Interview with Lindsay Sanderson

by Kevin M. Neibauer

In an exclusive for LaxPhilly.com, Kevin M. Neibauer caught up with Wings General Manager, Lindsay Sanderson.

Sanderson explined the current state of the franchise and gave us some insight on some of the "rumors" circulating the area.

So, without further ado. Lindsay Sanderson chats with Kevin M. Neibauer

KMN- Now that a decision has been made on the coaching situation, will it be yourself, or ownership that will decide on the new staff?

LS-"Part of my duties is to pick a new staff. once the NLL finals are over, then we will start the interview process.

Right now, I have a short list, but we will wait to see who is available and what calls I get from interested parties."



KMN- So, Gregg (MacDonald), Chris (Sanderson) and Terry (Sanderson), are completely out the picture as far as the Wings go? No scouting or any other job openings?

LS-"No, they have been relieved of their duties, their time with the Wings has come to an end. I really believed that, on paper at least, that this was the best team that I have had since I have been with Philadelphia."

"But, at the end of the day, we just didn't get it done."

"We're all big boys, teams don't live up to expectations, coaches pay the price, we know it, they know it."




KMN- Did you get the job of telling the guys or did Russ and Chris do it?

LS-"Russ told them. But, I got the chance to sit down with them and let them know the plan."

"We all knew this was something that was in the works..."



KMN- As you said, this was the best team that you have had, so, did that make it harder to suffer a 6-10 season.?

LS-"I have been very, very disappointed for a while. I think it really hit home when New York beat Toronto on that last weekend. After all we went through, we still had a chance."

"We played well against Chicago. We played well against Minnesota on that Friday night. Nick Patterson just had our number."

"But, like I said, that New York game really made it sink in...we had our shots to get into the playoffs, we just pissed it away like that."



KMN- Do you see major changes on the roster before next season?

LS-"Well, we have the draft. As you know, we have the Portland pick which should be a very high pick and will enable us to get some value."

"Plus, we are intending to take a long look at Free Agency, see what's available, who can help us. We will look at trade possibilities. Everything as always, is pretty wide open."

"We need to find a way to beat these teams like Rochester and Buffalo. I think it is more psychological that anything physical."



KMN- You have a few guys who have been mentioned in rumors, to be retiring. Peter Jacobs for one....

LS-Early in the season, Pete mentioned that this may be his last year. But, I have not heard anything to make that true. I think with Geoff Snider taking a lot of the pressure off Pete on the face-offs, it helped to keep Pete from getting beat up as bad. He had a lot of energy left at the end of the season, so I would think he will be back."



KMN- How about Jake Bergey?

LS- "Again, I haven't heard anything from Jake on it, but from what I understand, he is planning on going another season."



In other matters, Sanderson explained the draft position as such. The Wings hold the First Round pick of the Portland team. That came about as a result of the Dallas Eliuk trade.

Philadelphia does not have it's own first round pick. That was traded away in the Kyle Wailes acquisition.


For what its worth, Sanderson, as always, played his cards close to the vest. He says that indeed there is a "short" list of candidates. When pressed on just who may be on that list, he, of course, was non-committal.

On the subject of his coaches that were fired, he explained that once the season ends, teams will begin to decide on who to hire. So, Sanderson believes that each will land somewhere.

The GM also commented on his contract status, which will expire at the end of the NLL playoffs. "I will sign a new deal. Since I am just the GM now, things will be different with my contract."

Kevin M. Neibauer


Coming soon......I will re-post the most popular interview that I have ever posted to this site. A candid one-on- one with Mike Fox, the Wings equipment manger.

Fox has reprised the interview to catch the fans up on what is going on in the life of the "busiest man in Philadelphia sports."

So, that interview will also be up on the site shortly.....


Thank You to Lindsay Sanderson for sitting down with us and as always, handling himself with class and dignity.

I believe that Sanderson is a tremendous evaluator of Lacrosse talent and that keen eye will result in a Championship in the near future.

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