The Side Jawn

Eagles New Stadium?

I keep hearing rumblings about a new Eagles Stadium and where they would put it, and I’m all for it being somewhere else than the “Sports Complex”. Way back when the suit jackets matched your Grandmom’s couch, some stooges decided to put all of our stadiums and arenas in one place, thinking that was a GOOD thing. No. It’s complete chaos. I implore Jeffrey Lurie to build a new stadium elsewhere inside the city. I get he wants to have a dome, but I’m against that, since we do have some nice days here during Football Season. Make it a retractable roof. The “Complex” is too complex. For example, there is NO view at CBP. None. If you sit in seats higher you see the downtown skyline miles away. Other MLB cities have a view past the outfield, with PNC Park being the best, to be honest. Bottom line: Fuck people’s feelings, and build where you want. Birds fans will follow.

Where The Fuck Is Matty Mittens?

Ayo, Michkov, loved your Ben Simmons type video walking up steps, over there in Ruskieland, but it’s time to keep the rest of the Summer training close to home, eh? I’m talking about the home of your Flyers, Cuz. You need to work to get the most of that talent you have inside you. No more laziness. Work hard and be rewarded.

We Out After A Couple Asswhoopings? Really?

I get it folks, you got a little deflated after those couple of Phillies Asswhoopings out there in Seattle, but look, we didn’t get swept, and we have won 10 or our last 12, so keep the faith and stop being like a marblemouthed WIP caller and jumping ship over a couple of mulligans. We will be fine. We have the Angels and Diamondbacks coming up, and I fully expect at least 4 or 5 wins out of those series. Keep the faith, my friends.

No Flag On The Play

The NFL announced it is getting rid of the Pro Bowl Game and will just recognize players with the award from here on out. Part of me is like “Fucking Finally!”, because it hasn’t been a product to watch since players stopped hitting, and actually playing the game. I miss guys like Brian Dawkins and the late Sean Taylor laying dudes out, and players playing for pride and that game check and having fun, and trash talking. Once that ended, the product went sour. The other part of me is like “Nooooo!”, because I’ve always wanted the Pro Bowl to return to those days, so more people would watch. Once they stopped trying to compete with each other and actually play, it was a wrap. Then came the joke of moving the game to Orlando, and then finally the nail in the coffin, the “Pro Bowl Games” including a flag football game with the Pro Bowlers. Horrible. If it ever comes back, they need to swallow the whistle and let ‘em POP!

A Thankful Conclusion

I just want to thank all of my friends and followers on Twitter and Instagram, you’ve been a rock for me post chemo, and even though I wanted to blog months ago during chemo and only popped a couple out, y’all supported me. I will never forget that, and I love and appreciate you all. I hope you enjoy the blogs and content I’ll be cranking out from now on. Fuck Cancer and God Bless You All! Look out for my new podcast with a special co-host, come Fall/Winter! Be well and kick some ass!

Jawn Kruk

Side Jawn Sports

Jawn About Town

Hey folks, it’s been a little while since I’ve gotten to blog. Life has been hectic this summer with my day job, little health things(I’m fine), busy schedule, etc., but I wanted to get back to it and start back up with a little short blog about recent events in Philly Sports and such, and I hope you enjoy!

Bird Sh*t 🦅 

So, I see Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown hugged today. Aww, ain’t that cute? Personally I could not give two sh*ts to be honest. AJ could invite Jalen over and bake him muffins, they both could never speak again, they could talk sh*t on each other for life, I DO NOT CARE. It’s irrelevant. AJ is on the other team now, along with his drama. Yes, he is a great WR, but we will be just fine over here. Oh, and just like AI said, it’s PRACTICE. Settle down, folks. 

Is It October Yet? 🏀

It’s very heartwarming to see LeBron, Jaylen Brown, and Maxey all working out together daily recently. I think they all understand that they, along with Embiid and Edgecombe and the rest of the team, can do something special this year, and they want to get some work in early to get familiar with each other before training camp and start to gel a little earlier. Would love it if Embiid and Edgecombe and some of the others maybe could join them, but hey, I’ll take it. I haven’t been this excited for a Sixers season in an offseason for a very long time. Great things will happen this year in that arena. Is it October yet? 

