Hey Gang, been a while. sorry about that. I was caught up in the soap opera that was BRETT FAVRE.

So let's catch up a bit?

What a story. Jimmy Rollins. Now many around the league have been turned off over the years by his brash and cocky attitude. But normally, he'd bring the goods to back it up.

However these days, something hasn't been sitting right with me.

Last year's MVP, it seems, has been "phoning" it in all season. His stats are in the toilet. He's been benched for having no hustle to his game, and he was benched again for showing up late for a key game 3 in the Mets series.

Now, with all of that, about 6 weeks worth of messing up, he just called out the fans. He called them "front runners", essentially saying, that when Philly is doing well, they're happy, but when they're not, the fans are not happy.

Isn't that any sports fans?

The thing is, say what you will about Philly fans....I've showed up at games in seasons where Al Madrid was out starting pitcher and Dickie Thon was our shortstop. Those teams did not win. But the fans always showed up. More recently for the Phils....games have sold out quite a bit in the last 5 years and keep in mind, until the 2007 season,The Phightin Phils hadn't been to the playoffs since 1993 . Look at the Sixers....attendance took a hit when Iverson left...but the fans still showed. The Eagles? 8-8 last year...and you still can't get a ticket because they're all sold out. Say what you will about Philly fans, there's hasn't been a championship in this city since 1983, but, never the less, they will show up in droves to support their teams.

It seems to me, that Jimmy is just throwing everything he can into getting himself out of town.

If he wants to point fingers, maybe he should look at himself....instead of going on "The Best D---n Sports Show" and "MTV's Cribs" maybe he should take a little time, look in the mirror, and maybe point that finger at the reflection.

Stop worrying about getting on TV. Get the hustle back, get the stats up, show up for work and lead the team down the stretch. Save this nonsense for another day.

take care and be well,

Your Friends at Philadelphonic.

So here we are. Knee deep into the NHL Playoffs. The Flyers only need to beat the Penguins and they MAKE IT TO THE STANLEY CUP!

I say, way to be fellas, get to the Stanley Cup.

Please, just don't go and win it.

Stop the presses.... a column called Philadelphonic, wanting the Flyers to stop a foot before the finish line?

Well, yep.

Here's why.

Philly is a championship starved town. It gives us that mean reputation we have. Someday, we will have that parade down Broad Street, we haven't had a parade since 1983. So 25 years. No reason to dance in the streets. The great people of Philly deserve it.

So it should be another team...another sport to bring it all home.

Now I'm not a "hater" by any means. I'm impressed with the Flyers. But hockey in general, has left me cold. No pun intended. I was a rabid fan in the 90's. Then that 1994 strike happened. I found something else to watch. When hockey came back, I sort of cared, but not as much. Then the lockout happened. I thought "REALLY? More time off?" It came back, and I sort of gave up on it. Why bother, you know? Attendance was, and is down in major cities, but not Philly, the fans came out big time to support the teams...and after a year of no hockey, tickets still managed to sell for a minimum of 80$ a piece. So, no harm, no foul, I wished nothing but the absolute best for the Flyers and the fans.

But now, after hockey has been so "love/hate" with it's sport, players and fans, does it really deserve to break the long running championship in Philly? For me, sure, I'd be happy, but it wouldn't be the same if another Philly team won.

The Eagles? YES. We've paid our dues. We've had headaches, (TO), near misses (Super Bowl 2004) good times bad times. When the Birds dispatched the Falcons to get to the 2004 Super Bowl, I watched people with tears in their eyes, random strangers hugging, older fans telling their favorite Eagles stories. It was something special. The Birds winning it all? It'd be a big happy party.

The Phillies? 10,000 losses, years of struggle, headaches like Billy Wagner/JD Drew, the "Dark Ages" when Rico Brogna and Travis Lee were our starters. Phillies fans have paid their dues. A championship for the Phils? It'd be quite an event.

The Sixers? Who didn't get behind them on this playoff push? They were left for dead and had no "superstar". And you know what? They came back from the dead, and showed heart, lots of it, plus the Sixers were the last team to bring a championship home (1983. Thanks DR. J).

So that leaves the Flyers. The NHL is a league where it's version of Babe Ruth or Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player of all time, STILL manages to get traded and play for 4 teams. Some of these teams pretty much change their entire rosters, from top to bottom, pretty much every year. Fans who buy jerseys and support their favorite player....those jerseys are normally outdated within 6 months.  Exhibit A. Paul Coffey.

