Theatre Exile presents a return engagement of The Philly Fan by Bruce Graham, starring Tom McCarthy, and directed by Joe Canuso. This one-man hit show is a hilarious romp through fifty years of Philly sports history as seen by a hard core fan used to watching sure-thing victories turn into “oh-my-God-they-blew-it” defeats. June 10-15 at The Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street. Tickets are $25 - $50; call (215)922-4462 or visit www.ThePhillyFan.net.

I just got an anonymous tip that supposedly, a major motion picture will be filming extensively on Penn's campus this summer.

Click to find out which film!

Sign up for the Dueling Tampons newsletter!

Join the DuelingTampons Facebook Group!

Eagles Stand Pat With Lito; Draft Laws, Jackson; Aquire Booker; Keep Sheppard
What a busy day of mixed emotions, trades, confusion, releif, and more confusion!

We started out the day with the two Longs, Matt Ryan... and then soon it became pick number 10 and 11 and we were all wondering when the Eagles would move up. That never happened. Its finally the Eagles pick and they have a lot of guys high on their board that are still available but instead they take a 2nd and 4th round pick and a 2009 first rounder.

Before I knew what we got, like all fans I was pissed. What the hell? We lose ANOTHER first round pick?!? But it looks like it worked out in our favor. According to an Andy Reid press conference, Jeff Otah was who we were probably going to pick if we didn't make that trade.

So then our 2nd round pick is coming up and oh no we traded it again. We get the Vikings 2nd and 4th rounders. Basically this was my initial reaction: "What the hell are you thinking, Andy?" but in retrospect, all of the players who we were eyeing up were still available in our later 2nd round pick, which means we basically got a free 4th round pick. Works for me.

We trade a 4th round pick for a 3rd round pick from last year, Lorenzo Booker - a running back out of Miami. This guy averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year and supposedly has a LOT of potential. I like the trade because instead of going after a guy like Felix Jones (who I can't remember if he was available at the time) we just trade a crappy free 4th rounder for a good future running back. Check out the video of him at the bottom of this post, he looks pretty good.

So its finally our third allotted selection of the day, which turned out to be our first pick, and Devin Thomas was off the board which left a consderable amount of fans mad. Malcom Kelly, Limas Sweed, and DeSean Jackson are still left and we figured to get one. Instead we get DT Trevor Laws out of ND. Laws seems to be a good pick; Mel Kiper likes him. Andy Reid also likes him, obviously. Two picks later and we had DeSean Jackson.

I sort of wish we got Limas Sweed instead. Jackson is more of a kick and punt returner than a reciever- think in terms of Ted Ginn, Jr. Sweed seems to be more of a natural wideout because he is more sized for the position although word about him is that he is a big hit or miss and with the Eagles luck he would be a big miss.

Most of us were thinking there would be a big trade in the works because the Eagles had 13 draft picks at one time but unfortunatly no Ocho Cinco, no Roy, no Anquan. Yet. Lito is still on the Eagles. Why? I don't know if we can get rid of him tomorrow. I don't know what were going to do. We basically have to get rid of him. So I guess the idea tomorrow is package him with a few late picks.. but don't forget we do have DeSean Jackson now. So what is the plan for Sheppard?

The reason for all of the trades? Reid was trying to stall. He knew we needed a receiver and he didn't want to pick one if we could trade for one but we couldn't put anything together. I don't think Reid really went into this prepared and I'm disapointed in a way. I think we did good but not great and we needed to do great. Tomorrow Reid needs to go all in like he said. He needs to package Lito and our first rounder for 2009 for something. We need something. Give us something, Andy!

Trevor Laws

DeSean Jackson

Lorenzo Booker

http://philly-sports-blog.blogspot.com/

Eagles Stand Pat With Lito; Draft Laws, Jackson; Aquire Booker; Keep Sheppard
What a busy day of mixed emotions, trades, confusion, releif, and more confusion!

We started out the day with the two Longs, Matt Ryan... and then soon it became pick number 10 and 11 and we were all wondering when the Eagles would move up. That never happened. Its finally the Eagles pick and they have a lot of guys high on their board that are still available but instead they take a 2nd and 4th round pick and a 2009 first rounder.

Before I knew what we got, like all fans I was pissed. What the hell? We lose ANOTHER first round pick?!? But it looks like it worked out in our favor. According to an Andy Reid press conference, Jeff Otah was who we were probably going to pick if we didn't make that trade.

