At the start of the season, the Phillies put out an interesting call on their social media platforms, asking for YouTube-submitted applications from left-handed fans who were interested in tossing batting practice during home games this season.
Are you a lefty with (somewhat of) a cannon arm and a dream of being in the big leagues?
It’s not too late – @gabekapler is looking for a left-handed BP pitcher to throw to our guys at CBP all season!
Apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at https://t.co/fxo2LtFVpg. pic.twitter.com/bJgPBNokU9
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 28, 2018
The Phillies found their man and he’s starting his job tonight, according to Bonnie Clark, vice president of communications with the team.
Shawn Senior, a resident of Cherry Hill, will toss left-handed batting practice before tonight’s game against the Atlanta Braves and will be on hand this season to throw before every home game.
The Phillies had over 400 applicants for the position and narrowed it down to seven finalists, Clark confirmed, before selecting Senior.
Senior has professional baseball experience, as he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1993 and played for four seasons in their minor league system.
Over four seasons he won 38 games, lost 33, and had a 3.99 ERA, according to The Baseball Cube.
You can buy his minor league card for $1 on Amazon as we speak.
B Dawk spent the last two years working with the Birds as a football operations executive. Effective immediately, I guess, he’s stepping down to become a team consultant instead while pursuing other endeavors.
Per press release, a statement from Dawkins:
“I want to thank Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, Don Smolenski and Coach Pederson for blessing me with the opportunity to return to this great organization. This is a special time in Philadelphia Eagles history and I am grateful to have been a part of the team’s first Super Bowl Championship – something I wanted to help bring to this great city, one way or another. I will always cherish the relationships I have within the building and it was a privilege to work side-by-side with so many great people. I have put a lot of time in prayer into this decision, and after talking it over with my family and listening to the Lord, I am being called in a different direction as I take the next step in my life and career. Although I am leaving my full-time role in football operations, I will always be a part of the Eagles family and the Philadelphia community. I look forward to continuing to work with the organization as a consultant while I also pursue other endeavors that are extremely important to me and my family’s purpose to inspire hope and increase the minds, bodies and souls of so many to come.”
Dawk played 13 seasons for the Eagles and will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame this summer. He hit like a truck and was a PHILLY TOUGH fan favorite.
Here’s a statement from the Birds:
“Brian Dawkins will always be a Philadelphia Eagle. We greatly appreciate all of Brian’s contributions to our football operations department over the last two seasons and we are excited that he will continue to help us going forward. As an NFL Hall of Famer and a Philadelphia Eagles legend, Brian is able to provide valuable perspective and draw on his extensive experience in the NFL while working in our front office. Our doors will always be open to him and we will support him in anything he does – both professionally and personally – as he continues his post-playing career.”
Mychal Kendricks wasn’t at OTAs this afternoon.
And if you don’t now, now you know:
Eagles releasing veteran LB Mychal Kendricks, per source. Kendricks spent six years with Eagles; he’s not expected to be unemployed long.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2018
Kendricks was due to make $5.8 million this year. He carries a dead cap hit of $3.2 million. However, if he’s designated as a post-June 1st cut, I believe the Birds save $6 million in cap space and only endure $1.6 million in dead cap.
He was the Eagles’ second leading tackler last season behind Nigel Bradham and added 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss.
Corey Nelson took first team reps at Kendricks’ WILL position today.
And Paul Worrilow was carted off the field with what apparently looks to be a serious knee injury:
New Eagles LB Paul Worrilow had an air cast placed on his right leg and was carted off after colliding with a teammate during the first day of OTAs. The injury occurred during red zone drills inside the practice bubble. The Eagles signed the veteran in… https://t.co/5Q51JrVdVX
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) May 22, 2018
With Worrilow and Kendricks out, the rest of the linebacker corps is Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Gerry, and Joe Walker. The good thing is that it’s only May 22nd.
Update: torn ACL for Worrilow –
Eagles’ LB Paul Worrilow was diagnosed with a torn ACL, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2018
Yeesh.
Update 2: it’s official –
Roster Move: #Eagles have released LB Mychal Kendricks. pic.twitter.com/e1grl1EUbn
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 22, 2018
I don’t have to tell you that the Philadelphia Eagles’ June 5th White House visit is a polarizing topic.
Some fans think the team should go, others don’t, and a third portion doesn’t care one way or another, seeing the pending trip to Washington as an individual choice.
On Instagram today, Brandon Graham published a letter he received from an Eagles fan who was extremely pissed off at the defensive end and his “asshole” teammates.
Here’s the letter in its entirety:
“You have my complete and utter contempt.”
sincerely,
<redacted>
For what it’s worth, Doug Pederson spoke about the visit today and said the decision to go or not to go will be left to each player individually.
This has been a longtime coming– the return of the CB Six Pack! For those of you who are unaware, this a weekly segment where we put head-to-head two completely useless things and concoct debates that don’t even exist. Onward we go. Continue Reading
The Birds are practicing indoors today.
Biggest takeaway from the start of OTAs? It’s gotta be Carson Wentz, who is doing a lot of drills:
Carson Wentz is not fully cleared yet but he is doing all of drills with the quarterbacks so far in first OTA
Look at him movin on that knee#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/ZxIiaImRDn
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 22, 2018
Nice.
Lemme get out the eye emoji:
More Carson:
Doug Pederson and Carson Wentz spoke to the media this morning before OTAs got underway. Practice is inside today due to the crappy weather.
Some of the more relevant notes, starting with Doug:
- Darren Sproles and Michael Bennett are the only two players not present. Pederson says he’s been in communication with both. “Two guys I don’t have a lot of concern as far as their ability to help us. They’re veterans and know how to get themselves going.” Bennett’s absence has nothing to do with legal issues. No concern getting him acclimated to the defense, says he’s been around long enough to understand Jim Schwartz’s system and expects him to be at OTAs eventually.
- Pederson pointed out that the Eagles have had a month less to recover from the season due to their Super Bowl success
- Not much of an update on Brandon Graham, who is in a cast – “hopefully we get him back before too long”
- Sidney Jones is “definitely in the mix” for a starting job. Dallas game last year boosted his confidence and he now has a full offseason to work.
- Doesn’t see Wentz as being on the “outside and looking in” due to his injury. Says hes very much involved in the day to day things around NovaCare, just not involved in practices. His throwing, the videos he posts, that’s part of his rehab and conditioning process and not part of anything he’s been cleared to do in a “practice setting.”
- No “big message” for the assembled team right now, sees OTAs as a time to get back into football. Doesn’t need to see a ton of work out of the veterans, but wants them to be ready for training camp.
- White House: June 5th is the day, team will go, “excited to go,” it’s a “great honor.” Still working through logistics right now. It’s an individual basis for players who want to go and don’t want to go. “It’s an individual decision.”
- On bringing back free agent Corey Graham: “If it works out, we’d love to have him.”
- Wants to a bit more of Nate Sudfeld and Joe Callahan with the offense this summer
Carson Wentz:
- “Always antsy this time of the year,” has to be careful not to push his rehab now that teammates are out at OTAs and practicing
- says he’ll be involved in a “handful of things” at OTAs, but hasn’t been cleared for everything yet
- On Dallas Goedert – an offensive weapon, I got to see him in college beat up on us a couple of times, heck of a player, heck of a talent, will be fun to see him out at OTAs, see where we can mix him into our packages
- On the White House visit:
Carson Wentz on visiting the White House: pic.twitter.com/heHV2tasfi
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) May 22, 2018
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