Crease Dives – Some Bye Week Musings

Crease Dives – Some Bye Week Musings

By Mike Hancock

Shuffle Up And Deal

With this last week of moving some roster parts around, it will be interesting to see where everything lands.  Decisions will need to be made and I don’t envy those responsible for making them.  There is a lot of talent in the Toronto Rock locker room, but of course you don’t win games on paper and it’s all about finding the right mix. 

Hey Shooter

Well, he’s back.  Ok, here’s how every Rock fan is really feeling, HEEEEEE’S BACK!!!!!  WOOOO!

How can you not be excited to have one of the best the game has ever seen return for what appears to be one last ride.  If this is the end for Josh Sanderson, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to see him live, still doing his thing at a high level and perhaps sparking a Rock resurgence.  Only 6 players scored over 100 points last year and Josh was one of them at 102 points.  And of course he also set a new assist record with 83 (along with Shawn Evans).  This is one theatrical production you don’t want to miss!  The next Toronto showing is Friday, February 19^th against the Buffalo Bandits at Air Canada Centre.

Will The Hall Call?

I got to musing the other day, will Sandy Chapman get the call from the NLL Hall of Fame?  At 35-years old, I’m not suggesting Sandy is nearing the end of his career, because let’s face it, he looks like he could play another 5-10 years.  Whenever you hear young players talk about who they look up to and who they learn from about how to be a pro, it’s almost unanimous that the answer is Sandy Chapman.  I get that being a hall of famer isn’t that simple, but ‘Chappy’ does have 5 Champion’s Cup titles and an NLL defender of the year award under his belt.  One of the true ‘good guys’ of the game will hopefully get his due when he does eventually hang them up and get the call to the hall.

Average Is Normal

A few weeks ago, I had an honest discussion with a few folks that I really though the NLL standings this year might have a healthy pile of teams at .500 or just a game on other side of the ledger.  And by healthy, I thought as many as 7 teams.  Through the first month and change of the season, that’s basically where we sit.  And to some degree, that has to bode well for the Toronto Rock.  With 5 losses already on the board, it means 9 wins, heck maybe even 8 might get the Rock into the playoffs.  I believe it really speaks to the parity in this league and the fact that every team is just that good.  Is any result in this league really “unbelievable” or an “upset” any more?  Me thinks not.

Last Minute of Musing

Wouldn’t it be more fun to see some celebrations in lacrosse like we see in the NFL?  I’ll Dab to that.

That’s all for now, muse amongst yourselves…