Youll also be able to be picking one of the best color combinations and jerseys in the Premier Lacrosse League. The generational talent has had teams waiting for his arrival to pro since he was a teenager, and its finally going to happen this winter. Look no further than the newly created Premier Lacrosse League started by Paul Rabil, the worlds best lacrosse player. What social media app do you prefer to use? I've liked the game of lacrosse for a few years now and even played it myself in college, but I never really followed the professional leagues in the US. Ierlan would certainly help the Rock at the stripe, but hed also have to play on the defensive end on top of taking draws, as theres no room for FOGO-style players on NLL rosters. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Halifax has everything to make a run at the NLL Cup. 2021 PLL Season Preview: Waterdogs LC - Lacrosse Playground. University of Maryland There should be no shortage of highlights coming from the Chaos Lacrosse Club this season; thats for sure. Vancouver has relied on building their roster almost exclusively with talent from British Columbia -- as one of the Canadian hotbeds for lacrosse, thats certainly not a bad thing. His first step is world-class, and he can get his points any way he wants. Panther City built it the right way through expansion, identifying top young talents to build for the future. Of the 27 players featured on the roster, 20 played for Maryland. Can I take a look at the beer list first? That leaves Lyle with even more attention from defences on his side of the floor. Even Blaze Riorden is expected to try to cash-in on the fun and make some attempts at the other teams goal this year. Holden Garlent and Josh Currier are the names youll likely recognize. Hes a special talent. Tom Schreiber and Rob Hellyer share playmaking duties while Dan Dawson, one of the greatest NLL players of all time, perfectly slots in as the third man on that side, setting picks and running the two-man game to perfection. Theyve had some legendary names come through the Scotiabank Saddledome. 1, which will allow Hartley -- one of the most exciting prospects in the league -- to grow and learn behind Kirk. Hot . Theyre headlined by the likes of Jordan MacIntosh and Joel White, and they also have Chad Tutton, Adam Wiedeman, Brendan Bomberry, and Ryan MacSpadyen to call on. Unfortunately for them, theyd often end with them finishing towards the bottom half of the year, leaving other teams with top picks. Tickets Careers Contact Us Media Credentials. Where is your dream vacation? You get the benefit of rooting for a top franchise based in a small town that's so much a part of its community that it lets its fans be stockholders! Out of the back gate, Calgary has a veteran defence, which has the likes of Zach Currier and Eli Salama on it. So, I decided to pen this piece to help other new PLL fans find their team. This is The Extra Point. With the merger with the MLL and an influx of talent from the college game, the PLL will be more competitive than ever. The two-time Super Bowl champion spent his first season of retirement coaching his daughter's hoops team. Hes also one of the best follows in the league on Twitter. by Luis Del Valle BuzzFeed. I've always thought that lacrosse had something that other sports just didn't, and once I picked up a stick it was game over; or should I say game on! New general manager Jim Veltman and head coach Dan Ladouceur have also beefed up the back end. Reasons to like the Bears: The Bears actually have a laundry list of great players on their team, so its easy to be a fan. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Coates is one of the best in the NLL and joins the team after donning the C for the Colorado Mammoth previously. If you thought he had a good 2020 summer with the Chaos, wait until you watch him in the box. Albany was rocked last year by the departure of MVP finalist Callum Crawford, who signed with the New York Riptide. Hell be flanked once again by Logan Schuss and Keegan Bal, and the Warriors were able to add Marty Dinsdale and Kyle Killen to further strengthen the unit. But losing one of the best goalies in the world will be felt. Who should be fans of the Bulls: All front-runners please buy all the Atlas LC gear now because it wont be there when you switch to liking them in the playoffs. Transition will also be huge for the Arrowheads, and you will miss them moving upfield if you blink. Your team will be very good, you will develop a frankly unhealthy crush on Tom Brady, and everyone outside of New England will be within their rights to roll their eyes at you. Once he learns the box defensive style, he could be a weapon for the Wings. Well, theyre a recent expansion side, so like the Riptide, Rochester has some growing to do before theyre considered contenders for the NLL Cup. Welcome to America's Team.By the way, the fact that you guys call yourself America's Team is the exact reason why you were hated in the 1990's like the Patriots are hated in the 2010's. Then, hopefully, their new favorite PLL team makes their way to that fans state so everyone can watch professional lacrosse in person. 