By Nick Carroll

All good things must come to an end, or so they say, and unfortunately it’s feeling that way as a Philly fan.

Let’s start with the team at summer’s forefront, the powerless Phillies. Just two months ago I remember sizing up the American League and counting on a third-straight National League pennant as the Phils were off to a scorching start. Now, I am feeling my optimism dwindle for the first time. The team lacks any urgency (remember when we used to steal bases? That was cool…) and the pitching is finally starting to fade. But this brings up a bigger question, is the ride over? This is now two years where Jimmy Rollins’ bat has been silent.  Raul Ibanez is mired in a 13 month slump, and Chase Utley has taken more of a beating than most 31-year old ballplayers. On top of Placido Polanco’s age and Shane Victorino’s allergy to the bases, it really makes you wonder.

I really hate to bring this up, because it doesn’t feel like it’s time. Most teams have longer runs than the 3-year spurt the Phils enjoyed, but was that it? The team is aging and it may be passing its time. Hopefully this is a temporary slide, or at least the compiling of some fatigue after two long seasons, but it is hard not to worry watching the previously vaunted offense struggle to score runs.

(Quick side note, if Ruben Amaro empties the farm system for a high-priced pitcher, I’d like to formally request for all of the smug, greater-than-thou supporters of the Cliff Lee trade to go down the shore and find a nice place on the beach to bury their heads. So much for not needing the pitching, it’s not like an ace would come in handy. Also, the whole idea that we needed to trade Lee for prospects that would allow us to make another deadline deal may be the worst logic I have ever heard. Maybe if we held onto Lee we wouldn’t have to make this desperate deadline deal. I’ve actually heard this reasoning. My head hurts.)

No matter how this Phillies run ends up, at least they reached the top, unlike my next subjects. First off, the Flyers fucked up. There’s no other way to put it. The drop off from all-around dynamo Simon Gagne to Krimpet-soft Nikolai Zherdev is immense. First, you can depend on Gagne every night. He didn’t take shifts off. Zherdev did, last we saw with the Rangers in 08-09. In addition, Gagne is far more responsible defensively. +/- is an inherently flawed statistic, but you can’t argue with those differences (146 vs. -43 for their careers). Gagne was a reliable penalty killer for years and is a very responsible defensive player. Zherdev is neither of those, and it will cost the orange and black this season. Remember, the Flyers struggled when Gagne limped through early portions of the season with a groin injury and improved when he healed over the Olympic break; then, the team made their historic run not-so-coincidentally at the same time as Gagne’s return for Game 4 of the Boston series. This, on top of the Flyers’ other three Eastern Conference Finals appearances throughout Gagne’s career and the fact the team made the playoffs and was a contender for all but one year of Gagne’s career, marks Gagne as one of the franchise’s most successful players. He will certainly be missed.

What this means for the Eastern Conference Champions is that the Flyers will need younger players to step up, and big time. Right now, the Flyers do not have a proven winger on the roster. There is a lot of hope and promise in Zherdev, Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdyk and Ville Leino; however, none of them have produced top-line production for a full season. This can happen (especially if either Jeff Carter or Danny Briere can successfully shift to wing and maintain their production), but it is in no way a certainty and marks a significant step back from last season. I guess that’s what happens when approximately $58 million of the $59.4 million salary cap is going toward the defense.

Another consequence of Paul Holmgren’s salary cap “management” is the value Gagne had. The rest of the NHL knew we HAD to make a deal. To only receive Matt Walker and a 4^th round pick for a first line-caliber player is a disgrace, especially when Gagne has a reasonable contract. I am dreading the upcoming contract negotiations for Giroux, Leino and JVR. Holmgren really backed the Flyers into a corner. At least it now looks possible Marty Turco could be in net for the Flyers when the season kicks off in October. Just what we need, another aging net minder whose best years are behind him; even if it’s a new decade, it’s still the same old Flyers. Oh well, at least Michael Leighton won’t be the starter on a team that is expected to compete this season.

It just hit me today that we’re a week away from training camp. Honestly, it’s hard to really kill the Eagles. Not for the fact that they squandered a decade of dominance over the NFC where one move could have made a difference and meant a Super Bowl if not for their stubbornness, but for the fact that they realized it was time to take a step back before taking a step forward.

There is a lot of intrigue in what the Kevin Kolb era will bring to Philadelphia. Honestly, everything that needs to be said has been said on the quarterback situation. Now let’s watch it play out. But most likely, there will be some bumps in the road for the inexperienced Kolb and it seems unreasonable to expect to compete this year.

On top of this, the offensive line is still in flux without a reliable center, entering the year with Jamal Jackson still recovering.

On the other side of the ball, the defense is still building. Brandon Graham will hopefully complete the defensive line, adding a pass rusher opposite Trent Cole, but that probably won’t happen this year.

The linebackers are a question mark, as usual. Stewart Bradley will be back; however, torn ACLs usually require two years to return to full strength. Ernie Sims was a worthwhile gamble but who knows if he has anything left.

The secondary is a mess. The team is still searching for Dawk’s replacement and in all likelihood Ellis Hobbs is not a starting caliber corner. Nate Allen provides hope, but much like with Kolb, Graham and Bradley, results cannot be expected until 2011. After reaching an NFC Championship Game in 09 and following that up by going 11-5 in a competitive NFC, rebuilding is a tough pill to swallow. It’s all a matter of hope that the Birds can get back shortly.

I would review the 6ers, but why bother. We all know of the team’s deficiencies and that the entire franchise probably depends on Evan Turner, who provided little hope in the Summer League.

Sports work in cycles. Every team eventually enjoys its time on top and then comes back down to earth. Hopefully, the Phils, Flyers and Eagles’ runs are not coming to an end and that the 6ers can climb out of the cellar. Unfortunately, a case for a doomsday scenario can be made and the future does not look nearly as bright as the past.