Passing problems | Sports Daily Newsletter

It was evident after Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers that the Eagles struggled in the passing game. Jalen Hurts threw for a season-low 108 yards which left A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith looking for answers as the two finished with four receptions apiece.

And despite the 22-16 victory, which clinched the 11-2 Eagles a playoff berth, Brown had expressed frustration on the field by slamming his helmet into a bench on the sideline after the Eagles went three-and-out in the second quarter. When asked after the game what the offense needed to improve going forward, Brown responded, “Passing.”

Then on Monday evening, Brandon Graham made an appearance on 94.1 WIP and indicated a lack of communication between No. 1 and No. 11, saying that “[Hurts] is trying. And I mean [Brown] could be a little better with how he respond to things.”

But after those comments circulated, Graham, who is out for the season with a triceps tear, returned to the radio station on Tuesday morning and apologized for his remarks. Nick Sirianni also weighed in later, saying that he didn’t interpret Brown’s answer as an individual attack on Hurts.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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Phillies manager Rob Thomson has been keeping in close contact with Alec Bohm. The third baseman has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason, with his name flying around at this week’s winter meetings in Dallas. Thomson said Tuesday that the pair have texted over the offseason, and they had a longer conversation on the phone this week.

A May trip to Citizens Bank Park when he was with the Blue Jays left quite an impression on Jordan Romano. Now he’ll get to experience it as a new member of the Phillies bullpen.

Hurts’ season low of 108 yards came on 14-for-21 passing. He also averaged 3.47 seconds to throw the ball, his highest average this season. Where does the Eagles passing game go from here? EJ Smith breaks down the film and some themes during the game.

Also, the Eagles moved up in power rankings to the No. 2 spot heading into Week 15.

In the latest episode of unCovering the Birds, Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane examines how Saquon Barkley has transformed the team in his first season. Listen here.

Like the 76ers, Kelly Oubre Jr. sputtered at the start of the NBA season. In his first 10 games, he shot 39% from the floor and 24.5% from three-point range. Since then, he has changed the course, shooting 51.9% on an average of nine field-goal attempts — including 40.5% on an average of 4.1 three-point attempts — in nine games since Nov. 20.

Still, he’s not satisfied. Oubre posted double-doubles in the Sixers’ last two games but has designs on providing more. “I still don’t feel like I’m doing what I’m used to doing,” Oubre said.

The Flyers’ first trip to Columbus this season naturally sparked memories of the late, great Johnny Gaudreau.

The Salem County native was tragically killed alongside his brother Matthew this summer by an alleged drunk driver while home in South Jersey for his sister’s wedding. Gaudreau, a seven-time NHL All-Star, was the best player on the Blue Jackets and Tuesday marked the first time the Flyers would take on Columbus since his passing.

Gaudreau’s passing hit two Flyers particularly hard given they were former teammates of Johnny. Jackie Spiegel talked to Garnet Hathaway and Joel Farabee about their late friend and the legacy he’s left behind.

On the ice, the Flyers defeated the Blue Jackets, 5-3, with a pair of goals from Travis Konecny. It was his fifth multi-goal game of the season.

Who is the all-time leader in career RBIs with the Phillies?

B) Mike Schmidt with 1,595 — Diana S. was first with the correct answer.

We asked: What is your reaction to Dick Allen’s enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame? Among your responses:

I am very pleased for Dick Allen’s family that this FINALLY became a reality. However, it would have been so mech more meaningful if Dick was still around to witness and celebrate this achievement in this life. — Jim V.

Like most long time Phillies fans I was thrilled to see Dick Allen voted into the Hall of Fame. He came to the Phillies as a 21 year old from Wampum PA and wanted to be called Dick, but we called him Richie. The Phillies first potential African American star and neither the organization nor the city were ready for him. He had to endure episodes such as that with Frank Thomas, and then became friends with guys he should not have. Dick should have been another Mike Schmidt who played his entire career with the team and become a Philly icon, but for so many reasons it just was not to be. Just picture this guy at Citizen’s Bank today hitting those gigantic Connie Mack Stadium home runs. Today he would be a Philly super star, but sadly he came too early. — Everett S.

My all time favorite player. Sunday dinner in the 1960s and mom calling me to get to the table. Me- Mom hold on Allen is coming up! When Allen came to the plate, everything stopped.His HOF election was long overdue. His numbers qualify him. No one hit home runs as far as Dick Allen One of the nicest players I ever met. — Gary S.

Mr. Dick Allen, “the Wampum Walloper,” is highly deserving to be elected into the MLB Hall of Fame. His 15 year long career during which he played in both the infield sand the outfield and his stellar career batting performance merit his induction and speaks for itself. I am very proud of Mr. Allen both as a talented and exemplary baseball player and as a genuinely nice person who met a lot of racial backlash in his days in the the world of baseball in the early 1960’s. To me, a life-long Phillies fan for 7 decades, Dick Allen is first and foremost a Phillies player and much less of a White Sox, Cardinals, Dodgers, or Athletics team player as in his later years. He was Rookie of the Year in the NL in 1964 and a 7 time All Star. His career 0.534 slugging percentage was among the era’s highest at a time of modest offensive production. A hearty congratulations to the late Dick Allen and his family on this honor. RIP and smile in Heaven with a baseball bat on your shoulder, Mr. Dick Allen. — Joe B.

Richie Allen should have been inducted years ago. He was as feared a hitter as anyone in the NL during his tenure with the Phil’s. Prodigious power to all fields , great run producer , high average hitter and most people overlooked his base stealing ability. Too bad John Middleton wasn’t around then, he never would have left Philly. — Jerry D.

All I can say is “IT’S ABOUT TIME” !!!! — Bill R.

The most feared hitter I have ever seen! No one could hit a ball harder in my estimation, watching him was the thrill of a lifetime for this baseball fan. Should have been the greatest Phillie of all time but circumstance forbade it. So happy he was finally admitted where he truly belongs! — Bill B.

I don’t think Dick Allen had the career numbers to justify election to the Hall of Fame. The argument is that for a period of time he was one of the best hitters in baseball. I hope that argument holds up in future years. If so, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley will certainly get in. By the way, I think Jimmy Rollins should be in on the basis of his career numbers versus a number of other shortstops in the Hall. — Tom E.

He was one of the few hitters in my 70 years of watching baseball whose at-bats were mandatory viewing; you didn’t ever want to miss a Dr. J fastbreak, same for an Allen at-bat. If the game was televised, you made sure to be in the room when Allen came to the plate. Even his strikeouts were exciting, his home runs exhilarating. He had an aura, as a hitter he was electric. — David R.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Olivia Reiner, EJ Smith, Ariel Simpson, Lochlahn March, Gina Mizell, Jeff McLane, Jeff Neiburg, Devin Jackson, Jonathan Tannenwald, and Jackie Spiegel

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! Stay dry, Philly, and have a wonderful Wednesday. Kerith will be in your inbox tomorrow. — Bella