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Brian Francis Smith

Sports Editor

Articles by Brian Francis Smith (19)

Flower Power: Fueled by Sirianni’s Plant Metaphor, Eagles Stomp Lions

(Photography credit: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/philadelphia-eagles-quarterback-jalen-hurts-looks-to-hand-news-photo/1236271390?adppopup=true) It was a strange week in Philadelphia. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni compared his team to a plant, with the roots of progress growing underneath the surface in this largely disappointing season. Needless to say, his bizarre metaphor was universally scoffed at by Eagles fans and sports talk radio. And then the […]

Brian Francis Smith  •  01 Nov 2021
Once Again, Eagles Too-Little, Too-Late, in Loss to Raiders

(Photography credit: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/jalen-hurts-of-the-philadelphia-eagles-fumbles-the-ball-in-news-photo/1348763352?adppopup=true) The Philadelphia Eagles might be the best “garbage time” team in the NFL. Just like last Thursday night’s game against the Buccaneers, Philadelphia waited until the game was safely out-of-hand before making a half-hearted comeback. The too-little-too-late Eagles fell to the Las Vegas Raiders 33-22 in a contest that was not as […]

Brian Francis Smith  •  24 Oct 2021
Bucs Top Birds, as Eagles Season Sinks into Despair

(Photo credit: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/owner-jeffrey-lurie-of-the-philadelphia-eagles-looks-on-news-photo/1339860260?adppopup=true) Where to begin with this one? The fact that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni’s offense ran the ball a grand total of one time in the first half? Or the maddeningly inconsistent play of quarterback Jalen Hurts? Last night’s 28-22 loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers personified everything we’ve […]

Brian Francis Smith  •  15 Oct 2021
Eagles nip Carolina with 4th Quarter Surge

(Photography credit: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/darius-slay-of-the-philadelphia-eagles-reacts-after-news-photo/1345872666?adppopup=true) Better late than never. The Eagles offense, which muddled its way through most of the day against the Carolina Panthers, suddenly caught fire in the 4th quarter en route to an impressive, hard-fought 21-18 road victory. Backed by a ball-hungry defense and a special teams unit that blocked its first punt in […]

Brian Francis Smith  •  11 Oct 2021
Flag Football. Dumb Penalties Doom Birds

Read “Flag Football. Dumb Penalties Doom Birds” and more articles at SportsTalkPhilly.com

Brian Francis Smith  •  03 Oct 2021
Disaster in Dallas, Birds Show Little Fight in Loss to Cowboys

Read “Disaster in Dallas, Birds Show Little Fight in Loss to Cowboys” and more articles at SportsTalkPhilly.com

Brian Francis Smith  •  28 Sep 2021
Eagles Come Up Empty, Fall to Niners

Read “Eagles Come Up Empty, Fall to Niners” and more articles at SportsTalkPhilly.com

Brian Francis Smith  •  19 Sep 2021
Birds KO Atlanta 32-6 as Hurts Soars

We could get used to this. The Philadelphia Eagles started their 2021 season with an electrifying performance against the Atlanta Falcons, blowing the doors off Atlanta’s defense and holding the Falcons to a mere six points. After a tight first quarter, everything seemed to click for Philadelphia on both sides of the ball, as the […]

Brian Francis Smith  •  12 Sep 2021
Ben Simmons Must Go

Not with a bang, but with a whimper. Ben Simmons’ non-dunk heard-around-the-world finished a promising but ultimately unsatisfying season for the Philadelphia 76ers. With under four minutes left to play in a tightly contested game seven, the Sixers guard inexplicably chose to pass the ball rather than convert an easy dunk. Simmons’ head-scratching decision was […]

Brian Francis Smith  •  21 Jun 2021