The Kevin Kolb Sweepstakes just got a little more interesting

After the dust of the first round settled I wanted to take a look and see which teams will be pursuing Kolb when free agency starts. Let's take a look at the first 15 picks and see which teams still need QBs:

1. Panthers - QB Cam Newton
2. Broncos - LB Von Miller
3. Bills - DT Marcell Dareus <--- Needs a QB
4. Bengals - WR A.J. Green <--- Needs a QB if Palmer leaves
5. Cardinals - CB Patrick Peterson <--- Needs a QB
6. Falcons - WR Julio Jones
7. Niners - DE Aldon Smith <--- Needs a QB
8. Titans - QB Jake Locker
9. Cowboys - OT Tyron Smith
10. Jaguars - QB Blaine Gabbert
11. Texans - DE J.J. Watt
12. Vikings - QB Christian Ponder <--- Still think they need a QB
13. Lions - DT Nick Fairley
14. Rams - DE Robert Quinn
15. Dolphins - G Mike Pouncey

So of these 5 teams, let's dive a little deeper

Buffalo Bills - definitely more than a QB away from becoming a contender. They wouldn't mortgage part of their future to have Kolb lead a team that wouldn't be ready for the next 3 years or so (or ever... it is Buffalo). Trading for Kolb makes no sense. They'll go for a QB in the later rounds and add a veteran when free agency starts. Verdict: Not a trade partner for Kolb.

Cincinnati Bengals - Interesting choice here with A.J. Green. Could entice Palmer to stay, but if he doesn't, they'll definitely need a QB. Will probably draft one in the later rounds to begin the grooming process, but I would still consider Cincinnati to be a viable trade partner for Kolb. The only thing that would make me think otherwise is because they're in a division with Baltimore and Pittsburgh and wouldn't be competing any time soon. Verdict: Possible Kolb destination.

Arizona Cardinals - Boy, what an interesting pick. For a QB-needy team that has enough other pieces in place to win their division, they chose a CB. The Cardinals aren't naive enough to think they could win the division without a QB. They know they can compete and win it next year. They plan to trade for McNabb, Palmer or Kolb. McNabb and Palmer are clearly "rent" options, while Kolb would be more of an investment for their future. Peterson was an obvious choice at this pick. No one would fault them for taking arguably the best football player in the draft. However, something tells me it was a bit of a smokescreen. The Cardinals are solid at CB with McFadden and Rodgers-Cromartie and even if the position was a big weakness, QB is still more important. The other heavy favorite to land Kolb is division rival 9ers. I don't think the Cardinals want them to get him. I think Reid contacted the Cardinals before the draft, knowing that they couldn't trade for picks, but putting a deal in place that would swap Kolb for the 5th pick. He told the Cardinals to take Peterson so that when the CBA is finally resolved and free agency begins, a Kolb for Peterson deal could happen. Verdict: When the CBA is settled, Kolb for Peterson. Book it.

San Francisco 49ers - Even though Harbaugh has stated that Alex Smith will probably be one of the QBs on the roster come training camp, no one in this organization is naive enough to think he's still the future (I hope). The 9ers need a QB and badly. They will definitely consider taking one in the later rounds -- someone like Andy Dalton or Pat Devlin -- but neither are even close to sure things. The 49ers will also be major players in the McNabb/Palmer/Kolb frenzy. Two of those players are on the decline and would only serve as a short-term rental. Harbaugh is thinking long-term. The best deal the Niners could offer for Kolb at this point would be future 2012 draft picks (probably a 1 and 4). If you were offered Patrick Peterson or a 2012 1st and 4th round draft choice what would you choose? Doesn't even seem like a choice. Verdict: Likely Kolb destination, but can't match Cardinals best offer.

Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings just took a QB in the 1st round. Why would they still need one? Ponder isn't exactly lighting the world on fire. He was the 4th overall QB taken in the draft. He's a prospect. Someone to groom. He needs a strong veteran to show him the ropes. For this reason I just see McNabb as a Viking. I think the 9ers or Cardinals -- whoever doesn't get Kolb -- will land Palmer. Verdict: Possible, but unlikely.

