Blog Archives
Around the Cooler 06/17/13 – “It’s mid-June and all our teams are terrible…”
Here’s what we’re talking about:
“…and I’m going to buy a Breitling watch for each of my pet iguanas…”
- Flyers defenseman Mark Streit musing about his newfound riches. (Not a real quote)
Image via 98.5 Sports
- Rollin’ 3-deep today as Nick makes his triumphant return to the the Cooler
- We note that the Phillies have six players under contract for 2014, at a total salary of $103.5M, then suggest that they all get traded (0:00)
- We break news to ourselves (at the time) that Mark Streit agreed to a 4-year, $21M contract with the Flyers and discuss cap implications moving forward. Can this team afford to keep Giroux, Schenn, and Couturier for 2014 and beyond? (27:00)
Play on your Mobile Device or Right Click to Download: Around the Cooler 06-17-13
What are you talking about around the water cooler this week? Leave us a comment!
Follow us on Twitter @TheWooderCooler
Awesome musical theme written by the awesome Matthew Schwalm
Chip Kelly’s Effect On The Top Fantasy Football Options On The Eagles
photo via cbsphilly.com
Whenever a new coach takes over a team in the NFL, changes will be made. Chip Kelly is a different type of coach, so a lot of people think a lot of changes will be happening in Philadelphia these next couple of years. From a fantasy football perspective, how will those changes affect production? Here’s a look at the top five players, and whether they will be better or worse under Kelly.
LeSean McCoy
Last season was a rough one for McCoy, who struggled with inconsistencies and a concussion. However, 2013 should be a great chance for him to bounce back, as Kelly’s fast offense will allow him to get a lot of touches with space. As long as the passing game is somewhat consistent, McCoy will see a slight increase in production with Kelly at the helm.
Jeremy Maclin
Like any wide receiver, Maclin’s production will come down to the quarterback throwing him passes. Kelly’s offense should benefit him though, because he has the physical tools to make big-time plays. This might be the year he finally puts it all together as a true #1 receiver, especially since he is playing in a contract season.
DeSean Jackson
One looks at Jackson’s speed and natural ability and thinks Kelly would make him a star. However, one thing a coach can’t do is teach a guy how to go over the middle. If Jackson can’t do that, his receiving numbers will not be any better than last season. Injuries are also a concern for Jackson, as he missed the last five games of the season in 2012. His numbers might go up simply because he is healthy, but Jackson won’t be able to benefit from Kelly.
Around the Cooler 05/29/13 – Philthy
Here’s what we’re talking about:
Image via Croix de Candlestick
- Vince and Hank take a decidedly negative view on the 2013 Phillies’ prospects and discuss what the organization should do next
Play on your Mobile Device or Right Click to Download: Around the Cooler 05-29-13
What are you talking about around the water cooler this week? Leave us a comment!
Follow us on Twitter @TheWooderCooler
Musical theme written by Matthew Schwalm
The stat geeks are taking over Philadelphia. Isn’t it great?
76ers GM Sam Hinkie, Ballin’ with Maths
Image via BlackSportsOnline
It’s said that football is a game of inches. And basketball is a game of inches. Hockey? Why not. Game of inches. Screw it, let’s make it a party, baseball is a game of friggin’ inches, too.
Enough.
It’s time to upgrade our thinking – and our platitudes – for the 21st century. Screw inches. Our beloved pastimes are really all games of probability.
And Philadelphia’s teams are finally catching up. It’s about damned time.
The two most recent hires in the big four of Philly sports, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly and now 76ers GM Sam Hinkie, are not traditionalists. The foundations for their respective philosophies, Chip’s playcalling and Hinkie’s talent acquisition, are built on foreign, impenetrable, numerical concepts such as “expected values.”
Many people have a problem with probabilities – and by extension the study thereof, that mathematical voodoo known as analytics. The term ‘analytics’ often conjures a couple of images, and neither are particularly flattering. One is that of the pasty, bespectacled weakling with a pocket protector and a TI-89, jealously crunching numbers as he fantasizes about athletic prowess he’ll never have, cheerleaders he’ll never date, and popularity he’ll never achieve. The other, more sinister depiction is the business executive in a 15th floor office furnished with exotic hardwoods and floor-to-ceiling windows, dispassionately assigning numbers to real people from high on his throne and then buying, selling, or trading them as he might deal in rice futures or credit default swaps. But stereotyping aside, I suspect most fans simply misunderstand the concept.
The Boondoggle: Chip Kelly Using Black Magic During OTA’s
image via newspells.com
The fans and media alike were thrilled for the beginning of the Eagles first stint of organized team activities (OTAs). It was the first time during his tenure that new head coach Chip Kelly allowed the media to view a practice.
It seems they got more insight than they bargained for.
“He looked into a crystal ball and said I have three weeks to live,” said a despondent Ray Didinger before skulking to his car “I need to think for a while.”
Reports indicate that Didinger was one of hundreds of media members that suffered through deeply scarring trauma at the hands of Chip Kelly, who allegedly turned a circus of fun into a horror show of black magic.
