By Tom Hoffman
Looking to continue their perfect start to the 2007 MLL season, the Philadelphia Barrage (3-0) travel to Uniondale, NY to square off with the Long Island Lizards (2-1) on Saturday afternoon. Faceoff at Mitchel Field is at 1 PM.
All Time
The Barrage are 7-11 all time against the Lizards, 5-3 since moving to Philadelphia. The Barrage are only 2-6 on the road versus Long Island, both wins coming in the last three seasons. Last season Philadelphia swept the season series 2-0. On June 17, the Barrage won 13-12 on a B.J. Prager goal with 3:22 remaining in regulation time after coming back from an early 8-0 deficit. Brian Dougherty made 20 saves in the comeback win. At Villanova Stadium on July 20, the Barrage pulled out a 10-8 victory. Justin Smith scored a hat trick to lead Philadelphia. Both squads played minus key players that night due to the ILF World Field Championships being played in London, Ontario.
Last Game
Ryan Boyle turned in another MVP performance as the Barrage defeated the Boston Cannons 16-13 at USTC in Downingtown before a crowd of 2,403. Boyle led the way with four goals and two assists, scoring the game winner, while Matt Striebel and Justin Smith each scored three times and Michael Springer dished out four assists along with a goal. Seth Goldberg made his Barrage debut scoring twice in place of Roy Colsey, who missed the game due to illness. Andy Corno won 17 of 31 faceoffs for Philadelphia. Brett Bucktooth led the Cannons with four goals.
Bragging Rights
When the Barrage and Lizards meet, there is usually quite a bit of trash talking and very spirited play. A number of players on both teams live on Long Island and several have played for both teams adding to the rivalry. Lizards Blake Miller, Nicky Polanco and Keith Cromwell helped the Barrage win the championship in 2004 while Brian Dougherty helped lead the Lizards to the 2003 title.
Quotes
Barrage A Ryan Boyle:
On the team's start: " Any time you go 3-0, especially within the division, it's good. It sets you up for later on in the season, that's what's really important. It urges you to stay focused and realize these wins now could play a huge factor come the playoffs."
On the Boston game: "It was tough without Roy, he's such a big part of our offense. I think a lot of guys tried to do too much early, myself included. Finally when they (Boston) made their run and tied it and took the the lead it was time for certain players on offense to step up. I just tried not to force anything, tried to let the game come to me. It seemed to work out well. I put myself in situations where I could make some plays and fortunately i was able to bury some shots."
Barrage Coach Tony Resch on the difference between coaching the team in 2005 and this year's team, both as defending champions:
"I think it's the familiarity in both directions. It's tough to come back with a championship team in any situation but when you're a new coach with a returning championship team there's going to be a bit of a feeling out process. Both sides struggled with that in 2005 and then in 2006 I adjusted my expectations and they (the players) figured out what I was about so we found the middle ground. This year, I think we're very comfortable with each other. We have the kind of guys back who know their roles within the team so that's always an advantage."
Next Game
The Barrage stay on the road as they travel to Rochester to face the Rattlers on June 23 at PAETEC Park.
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Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Game Preview - Barrage vs. Cannons 6-9-07
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Barrage (2-0) will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Boston Cannons (2-2) Saturday night at 7 PM. This is a rematch of the season opener, won by Philadelphia 13-9 May 19 in Boston.
Last Week
The Barrage won their home opener 21-17 over Rochester in front of a crowd of 2,004 at United Sports Training Center. Ryan Boyle earned Offensive Player of the Week with a nine point performance (4 goals, 1 - 2pt. goal, 4 assists). Roy Colsey added four goals and an assist and Matt Striebel added three goals. Brian Dougherty made 17 saves in goal for the Barrage. John Grant Jr. scored six goals for the Rattlers.
