The NLL season is upon us!!

Hey all, hope all is well in the Yard. ?Let me start off by saying I nailed all four winners last week in the NFL wildcard weekend. ?It was a good weekend for me, but too little to late as the pool I am in was already over...I guess I can still have pride, can't I?

This weekend, I like some underdogs as well. ?I think the Eagles are going to go in and beat the Giants and I think the Chargers are going to win in Pittsburgh. ?I also think Carolina will walk all over the Cardinals and the Ravens are going to eek out a win in Tennessee. ?We'll see how much I really do know!

As far as the NLL goes, week one is behind us already and we are beginning to prepare for our first weekend of games. ?We are home on Friday to Calgary and travel to Minnesota on Saturday for their home opener. ?We will be in tough on both accounts, but it is?imperative?that we get the first one at home. ?They bring a massive lineup of firepower including Josh Sanderson, Tracey Kelusky, Kaleb Toth, Curt Malawsky and Jeff Shattler. ?They will be ready to go, as will we!! ?It will be a great test to start the season.

Minny has already won its opener in Portland, and seemed strong in doing so. ?I expect a very close affair in Minny on Saturday night.

The Stealth are starting to stack up pretty well. ?We finally had Paul Rabil in camp this past weekend and he will add a huge dimension to our team. ?We are big, strong, and fast and the rest will fall in to place as we progress throughout the season. ?I am REALLY looking forward to seeing this thing some together this year. ?I really do think we have a lot in place for a solid 2009 run......again, I guess we'll see.

This years version of the NLL will be one of the toughest ever to predict. ?There has been so much turnover around the league and injuries have already had a huge impact on many teams. ?There seems to be no consensus favorite, with the exception of the Bandits ?in some peoples predictions. ?I think for the first time in a long time, the East and West are even with as many as four teams in each division having a legitimate shot at winning their division. ?This is going to be a great year for the NLL.

I also had a request from one of my readers regarding a list of top 5 pump up songs. ?Here is my list with a short explanation behind each.

1. ?Lets all make believe - Oasis: ?This is one of my favorite Oasis B-sides. ?It really gets me fired up as I love the beat and the vocals.
2. ?Ha, Ha your dead - Green Day: ?Another rarity from Green Day. ?It can be found on their b-side album "Shenanigans". ?I love it, especially when I have a hate on.
3. ?Holiday - Green Day: ?Green Day music really does it for me on game day, and this beauty simply has whatever it is that fires me up. ?Great Guitar, great lyrics and a great sound.
4. ?Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve: ?For some reason, this methodic tune from the Verve get me right. ?I love the musical introduction, it really gets me going. ?This is more for a laid back pump up.
5. ?Sit Down (live) - James: ?This version of this song is outright awsome!! ?The build up and the music itself along with live interaction makes it one of my favorites to listen to when I need to get ready.

I hope you've enjoyed my list and I look forward to hearing some of your favorites as well. ?I will need some of these to be going this weekend as we prepare to begin our drive for the 2009 Title!!

I will hit you guys up once more before the weekend and then will keep you all abreast with how we made out.

Until then,?

Colin #7

Add Comment

• zmystere said January 08, 2009

  Colin, like the lists and will throw them on my IPOD this week. I agree with a couple of your choices for this weekend. The way I see it is Steelers over Chargers at home ( I'll always back my team (Steelers)no matter what)...double parenthasis hhmmm. Steelers are tough at home and Polamalu is a beast and Harrison will get his sacks. I like Cards over Panthers only because if the O clicks, who can keep up with those receivers. Ravens over Oilers...Titans and Giants over Eagles, both games will be pier 6 brawls. Either match up could be game of the weekend. It just feels right to have a Manning in the Conference finals.
  
  Like the look of the team and even more excited about Rabil being on board. Seems like his published statements and true and honest. Like his desire to improve and succeed in this game/NLL. I think a lot of the other teams are looking past us, which is fine with me. We'll earn their respect on the field! The one person that really impressed me was Hartzell, He got popped in the CO game but got up and got it going...can only like that energy and heart.
  
