Here's the question of the day, Philly sports fans: What was more painful, watching DeSean Jackson don that burgundy Redskins jersey and affix his signature to a $24 million contract, or watching the Phillies blow another lead and game in the 9th inning courtesy of closer Jonathan Papelbon.
I know, it's not easy.
DeSean Jackson's ugly exit basically comes down to two camps. Either there is something else out there that the team knows - but is not saying - in terms of his off-the-field associations, or Chip Kelly simply didn't want to deal with the controversial wide receiver any more.
Either way, it would be nice to hear something from the Eagles. So far, they've given us nothing other than that two-sentence release they put out last Friday shortly after the now-infamous NJ.com report of Jackson's alleged ties to LA. gang members.
I'm beginning to think the whole gang thing is overblown. It certainly didn't stop the Redskins from opening up Dan Snyder's wallet and giving Jackson a three-year-deal worth $24 million, with $16 million of that guaranteed.
Just think of that for a moment. I know I do. Jackson just pocketed $16 million guaranteed. Fans should come to grips with the fact that our heroes live in a different world, one we can only dream about.
It appears the Eagles rolled the dice, and so far it has come up snake eyes. They will be reminded of that two times every year for the next three years when they try to corral Jackson from terrorizing their defensive backfield.
Columnist Jack McCaffery offers his thoughts on the Jackson affair here.
*
It is simply way too early for the Phillies to be providing this kind of heartache. And it doesn't help matters much that last night's wick was lit by Mr. Papelbon, who has done little to endear himself to fans since his arrival from Beantown.
Last night he entered the game in the ninth inning to slam the door with the Phils holding a 3-1 lead, backed by a solid seven innings from starter Kyle Kendrick.
Mario Hollands redeemed himself from blowing Tuesday night's game by hurling a scoreless eighth and then handing the keys to Papelbon.
Like the scene from 'The Godfather,' the closer turned the key and had the whole thing blow up in his face. To say he struggled is putting it lightly. He gave up three hits, the lost the game with a bases-loaded walk.
The Phillies have now won a game in which they got an awful start from left-handed ace Cliff Lee, and lost two games in which they got solid starts from A.J. Burnett and Kendrick.
Want to look on the bright side? Ryan Howard hit a moonshot of a homer to dead center off a left-handed pitcher.
But Papelbon made it all moot with his own nitro performance.
The Phillies should realistically be 3-0 right now. Instead they are 1-3 with questions about their bullpen.
It's going to be that kind of season.
Dennis Deitch has the details from last night's meltdown.
Comments