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Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard. |
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02/16/02
Philadelphia Wings Captain Dave Stilley sat down with PLPA Correspondent David Unkle. | |
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In your last game (a big 21-13 victory over the Rochester Knight-Hawks), the team was firing on all cylinders. Describe how the team is playing at this point in the season? |
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It's been a nice little ride; we had a slow start. We started on the road and started off 1-3…we're all fired up with how we're playing now.
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This Saturday (February 16), you play the New Jersey Storm at home. Does the Storm look like a 1-9 team? |
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They are a team that can sneak up on you if you're not going in with 100% attitude that you're going to win…it will be a challenge…we can't take these guys lightly. But we have a veteran crew who won't let that happen. |
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You started the season 1-3 and I'm sure many teams wondered what's going on with the Philadelphia Wings. |
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We have six new guys that have contributed to our starting line-up so there was a little bit of nervousness at the beginning of the season...they've done a great job. It's a great experience to be part of this team.
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Who sets the tone for the team: is it the captain, the veteran players, or the coach? |
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It's a tough question…everybody contributes in their own little way… we have a lot of different personalities on the team as I'm sure you've seen in the locker room…I'm the tense presence in the locker room. I tend to be on the angry side before games, getting pumped up in the locker room…Adam Mueller (Head Coach of the Wings) is laid back but when it comes down to the game of lacrosse, he knows the ins and the outs and he knows what it takes to be a winner in this league…he's one of those guys who doesn't do a lot of talking but you know by how hard he plays, you know what he's all about.
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You're the last guy out every game during the player introductions; it seems like you're exploding out of a cannon. As a fan watching the game, it's exciting to watch…you really set the tone for the team. |
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I guess guys are getting used to me…they're putting their guard up. I think they're going to break out some extra padding for before the game. I think it's part of my job to send the message to my team that we have to come out with fire…box lacrosse; it's a war out there and whoever sets the physical tone of the game usually comes out on top.
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I've had people comment to me that you have this is a fun team…a professional team that like to sign autographs and talk to the fans…in a working class town like Philadelphia the fans look for players like that. |
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That's what makes it so special…we are regular guys busting their butt every weekend and have a great time doing it…We're all tight outside of the game which I think adds to our success. We always pride ourselves as being the closest team.
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I've never been to a professional game as exciting as that game against Rochester. Tell us about your insights. |
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It was a great up and down game…there were some hits and a couple of altercations. It's big rivalry between the two teams. We beat them in a Championship final and had a lot of close playoff games…our offense gave us a great cushion…that's what can happen if we play four quarters of hard lacrosse…of Wings lacrosse.
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What is it like playing in front of a great goaltender like Dallas Eliuk? |
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You just feel a sense of confidence playing in front of Dallas … you know if you're playing hard...Dallas always seems to come through…he so clutch. He 37 years old and he still moves like a cat in a cage…I hope I can last that long.
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You have three games coming up within a short period of time. What is the physical impact on the team? |
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Definitely high…instead of our normal full padded practice, we primarily did a high cardio workout and sprints [in practice] but very low on the hitting.
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How hard is it going to be to repeat as Champions? |
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The league is wide open this year…we have our work cut out for us… It's not going to be an easy road and we have to take it one game at a time. Five of our last games are at home which is a huge advantage with our fans behind us.
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What advice do you have for the players that made the team but play on the practice squad and be ready to make a contribution? |
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My first couple of years, I only played in two games. You just have to be positive with those guys and stick it out and keep working hard…keep doing all the little things. I remember being down my first couple of years. Everyone wants to be on the field.
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| PLPA Correspondent David W. Unkle is the host of The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show aired on WNJC 1360-AM...Philadelphia's Renaissance Radio Station every Sunday from 4:30-5:30 PM (Eastern Time). The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show brings local and national sports figures of yesterday and today to the airwaves highlighting both the professional and personal dimensions. David also is a Staff Writer for South Jersey Sports On-Line (www.SJSports.com) covering the Philadelphia Wings. A former semi-professional football player and ice-hockey enthusiast, David covers the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), Trenton Titans (ECHL) and Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (ECHL). You can write to David at: dunkle@sjsports.com |
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