2: Avoid a team that's too tortured. Which PLL team should I support? Just have to look at the rosters, see who your favorite players play for or what team your favorite college team has represented. The top teams from England, Spain, Greece, and Italy will be battling for the ultimate trophy.. If the franchise every turns around and becomes respectable you can tell all the people who jump onto the bandwagon that you've always been there. Get ready to spend literally 30% of your time defending Jay Cutler ("Say what you will, there are three passes a game that Cutler makes no one else can"), teaching yourself who the hell are our WRs and RBs now ("There's Jeffery and?") If so, find your county (or parish if you're from Louisiana) and see which NFL team is closest to you. Your bags are packed. There's only one problem. Would Lakers star LeBron James dominate football, too? What do you want your fellow fan base to be like? Who should be a fan of the Scorpions: Players who want to understand how to have fun while playing great lacrosse should watch the Chaos. The Riptide have a chance to take a big leap up the standings. There are two advantages to this: 1. Even more unbelievable? Then theres Jordan Hall, Ethan Walker, Tanner Buck, and Connor Kirst. There is really no shortage of talent in the PLL, but the Atlas has it in spades. The good news: Your team is very good! To be fair, the PLL is totally new to me, but after doing some research it really caught my attention. But Georgia has done a solid job of using its draft capital to minimize the impact of their departures. PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE, PLL, the PLL logo, PLL ACADEMY, WE THE PLAYERS, PLAYERS TOUR, and all team names and logos are trademarks of Premier Lacrosse League, Inc. The Checkdown is giving away Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert jerseys before their Week 10 showdown. Damon Edwards, Jon Harnett, Leo Stouros, and Scott Dominey highlight the big off-season the Riptide front office has had so far. He and Robert Church are the main offensive weapons for Saskatchewan, but theyll also be relying on the likes of Jeff Shattler, Ryan Keenan, and Dan Lintner to pitch in. But itll be amazing to see him back on the floor. He also wont be forced into a big role right off the bat, which should allow him to get comfortable. Selfie Kid from Super Bowl meets Justin Timberlake at Boston concert https://t.co/cbSjcge5iU #7News pic.twitter.com/WepKMOsKdg, Here's how the Seahawks star could end up in Tokyo as an Olympic sprinter. They were able to add Matt Gilray last year from Buffalo. GO G-MEN!Week 17: Football is stupid. This team is full of workhorses all over, and Paul Rabil is at the helm. That unit is going to be very solid. They dont represent geographic locations, just choose based on players. Its for learning. Hell also be given some extra opportunities to prove himself. He was able to play a few games for the team last season and will figure into the offence at times this year as well. Then theres Jason Noble, Alex Crepinsek, Connor Sellars, Leo Stouros, and both of the Orleman brothers in the cage. They were also able to add both Tre Leclaire and Mac OKeefe in the same draft, and theyll add to a lethal offensive front that also features former Duke standout Zack Greer, 2019 NLL MVP Dane Dobbie, Casey Jackson, and Jeremy Noble. You only have seven months until next season starts. Liam Byrnes had a big summer for the Waterdogs, and hes been playing box for a few years now, splitting his time with the Georgia Swarm and Philadelphia Wings, respectively. Defensively, the FireWolves have a strong unit consisting of Brett Manney, Greg Downing, Colton Watkinson, Adam Bomberry, Adrian Sorichetti, and Nick Chyakowsky, among others. Like Zach Goodrich, I think Terefenko makes a very good case to be in the opening night roster with his close defending abilities. by johnnyi13. Note: The creator of the map says that the locations of the teams are based on stadium addresses (i.e. Goodrich should immediately slot into an NLL lineup and thrive. This team has two Thompsons, Connor Fields, Myles Jones, and lots of other players that like creative lacrosse. Yeah, he manhandles the opposition in the exact same way during the winter. Who knows, you might even be a long-suffering fan of a team who has never won the world series, like the Texas Rangers or the San Diego Padres. Blue and black. Truthfully, I am conflicted. Another constant staple in the Western playoff scene, Colorado has been able to make it to the postseason in all but one of their 18 campaigns to date -- 2020 playoffs were not held due to COVID-19 pandemic. Goal No. The fanbase is electric, the town is special, and the team is a championship contender. a ton of fun to watch, as theyll be battling with the Halifax Thunderbirds and Toronto Rock all season. Easy! But they do have two players Im very interested in seeing are Brad Smith and Zach Goodrich, who were both brought in after solid showings in the PLL. If your team pushes pace, you have to watch