How About Dem Fightins? ⚾️

Six in a row and two sweeps. I’m tellin’ ya, there was something in that damn corn! I’m liking what I’m seeing these past six games, and what a gem from Nola last night! If we can get THAT Nola down the stretch, and Painter can give us at least five innings minimum(He has been pitching decently since his recall), that would be a huge boost for the rotation and not put a strain on the shaky bullpen. I’m not too too excited yet, but I’m liking 6 in a row. Give me at least two out of three vs the Cards this weekend, and then I’ll start feeling a lot better. It’s time to catch fire. 

Snow Paterno? ❄️

First of all, I got that heading from my buddy Christian, so I cannot claim it, but I do think it is effing hilarious. I have never indulged in the white powder, nor will I ever, but imagine if you did, and you aren’t going to a shady place for it, but a frat house. You knock on the door and a dude named “Pablo Pledgescobar” opens the door after you tell the password (Bruh), and you see him with a cardigan on and he is strapped. Please, people, keep the memes and the jokes coming, because the fact that these nerds were running a little cartel out of a Penn State frat house is mind blowing and hilarious. What is not hilarious for them, is that Daddy’s money won’t help them get out of this. Life lesson there, “Pablo” 

-Jawn Kruk

Side Jawn Sports

Hey gang, it’s your pal Jawn Kruk here. Apologies on taking so long to start the blog back up, just was tying up some loose ends after my battle with Cancer and getting used to being back at the day job. 

I went to Opening Night on Saturday Night and the play on the field was not the only thing that frustrated me that day. Until the ruckus started around the removal of Harry the K’s, I really hadn’t noticed before just how much space in the Bank is covered with a sponsor’s name. 

I get change happens over time, but my thoughts are that if you build a retro-style ballpark you should keep it somewhat nostalgic in a way. 

The whole issue with the clock could have been avoided if they just put it over top of the structure that has Jackie Robinson’s league-wide retired Number 42 on it. When they take down the All Star Game logo next year, where the clock used to be, they could have just put up another sponsor there, or vice versa, put the clock back where it was and put a sponsor on top of that structure with Jackie’s number. Everyone wins. Woo hoo!

Also, another thing the Phils could have done, was leave Harry the K’s the way it was, since the Ghost Energy logo and can logo are prominently displayed under the right side of the big scoreboard in Left Field. Also, they could have had “Harry The K’s Sponsored by Ghost Energy” as I saw someone on X say, which could have worked as well. I can’t lie, it was sad not seeing Harry’s name on that awning on Saturday. 

Also, do we really need to see the Asplundh logo like, what seems like, infinite times along the Left Field wall? Do we really need LED screens lining the dugouts and scrolling advertisements? SeatGeek I love ya, but I saw your name on four other screens I think. Relax. Lol. 

I sat in the Hall Of Fame Club, Oops sorry, the Cadillac Hall Of Fame Club, and I felt something was missing. Most of the memorabilia was gone, no more wall of baseballs, no more grass painted on the bathroom floors, etc., the look of it all just seems plain to me. Maybe I have to go up there again for another look, but at first glance I was not a fan. I also spoke with others of all age ranges who were not fond of the changes either.

Look, I’m not here to be the old man on the lawn, I just would like at least some of the park to give fans that classic nostalgic look. I get the All Star Game is coming, but man, holy overdo in my opinion. That’s just this fan’s take. Anyway until next time, be well!

P.S.- This was brought to you by an Apple Pro Max 15. 😉

Jawn Kruk

Side Jawn Sports

X: @JawnKrukSJS215

Instagram: @jawn_kruk

TikTok: @jawn.kruk

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Who/What/Where:

Flyers vs Lightning- 7pm

Benchmark International Arena

TV: NBCSP

Radio: 97.5FM The Fanatic

Situational vibes:

Flyers: Blue-collar, defense-first identity. When they’re dialed in, it’s structured 5-on-5, forecheck, and good goaltending. When they’re not… it’s odd-man rush city.

Lightning: Still dangerous as hell off the rush and on the power play. Even if they’re not in full “mini-dynasty” mode anymore, you cannot give these guys free looks.

Goaltending battle:

Flyers basically need their goalie to match or outplay Tampa’s starter to steal momentum on the road.

Path to a Flyers win:

Limit Lightning PP chances to 2 or fewer. Win the 5-on-5 battle by keeping chances against to the outside.

Get one ugly net-front goal and one rush or broken-play goal.

