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

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• MAC_BLAST said March 07, 2008

  You should post some videos of indoor lacrosse. I bet a lot of people haven't seen it before.

  Reply

  
  • ColinDoyle replied March 07, 2008

    I'd like to do that. I will work on getting some stuff online in the next couple of weeks.
    
    Thanks for the note,
    
    Colin #7
• MisterBoo said March 07, 2008

  I have written off both JT and Watson in the past, deciding "this is probably their last great season" only to be proven wrong the next year. Both of them are still among the elite players in the league and Watson has proven time and again that the more important the game, the more he steps up. Regardless of the regular season record, if the Rock make the playoffs, he gives them a good chance of doing great things.

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  • ColinDoyle replied March 07, 2008

    I know, it is crazy!!!! Everyone keep writing them off and they keep stepping up. Bob and JT are at their best when it counts the most, that defines greatness in my mind.
    
    Colin #7
• zmystere said March 07, 2008

  Colin I enjoyed your article. Was not to sure about the trade last year that brought you to San Jose. But when I saw you play your first game, I was a fan. Glad you got the 'C'. Your reminds me of great point gaurds (Magic, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd), knowing how to get your team mates in position to score. I am glad to have you on our team and it is an honour to see you play each week.

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  • ColinDoyle replied March 07, 2008

    Hey man, thanks alot for the note I really appreciat it. As far as the comparisson's go.....they are very flattering, so I guess a thank you is in order. Hopefully we can do great things here in San Jose.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Colin #7
    
    
    
• jinxxx said March 07, 2008

  Colin I enjoy watching the game all year long. Watching Brampton in the summer league was like watching the former rock team . By the way I'm a Redmen fan in the summer league. Have you relocated out west?? Why didn't you play for Brampton this summer. What is your thoughts on the summer league?? Why can't the NLL sponsor the summer league teams and use them to develope the young players?? It might be a good topic for you to write about.

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  • ColinDoyle replied March 08, 2008

    Jinxxx, I'd love to see the NLL take some initiative with the summer league. It could really help grow both leagues!!!
    
    As for Brampton...I played out West because my wife and I were living there for the summer. It looks as thought we may be back home this summer in the East.
    
    Thanks for writing,
    
    Colin #7
• dougmphilly said March 07, 2008

  colin;
  man we called you the wingkiller when you played for toronto. i think more needs to be said how you altered your play from being the target to the feeder since the move to sj. for folks still getting into the game, you talk about a player fighting for space, watch colin doyle. one of the tiughest pound for pound players around.
  dougm
  sewell, nj

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  • ColinDoyle replied March 08, 2008

    Wingkiller eh!!! You wouldn't know it they way those great Philly fans treated me!!! I always love playing in Philly, and I can't wait ot play there next weekend.
    
    Thanks for the great comments, I really do appreciate them. Glad to see you've got a good thing going in Philly again this year!!
    
    Enjoy the rest of 08'.
    
    Colin #7
    
• CheerPSU82 said March 11, 2008

  1. I canNOT wait to see you in Philly on Friday! It will definitely be a GREAT game. If a little Hawaiian girl comes up to you after the game and asks for a picture, that's ME!
  2. Again, I really think that all the stuff you do in the community is great. I wish more professional athletes would take the time that you do.

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  • ColinDoyle replied March 19, 2008

    Well, I guess I didn't get a chance to see you after the game!! It sure was a great game, i just wished I had played better, but nothing you can do now. The Wings are for real and should give you many more great inghts in Philly.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Colin #7