these guys. Winning - Of course everyone wants to root for a winning team. What's your favorite beverage to get at an arena? User Generated Content is not posted by anyone affiliated with, or on behalf of, Playbuzz.com. Dickson will lead the group, but hell be tested more without his longtime running mate. All rights reserved. Their staff has never been afraid to take a chance on some new players who want to try their hand at box. Theres just so much explosive firepower coming out of this club, and every player who loves lacrosse for the beauty of the play will really get their moneys worth here. Their defensive and goaltending units took the biggest hits, so thats where well start. What kind of season do you want your team to have? Their defence is going to need to prove to fans what they have and the offence is raw in this league. Philly has been on the upswing since returning to the league, and with their blend of top American talent and proven NLL veterans, they have a chance to take home a higher playoff seed this coming season. Hes going to have the chance to be a top option for a team after playing his career to date behind Lyle Thompson and Randy Staats. 1. We found your team! It's a publicly traded team! If you get to go to a home game to see the team play you will be able to get super cheap tickets 2. Enjoy your trip to the NFC Championship Game. Curt Malawsky will have this team battling and winning games all year long. John Ranagan also signed in the off-season and Isaiah Davis-Allen has cemented his place on the defensive end for the Wings. You'll probably enjoy the season, but you're going to get really into pointing out things like, "Now THAT is one helluva defensive coverage pattern." This resemblance will keep the Sting alive in the PLL and, hopefully, bring a champioship to that franchises grave. How far he came to get here. In just a single year, Halifax moved cities and became a staple in Halifax with their strong play. 1. We wont be doing a rating system or anything of that sort like the PLL piece. They also boast some great depth in Sheldon Burns, Adam Jay, Josh Jubenville, and Jamie Dilks, to name a few. 41 after a historic six-touchdown fantasy performance. But I wouldnt be surprised to see the Thunderbirds competing for a championship this year. Hes a cheat code in todays game and someone that the Rush rely heavily on every game. Jameis Winston loves the kids and Fortnite. Its worked out for them in some cases. What college football team are you a fan of? Flowchart Friday is here and football season is not far behind! The Bears are a team steeped in tradition, but unfortunately 90% of that tradition is remembering that time 30 years ago we were really good. In this quiz, you will have the opportunity to find out which team you should root for! It started with six teams and is now up to eight. Look no further than the newly created Premier Lacrosse League started by Paul Rabil, the world's best lacrosse player. So theres reason to believe that Kelly could be a hell of a pickup for the expansion side. Once was enough. Which NFL Team Should You Root For? By continuing to use this site, we will assume that you are happy with it. Youre going to be seeing pretty and fundamental lacrosse coming from all over the field. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! The Rush have been one of the most successful franchises over the last number of years, winning three championships over a span of four years from 2015-2018. On the defensive side of the ball, the Mammoth boasts a fantastic unit as a whole, with Warren Jeffrey, Joey Cupido, Jordan Gillies, and Lacrosse Flashs own John Lintz, to name a few. I've liked the game of lacrosse for a few years now and even played it myself in college, but I never really followed the professional leagues in the US. Getting it done!Week 14: We're gonna do this! Tell me why your pick is better than . There are already a few members of the lacrosse media who have pledged their allegiance to the Thunderbirds as their NLL team, and for good reason, this team is a wagon through and through. That's what I'm talking about! However, the lefty side does have some great depth. Who should be a fan of the Whipsnakes: Maryland people and those who love bad names for sports teams. We all played it growing up and a few even made it to the top flights. When we do poorly, I follow more casually, Super casual- I'm looking for a game to watch at the bar. 3. Former Jet and newest Super Bowl Champion Steve McLendon is a Redwoods supporter and I also really like recently acquired Rob Pannell, who used to play for the NY Lizards, so the Redwoods already seem to have a slight edge for me haha. Most Notable Players: Trevor Baptiste, Ryan Brown, Chris Cloutier, James Pannell, Shack Stanwick, Joel Tinney, Pat Young, Connor Buczek, John Crawley, Scotty Rodgers, Tucker Durkin, Callum Robinson, Ryan Flanagan, and some guy named Paul Rabil. Community Contributor. Patriots LB Brandon King gave his legendary coach a big buzzcut to benefit Boston's Children's Hospital. They have some intriguing future pieces and some established vets