reportedly will sign a 4 year, $28M deal today.  He meets with the press at 11:30EST.
• Finally, Brian Dawkins flew to Denver yesterday.  He has reportedly agreed in principal to a deal with Denver, but nothing has been signed yet. 

As far as BGN is concerned, we were highly trafficked yesterday and the Brian Dawkins thread hit almost 600 comments.  That's a lot for a non game day thread.  So join us today again, and we will try to keep you all in the loop on the breaking announcements.  It's been an interesting twenty-four hours, to say the least.  I know some of you are upset at how things are panning out so far, but like the title says, it's always darkest before the dawn.  It's still early, my friends, and more activity is sure to come.  Go Birds!

Feel free to use this thread to discuss free agency in general until something else breaks.

Free agency begins in just over three and a half hours.  There have been rumors swirling around this team for the better part of a month now.  We've heard about possible trades and hints of free agents that the team may be interested in.  So, I guess the ultimate question that we're all asking ourselves is, "What's actually going to happen?"  And although no one can really predict that, not even the Eagles' front office, we can probably make some generalizations that could hold true. 

First, we know that we have a ton of cap room, and we're going to have to use a good portion of it.  We also know that when the front office sees someone that they are interested in, they will go after them pretty hard (see Kearse, Owens, Samuel, and the pursuit of Randy Moss).  Additionally, we all know that when the front office has a plan of actiion, they're going to try to stick to it, no matter what the media and fanbase thinks.

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Strap in guys and gals, as we are about to be infused with fresh blood to run the BGN war machine.  Last night SB Nation CEO Jim Bankoff announced a deal with Yahoo! Sports that will allow the SBN family of blogs to be featured in parts of the Yahoo! Sports site.  If you would like to read the announcement in its entirety, you can go here.  Otherwise, let me grab some information to share with you.

As members of our communities or readers of our sites, you already know that SB Nation takes a different approach to online sports.  Our focus has always been on empowering fans to participate in conversations that are specific to their particular teams, leagues or sports.  We’ve watched over the years as the popularity of this unique approach has rapidly accelerated.

Today we want to welcome some new members to our flourishing communities. SB Nation and our friends at Yahoo are partnering to give Yahoo Sports audiences one click access to our sites and content.  In addition to being the largest sport property on the web, Yahoo Sports is known for some of the best general sports blogs including: Ball Don’t Lie, Puck Daddy, Dr. Saturday, Big League Stew and others.

Relevant pages of Yahoo Sports will now feature contextual links to specific SB Nation communities.  Many other pages of Yahoo Sports will feature SB Nation content and links. The great news is that more sports fans will be introduced to SB Nation sites.

If you are new to one of our communities, we welcome you.  On our websites, you’ll find unique perspectives, insightful analysis and passion for sports topics that are unrivaled.  We encourage you to read through posts and get acclimated to the tone, norms and quirks of the site you are visiting.

When you are ready, feel free to join the conversation or start one up.  Whether you create a new profile or use your Yahoo or OpenID credentials to register, one username and password will give you access to all our communities.  Each SB Nation site offers the same mechanisms for participating in the action via comments, FanPosts (a blog entry of your very own) or FanShots (a quick micro-post of a thought, link or photo.)  Before you post though, please remember, you are entering an established and ongoing community.  Your voice and opinions are encouraged (that’s what being a fan is all about after all), but as in any productive conversation, they should be presented in a manner that is courteous, civil and respectful of the culture that you are entering.

If you are an old-timer here, we encourage you to welcome and assist the newcomers. It can sometimes be challenging to join a new environment, so a helping hand is usually appreciated.  Cut the rookies some slack and spread the word about what they have been missing all of this time.   This is your chance to welcome new folks in a manner that is consistent with the type of place in which you want to participate.  You have the power to shape the type of community you want.

So what does this mean for us?  Well, right now, BGN is already one of the more heavily trafficked sites on the SBN network.  This partnership will allow us to get some great exposure due to the extreme amounts of volume that Yahoo! sees.  Posts from BGN will now appear on Yahoo!’s pages and Yahoo! users can follow the links and find themselves here.  Although BGN has had a long existence on the SBN network and has grown considerably over the years, this will allow us to reach a larger audience. 

 If you found yourself reading up on the latest and greatest Eagles news on Yahoo! Sports, clicked the new shiny link and found yourself here; welcome!  Pull up a chair, stay awhile, and join our great community.  We look forward to the influx of views and ideas that the new partnership will bring.  To the long time readers, it will still be business as usual; you just may find standing room only now, which is a good thing.  If you see a straggler lost on the BGN highway, feel free to pull over and lend a helping hand.

To get a peak at what exactly the interface looks like on Yahoo!, go here.

Welcome aboard everyone!