NLL Insider

“Kyle Sweeney is the most underrated player in our league.  Game after game he brings everything he’s got.  He should be on the All Star team.  Maybe now that we are winning he’ll get the recognition he deserves.  Great teams are built on those who make it possible for others to do what they do best.  Just know Kyle that we know.” - Russ Cline

Those were the words spoken (actually written in his blog) by Wings’ President and Owner Russ Cline last winter in regards to Philly defender Kyle Sweeney.

Well Russ, not only were we listening to you last winter, we watched a hulluva lot of Kyle in 08, and ya know what, Sweeney is probably even better than you advertised.

The former Georgetown U defender and Brodie Merrill mentor has now been in the league since 2005 and has slowly gained the rep as one of the league’s most mobile, in your face and tenacious defenders. If we had a nickle for every LB Sweeney gave up on cuz his man was ahead of him, we’d be sh** broke, cuz there’s absolutely zero quit in this guy.

Like a number of guys playing in Dave Huntley’s new system in Philly, Sweeney’s up tempo style of ball worked perfectly in the new game plan and it was no fluke his point total in 08 was almost double anything he’d thrown down in previous seasons. Ditto for his loosie digits, which went from a previous best of 91 in his soph year to 127 last year, seventh best in the entire NLL.

The best part about Sweeney, even though he goes hard 24/7, he plays a super composed game in Philly’s own end, collecting just 29 total PIM over his four year pro career, but rarely giving an inch.

Sweeney, like a few names that have appeared on the countdown (and more names to come), is one of those guys that doesn’t get a lot of ink or props, but plays a role that has proved to be insanely important to his team. And if you’ve got a problem with the Maverick Lacrosse OG at the 34 spot, take it up with Russ the next time you see him.

Does Sweeney belong in the NLL Insider Top 50? Hit the boards and let us know what your Top 50 looks like heading into the 2009 NLL season…

#50 Matt Roik, San Jose Stealth
#49 Jon Sullivan, Minnesota Swarm
#48 Billy Dee Smith, Buffalo Bandits
#47 Steve Toll, Rochester Knighthawks
#46 Jarett Park, New York Titans
#45 Bruce Murray, Colorado Mammoth
#44 Shawn Evans, Rochester Knighthawks
#43 Peter Lough, Toronto Rock
#42 Matt Vinc, New York Titans
#41 Jeff Shattler, Calgary Roughnecks
#40 Craig Point, Minnesota Swarm
#39 Scott Ranger, Calgary Roughnecks
#38 Brian Langtry, Colorado Mammoth
#37 Sean Pollock, Minnesota Swarm
#36 Jake Bergey, Boston Blazers
#35 Pat O’Toole, Rochester Knighthawks
#34 Kyle Sweeney, Philadelphia Wings

Hit this link for NLL Insider’s Top 50 archive and keep checkin’ back every week as we countdown the top 50 best in the pro game, with #1 being named just before the NLL season kicks off.

Rate This Story:

(5 votes, average: 4.2 out of 5)

 Loading ...