MLL Draft
The Barrage made four picks in the MLL Collegiate Draft last week. With their first pick in the third round, the Barrage took Attackman Peter Trombino from Princeton. Trombino was the first player in Tigers history to score at least 20 goals and 10 assists in all four seasons of play. Also taken in the third round was Attackman Ian Dingman from Navy.In the fourth round the Barrage took Mike Graham from Loyola (Md.) and took Drexel's Mike Filippone with the final pick of the draft in the fifth round.
Wings in the MLL
The Wings have several players who are playing for MLL teams this summer. One, John Christmas, will be in town this weekend with Boston to oppose his Wings teammate Kyle Sweeney. Christmas currently is tied with Mikey Powell for the Cannons scoring lead with 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists). Athan Iannucci made an impressive debut in MLL with a seven point game to lead the Chicago Machine to their first ever win, 19-17 over Denver. In that game he was opposed by Wings teammate Geoff Snider. Others contributing to their MLL teams are Shawn Nadelen and Kyle Fiat (Washington), Damien Davis (Chicago), and Keith Cromwell (Long Island).
Next Game
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The Philadelphia Barrage (2-0) will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Boston Cannons (2-2) Saturday night at 7 PM. This is a rematch of the season opener, won by Philadelphia 13-9 May 19 in Boston.
Last Week
The Barrage won their home opener 21-17 over Rochester in front of a crowd of 2,004 at United Sports Training Center. Ryan Boyle earned Offensive Player of the Week with a nine point performance (4 goals, 1 - 2pt. goal, 4 assists). Roy Colsey added four goals and an assist and Matt Striebel added three goals. Brian Dougherty made 17 saves in goal for the Barrage. John Grant Jr. scored six goals for the Rattlers.
MLL Draft
The Barrage made four picks in the MLL Collegiate Draft last week. With their first pick in the third round, the Barrage took Attackman Peter Trombino from Princeton. Trombino was the first player in Tigers history to score at least 20 goals and 10 assists in all four seasons of play. Also taken in the third round was Attackman Ian Dingman from Navy.In the fourth round the Barrage took Mike Graham from Loyola (Md.) and took Drexel's Mike Filippone with the final pick of the draft in the fifth round.
Wings in the MLL
The Wings have several players who are playing for MLL teams this summer. One, John Christmas, will be in town this weekend with Boston to oppose his Wings teammate Kyle Sweeney. Christmas currently is tied with Mikey Powell for the Cannons scoring lead with 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists). Athan Iannucci made an impressive debut in MLL with a seven point game to lead the Chicago Machine to their first ever win, 19-17 over Denver. In that game he was opposed by Wings teammate Geoff Snider. Others contributing to their MLL teams are Shawn Nadelen and Kyle Fiat (Washington), Damien Davis (Chicago), and Keith Cromwell (Long Island).
Next Game
The Barrage travel to Uniondale, NY to face the Long Island Lizards on June 16. Faceoff at Mitchel Field is at 1 PM.
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Game Preview - Barrage vs. Rattlers 6-2-07
By Tom Hoffman
The Philadelphia Barrage will look to go 2-0 on the season when they play their home opener against the Rochester Rattlers on Saturday night. Faceoff at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA is at 7 PM.
All Time
The Barrage are 4-10 in regular season play against the Rattlers. Since moving to Philadelphia, their record is 4-2 (2-1 at home). The Barrage also won their first postseason game against Rochester (2004).
Last Season
The Barrage swept the season series for the first time ever in 2006. They opened the season with a 12-11 win on May 20 at Franklin Field, Mike Springer leading the way with four goals while Ryan Boyle added two goals and six assists. The Barrage won the second meeting on August 5 18-15 at Paetec Park. Four players (Roy Colsey, Paul Cantabene, Matt Striebel, Mike Springer) scored hat tricks for the Barrage.
Opening Results
The Barrage opened defense of their MLL Champinship with a 13-9 win at Boston on May 19 at Harvard Stadium. Matt Streibel scored four goals, Mike Springer added three more and Ryan Boyle scored two goals and added three assists in the win. Brian Dougherty earned Goaltender of the Week honors with a 15 save performance.
