Right Now in Balls Expanded Edition: Sayonara Shea!
EAGLES: Are you ready for the football drama? Cornerback Sheldon Brown (pictured, note to couriers: not your beloved bike guru) has spoken out and, in not so many words, called super-agent Drew Rosenhaus a dick. Rosenhaus, of course, was major player in the T.O. hullabaloo following the Eagles loss in Super Bowl XXXIX. He’s now fueling the fire with his latest Eagles client, Lito Shepard. Brown says agents like Rosenhaus “ruin players’ careers” and that not agents but “players get deals done.” What probably set Sheldon off was Rosenhaus complaining that Shepard has to play third string, behind Brown, though he says, “[Drew] hasn’t followed my career and he has no film… it’s completely irrelevant.” Ouch. That’s one player Rosenhaus won’t coerce into thinking he can get a better deal made. But hey Drew, I think Swoop’s unhappy with his contract… [Philly.com]
Coming up: The Eagles season opener is on Sunday at 1pm, versus St. Louis at The Linc. If they can get through it without fumbling any returns, it’s already an improvement over last year.
After the jump, the latest on the Phils, Sixers and Flyers…
PHILLIES: Newly acquired outfielder Matt Stairs has now played for 12 different teams since 1992, including a stint with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Chunichi Dragons in 1994. (At right is a pic from his days with the Royals.) Stairs, a Canadian, made no secret of his wish to retire with Toronto. “The biggest thing…” he said, “would’ve been partying down Yonge Street. But I’ll find a new street in Philadelphia and party down there. Maybe I’ll look for Rocky Balboa.” Oh! I get it, like in that movie, Rocky, right? Because that was set in Philadelphia. And we love it, because of that fact… We really need to get rid of that fucking statue. [YahooSports]
Coming up: With yesterday’s loss to Washington, the team that had the worst record in baseball, the Phightins stand a full 3 games back on the Amazins, who completed a sweep of the Brewers, the team with the best name in baseball. With 22 games left this season, the situation looks a lot more manageable than last year’s 7-down, 17-to-go. But there are only three games left against the Mets, at Shea to boot, and the Mets have been playing really well. That’s the bad news. The good news is the Phils will send out their best weapons in Bret Myers, Jamie Moyer, and Cole Hamels, who has been moved up a place in the rotation to replace Kyle Kendrick, whose future is uncertain. The next three games could determine the outcome of the season. The great news: This is the last time the Phillies will visit the shithole that is Shea Stadium, which will soon be demolished.
SIXERS: Reading, PA native Donyell Marshall (pictured), who grew up rooting for Dr. J and Sir Charles, has been signed to a one-year deal to play for Philadelphia. Marshall calls it a “dream come true,” having idolized the team as a kid. “For it to take 14 years to get here and play for my home team, I’m looking forward to it.” Is this a trend developing? Jamie Moyer two seasons ago, now Marshall. May we predict Matt Ryan signing a deal with the Birds (er… our Birds, not those other Birds. He’s already signed with them) after McNabb retires and Kevin Kolb turns out to be a bust? You heard it here first. [Reading Eagle]
Coming up: Marshall joins a long list of new players added to a roster than turned out to be surprisingly good last season: Guards Kareem Rush and Royal Ivey, center Theo Ratliff, and the marquee signing of forward Elton Brand. Preseason opens October 8th against the defending champs.
FLYERS: Eric Lindros (pictured) has declined a chance to make amends with the Philadelphia brass, citing a prior commitment. The organization invited him to take part in an honors ceremony for former team captains when the Flyers play a farewell game at The Sprectrum on September 27th. Not that this is particularly interesting, because who really gives a shit if Lindros wants to pretend to not hate Bob Clarke for an evening anyway? But, this is the offseason and there’s not much to say, so give us a break. [ESPN]
Coming up: Preseason starts September 22nd at home against the Devils.
