Random Thoughts – Philly Style

The Jets let me down last night.  You can never feel good about a loss when you opponent ties the game with less than ten seconds to play, then you lose in overtime.  At least they still gained a point, putting them in a tie for first place with the Panthers.  The obvious benefit is the Flyers won but I think the Jets needed that win more than the Flyers (even though they’re having problems of their own).  I love you Winnipeg, and while it’s no walk in the park, I’m still banking on the playoffs.

Anyway, I think too much.  To the point where I don’t sleep at night.  I should probably be on some medication to help me with this, but I prefer to self-medicate myself with alcohol and nicotine.  So while I was laying in bed last night, listening to the Oilers blitz the Flames (about damn time!), I thought about the state of Philadelphia sports scene (as opposed to thinking if I’d break one or both my legs if I jumped out my second story window, or how I can bag myself a supermodel), and there’s things I dig, and a lot of shit I can’t stand behind; so allow me to vent (on a completely unrelated note, Edmonton’s first murder of 2012 happened last night.  While it took Edmonton almost two months, it took Philadelphia about two minutes).

Ilya Bryzgalov is a Nutbag - When the Flyers acquired Bryzgalov I dug the trade.  The Flyers haven’t had a franchise goalie since the days of Ron Hextall and they gave up peanuts to acquire him.  Once they signed him to a ten-year deal I thought the Flyers front office was on the crack pipe.  Any contract for a goalie who’s had a history of problems with former teams and is 31-years-old is a recipe for disaster.

Well to date Bryz has been an abortion between the pipes giving up real bad goals.  The Jets fourth goal last night bounced off his glove into the net (if you’re using your glove-hand, catch the goddamn puck!), and the Jets would have scored another goal if it wasn’t for Brayden Schenn laying down on the goal line.  Completely unacceptable.  These aren’t isolated incidents either, but his regular play.  There’s a reason he’s been pulled more than any goalie in the league.

What’s more disturbing is the shit the comes out of his mouth.  When he struggled earlier in the season he compared himself to a “bear lost in the woods” and “couldn’t stop a puck if it was the size of a beach ball”.  He’s also had a blow up with a member of the media after a bad game, but his most recent comments are what is completely disturbing.  After allowing three soft goals Saturday against the Penguins on 13 shots, he was pulled in favor of Sergei Bobrowsky.  After the game he decided to tell the media:

“You know, I think it’s an easy life when you can blame one guy…’it’s a bad goalie, it’s the goalie’s mistake.’ It’s easy to find a scapegoat. You point to one guy and say we’re always losing because we have a bad goalie, but I think it’s the wrong philosophy. I know I was frustrated in my game today and I know I have to be better and I will continue to work on this, but….I will try to find peace in my soul to play in this city”

Is he f*cking kidding me?  The goalie has been the scapegoat because the goalie has been a steaming pile of shit!  And what’s this other garbage about “trying to find peace in his soul to play in the city”???  The asshole had no problem taking the Flyers money, but can’t handle the pressure of the Philly media.  If he simply played how he should be playing he wouldn’t have to worry about the media.  Actually the media hasn’t even ridden his ass, he just can’t handle having to explain himself after he shits the bed.

Bryzgalov just needs to shut his damn mouth, man the f*ck up, and play goalie.  Unfortunately I don’t see that happening.  I see this ending very ugly with Bryzgalov, and he getting run out-of-town with his tail between his legs.

I Hate Andy Reid - I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to pound away at it until they finally fire his ass.  The guy has no clock management skills, he’s an asshole to the media, and has the inability to win the big game.  The guy is the fat girl out of five sisters.  Each time any of them gets married, she’s a bride’s maid, but everyone knows she’ll never be a bride.  It’s the same with Reid in the Eagles.

Don’t kid yourselves Eagles fans; if you think the Eagles will win a Superbowl with Andy coaching the team, you’re more delusional than Ilya Bryzgalov.

Are These Really the Sixers? - The Sixers are the only Philadelphia team I don’t root for (that would be the Knicks), and judging by past attendance most of Philadelphia didn’t care either (at least since Iverson left).  Well there’s a change here in Philadelphia and now people suddenly give a shit because they’re an exciting team to watch.  Although they have no true superstar they find themselves in first place in the Atlantic Division.  I don’t know what Doug Collins is doing to motivate these guys but they are playing up-tempo, team basketball; which is something you don’t see anymore in the NBA.

While it’s nice to see so far, they’re not going to keep it up.  They lack a big man (they’re missing not having Samuel Dalimbert), and this team is way too young to compete with the likes of Miami or Chicago.  Judging by their current four-game losing streak I think I’m on to something.

Cole’s Swan Song? - The Phillies are in camp and Cole Hamels is in the final year of team control before he can hit free agency, and I fear this might be his last season in Philadelphia.  If that’s the case it’ll be the biggest mistake the Phillies have made since trading Fergie Jenkins for a bag of balls and a journeyman minor leaguer.

Hamels was arguably the best starter in the Phillies rotation last season, and given his age has a bigger upside over Doc Halladay and Cliff Lee.  He’s recently expressed his desire to stay in Philadelphia and has even hinted giving the Phillies a hometown discount.  I know the Phillies already have the highest payroll in the National League, but Ruben Amaro Jr. needs to get off his ass and give Hamels an extension with the quickness.  They’ve already sold 3.1 million tickets this season so I don’t want to hear any bullshit that there’s no money in the budget.  They need to give him a good contract so he stays in Philadelphia, not some crap offer that’ll just insult Hamels but the front office can save face and say “at least we tried” (Phillies fans have read that book before).

I Still Hate Andy Reid - He’s fat and useless.  That is all…

Jaromir Jagr is Funny - Jagr recent turned 40 and did an interview with NHL.com talking about how he stays youthful.  He said that he doesn’t smoke, drink, or do any drugs.  The biggest addiction he has is diet coke.  Wait; is this the same Jaromir Jagr when he came in the league terrorized Pittsburgh with boozing, gambling, and banging any chick who would open her legs?  Jaromir is talking like he’s been a lifelong saint.  He’s definitely no angel.  Maybe he found Jesus or something.

What are your thoughts?  Email me at jay@thesportsriot.net and let me know.  Also follow us on Twitter @TheSportsRiot.  Treat yourself, you deserve it.