NFL free agency has started this week and the Eagles have made a lot of changes. Their big one is also the riskiest one because they have signed Saquon Barkley from the Giants to be their main running back. He was a very good player coming out of Penn State University, but when he got to the NFL, he’s been prone to injury. On the defensive side, they signed a defensive end from the NY Jets, Bryce Huff. The Jets’ defense was the only good part of the team last year. The team also signed DeVante Parker as a wide receiver from the New England Patriots. The Patriots’ wide receiver core last year did not do much, so hopefully he can play above my expectations. The Eagles also signed kicker Jake Elliott to a four-year extension. He is the second-best kicker in the NFL just behind Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens. Also, just before free agency began, Jason Kelce, a sure bet for the Hall of Fame, and Fletcher Cox, a HOF candidate, both decided to retire. The Eagles need to get younger on both lines. They still have some work to do there.
The PGA Tour definitely needed their big players to start winning tournaments and Scottie Scheffler definitely delivered. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational by five shots and now he goes into the Players Championship as defending champion. In the first round, Rory McElroy, Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark were in the lead at 7-under par. This just shows you how good these players are when the weather cooperates. Next week, I will provide a full report on the tournament.
Somehow the 76ers were able to win a game this week against the New York Knicks by a score of 79-73. In the next game, against the Knicks again, they got hammered by 30 points. They need to be able to figure out how to win some games over the next two weeks until Joel comes back before the playoffs or they won’t have anything to play for.
I hope we have a warm spring this year so I can watch some more high school lacrosse. For the last few years, it has been too cold for me until very late in the season. I'm ready for nice weather!
-
A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
