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Philly Throwdown League - Round 2 - What Philly team will win a championship first?

arcele said 09/19, 01:36 PM
I'm going to have to take the Phillies here. Granted over the last 3 years or so the Phils have done little besides tease us heading into the last week of the season and caused us nothing but heart ache. But currently in Philadelphia, the young up and comers are quickly becoming dynamic leaders via their hard-nosed style of play and clutch hitting. Chase Utley has stepped up and become arguably the best second baseman in the game, add Ryan Howard's vicious power, J Roll's versatility on the bases and at shortstop and a group of talented outfielders including Victorino, Bourne, and Werth and you have the position players to get it done.

The easiest argument to be made against the Phils is their pitching which has been poor to say the least this year. But looking at the young arms we have, Hamels, Kendrick, and possibly Durbin could step up in the next few years to build a strong core of a pitching rotation. So looking forward, I say that the Phillies will be the next Philadelphia sports franchise to win a World Championship.

Oso's back-Sort of said 09/19, 04:55 PM
The Eagles mathmatically have the better chance to win a championship than any other Philadelphia area team. The Phillies have to beat out the Mets, Braves, and to a lesser extent Marlins in order to win the pennant. However, the Eagles have a less competitive division where the title is always up for grabs. Furthermore, the Eagles have two Wild Card opportunities to the Phillies one. The Eagles are in a league and conference who's middle name is parity. Anyone can go from worst to first in a blink. The Eagles do not face as much opposition as the Phillies do to reach the championship, ergo making it to the big game will be difficult, but not as much as in the MLB. With the ebb and flow of conference dominance in the NFL, it is entirely possible for the Eagles to upset the AFC champ. Not necessarily this year mind you. But soon. The Eagles have a great mix of veteran and youth plus depth at key positions. A core of young players is locked up for the long haul, which further ensures stability along with a coach who has been there for nearly a decade.

arcele said 09/20, 10:31 AM
The eagles may be a part of a weaker division, but we're not talking about who will be the next team to make it to the Championship, we're talking about who will WIN it. Playing in a tougher division helps to better prepare you come playoff time and the Phils have shown that they have the ability to step their game up against the big boys, they've won their last 8 games versus the Mets. The Eagles have done a great job over the past few years keeping themselves strong on the defensive and offensive fronts but have struggled to get the right skill position players to fit their scheme. The Phils are built much more for the long haul then the birds, so even if they don't win it this year or the next, they'll still have a legitimate shot five or six years down the road, this is the primary reason that I beleive that the Phils will be the next Philly sports franchise to bring a parade down Broad.

Oso's back-Sort of said 09/20, 11:08 AM
Great point. However, in order to win the championship, you have to get there first. Of all the 4 major pro sports teams in Philly, there is only one that has consistently been in the hunt.

Phillies: 5 Pennants won. Last playoff appearance: 1993

Eagles: 34 Playoff appearances, 17 wins, 2 Super Bowl appearances including 2004.

I understand why some might think it looks dark for the Eagles. But hasn't it always? When McNabb went down during the losing streak last year, the Eagles bounced back to make it to the 2nd round. Back in 2003 the Eagles went 0-2 and still wound up with a NFC championship appearance.
The Phillies have a great young core, but how easy is it to find good pitchers? There is no "dial a pitcher" hotline. No guarantee that even a free agent or young prospect will be able to step in to shore up the rotation.
The Eagles on the other hand have a strong and young offensive line and defensive line. All championship teams have proven that the battle is won in the trenches. The veterans are already being pushed by younger players which will ensure their ability to win the Super Bowl.

arcele said 09/20, 11:28 AM
It's very true that the Eagles have enjoyed more consistent success, but the Eagles havn't won a Championship since the 60's. The important thing here is really to look ahead anyhow and the Phils have that strong, young core; add a few role players to that roster to provide a little more experience and you could be looking at a Championship club in the next 2 or 3 seasons.

The Eagles are good enough to win the East, even the NFC most seasons but usually fall just short of what it takes to be a World Champion. The main argument against an immediate championship for the Eagles would have to be an inconsistent run stopping front 7, and what seems to be a linebacker overhaul every season. Jim Johnson doesn't seem to be sure if he wants quick small LBs (Simenou, Dhani Jones) or big powerful linebackers (Trotter, Spikes) and every year there is a major overhaul, without consistency and an ability to build chemistry the Birds will sadly continue to struggle against the run, and if you can't consistently stop the run, you won't win a championship.

I hope all Philly teams win championships in the next few years, but objectively, the Phillies have to be the team with the best shot.

Oso's back-Sort of said 09/20, 11:51 AM
In summary:
1) Phils have a great chance this year to make a run at it. But you've admitted that they have to fill in a few pieces to get there. The Eagles have young depth backing up or even starting now on the team. There are no missing pieces on the Eagles. Just poor utilization of skill players at the moment.

2) You mention the defense as a weakness on the Eagles. Yet they are 3rd against the run and 2nd against the pass. Eagles D is toeing the line despite missing starters at DB and having new LB's in the front 7. Once the offense takes off (and it will) the Eagles will be on top again.

3) Now I go out on a limb. =8>O The Eagles are in place to make a run at the SB every year. If not this year, then the next, and the one after that. While other teams fire coaches and cut or trade their stars, the Eagles reload and replenish their roster with unhearalded stars who will get the job done and bring the Lombardi trophy to Philly.

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Is this a trick question?

11IsDaNew16 | 09/19/07, 01:44 PM

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Philly Throwdown League - Round 2 - What Philly team will win a championship first?

arcele beat Oso's back-Sort of 11 to 4

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