Top Philly Sports Stories Of 2015
While 2015 was not exactly the most successful year for Philly sports franchises, it did not lack for headlines. It was a year of new beginnings. We welcomed new talent and leadership. We said goodbye to old friends and welcomed some home. We clung to hope for ping pong balls and made sense of trade scenarios that barely made sense in our wildest dreams. It was a tough year for rooting for our teams, but you can't say it wasn't entertaining. - Ray Boyd
And the Chip Ship? Well, despite some rough patches, it's still sailing. - Andrew Porter
10. Temple Prepares For The Biggest College Football Game In Philly History:
So...Temple Football lost to Notre Dame, but let's be honest...it wasn't about winning or losing that game. It was about what it meant to the program and to the city. The Owls seized the collective attention of the Philadelphia sports universe in a week where the Eagles were in the bye. College Gameday came to town to highlight the match up and Temple football held their own against one of college football's most storied programs. That week the Owls did Temple University and the city of Philadelphia very proud. - RB
9. Jimmy Rollins Returns To Philadelphia:
Jimmy Rollins joined Mike and Ike on SportsRadio 94WIP upon his return to Philadelphia for the first time as an opponent. "It was incredible," Rollins said of the warm reception he received from Philadelphia fans when he took to the plate in Dodgers blue. There were a number of important Phillies that defined the championship era that the team enjoyed. However, No. 11 was the leader. He was the voice. He was the pulse. Seeing Rollins back on the field at Citizens Bank Park was one of the more special moments of the year. - RB
8. Sixers Select Jahlil Okafor:
With the third overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Jahlil Okafor, Center from Duke. Okafor's selection was Sam Hinkie's latest addition to the Sixers very own installment of "Star Search." The selection was monumental in that it was the first of the rebuilding era that meant the team's top selection was going to actually play his rookie season. He wasn't the name that people associated most with the Sixers (cough cough....D'Angelo Russell), but he was the best player available when the Sixers selected at No. 3 and he has the opportunity to develop into one of the most talented low post scorers in the game. - RB
Unfortunately, recent off-the-court issues have created uncertainty about Okafor's character.
7. Tim Tebow Signs With The Eagles:
Prior to signing with the Birds, the last time Tim Tebow played in an NFL game was for the Jets in 2012. He had a stint with the Patriots, in which he failed to crack the regular season roster in 2013. When Chip Kelly brought Tebow to town for a workout, we all thought it was merely the team "taking a look," at a player they clearly wouldn't sign. Then on April 20, 2015, TebowMania began in Philadelphia. What happened next was the most highly publicized, and ultimately useless, third-string quarterback battle of all-time. Oh, what a time to be alive. - RB
Ugh, the one that got away.
For months leading up to the NFL Draft we cursed and yelled at each other.
"Trade everyone for Mariota!"
"Anybody but Fletcher Cox!"
"No way the Titans trade back!"
"Ahhh!"
It was all for not, as the Tennessee Titans did what we expected and simply drafted Mariota with the No. 2 overall pick, ending all drama on draft night for Eagles fans everywhere. And he's turned out to be as advertsied in his first season as a pro. - AP
5. Phillies Trade Cole Hamels:
As I wrote when the trade happened, Cole Hamels transformed from a Hollywood-type kid, to a true Philadelphian. It was beautiful to see as Hamels became one of us, and man, he is one heck of a pitcher. When the trade deadline approached, we knew it was coming. And as much as it stunk, we knew it was necessary.
On July 31st, the Phillies traded Hamels to the Texans Rangers for five minor-league players, three in the Baseball Prospectus Top 50. Actually, it looks like it might turn out just fine for the Phils, a rare positive trade executed by Ruben Amaro Jr. (we'll hear from him later). - AP
4. Eagles Trade Nick Foles For Sam Bradford:
Woah. This was shocking.
On March 10th, the Eagles essentially traded Nick Foles and a second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams for Sam Bradford to begin one of the most polarizing offseasons in Philadelphia Eagles sports history.
Yes, the second-round pick the Eagles had to give up as well is frustrating, but it was necessary in acquiring a former No. 1 overall pick. While Bradford doesn't seem to be the answer for the Birds, I still feel it was worth the gamble. Kelly knew Foles wasn't good enough, which proved true---as Foles was benched for Case Keenum in St. Louis---and he had to get creative. QB purgatory is a dangerous place to be. - AP
3. Phillies Trade Chase Utley:
Gulp (try not to cry, try not to cry).
For me personally, this was tough. Utley is my all-time favorite Philadelphia athlete and most of the city felt the same way. But on August 19th, in a post-deadline move, the Phillies sent Utley to Los Angeles for two minor-leaguers.
Most of us didn't want to hear it, but it was time. And all we could say was, "Chase Utley, you are the man." - AP
2. Ruben Amaro Jr. Out As Phillies GM:
On September 10, the new Phillies leadership, led by Andy MacPhail, decided enough was enough. Ruben Amaro Jr. was done as General Manager of the Phillies just weeks away from the end of the regular season. While they allowed Amaro to be at the helm for the dismantling of the team at the deadline, he was not going to be given the chance to orchestrate the rebuild. The writing appeared to be on the wall all season long for Amaro. "It's never an easy decision to make a change," said MacPhail after the move. While it may not have exactly been easy, it couldn't have been all that hard as it was clear the Phillies were poised for a completely fresh start. - RB
1. Chip In Charge...The Eagles Structural Change...Chip Kelly Fired:
UPDATE: As 2015 winded down...well, you all know what happened. Eagles Release Chip Kelly
Just the second day of 2015, Philadelphia was hit with its biggest story of the year and they didn't even know it. Chip Kelly was given complete personnel control by Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie after back-to-back 10-6 seasons to start his NFL head coaching career, making him just the third NFL coach (Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll) to have such power. In fact, heading into the 2015 season, Kelly and the Eagles were arguably the top NFL story across the country.
With his new power, Kelly would overhaul the Eagles' roster trading Nick Foles and Brandon Boykin. He would let Jeremy Maclin walk, cut Evan Mathis, Todd Herremans, and Trent Cole, among others.
However, no move was louder than trading RB LeSean McCoy for LB Kiko Alonso, as McCoy would go on to controversially say Kelly got rid of the "good, black players the fastest" two months after the deal. This created a racial firestorm that surrounded the Eagles' head coach for weeks, but it eventually quieted down. However, five days before his return to Philly with the Buffalo Bills on December 13th, McCoy stood by his racial comments towards Kelly on SportsRadio 94WIP.
Overall, many are skeptical of the moves Kelly made, as his team -- with "his players" --- is just 5-7, despite sitting in a tie a top the NFC East. While many have turned on Kelly during this roller coaster-like season, the Eagles still have hope heading into their final four games. - AP
Honorable Mention:
Phillies Name 35-Year-Old Matt Klentak As New GM
Flyers Name Dave Hakstol As New Head Coach
Eagles Part Ways With Tim Tebow