Rochester lost their opener at home 13-12 to Washington on May 26. John Grant Jr. scored four goals along with two assists and Joe Walters added three goals for Rochester while ex-Barrage goalie Mike Levin made 13 saves.
New Home
The Barrage are playing their home games in 2007 at the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA. Their previous home, Villanova Stadium, is undergoing renovations to the track and is unavailable for use by the Barrage this season.
World Indoor Results
Team USA earned a Bronze medal at the 2007 ILF World Indoor Games in Halifax with some help from a couple of Barrage players. Bobby Horsey (4 goals, 10 assists) and Matt Zash (6 goals, 12 assists) helped the US team go 4-2 in the tournament. 2006 Barrage member Keevin Galbraith added ten goals and nine assists for the American squad.
Next Game
The Barrage will return home on June 9 when they host the Boston Cannons at 7 PM
Discuss this article in the LAXPhilly Forums
The Philadelphia Barrage will look to go 2-0 on the season when they play their home opener against the Rochester Rattlers on Saturday night. Faceoff at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA is at 7 PM.
All Time
The Barrage are 4-10 in regular season play against the Rattlers. Since moving to Philadelphia, their record is 4-2 (2-1 at home). The Barrage also won their first postseason game against Rochester (2004).
Last Season
The Barrage swept the season series for the first time ever in 2006. They opened the season with a 12-11 win on May 20 at Franklin Field, Mike Springer leading the way with four goals while Ryan Boyle added two goals and six assists. The Barrage won the second meeting on August 5 18-15 at Paetec Park. Four players (Roy Colsey, Paul Cantabene, Matt Striebel, Mike Springer) scored hat tricks for the Barrage.
Opening Results
The Barrage opened defense of their MLL Champinship with a 13-9 win at Boston on May 19 at Harvard Stadium. Matt Streibel scored four goals, Mike Springer added three more and Ryan Boyle scored two goals and added three assists in the win. Brian Dougherty earned Goaltender of the Week honors with a 15 save performance.
Rochester lost their opener at home 13-12 to Washington on May 26. John Grant Jr. scored four goals along with two assists and Joe Walters added three goals for Rochester while ex-Barrage goalie Mike Levin made 13 saves.
New Home
The Barrage are playing their home games in 2007 at the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA. Their previous home, Villanova Stadium, is undergoing renovations to the track and is unavailable for use by the Barrage this season.
World Indoor Results
Team USA earned a Bronze medal at the 2007 ILF World Indoor Games in Halifax with some help from a couple of Barrage players. Bobby Horsey (4 goals, 10 assists) and Matt Zash (6 goals, 12 assists) helped the US team go 4-2 in the tournament. 2006 Barrage member Keevin Galbraith added ten goals and nine assists for the American squad.
Next Game
The Barrage will return home on June 9 when they host the Boston Cannons at 7 PM
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Game Preview - Barrage at Cannons 5-19-07
The Philadelphia Barrage begin defense of their 2006 Major League Lacrosse championship on Saturday May 19 when they travel to Harvard Stadium to face the Boston Cannons. The Cannons opened their 2007 season last weekend with a 17-13 win at Washington. Faceoff will be at 7 PM.
All Time
The Barrage all time are 5-13 during regular season play vs. Boston though they have won both of their postseason meetings with the Cannons. On the road the Barrage are 3-7 during the regular season (1-4 at Cawley Stadium and 2-3 at Nickerson Field).