So then our 2nd round pick is coming up and oh no we traded it again. We get the Vikings 2nd and 4th rounders. Basically this was my initial reaction: "What the hell are you thinking, Andy?" but in retrospect, all of the players who we were eyeing up were still available in our later 2nd round pick, which means we basically got a free 4th round pick. Works for me.

We trade a 4th round pick for a 3rd round pick from last year, Lorenzo Booker - a running back out of Miami. This guy averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year and supposedly has a LOT of potential. I like the trade because instead of going after a guy like Felix Jones (who I can't remember if he was available at the time) we just trade a crappy free 4th rounder for a good future running back. Check out the video of him at the bottom of this post, he looks pretty good.

So its finally our third allotted selection of the day, which turned out to be our first pick, and Devin Thomas was off the board which left a consderable amount of fans mad. Malcom Kelly, Limas Sweed, and DeSean Jackson are still left and we figured to get one. Instead we get DT Trevor Laws out of ND. Laws seems to be a good pick; Mel Kiper likes him. Andy Reid also likes him, obviously. Two picks later and we had DeSean Jackson.

I sort of wish we got Limas Sweed instead. Jackson is more of a kick and punt returner than a reciever- think in terms of Ted Ginn, Jr. Sweed seems to be more of a natural wideout because he is more sized for the position although word about him is that he is a big hit or miss and with the Eagles luck he would be a big miss.

Most of us were thinking there would be a big trade in the works because the Eagles had 13 draft picks at one time but unfortunatly no Ocho Cinco, no Roy, no Anquan. Yet. Lito is still on the Eagles. Why? I don't know if we can get rid of him tomorrow. I don't know what were going to do. We basically have to get rid of him. So I guess the idea tomorrow is package him with a few late picks.. but don't forget we do have DeSean Jackson now. So what is the plan for Sheppard?

The reason for all of the trades? Reid was trying to stall. He knew we needed a receiver and he didn't want to pick one if we could trade for one but we couldn't put anything together. I don't think Reid really went into this prepared and I'm disapointed in a way. I think we did good but not great and we needed to do great. Tomorrow Reid needs to go all in like he said. He needs to package Lito and our first rounder for 2009 for something. We need something. Give us something, Andy!

Trevor Laws

DeSean Jackson

Lorenzo Booker

'Nuff said...

Cartoon from Sid in the City

Shallow Center: Sunday Worst: Whether Andy Reid's dreadful week had anything to do with his team's shamefully awful performance is open to debate. What is not is that the Eagles are a team in decline, with too few weapons, too many holes, and no seeming organizational direction on how to fix it.

Metroblogging Philadelphia: Lost...the 2007 Philadelphia Eagles: Now I feel like I'm ready for some football," he said. "I'm stoked!" And yes we were. For exactly twenty-three more minutes.

About.com: The Philadelphia Eagles Have Officially Jumped the Shark: There was, quite frankly, nothing positive to take from the game and only a series of striking negatives from which this team is likely not to recover under the current coaching staff and quarterback.

The700Level.com: Can't Blame You For Leaving Early: It kind of reads like an obituary for this team. It's a gloomy day in Philadelphia, that's for sure.

MVN: Eagles-Cowboys Postgame Rant: Even the trumpet player busking outside the Linc could grasp the significance of the Cowboys’ 38-17 drubbing of the Eagles tonight: As we left the stadium, he was playing "Yesterday."

Just a reminder - it's easy to produce a post like this on any subject

Just search the Philly Wire on any topic and send some attention to interesting voices across our region.

Send some linkage to Philadelphia bloggers and expand the conversation.

Friday, November 9, 2007
8am-5pm
PA Convention Center

The time has come for us to stop talking about the problems in our neighborhoods and start acting. This year’s conference is inspired by the community activists and youth leaders who work hard to make our neighborhoods places of opportunities where people excel, ideas grow and dreams are realized. By bringing together young people ages 14-21 and adults from around the region, we will begin to create real solutions to the many challenges in our communities. Workshops and interactive sessions will empower youth to effectively address the challenges they face everyday and enhance adults’ capacity to nurture the potential of every youth. We invite everyone, both youth and adults, interested in making a positive and lasting impact in their community to “Step Up!” and “Be the Change”.

