NLL Insider

Casey Powell returns to lead the Titans (Martin Allinson)

After a slow start to last season, kicking off the year with a rough 1-4 record, the New York Titans came together mid-season for a second half that vaulted them into that insane four way knot-up for first in the East.

Casey Powell became an MVP contender. Matt Vinc turned into one of the league’s most clutch keepers. Jordan Hall had a Rookie of the Year type year even though voters felt otherwise. And Adam Mueller did his best Tony Resch impersonation en route to a Coach of the Year nod, which sadly then turned into an unexpected retirement during the off-season.

Expectations are high in the Big Apple this year and simply just making the playoffs probably won’t be enough to put a smile on too many faces this season.

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Depth

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Got some slightly unexpected depth last season, but after losing Mitch Belisle, Jeff Ratcliffe and even Anthony Kelly, it should be interesting to see how they fill in. Look for sophomore Rory Smith to really come into his own after being named the OLA junior loop’s top D stud this past summer.

Balance

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Vets like Pat Maddalena and Mike McLellan, who’d been more secondary threats in their previous NLL homes, are now the leaders on a team looking for a consistent presence at the top of the order.

Chemistry

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The American commitment that the Titans have gotten from studs like Casey Powell and Ryan Boyle, and all the way to role players like Kevin Galbraith and Greg Peyser, has created a dynamic rarely seen from teams constructed like New York.

Transition

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Last year’s Rookie of the Year runner-up Jordan Hall gave New York an added element to its transition game. Draft pick Stephen Peyser should give them even more versatility this year.

SHANNY’S TAKE

Last year everyone predicted the Titans would finish last, and they surprised us with a 10-6 record and a playoff spot. What happened?
Coach Adam Mueller made a commitment to athletic field lacrosse players. New coach Ed Comeau has one of the NLL’s brightest minds, but it’s always a challenge to take over a team that seemed to hit all the right notes. A playoff spot is not a sure thing.

SCOUTING REPORT

“They got a lot tougher with Smith in the lineup and they mix that toughness well with the athleticism. Powell’s got great eyes and he’s a playmaker. … It’s a track meet [playing the Titans]. They’re just so fast, and Comeau will instill things to add to that. … Jarett Park is unparalleled. On draws, no one is better getting to the ball. … They’ve got a great power-play, are athletic and have great foot speed. Brendan Mundorf is underrated, Maddalena is great on the crease and cleaning up for garbage goals and McLellan is one of the most underrated players in the league.”

NUMBER

2

The number of American-born Titans (Powell, Boyle) among the NLL’s Top 25 scorers in ’08 — Portland’s Ryan Powell (19th) and Colorado’s Brian Langtry (22nd) were the only others.

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