DeSean Jackson Carted Off The Field

Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson was carted of the field this afternoon in a non-contact drill. It appeared to be a lower back/leg injury.

After some intense worrying Jackson's injury is not serious. He has a tweaked back more-or-less. He was walking under his own power and will probably miss a few days of practice.

Let's hear a collective sigh of relief Philly...

I'm sure Jackson is even happier now that he has no new contract.

-DT
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Eagles Sign Free Agent WR Kelley Washington

The Eagles will have to release another player now that they have agreed to terms on a 1yr deal with free agent wide receiver Kelley Washington.

Camp body or roster depth?

"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

NFL Rookie Contracts Are Dumb, As Are The People Who Hype Them

This is just a brief blurb from this here reporter about the idiotic way the NFL allows a kid who has never played a snap in the league to get $50 MILLION dollars in GUARANTEED money just by being selected first overall in the draft.

Sam Bradford, the quarterback drafted first overall this past April in the NFL draft signed his rookie contract tonight and by doing so essentially made $50 million dollars.

Guaranteed.

If the kid turns out to be a total dud, the Rams are out all that cheese.

And as Ricky Waters once asked, "For who? For what?

The NFL is dangerously close to implosion, and I'm now convinced the best thing for the league is a work stoppage. The guys in this league who will only try up and until they get paid far outnumber the guys who play no matter what because they have respect for themselves.


And it's increasingly hard to root for.


Furthermore, how dumb is it when the bimbo from any given news station says that the deal that Chiefs' rookie safety Eric Berry just signed is the richest ever for a safety?

Its like saying that 2010 is the most recent year in the history of the world.

No shit, Shirlock. Apparently a 2% C.O.L. Increase from last year's rookie deals warrant that kind of fluff.


In a tiny nugget I'll bury at the bottom of this rant I'd like to confess that Albert Haynesworth makes me want to use many extreme, vulgar and potentially racially-charged words to describe the type of man it takes to sign a $100 million-dollar deal last year but wants to hold out/cause problems/generally be a douchebag the next.

Albert Haynesworth is a . . .


"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

Eagles Trade Joe Mays

The Eagles have traded LB Joe Mays to Denver for running back JJ Arrington.

Not earth shattering but a depth move none-the-less.
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LPS Photo Of The Week (maybe year!!)

I got this picture from a friend of mine. It's one of the most amazing pictures ever!!  It might truly be the LPS Picture Of Year!


No more words are needed...

-DT

Rollins Returns Tonight, Oswalt Debuts

Todd Zolecki reports that Jimmy Rollins will be back in the line-up tonight and will bat lead-off. Good news!

Domonic Brown will start tonight in RF and bat 6th. Fun News!

Roy Oswalt will wear #44 for the Phillies and debut tonight in DC. Awesome news!

Just to clarify, the Phillies did not pick up Roy Oswalt's 2012 option. It's a mutual option for 2012 between Oswalt and the Phillies. If Oswalt and/or the Phillies don't activate the option, Oswalt would get 1 to 2 million dollars.

-DT
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Eagles Sign Graham To 5yr Deal

Although terms of the deal have yet to be announced, the Eagles and their first-round pick, DE Brandon Graham, have reached agreement on a 5yr deal that should include over $10 million in guaranteed money.

More details to come...

"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

Oswalt Will Start Friday Night In DC, Trade Details Update

People have the entire Phillies minor league system traded today!

Here is the deal details...

The Phillies get Roy Oswalt and 11 freaking million dollars. Astros get Jay Happ, OF prospect Anthony Gose and SS prospect Jonathon Villar. Villar is so good he has 42 errors this season!

Charlie Manuel has already said Oswalt will start tomorrow night in DC.

Ed Wade Day in Philly tomorrow??

-DT
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Roy Oswalt Is A Phillie!

CSN Philly and 610WIP have confirmed that the Phillies have acquired Roy Oswalt and cash for Jay Happ, 1b prospect Jonathon Singleton and pitching prospect Vance Worley.

The deal is pending physicals on Jay Happ's forearm and Roy Oswalt's back.

Much more details coming on this enormous trade...

-DT
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Oswalt Pending Trade Update # 2

Here is the up to the minute details...


* CSN's Jim Salisbury gets confirmation that Oswalt will be a Phillie shortly. 

* Espn's Jason Stark reports that Roy Oswalt WILL ok the deal to the Phillies!

* The 2012 option WILL NOT  be exercised and Oswalt will be compensated another way for waiving his no-trade clause via Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

* Oswalt is due to start tomorrow night.

* Several reports are circulating that the Phillies could get as much as 12 million dollars back in the deal. Will see if that holds true since the option will apparently not be picked up for 2012.


Now, we just wait for the final word on Oswalt to Philly!

Oswalt Pending Trade Update

Here is the lastest LPS...
The deal is reportedly Roy Oswalt and 8 freaking million dollars for Jay Happ, pitching prospect Vance Worley and EITHER 1b prospect Matt Rizzotti or Jonathon Singleton.

The deal is awaiting Oswalt's approval and physicals.

