"Playoffs don't talk about playoffs" Just yet !

The phillies are starting to get their fans really nervous. In there last 8 games the phillies record is 3 wins and 5 losses. Houston for some reason really seems to have the phillies number. The astros swept the phillies in Houston and opened up the series last night with a win. The phillies like to keep reminding us that their magic number to clinch the division is 3. Well last night facing a pitcher with an 8.23 era (earned run average) the phillies could only muster up 4 hits 2 of which were by Shane Victorino. The Phillies lost to the astros 8 to 2 and were out hit 15 to 4. Meanwhile the Atlanta braves are on a hot streak. In their last 8 games the braves have 7 wins and 1 loss. The braves are currently only 4 games behind the phillies with 6 left to play.  The phillies should of had the division locked up along ago. But the phillies bullpen especially the back end has been a major letdown. The guys who were known as the bridge to lidge (Eyre, Romero and Madson) have been hurt or inconsistent. Brad Lidge himself was finally pulled out of the closers role for good on Friday night. Ryan Madson seems to be the closer, but he has his periods on inconsistency. Tyler Walker the man, who blew the game on Friday night, had been the consistent piece in the bullpen is starting to slide. Last night Walker gave up 2 earned runs in a relief appearance.

Starting Rotation

The starting rotation hasn’t been on their game either. Last night Cole Hamels gave up 6 runs on 9 hits. Cliff Lee allowed nine hits and seven runs in six innings Friday in an 8-4 loss to the Brewers. And these 2 guys are suppose to be are 1 - 2 pitchers in the playoffs. Blanton gave up five runs in his last outing and he was slated to be the 3^rd pitcher in the playoffs.

Bench What Bench ?

Another problem for the phillies is they really have no bench. None of the bench guys are clutch hitters. Dobbs has the highest Batting average at .259 with a .310 OBP (on base percentage). But Dobbs has just recently come off the disabled list. Ben Francisco, who came over in the Cliff Lee deal, is batting .259 but is not a trusted pinch hitter.

My Phillies Prediction!

I think the phillies will clinch the division.  But they have to start playing some playoff baseball now. Hopefully they win their next 3 games then they can get some bench guys some at bats.

Eagles Time

The eagles beat the Kansas City chiefs 34 to 14 on Sunday. Kevin Kolb had a good game; he completed 24 of his 34 passes for 327 years and 2 td’s. Brian Westbrook did not play and he was not missed, as Lesean McCoy ran 20 times for 80 yards and a td. It looks like the eagles will finally have a 1-2 punch at running back.  Desean Jackson was Kolb’s number 1 target with 6 catches for 149 yards and a td.

Vick’s first game back went pretty smoothly. Vick was in on 11 plays for a gain of 30 yards. Vick took 10 snaps at the QB position and 2 as a receiver.

The eagles win was good but the Chiefs are a bad team at 0 and 3.  The eagles have a bye this week then come back to face Tampa at home, then Oakland at Oakland.  I think we will find out what kind of team the Eagles are when we play the Redskins on October 29^th.  After the redskins we have the giants and Cowboys and after those 3 games we will truly no if we are a playoff contender.

Random Thought’s: It said that the Braves began to play better after Bobby Cox announced he is retiring after next season.  J C Romero pitched in his first game since July last night and had a scoreless inning. I don’t know how much were going to be able to trust JC in the playoffs.

Breaking News: The Eagles signed Jeremiah Trotter to a 1 year contract. To make room for Trotter the eagles released Jeff Garcia.

Look for another Blog update on Sunday night after the Phillies Final game.

I am JH JR AND I’m out

What happen to the D?

In my post last week, I put the eagles would win as long as the defense played like they did against Carolina. An the eagle’s defense looked nothing like they did in Carolina. No one should have expected Kevin Kolb to play like a pro bowl (QB). Kolbs numbers were pretty good @ 31 OF 51passses completed for 391 yards, 2TDs and 3 Int's. Now some would say 3 int’s (interceptions) is a lot, but lets remember 2 of those Interceptions came at the end with Kolb trying to make a play. In week 1 against Carolina the eagles had 5 sacks and 5 interceptions. Against the saints the eagles had 2 sacks and 1 Int. 9 different receivers for the saints caught a pass. Drew Brees numbers were 25 of 34 passes completed for 311 yards and 3 td passes. Now the saints do have a lot of receivers that are playmakers. But there are no excuses for they way the eagle’s defense played. The eagle’s defense played most of the game like they did not care. With a young QB in there making his first start, the defense let him down. When Kolb got on the field the eagles were already down 7 nothing. The eagles 48 to 22 lost to the saints on Sunday, was the most points allowed at home since the Green Bay Packers scored 49 points in a game in 1962.

