By Pete Thompson
It’s good to be back in the pages of Shore Local after a few weeks off. Thanks to all of you who reached out during my brief hospital stay. I’m just fine thanks, and I appreciate all of you who noticed I was missing for a few weeks.
So much has happened as the Eagles needed overtime, but kept their playoff hopes alive with a big win over the Giants on Monday Night Football. The Sixers are still an entertaining watch, as they have a few games with a national TV audience coming up. The Flyers ended up the winningest team in the NHL for the month of November, and set a franchise record for wins in that month. They look great under first-year coach Alain Vigneault. The Phillies went out and got an established starter from the free agent market and a division rival. Finally, congrats to all the high school football teams that played last weekend at Rutgers for either a state championship or a regional championship.
From the entertainment world, “The Irishman” is out, but I still have to see it. I’m also seeing unbelievable trailers for movies like the next James Bond flick & the next Wonder Woman movie too. I love when new trailers come out. Plus, from TV, a long-running drama still manages to get to me with a historic episode. As always though, we begin with sports, and my thoughts:
It looked like Eli Manning was going to spoil the playoff hopes of the Eagles the way the first half unfolded on Monday Night Football, but down 17-3 at the half, the Birds rallied to score the next 20 points and win the game 23-17 in overtime. Guys like Boston Scott & Greg Ward played pivotal roles in the win. The Eagles control their own playoff destiny as if they win out, they win the NFC East and get into the postseason. Not only would they get in, they’d HOST a game, because the NFC East winner gets a Wildcard team. Unbelievable, right?
He was ripped mercilessly for his performances against Seattle & Miami, but Carson Wentz won the Eagles that football game. Wentz finished 33-for-50 for 325 yards and 2 touchdowns. With basically ZERO wide receivers and only a pair of healthy tight ends. Starter Alshon Jeffrey limped off the field and did not return. Nelson Agholor was a pregame scratch. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside had to leave with cramps at one point. Sure, it’s a win against the two-win Giants, but the Eagles did what they needed to do and now their playoff hopes are in their control.
Of course, since they’re the Eagles, they might go to Washington and LOSE. Believe it or not, there are scenarios where that could happen and they could STILL make the playoffs. Let’s just put it this way, even if you are upset with how the season has gone so far, you have to keep paying attention because neither Dallas nor Philly is taking control of things, so each week you’re still not sure WHO is going to win and make the playoffs…!
In basketball, the Sixers sit at 17-7 and 2nd in the Atlantic Division as of this writing. They have marquee games this week with Denver and Boston. Both of them will be televised nationally by TNT. You can still watch Marc Zumoff & Alaa Abdelnaby locally, but the fact that there’s national coverage shows you the level of interest in the Sixers this season.
Matisse Thybulle has been my breakout star of the season so far. The rookie rolled his ankle the other night, and then came back the next game to hit for 20 points and help the Sixers hold off Toronto 110-104. That game definitely highlighted a troubling trend though. The Sixers were up comfortably and then finished with SIX turnovers in the final 3 minutes and 7 seconds of the game. They had 11 fourth quarter turnovers…! Not the kind of performance that instills confidence about your team if they go up against a worthy opponent.
Speaking of worthy opponents, the Flyers go on a road trip this week to Denver, Minnesota & Winnipeg. The Flyers were the winningest team in the NHL in the month of November, and set a franchise record for wins in that month. That’s pushed them up into a playoff spot and has gotten the attention of folks who do NHL power rankings & such. They’re going to have to start the road trip without their top scorer though in Travis Konecny. “TK” as he’s known, went out with a concussion against Ottawa last weekend. It’s not known how much time he’ll miss, but the Flyers have to hope he returns as soon as possible.
Taking his spot on the top line (at least to start the road trip), is winger Tyler Pitlick…not James Van Reimsdyk. While that may turn some heads, Pitlick has the kind of wheels to at least come CLOSE to what TK brings that line. That said, Alain Vigneault can make adjustments as needed if Pitlick does not live up to top-line status.
Before I leave the Flyers, let’s talk about the goaltending as both Carter Hart & Brian Elliott have been strong. Hart is the solid starter, but in today’s NHL, you can’t play them all, and “Moose” as Elliott is known, is now healthy and showing that he can steal you a game along the way. A good goaltending tandem is crucial in the regular season. Then, most times in the playoffs, the coach tends to ride the #1 guy.
