The Fan Talking Straight - Philadelphia Sports

Philly Sports
The Fan Talking Straight - Philadelphia Sports

Mike Gillespie is a long-suffering Philly sports fan and Penn State alumni that views the game not as a hometown fanatic but more through an objective lens, aka, The Fan Talking Straight. A show for the realistic Philadelphia fan tired of homerism and contrived filler topics, TFTS gets right to the bottom line on the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and Penn State. A close eye on the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and College Football all year long maintains an honest perspective on the home teams. The perfect fix of news and analysis amidst all the hooting and hollering. Follow @tftspod (IG/X)

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Must-Win Mentality: Eagles, Commanders to clash for NFC East lead | TFTS 137

    The Philadelphia Eagles blew out the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday after a clunky first half performance. Despite taking sacks and returning to the turnover column, Jalen Hurts led the Birds offensively on a quiet afternoon for Saquon Barkley. Kellen Moore needs to continue to get the quarterback under center. Cooper Rush and company provided little challenge for Vic Fangio's surging defense (1:48). Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders visit Philly this week. Thursday Night Football will be a must win for the Eagles - not only for NFC playoff positioning, but to stick it to Josh Harris (9:23). Mike expresses his frustration with the Flyers fans who knew the Matvei Michkov scratches were coming, but still acted appalled. Why John Tortorella's moves will be nothing more than a bump in the road (19:23). Penn State defeated Washington but Nittany Lion fans were unhappy with the coverage of the annual whiteout - has the great college football tradition lost its luster (25:05)? Be heard on the next episode - leave a voicemail: 215 385 5164 FOLLOW @TFTSPOD https://instagram.com/tftspod https://twitter.com/tftspod https://linktr.ee/tftspod Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports/id1579511518 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCtEnbEKKE9orzYZ0UMI5 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/62afe299-81d3-44dc-a113-db79c1bdfb34/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-fan-talking-straight-p-207224863/ Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/2bf9lgnw

    32 min
  2. 4 NOV

    Eagles win in spite of Sirianni, Penn State settling with James Franklin, & Embiid can't play but can fight | TFTS 136

    A brief look back at the Eagles win over the Cincinnati Bengals - the best win since...Birds fans chimed in with their opinions (1:56). Despite acrobatic hurdles and all time catches from the likes of Saquon Barkley, Jahan Dotson, and Devonta Smith, Nick Sirianni is the focal point of the Eagles win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Failed fourth down and two-point attempts left a lot of points on the board in a game where Philadelphia seemingly wasn't going to need many (6:30). Penn State lost its eighth straight meeting with the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday in Happy Valley. Mike opines on Nittany Lions head football coach James Franklin and how his continued employment feels like settling (14:40). Sixers star Joel Embiid has yet to play a game this NBA season but the fans and media should not be disgruntled - he's done so much for the city. An analysis of the recent comments and a physical altercation with a member of the Philly Inquirer (29:43). Be heard on the next episode - leave a voicemail: 215 385 5164 FOLLOW @TFTSPOD https://instagram.com/tftspod https://twitter.com/tftspod https://linktr.ee/tftspod Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports/id1579511518 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCtEnbEKKE9orzYZ0UMI5 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/62afe299-81d3-44dc-a113-db79c1bdfb34/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-fan-talking-straight-p-207224863/ Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/2bf9lgnw

    38 min
  3. 22 OCT

    Sirianni & Hurts finding themselves as Saquon leads Eagles | TFTS 135

    Mike breaks down the Eagles 28-3 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. Saquon Barkley led the way against his former team, but an uneventful day for Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts may bode well for the Birds moving forward. Vic Fangio's defense looks to have made strides but will be put to the test come Sunday against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Philadelphia 76ers open another NBA season this week against the Milwaukee Bucks. The health of stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George is already in question, while rookie Jared McCain's videography seems to already be a distraction (13:11). The Flyers are off to a rocky start and the John Tortorella/Sean Couturier saga seems to have picked up where it left off last season (16:51). Penn State is positioned well to make the inaugural twelve team College Football Playoff but a potential bump in the road awaits at Wisconsin on Saturday night - a look at the Badgers who have won three in a row (21:05). Be heard on the next episode - leave a voicemail: 215 385 5164 FOLLOW @TFTSPOD https://instagram.com/tftspod https://twitter.com/tftspod https://linktr.ee/tftspod Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports/id1579511518 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCtEnbEKKE9orzYZ0UMI5 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/62afe299-81d3-44dc-a113-db79c1bdfb34/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-fan-talking-straight-p-207224863/ Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/2bf9lgnw