  Now here's my list which leans toward getting amp'd. I used a couple of them when I ran track in college.
  
  1. Peter Townsend - Rough Boys Very few could work a guitar like he could and you gotta love the windmill strumming. And who doesn't like 80's rock.
  
  2. Kicking Harold - Gasoline This just gets me pumped like no ones business. Tend to like to put the hurt on after hearing this song.
  
  3. Bush - Machine Head Always a fan of Bush and this song helps perform like a machine when I needed to pull thru a solid relay 4x100 leg.
  
  4. Massive Attack - Mezzanine Kind of melodic and earthy but a solid beat and more of the mellow pump.
  
  5. Scorpions - The Zoo Again a killer semi-pump up mellow metal rock pump.
  
  It was hard to keep the list to 5 so I'll drop more on you later.
  
  Looking forward to the game this weekend, I am declaring it a National Holiday. I'm sure you all are biting at the bit and looking forward to a great season.
  
  BTW maybe in a future post, you could write about what ist was like to be in the bowels of MSG last year. Saw the vid with you enjoying some of the history on the walls.
  
  Cheers,
  
  Pablo

  Reply

  
  • ColinDoyle replied January 09, 2009

    So, it sounds like we are opposites as far as the NFL goes, so lets hope we are on the same page as far as the NLL goes!! Go Stealth. Those are some great songs on your list, get a good listen in tomorrow on the way to the rink.
    
    See you tomorrow.
    
    Colin #7
• titans_43 said January 08, 2009

  hey i saw a [picture of your torque and was wondering if you coul;d let me know how you string it

  Reply

  
  • ColinDoyle replied January 09, 2009

    Not sure how to answer that. I am very particular about my sticks, and actually have a few people that "help" me string them. Peter Mllliman, a great guys I play with in Rochester, has done my last few. I like to have a mid to high pocket that is not that deep. I use four shooters and I like no hook in my stick at all. I like to feel the ball come out, but I love a really natural feel. I hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions about it.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Colin #7
    • titans_43 replied January 10, 2009

      what holes do you use, and how many diamonds are strung to each hole?
• StealthDragon said January 08, 2009

  All right Colin.
  We're so excited to get things started tomorrow night in San Jose. I'm so glad we've got you leading the offense. We went to the Swarm v. Lumberjax last weekend and saw the home team score all of 7 goals. It made me glad I'm a Stealth fan because 7 goals is boring and a rarity for you boys.
  I'm most interested in seeing what Coach Art has done with the defense. You've had some personnel changes on O, but nothing compared to the D. I expect Curtis to step up and lead the way while all the young Americans get some trial by fire in both games this weekend. It reminds me of 2007 when you first arrived and there were lots of news faces then too.
  As for Top 5 Pump Up Songs
  1) Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
  2) Ground on Down (preferably a live version) - Ben Harper
  3) Same Ol' Situation - Motley Crue (though most people seem to go with Kickstart My Heart)
  4) Wish - Nine Inch Nails
  5) Express Yourself - NWA (great beat)
  Go Stealth!

  Reply

  
• ColinDoyle said January 09, 2009

  Thats for you tunes man, I'll have to check some of them out. As for our defense, I think you'll be shocked to see our size and our athletisicm. We may have some growing pains but we will be strong when we need to be. I think the same goes for our offense. We will take some time to gel, but all the pieces are there for a successful campaign.
  
  Lets get it started.
  
  Cheers,
  
  Colin #7

  Reply

  
  • StealthDragon replied January 16, 2009

    I don't know. I watch way to many Lumberjax games to be shocked at the size of anyone else's defenders! Dalton is looking great at the X. I was sad to see Booth get beat out, but the kid is putting up number to easily show why it happened.
• bzr034 said January 09, 2009

  Hey Colin. I'll start this off by saying I'm a Swarm fan. That said, I am really looking forward to seeing you and the Stealth come to town this Saturday. It should be a great season opener. I wish you guys the best of luck for the game and the season, but I hope you won't mind if I cheer against you this once. We were undefeated at home during the regular season last year and I want to keep that streak going. And, a bit of a heads up, it's supposed to snow and be cold as all get out this weekend. Don't forget a coat.
  
