The700Level.com - Philly Sports & Minutiae

Donovan McNabb on Asante Samuel as Well as His Thoughts on the Tower of Terror

McNabbb took a few minutes out of his "vacation" down in Florida for ESPN The Weekend to chat with... ESPN! about the Eagles newest corner, Asante Samuel.  You can watch video of the full eight minute segment after the jump.

"People do like me I guess, " joked Donovan McNabb when asked about the rumors about Baltimore and other teams having interest in number five this off-season.  Like many Philly fans, I'm a sucker for any news mentioning number five, but I have to say, I'm not feeling that bucket hat.

Fun fact learned: Donovan McNabb is a member of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees.

Flyers Rick-Roll DiPietro and Isles

Three wins in a row marks a winning streak, and after dropping 10 straight, the Flyers look to be back on track with a dominant 4-1 win on Long Island today.

Chris Clemons Signs

Chris Gocong is going to have a little competition for this year's Slashie award, as the Eagles have signed DE/LB Chris Clemons to a 5-year deal. Despite playing only 37% of the Raiders snaps last season, Clemons put up 8 sacks, which actually leads this year's free agent class. He doesn't have a whole lot of size for a DE, and he's not a big name, but there aren't really any great ones available this year, and anyway, what did big names mean with Jevon Kearse, and to a lesser degree, Darren Howard? Jimmy Johnson likes players who can be used in different places and sets, and Clemons definitely fits that bill. It'll be great to see if the pressure he adds leads to some Asante picks.

Only a Third of the League Showing Interest in Walker

Want the Eagles to sign the recently cut Javon Walker? If so, how much of the cap space do you think is acceptable to spend on the receiver? Because although he'd be a nice fit with the Birds, having played in a West Coast offense for years, it looks like there may be a bidding war for his services. According to ESPN:

At least 10 teams have been in contact with the agent for the wide receiver who was released Friday by the Denver Broncos, including all four NFC East clubs, according to a source.

The Cowboys and Eagles have a couple connections working in their favor in pursuit of Walker. Dallas receivers coach Ray Sherman coached Walker in Green Bay. Walker is friends with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and the two have been training together in Arizona for several weeks.

That's a lot of interest to contend with, but the Eagles have been showing some early tenacity in FA, to say the least. Also, friends/training with QB > some WRs coach.

Ryan Howard Practice Pop-In

Yeah the commercial endorsements are coming in for the Big Guy, and deservedly so. I like the little Jackass homage he threw in there. Youtube has a few more of these, and Meech has a sweet MLB The Show spot too.

Ed Rendell, Always Name-Dropping Us

At the MLS press conference on Thursday, Ed Rendell threw some great love to our friends over at the Sons of Ben, likening them to something he knows as well as anyone, "the 700 Level spirit."

We soccer fans in the area owe the Sons of Ben a sincere thanks for their efforts so far, and a congratulations on a job well done representing Philadelphia sports fans. Thanks, SoB.

Asante on Why He Chose the Birds

Eagles Add Weapon Asante Samuel

In the most beautifully/poorly kept secret of this year's free agency period, the Eagles have come to terms on a 6-year contract with former Patriot CB Asante Samuel. The deal is reportedly worth $54 million, with $6 million in incentives. With great pleasure, we have deleted our alternate post, entitled, "Eagles Get LeCharles'd Again."

Quotable: The MLS Rivalry Has Already Begun

From Bill Bender's definitive summary of yesterday's announcement regarding Philadelphia being awarded an MLS franchise:

When Bryan James and a crew of die-hard Philadelphia soccer fans traveled to the Meadowlands in June for a New York Red Bulls match, they received a spirited welcome from the hometown crowd.

None of it is fit to print.

"They were chanting, '[Bleep] Philadelphia,' " said James, founder of Sons of Ben, a 1,600-strong supporter club formed last year in the hope that the Philly area would one day get its own soccer team.

It's on! For more on the day's festivities, as well as what the stadium deal means to the Chester riverfront area, click here.

>>Philly scores big goal with MLS expansion [Bill Bender, Daily News]

The Kyle Korver Indoctrination Video

We weren't previously aware of the K2 the Church, but we can't help but want to know more.

Report on the Samuel Numbers

Looks like the Eagles Luv Asante rumors are inching closer to reality, with a deal on the table and set to go. From The Sporting News via ESPN:

The deal is expected to be worth $47.2 million over five years, ESPN reports. Samuel had been seeking a deal worth at least $10 million a year.