Loss of another Andrews? Stacey Andrews older brother of Shawn who signed a 6 year 38.9 million contract in the off season was out of action on Sunday. Doesn’t look like he will be back soon, as a report I read it is hard for him to plant his foot. It might be too early to call signing this guy a bust. But if you are that’s fine with me.

The Wildcat

By Andy Reid’s own account the eagles ran 12 wildcat plays on Sunday that averaged 5.7 yards a play. (For those of you who read this blog and don’t know what the wild cat is. It is a bunch of trickery plays to either score fast or to gain a bunch of yards.) The wildcat is a very entertaining package of plays. But I do not understand why the wildcat was run so much with Kolb in there. It seemed like with all the trickery Kolb could not get into a rhythm. During the game Troy Aikman made a comment like “it looks like Andy Reid had too much time on his hands this summer.” And the problem is there is probably going to be even more wildcat plays this weekend with Mike Vick returning. Something Andy Reid has to remember is the Wildcat is good but it comes with limitations. You have to find your rhythm first before using a wildcat formation. Maybe no more passes either for Westbrook in the wildcat, there should have been another 7 points on the score bored on Sunday.


Eagles Quick Notes: The eagles had 7 penalties on Sunday five on special teams. It seemed like Chris Clemens was lost out there on special teams being called for 2 of the penalties. Why have a FB (Fullback) if you’re not going to use him. Leonard Weaver did have 1 carry on Sunday, even though there were plenty of short yardage situations. Brent Celek had a really nice day with 8 receptions for 104 yards.


Phillies time: Phillies record is 87 wins and 61 loses. They have an 8 game lead in the division. With either 6 Phillies wins an either 6 marlins or braves loses the Phillies can eliminate them.

Phillies bull pen is pretty banged up right now with Scott Eyre loose body in arm, Romero strained forearm, Park strained hamstring Myers sore right shoulder and Pedro Martinez has a sore neck. Philles might need Happ to be the left arm in the bullpen if Erye and Romero can’t get healthy.

Phillies play a double header today starting at 4:10

Projected rotation PHILLIES (87-61) at MARLINS (80-70)
Today, 4:10: RHP Joe Blanton (10-7, 3.97) vs. RHP Josh Johnson (15-4, 3.01)
Tonight, Game 2: LHP Jamie Moyer (12-9, 5.05) vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez (2-7, 4.50)
Wednesday, 7:10: LHP Cole Hamels (10-9, 4.07) vs. RHP Rick VandenHurk (2-2, 4.24)

Look for the Marlins field to be pretty banged up from last nights Monday night football game. The Indianapolis Colts beat the Miami Dolphins 27 to 23.


Random Thoughts: As much as I hate Joe Buck he and Troy Aikman they did way better calling the game than last weeks announcers did. The guys from last week seemed like they were making up there own players for each team. The fox sports score tracker showed way to many baseball scores on Sunday. Sunday is Football I can hit my channel return button to see the Phillies score thank you, please just show me football.


Funny Quote: “Now I know why I’m not a starter anymore. I was sweating like a hostage out there.” Phillies Tyler Walker who is now a relief pitcher.


That’s it for now. Special thanks to Matt the P o for putting the link to this blog on his Face book.

Please keep thee feedback coming, you can put your comments in the comments section as I do read that.

Thanks I am JH Jr. and I’m out.

