THE POD

Serena. 2️⃣3️⃣🎾🏆

TO WEAR OR NOT TO WEAR Now that we know the New England Patriots will play the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51, proposition bets are in full swing for the next 2 weeks. One of which is a big decision to be made that may swing the Vegas money one way or the other. The Falcons are this year's home team. Therefore, they'll have the choice of wearing their red jerseys (worn mostly playing in The A), or white (worn mostly on the road). Simple choice, right? Not exactly. You see, Super Bowl teams who have worn white jerseys have won the last 5 contests on the Super Sunday, and 9 of the last 10. The only exception was ironically the Green Bay Packers (green jerseys) in SB 45 whom the Falcons just destroyed Sunday, 44-21. I'm sure any Atlanta fan who reads this may immediately become superstitious and demand the Dirty Birds go with white. The trend certainly suggests they do so.

Happy Birthday Hoot!

EAGLES 4-4 IN PERSPECTIVE Eagles took another loss on the chin today, falling to the New York Giants, 28-23. They're now 4-4, last place in the NFC East. Also 0-3 vs the division with all 4 of their defeats by 7 points or less. The latest can be attributed to quarterback Carson Wentz and head coach Doug Pederson performing as they are...rookies. This is why it's important not to get too high or too low and place expectations for 2016 in perspective. Although the Eagles got off to a great start, both Wentz and Pederson will have growing pains and fans will suffer tough losses as a result. I have little doubt that Wentz will be a great quarterback. Pederson may be more difficult to predict because head coaches are a dime a dozen. Fact is, Eagles aren't there yet. Not yet a contender. It might best at this point to just look for growth and maturation from the franchise's two most important rookies.

A5. Perhaps 90% of fans hate his guts, but I’m highly entertained by Rodney Harrison. Although he may be a bleep, his passion for the game is second to none and pulls no punches with analysis. I also love the at times awkward chemistry he has with Dan Patrick and Tony Dungy, who I respect to the highest degree.

Eagles Preview Week 6 There a few concerns about the 3-1 Philadelphia Eagles playing at Washington today. Eagles have lost their last 3 games vs. DC with quarterback Kirk Cousins winning 2 of those contests, but that was all under Chip Kelly. Right Tackle Lane Johnson has been suspended for 10 games with a mid round rookie taking his place. Eagles also committed their first two turnovers of the season last week at Detroit, is that a sign of things to come? Will they run the football more with lots of depth at tailback? Can they get the tight ends involved? Is the top 10 defense capable of making a critical stop late in the game? This is a must win by the Eagles to keep pace or jump ahead back in first place. It's also a must as the schedule only gets tougher. All this being said, the Birds will pull it out today. Eagles 23, Washington 17.

With just 2 games in, the Philadelphia Eagles appear to have their franchise quarterback in Carson Wentz. He has all the tools. Miles ahead of quarterbacks past. Fans have hope that he’ll be that guy. Yet of course, as Philly sports goes, we always wait for the other shoe to drop. That is Wentz taking to many hits which will result in injury, aka his lack of sliding. Well, I’m here to tell you that sliding is overrated. Would you like your QB to take as few hits as possible? In a perfect world, yes. However, the elite QBs rarely slide. When was the last time you saw Aaron Rodgers slide? Tom Brady? Ben Rothelisberger? Did you ever see John Elway shy away from a hit? Sure, these guys have been injured, but where? Most times it was in the pocket. Wentz is a smart dude. His coaches are former QBs. It’s football. He’ll be just fine. No worries here.

IT'S TIME If you're looking for the Colin Kaepernick stories to go away, it's not happening. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback graces Time magazine's latest cover. Although most publications are now just online, it forces people at newsstands and grocery stores to at least take a glance.

Malcolm Jenkins Leads Gesture During Anthem Eagles defenders Steve Means, Malcolm Jenkins, & Ron Brooks raise their fists in solidarity during the national anthem at Soldier Field in Chicago. Eagles beat the Bears 29-14.

SIXERS TO HONOR WILT & CO. Philadelphia 76ers will honor the 50th anniversary of their 1966-67 World Championship team with these throwbacks during 12 Saturday games this season. The roster included Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, & Billy Cunningham. All of whom have their jerseys retired by the Sixers and are basketball hall of fame members.

NFL released its highly discussed color rush uniforms to be worn during Thursday Night Football games in 2016. The Philadelphia Eagles to the dismay of some fans, chose to go all black instead of midnight green or even kelly green. They’ll wear the uniforms at home on December 22nd vs the New York Giants who will wear an all white uniform. Here is the NFL's official release: http://operations.nfl.com/updates/the-game/nfl-and-nike-unveil-2016-color-rush-uniforms/

CARSON CITY Carson Wentz throws for 278 yds and 2 TDs in his NFL debut as the Eagles beat Cleveland 29-10. Not bad at all for a rookie. Wentz will have his ups & downs, but he has the tools. It's also important that head coach Doug Pederson continues to call a good game. Eagles at Chicago Bears next Monday night.

This day has come…Allen Iverson in a suit & tie! You know it’s hall of fame time. Congrats A.I.!

It’s still a shock to many, but the Philadelphia Eagles traded Quarterback Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings for a 1st round pick in 2017 and a 4th rounder in 2018. It seemed inevitable that the Eagles wouldn’t budge on dealing Bradford. They wanted to try and win now while heir apparent 2016 No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz sits and learns and as journeyman backup Chase Daniel shows everyone of how rookie head coach Doug Pederson likes things done. It was a potential disaster and very few believed in the experiment. Eagles got it right. Bradford had to be moved. He also has no margin of error leading a loaded Vikings team with high expectations. Philadelphia fans will now get their wish…Seeing Wentz under center much sooner than anticipated and it is of popular opinion that Eagles nation is ready to grow with their franchise QB win, lose, or draw.

PHILADELPHIA WILL HOST THE 2017 NFL DRAFT It is official. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will host the NFL Draft on April 27th-29th, 2017. City and league officials made the formal announcement today. For full details of the festivities, click the link below. https://nflcommunications.com/Documents/2016%20Releases/17Draft%20(003).pdf

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Ben Simmons has made an immediate impact in revenue even though he has yet to play in an NBA regular season game. According to Fanatics.com, Simmons is now in the NBA’s top 10 for merchandise sales among players. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Russell Westbrook, and Simmons led in sales throughout the Summer of 2016. Expect his ranking to rise during the season factoring in his talent and international appeal.

NFL DRAFT IN PHILLY A REALITY After months of speculation, one of the worst kept secrets in sports is now a reality. The 2017 NFL Draft is coming to Philly. A press conference is scheduled for September 1st at City Hall featuring officials from both the NFL and the City of Philadelphia. The draft was in Chicago for the past two years after being in New York City for many years prior. The irony here is that the hometown Philadelphia Eagles are currently without a 2017 1st round pick which was traded away to Cleveland so the Eagles could select quarterback Carson Wentz.