The dollars are pretty close to what's been anticipated, if not a little on the lower side, and we're a little surprised they were able to get him to agree to only 5 years. Nothing's official yet, but it's looking damn close. 

Tapeh Signs With Vikings

Fullback Thomas Tapeh has signed with the Vikings, as Brad Childress has targeted another former Eagle in building his team in Minnesota. Maybe the Lorenzo Neal wish list some of you mentioned is a possibility after all. With the league going further and further from using FBs actively, the Eagles may not choose to spend much to fill the position, however.

Raiders DE/LB Chris Clemons on Eagles' Radar?

We love Rumor Day, AKA the start of NFL free agency. The latest has the Eagles ready to sign Raiders DE/LB Chris Clemons, coming up short on Larry Fitz,  and moving Sheldon Brown to safety (predicated on the signing of Asante Samuel). 

Quotable: Ryan Howard on Wearing a Big Diamond Earring

"I enrolled in the 'I want to be Jimmy Rollins' classes and this is one of the prerequisites."

We totally jocked this from Phillies.com. Great to see these guys having fun at each other's expense, like we saw with Jimmy ripping on Chase's "style" earlier this week. If that mythical chemistry thing exists, this teams has is.

Photo creds to commenter Shannon! Sorry for the crop...

Rumblings: Asante Samuel to the Birds?

It's been talked about quite a bit this week but on the eve of free agency, the rumblings of cornerback Asante Samuel coming to the Eagles have grown rather strong.  Comcast Sportsnet's Derrick Gunn was heavy with the rumors this evening and Pro Football Talk is also quoting WIP's Gary Cobb as saying a deal is a real strong possibility but warns of the lessons learned in the LeCharles Bentley midnight madness.  PFT gets about as many things wrong as they do right, so we'll take that with a grain of salt.  But it looks like this is more of a possibility than we had originally thought.

Depending on the size of the deal, this is a move that could have many Birds fans scratching their heads but I'm assuming most will be happy to see the Eagles starting the FA period aggressively.

Updates below.

The Re-Debut of Prospal, and Memories of McAmmond

Recently re-acquired forward Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal will play his first game in a Flyers sweater since being traded away seemingly an eternity ago. I don't think we can expect him to keep up the enormous numbers he was producing while on a line with Marty St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, but considering the Flyers were running defensemen as forwards not long ago, he's a huge addition to their scoring ability. It's looking like John Stevens will run a line of Prospal, Briere, and Umberger, which hopefully will prove to be a productive mix for Briere.

Marty Biron will face Ray Emery of the Senators, who have been in a tailspin not unlike that of the Flyers. Despite leading their division and sitting at second in the conference, the Sens fired their head coach this week in yet another example of how short-lived most coaching stints can be in this league.

The Flyers and Senators have a pretty brutal history, with an all-out brawl a few seasons ago, and of course Steve Downie's memorable entrance into the NHL during this past preseason. Videos of the aforementioned hostility after the jump.

It's Officially Official: MLS Is Coming to Philly

It is with great pride that we finally say, "DC United and the Red Bulls suck! Eff you, FC Dallas!"

Major League Soccer unveiled plans for the league's 16th team today, as MLS Commissioner Don Garber awarded Philadelphia an expansion team that will begin play in 2010. The Philadelphia MLS team will play in a new 20,000-seat stadium to be constructed as part of a major development project in Chester, PA.

No club name or team colors revealed yet, but we're still pushing for AS Philadelphia. The release does say that the stadium will be accessible via Septa's R2 line.

>>MLS Awards Philadelphia 2010 Expansion Team [MLS]

Phillies Payroll is Their Highest Ever

With The Big Guy getting his $10 million this season, the Phillies salary total will be the highest it has ever been.  The Inquirer has the breakdown and Zolecki sums it all up rather well.

I've heard about how cheap the Phillies are ever since I got on the beat. But that argument has become a bit of a cliche. I always say this to people, "If you want to rip the Phillies about money, don't rip them for not spending enough. If you can't win spending $90 million or more, you have bigger issues. You have front office issues. (The Diamondbacks, Rockies and Indians had some of the lowest payrolls in baseball last season, but they made their league championship series.) If you want to criticize the Phillies, criticize them about how they spend their money. Because they're spending enough money to give them a chance to win a World Series."

He's got a point.  It's not that they don't spend, it's that they had horrible leadership making decisions for so many years.

My thoughts:

Jevon Kearse Out, Javon Walker In?

