Another Season, Another Reason...

Owls Are Now Officially an Endangered Species

What better way to start off this week's discussion than with some Sixers talk. But the news is bittersweet at best. Local product (and A Fantasy Life favorite) Marc Jackson was traded by the Sixers to conference foe New Jersey for a future 2nd round pick. Jackson was a big producer on last year's Sixers team, as a sometimes starting center and quality bench performer at both big positions. In only 24 minutes a game, Jackson produced to the tune of 12 pts and 5 rebounds. Even more importantly, he provided the Sixers with a solid low post scoring option that could almost get to the free throw line at will (almost 4.5 per game) and made 82% of them. It's even sadder because Jackson was only 1 of 2 Temple Owls on the Sixers, and with the Sixers expected to waive Aaron McKie with the Amnesty Clause, it appears we'll have none left soon.

Still, this was a move that needed to be made. With Chris Webber on the team, the Sixers really couldn't afford another big man with limited athleticism. When the two of them played together last year, the defense became incredibly slow in rotations. Between the two of them, they had no vertical leap and maybe one truly healthy knee. With the need to make Webber a bigger part of the team this year, the Sixers needed to improve their frontcourt athleticism and to make that happen Marc Jackson had to leave. It was glorious watching him play in front of the home town fans the past two years and here at A Fantasy Life we wish him the best. Just let it be said here first that they should have been able to get more from him and sending big men to your divisional foes is never a good idea.

So, How Long Do We Have to Wait for His Replacement?

Not long apparently. The Sixers have announced that they have signed the 7 foot tall (now) former Phoenix Sun, Stephen Hunter. This immediately improves the frontcourt athleticism, however it does come with its own inherent problems. The Sixers 3 major backcourt players now figure to be Webber, Dalembert, and Hunter. Webber is an incredible basketball player, but is known to be brittle. Dalembert is still very raw and prone to mistakes. And Hunter, who like Dalembert is a shot blocker, is also young and very prone to picking up fouls. In only 14 minutes per game last year, Hunter blocked 1.3 shots, but picked up 1.7 personal fouls. Anyone who has seen him play knows how energetic he can be. He runs the floor well and has a good defensive mind. If Mo Cheeks can get him to play under control, this could be a great signing. If Webber gets hurt and Dalembert stays raw and Hunter is still injury prone, they may have to move Kyle Korver to the 4.

Baseball Blurb

Normally I leave the Phillies ramblings to my buddy Jason Weitzel over at Beerleaguer, but it's been over a week and I still can't get the thought out of my head. Last Wednesday, the Phillies defeated the Chicago Cubs in a game in which their final offensive player in the bottom of the 9th inning struck out. That's right, it was a tie game when Pat Burrel stepped up to the plate. Then he struck out. Then they won. I guess a win's a win, but that's pushing it.

Wait Long Enough and It'll All Sort Itself Out

I have not mentioned the Terrell Owens vs. the Philadelphia Eagles saga yet here on this site. I've tried to stay away from discussing it. Really have, but the events of the last 2 days are taking it too far. Let it be said right now, I am pro-T.O. 100% behind him. Dude caught 150 yards worth of passes in the Super Bowl on a broken leg. The year before Donovan McNabb couldn't complete a pass against the Carolina Panthers with a broken rib. The guy deserves more money. He really does. But once again, the Eagles stubborn refusal to renegotiate contracts is causing problems. And now the one thing that they have been able to keep from causing a problem, namely the seperation of Andy Reid the coach with Andy Reid the vice-president, is getting in the way. Now Andy can't play the good guy anymore. He's the one who is has to deal with T.O. And T.O. won't forget that Andy is the one who won't give him the new contract when T.O. is at practice. So now everyone is backed into a corner because Andy couldn't handle T.O. anymore and sent him home.

So there's a few things that everyone needs to realize:

1. Most importantly, the Eagles have no depth at receiver. They have T.O. and that's it. With Todd Pinkston out (I'm reminded of that old tree falling in the woods analogy), and with no T.O. the depth chart reads: Greg Lewis, Billy McMullin, and Reggie Brown. Not exactly names that strike fear into the hearts of defenses. The Eagles either need T.O. or need to turn him into another receiver.
2. Andy must realize that T.O. doesn't play nice soldier. He will talk to the media (mostly because the media likes to talk to him). He will speak his mind. And he will make inciteful comments.
3. T.O. needs to realize that there is no other team in the NFL that will give him his money right now. Especially after this whole fiasco. It just won't happen. He's got to play out this year. It must be done. Right now no one remembers his amazing season, no one remembers his heroic Super Bowl performance. They only know him as the guy who practices by himself, doesn't talk to teammates, and won't sign autographs.
4. Drew Rosenhaus needs to realize what an ass he is making himself look like.

Is there an easy answer to this connundrum? Not at all. It's going to take until he catches his first touchdown pass for this to start blowing over. Because once you start performing again, everyone loves you.

You Hear That Last Line Raffy?

Rafael Palmiero is done serving his suspension. Period. Now all he has to handle are possible perjury charges. Period. Palmiero got caught lying and then lied some more about it. Period. At least now we know why he needed Viagra, all those steroids made him impotent. Period. Seriously dude, you have just gone from poster boy to laughing stock and no one likes you anymore. Period.

And Finally - You're Fired.

I once allowed Marc Rachild to provide a guest post with some fantasy football insight. No more. Not after he drafted Jake Plummer in the 7th round of a fantasty football draft ahead of Brett Favre, Carson Palmer, and Matt Hasselback. Of course, now in the week he plays me Jake will throw for 300+ and 4 tds.