Category: Sports

Well it has happened before so take a deep breath and get over it.  Like that relationship you had that knew eventually was coming to an end but didn’t want it to, Brian Dawkins has went the way of Steve Carlton, Charles Barkley, Reggie White, Randall Cunningham, Eric Lindros and Allen Iverson.  Dawkins signed a five year deal with the Denver Broncos last week.

There’s a lot of sentiment in Philadelphia about the Eagles “shouldn’t have let him get away”.  Well it’s not like the Eagles didn’t extend him a contract offer.  Brian Dawkins could have accepted the Eagles offer (whatever it was).  Instead he chose to go for more money and more years.

Can’t blame Dawkins for taking the payday but you also can’t blame the Eagles for not doling out booku bucks either.  The simple truth is the Eagles did not remain competitive over the last decade by handing out huge contracts to aging veterans like Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor.  They did it by locking up young talent long term (usually for a discount).

Yes everyone would much rather have Dawkins retiring with the Eagles, but life goes on.  Brian Dawkins was not the Brian Dawkins of 2002 in the beginning of the 2008 season.  When he got beat badly a couple of times by Terrell Owens in the Eagles first Eagles vs Cowboys meeting, Philadelphia was calling for Dawkins removal from the starting lineup or at least bracing for his departure this offseason.  So don’t be a hypocrite.  Don’t cry now about it but in October you were ready to throw him out like yesterdays newspaper.

Yes Dawkins played inspired at the end of the season.  I think that has more to do with Jim Johnson finding innovative ways to use him without depending on him heavily in coverage, mostly blitzing.

So get over it.  Dawkins chose to leave the Eagles and the Eagles didn’t break the bank to keep him here.  There’s fault on both sides but don’t think the Eagles wouldn’t have had him on the team had he signed the contract.

After signing a 3 year $31.5 million deal with the Phillies in the off season, I offer the question was it worth it?
How much longer can Raul Ibanez keep up the 100 RBI pace? He is turning 37 this year and for most people not named Barry Bonds or juicing this is the down side of their careers. I know Ibanez has posted good batting averages over the course of his 13 years, but this has been in non-pressure situations and for teams battling for last place. Ibanez has made the playoffs twice – 1997 where he had 26 At Bats, and once again in 2000 where he had 140 At Bats and hit .228.

How will Raul Ibanez react to facing left handed specialists every night? In Seattle, Ibanez did not have to deal with being “the man” but that pressure to perform is on Ibanez since he signed his multi-million dollar contract. Hey, I am the first one to say I hope Raul Ibanez has a career year, but I don’t see it happening. I believe the Phils got to excited and jumped the gun on the market.

Milton Bradley, Rangers/Cubs, 3 years, $30 million
Adam Dunn, Diamondbacks/Nationals, 2 years, $20 million
Pat Burrell, Phillies/Rays, 2 years, $16 million
Juan Rivera, Angels/Angels, 3 years, $12.75 million
Bobby Abreu, Yankees/Angels, 1 year, $6 million
(per David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News)

I really can’t believe Raul Ibanez is making the most money on this list. He has averaged 105 strike outs a year for the last 4 years. Not to mention his OBP is .30 points less than Pat Burrell’s over the last 5 years.

Listen I am not going to sit here and criticize the Phils. We won the freakin’ World Series! But I just don’t know if this was the right move.