that can hold down the fort, but Id imagine they focus on adding to that end through the draft and free agency over the coming years. An organized and well-thought-out season. Hes going to be a huge boost to that room, as will Kirk. They are led by the likes of former MLLers Kevin Crowley and Kiel Matisz, but they also boast the likes of 2019 PLL MVP Matt Rambo, Trevor Baptiste, and Blaze Riorden. (man, how about that bowl cut buzz cut. The offence is led by Lyle Thompson, who has been the centrepiece for them since he entered the league back in 2015-16. Rochester has been a staple in the NLL for over two decades now. Jeremy Thompson should also feature prominently on draws and play on the back end while Delaware product Charlie Kitchen is set to make his NLL debut after being drafted by 2020 and then selected in expansion this year. If you thought Teat was impressive with Cornell and Atlas, just wait until you see him take the floor in the NLL. Ward isnt going anywhere, as hes constantly in the conversation for Goalie of the Year. TJ Comizio and Reece Eddy will also likely be in the conversation for roster spots in training camp. They have a hardcore local fanbase and continue to add top talent every year, as general manager Derek Keenan has done a great job of acquiring high draft picks. Teats arrival has been a long time coming, and his involvement with the other offensive weapons makes this squad one to keep an eye on from the jump. Id love to see a Vegas Golden Knights-esque run by an NLL expansion team. Vancouver has a trio of goalies in Eric Penney, Steve Fryer, and Alex Buque to choose from. The Maryland lacrosse Twitter account has already followed the PLL and has now followed the official Whipsnakes LC Twitter account, so if its not official yet that this team is Terp-sponsored, it now is. I can already see myself choosing a team then liking a player on the other a just flip flopping teams. Zach Higgins has also emerged as a top-flight starter in the league, giving Paul Day his workhorse in the crease. His trade to the Mammoth happened just before his breakout for the Whipsnakes in the PLL bubble last summer, which made him an overnight sensation. What's the first thing you would do with $1 million? Something about getting together with your friends and family, an assortment of chips and dip, and yelling at a TV makes us all feel tail-great! The likes of Tracy Kelusky, Kaleb Toth, Taylor Wray, Josh Sanderson, Jeff Shattler, Shawn Evans, among others, have all worn red and black. What's your favorite food to get at an arena? The Chrome may have the most well-rounded team in the Premier Lacrosse League, but that doesnt always get everyone excited. 1. I know everybody needs to chose his team by himself, but what makes YOUR team special? Will they be able to live up to that potential though? of Josh Byrne, Dhane Smith, Ian MacKay, Chris Cloutier, and Chase Fraser, who all played big parts in the Chaos title run this summer. Eli McGlaughlin got some help this off-season with the addition of Connor Robinson from Saskatchewan. Strike Without Warning. On Jan 30, 2017. Closest NFL Team to Each US County https://t.co/6VchwqGmXU pic.twitter.com/PbVHqn7ETl. Losing Ryan Benesch to expansion is a definite hit, but they were able to land Stephan Leblanc through free agency last year, immediately filling the spot on the lefty side alongside Cody Jamieson. As a result, the NLL granted the Pegulas an expansion franchise in Rochester -- they also own the Buffalo Bandits. Why? history, beating the Bruins 3-2 to win their 5th Stanley Cup. But two massive moves this off-season have completely turned around their outlook. Unfortunately, were unlikely to see many of the names theyve accumulated from the field game. Since then, theyve brought in some big-name talents who fans will instantly recognize from the PLL. Notable Players: Kyle Harrison, Sergio Perkovic, Sergio Salcido, Matt Kavanagh, Matt Landis, Greg Gurenlian, Joey Sankey, Joe Walters, Jack Kelly, Gunnar Waldt, Peter Baum, Larken Kemp, Brian Karalunas, Chazz Woodson, Garrett Epple, and Jojo Marasco. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I'm a huge New York Jets fan and just found out that our former WR Chris Hogan just declared for the upcoming PLL Draft. This team could make the finals this year, which should get people in the city very excited. Look for the likes of Patrick Dodds, Will Malcom, and even possibly 2021 pick Taite Cattoni to get looks early in this offence. If so, find your county (or parish if you're from Louisiana) and see which NFL team is closest to you. Outside of lacrosse, I am a huge Cleveland sports fan, a dog lover, a frequent customer at your local Chinese restaurant, and can be found listening to the newest music on Z107.9. Listen, the Seahawks are dominant, but they do it with a quarterback with about as much personality as a rice cake with some salt sprinkled on it because sometimes YOU GOTTA LIVE ON THE EDGE, and their most dynamic and entertaining players are either on defense (<3 u Richard Sherman) or just retired (<3 miss u Marshawn). Hes a problem out of the back gate