An unnamed source who attended the practice from hell claims that reporters were greeted with gift bags containing assorted bird feathers, herbs, and a human ear. Afterward, the media was ushered out to the practice field where 7th round pick David King lay tied upon an altar on the 50 yard line.
The source then goes on to say that Kelly “cackled uncontrollably” as he set the altar on fire and “prayed for the football gods to deliver victory to the chosen people while playing ‘Hero’ from NAS.”
At that point most media members left the facility screaming and defecating mid-run, while other simply stated, “Well, at least it’s not Andy Reid.”
Chip Kelly was asked about the ordeal after practice.
“You know, about this whole ‘sacrifice thing’, it was a complete mix up. I didn’t realize the last names were listed first on my sheet, so I thought David King was King David. Normally we sign undrafted free agents for that type of thing, but I thought the opportunity was too good to pass up. Remember it’s not just the players that are rookies here.”
The media will not be able to view practice again until next Monday…if they dare.
***This story was obviously fictional in ways that you make you palm yourself in the face and say “I can’t believe I didn’t realize that earlier!” (Feel free to palm yourself in the face at this juncture if need be.) It was all solely for entertainment and has no factual value. None.
Follow us on Twitter @TheWooderCooler
Video: Chip Kelly’s Oregon Offense – Can It Work for the Eagles?
There’s no one more annoying than that kid that runs the same plays over and over again in Madden. What’s worse is when those bullshit plays actually work. If you call a defense to stop one of the plays, he has a counter. It may seem simple, but it’s destructive, and you have no chance at ever winning.
Well, Chip Kelly is that kid, and he’s the Eagles’ coach whether we like it or not.
His offense at Oregon was not particularly complicated and it eviscerated most college defenses. With a variety of read options and screens, Kelly’s offense was easily adaptable and constantly created mismatches.
Obviously this move is controversial considering Kelly has no NFL experience and uses all these gimmicks at such an inferior level, with Heath Evans leading the charge against such lunacy.
Surely no coach would ever use such a Mickey Mouse offense against the best of the best in the NFL.
Well, now that I think about it, maybe one or two would… watch this video Hank helped me put together. Seriously. If you think Chip Kelly’s system can’t work at the NFL level, watch and explain to me why.
Produced by Hank Mushinski, Analysis and Commentary by Nick Carroll. The reproduction of game footage herein is for educational purposes only.
Around the Cooler 05/03/13
Here’s what we’re talking about:
This guy used to play quarterback?!
Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
Image via SBNation
- The Eagles’ 2013 Draft class, Chip Kelly’s philosophy, and other draft stuff that doesn’t have to do with the Eagles (00:00)
- Which pro playoffs are more exciting, hockey or basketball? Also, Hank shockingly reveals that he can neither jump, nor go to his left (25:00)
- Other NHL playoff thoughts, wherein we hate-respect the Penguins and feel bad for the Islanders, among other things (32:00)
Play on your Mobile Device or Right Click to Download: Around the Cooler 05-03-13
What are you talking about around the water cooler this week? Leave us a comment!
Follow us on Twitter @TheWooderCooler
And Now We Know: The Eagles 2013 Draft Reflection
Photo via Delco Times (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
There has been a ton of speculation regarding the changes that would inevitably take place once Big Balls Chip Kelly was hired as the head coach of the Eagles. So far, most of the analysis has been fairly shallow.
He’s not a bore at his press conferences, he plays music at practices, he talks a mean game about having a mean team. That’s fantastic, however, still only a few crumbs of food from a king’s feast. The draft finally provided an opportunity to develop a sincere understanding of Chip’s philosophy and the general direction of the franchise.
The key word at the center of this draft is the word versatility. Every player that the Eagles drafted this year (Barkley excluded) has the ability to be used in multiple looks. Lane Johnson can play left and right tackle, Zach Ertz could feasibly be four different positions on the field on any given play, and guys like Jordan Poyer played safety and corner in college. All of this plays to Chip Kelly’s favor and supports his notion of putting players in the position to succeed.
Many times that sentiment is lip service from coaches. Andy Reid had a square peg (Michael Vick) and bludgeoned it to smithereens with a hammer (passed 45 times a game). This attitude of fitting players into a scheme rather than catering to their talents is a disservice to the team, the organization, and the fans.
Around the Cooler 04/04/13 – Should the 7-6 sign Bynum and ruin the team on purpose?
Here’s what we’re talking about:
Ransom has a novel idea: 76ers should sign Bynum because it’ll help them get better draft picks (02:30)
A rough start for the Phillies (18:30)
Is Geno Smith really worth the #4 pick? We’re talking draft and player value (27:00)
Play on your Mobile Device or Right Click to Download: Around the Cooler 04-04-13
What are you talking about around the water cooler this week? Leave us a comment!
Follow us on Twitter @TheWooderCooler
Around the Cooler 03/22/13 – Weekly Recap
Here’s what we’re talking about:
Phillies: Roy-pocalypse and Total Dom-ination (2:00)
Flyers: Is making a trade at the deadline a smart move? (17:30)
Eagles: We talk more Eagles offseason, Vince has a crush on Chip Kelly (30:00)
Play:
Right Click for Download: Around the Cooler 03-22-13
What are you talking about around the water cooler this week? Leave us a comment!