Now on to the Phillies, as first let me pay off the fact that the last time I did write in these pages, I mentioned they were looking for a hitting coach. They went with Joe Dillon from the Nationals, and here’s hoping he can fix Rhys Hoskins and get him back to normal. The Phillies also made news when they announced they would NOT be bringing back longtime players Cesar Hernandez & Maikel Franco. But, the biggest Phillies news came when they announced they had signed Zack Wheeler as a free agent. Wheeler is 29, and he’s not Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg, but he is an established MLB starter and could develop into an elite arm. Did they overpay at five years and $118 million…? I say they had no choice..! They haven’t developed any prospects and gotten them to the big leagues. After Aaron Nola and less than 100% Jake Arietta, the Phillies starting staff drops off in a hurry…!!!
Last year, the Phillies weren’t willing to give Patrick Corbin a sixth year. They wanted him as a free agent. The Nationals gave him that sixth year, and Corbin ended up giving Washington an outstanding season. Owner John Middleton didn’t want to see that scenario play out again. In fact, as I write this, reports are coming out that the Phillies have landed shortstop Didi Gregorius as well…! Heck yeah, Middleton putting his money where his mouth is. Let me note for the record, that the Phillies have NEVER exceeded the luxury tax before, so this would be a first.
In high school football, I want to say congratulations to local teams Hammonton, Cedar Creek, St. Joseph & Holy Spirit. All of them got to play at Rutgers last weekend for either a regional championship or a state championship. We are one step away from a true football state champion in each group, and I think that is way overdue. For the decade I spent in Nebraska, they played to a true state champion. Of course, they didn’t play Thanksgiving games, and I understand that many folks don’t want that tradition to end. I’m with Mike McGarry from the Press of Atlantic City on this one, move those rivalry games to Week Zero before college kids & others go back to school or work. You’ll still draw a big crowd (albeit in shorts), and the winner of that game can get good power points toward their playoff chances.
I’ll close with a few items from the entertainment world as “The Irishman” is out, but I haven’t seen it yet. It’s long, and I’m going to make that my Christmas Day viewing with my family. I have seen some reviews that say it’s too long and drags on too much, but I’m a sucker for Scorsese and the fact that it has Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino and others means it’s still going to be a “must watch” for me.
Other movies I’ve just seen trailers of that are coming in the pipeline include the last James Bond movie with Daniel Craig. Titled “No Time To Die”, it’s going to be Craig’s last appearance as 007, and I can’t wait to see it. I think he’s been the second best Bond ever, with Sean Connery getting my top spot and Roger Moore getting bumped down from three to two in my rankings. How would you rank the actors who have played James Bond…?
I’m also looking forward to “Wonder Woman 1984” that’s due out next spring too. Gal Gadot just OWNED the role in her debut and Chris Pine will be back too. I think I saw Kristen Wiig in the trailer as well, so maybe there will be some more humor in it too…? Amazon Princesses? Yes please…!
Lastly, I wanted to include a blurb about the show “Grey’s Anatomy”. The show has been on now for 16 years and has become mostly “comfort food” for me. Well, the 350th episode had flashback footage of characters who have passed away, characters who left the show, and more. I enjoyed it so much, I was compelled to tweet about it after the show, and promptly got a reply from someone I work with in the radio industry. His response read “Hey Pete…just stick to the Eagles, okay?”
Don’t forget, you can listen to me on the radio each Saturday morning on 97.3 ESPN from 8-10 a.m. It’s the “Pete Thompson Show”, and I hope you’ll tune in & interact with me on the air.
Pete has been the local “sports guy” at the Jersey Shore since 2004. After a decade with TV 40, he joined 97.3 ESPN radio to talk Eagles, Phillies, Sixers & Flyers with Mike Gill on “The SportsBash” each day from 2-6 p.m.
Pete is proud to be a “voice” for the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic each June, and does emcee work for groups like the National Football Foundation, The Old Grad Awards, and The 200 Club of Atlantic County. You can hear Pete each Tuesday on 97.3 ESPN at 5:30p, and if you see him out & about in the community, he requests that you please say “Hi”. Send comments to PBrooksT@aol.com