The Saints Come Marching In

I recently got a Text about Shawn Andrews an what I think about his situation. Instead of replying in a Text I decided to answer the question here on this Blog. Lets start with a little Shawn Andrews bio first, for those who may not know him. First of all Shawn Andrews is 26 years old. He weighs about 335 pounds an stands about 6ft 4in. He was drafted by the eagles in 2004. In 2004 he injured his leg in the first game of the regular season, and was out for the remainder of the season. Shawn returned to play 16 games in 2005 with the eagles missing the playoffs. In 2007 Shawn played the entire season, but got hurt in the divisional round of the playoffs. No one knows about 2008 Shawn was never put on Ir (Injured Reserve means can not play) but missed the entire season and post season anyway. On the first day of training camp during running drills apparently he re injured his back. He missed the entire pre season and Tuesday was place on Ir. The thing a lot of people are up set about is that in the NFL, even when you are on Ir you still get played. In 2006 Andrews signed a 40 million 7 year contract extension. Since signing the extension Andrews has only played the 2007 season. This is wear it gets confusing, In 2008 along with back problems, Andrews was apparently depressed. (I know getting paid millions of dollars to play a kids game "very sad very sad"). OK Shawn you took 2008 off from football and got paid for it. So after the beginning of training camp this year, people started questioning Andrews heart to play football. Andrews got upset at the question and said he still wanted play football. Before game 1 of the regular season Andrews was interviewed and said he was ready to play like his old self. Well apparently that was not true. By Thursday before the first game Andrews was listed as out. Then by this Tuesday was put on Ir. Did I mention in the off season the eagles signed Andrews brother Stacy to play next him. (Maybe the should of signed Mama Andrews to rub his back.) So at first you want to feel bad for the guy he is hurt right nothing he can do Well ! In this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYzDB5dXIIk) Mr. Andrews singing about get his Michael Phelps on. In this video Andrews looks really happy and fine. Yet yesterday Andrews said he hurts so much he can’t even pick up his 38 pound son. Two things to say Shawn if your gonna sing a song on you tube please learn all the words. And number 2 Eagles after this season please part ways the big kid who acts like a big baby. That’s right I lost all respect for Mr. Andrews. Jon Runyan played with a bruised tail bone along with other painful injury’s. Mr. Get my Michael Phelps on just seems like he could care less about football. Hey like he says in the video, he’s got plenty of money. My last comments on this, hopefully we do not hear his name for the rest of the season. An lets hope the eagles cut him when the season is over.

Eagles Vs the Saints this weekend I think everyone is scared about the saints offense. If the Eagles D played Like they did last week I am not nervous.

Game Notes: First drive was a little slow for the eagles but after that everything went well. Good all around game from the eagles. Westbrook looked amazing thank God. Eagles scored a TD (touch down) on offense, defense and special teams. Never a bad day usually when that happens.

Other Notes: Good bye Hank Baskett and Kendra. Welcome back Jeff Garcia an Carmella Decesar. Looks like Kevin Kolb will be the a starter for this weeks game good luck to him.

Phillies Notes: Magic number is now 11 meaning 11 more wins for the Phillies and 11 Marlins loses the Phillies will clinch there playoff spot soon. So far this series against the Nationals is going good. Have to throw this in there, I was at the game on Sunday night right behind home plate and Pedro looked awesome in his complete game shut out. The Mets fans were scared to even go to the ballpark on Sunday night as they were all putting there tickets on stubhub.

Random Thoughts: Kanye West is an asshole he is just jealous of Taylor Swift. If you look at Taylor's performance you can see my dad. The president calling Kanye a jackass was awesome. Hope fully the new back round colors will be easier on CP's eyes

That's it for now thanks for reading. Please keep the feed back coming and please tell your friends about this blog.

I am JH JR and I'M out

Are U Ready for some Football ?

Well Sunday is the big the day are precious Eagles return. The NFL season starts tomorrow night with the Titans vs the Steelers. Is the Eagles roster finally set who knows. With the recent acquisition of Alex Smith to play tight end and the release of Tony Curtis, the only thing we know for sure is that some one else will be off the roster either by trade or by cut for Vick. I think Tony Curtis looked good in the preseason and I don't understand as many, why they cut him with only two other tight ends on the roster. Brian Westbrook said today that he looks to play like the old Westbrook this year. I am personally not worried about Westbrook being 30 and his play starting to slide. I look at it like this guys like Shaun Alexander who turned 30 and his career started to turn, was on a more run oriented football team, as were the others. Westbrook is on the eagles who have the philosophy to pass an pass again. Our Line backers without Bradley might be hard to watch at first. Look for a lot of missed tackles. Joe Mays will be out it looks like so Omar Gaither will start. I look at the eagles an I do not see a super bowl team. I am sorry but a team whose players even admit that there not in a rhythm with each other yet, is not a super bowl bound team. Our starting offense line has yet to play with each other fully. Shawn Andrews says he wants to play foot ball but hes no Jon Runyan. By that I mean he hurts hits pinkie an he sits out, he is definitely not an "iron man".

In an interview with Joe Banner the Eagles Gm (General manager) said he believes the Eagles are still the #1 team in the city. Hmmm who won a championship in 2008? Not the eagles. And who has a better chance of wining a championship this year? Not the eagles. The Eagles are like that little kid who always wants attention. They will do whatever they have to do to get it.