They Flyers made it to the Stanley Cup in 1997. I was watching it with a TON of fans, they were happy, but the tears just weren't flowing like when the Eagles made it to the super bowl, and there wasn't the dancing in the streets of Frankford Avenue like when the Phils won the NL East Last season.

So with lockouts, strikes, huge ticket prices, no tv coverage and a new team every year....I wish the best for the Flyers....I really like Briere, Biron, Upshall, and love the ORANGE AND THE BLACK song.

Just please, let another one of our teams break our drought.

A strange week in sports, all.

In case you missed anything.

If I were to make a list of all the NFL players who'd likely be involved in a shooting. Marvin Harrison would be nowhere near it.

For years I'd heard Marvin Harrison was one of the truly good guys. The fact his name is anywhere near a Philly shooting is unreal. That would be like saying that Roger Clemens was allegedly messing with a young girl....

Oh wait.

Know who needs credit here? Mrs. Clemens. The last 6 months...her husband has been accused of cheating to achieve his hall of fame career, asked to not go near the olympic team, possibly lying under oath to congress....then accused by her own husband of being the one taking steroids...now country singers, golf wives and strippers are all speaking out about their affairs with Rocket Roger. I've stopped caring about Roger, I want to hear Mrs. Rocket speak out. That's an interview I wouldn't miss!

Speaking of out of line husbands. Brett Myers? Hi, remember you used to dominate with a 95 mph fastball? Can you turn down the "GARBAGE" and go back to kicking it like you used to? With Adam "I walked Randy Johnson on 4 straight pitches" Eaton turning back into his normal awful Adam Eaton self, we could really use the help. Thanks.

One more husband mention. Nick Cannon. You've gone from DRUMLINE...

.... to MARIAH.

 Kudos to you sir. Kudos.

In less happy news. Ronaldo, one of my favorite soccer players. Hangs out with transgender hookers.

Just for anyone keeping score of my JERSEY curse. I bought a Ronaldo Brazil National in Europe in 1997. The curse of any jersey I buy is in full effect...just ask Ryan Howard...

Who's jersey I proudly own. Ryan is currently hitting .173. I blame myself. I will hang up your jersey in my closet until you straighten everything out. I'm sorry Ryan. I blame myself. Because of your slump, Shane Victorino needs to collide with people to get on base. If anything Ryan, snap out of your slump so Shane can take a lesser beating.

Hey Chicago? That guy Gavin Floyd? The one who almost threw 2 no hitters in one month? Yep, we gave him to you for Freddy "ONE WIN" Garcia. You guys REALLY won that trade. Congratulations. Can you send him back? I didn't think so. Never hurts to ask.

"Dear LeBron, I can help. Am I good at basketball? No. But neither are your other teammates. At least I'll try my best."

So apparently Hockey IS still a sport. Apparently the Flyers are doing well at this sport. Way to be fellas.

Happy Belated Cinquo De Mayo. I just love those party holidays.

your friends at Philadelphonic.

What a bizarre time for sports

Here's a recap. Sorry for the delay. Been on the road!

Carmelo Anthony gets a DUI. I have a way to tell if you should drive after having a couple. Put on Bon Jovi's "LIVING ON A PRAYER", watch the crowd....when the chorus starts "whoa, we're halway there..." WATCH THE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN DRINKING. See how they react....do they close their eyes, pump their fist and scream "WHOAAAA We're living on a prayer"? If that's the case, they should not drive. It's sort of a makeshift sobriety test, and it works every time. Ironically, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was arrested for a DUI just days later. If only Richie followed my "Bon Jovi" test.

Apparently hockey is still a sport. The Flyers are doing well at this sport. The Washington Capitals sealed their fate when they'd run clips of ROCKY 4. Where the Russian Ivan Drago beat up the Philly Guy Rocky Balboa. Symbolically, it was supposed to be Russian Alex O beating on the Flyers. But the Caps DID know Rocky won at the end of Rocky 4...didn't they?

The Amazin Mets came to town. And all we heard about was the Philly Fans and Met Fans brawling.

However, "Mr. Philadelphia", Chase Utley is smacking the bejeezus out of the ball. Chase also helps animals by supporting the SPCA. Atta boy Chase. My dog, LUCY,who's a rescue, cheers for Chase too.

