An Embarrassment of Riches

It’s been an unprecedented week of player movement and acquisitions, with the Eagles picking up five new Pro Bowlers and the Phillies finally getting that coveted right-handed bat.

For the moment, Philadelphia has become the center of the sports world, with talk radio and ESPN seemingly talking Phillies and Eagles round the clock, so this week, we’re going to take a look back at some of the major moves and evaluate their potential impact on their teams.

Championship!

Hunter Pence

It’s always a lovely sight when someone calls their shot and ends up being correct. That’s especially true when a certain Perkiomen Valley Patch contributor stated that in exchange for Singleton, Cosart and two career minor leaguers.

Pence brings the right-handed bat that the Phillies have needed all season long. He plays hard, in the vein of Chase Utley, and though he may look a bit awkward at the plate, Pence can hit for average power and steal bases, and he’s a plus fielder. Best of all—he’s under team control for a few more years.

The Phillies did pay a high cost for Pence by sending their top two prospects in Singleton and Cosart, but Singleton was never going to see playing time in the big leagues with Ryan Howard in his way. The loss of Cosart stings a bit, but the Phillies farm system has an abundance of young arms.

The rich get richer, and with the trade deadline having come and gone, no one is in a better position to make a run at a championship than the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kevin Kolb

The plan to trade Kevin Kolb was the worst kept secret in the NFL, as most fans knew he would be a Cardinal four weeks ago.

Now, as Kolb prepares with his new team in Arizona, the Eagles have a new ball-hawking defensive back and a second-round pick to boot.  That’s amazing compensation for a QB who has made seven career starts, and looked terrible in half of them.

The tandem of Cromartie and Samuel would have been one of the best in the league, but Eagles GM Howie Roseman had another trick up his sleeve.

Nnamdi Asomugha

The best available player in free agency, and the best all around corner in the NFL—sorry Jets fans—is now a new addition to the nest.

The Eagles made it known that they were going to make a run at Asomugha, but after Cromartie came over in the Kolb trade, it was believed that the Eagles interest had waned.

Think again.

Asomugha joins Samuel and Cromatie in what has to be the best trio of cornerbacks in NFL history. Solid pass defense is a must in a pass-happy league, but opponents are going to have their hands full trying to pass on a defense that runs out a Pro Bowler as its nickel corner.

Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins

Babin had 12 and a half sacks last season in Tennessee, under the tutelage of defensive line coach Jim Washburn. The Eagles picked up Washburn as their new defensive line coach, so it was an easy decision for Babin to make his return to the nest.

Now the Eagles have Pro Bowl bookend defensive ends.

Cullen Jenkins was an absolute beast for the Packers last season, helping them to their first Super Bowl victory in over a decade. Now, he brings that ferocious pass rush and run stopping ability to Philadelphia.

Before the ink was even dry, Jenkins became the best defensive tackle on the team. This became evident when the Eagles shipped off first-round bust Broderick Bunkley to the Browns for a fifth round draft pick.

As it stands, the Eagles defensive line looks amazing … on paper.

Vince Young

After trading Kolb, the Eagles needed a legitimate backup for oft-injured Michael Vick. Vince Young fits the mold, but let’s be realistic about the acquisition.

Young never lived up to his potential in Tennessee and ended up getting Jeff Fisher—the longest tenured coach in the NFL —fired. On top of that, don’t forget that Young had a nervous breakdown after being booed during his home-opener in 2008.

Police had to go to the Titans’ training facility in the early hours after Young fled his home with a handgun in his glovebox after making suicidal comments to friends and family members.

Fortunately, Young is only here on a one-year deal, but that may be a year too long once the Philly "boo birds" get a hold of him.

Overview

This past week has been nothing short of exceptional, with a flurry of movement in both the NFL and MLB. Philadelphia came out a huge winner on both sides.

Gone are the days when the City of Brotherly Love was considered a second-rate destination for high-end players. Instead, it has become one of the (if not the) premier cities when it comes to attracting and acquiring talent.

Looking Ahead

The Phillies begin a 10-game West Coast road trip, with series against the Rockies, the Giants and the Dodgers. The Eagles have opened the gates at Lehigh to record crowds eager to see those who are new to the nest, and the Union will play a pair of games against the Chicago Fire and the Houston Dynamo.

Here’s your schedule for the upcoming week in Philadelphia sports:

Monday

• Phillies at Rockies  8:40 p.m. on CSN
• Eagles Training Camp  8:05 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (Autograph – Offensive Line)

Tuesday

• Phillies at Rockies  8:40 p.m. on CSN

Wednesday

• Phillies at Cubs  3:10 p.m. on CSN
• Eagles Training Camp  8:05 a.m. / 2 p.m. (Autograph – QB's, Defensive Backs)
• Union at Chicago  9 p.m. on CSN

Thursday

• Phillies at Giants  10:15 p.m. on CSN
• Eagles Training Camp  8:05 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (Autograph – Defensive Line)

Friday

• Phillies at Giants  10:15 p.m. on CSN
• Eagles Training Camp  8:05 a.m. / 2 p.m. (Autograph – Wide Receivers, Kickers)

Saturday

• Phillies at Giants  4:10 p.m. on FOX
• Eagles Training Camp  8:05 a.m. / 2:45 p.m. (Autograph – Offensive Line)
• Union vs. Houston  8 p.m. on 6ABC

Sunday

• Phillies at Giants  4:05 p.m. on PHL 17
• Eagles Training Camp  8:05 a.m. / 2 p.m. (Autograph – QB's, Defensive Backs)

If you have questions you would like to see answered in next week's Phour for Phour column, email them to slavetologic@gmail.com.