NLL Insider

There’s few pure defenders in the NLL today that are as consistent as Scott Self.

No knock on Anthony Cosmo, but from speaking to some teams leading up to the Chicago Dispersal Draft, they claimed they woulda taken the defensive leader first overall if they had the chance, and pass over the guy that everyone was apparently drooling over.

That first overall grab was not the no-brainer some “experts” had you believe it was, and the reason for that was Scott Self.

Self is the ultimate team guy, a leader on-and-off the floor to the greatest extent. You’d be in a dentist’s chair for a minimum of an hour after hearing the kinda stuff guys have to say about last year’s Second Team All-Pro member.

On the floor, Self’s start to last season was OK, nothing amazing, but as usual, steady. After jelling with his, at the time, new Chicago Shamrox teammates, the second half of Self’s 2008 was Defender of the Year kinda stuff, which had he done over 16 straight, likely woulda given him that end-of-year hardware he’s yet to be honoured with in the NLL (Self was 2006’s Merv McKenzie winner in the MSL).

The best part of Self’s game is the passion and heart he plays with, which was never more evident than during this year’s Ontario final against Brampton, when Self just absolutely went for broke in a game seven where the odds were dramatically stacked against the Lakers. To watch a guy play as tirelessly and unselfishly as Self did, and always does, when it appeared a W was the furthest thing in reach for Peterborough that night, even had some Excels’ supporters cheering Self on.

Self will give you the same off the scale effort whether you are up by 20 or down by one with seconds to spare. He’ll give you everything he has to give to the point where you wonder how he has anything left in the tank.

Add Self’s name to a group of defenders in Edmonton that already includes guys like Rory Glaves, Chris McElroy and Ian Hawksbee, and don’t be surprised if Edmonton ends up being one of this year’s best defensive teams, they’ll easily be one of the most versatile.

The biggest loss the Rush franchise has had during their short existence was when Andrew Turner had to leave the league due to his regular gig. The Rush now have their new Andrew Turner, and his name is, well, obviously not Andrew Turner, but rather Scott Self.

Self is a born winner and leader, already having won three Man Cups before even turning 30, and is the kinda impact player that makes good teams into great teams.

He’s the kinda guy Edmonton fans will love this winter and beyond.

(Photo Courtesy Dave Sanders)

Does Self 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
#33 Luke Wiles, Toronto Rock
#32 Ryan Boyle, New York Titans
#31 Chris White, Buffalo Bandits
#30 Jordan Hall, New York Titans
#29 Shawn Nadelen, Philadelphia Wings
#28 Cam Woods, Toronto Rock
#27 Mike Accursi, Buffalo Bandits
#26 Dan Carey, Colorado Mammoth
#25 Pat Maddalena, New York Titans
#24 Andy Secore, Edmonton Rush
#23 Ryan Ward, Minnesota Swarm
#22 Tracey Kelusky, Calgary Roughnecks
#21 Josh Sanderson, Calgary Roughnecks
#20 Shawn Williams, Rochester Knighthawks
#19 Blaine Manning, Toronto Rock
#18 Nick Patterson, Minnesota Swarm
#17 Eric Martin, San Jose Stealth
#16 Scott Evans, Rochester Knighthawks
#15 Scott Self, Edmonton Rush

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:

(+22 rating, 6 votes)

 Loading ...