If this deal is correct, then we should have Ed Wade Night in Philly!! Wade would be giving us his #1 starter and 8 million dollars for Happ (a #4 starter) and two low level prospects. Wow... I still don't believe it!

Another note, Brad Lidge is going for his first clean save this season trying to sell Oswalt on Philly and un-do Bret Myers damaging words. Lidge and Oswalt are close friends.

Stay tuned today as new details break moment to moment...

-DT
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Oswalt Deal Done, Awaiting His Approval

Multiple sources out of Houston and Philly are reporting the Phillies and Astros have agreed on a deal for Roy Oswalt. The only thing left is for Oswalt to approve it.

The trade appears to be Roy Oswalt to the Phils for Jay Happ and 1st base prospect Jonathon Singleton.

I have heard a few sources say Phils pitching prospect Vance Worley will be included in the deal but there are to many disputing sources on that to be sure.

I imagine the only reason the deal is awaiting Oswalt's approval is the negotiation over that final year 2012 club option. Oswalt has already said himself he was willing to negotiate.
Another fun fact, the "Oswalt not wanting to come to Philly" was mostly a smoke screen to get better leverage for both Oswalt and Houston to drum up more interest.

One small part of the "Oswalt not wanting to come to Philly" was true. Intially when these talks started he was getting bad info on Philly.

From who you ask??

That would be knuckle-head, wife beating douche-bag Bret Myers...

Myers apparently was in Oswalt's ear about Philly mostly ripping pitching coach Rich Dubee. Nice job Bret. How about you go get black eye in a bar fight and then lie about it, blaming your 3-year old son for hitting you with a ball.

Wait... You already did that.

-DT
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Before Wednesday Passes, LPS Remembers Jim Johnson

As we celebrate the beginnings of Domonic Brown's pro baseball career, we remember the ending of a football legend in Philadelphia.

One year ago today, Jim Johnson passed on from this life into whatever the next holds for us and we here at LPS would like to take a moment to remember the brilliance of his defensive scheming to the wacky way Johnson would lick his lips repeatedly as he ratcheted up blitz packages from the sidelines.

Jim Johnson was 68.

Make it count, people. This is not a test run. Live the Dream. And keep on Living Philly Sports.

"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

Werth, Brown & Chooch Start Bottom Of 6th With Hits, Phillies Up 4-0.

After Jayson Werth hit a liner up the middle for a base hit, Domonic Brown smacked a single and then Chooch chased the Diamondbacks pitcher after working him for 10 pitches and finally hitting a liner down the third base bag that stayed fair and rolled all the way into the corner of the ballpark.

Domonic Brown scored easily from first base.

4-0 Phillies.

Niice.

"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

Domonic Brown Hits RBI Double Off The RF Wall, Phils Up 1-0

Domonic Brown is batting 1000. In the majors after his first at-bat for the Phillies, knocking an RBI double off the RF wall to drive in Jayson Werth.

"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

Phillies News: Gillick Talks Dominic Brown, Won't "Talk About The Past" Concerning Cliff Lee

Heralded prospect Dominic Brown will start tonight in RF tonight and will bat 6th in the line-up.

Jayson Werth will move to CF and remains 5th in the batting order.

After watching Brown play in the minors, LPS contributor Matt O'Hara has compared Dominic Brown to a former famous NY Met.

"Darryl Strawberry without the addiction problems" opines O'Hara.

That's a very favorable comparison for the Phillies top
prospect.


Phillies Sr. Advisor Pat Gillick hints that although there have been internal discussions about moving Jayson Werth, his value now may be too needed to ship out. He would not rule out the possibility but it looks like, as LPS has pointed out, that Werth won't be going anywhere.

Gillick also said that Brown will "eventually settle in to the right field spot" and that he projects Brown to "third or fifth batting spot down the line".

That seems odd since Chase Utley usually bats third in the order.

Gillick also said that Brown could "maybe bat second".

As for who will play between Werth, Brown and Victorino when Victorino comes back, Gillick says they will go with who's hot.

When asked about not keeping Cliff Lee, Gillick said that he and Ruben Amaro Jr. (Phillies head honcho) "choose to not talk about the past and would rather talk about the future".

Translation: "yeah we fucked that up".

LPS will bring you coverage of tonight's Phillies game so stay tuned!


"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

Victorino To The DL, Domonic Brown Called Up, Oswalt Update

Well, we are going to find out what Domonic Brown has to offer...

The Phillies have placed Shane Victorino on the 15-day DL with a left oblique/abdominal strain. Domonic Brown has already been called up (may have just passed the mid-county tolls!) and we'll get a chance to see what this kid can do. I would imagine he will start in right field and Werth will move to center field.

Speaking of Werth, it is a stone-cold lock he will not be traded now.

Good...

I have seen several sources that disclose the Phillies have the pieces to get a deal done without moving Werth for Roy Oswalt. Apparently all the Oswalt not wanting to come to Philly is a smoke screen leaked by the Astros to gain more interest. Same thing with the final year club option for Oswalt. He even said himself he is willing negotiate that final year number.

Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt?? That's stupid good!

