Sports Tonight: Eagles preseason begins, and homerism is welcome

It's finally here.

You've had flashes of excitement with the Sixers' having the first overall pick in the NBA draft and the Flyers having the second overall in the NHL.

Still pounding in your head, like a midnight-green sledgehammer, is what's been going on over at the NovaCare Complex – from the NFL draft through free agency, OTAs and minicamps.

What will the Eagles be able to do this season?

The first look at how things are coming together will be at 8 tonight when the Eagles open their preseason at Green Bay (TV, NBC10; radio, 94WIP).

Personally, the preseason is when I don't mind some homerism from the broadcast booth.

The exchange for some occasional cheerleading is that I get to hear from guys who know what the Eagles have been doing what in training camp and how it's translating to play on the field.

I want to know who can play, and Eagles preseason television analyst Mike Mayock is one of the best talent evaluators in the business.

Sideline reporter Dave Spadaro and radio announcers Merrill Reese and Mike Quick are employed by the Eagles, but they are also at practice every day.

There are a lot of players in camp right now, and I want to hear from guys who actually know what's going on with the Birds. You can't get that from a national guy who comes to South Philly the day before the game.

If for some reason you don't want the watch the Eagles or see the Phillies play the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park (7:05; TV, CSN; radio, 1210 WPHT), the NFL Network offers the Denver Broncos at the Chicago Bears at 8.

Tell me if this sounds familiar: A team signs a veteran quarterback to a big contract but then moves up to the No. 2 overall pick in the draft to select a quarterback. In March, Chicago signed free-agent quarterback Mike Glennon to a three-year, $45 million deal. In April, the Bears gave up two third-round picks and a fourth to swap first-round spots with San Francisco.

They moved up from third overall to second and drafted North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

Change Glennon to Sam Bradford and Trubisky to Carson Wentz, and that's just about what the Eagles did in 2016.

Ahead of the Eagles' preseason opener, staff writer Zach Berman breaks down what you should look for from the Birds.

A year after the death of La Salle basketball legend Michael Brooks, columnist Mike Sielski delves further into the mystery surrounding his disassociation from Philadelphia and the United States.

Most college stars are never going to survive in the NBA, but there are professional opportunities in other countries. Staff writer Mike Jensen tells how former Temple stars Lynn Greer and Lynard Stewart are teaching local players how to thrive while playing overseas.

Staff writer Matt Gelb writes that hot prospect Rhys Hoskins has been called up and is expected to play in left field tonight against the New York Mets.

Oh, the up-and-down life of Lenny Dykstra. On Monday, staff writer Rob Tornoe noted Dykstra's moving tribute to Darren Daulton on Facebook.  Today, Tornoe gives us this.

Over at ESPN.com, former Inquirer columnist Stephen A. Smith gives his take on Sacramento Kings forward Zach Randolph's being arrested for the intent of selling marijuana, as only Smith can. Stay away from the weed!!!

UCLA Heisman Trophy candidate Josh Rosen created a stir earlier this week when he took college football to task for not caring enough about education. Washington Times columnist Deron Snyder says Rosen makes a good point.

ESPN.com rates the job security of every NFL coach. Doug Pederson isn't on a hot seat, but it is not cool, either.

In the big picture, it's just one of 41 home games for the Sixers, but considering what fans in Philadelphia have gone through over the past four seasons, it's offensive that the franchise agreed to move a home game against the Boston Celtics to London.

I understand that with young stars in Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz and Dario Saric, the development of the Sixers is expected to be one of the exciting stories of the 2017-18 season. A game overseas is a good marketing and branding tool for the club.

Still, the Sixers are setting a record for season-ticket sales and taking away a matchup against a historic rival that is an elite team in the Eastern Conference doesn't seem fair. It's not about refunding the ticket price.

"Our events have become an annual event for basketball fans across Europe to come together and share their passion for the NBA," league commissioner Adam Silver said of the Jan. 11 game.

Yeah, well, what about the passion Sixers fans have shown while the team stunk and the league practically denied it existed?

Baseball
Mets at Phillies, 7 p.m. (CSN; WIP-FM 94.1, WNPV-AM 1440)
Royals at Cardinals, 7 p.m. (MLB Network)
Dodgers at Diamondbacks (joined in progress), 10 p.m. (MLB Network)

NFL Preseason
Eagles at Packers, 8 p.m. (NBC10)
Broncos at Bears, 8 p.m. (NFL Network)

Golf
U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, 6 p.m. (FS1)

Little League Baseball
Great Lakes regional, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Mid-Atlantic regional, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
West regional, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

WNBA
Phoenix Mercury at Dallas Wings, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

Baseball
Phillies vs. Mets, 7:05 p.m., Citizens Bank Park

Minor League Baseball
Charlotte at Lehigh Valley, 7:05 p.m.