🦅 A fan’s plea | Sports Daily Newsletter

In just a few short weeks, the tradition of tailgating before Eagles games could be over as we know it.

Oversized vehicles will be limited to Lot D near Xfinity Mobile Arena and the upper portion of Lot N. Parking locations will be assigned and cannot be saved.

Oh, and vehicles in the oversized areas are limited to a maximum of six spots — after forking over $100 each for two more than the standard four.

But one Birds fan decided to do something about it. Carmen “Big Carm” Conti, a 38-year-old from South Jersey, has been setting up in the same spot for a decade. And he recently took to Facebook with a post titled “Save Philadelphia Tailgating.” It went viral, and he held a news conference with several other fans in South Philly, where they asked for “a seat at the table.”

— Maria McIlwain, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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Safety first

Pro Football Focus’ numbers weren’t kind to the Eagles’ starting safety tandem of Marcus Epps and Andrew Mukuba. The database tagged them with three missed tackles apiece and also charged Epps with conceding Elic Ayomanor’s 29-yard reception on third-and-13 in the second quarter.

But don’t expect to see Cooper DeJean reprising his role at safety on a full-time basis. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is confident Epps will bounce back and pointed to other options at safety if needed.

Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Sean Mannion sheds some light on Zach Ertz’s potential role.

Next: The Eagles are back on the road to face the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m., 6abc, ESPN).

What we’re …

👀 Learning: How Cavan Sullivan earned his spot at his first USMNT camp.

📚 Reading: About how Gracie Sullivan (yes, Cavan’s cousin) is making an impact as Drexel’s goalkeeper.

👟Anticipating: The release of Tyrese Maxey’s signature with New Balance next week, which he promoted at three local spots on Wednesday.

Ranking the Sixers

New 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey had a big offseason. He brought in LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, adding them to a roster that already included Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe.

The star power was on display in ESPN’s ranking of the top 100 NBA players, which included every member of the presumptive starting five. While no player made the top 10, three were included in the top 20, and they all made the top 75.

Next: Training camp begins Tuesday in Camden.

‘Dodged a bullet’

There was a lot of doomscrolling across Flyers Twitter on Tuesday night.

That’s because team MVP and starting goaltender Dan Vladař left the Flyers’ preseason game against the Boston Bruins because of an upper-body injury. If the upstart Flyers could ill afford to lose a player, it was their backbone Vladař.

But Wednesday afternoon brought a collective sigh of relief as Rick Tocchet eased worries by saying, “I think we dodged a bullet,” regarding his goaltender’s health. While Vladař’s status for the opener is unknown, it sounds like the Flyers avoided the worst-case scenario.

Vladař isn’t the only Czechia native who could prove integral to the Flyers’ success this season. Defenseman David Jiříček, who was acquired at last year’s trade deadline, is looking to rediscover the potential that made him a top 10 pick in 2022.

Next: The Flyers will take the ice in Philly for the first time this preseason tomorrow, when they host the Boston Bruins (7 p.m., NBCSP+).

Painting on the wall

The decision to start Andrew Painter on Thursday night vs. the Brewers was telling.

By keeping the rookie on normal rest, the Phillies could be preparing him for a bullpen role if and when they clinch a spot in the postseason.

The 23-year-old hasn’t pitched as a reliever in his brief career, though he has twice followed an opener. But the Phillies need all the help they can get in fortifying the bridge to closer Jhoan Duran.

But first, the Phillies have to get to the postseason. And they’ll have to wait a bit longer after dropping Wednesday night’s game, 4-1, to Milwaukee.

Next: Another day, another opportunity to clinch a postseason berth. The Phillies close out their series vs. the Brewers tonight (6:05 p.m., NBCSP). Andrew Painter (3-10, 5.59 ERA) will face a Brewers starter to be determined.

On this date

This time last year, Red October was locked in — as was a first-round bye. We don’t need to think too hard about how that National League Division Series went, but the win that clinched an NLDS berth sure was a fun one. The Phillies beat the Miami Marlins, 11-1, at home and hit a franchise-record eight home runs in the process. Slugger Kyle Schwarber hit Nos. 55 and 56, and Edmundo Sosa (three), Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, and Otto Kemp got in on the fun, too.

Mike Sielski’s take

After two Central Bucks High School East student-athletes died by suicide in a span of less than four months, a group of the school’s girls’ soccer decided something had to be done. They arranged a mental health awareness night in the wake of the deaths and invited the mom of one of the late athletes to speak.

Megan Hanson’s son, Sam, died the day before Easter. She wasn’t sure she was ready yet to speak, but she offered her insights to those assembled before a soccer game between CB East and CB West. Mike Sielski was there to capture the scene and share some insights of his own.

What you’re saying about former Eagles

We asked: Which active former Eagle would you like to bring back and why?

Given the woes of the offensive line, I would welcome back Mekhi Becton. While he was a bust with the Jets and the Chargers, he flourished with Eagles during their last Super Bowl run. Howie, I believe Mekhi is a free agent — let’s make a call! — Bob C.

I have to say that of all of the active players that I would want back in midnight green — Mekhi Becton is at the top of my list. He may not be that glamorous skill-position player racking up stats week after week. But when he played for the Eagles — he was a difference maker.

Becton’s only season with the Eagles led to a Super Bowl championship. He helped to open up huge running lanes for Saquon Barkley — and kept Jalen Hurts’ jersey clean throughout the game each week. And did I mention that he’s currently a free agent? — Michael L.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Ariel Simpson, Conor Smith, Olivia Reiner, Ryan Novozinsky, Lauren Jones, Jonathan Tannenwald, Mike Livingston, Gabriela Carroll, Jackie Spiegel, Scott Lauber, Lochlahn March, and Mike Sielski.

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 along! Kerith will be back in your inboxes to close out the week. — Maria