-Jawn Kruk

thesidejawn.org

Who: Philadelphia 76ers vs Detroit Pistons

When: Sunday, Nov 9, 2025 — 7:30 PM ET

Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena

📺: NBCSP 📻: 97.5 FM The Fanatic

Tidbits:

Philly just beat Toronto last night and turns right around for the back-to-back with Detroit. Tyrese dropped 31, Joel had 29 in limited minutes. Fatigue is a factor here. 

Detroit rolls in hot, winners of five straight, and currently sitting atop the East behind Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. 

Who’s In/Out:

For tonight’s game, the 76ers will be without Joel Embiid, Paul George, Dominick Barlow, and Johni Broome. For the Pistons, Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris, and Marcus Sasserare all out, Isaiah Stewart is doubtful, and Caris LeVert is probable. 

Three keys for Tonight:

Maxey vs. Cunningham. With Embiid out, this will be a duel of the guards to watch.

Battle on the glass: Duran is a problem on the glass, and it’ll be up to the Sixers bigs to win the rebound battle without Embiid.

Back-to-back Energy: The 76ers will need extra minutes from some of the starters and also fresh energy and legs off the bench.

Overview:

The Pistons are the favorites tonight on paper, with it being the tail end of a back-to-back, and also with Embiid sitting this one out, but if Maxey continues to cook and the rest feed off of his energy, and the Sixers put together four complete and solid quarters, they have a shot of snagging this one.

-Jawn Kruk

thesidejawn.org

When/Who/Where: 7:00 PM ET, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, TV: NHL Network / NBCSP. Stream: ESPN+/Fubo. Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic. 

Flyers are rolling at home and just handled Nashville 4–1, and Trevor Zegras has been cooking lately. 

Toronto’s been wobbly (1-3-1 in their last five) lately.

Probable lineups (subject to warmups)

Maple Leafs (projected): Knies — Matthews — Robertson

Maccelli — Tavares — McMann

Joshua — Roy — Cowan

Blais — Domi — Järnkrok

Rielly/Carlo, Benoit/McCabe, OEL/Tanev, Stolarz in net.

Flyers (projected): Tippett — Zegras — Michkov

Foerster — Cates — Brink

Grebenkin — Dvorak — Konecny

Abols — Gaucher — Hathaway

York/Sanheim, Seeler/Drysdale, Zamula/Juulsen, Vladar in net.

Couturier skated this morning; status trending positive but keep an eye on warmups. 

Things to watch:

Matthews vs. our top checkers.

Keep Toronto to one-and-done rushes.

Don’t overcook at the blue line.

Flyers enter off the big Predators win, Toronto is coming off a 6–3 loss to Columbus.

-Jawn Kruk

thesidejawn.org

Who/When/Where:

Flyers vs Preds (Thu, Oct 30, 7:00 pm ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena, TV: NBCSP, Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic)

In goal: Dan Vladar starts for the Flyers, Juuse Saros for Nashville. 

Roster shuffle: Samuel Ersson hits the IR (lower body), Aleksei Kolosov recalled to back up Vladar,

Preds injuries: Roman Josi (upper body) and Adam Wilsby (lower body) out/DTD. 

Projected lines

Flyers top six: Tippett – Couturier – Konecny
Foerster-Cates-Brink

Preds top six: Forsberg – O’Reilly – Evangelista Haula – Stamkos – Marchessault 

Tidbit:

Home-ice mojo: Flyers are 5–1–0 at home to start the season.

3 Keys:

Own the slot vs. Forsberg/O’Reilly: Keep that line on the outside.

Shoot early and often on Saros: Create traffic and capitalize on second chances.

Special teams discipline.

-Jawn Kruk

thesidejawn.org

Who, When, Where:

Magic @ 76ers, 7:00 PM ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena

Who’s In, Who’s Out:

Sixers OUT:

Joel Embiid (left knee – injury management), Paul George (left knee – surgery recovery), Jared McCain (right thumb – surgery recovery), Dominick Barlow (right elbow laceration), Trendon Watford (left hamstring – injury management) per the NBA’s official injury report. 

Magic OUT:

Moritz Wagner (left knee – injury recovery); Jamal Cain and Colin Castleton (not with team). 

Philly is 2–0 to start the season behind Tyrese Maxey and promising rookie minutes from VJ Edgecombe, but they’ll be short-handed tonight. 

Orlando is 1–2 and hitting the road for the first time, and the core runs through Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

Theee things I’m watching:

-Maxey vs. Magic roster length

-Rebounds By Committee with Embiid out

-Keep Banchero away from the line.

-Jawn Kruk

thesidejawn.org