Grand Imperial Poobah: What's Wrong With The Flyers?

By Stan "The Grand Imperial Poobah" Hochman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- (Editor's Note) Stan Hochman, a Daily News sports columnist for 55 years, has been appearing on 94WIP's morning show for over a year now, settling disputes (and starting new ones) as the "Grand Imperial Poobah." He brings that persona to CBSPhilly.com/poobah on Tuesdays and Thursdays and we welcome input on which issues you want the Poobah to take a good, hard look at. Send requests and ideas for The Poobah to WIPpoobah@gmail.com. 

Without further ado, here's The Poobah.

Phil E. Fan: What's wrong with the Flyers, off to another stumbling start?

Poobah: Four games may be too small a sample, but significant in the light of recent years, the Flyers staggering out of the gate, winless in the first four games. The Poobah sees a pattern to the losses and it lumbers around the blue line. The defense lacks the three S's----they are not Strong enough, not Swift enough, and not Smart enough.

They make enough mistakes to leave the goalie vulnerable to point-blank shots. You have to love the speed and tenacity of Jake Vorachek and Claude Giroux, while Wayne Simmonds is on the brink of becoming a prolific goal scorer. Problem is they are surrounded by some very ordinary players. Until the defense improves dramatically and the goalie eliminates some of those soft goals, the struggle will continue.

You can hear Stan "The Grand Imperial Poobah" Hochman on the 94WIP Morning Show every Thursday at 7:20am E.T. Send the Philadelphia sports issues you want The Poobah to tackle to WIPpoobah@gmail.com

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