    27 min
  4. 8 OCT

    Phillies come to life in NLDS + Michkov, Flyers open Friday in Vancouver | TFTS 133

    It was a tale of two games at Citizens Bank Park over the weekend - Mike reacts to Games 1 and 2 of the National League Division Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets. A leadoff Schwarbomb and a Zack Wheeler gem were wasted by a shadow of an MLB lineup and a shaky performance from all stars in the Phils bullpen. Rob Thomson is making some unconventional moves with his starting pitchers and third basemen. Bryce Harper ignited the offense on Sunday and got some much-needed help from Nick Castellanos and Bryson Stott. The series shifts to Citi Field for Game 3 and is shaping up to be a playoff classic. The Flyers released their opening night roster ahead of the NHL season and Matvei Michkov will not be the only rookie debuting in the orange and black against the Vancouver Canucks. The goalies and powerplay provide the next hurdles to clear for John Tortorella in the new era of orange (16:36). As top teams continue to falter across the country, the runway to the College Football Playoff grows clearer for James Franklin and Penn State (25:03). The Eagles return to action this week against the pitiful Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson - can better health and a bye week get the Birds on track (29:07)? Be heard on the next episode - leave a voicemail: 215 385 5164 FOLLOW @TFTSPOD https://instagram.com/tftspod https://twitter.com/tftspod https://linktr.ee/tftspod Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports/id1579511518 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCtEnbEKKE9orzYZ0UMI5 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/62afe299-81d3-44dc-a113-db79c1bdfb34/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-fan-talking-straight-p-207224863/ Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/2bf9lgnw

    33 min
  5. 30 SEPT

    Bucs thump Eagles as dysfunction looms heading into bye week | TFTS 132

    Mike returns to break down the abysmal Philadelphia Eagles after another blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite being down AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, and Lane Johnson, the Birds came out unprepared, uninspired and delivered another underwhelming performance at Raymond James Stadium. Vic Fangio seemed to clean up the defense against the Saints but defaulted back to a four-man front and zone coverage much to the delight of Quarterback Baker Mayfield. A gameplan for a heavy dose of Saquon Barkley would have made sense for Kellen Moore and Nick Sirianni without their star wide receivers. Instead, Jalen Hurts was continuously dropped back to be teed off on by the Bucs defense and the turnover machine persisted. Penn State got their first Top 25 victory of the season over Illinois - is James Franklin trying to emulate the formula that propelled the 2023 Michigan Wolverines to a national title (15:45)? The Phillies head to the postseason as NL East Champs, but this Red October doesn't feel all that different just yet (20:50). Be heard on the next episode - leave a voicemail: 215 385 5164 FOLLOW @TFTSPOD https://instagram.com/tftspod https://twitter.com/tftspod https://linktr.ee/tftspod Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports/id1579511518 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCtEnbEKKE9orzYZ0UMI5 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/62afe299-81d3-44dc-a113-db79c1bdfb34/the-fan-talking-straight-philadelphia-sports iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-fan-talking-straight-p-207224863/ Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/2bf9lgnw

    28 min

About

Mike Gillespie is a long-suffering Philly sports fan and Penn State alumni that views the game not as a hometown fanatic but more through an objective lens, aka, The Fan Talking Straight. A show for the realistic Philadelphia fan tired of homerism and contrived filler topics, TFTS gets right to the bottom line on the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and Penn State. A close eye on the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and College Football all year long maintains an honest perspective on the home teams. The perfect fix of news and analysis amidst all the hooting and hollering. Follow @tftspod (IG/X)

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