The Dream Offseason

Sometimes it's just more fun to dream when you're awake. Here is my plan for the Eagles this off-season:

March 11th, 2011
After a triathlon of dodgeball, sumo wrestling and tickle fights, the NFLPA and league owners are still locked in a negotiating stalemate. Both agree that a winner-take-all match of arm wrestling will determine who drafts the next CBA. Each side gets to pick from the other team.

Manning motions to a sleeping Jerry Jones in the corner, but NFLPA director DeMaurice Smith has already made up his mind, "Al Davis," he says smugly.

Davis rises from his chair, incensed at their confidence. "You forgot one thing," he says. He tears off his shirt and reveals a surprisingly ripped upper body. "The older we are, the stronger we become."

Manning leans over to Brees, "Is Al Davis a vampire?"

The owners deliberate in a tight huddle so as to not let their opponent know what they're thinking. They come to a surprisingly fast consensus. "Jay Cutler."

"No. I'm not doing it," Cutler pouts.

"Sorry Jay, you have to do it. That was the arrangement," says Manning.

"Well guess what Peyton? I'm not," Cutler pouts.

"Why do you have to be such a bitch all the time?" says Manning.

"Exactly why we chose him," says smiling Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.

After several hours of prodding, calling his mother and agreeing to take him out for ice cream after the negotiations, Cutler agrees to the match.



While Cutler is younger and in much better shape, Davis is a formidable opponent. Cutler's endurance is what gains the upper hand for the NFLPA. It seems like he's about to end the match when...

Davis summons every last ounce of old man strength and turns the tables on Cutler. Cutler is mere centimeters from being pinned when he realizes something. Davis died five minutes ago. Cutler pins him for the victory and the new CBA is signed.

Football will be played in 2011.


Free agents resigned
The two most notable free agents are Vick and Mikell. Both are resigned and both take under market contracts -- because this is my dream.

As for the rest of the team. Here is who stays and goes:
RB Jerome Harrison - stay
K David Akers - stay
P Sav Rocca - stay
DE Victor Abiamiri - stay
DE Darryl Tapp - stay
MLB Stewart Bradley - stay
OLB Akeem Jordan - stay

C/G Nick Cole - peace
G Reggie Wells - peace
OLB Omar Gaither - peace
OLB Ernie Sims - peace
CB Ellis Hobbs - peace


Extending Desean
The Eagles extend star WR Desean Jackson making him one of the top 5 highest paid players at his position.

Kevin Kolb traded
Kolb is traded to Seattle for a 1st (25th overall) and 4th round pick. Fans complain, but this is an excellent haul. The Eagles then flip their newly acquired first rounder to Miami for 29-year-old RT Vernon Carey. The team does not want a rookie protecting Vick's blindspot.

Nmandi Asomugha and Albert Haynesworth signed
Still way under the cap despite resigning Vick, Jackson and Mikell, the Eagles make Nmandi the highest paid cornerback in the league while Haynesworth decides to take less money to play for newly acquired DL coach Jim Washburn. He presents no problems to team chemistry and works hard to prove he's still an All-Pro (so realistic right?)



Eagles draft OG Gabe Carimi in the 1st
He's ready to play immediately and under the tutelage of new OL coach Howard Mudd, he should thrive in our system.

Rounds 2-7
The Eagles have 8 more picks and place specific focus on strengthening the depth at LB, S, OL and RB.

With my off-season complete the team is absolutely stacked to make a super bowl run. A quick look at the starters...

DEFENSE

CB Asante Samuel
SS Quintin Mikell
FS Nate Allen* (returning from injury)
CB Nmandi Asomugha*

WILL Stewart Bradley (Moved from MLB)
MLB Jamar Chaney
SAM Moises Fokou

DE Trent Cole
DT Mike Patterson
DT Albert Haynesworth*
DE Brandon Graham* (returning from injury)

OFFENSE

QB Mike Vick

RB Lesean McCoy

WR Desean Jackson
WR Jeremy Maclin
WR Jason Avant

TE Brent Celek

LT Jason Peters
LG Todd Herremans
C Jamaal Jackson* (back from injury)
RG Gabe Carimi* (rookie)
RT Vernon Carey*

*Not on the playoff team last year

Is Iguodala Invaluable or Superfluous?

Remember when we were good Allen?

Bill Simmons just came out with his annual top 50 player value rankings. Some notable young Sixers make the "snubs" section (Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner), but the most glaring offense has to be the omission of Andre Iguodala, the Sixers' leader and best player.

