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Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Should Eagles Take Lesson From Flyers?

Apples and oranges? Or just midnight green and orange?

Both the Flyers and the Eagles operate in the world of a hard salary cap, although the enormous revenue generated by the NFL makes it a lot harder to spend too much there.

The Flyers are in a league where the cap is not only holding steady, but might be falling soon.

That didn't stop the Flyers from taking a big risk, and taking on a potentially big contract, to play for a Stanley Cup win right now.

They went out and traded for Chris Pronger, giving up two valuable draft picks, a recent first-rounder in defenseman Luca Sbisa and a decent scorer in Joffrey Lupul. In making the trade, they were also unable to resign winger Mike Knuble. Heavy trade, very heavy.

But as I tried to point out in a column in today's Inquirer, it was also the right move. Because you have to take big chances and big risks to win it all. Maybe they fall flat, but they are taking their shot.

Now, rightly or wrongly, the perception in Philadelphia is that the Sixers also take big chances (albeit not the right ones all the time), that the Phillies finally spent enough to get to the World Series (barely), and that the Eagles think they play in the National Fiscal League.

Is that a fair assessment of the Eagles? Well, they have been far, far under the cap at times, and based on actual dollars spent, some studies indicate they are somewhere in the middle of the league. Looking at that, it is difficult to disagree.

Part of the reason they were way under the cap last season was that they didn't have any of those 24-to-28-year-old guys they wanted to lock up forever. And that's at least partly because they have been developing them as rapidly in recent seasons as they did in the past. Being less talented isn't the goal, but it sure saves money.

The Eagles have two months until the opening of the season. Let's see them make some roster additions that match up, in risk and possible reward, with the Flyers' trade for Pronger. Then, promise, we'll stop talking about this terrible unfair perception.