Last Year
The Barrage suffered both of their regular season losses at the hands of the Cannons. The first meeting was on June 24 in Boston where the Boston’s Chazz Woodson scored with 4:10 remaining to give the Cannons a 16-15 victory. Justin Smith scored four goals for the Barrage while Brian Dougherty made 15 saves. Five days later the two teams met at Villanova Stadium. In a game stopped early in the fourth quarter by lightning, the Cannons trounced the Barrage 16-5 scoring 14 of the game’s final 17 goals. Woodson and Matt Poskay each score three goals for Boston while Roy Colsey scored twice for Philadelphia. The Barrage would get revenge in the postseason, defeating the Cannons 17-12 in the MLL Semifinals in Los Angeles. Matt Striebel tallied five goals for the Barrage, who would move on to defeat the Denver Outlaws and win their second MLL title in three years.
Rankings
The Barrage has been picked first in the Inside Lacrosse MLL Power Rankings and have also been picked to finish first in the East by Lacrosse Magazine.
Indoor World Games
The ILF Indoor World Games are taking place this week in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Several members of the Barrage are on the Team USA 33 man roster. Those named include Ryan Boyle, Jed Prossner, Bobby Horsey, Matt Zash and Kyle Sweeney. According to the Philadelphia Wings website (wingslax.com), Sweeney will not be playing in the World Games. Sweeney, along with Horsey and Zash, played for the Barrage Saturday in their scrimmage against the MAB Philadelphia club.
Next Game
The Barrage will play their home opener on Saturday June 2 at USTC in Downingtown, PA against the Rochester Rattlers at 7 PM.
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Saturday, May 12, 2007
Part 2 Interview with Mike Fox
Kevin M. Neibauer caught up with the busiest man in Philly sports in an effort to update the interview from two years ago. As you will learn, Mike Fox is just as busy as ever. Well, let's have Mike tell you.
KMN- Mike, we did the first interview about two seasons ago. A lot has happened in your life since that time. First off....You have gotten into showbiz, tell us what projects that you have been involved with.
MF-"Well, I worked on 3 movies, “Invincible”, “ We Are Marshall” and a new movie that hasn’t been released yet, “ The Game Plan”. I was given cameo roles for “We Are Marshall” and “Invincible”. I was offered a cameo for “ The Game Plan” but turned it down because they wanted me to stay in Boston for another week so they can shoot the scene".
KMN- What is next? Another movie? Television?
MF-"Laughing, I wish… Coming off the third movie I was offered a sales job at Verizon, and I need a little stability in my life. Funny thing though, on the 1st day I started at Verizon, my phone rang and it was an offer for another movie which I had to turn down. Since I started at Verizon I have been spoken to about another movie and help with a TV series which I had to turn down also. Verizon isn’t the only reason I turned them down. All jobs were away and during the season where I have too much to do with either the Wings or the Barrage.
KMN- So, you are still with the Barrage?
MF "Yes, in fact I am working to get everything ready for the start of the season."
KN- With the filming and movie making, and equipment duties, you must have a 28 hour day....
MF- "It is that way all the time. With the movie, everything I do is centered around the movie schedule. We start with a training camp so I have hours that correspond to the practices. We move into a shooting schedule so my set up and day centers around that time table. Some days my call time will be 4 am and go until midnight, but then I have to have an 8 hour turn around, so I do get some sleep. "
"With the teams and working full time, my week is chock full of activities. I do all the laundry and have the equipment room at my home. After a Wings home game for example I immediately unpack the truck into my garage and start the uniforms in the washer. While the first load is going through, I sort the towels and repack the bags from what I used. By then I can hang up the first load of wash to dry and get into the 2nd load. After I hang that load, I can start the towels and get to bed. This is usually an hour after I get home, and I am constantly moving. As long as we don’t have another game to prepare for, this is pretty much my schedule. If we do have another game that weekend, I repack the truck with the bags I will be traveling with and then try and get a few winks. Usually though, with a Friday night home game and a Saturday night away game, I don’t really sleep until Sunday. I then use time during the week to finish all the towels, fold them and repack the officials locker room bag, the visitors bag and our towel bag. I do around 200 towels a week for home games. "
"I then rely on the free time I have during the week to finish the towels and get ready for the next home game. That free time might be getting up a while before I normally have to get up so I can wash, dry and fold some towels and get them into the proper bag. I try to finish before Wednesday because we practice at night and then I have the practice gear to take care of."