Simmons' list is all about trade value and while Iguodala is not going to be winning championships here anytime soon, he is by far our biggest bargaining chip to hit the reset button and get some younger talent with potential.

Here are 9 reasons why AI9 should be in the 30-40 range on his list...

1. Iguodala is in his prime and has fully matured as a player


2. His summer on the Team USA squad morphed him into a leader. A role he is fully embracing for the first time in his career.


3. He is one of the best (if not THE best) perimeter defender in the game


4. He has never made it past the first round of the playoffs... something that should fuel his hanger (hunger/anger).


5. He can guard the other team's best player the entire game... and be effective while doing it. Pretty invaluable in the playoffs, no?


6. He has a rebound rate (9.0) and assist rate (28.6) that are top 10 at his position


7. He can be a legit 3rd scoring option for a Championship-caliber team (17.8 PER/.530 TS%)


8. He is one of the most athletic players in the NBA and this versatility allows him to guard multiple positions


9. His contract expires in 2 years with a player option for the 2013-14 season... essentially wrapping him up for the entirety of his prime

It's sad that as this Sixers team is lost in NBA mediocrity, so to is Dre's value to the national media.

Observations from a Stupid Game

I'm currently in my anger phase and although I've forsworn ESPN for a week, I do happen to have this blog to get some feelings out there.

I really felt like I did my part as a fan. I tailgated for three hours. Lost my voice around the 3rd quarter. Lost feeling in my toes around the 4th. From an outside perspective, I never gave up hope that they could pull it out. And that's somewhat true. I did think that last drive was going to end in a touchdown. But it never should have come down to that last drive. The Eagles played so terribly that the Seahawks (gulp?) are more deserving of being in the playoffs than them.

Some observations:

Third Downs
The Eagles were 5-13 and the Packers were 8-13, but numbers don't tell the entire story. The offense was unable to convert at 3rd and 3 or shorter four different times, stalling some key drives. The defense did a little better, especially in the 4th quarter, but had a costly penalty in the first half that would have forced a punt, and instead, extended a TD drive.

Penalties
Inexperience plays a large part in this, but in no way excuses it. Our team is young. Of the 11 defensive starters in that playoff game, 6 of them were not starting week 1 against the Packers and 3 of them are former 7th round picks. Maybe this issue wouldn't be as glaring had the Packers made more mistakes, but they remained disciplined and finished with 2-15. The Eagles? 7-50.

Winston Justice is horrible
Justice played unbelievably poorly. He wasn't finishing run blocks. He was collapsing nearly every down in pass protection. At one point in the game, he had 3 penalties on 2 consecutive plays, forcing Vick to convert from 1st and 25 inside our own 15. In the 4th quarter he was replaced by King Dunlap V. Most of the game, he was assigned to block sure-fire Defensive POY Clay Matthews, but to be as effective as a hologram? Winston, I have no doubt you'll play in the NFL, I just don't want you on my team anymore.

Jamar Chaney is a force
Can anyone tell that the quarterback of our defense is a 7th round rookie who made his first start in week 15? Chaney has led the team in tackles each week he has started. He was a noticeable difference maker in his first playoff game, shedding blockers and penetrating the trenches. Prediction: A healthy Stewart Bradley will be moved to WILL (his position from college), Chaney will stay at MLB and Fokou will be our SAM. I'm confident in all three of them.

Michael Vick has major weaknesses
But they are fixable. Andy and Marty need to teach Vick to read the blitz whenever the off-season happens to start. Granted, our offensive line is terrible, but almost every play where protection broke down, Vick reverted to his Atlanta days and simply tried to buy time for himself without looking down the field. If the blitz was loaded to a particular side, Vick would try to scramble the other way instead of throwing into the blitz. He seems to be looking for the big play too often when we just need him to run the offense efficiently.

The Eagles are going to be very good next year
They are the 4th youngest team in the NFL and the youngest offense in the NFC. Assuming they keep Desean, Vick and Mikell, they are still far enough under the cap to make some moves. They could and should be in the running to get soon-to-be free agent CB Nnamdi Asomugha to put opposite Asante Samuel, debatably better than Cromartie and Revis. They also have assets. Kevin Kolb will demand at least a first round draft pick in a year when many teams are looking for help at the position and the draft class doesn't have a stud QB thanks to Andrew Luck's return to Stanford. We could be in a prime position to strengthen our offensive line and secondary while retaining the highest scoring offense in Eagles history.