Posted by Bob Ford @ 1:30 PM  Permalink | 66 comments
66
Comments   
Posted 01:38 PM, 07/07/2009
PhillyFanSince86
What kind of changes have the Sixers taken? Are they even an NBA team anymore? The management of Ed Snyder and Ed Stefanski is the Sports version of Dumb and Dumber. With that said, the Eagles signed a big name Left Tackle this past year. They got the biggest CB on the market in Asante Samuels. They just don't seem to make that final move to take us all the way but I do think their management is smart. They keep us winning and in it at least. I just wish they would take the final step.
Posted 01:38 PM, 07/07/2009
PhillyFanSince86
What kind of changes have the Sixers taken? Are they even an NBA team anymore? The management of Ed Snyder and Ed Stefanski is the Sports version of Dumb and Dumber. With that said, the Eagles signed a big name Left Tackle this past year. They got the biggest CB on the market in Asante Samuels. They just don't seem to make that final move to take us all the way but I do think their management is smart. They keep us winning and in it at least. I just wish they would take the final step.
Posted 01:57 PM, 07/07/2009
Scott67
The Flyers are the Washington Redskins of the NHL.
Posted 01:57 PM, 07/07/2009
rwright611
Could you imagine next April on draft day the Eagles giving up Maclin, their 2010 1st rounder, their 2011 1st rounder and a conditional 3rd rounder for... let's say Randy Moss? That would be the equivalent of the Pronger "masterpiece" of a trade Homer executed this year. I love Pronger, but the trade is still insanity.
Posted 01:57 PM, 07/07/2009
DennyP
I hate to be in a position to defend the Birds' FO and I am not a Flyer hater by any means, but what have the Flyers done that's so much better than the Birds Bob? Did I miss the Stanley Cup parade? Flyers may make more splash, part of it true(Forsberg, Briere, et all), and part of it b/c the local media bends over for Ed. For all the splash the big names haven't brought the Cup to Philly. In fact, Birds get slaughtered (sometimes rightly so) for being stubborn but Flyers are much more so IMO. How about their chronic disregard in addressing the goalie situation? How about their chronic failure to sign and/or draft Eastern European players? How about eliminating the dump & chase B.S.? How about the entire organIzation, beginning with Ed, stop always complaining about being penalized b/c of a perceived NHL bias/conspiracy? At the end of the day, just win and no one but the Phillies right now can say otherwise or "teach" any lessons.
Posted 01:57 PM, 07/07/2009
KGKoons
Hobbs, great draft, just what would the Birds go after? Sign whom???? Who is out there that would be a team impacter now? Another WR? A RB? A second QB back up?
Posted 02:03 PM, 07/07/2009
jman
The answer is no, the Eagles will not learn anything from the Flyers, because the Eagles management doesn't feel it needs to learn anything. They already know all the answers.
Posted 02:03 PM, 07/07/2009
andrewfrombrooklyn
Curious. Who's out there that you'd like to see them add? Boldin? What would you give up for him? What need do the Eagles have that they didn't address in the draft or via free agency? You could say defensive line, maybe a veteran TE in case Ingram gets hurt or Celek isn't the answer in '09. But who, exactly?
Posted 02:04 PM, 07/07/2009
cujat13
Other than DE I think the Eagles addressed just about all of their needs this offseason...spending money for the sake of spending money wouldn't be any better than being well under the salary cap.
Posted 02:06 PM, 07/07/2009
senseirandy
For God's sakes, look at the two men in charge and see if you see a difference. Ed Snider, who could stare down a lion and demand the Pope refer to him as "Mr. Snider", or Jeffrey Lurie. Effeminate, nerdy little Jeff - softer than the Pillsbury Doughboy. Winners are aggressive risk takers, not afraid of failure - win at any cost. Winning defines them. They are usually hard working, self-made individuals. They don't view money as a possession, but rather a tool by which they can continue to succeed. Jeffrey Lurie was born rich. People like that view money as a possession and are not inclined to part with it.
Posted 02:19 PM, 07/07/2009
pgcd3
Wow! Is Ed Snider or Comcast paying you for this? Because that's the only possible explanation for this stupidity. You're embarrassing yourself Bob. Just stop.
Posted 02:23 PM, 07/07/2009
LJL
The only championship Lurie is concerned about winning is to die with the most toys.
Posted 02:25 PM, 07/07/2009
Prego614
The Flyers and Eagles are in the playoffs just about all the time which is really all you need. Getting into the playoffs is giving yourself a chance and then seeing what you need to win it all. But the playoffs are different in the NFL and NHL obviously. But both require toughness and luck and the Flyers seemed to lack that toughness last year and are starting to draft goalies, so they are addressing the goalie situation. The Eagles signed T.O. REMEMBER THAT! ;] That was a huge risk for them and it took them to the SB where they played sloppy and were 3pts away from winning it. Thats what happens with risk. Its also the way pro sports are today. In any sport you need talent, grit/toughness, good health for the players, luck and of course good chemistry*See 2008 Phillies* The Sixers will be in a funk for a couple more years. They are headed in the right direction from what I can see. The Brand signing isnt really that bad as its made out to be. Miller was not a good fit for this team, though some might disagree. They need a PG a shooter and a couple bench guys. They also need to learn how to play halfcourt because any NBA player can play street ball(Run and Gun Offense). The Sixers management has to catch up to the other 3 pro teams in Philly. The Phillies used to be the worst, now its time for the Sixers to step up to the plate.
Posted 02:29 PM, 07/07/2009
Bobphxville
Why would I want the Eagles to make a bone-headed move like the Flyers? Its easy to mortgage the future. The Eagles try to get rid of players like Pronger - guys with big salaries whose best years are behind them. The Flyers have yet to prove they can do anything in the era of a salary cap, while the Eagles have flourished.
Posted 02:57 PM, 07/07/2009
craig123
Flyers last won a cup in 1975, enough said. The Eagles have just accomplished something very rare in sports. They have rebuilt the entire team and kept competitive during the process. Andy's first team didn't get it done, came close, but it didn't happen. So, without any excuses or talk of any kind, they have built a new team that is now ready to show what it's got. They have spent money in free agency when necessary, big names and little names. So, let's just shut up and see what this team can do over the next few years. My guess it's going to be something special.
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About Bob Ford
Bob Ford has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 1981, and is still trying to figure it all out. A former beat writer covering the Phillies and the 76ers, Ford became a general sports columnist for the Inquirer in 2003, following in and occasionally falling in the deep footsteps of Bill Lyon, Frank Dolson and many distinguished others. He comes to the Philly.com blogosphere after award-winning success as designer/editor of the fabulous Pen & Pencil Club softball blog. Likes: Palestra, inside-the-park home runs, sunny days. Dislikes: phony people, cloudy days, rewrites.
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