**This year’s conference will feature an exciting keynote speech by Ephren W. Taylor, CEO of City Capital Corporation and the youngest African-American CEO of a publicly traded company ever!**

*The conference will also feature a lunchtime comedy performance by Philadelphia’s own Keith from Up Da Block!*

For more information, or to register, visit us online at www.greatsettlements.org or call Amanda at 215-925-7875.

Will Bunch: "Getting it wrong on McNabb":

I always say that the best blog posts are always the ones you don't write -- including my plan to start ripping Ryan Howard (although he did, in fact, break Adam Dunn's all-time single-season strikeout record, but we still love the big lug). Likewise, assuming that the Eagles would lose yesterday, and who didn't after those first two clunkers, I was all ready to urge the Birds to end the McNabb era sooner rather than later. Nothing against the man -- I think he's a class act, occasional whining aside -- or his talent while he was in his 20s, but I thought it was time to acknowledge that his skills had been diminished by time and injuries and it was time to look forward, not back.

Uh, I was wrong...

Salon: "McNabb says black quarterbacks face more criticism. Amazingly, there are arguments over this. Plus: Vote on Barry's HR ball here!":

Donovan McNabb told HBO's "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel" this week that black quarterbacks face greater scrutiny and more criticism than white quarterbacks.

Asked if whites such as Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer face the same level of criticism, McNabb said, "Let me start by saying, I love those guys. But they don't get criticized as much as we do. They don't."

Could it be McNabb isn't controlling for the fact that he plays in Philadelphia?

Probably not. The reaction to McNabb has been predictable and customary. On one side, the "don't be ridiculous" crowd. On the other: "Well, duh."

The first crowd brings out the numbers.

The Onion: "Eagles Fans Give McNabb Three-Week Deadline To Win Super Bowl":

"For the last time: How much longer do we have to wait for McNabb to get off his ass?" Eagles fan Jacob Wilkerson said of the five-time Pro Bowler in one of over 1,500 messages addressed to the quarterback left on the Eagles' voicemail Monday. "Come on McNabb, it's time to finish the job. We've been really lenient up to this point, but it's time to hunker down and throw the ball. If you think you need to take the whole three weeks, that's fine, but we would really like it by next Wednesday."

What Do You Do After You Pray:
The Church's Response to Gun-Violence in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA – With more than 250 murders after the first half of 2007, the city once known as the City of Brotherly Love has instead quickly become known as Kill-a-delphia, forcing many residents to live and operate in fear as a result of the gun-violence inflicting the city.

On Saturday, August 25, 2007, Philly Koinonia Ministries (pronounced koy-no-NEE-yah) will organize its initial effort dealing with this problem, the "2007 Gun-drive and City Fellowship". This will be an outdoor effort beginning at 10 a.m. taking place at the Dorothy Emmanuel Recreation Center, located in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. To effectuate a change in our culture, we must not solely rely on the power of prayer, but also take responsibility with our actions to address the stronghold embattling our city; for our actions speak louder than our words. The organization identifies fear as the stronghold that simultaneously creates gun-violence, and results from gun-violence, and therefore will focus using this effort to present an understanding of God’s love to combat the stronghold of fear dwelling in this city as a result of gun violence; for God is love (1John 4:16) and in love there is no fear (1John 4:18).

In addition to the gun-drive (individuals will receive a gift card in exchange for their gun), this effort will also include an appearance by Mayoral Candidate Michael Nutter; messages given by local Pastors, such as: Bishop Keith W. Reed, Pastor Kevin M. Aiken, Pastor Chandra I. Williams, Pastor Daniel Sutton, Pastor Larry Anderson, Pastor Eric Mason, among others; performances by local choirs and other guest artists; and also a nonprofit/vendor area featuring more than 30 tables of advocates, businesses, and non-profit organizations that offer programs and services related to the focus of this effort.

For more information, please visit www.PhillyKoinonia.org.

Well that's the end of the Falcons as a threat this year, and most likely Vick's career in the NFL.

Will justice be done? Will Vick get off light?

CNN: Vick agrees to guilty plea deal, prison possible.

