🦅 The evolving Eagles | Sports Daily Newsletter

The NFL has converged on Indianapolis for the scouting combine, when teams will get to kick the tires on the top prospects before the draft begins April 23 in Pittsburgh. For the Eagles, it is the next step as they try to reinvent themselves, especially on offense.

Before we get knee-deep in combine coverage this week, let’s take a look at where the Birds stand so far in their bid to become serious contenders again. It starts with the new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion, and Jeff McLane offers an in-depth examination of how the Eagles landed on the 33-year-old coach. McLane provides 10 takeaways from the evolving offense so far.

While Mannion and other assistants entered, of course, the venerated Jeff Stoutland exited. How will the Eagles’ offensive line start anew after losing one of the most respected assistant coaches in the NFL? Jeff Neiburg reports on Stoutland’s replacement, Chris Kuper, the new offensive scheme, and the team’s immediate need for reinforcements on the line.

What are Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni saying about A.J. Brown’s future in the new offense? Olivia Reiner reports on that, along with the possibility of contract extensions for star defensive players, a new direction for the team’s tight ends, and more.

Yes, it is Feb. 24, but the Eagles news cycle never shuts down for long. The new league year is just over two weeks away, meaning free agency and trades are almost here.

— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓Which rookie will have the best season for the Phillies? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Painter’s long wait

Before he reported to his first major league spring training camp in 2023, Andrew Painter met with his agent. “Ideally,” Scott Boras said, “I would love it if you didn’t throw your first pitch in the big leagues until you’re 22.”

Sure thing, Painter thought. One problem: He was 19, and the Phillies were dangling a spot in the season-opening starting rotation.

A torn ligament in his right elbow, two missed seasons, and three years later, Painter finds the whole thing to be oddly prophetic. Because if, as expected, he breaks camp with the Phillies, he will be 22 — a few days shy of his 23rd birthday on April 10 — when he makes his major league debut.

‘Attack mode’

The 76ers have received mixed results from Quentin Grimes during his time in Philly. During a down season last year, Grimes stepped up and served as the focal point of the offense.

Even with the Sixers at full strength, Grimes emerged as a potential Sixth Man of the Year to start this season. He then slowly slipped into an inconsistent space, having nights when he went cold or didn’t shoot at all. Grimes has started to turn the corner lately, playing well before the All-Star break and dropping 19 points and seven assists in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. For his part, Grimes has vowed to stay in “attack mode.”

Deal or no deal?

With the Olympics over, all eyes will quickly turn to the sprint to the NHL trade deadline on March 6.

While Flyers general manager Danny Brière recently said he expects a quiet deadline for his team, that could be him trying to throw up a smoke screen. Rasmus Ristolainen’s strong Olympics should only help his trade value, while the Flyers have other pieces they could move for the right price.

Here’s where the roster stands less than two weeks from the trade deadline.

Speaking of potential trades, veteran Nic Deslauriers is a player who might benefit from a change of scenery and a chance for more playing time.

Heartwarming moment

Johnny Gaudreau’s family says that the NHL star yearned to play in the Olympics and that he was training with that goal in mind when he and his brother Matty were killed by alleged drunk driver in August 2024. So the decision to attend the Olympic hockey tournament in Milan was a bittersweet one for the South Jersey family.

The scene after the U.S. team beat Canada for the gold medal wound up touching the hearts of the Gaudreaus deeply. During the celebration, Johnny’s USA jersey was carried onto the ice in tribute, as were his two oldest children, Johnny Jr. and Noa.

“Every time I think, ‘All right, now it’s time to move on, we’re not going to have all this support’ — they don’t [move] on,” said Katie Gaudreau, the sister of Johnny and Matty. “This is a history book [moment] that there will be a movie about.” Alex Coffey has the story.

Sports snapshot

• No pushback yet: The Tush Push faced a possible ban last offseason, but as of now, no team is pursuing it again.
• New powerhouse: Coach Chris Roantree lived up to his promise. Now Father Judge is a two-time Catholic League champ.
• South Jersey contender: Cherry Hill East aims for another long run in the Group IV boys’ basketball tournament.

Marcus Hayes’ take

In the wake of the untimely deaths of three young NFL players, A.J. Brown on Monday posted a 9-minute, 8-second testimonial on Instagram encouraging NFL athletes struggling with mental health issues to seek counseling and God rather than taking their own lives. It was poignant and it was beautiful.

It was a revealing glimpse into how Brown deals with his own demons. More from Marcus Hayes.

🧠 Trivia time

Who was the first Phillie to homer from both sides of the plate in a game? First with the correct answer here will be featured in the newsletter.

A) Jimmy Rollins

B) Steve Jeltz

C) Freddy Galvis

D) Tomas Perez

What you’re saying about Olympic memories

We asked: What is your favorite Olympic moment, Summer or Winter Games? Among your responses:

Favorite moment! I was present at the Miracle On Ice in Lake Placid in 1980. I am presently 95 and love the Olympics for what it represents. — Pegg E.

For me the Olympics is all about track and field, but nothing ever has or probably ever will top the U.S. 4-3 win over the highly favored Soviet Union team at Lake Placid in 1980. “The Miracle on Ice,” how can you top it? My Philly friend Mike Pantalione was recently elected to the Jr. College Hall of Fame along with Jim Craig, who was the outstanding goalie of that team. I include myself among probably thousands who have forgotten that we still had to beat Finland to win the gold medal. — Everett S.

When Bob Beamon collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by emotion while burying his face with his hands, after learning he broke the world record in the long jump by [almost two] feet at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. — Mike P.

For me, I’d tab the two latest great moments, similar ones, when the top-seeded women’s hockey team snatched victory from those jaws and tied the gold medal game with 2 minutes left and a goalie pulled to tie Canada and then to win in thrilling overtime. The NHL would consider that way of breaking ties. That was then equaled by the USA hockey men, who somehow held on to a tie in regulation when being dominated in play for almost all the game, and then winning with an overtime goal, also against Canada. Somehow, the joy of winning a tight hockey game stands out for me over other Olympic triumphs. — John W.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jeff McLane, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Scott Lauber, Gina Mizell, Jackie Spiegel, Marcus Hayes, Alex Coffey, Ariel Simpson, Matt Breen, and Conor Smith.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading. Here’s hoping you’re counting the days till spring right along with me. Kerith will join you for Wednesday’s newsletter. — Jim