The only immediate gratification from a first round loss is a January and February of stress-free football watching. Maybe next year.

Year in Review: The Top 5 Moments of 2010

I hate new years resolutions. I get the whole concept of setting yearly goals, but calling it a new years resolution is too artificial for me. As soon as you get into February the local gym suddenly has half as many members, the McDonald's drive-thru line wraps around the block and that cigarette that was supposed to be the very last one becomes an afterthought. Why? Because after one month, not a single person is in that "new year" mindset anymore.

Instead of telling myself I'm going to begin the blogging process anew in 2011, I decided to look back at why I stopped in 2010.

This blog clearly lacked a direction and overall theme which caused my main issue, I never knew what to write about. When I did write about things I was interested in (All-star voting, my love affair for Iverson) I found that the research required of me to turn it into the article I wanted it to be was taking away from my main two jobs that provide me with a career and source of income. Each NFL division preview took me upwards of 4 hours to write. Direction and time.

To solve both of these issues I am changing the direction from a general topic blog to a Philadelphia sports blog. From now on my focus will be on the trials, tribulations and successes of my teams.

Here are my top 5 Philadelphia sports moments from 2010:

5. Vick annihilates Redskins; makes football look easy

In Madden 2004, you could roll out of the pocket with Vick and use their newest feature, something they called "Playmaker", to direct your receivers on the fly. Vick happened to be the fastest on the field and any novice could easily buy an extra two or three seconds, an eternity for a QB.

The effectiveness of this play was akin to scoring goals in NHL '94, where you could take nearly any player, swoop down the boards and cut across the ice in front of the crease because the goalie couldn't move laterally. It was the cause of many fights in my household and led to a rule that you couldn't score goals that way.

Ten years later and we had a similar rule. NO VICK. He was too cheap. Too dynamic. Too prolific in his ability to score.

So on the first play of a frigid Monday night in November in DC, a game that was supposed to be a tightly contested match between division rivals, Vick went into video game mode and left the Monday night broadcasting crew without any proper adjectives to describe what they had just witnessed.

The eagles set team records for largest lead by a road team in a quarter (28-0) and most points in a first half (45). They also set a team record for total yards in a game (592).

Vick became the first player in NFL history to have over 300 yards passing, over 50 yards rushing, 4 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs. He did this while having no interceptions or fumbles (and up until this point in the season he had no interceptions at all).

4. Cliff Lee spurns Yankees; Takes less money to play for Phillies

By far the most unexpected story in Philadelphia this year. Consider the Phillies as an organization before 2007. Until Jim Thome in 2003, they had never been able to sign a premier free agent. They were the losingest franchise in history (across all sports) and the first to reach 10,000+ losses. They had not been to the playoffs since 1993.

Since '07? Four straight division titles, two NL pennants and a World Championship. To say that this franchise has completely turned itself around is a gross understatement. Roy Halladay took less money than his market worth to play here. Cliff Lee turned down $50 million and two years to play here. Cole Hamels is now our #4 starter.

The Phillies have become a complete powerhouse in the NL, but I still laugh at people who suggest we are the Yankees and Red Sox or that we are simply "buying" our teams. The Phillies became a powerhouse the old-fashioned way. It's what every franchise dreams of doing. They used homegrown talent (Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels) and surrounded themselves with key role players. They gave Jayson Werth a second shot after a failed stint with the Dodgers. They sniped Victorino from the Rule 5 draft. They built a great new ballpark to accommodate a fan base that was sick of Veterans Stadium. The Phillies began selling out game after game and soon the payroll grew because revenue was growing, not because of an owner with bottomless pockets.

Sorry New York, entitlement is earned, not inherited.

3. Roy Halladay tosses the 2nd Playoff No-No in History... and I was there

When I listen to my dad talk about the Mike Schmidt led Phillies in the '80s or the Bobby Clarke Broad Street Bullies of the '70s, I can hear the excitement in his voice. He was there. He lived it. When he talks about it you can tell that it conjures up those same incredible feelings he felt way back before he had me.