Shaun Alexander comes to back up Westbrook #36 in Philly. Actually, probably not. Then we'd have 2 injury prone rb's.

Sign of the apocalypse. The Ryan Leaf movie is getting good reviews.

Enjoy the NFL Draft....look for University of Delaware QB Joe Flacco to do well...maybe in MIAMI? Who knows....love that draft.

until next time,

Your friends at Philadelphonic.

8 Days A Week: IN CASE YOU'VE MISSED IT.

Well here in the Philadelphia Sports scene, as usual it's been a tense week filled with stress enough to give any loyal Philly sports fan an ulcer. In case you missed it. Here's the last 8 days in Philly.

MONDAY: March 31st. OPENING DAY. Here we go, Crazy Brett Myers on the mound, and as of the 4th inning he's COOKING up the Nationals. As of the 5th? Not so much. Crazy Brett leaves the game. The Phightin Phils tie the game up. Until Flash "Flush" Gordon takes over and does what FLASH DOES BEST. Messing everything up and ruining my day. Flash gives up 5 runs. Phils lose. Flash you know this isn't spring training anymore right? This looked like batting practice.

TUESDAY: April 1st. TOM GORDON DOESN'T ruin my day! Um, because the Phils had a day off. Here's a time to think about Philly representing in the NCAA Tournament! GO VILLANOVA! Oh wait VILLANOVA is gone. With Villanova gone, and the Phils not playing, let's follow the EAGLES LITO SHEPHARD trade rumors. He's part of the Roy Williams Trade! Wait that was the Philly paper's way of an April Fools Joke. I hate April Fools Jokes.

WEDNESDAY: April 2nd. PHILS are BACK! And COLE "PATROL" HAMELS is just kicking it. A great 8 inning performance! And the offense? They helped this performance by cranking out.....one hit. Against the Nationals. They made some guy who's name I don't even remember look like CY YOUNG. Another loss. A one hitter by some 38 year old guy who's been on 5 teams in 3 years.

THURSDAY: April 3rd. OH NO. Jamie Moyer is giving up lots of runs. I'm a big Moyer fan though. The Phils come back! YES! Flash Gordon gets in the game! NOOOOOOO! Flash does what he does best....which is almost blow the game. However as he does what he does best, giving up hits, giving walks, having a great time ruing everyone's day, something odd happens. He gets out of the inning! YEAH PHILS WIN. One win, 99 more to go.

FRIDAY: APRIL 4th. Apparently hockey is still a sport. Apparently the playoffs have almost started. Apparently the Philadelphia Flyers have made the aforementioned playoffs. Way to go fellas. Also in CINCINATTI, the Phils WIN AGAIN! Kyle "Crazy K" Kendrick, doing the darn thing. 2 in a row. "We win tomorrow, that's what they call a streak"-MAJOR LEAGUE

SATURDAY: APRIL 5th, 1pm. BOOM Ryan Howard CRUSHED a home run. Big time. BIG TIME. Then Chad Durbin comes into the game, the new Phil! Comes out and decides to do his best Tom Gordon impression. He walks a lot of hitters. Phils lose it in the 9th. However, the Philadelphia 76'ers? The team left for dead since the beginning of the season? Well they played their hearts out, and have now made the playoffs for the first time in 3 years.

SUNDAY: April 6th. SUNDAY. It's a day of rest. Unless you're Brett Myers and giving up runs again. Phils lose. Plus my girlfriend Beyonce marries JAY Z and not Tim C. Tough day. Tough day indeed.

MONDAY: April 7th. Jimmy "J ROLL" Rollins smacks a lead off home run, Geoff "the Jenk" Jenkins goes long ball, Pat "the bat" Burell with 2 spanks as well.

All of this helps Cole Patrol Hamels lock up a win. This game is done in time to watch Memphis play Kansas for the NCAA crown. I've had Memphis as "hype" the whole tournament I said "no way they'll get that far" well Memphis DID get that far and proved me wrong, Kansas for the win in the thrilling ending seconds.

Tense game. Memphis played it well. It was just a tough, tough loss.

At least that sort of thing happens in places other than Philly.

Take care and be well,

Your Friends at Philadelphonic.

Takeo Spikes is out for the year with a torn rotator cuff.

This is unfortunate, but not unexpected.

And this is all my fault.

See, I'm cursed when it comes to player jerseys. Anytime I take that leap of faith, I normally land on my face with a tremendous THUD.

