My midseason thoughts

Hello everyone, hope all is well in the yard!! Sitting out another weekend with a bye, I had some free time to sit back and enjoy tons of around the league NLL action. I took in plenty of lacrosse this weekend via television and the internet. As we reach the midway point of the season, things are really heating up for one heck of a finish in the NLL. I figured with that being said, I'd throw together a midseason report of my own. I'd like to use this forum to talk about some things that have intrigued me so far.

1.39 is the new 25!!! How about JT leading the league in scoring at 39 years old!!! This guy never stops. He simply keeps making himself better and better. Not only are his stats great as always, he had helped lead an injury depleted Bandits roster to a very strong record. On the other end of the spectrum, how about the play of another high thirties man……Bob Watson. He has helped carry the Rock to a very strong 5-3 record and has easily been the best backstopper in the league. I have always believed in how great he really is, but it seems every time people write him off, he responds BIG TIME!!

2.Great rookie crop. In what many claimed would be a weak draft year, rookies seem to be making a huge impact on their respective teams. Guys like Point, Thompson and Hall have stats that speak for themselves. They are making an instant impact on their teams and will continue to do so. Guys like Codron, Pannerelli, and Heim are all contributing well out the back end as well. Buffalo's got the two kids they seem to be using plenty as well as the trio in Rochester that have been used regularly in that star studded line up. Even the Smith kid put himself on the map last weekend in Philly!!! Maybe memory isn't serving me very well, but it has been a long time since I can remember so many impact rookies. This was especially unexpected in a season that lost two teams coming in.

3.The EAST. As it stands right now, it looks like you are going to have to win 9 games to get a playoff bid in the East!! With each team getting win after win, it seems as though fans in the East will be in for a great finish.

4.American influx. Again, with the subtraction of two teams this year, many assumed the number of American players would have dropped. Quite the contrary this season. With Philly, New York, Colorado, Rochester and us using many Americans night in and night out, their contributions have been massive this year. As we all know it bodes well for the future of our game, but it is really amazing to see the American contribution in 2008.

5.Iannucci….What else needs to be said? He is throwing together one hell of a good year offensively.

I suspect we are just getting started as far as excitement goes in the NLL. I fully expect great races in both the East and West, as teams continue to get stronger down the stretch. I certainly do not know how things are going to end up, but I do know that fans of the NLL are in for one hell of a finish!!!

On a personal note, I was part of READ ACROSS AMERICA this morning in two Northern California elementary schools. I got tot read to 10 different classes and help teach them the importance of reading and the benefits of enjoying reading. It was a great experience, and it amazes me when I get the opportunity to use my athleticism to create awareness for such great issues. I am a big believer in the importance of reading, so it was nice to get out there and share that message with our youth. Here are some pics….enjoy.

Until next time,

Colin #7