With disgruntled WR Javon Walker expected to be cut in Denver, rumor has it the Eagles could be one of the teams interested in his services. Walker is talented and can break a game open, but his knee problems resurfaced last year, so he's far from a sure thing.

After spending his first four seasons with Green Bay, the 29-year-old Walker played his last two with the Broncos. He had 69 receptions for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season in Denver but re-injured his right knee last season and underwent surgery. Walker returned but finished with 26 receptions for 287 yards and no touchdowns in eight games. He had 17 catches for 220 yards in Denver’s first two games before aggravating the injury.

The days leading up to free agency are always good for some speculating, predicting, and flat out guessing. Bleeding Green Nation also thinks there's reason to believe the Eagles will show interest: "I suppose smart money says that if the Eagles were so hot for Walker 2 years ago, they'd have some interest now. Not only is Walker a bigtime playmaker when healthy, he's played in the west coast offense his entire career."

We know most fans are ready to say goodbye to big-bucks free-agency–bust Jevon Kearse... What say you to Jevon Walker?

>>Walker Expected to Be Cut by Denver [Comcast SportsNet]

Did Prospal Talk His Way Out of Tampa?

In the wake of the NHL trade deadline, most pundits are counting the Flyers somewhere between the winners and the losers of St. Swapping's Day. This is probably because they didn't improve the team as much as most believe they should have, especially in the form of a solid blueliner. But they did bolster their injury-decimated forward lines by trading for Vinny Prospal, a talented scorer that Tampa Bay was surprisingly willing to deal.

Billy Wagner Has No Bones About Beaning a College Kid

Grapefruit League exhibition against a college team or no, Billy Wagner doesn't mind uncorking a beanball if someone dares cross him. With the Mets facing Michigan today, Wolverines centerfielder Kevin Cislo tried to drop a bunt on a Wagner pitch, but it went foul. How'd the aging closer react? Very, very calmly of course.

Wagner, clearly annoyed, shook his head a number of times, and Cislo wisely swung away, grounding out. Wagner said he couldn't believe that Cislo, a junior, bunted.

"If he got that bunt down, I would have drilled the next guy," Wagner said. "Play to win against Villanova."

Come on, Cislo! Don't let Wagner tell you how to play your game.

Villanova?

>>Bunt attempt by Michigan player irks Mets' Wagner [Newsday]

Scott Franzke and Larry Live! Jamie Moyer Lookin Good

After last night's exhibition game with Florida State was rained out, the Phillies saw their first live action today against the Cincinnati Reds at Brighthouse Networks Field.

Jamie Moyer has transformed himself into a fan favorite.  When the Phils brought him on a few seasons ago, most of us believed he'd be just some old guy in the rotation.  On the contrary, he was the only guy in last year's opening day rotation not to miss a start.  His leadership has been huge.  Moyer threw three shutout innings today allowing 1 hit and 3 strikeouts.  Looking forward to watching him for another season.

The most enjoyable fact of the day was actually getting to hear some Phillies baseball on the radio.  Scott Franzke and Larry Anderson are back on the airwaves.  They noted the weather in Clearwater isn't exactly balmy.  Game time temps were in the low 50s.

Pedro Feliz showed a little wood with an RBI double in the sixth.  As of 2:20 p.m. the Phils were leading 2-0 in the fifth.

Quotable: Cole Is Cool With Throwing Second

Cole doesn't mind Brett Myers being the opening day starter.  Hamels says he actually likes being number two.

"Being 24 years old, I have plenty of years of trying to chase after Jamie Moyer. I know eventually maybe I'll get one of those. But for myself, after about three, four starts, it doesn't matter anymore. Because it's every five days. It even happens where there's an injury here or three or you have an off day and you skip one of the guy's in the rotation. It just gets screwed up, so after a while everybody forgets about that."

When his back is in shape, Cole seems to say all the right things.  Get that kid a permanent chiropractor.

You can listen to audio of Cole talk about the rotation here.

Eagles Need Weapons, But Should They Be Gun Shy?

Phil Sheridan's column today focuses on the looming NFL free agency period, which is set to start later this week, with many rumors surrounding the Eagles. After watching the Sixers and Flyers remain relatively quiet through their respective trade deadlines, Sheridan notes that the Eagles surely need an A-lister, but he also cautions about the money that is often poorly spent when free agency and trading times come around.

Are the Phillies happier with Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard, or with Jim Thome and Kevin Millwood, Freddy Garcia and Adam Eaton?