"I would love a few more hours in the day. Sometimes, while I am waiting for the last of the uniforms to come out of the wash, I will sit on the floor and play with my dog."
KMN- Talk about your duties with the US Indoor team, are they basically the same as with the Wings?
MF- "Well, yes and no. First of all I am the equipment manager for the USIL team. That is the same as with any lacrosse team. Secondly, the coaches and general managers have included me in on all the conference calls with the planning etc. where I am a bigger part of the process."
KMN- Do you still involve your kids in your work?
MF -"I will try to do this as long as I can, the teams take so much time away from the family so anything I can do to keep contact with my boys I will do. My sons all grew up on the sidelines, I have worked for Temple football for 25 years. I brought them with me there when they were 8-9 years old. When I started with the Soul there was a job opening and I brought Mike Jr. there. Chris will be back with the Barrage as a water boy. "
KMN-Was it a particularly tough season with the Wings?
MF- "Any season for a professional athlete is tough. When you see these guys who can’t move because they are so beat up from a game get right back into it whether it is a back to back game or getting ready for the game for the following weekend. I have nothing but respect for these guys. "
"I do know what you meant, any time you fall short of the goals you all have set, both individually and as a team it hurts. People laugh when we speak of trainers and equipment people setting goals but you need the entire team working together for the same end and Jen (Massey) and I worked hard for us to reach that end. It hurts, it really does. "
KMN- Do you have a large staff for the equipment duties?
MF- "For the Wings and the Barrage I have been fortunate and have had an intern some of the time, so that helps especially for the home games. For the movies our staff could be as large totally as 7, but that would be for all of football: the actors, the special ability actors (SAE’s), and the extras. I work with 1 other person and we do the actors and the SAE’s. My primary position is to protect the SAE’s, those people who are really doing the hits and stunts. I might have anywhere up to 50 people I handle alone."
"It’s funny, with an NFL team you have a head guy, several assistants and the ball boys that might total 10 people who all work to support 53 guys. With the Wings and Barrage I have @ 24 guys mostly by myself. It was that way with the Soul and the Kixx too. I would love to see some of those guys do what we do and travel like we travel, but that is another issue."
KMN-Do you still work at Jeff Spano's place?
MF- "Jeff is a very close friend of mine and until I started working back at Verizon, it was my job bartending at Brothers in Bryn Mawr. I still help Jeff out with odds and ends… he doesn’t know what a screwdriver is so I go into Brothers’s in Bryn Mawr and make the necessary fixes."
"It was neat to see how the bar has matured in just over a year and how Jeff stabilized the menu to some really excellent choices. Good food and good atmosphere at Brother’s in Bryn Mawr on Connestoga Road.
KMN-How are the players? Is it demanding keeping up with tooth paste, shaving cream and the needs the guys have?
MF-"The guys are great. I know it is cliché but in my years with this team we seem closer each and every year, even with all the changes on the roster. New guys just slide right in and become welcome instantly. I know we all have each others back.
The toiletries box is easy to take care of, I supply whatever the guys need so they can just worry about their job. It is that simple. Yes, I get requests and I even get contributions of supplies from the guys. With the new house, I have a shelf in the equipment room that only has the toiletries stocked on it. "
KMN- If a player gets injured during a game, does Lindsay ask you if he can play? Or is it up to the player and coach?
MF-"Lindsay is a professional. He has been around long enough to see a variety of injuries so he has a good idea when something happens. Lindsay will get a report from Jen Massey, our Head Trainer when someone gets hurt, and that will tell him if they can return immediately or must sit. All of our coaches are good with that. Sometimes, the report will go into detail from the doctors and they abide with that decision.