It's now gotten to the point where friends and colleagues ask me to wear rival team's jerseys, just to see if my curse works.

Just for the record, it does work, just ask David Carr and Zinedine Zidane.

 Both solid athletes, both with levels of shame. I'm sorry to the both of you for ruining your careers. I wore the Zidane jersey during the world cup...now here's a guy who had a great career, but what's a big moment that he will be remembered for? The head butt. I take responsibility for this.  The curse crosses into other nations and also destroys their hopes and dreams.

Then came a time where I felt great, a few years ago, it felt like there was a wind of change. I went out, and hoping my luck would turn around, I bought a Terrell Owens Eagles jersey (going against my rule of wearing only defensive player jerseys ) and for the Phillies a number 25 of "Gentleman" Jim Thome.

For the first year of both the Jim Thome and Terrell Owens Philly era. It looked like the curse had been broken. But we know how that all ended.

The great Jim Thome, entered a few seasons of injury filled season with Philly, and although still loved by the city and fans, Jim Thome was traded to Chicago to give Ryan Howard the opportunity to play everyday (it was a good move, although you never ever like to see a guy like Jim Thome leave your city), in return we recived Aaron Rowand, Gio Gonzalez, and one more guy I can't remember. From that trade, what do we have remaining for giving up a future hall of famer? Nothing. the guy I can't remember was traded to Texas for a guy that was released after one start. Gio Gonzalez was traded back to Chicago for Freddy Garcia, who was a 10 million dollar bust here in Philly, and Aaron Rowand just signed a huge deal with San Francisco. So my Jim Thome curse? Went beyond Gentleman Jim, and even affected the players we recieved for him.

And Terrell Owens, need I even say it? Let's just say after coming back from a broken leg (my fault) taking the Eagles to the superbowl and losing (I wore an Eagles jersey...which is the game they lost by a field goal, also my fault) TO entered a ridiculous phase of his career which included his new agent Drew Rosenhaus demanding a new contract then saving a drowning child and saying that Philly should deal with him because he saves drowing children, then TO being banished, sit ups in his drive way and then released to sign with the Dallas Cowboys.

By the way, Jim Thome was traded around November 25th,2005 and TO was banished from Philadelphia around November 15th,2005. So within 10 days. I had two outdated and cursed Jerseys.

So, to all the TO fans and Jim Thome fans, their Philly departures, my fault.

I figured take a break on the jerseys. Until, the week before the draft in 2006, I saw an awesome Jevon Kearse one, I figured by going back to my "defensive jerseys" -only rule. It'd be perfectly fine and I'd wear it to attend the draft. This worked! We got Broderick Bunkley! The curse is over! WAIT! No it's not! Broderick Bunkley was a rookie camp "holdout" and then arrested for gun posession. Then Jevon Kearse was knocked out of the Giants game for the year. The curse never lets us down.

2007. Jevon is back. "I will continue wearing his jersey", plus...the Birds trade for Takeo Spikes. I've always been a Spikes fan....and Takeo came into town pumped up...talking big, making big predictions...I couldn't wait. The way Takeo was talking, it sounded like he was willing to play great D, practice all day and even on his own time, even take tickets at the door, sweep floors, sell concessions, anything to win. Takeo is big time. I needed his jersey. I got one.

Well here's 2007. Jevon Kearse has been deactivated because of his lackluster performance and even getting this quote "The Eagles signing Jevon Kearse was just like the Phillies trading for Kevin Millwood, it seeemed like a great idea....at the time" (I encouraged both of these transactions and take full responsibility for their respective failures)

December 17th 2007, Takeo Spikes out for the year with a torn rotator cuff. Rumor is that Takeo and Jevon may be cut in the off season.

So with that I'd like to apologize to the Spikes and Kearse camps. It's not you, it's me.

Now you may ask, where do all these cursed jerseys go? Sadly, because I have so many of them I hang them all up in my garage on what I call "the wall of shame" Eric Lindros Flyers? Check. Bobby Hoying Eagles? Check. Allen Iverson? Check (sorry AI, we miss you here), Gregg Jefferies Phillies? Check. There are so many more on the wall of shame. So many great potential difference makers, so many dissappointments. All my fault.

Next time, I buy a jersey, I'll run it by you all, so you can brace yourself for something horrible that will happen to the unfortunate player that I select.

Take care and be good,

Tim and all of your friends at Philadelphonic.