Now I have one of those moments. I remember standing with 46,410 other people, including my friend Dan who took me to the game, screaming out what was left of my voice as I worked on my 4th or 5th beer. I remember Carlos Ruiz dropping to his knees to field a broken bat bunt. I remember celebrating so raucously that I spilled beer on the entire row in front of me. I remember singing high hopes and high-fiving nearly everyone in site as we exited the ballpark.

The fact that this moment is only #3 on my list makes me feel incredibly spoiled. It was a great year for Philadelphia sports indeed.

2. Miracle at the New Meadowlands

I was at my old stomping ground in San Francisco, a Philly bar called Jake's Steaks in the marina. They do it right. There is a mural of boathouse row painted across all the walls. A large banner hangs above the back wall and reads "Welcome to Eagle's Country." The employees have Phillies t-shirts. They import Amaroso rolls and cheese whiz. There is a case of Tastycakes behind the counter. I watched nearly every Eagles game there over the past two years. I watched the Phillies win the World Series there in '08. I know the owner and nearly all of the regulars. When the Eagles score touchdowns, they play the fight song and toss green jello shots out to all of the patrons. It's simply a great place to watch the game.

My vacation in San Francisco happened to coincide with the biggest Eagles game of the year. Eagles vs Giants at the New Meadowlands. I was at the game they played in Philly and without a 50-yard LeSean McCoy run and a fluke Eli Manning fumble, we might not be talking playoffs this year.

The game started out pretty terrible, which was only made worse by the fact that my friend was openly rooting for the Giants. On an early Vick interception, she was so surprised and delighted that she let out a loud squeal. I received some death stares from the other people there as I quickly tried to assure them that I had no idea who she was. The game stayed terrible until 8:17 left in the 4th quarter. The Eagles were down 31-10. Then the jello shots started flying.

Vick to Celek for a 65-yard TD - 31-17 7:29 left

(meh still game over)

Onside kick recovered by the Eagles

(okay let's see what we can do)

Vick 4-yd TD run - 31-24 5:28 left

(this is a game, but we still have to stop them)

Giants run out the clock and manage to get a first down, but punt - 3:01 left

(holy shit could this possibly be happening?)

Eagles face a 3rd and 10 at their own 12, but Vick scrambles for 33 yards to keep the drive alive. Eagles score on a 13-yd TD pass to Maclin - 31-31 1:16 left

(HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THIS WOULD BE THE BEST COMEBACK EVER)

Giants go 3 and out - :14 left

(There's no way they punt it to Desean right?...)

Then this happened

The Eagles have never scored 28 points in the 4th quarter, but they did just that to seal off one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history and ultimately end the Giants playoff hopes for 2010. Double sweet.

1. Flyers overcome 3-0 series deficit, 3-0 game 7 deficit to stun Bruins

The NHL employs a group of psychics to run their marketing campaigns. The tagline for the 2010 playoffs boldly declared "History Will Be Made". Sure, every Stanley Cup Champion ultimately goes down in the history books, but historical moments are few and far between. Would we really see anything special this postseason?

Consider this Flyers team. They had high expectations going into the season, picked by many to win the Eastern Conference. They had an up and down season, but mostly down. They weren't able to find any kind of identity. They fired their coach midway through the season. After Ray Emery went down they were forced to rely on journeyman Michael Leighton and career backup Brian Boucher. Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere were in the midst of the worst slumps in their careers. People were calling for Jeff Carter's head. The season came down to a play-in game just to get into the playoffs against the Rangers during the last game of the season. They won that game on a shoot out. There was no room for error whatsoever. One wrong bounce during the course of an 82-game season and this comeback never even has a chance to happen.

Down 3-0 in the series after a devastating 4-1 game 3 loss, all seemed hopeless. And when I say seemed hopeless it's because no one actually felt that way. Whether it was the fact that we probably didn't deserve to be in the playoffs or that we had dispatched our rivals in New Jersey and their expensive new Kovalchuk toy, there was not much panic amongst the fans, players or coaches.

Meanwhile, Boston tensed up. It was as if they were playing to not lose, which they failed at miserably.

