Morning Phil-Up: Could The Eagles Land Jason Worilds?

Could The Eagles Land Jason Worilds? – Bleeding Green Nation

The Eagles could turn to free agency as a means to improve certain areas of their defense. And while many expect a corner like Byron Maxwell to be the top priority, the team could also look to add some help at linebacker if Pittsburgh Jason Worilds becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Worilds started all 16 games for the Steelers last year, and recorded 7.5 sacks and an interception. With the Eagles set to potentially lose both Brandon Graham and Trent Cole, outside linebacker could very well be among the team’s top priorities.

The club doesn’t have any idea what they might be able to get from last year’s top draft pick Marcus Smith, and it would be dangerous for the team to count on him to perform any kind of significant role next year after he failed to record even a single tackle during his entire campaign.

Worilds was reportedly targeted by the Birds last year, and would be a very interesting talent to combine with Mychal Kendricks and Connor Barwin to form a key core for the linebacking corp. of the future.

Sixers Announce New Slogan – Philly.com

The Sixers announced a new slogan for the future of the team.

While during the past two years, the team’s rallying cry has been “Together We Build”, the new catchphrase beginning in fall 2015 is going to be “This Starts Now”.

Those three words offer hope that this is the end of the Sixers’ tanking ways and beginning in 2015, we’ll finally begin to see the team come together and begin going all-out to make moves to improve.

With Michael Carter-Williams set to enter his third year, key cogs from this year’s team like Robert Covington and Nerlens Noel with another year under their belts, and the expected arrivals of Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and another top draft pick certainly offers a lot of hope for the up-and-coming Sixers.

In a very weak Eastern Conference, Brett Brown’s squad might just be poised to make a run at the playoffs in 2015-16.

Looking At The Phillies’ Limited Veteran Assets – Philly Voice

The three veteran pitchers on the Phillies’ staff have the potential to bring back significant hauls if things play out well for them in 2015.

Obviously Cole Hamels remains the top target for many teams across the board, but don’t rule out Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon becoming top targets for July’s trade deadline as well.

Lee still has the potential to be an anchor on a pitching staff, and if he proves that he’s healthy could easily bring back a return that rivals that of Cole Hamels. Lee’s track record speaks for itself. He’s a guy that is downright untouchable at times, and he’s got plenty of previous success in the postseason to appeal to teams with.

Papelbon’s outrageous contract is the biggest thing that continues to dumb down his value, but by the time the trade deadline rolls around, he could also be a little more sought after. By the time the trade deadline gets here, most of Papelbon’s 2015 salary will be paid, and the idea of only being stuck with him for one more year after this one is much less daunting to teams who might have previously balked from a deal in the past.

Papelbon has lost a little of his velocity, but he still proved to be a very effective closer last season. If he keeps his numbers similar to what they were a year ago, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be an attractive piece to any playoff hopeful team looking to add an arm with big-game experience.

Flyers Give Kimmo Timonen A Tribute In His Return To Practice – CSNPhilly

On Tuesday morning, veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen made his return to the ice, skating for 45 minutes in his first practice of the season with the team.

Timonen had been out of action the entire year with blood clots in his lungs and legs, but had been doing all that he could to find a way to return and help his team.

Timonen’s teammates paid tribute to the veteran by tapping their sticks in unison when the veteran first got out on the ice.

The Flyers have been one of the league’s hottest teams of late, and have been fighting their way back into the playoff picture. The impact of these late-season games has been all the more motivation for Timonen to complete his comeback and help out his team for the stretch run.

I admire the will of Timonen to force his way back against all odds and go out on his terms, but I still believe that the long-term risks of him returning to action are just to great to justify the team allowing him to comeback.