Heart Day

By Jared Trexler

February 14, 2007. Guys will be rushing to candy shops and jewelry stores around the area in the last-minute rush for that perfect gift. I planned ahead, already stocked with presents and a plan.

Come Monday, men throughout the area will be calling Ruth Chris or one of many Old City favorites in hopes of making last-second reservations. I again planned ahead, with a trip dodging bullets in Newark followed by parallel parking (gasp) and Portuguese food.

But enough about Valentines Day itself. It's technically a contrived Hallmark holiday and just another reason to tell someone "I Love You," something that should be said on a daily basis anyway.

Pitchers and catchers are almost ready to report, the Sixers and Flyers are in the midst of floundering seasons, and the Eagles are gearing up information and plane tickets to the Indy combine for April's NFL Draft.

The following is what to love and not to love about the area's four major professional sports franchises:

Eagles

Romance in the air: A team that underachieved seemed united at the front over the second half of the season. Brian Dawkins, albeit not getting any younger, is still the lifeblood of the locker room and Brian Westbrook danced through an entire season practically injury free. If Dante Stallworth is re-signed, and Reggie Brown continues to blossom, this could be their best 1-2 punch on the outside in some time. The offensive line is one of the NFL's best, anchored by a great mix of veteran and youth -- Jon Runyan and Honolulu-bound Shawn Andrews.

Damn Russell Stover: Unlike one of my colleagues, I feel there is a very good chance Jeff Garcia may not be back...and it may not be such a bad thing. While wins captivated a city during the second part of '06, an interesting, and particularly unhealthy dynamic was created by the front office and the fans concerning Donovan McNabb and Garcia. McNabb is the franchise. Period. And while keeping Garcia would be great insurance for a quarterback on the wrong side of his NFL flow cart, imagine the media's coverage of the slightest McNabb struggles next season with the former Pro Bowler standing on the sideline. This is Donovan's team, and Garcia leaving town may be addition by subtraction. The club must also decide what to do with Jeremiah Trotter and Jevon Kearse, hoping the latter can team with Darren Howard to create a pass rush that disappeared late in the season. The Andy Reid family issue will hopefully be resolved by Training Camp, for while it shouldn't be a problem, any off-field distractions are magnified in this city. Reid has a job to do, and it needs his full attention.

Phillies

You got me Tiffanys?!!: Pitchers and catchers are ready to report, and hope is in the air. One of the franchise's cornerstones -- Chase Utley -- was locked up for the next seven years, and General Manager Pat Gillick solidified the rotation with proven winner Freddy Garcia. Jamie Moyer, a great professional on the mound and an even better mentor for fellow southpaw Cole Hamels off it, is also back as the Phillies may have the best rotation in the National League. Add that to upgrades at third base -- Wes Helms -- and another season of Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard, and the Phillies can make a case as the Eastern Division's best.

You got me a Dictionary?!?: So you can spell L-O-V-E?!? Several interesting dynamics, question marks will be in place when the Phillies come upon Clearwater. What will happen with fairytale story Chris Coste? What kind of year will Pat Burrell have in left, and what nearest bar will I see him at? Is the bench strong enough? And what about that bullpen? Gillick is still looking for another reliever, using both Jon Lieber and Aaron Rowand as bait.

Sixers

Candy - $20. Jewelry - $100. Girlfriend in low cut shirt - Priceless: The 76ers are winning some games and looking more competitive on the court since the Allen Iverson trade....and it's a good thing because it shows the growth of Andre Iguodala and Kyle Korver, as well as Willie Green and newest addition Andre Miller. Just read my colleague John McMullen's take on Iguodala, who is blossoming right before our very eyes. The Sixers are playing hard for Maurice Cheeks, and are probably just one impact player away from a playoff berth in the watered down Eastern Conference.

It snows Wednesday, so she's wearing a sweater: The 76ers are winning some games and looking more competitive on the court since the A.I. trade...and it's a bad thing because they are kissing hopes of Greg Oden or Kevin Durant goodbye. Oden has been deemed the second coming of Wilt, Kareem and Bill since high school, while Durant's 37-point, 23-rebound performance against Texas Tech a week or so back just reaffirms he is a man amongst boys. A few wins will thrill the uneducated fans and possibly land you Brandon Wright, but Oden and Durant are franchise-changing players. It figures that in Philly, wins come when nobody wants them. The other interesting relationship involves Larry Brown's role in the organization. Is he really here to mentor and guide Billy King or is he next in line for King's job...or better yet, Cheeks' position.

Flyers

Skating in Times Square: How romantic. The Flyers have some young pieces, and not the worst offense in the NHL -- looking for any bright spot. They can get value for Peter Forsberg then turn around and sign him in the off-season. The core group isn't what is holding this team back, it's the complementary pieces that haven't stepped up.

Skating in Bangor, PA: It's my hometown, and it's not a skater's paradise. The Flyers defense is beyond poor, just read Eric Redner's latest column feeling bad for the club's two netminders. They lost their 13th straight home game -- a 5-4 shootout loss to Pittsburgh -- last night and haven't won at home since November 24 -- yes, that is before Thanksgiving. The team is dead last in the NHL in goals-against average and ranks 27th in shots allowed. Those stats aren't promising.

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Jared Trexler can be reached at jtrexler@phanaticmag.com