The biggest this is communication. Some times a guy gets dinged and goes into the tunnel or locker room and Jen will rush to check them out. At that point I will inform Chris Sanderson and he will tell Lindsay."
KMN-Russ Cline,in his blog, mentioned changes. Those changes don't include your staff do they?
MF-"LOL, I don’t have a staff. As for Jen Massey and myself, I know we would both like to be back next year. I have been through numerous coaching changes over the course of my career and have survived most of them so I just know my fate lies in the hands of the owners.
KMN-Which is the easiest to deal with, Professional teams or movies?
MF-"Forgetting about egos, with the movies every day is game day. Everything I do for them is preparing them for the screen. I know what the hits will be, we rehearsed them and have each and every step charted. I have a safety meeting with the trainer and the unit director every morning so we know what hits and stunts are planned, then we come up with the padding to protect the athlete."
"With the teams, I try to protect the athlete to the best of my ability with the equipment given. Although I work closely with Jen Massey we cannot forsee any injury because so many things can happen on the floor. All I can do with these guys is once they get injured, use my knowledge to prevent any further damage."
Thanks agin to Mike Fox....
Discuss this article in the LAXPhilly Forums
KMN- Mike, we did the first interview about two seasons ago. A lot has happened in your life since that time. First off....You have gotten into showbiz, tell us what projects that you have been involved with.
MF-"Well, I worked on 3 movies, “Invincible”, “ We Are Marshall” and a new movie that hasn’t been released yet, “ The Game Plan”. I was given cameo roles for “We Are Marshall” and “Invincible”. I was offered a cameo for “ The Game Plan” but turned it down because they wanted me to stay in Boston for another week so they can shoot the scene".
KMN- What is next? Another movie? Television?
MF-"Laughing, I wish… Coming off the third movie I was offered a sales job at Verizon, and I need a little stability in my life. Funny thing though, on the 1st day I started at Verizon, my phone rang and it was an offer for another movie which I had to turn down. Since I started at Verizon I have been spoken to about another movie and help with a TV series which I had to turn down also. Verizon isn’t the only reason I turned them down. All jobs were away and during the season where I have too much to do with either the Wings or the Barrage.
KMN- So, you are still with the Barrage?
MF "Yes, in fact I am working to get everything ready for the start of the season."
KN- With the filming and movie making, and equipment duties, you must have a 28 hour day....
MF- "It is that way all the time. With the movie, everything I do is centered around the movie schedule. We start with a training camp so I have hours that correspond to the practices. We move into a shooting schedule so my set up and day centers around that time table. Some days my call time will be 4 am and go until midnight, but then I have to have an 8 hour turn around, so I do get some sleep. "
"With the teams and working full time, my week is chock full of activities. I do all the laundry and have the equipment room at my home. After a Wings home game for example I immediately unpack the truck into my garage and start the uniforms in the washer. While the first load is going through, I sort the towels and repack the bags from what I used. By then I can hang up the first load of wash to dry and get into the 2nd load. After I hang that load, I can start the towels and get to bed. This is usually an hour after I get home, and I am constantly moving. As long as we don’t have another game to prepare for, this is pretty much my schedule. If we do have another game that weekend, I repack the truck with the bags I will be traveling with and then try and get a few winks. Usually though, with a Friday night home game and a Saturday night away game, I don’t really sleep until Sunday. I then use time during the week to finish all the towels, fold them and repack the officials locker room bag, the visitors bag and our towel bag. I do around 200 towels a week for home games. "
"I then rely on the free time I have during the week to finish the towels and get ready for the next home game. That free time might be getting up a while before I normally have to get up so I can wash, dry and fold some towels and get them into the proper bag. I try to finish before Wednesday because we practice at night and then I have the practice gear to take care of."
"I would love a few more hours in the day. Sometimes, while I am waiting for the last of the uniforms to come out of the wash, I will sit on the floor and play with my dog."