Did the Eagles get more last year from Trent Cole and Mike Patterson or from Jevon Kearse and Darren Howard? Would you rather watch Stewart Bradley and Chris Gocong develop or Dhani Jones play air guitar?

As much as we Eagles fans at times look to free agency as a panacea, you have to admit he makes an excellent point. By no means does Sheridan say the Eagles should stand pat, concluding that "They need some magic, and now." Instead, he emphasizes the importance of making the right moves, which in the current market, may not be too easy.

Any bold predictions as to what might happen? What do you think should happen?

>>The Eagles could use an A-list free agent [Phil Sheridan]

Brett Myers: From Closer to Opening Day Starter

Whether Brett Myers will be the Phillies best starting pitcher remains to be seen but the team is going to give him the nod as the opening day starter against the Nationals on March 31st.  I think most baseball fans would expect Cole Hamels to be the true ace of this team and go on to have the most impressive season among Phillies starters.  It looks like the Phillies are showing a bit of respect to Myers for his years of service here.  I'm sure it could help his ego a bit as well to know he was the guy Charlie puts his faith in on day one.

Cecil Fielder Goes Surfing in Atlantic City

It's true.  Former MLB slugger Cecil Fielder will be managing just down the AC Expressway. [PWD]

Remember People: It Can Be Good

Sure it's been a rough few weeks for most of our teams.  To make that incredible losing streak hurt even more, the Flyers roster has been decimated by injuries.  There's been no real exciting Eagles news to report besides Mike Patterson enjoying the reefer.  Phillies spring training got off to a great start with their big off-season acquisition Brad Lidge needing knee surgery.  And the Sixers continue to sputter along in mediocrity.

But then last night I flipped on Comcast and saw the Phillies 2007 Video Yearbook presented by none other than Jimmy Rollins.  The hour long show is an absolutely must watch for any Phillies fan.  If you get a chance to catch it again, I'd highly recommend it.

But the last segment of the show gave me chil... goosebumps!  Seriously.  The last 10 games or so of the 2007 Phillies season is right up there for me with the Sixers NBA Finals run way back in the beginning of the millennium.  Sure, they got swept out of the first round of the playoffs but the ride they took us on just to get to that point, by winning the NL East over the hated Mets, was some of the most fun we've ever had being a sports fan.

These nine minutes do a rather spectacular job of capturing some of those emotions.  From Jimmy's triples, to Jayson Werth's steals, to Chase Utley going yard.  It was fun.  And hey, why can't we do it again?  Except better, of course.

It's Possible Boulerice Was Called Up Based on His Penchant for Pugilism

We were a bit surprised to learn that the Flyers had recalled Jesse Boulerice, but given their recent spate of injuries, their need for warm bodies was great and getting greater. We were also a bit surprised to see the fourth liner get playing time less than 5 minutes into the scoreless game, but we weren't at all surprised to see him drop the gloves on that very first shift back from an enormous suspension. And it was a pretty nice battle.

Hey how'd you like Vs. going to that sponsored in-game piece on Vanek! True, they don't know when the fights are going to happen, but those and the graphics at the bottom of the screen throughout the game were just awful. Anyway, the Flyers, and for that matter the Sabres, played with high intensity last night, with more hitting than I remember seeing for a while, and maybe we owe that to their decision to start the game off with a Bowl of Rice.

Jimmy Rollins Says Chase Utley Gets No Style Points

Jimmy Rollins, who grew up idolizing Rickey Henderson in Oakland, admits he loves a little style to go along with his numbers.  He mentions Big Papi, Manny, C.C. Sabathia, and Jose Reyes as other big leaguers who he thinks have their own things going on.  One guy who Jimmy thinks needs a little help is his double play partner.

Someone asked Rollins if his DP mate Chase Utley shows any style, and Rollins said no, but that he's working with him. With a little work, Rollins said Utley could dream to become "the face of Tasty Cakes [sic]."

And they let this guy write for SI without spelling TastyKake properly.  For shame.

I also think Jimmy is being a little harsh on 26.  The man rocks the blazer with a collared shirt and a tee.

Senior Citizens Perform Soulja Boy

To be honest, I thought the Soulja Boy had died off months ago, but apparently not.  For those who thought it may still have some legs left, the "Soulja Boy Has Officially Died."  Hilarious.

Flyers Trade for Vaclav Prospal

Less than 24 hours before the NHL trade deadline, the Flyers have acquired Vaclav Prospal from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Flyers are showing that despite their recent struggles, they're not going to be sellers at the trade deadline, picking up a bona fide scorer (and former Flyer). Through 62 games, Prospal has 29 goals and 28 assists.