in box. If you were paying attention to social media during the 2021 Premier Lacrosse League Championship game, you definitely saw some references and mentions of the Buffalo Bandits on social media. The Thunderbirds were already one of the best teams in the league after 2019-20, and they got better. It's easy to root for the 49ers since they run my life. Just imagine that at one point, Georgia had Lyle, Staats, Shayne Jackson, Zed, Miles Thompson, and Jesse King playing together. So, now that were all caught up, hows the team? Even though syrup comes from Maple trees, the Redwoods are about to have an extra sweet PLL season. What Football Club Should You Root For? As I mentioned in the Randy Staats Flash React, it could be a tough year for Georgia. Itll be up to the younger guys after them to create the defensive depth that is so crucial in the NLL. Instead, the league operates like a music concert tour. They also have the likes of Charlie Leonard, Jack Jasinski, Bryce Wasserman, and Kevin Rogers on the roster currently. These guys should probably be pretty good at lacrosse. Never fear! However, New York and Rochester made some huge moves heading into their second seasons following expansion, but both squads went through a rough 2019-20 before getting to that point. New to the NFL and want to know which teams suits you best? Already went down that road with the Sox. Shute has some starting experience, filling in for Kirk for stretches previously. The team is led by captain Brodie Merrill and also features the likes of Austin Staats, Wes Berg, and Eli Gobrecht. Do you believe in rooting for the "home" team? We have been watching the NLL for years and have our favourite squads and affiliations with squads. Reasons to like the Arrowheads: If you like speed and offense then you will like the Arrowheads. Are you new to enjoying the sport of hockey? However, theyve made it to just one championship game, which they won in 2006. The offense behind Pannell, Cloutier, Stanwick, and Brown is no joke; then you look at the midfield. His backup will likely be decided in camp. Youve got the likes of Jay Carlson, Jake Bernhardt, Mikie Schlosser, Mark Glicini, Danny Logan, and Joel Tinney on the back end. Could this be the year? The Denver standout has been a superstar in box since being selected first overall by the Rush in 2012. So if youre looking for a team that will have success right away, this could be the team for you. Buffalo is a team that makes regular appearances in the NLL playoffs, and this season will be. Star power and goal scoring really are going to be dripping out of the Redwoods LC like sap, and your waffles just got out of the iron. But thats not nearly the end of their PLL talent. Who should be fans of the Arrowheads: Players who want to become elite scorers and dominate the field with their sticks should be watching the Arrowheads. The Checkdown's daily collection of football culture stories for April 5, 2018. Theyll be in the playoff hunt once again in 2021-22. Congratulations, you are rooting for the 4-time Super Bowl champion New York Giants! The big question surrounding the Rush this season will be in the cage. Albany will have to find a way to make up the production of Crawford out the front gate, but their team remains strong enough to push for a playoff position this season. If you live in an NFL-less oasis, or root for the team from Washington, you're probably looking for a team to invest in for the upcoming NFL season. Everyone on the offensive side of the ball is a deadly scorer, and the defense is highlighted by Matt Landis taking the ball from any player while Jack Kelly stops any shot the other teams offense may take. I like the redwoods because they have Brian Karalunas. The Seals look to be ready to make a playoff push once again this season, especially with their new-look offence that will make fireworks. Then theres the reigning NLL Goalie of the Year, Doug Jamieson, who really came into his own as a top-flight starter during the 2019-20 campaign. Hes a Swiss-Army Knife for John Tavares squad. They got stronger during the break from play and are going to make some strides this season. Here's a TBT picture of J.J. Watt -- four Pro Bowls, about 250 pounds, and a couple decades ago. I hope everybody is healthy and safe. Then, I shall decide which PLL team I should root for. The hits on offence will make it a little tougher for the Roughnecks to navigate a competitive West Division, but I wont be counting them out just yet. They took that already strong unit and added Tyson Bell and David Brock to it. That may not be the famous line from Wedding Crashers, but Maryland is first and foremost a lacrosse school. It will be hard to just root for one team when the fans have no actual tie to the teams. When the team plays well, I'm a superfan. Tell me which team I should root for and why! Despite that, the team was able to add Andrew Kew with the third overall pick in the 2019 NLL Draft. Most of those losses came out of the back gate. Despite that, their defensive unit is still extremely talented. So get in the batter's box, it's time to play ball.