Phour for Phour: The Philadelphia Sports Rundown

Welcome back, Patch readers!

This week, we’ll discuss an ex-Eagle’s run in with the law, the silly added meaning of the All-Star game, and the possibility that the NFL lockout is all but over.

Let’s get started!

The Good

Light at the End of the Tunnel

It looks as though the NFL lockout should come to an end in the next couple of days, according to multiple sources throughout the league.

After months of failed negotiations between team owners and the former players’ union, there seems to be common ground and agreements in place regarding several of the more contested issues, including profit sharing, the rookie wage scale, and free agency rules.

There are a couple minor issues that may slow down the announcement of an agreement, though they should be squared away over the coming days. 

In the ultimate sign of confidence, the Philadelphia Eagles have already started to prepare the fields at Lehigh University for training camp, moving in tents, equipment, and bleachers.

So, what’s next?

As soon as the agreement is in place, the NFL will attempt to pack six months of the offseason schedule into about six weeks.  That will include an accelerated free agency period and restricted free agency period, at the same time most teams are in training camp.

Though no announcement has been made, the likelihood of the Hall of Fame Game being played is low.  To accommodate player movement and training camp, it’s also likely that the first week of the preseason may be cancelled as well.

Still, it looks like the NFL will be business as usual come Week One, which should put a smile on the face of every man and woman who bleeds green.

Somewhere in the darkest of man-caves, Shoulderpad Shawn is letting out an overdue E-A-G-L-E-S chant.

Question:  Who would you like to see the Birds pick up in free agency?

The Bad

Contrived Meaning

The National League won the All-Star Game for the second straight year, giving this year’s NL pennant winner home-field advantage in the 2011 World Series.

That’s fantastic news for the Phillies, who currently own the best record in baseball, but for all the players who come from teams that aren’t involved in a playoff race, it means nothing.

The “added value” of having the All-Star Game determine home-field in the World Series stems from diminished ratings for the Midsummer Classic, along with the atrocity that was the 2002 All-Star Game, which ended in a 7-7 tie when each team ran out of players.

The bottom line is that it’s simply an exhibition of the best players in the sport, and having any effect on the World Series seems to take away from the 162 game schedule.  Can you imagine if last year’s Pro-Bowl determined home field for the Super Bowl?

Let the team with the best record have the extra home game, and stop letting players who won’t sniff the playoffs have a say in who gets what.

Question:  Should the All-Star Game determine home-field advantage?

The Ugly

Pay Before You Pump

Remember Reno Mahe?  The oft loathed punt and kick returner for the Philadelphia Eagles?

Well, he’s been arrested for allegedly stealing gasoline.

Despite making well over $1 million during his five-year career, Mahe found himself on the wrong end of the law last week when he was arrested along with four others for allegedly stealing more than $15,000 of gasoline from a construction company in Utah.

Surveillance footage allegedly captured Mahe, along with the other four arrestees, using a friend’s PIN number to purchase gasoline on the business account of the construction company between August and October of 2010.

Mahe never surprised anyone with his speed, but he certainly surprised his former fans and co-workers with the arrest.

And players wonder why the public never sides with them during labor disputes?

Question:  What is your favorite memory of Reno Mahe?

Video of the Week

He’s no Ozzie Smith. 

Looking Forward

The Phillies hit the road for a three game series against the Cubs before coming home for a weekend series against the Padres.  The Union host Everton on Wednesday, and play an exhibition against Real Madrid on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.

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

Tuesday: 

Phillies at Cubs  8:05 p.m. on PHL-17

Wednesday: 

Phillies at Cubs  2:20 p.m. on CSN

Union vs. Everton  7:30 p.m. on CSN

Thursday: 

No games scheduled

Friday: 

Phillies vs. Padres  7:05 p.m. on CSN and MLBN

Saturday: 

Phillies vs. Padres  4:10 p.m. on FOX

Union vs. Real Madrid  9:30 p.m.

(exhibition at Lincoln Financial Field)

Sunday: 

Phillies vs. Padres   1:35 p.m. on PHL 17

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