The Flyers sent Alexandre Picard and a 2009 conditional pick to Tampa Bay for Prospal.

Danny Briere Wins It in the Shootout—The Streak Is Over

Down 3 in the first period, the Flyers stormed back to tie the game in Buffalo. Danny Briere had been hearing boos all night, which he must be getting used to after hearing it in Montreal and Philly lately. In Buffalo, Danny averaged more than a point a game, and there were many fans still on his side. But few were happy to see him win the game for the Flyers in the shootout, putting a myriad of dekes on former teammate Ryan Miller. As soon as we have the footage, we'll have it up.

Great game by Jeff Carter and R.J. Umberger to lead the way with the top liners out with injuries. How bad were those faceoffs tonight though? Only 24 wins to the Sabres' 46? It took a gritty performance, including a fight by Jesse Boulerice in the game's first 5 minutes, to get the Flyers over the top and help them stave off history; if they'd lost, the 11 straight L's would have been a franchise record.

UPDATE: Video of the "gorgeous" goal after the jump.

Hey Foppa, Kick Us While We're Down Why Don't Ya? Forsberg to Avalanche

For a while there it seemed if Peter Forsberg decided to return to the NHL it would be with the Philadelphia Flyers.  Nope.  Forsberg will join another club he once played for, the Colorado Avalanche.

Welcome back the NHL, Peter.  May your custom skate fit you just a little bit too tight.

I can hear Flyer fanboys everywhere crying in unison.

Digital Cole Hamels Not Awesome Enough

MLB 2K8 does not respect the Phillies enough.

Cole Hamels, SP, Philadelphia Phillies: An 85? That’s it? Come on now – for the ace of a Phillies team that stole a playoff spot last year, and one of the best young pitchers in the game, a mid-90s rating is more than deserved.

And Jimmy Rollins -- the friggin NL MVP - is only an 88.  Rubbish.  Good thing I stopped playing video games after that bout with carpal tunnel of the thumbs in college.

We Can Has Roethlisberger?

Not sure what position he'd play, but I'm game for just about anything that might end this losing streak. Via Mondesi's House (who is none too happy to see Big Ben's name on anything related to Philadelphia), we have this shot of Pittsburgh native R.J. Umberger presenting Ben Roethlisberger with a Flyers jersey with his name and number stitched on. The purists among us must also protest, as that there number 7 is retired, belonging solely to Mr. Bill Barber. The pic is actually from 2006, when a starstruck Umberger met Big Ben just before the Steelers played in the Super Bowl.

And Taking Mike Richards' Spot on the Roster Will Be...

Jesse Boulerice. You may remember him from such vicious hits as this one:

To be honest, we're kind of surprised that video won't be the last footage of Boulerice in a Flyers sweater.

Jon Stewart Got His Start At Captain Noah

So the Oscars were last night.  I caught the highlights.  Did you enjoy?  I saw three of the movies up for best picture (No Country For Old Men, Juno, and Micheal Clayton) and have to say, outof those, I thought the right movie won.  I'm just happy Juno didn't win.  Honest to blog!  But hey, nice one for Diablo.

As for the ladies, I'm partial to that doctor from that TV show who got Knocked Up and Kate Blanchett even though she always seems pregnant.  Egotastic is always a reliable source of images from award shows.

Anyway, the point I was trying to get at was that Jon Stewart apparently got his start on the Captain Noah show right here in Philadelphia!  Like us! My first television appearance was also on the Captain Noah show circa 1987 displaying my sick model of Carpenter's Hall.

Jon Stewart's opening to the Oscar's after the jump.

Ryan Parker Chronicles the Curse of Billy Penn

Brad Lidge. Surgery.

Via Rotoworld:

Brad Lidge will undergo another surgery on his right knee Monday after catching a spike on Saturday and is expected to miss 3-6 weeks.

Annnd we're off to another great start.

Eagles Interested in Asante Samuel, Only Not Really

The Inquirer's Bob Brookover writes and article today with "Eagles may go after Samuel" in the headline but if you go on to read the piece it pretty much seems to imply that Samuel's price tag will be too exorbitant for the Birds.  There are two things we know about the situation.  First, Asante Samuel is going to get paid.  Big time paid.  And two, the Eagles throw around nickels like manhole covers when it comes to big name free agents.

Scottie Upshall With a Monster Hit

One of the few positives to come out of last night's crushing defeat was this hit by Scottie Upshall.