Simon Gagne came back from injury for game 4 and produced a slick game-winning goal in OT to keep the playoff hopes alive. This took the series back to Boston where the Flyers played demonstrable hockey, shutting them out 4-0. Game 6 back in Philly was a tightly contested match, but saw the Flyers eke away with a 2-1 win on the strength of a Briere PP Goal.

So the stage was set. Down 3-0, the Flyers at least had a chance to prove the NHL prognosticators right and make history.

Game 7 became a microcosm of the series. The Flyers went down 3-0 within the first 15 minutes of the first period. Boston would not let themselves wind up on the wrong end of a trivia question. It didn't look like the Flyers were ready to match their intensity after all.

Then Peter Laviolette called a timeout that will be known forever in Philadelphia sports history as "The Timeout". James van Riemsdyk scored in the waning seconds of the period to give the Flyers life. In the 2nd period, Hartnell and Briere (our two biggest season slumpers) scored. Tie game. 3-3. Just like the series.

Then with 7 minutes left in the 3rd period, Simon Gagne lifted a puck over Tuukka Rask's shoulder to seal the game. History was made.

Oh Hey 2011... didn't see you there

Now that 2010 is out of the way, I'd like to make some predictions for 2011... some bold and some... not so much

The Flyers will win the Stanley Cup
Sure, I'm a homer, but it's not like they can't do it. They have one of the deepest offenses and defenses in the league. This team was built for a playoff run. The fact that they are having a great season and getting production from all lines is a great sign. The only question that remains is the same question that's existed for the past two decades: Got goalie?

The Eagles will lose to the Packers this Sunday
I want more than anything for this prediction to be wrong, but I don't like our chances. We match up horribly with the Packers' deep receiving corps and their speedy and talented secondary matches up very well with ours. This game will ultimately come down to Vick, but Clay Matthews scares the crap out of me. I can see us taking the lead, but our D not being able to stop Rodgers' game-winning drive.

Michael Vick will be extended as an Eagle through the 2013 season
This is a lock barring any ridiculous injury in the playoffs. I think they will get at least a first-rounder for Kolb.

The Sixers will make the playoffs and lose in the first round (if Iguodala isn't traded)
Oh NBA purgatory, how I resent thee. There's about as much parity in the NBA as there is fun allowed in the NFL, which is to say, NONE. The Sixers are talented, young and athletic. They have great role players and a deep bench. Elton Brand is having a great comeback year. Jrue Holiday looks to be on the path to stardom. That's about where I'm going to stop the compliments. They have no frontcourt other than Brand and Iguodala looks to be on the trading block. They have no alpha dog or any player I would definitively trust in crunch time. Evan Turner has shown flashes of promise, but looks to be a bust on the virtue that he was the 2nd overall pick. I will probably be into my 30s before the Sixers are title contenders again.

The Phillies will win the World Series
This one I actually believe whole-heartedly. Quick, name the team affected by the most injuries last year. Okay, now name the team who had the best record in all of baseball. Hint: They're the same one. The Phillies lost every regular starter except for Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez to the DL. Rollins had three separate stints. They were without J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge for extended time as well. They weren't able to field their every day lineup until the end of August just before the playoffs. And it showed. Utley looked labored in the playoffs. The team didn't have that same fire it had in previous years. 2011 will be different. Injuries will regress back to the mean and production will rise. This is all without even mentioning our rotation which can be summed up thusly:

H₂0Lee Sh*t

Iverson to China?

Reports are filtering in that former #1 draft pick and face-of-the-Sixers-franchise, Allen Iverson plans to take his talents to South... Beijing? As a fan of the NBA, this is depressing. Iverson is a past league MVP and three-time scoring champion. He is considered by most to be destined for Springfield, Massachusetts. As a die-hard Sixers fan that grew up during Iverson's prime years and single-handedly sparked my interest in basketball, this is devastating. When life seems stuck in neutral, sports are a great reminder of how quickly things can change for the better or (in Iverson's case) the much worse.

Iverson could perhaps be the most polarizing athlete in the history of Philadelphia sports to the national media. More than Chamberlain, Barkley, Dykstra, Burrell, Lindros or McNabb. But to Philadelphia, he was, is and will always be a hero. He is one of the most interesting cases of misunderstood athletes.