  As for music, this is my list:
  1. Red Flag - Billy Talent
  2. Heavy - Collective Soul
  3. Stillborn - Black Label Society
  4. Turn Your Back - Billy Talent (ft. Anti-Flag)
  5. That's What You Get - Paramore

  Reply

  
• titans_43 said January 10, 2009

  my 5 pump songs are...
  1.)pump that bass-lil' wayne, gots a sick bass line with subsssss ughhhh
  2.)russian privjet-basshunter
  3.)flux-bloc party
  4.)feelin it-jay-z(sick song not fast but his flow gets me going)
  5.)bombs over baghdad-outkast

  Reply

  
• PackMentality said January 11, 2009

  Hey Colin, I saw you and the Stealth at the Swarm home opener. I also caught part of your game vs. Calgary the night before on NLL.com. I was impressed that you guys were able to keep up such a high energy level and play such a high-spirited game in St. Paul less than 24 hours after a tough loss AND having to jet halfway across the country. The Swarm won, but you guys made them earn the victory right down to the last few seconds. I get the feeling you won't stay out of the win column for much longer.
  
  Oh, and congratulations on having been picked the #1 player in the league on the NLL Insider blog!
  
  As for my pump songs, these days pretty much anything from Brian Johnson-era AC/DC will do.

  Reply

  
  • ColinDoyle replied January 13, 2009

    Thanks for the note, it was quite tough flying and playing, but that is no excuse you guys have a great team in Minny, you ought to be proud of how they play!!
    
    I hope you are right about us getting a win sooner or later, but it won't be any easier with Rochester coming to town!! We just have to find our stride and we'll be alright.
    
    Thanks again for the nod,
    
    Colin #7
    
    
• CheerPSU82 said January 12, 2009

  Congrats on being the #1 player on NLL Insider's top 50 list! Good luck with the season; too bad you won't match up against my Wings this season.
  My Top 5 Pump-Up Songs:
  1. Click, Click, Boom - Saliva
  2. Enter Sandman - Metallica (the Wings' opening line-up theme song)
  3. To Be Loved - Papa Roach
  4. Come Out and Play - Offspring
  5. Animals - Nickelback

  Reply

  
  • ColinDoyle replied January 13, 2009

    Thanks for the congrats, it was pretty shocking to be honest with you!! Yeah, I am going to miss Philly this year, I always love going there.
    
    That is a nice list as well, I always like some Metalica as well.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Colin #7
• BanditsROCK said January 22, 2009

  Hey Colin! Kudos, by the way. The selection of #1 player was well-deserved, and I'm a Bandits fan, but I always root for the Rock when my guys aren't on the floor. I also root for the Leafs when the Sabres aren't the opp.
  But I thought you might check out the Tom Sawyer cover by Deadsy. It is the only cover I've ever heard that skips the guitar solo that still kicks. Also check Key To Grammercy Park, also by Deadsy. Very awesome rev up songs. I guess if I were to make a list, it'd be something like:
  1. Tom Sawyer - Deadsy
  2. Key to Grammercy Park - Deadsy
  ~ the sound is so in your face and has a beat yet still makes you want to put the first person who crosses you through a wall.
  3. Blue Monday - Orgy
  ~ a nice cover of the New Order classic with a very nice edge (similiar to Jukejoint Jezebel by KMFDM)
  4. Bring the Noise - Anthrax f. Public Enemy
  ~ and old school classic punched up
  5. Creeping Death - Metallica
  ~ as if this needs an explanation....
  I'm looking forward to some trouble making by Toronto! EsPECIALLY against Rochester and Philly. You've got my support.

  Reply