National Lacrosse League: Wings sign four, including Ardmore native John Christmas

[solrebel]

The Philadelphia Wings have signed transition player and Ardmore, PA native John Christmas to a one-year contract according to Wings' General Manager Lindsay Sanderson.

More... (http://insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=171338)

[stooge14]

I've been to a few of the practices and, although I wouldn't call myself a keen observer of the indoor game, there appears to be some keen competition for roster spots. For example, Eckerel, the former Towsend U. fogo, looked vg this weekend. While both Snider and Jacobs (last year's top 2 face-off league leaders) were not there, I think this kid can definitely play in this league.

[stooge14]

Philly Wings Training Camp

[Hooligan]

Stooge, remember that pro lax players have jobs outside of lacrosse. Those jobs are the reason those two players are not at Wings practice. Its the same all over the NLL right now.

[stooge14]

No question, Hooli........I agree 100% and have to remind myself that pro lax, indoor or outdoor, is a part-time job. I was simply commenting on how impressive Eckerl looked out there. However, since you brought the subject up, it's also a part-time job for the rest of the players who find a way to get to camp each weekend. Maybe it's not fair to be critical because players could still be negotiating a contract, however, there are 3 legit team stars who still have not shown up, i.e. Iannucci, Van Beek, and Snider. Even Mr. Kline seemingly felt compelled to address the absence of the former 2 players from last Saturday's fan party at the Wachovia Center when he joked about them driving cross-country from western Canada. But, again, I agree, it's a pt job, and as long as the other vets are cool with it, that's all that really matters.

Bring on the season!!

[Hooligan]

Snider works in Calgary, Alberta (Canada) and most likely can't make it to Philly for a training camp he really doesn't need as much as the money from his job. Pete Jacobs is getting up in years, and may want to call it a career. Although, the other end of the Jacobs thing is that he earns a 6 figure salary at his regular job, so if they need him, the big paycheck comes first.

Dedication aside, money speaks. If the NLL would pay their players to be full-time athletes, things like training camp would be treated with a bit more respect.

[stooge14]

True Dat Hooligan........to your last comment. So these boys just keep on keepin' on, paving the way for others. Hopefully, the sport will grow to the point where both the indoor and outdoor guys can make a living playing full time. 'Til then, they all continue to play "for the love of the sport".
BTW, the scuttlebutt on Snider was that he was in Denver. Just goes to show you, you can never believe what you hear.

[Hooligan]

Fact is, I didn't hear anything...I just gave the same spew that you hear all the time. If he's playing for Denver, so be it. He's gotta play for someone...

And amen to the "keep on, keepin on" thing. But inevitibly, I feel the NLL and the MLL will not succeed under their present business models. Each league has its own problems, but keep on keepin on just doesn't work forever.

[stooge14]

I didn't mean to imply that #4 was PLAYING for Denver. I heard that he was living out there as opposed to living in Canada. Sure would be nice to see him playing in this practice game vs. Titans on Sunday. Like Philly, NY has had about 7 or 8 practices so I'm thinking this scrimmage should be very competitive both ways. The Titans have some very talented players.

[Hooligan]

The Titans have some very talented players.
Yeah, they have the Wings to thank for that.