Now to Mike Vick. Wasn't he suppose to show he can do good before being reinstated. Well apparently that was a bunch of crap. All the NFL really cares about is not having him on the field for the season opener. Then the Commissioner thought about it an said he doesn't want him on the field for the Eagles home opener in week 2 either. So he can play week 3. But the eagles in all there Glory ness, stuck him on the exempt list. The exempt list means he can not practice with the team during his suspension. But Vick quoted as saying "he looks forward to practicing so he can be sharp for the third game" can only sit around an throw the a football on the side. God I hope the Eagles so called wildcat turns out to be good. My Eagles Prediction is the Eagles going 9 an 7 and getting a wild card spot.

On a list of most NFL team Net worth the Eagles were #7.The cowboys 1 and the Redskins 2. I can say an I think Matt the P O will back me up on this the eagles will not take the #7 spot happily. They will have there merchandise department thinking of new items to make more money. Behind the scenes they will be hard at work to move up from #7.

Eagles vs Panthers Sunday 1pm on Fox

Phillies Notes: I know I said I was only going to do 1 sport blogs but I need to talk some Phillies.
Wow Brad Lidge almost blew his eleventh save last night to the Nationals no less. I still think you need to give Lidge one more try. Because if you pull him his confidence is going to be totally shot. And not only will you not be able to use him this rest of this year, but you wont be able to trust him for the next three years remaining on his contract.Lidge looks like he lost his edge though from last year. After the first hit he gave up last night he looked scared, never a good sign for the closer. Brett Myers is looking good but he is still not ready to close just yet. And the only thing about Madson is he had his chance before and blew it.
Like I said before the season its not over yet the Mets blew a 7 game lead and the Phillies can to, especially if the play like they did in Houston.

Cliff Lee is on the Mound tonight lest hope he returns to ace form.

I look to do a full baseball blog on Friday previewing the Mets series.

Thanks for reading. Please keep the feedback Coming.

I am JH Jr an Im out.

September at last

Its the final Month of the baseball season. I think I am the only one not confident about the playoffs. I know we have a 7.5 game lead in the division, but watching the Mets blow the division leaves me to believe its not over yet. The phillies have been leaving a lot of runners on base lately. Let us remember last year in the playoffs the phillies bats got quiet. We can not rely on Ryan howard hitting 2 home runs a game every game. The weather is getting a little colder out, maybe thats what Raul Ibanez needs to play like he did in the beginning of the season.

The series with the Giants that starts tonight could be a preview of the first round of the play offs.
Luckily the Phillies only face Tim Lincecum an his 2.33 (era) Lincecum pitched 8 shut out innings against the Rockies on Friday night. When the Phillies played in San Fran Lincecum made the phillies look silly at the plate.

Luckily the Phillies do not have to face the Giants second ace in Matt Cain.

With 34 games left I am torn between wanting to lock up the division early or not. The cubs clinched 2 weeks early last year, then went cold in the play offs vs LA.

I think Cliff 1 bad start Lee will be back to his old self his next time out. The guy knows how to pitch an unless you are Cole Hamels you do not forget.Cole was good last time out though so lets hope he heading in the right direction for the playoffs.

I want to touch on JC Romero real quuick. On comments on other websites people say he is off the roids and he has lost it. I can not really disagree. Romero was only in about 20 games after his 50 game suspension, an to me he did not look like the JC Romero from last year.

To Brad Lidge now, if shaving his head is going to help him somehow, I hope he shaves it before every game. Lidges sliders on Sunday night looked like he was back to himself. I am one that believes staying with Lidge will pay off. The 9 blown saves Lidge has this year, just reminds us of him being perfect 48 for 48 last year was amazing. Especially for Lidge playing in the phillies small ball park. As Braves catcher Brian McCann called it a "Little league field."


Pitching match up for Giants series.

Tonight: SF Jonathan Sanchez, LHP (6-10, 4.27) vs. Cole Hamels, LHP (7-8, 4.52)
Giants (72-59)

Wed: Tim Lincecum, RHP (13-4, 2.33) vs. J.A. Happ, LHP (10-3, 2.63)


Thursday: TBA vs. Pedro Martinez


Random Thoughts: Eagles have to cut the roster down to 75 today I do not see any big cuts happening yet. They never placed Bradley or Ingram on Ir yet so they will only have to make 3 more cuts.On ESPN 950 yesterday Mikey Miss asked who an why would you want Vick's autograph, (I know I dont). My next blog will be football related an I will touch on Vick again.
Recently got to meet Riley Cote (Lw) an Ray Emery (G) of the Flyers. Cote has to be one of the nicest people ever, and him talking about how Crosby is a Pu$$y was hilarious.

That's all for for now. Anything you want me to talk about leave a comment an I'll try to do a blog about it. Thanks for all feed back please keep it coming. And remember please tell your friends to check out this blog.

I am JH Jr an I'm out.