Thug Life. Iverson was raised in Hampton, Virgina by his single 15-year-old mother. Life was difficult. He fell in with with a core group of friends, calling themselves Cru Thik. In high school, he was a two-sport star. He managed to win the State Championship in both Football (QB, CB and KOR/PR) and Basketball in the same year. His senior year he was involved in a Bowling Alley brawl divided along racial lines. ESPN did a 30 for 30 on it called "No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson." It is unbelievably compelling. Needless to say, when the Sixers drafted him, his perception was that of an uneducated thug.

No Stranger to the Spotlight. Iverson blew up expectations and had the entire city talking about his ceiling potential. He won Rookie of the Year in a very strong class (Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash) and demonstrated his devastating crossover on a pretty good player. He followed up this performance with a scoring title in only his third year. Iverson was good. We just didn't know how good until his fifth year.

Carrying a team city on his back. I remember 2001 so vividly. We started the season 10-0. Everything was clicking. All of the key role players were in place to make a title run (Theo Ratliff/Dikembe Mutombo, George Lynch, Tyrone Hill, Matt Geiger, Aaron McKie and Eric Snow). Iverson was unstoppable. He won the MVP and scoring title, averaging 31.1 points/game during the regular season. No one else averaged more than 12. In the playoffs, he stepped it up, scoring 32.9 points/game. They blew by Indiana in the first round, but went 7 games with Toronto and Milwaukee. At one point during the Toronto series, he traded 50 point games with Vince Carter.

Game 2: Iverson, 54 points - Sixers win
Game 3: Carter, 54 points - Raptors win
Game 5: Iverson, 52 points - Sixers win

After winning the Eastern Conference Championship, they took game 1 from the Lakers in LA and every Philadelphian learned the name Tyronn Lue. It was an incredible time to be a Sixers fan. Despite the loss, there was optimism for the future. Iverson was only 25 (entering his basketball prime) and there was plenty of time to surround him with dangerous players and perennially compete for a championship.

Snowballing. This was the first and last great year for the Sixers. Starting with his infamous press conference in 2002 and ending with a domestic dispute with his wife, Iverson seemed distracted. He still gave a blue-collar effort on the court, but his off court shenanigans left many fans wondering if he put in the Kobe-like work ethic to sustain for the long-term. I guess we all know the answer to that now.

Journeyman Starter? I didn't follow Iverson's career too closely after he left Philadelphia, but I did watch his return to the city of brotherly love. I get very emotional watching my teams, but rarely does something compel me to shed tears. Iverson received a minute and a half standing ovation fighting back tears. He pandered to the crowd with his signature hand cupping the ear and kissed the 76ers logo at mid court. A decade's worth of emotions, frustration and unrealized expectations all coming out in one moment. Yet, that night, we were all family again. His 2nd return was not as anticipated. At this point in his career, Iverson was brought back to sell tickets. Still, it conjured those old feelings that when Iverson was starting, we had a chance to win every game.

Now, after a decade of hall-of-fame caliber play, Iverson is an alcoholic and carries a seemingly insurmountable gambling debt. He only knows how to do one thing well: play basektball. Unfortunately for him, not a single NBA team wants him. It's incredible to think that it has come to this for him. Iverson must go to China, just to survive and continue to provide for his family. Best wishes and like always, I'll still be rooting for you.

What's in Ruben Amaro's Cupboard?

In order to obtain Roy Halladay, Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro Jr. had to "empty the cupboard." They shipped off coveted prospects LHP Kyle Drabek, C Travis D'Arnaud and OF Michael Taylor to Toronto. But Amaro, stressed to find his cupboard bare, needed to restock with unproven talent. He shipped Cliff Lee (who had a year remaining at a paltry $8 million) to the Mariners in exchange for RHP Phillippe Aumont, OF Tyson Gillies and RHP Juan Ramirez.

Let's check in with our newest cupboard ornaments, shall we?

RHP Phillippe Aumount - the 6'7" 21-year-old performed so poorly in Double-A Reading this year that he was demoted to Single-A. He posted a 7.43 ERA before being sent down.

OF Tyson Gillies - the 6'2" 22-year-old was batting only .238 in Double-A Reading this year before being arrested for felony cocaine possession. Are you fucking kidding me?

RHP Juan Ramirez - In 73 Innings of Double-A Reading ball, Ramirez has gone 3-3 with an unspectacular ERA of 5.18.

What a lovely cupboard you have Ruben.