-DT
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Eagles News: Hall Released, Westbrook Update

OLB Alex Hall, who was acquired in the trade that sent CB Sheldon Brown and OLB Chris Gocong to Cleveland, has been released today.

So, that worked out really well.

Coach Andy Reid said he thought Hall "would be good in a 3-4" which is the system he was in during his stint in Cleveland.

But we don't play 3-4 defense here, so why did we ever bring him into the fold if he wasn't a fit?
In other Eagles news, former Eagle Brian Westbrook is still on the market and NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora reports that there are two teams most likely to land Westbrook's services.

The St. Louis Rams are still very interested in signing the former Birds' runningback, but they realize (as does Westbrook) that they are anything but a contending football team.

LaCanfora points out that the Washington Redskins remain the favorite, because Westbrook is from the D.C. area AND his brother plays for the Redskins AND they brought in Donovan McNabb AND they are a contender (like it or not Philly fans, they are a contender).

Westbrook probably won't take part in much, if any, training camp but within two weeks a decision could be coming.

LPS says to look for Minnesota as a late entry into the Westbrook derby.


"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

Victorino Hurt In Phillies Win

Shane Victorino left the game early tonight with what is said to be a left oblique strain. Phils have not said if he will go to the DL but it didn't look good.

The effect of this injury will be two-fold. Jayson Werth isn't going anywhere now and hopefully Dominic Brown is on the way to the big club.

Keep it here for details as they become... available.
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Nate Allen Signs 4-Year Deal With Eagles

Nate Allen, the Eagles second-round pick, has signed his deal with the Birds.

Allen should be on the field at Lehigh tomorrow.

Details to come...

"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

T.O. Sign With Bengals, Circus Ensues

Title says it all...

T.O. And Ochocinco on the same team.

Keep in mind they signed Antonio Bryant earlier in the offseason, right after they had T.O. In for a workout.

More details on the contract as they come out.
"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

Graham, Allen Remain Unsigned As Lehigh TC Begins

The Eagles started training camp at Lehigh University today. Rookies and select veterans were in attendance. The rest of the squad will be arriving soon.

But two guys who aren't practicing yet are the Eagles' first and second round picks Brandon Graham and Nate Allen, respectively.

There was optimism that Nate Allen would've been signed before today, and sources close to the situation say that a deal could be coming very soon. Allen is a key rookie who needs every bit of training he can get considering he may be the starting free safety.

As for Graham, the delay isn't fault of the Eagles one source has opined. The only first round pick signed so far is Dallas Cowboy's Dez Bryant. When it comes to slotting contracts in the first round, with so many millions of dollars at stake, both teams and players are careful in rushing to a deal. And with practically no first round picks signed it's hard for both teams and players to get deals done until more players set slot values.

The agents in this process are the key to getting it done. But agents are paid in commissions, and I think that should explain a bit more about the delay in getting these guys signed.

One of the biggest issues the NFL faces is to get a better system for rookie contracts.

In other camp news, every source I've read noted Kolb looked very sharp (maybe he was in such good spirits because McNabb reminded him how to stay classy with a "good luck" text). Not surprisingly, I've read that Vick did not look very good or throw with much accuracy.

5 million in guaranteed money for a backup qb/felon who used to run fast.

The Eagles know best, right?

More to come on these and other stories from Lehigh. And stay tuned for coverage FROM Lehigh as LPS gets ready to hit the road to cover the Eagles live at camp! Details forthcoming.


"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"

Happy Eagles New Year!!!

It's finally that time of year!! Eagles Football has begun!!

Rookies and selected vets have reported to training camp as of 5pm. Only Brandon Graham and Nate Allen are missing. I did see a few reports that Nate Allen is on the way to camp which hopefully means there is a contract agreed upon.

Graham will be another story especially since next to nobody in the 2010 first round have signed yet.

FYI, remaining Eagles veterans are due in camp by Thursday night.
Here is the first Eagles question of the new season... LPS-Nation, will the Eagles make the playoffs?
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Oswalt Does Not Want To Come To Philly

There are now several reports including one from Fox Sports that Roy Oswalt does not want to come to the Phillies. He wants the Cardinals and remember last week his reported comments about not wanting to go to an aggressive media market.

Keep in mind all this could be a smoke screen and bargain positioning but I have not seen any reports disputing this notion.

Will certainly find out by Saturday...

-DT
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Vick Cleared To Play, Phillies Trade Talk Update

The NFL has ruled... Michael Vick has been cleared to play without suspension by the NFL after a thorough investigation. So Mike Vick and the media circus will be present tonight in Lehigh when rookies and selected vets report. Will Vick answer any questions??

It's still pretty quiet but here is a small update on Phillies trade talks. The Phils are still hot and heavy for Roy Oswalt. Though Oswalt wants to go to the Cards, I doubt the Astros will trade him within the division.

It appears as of now Werth and/or Happ are the likely players to be moved in an upcoming deal. Happ's decent outing yesterday has certainly raised his value.

Stay with LPS through this crazy week leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline on Saturday!

-DT
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P Dan Haren Traded To The Angles

Title says it all.

News to follow. . .
"If you fail to plan than you plan to fail"