By Michael Johns

I wouldn't exactly call Jeffrey Lurie, the owner of my beloved Philadelphia Eagles, a good friend, or even a friend at all really. But we share enough in common: the same birthday (September 8th) and a passionate love for the Eagles, which in my case goes back to the age of six or seven, with fond memories of Ron Jaworski and Bill Bergey. Mr. Lurie's history is actually not as deeply rooted in the green and white: he comes from Boston, then headed to Hollywood to run some movie production company, neither of which you would find too commonly among the old 700-level Veterans Stadium fans that have deep emotional investments in this team. But suffice it to say that he's now the CEO of the company I have long admired the most--and, on that basis alone, Mr. Lurie has earned a place in my world.

Philly Sports Net - So here's the official Philadelphia Eagles 2007 schedule. First impressions are good. But can we really have a sense of how things will be played out? Remember last year? When the Eagles schedule came out, it was scrutinized and the prevailing sentiment was - the Birds better start fast, because the 2nd half of their schedule was to be dotted with NFC landmines. Then the Eagles went 6-2 to end the season. So much for that!

Sunday, September 9 at Green Bay 1:00 pm FOX
Monday, September 17 Washington 8:30 pm ESPN*
Sunday, September 23 Detroit 1:00 pm FOX
Sunday, September 30 at NY Giants 8:15 pm NBC*
Sunday, October 7 BYE
Sunday, October 14 at NY Jets 1:00 pm FOX
Sunday, October 21 Chicago 4:15 pm FOX*
Sunday, October 28 at Minnesota 1:00 pm FOX
Sunday, November 4 Dallas 8:15 pm NBC*
Sunday, November 11 at Washington 1:00 pm FOX
Sunday, November 18 Miami 1:00 pm+ CBS
Sunday, November 25 at New England 8:15 pm+ NBC*
Sunday, December 2 Seattle 1:00 pm+ FOX
Sunday, December 9 NY Giants 1:00 pm+ FOX
Sunday, December 16 at Dallas 4:15 pm+ FOX*
Sunday, December 23 at New Orleans 1:00 pm+ FOX
Sunday, December 30 Buffalo 1:00 pm+ CBS

Continue with further analysis on the upcoming 2007 NFL season

Dear Joe,
As you may or may not know, former Temple football coach Wayne Hardin is up for inclusion into the current class of the college football Hall of Fame.
Coach Hardin's accomplishments in the realm of Philadelphia and national college and even pro football and have made him indeed worthy of induction. He's the last head coach to win a pro football title within the city limits of Philadelphia, doing so for the Philadelphia Bulldogs of the then Continental League in 1964. (When the USFL stars won it, they did it on the road and as the Baltimore/Philadelphia Stars.)
Coach Hardin is 80 years old now and wants to do a lot of things but none more important to him than filling Lincoln Financial Field for Temple's Aug. 30 regular-season opener with Navy.
Coach Hardin went on WPHT-AM, 1210, a 50,000-watt station heard both here and Annapolis, and "guaranteed" a crowd of 66,000 for the home opener _ a feat that would put Philadelphia on the college football map quicker than any single football victory could.
Coach said there was one caveat, though.
The game needed to be on Thursday, Aug. 30. Anyone who has grown up in Philadelphia, and spent his entire life here, knows the town virtually empties the Friday of the Labor Day weekend with people mostly headed "down the shore" for one last long weekend before a long, cold winter. There is virtually no shot Temple gets what current Al Golden calls an "unprecedented crowd" on any other night but Thursday.
Fortunately, Temple AD Bill Bradshaw worked out the details and announced that Thursday would be the date for the opener.
The date is set on Owlsports.
It's even on the Lincoln Financial Field website, which I got to by clicking on a philadelphiaeagles.com link.
Now there are some earthquake-sized rumblings that you want to take back the date for a relatively meaningless preseason Eagles' game.
The Eagles are basically the only sports organization in this town that can survive by playing on Friday night that weekend. You'll get your crowd whether you play Thursday or Friday.
The Eagles can take the hit.
Temple can't.
Please, as a favor to coach Hardin _ the only coach in the history of college football to take Navy AND Temple to top 20 final regular season rankings _ abide by the agreement which allowed Temple to announce the Thursday night date.
The Eagles would be helping both the fans of Temple and Navy and gain an enormous amount of public relations good will by keeping the Thursday date for Temple clear, making coach Hardin and coach Golden realize their dreams of an unprecedented Temple crowd.
Thanks for taking time out from your busy schedule to read this letter.
Sincerely,
Mike Gibson
Editor and Publisher
Temple Football Forever
(Longtime season ticket-holder of both Eagles and Owls)

ihatephilly.com