Kolb Gets Extended and Links for Friday

A second Philadelphia athlete got a nice extension this week, his name is Kevin Kolb. The Eagles inked Kolb to a contract that will keep him in Philly through next year, guaranteeing him $12.26 million. Not quite Ryan Howard money but at least the dude is now paid like a starter in the NFL. If they hadn't extended him, Kolb would have made only $550,000. Now he'll get a $10.7 million signing bonus in addition to a bump in his yearly salary. That money will sure kill a lot of hogs.

Anyway, this actually works out well for the Eagles. Since the CBA expired there are all types of weird rules around extentions. This meant the Eagles couldn't sign Kolb to an extension without it being ridiculously team friendly since yearly salaries can't increase more than 30% each year due to the new rules. Thus, the Eagles get him on a two-year deal and get to see if he's any good. If he totally blows, they can move on. If he's awesome they can resign him to a long-term, big dollar contract. It's pretty much a win-win.

Anyways, here's to hoping that Kolb is the truth. Cause if he isn't...well....let's just not think about that right now. Now onto the links...

The Forgotten Athlete

It's always a good idea to take a step back and reflect on memories. And for that reason, we will be bringing a feature to you that will honor a former athlete. He can play any sport, for any team. No restrictions here. The only stipulation - you've likely never given them a second thought after they faded from athletic prominence.

So without further ado - I present your first Forgotten Athlete...

2010 Draft: So What Did We Get?

A picture is worth a thousand words.  Or -- according to the proceeding Microsoft Paint-edited photos -- at least several.

Halladay, Phillies To Take On Earthquakes, Rainbows Tonight

Between the NFL draft and the NHL playoffs (but mostly the draft), we haven't gushed over the Phils in a while.

Not only are the Phillies 1st in the NL East, but they are well on their way to the best start in franchise history.

But just as importantly - I don't think it's possible to understate the impact and awesomeness that is Roy 'Doc' Halladay.

The Big Man Gets Paid

Ryan Howard just got paid, big time. According to CSNPhilly.com the Phillies and Howard have agreed to a five-year $125 million extension through 2016. He'll receive $20M in 2012-13 and $25M in 2014-16. There is also a club option for 2017 at $23M, with a $10M buyout. All told, Howard could make up to $138M through the life of this contract. That is some coin for sure.

At first glance for Phillies fans, this is good news. Signing a fan favorite, home grown player to a long term deal is something that most MLB teams just aren't able to do anymore. Knowing that Howard will have a chance to hit his 500th HR as a Phillie is a great thought as is the prospect of him leading the team to another World Series win. There is a lot of good about this deal.

Flyers Suffering From Swaggeritis? Second Round Preview!

By TWW friend Rich
Few sounds are greater than the horn.  The impact of 20,000 MARTY chants and the soft moans of a woman are both pleasurable noises, but the sound of the horn after a Flyers goal is in perfect harmony with my soul. So it's pretty awesome that the Flyers advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, cause now I get to hear more horn.

We beat the busted ass Devils who really didn't scare me as much as they usually do this year. Marty B looks old since the Olympics and Kovalchuk just never really fit into that squad as he tried to go Space Ghost coast to coast everytime he touched the puck. That shit don't fly in the playoffs. I'm not gonna make excuses for the Devils, I hate the Devils, this is about the Flyers, but the Devils did look pretty bad and the Flyers are gonna have to step there game up if they wanna advance to the third round.

Fantasy Update: Not Time to Panic

By TWW friend Mike R.
With two weeks down in the MLB season and many Fantasy Managers are acting like the crazed Steve Buscemi-type in an action movie, freaking out with their fingers on the Self Destruct Button. My opening thought to you all is (in my best Nic Cage)… “You can’t do that, it’s too dangerous… You have to slow down first!”

There are going to be guys that look as if they won’t live up to their ADP (Average Draft Position) and a lot more that will overproduce comparative to where he was drafted or even picked up off the WW (Waiver Wire). That’s why we’re here to guide you all through the highs and lows that is Fantasy Baseball.

Let’s take a ride on the reading rainbow shall we?