KMN- Talk about your duties with the US Indoor team, are they basically the same as with the Wings?
MF- "Well, yes and no. First of all I am the equipment manager for the USIL team. That is the same as with any lacrosse team. Secondly, the coaches and general managers have included me in on all the conference calls with the planning etc. where I am a bigger part of the process."
KMN- Do you still involve your kids in your work?
MF -"I will try to do this as long as I can, the teams take so much time away from the family so anything I can do to keep contact with my boys I will do. My sons all grew up on the sidelines, I have worked for Temple football for 25 years. I brought them with me there when they were 8-9 years old. When I started with the Soul there was a job opening and I brought Mike Jr. there. Chris will be back with the Barrage as a water boy. "
KMN-Was it a particularly tough season with the Wings?
MF- "Any season for a professional athlete is tough. When you see these guys who can’t move because they are so beat up from a game get right back into it whether it is a back to back game or getting ready for the game for the following weekend. I have nothing but respect for these guys. "
"I do know what you meant, any time you fall short of the goals you all have set, both individually and as a team it hurts. People laugh when we speak of trainers and equipment people setting goals but you need the entire team working together for the same end and Jen (Massey) and I worked hard for us to reach that end. It hurts, it really does. "
KMN- Do you have a large staff for the equipment duties?
MF- "For the Wings and the Barrage I have been fortunate and have had an intern some of the time, so that helps especially for the home games. For the movies our staff could be as large totally as 7, but that would be for all of football: the actors, the special ability actors (SAE’s), and the extras. I work with 1 other person and we do the actors and the SAE’s. My primary position is to protect the SAE’s, those people who are really doing the hits and stunts. I might have anywhere up to 50 people I handle alone."
"It’s funny, with an NFL team you have a head guy, several assistants and the ball boys that might total 10 people who all work to support 53 guys. With the Wings and Barrage I have @ 24 guys mostly by myself. It was that way with the Soul and the Kixx too. I would love to see some of those guys do what we do and travel like we travel, but that is another issue."
KMN-Do you still work at Jeff Spano's place?
MF- "Jeff is a very close friend of mine and until I started working back at Verizon, it was my job bartending at Brothers in Bryn Mawr. I still help Jeff out with odds and ends… he doesn’t know what a screwdriver is so I go into Brothers’s in Bryn Mawr and make the necessary fixes."
"It was neat to see how the bar has matured in just over a year and how Jeff stabilized the menu to some really excellent choices. Good food and good atmosphere at Brother’s in Bryn Mawr on Connestoga Road.
KMN-How are the players? Is it demanding keeping up with tooth paste, shaving cream and the needs the guys have?
MF-"The guys are great. I know it is cliché but in my years with this team we seem closer each and every year, even with all the changes on the roster. New guys just slide right in and become welcome instantly. I know we all have each others back.
The toiletries box is easy to take care of, I supply whatever the guys need so they can just worry about their job. It is that simple. Yes, I get requests and I even get contributions of supplies from the guys. With the new house, I have a shelf in the equipment room that only has the toiletries stocked on it. "
KMN- If a player gets injured during a game, does Lindsay ask you if he can play? Or is it up to the player and coach?
MF-"Lindsay is a professional. He has been around long enough to see a variety of injuries so he has a good idea when something happens. Lindsay will get a report from Jen Massey, our Head Trainer when someone gets hurt, and that will tell him if they can return immediately or must sit. All of our coaches are good with that. Sometimes, the report will go into detail from the doctors and they abide with that decision.
The biggest this is communication. Some times a guy gets dinged and goes into the tunnel or locker room and Jen will rush to check them out. At that point I will inform Chris Sanderson and he will tell Lindsay."
KMN-Russ Cline,in his blog, mentioned changes. Those changes don't include your staff do they?
MF-"LOL, I don’t have a staff. As for Jen Massey and myself, I know we would both like to be back next year. I have been through numerous coaching changes over the course of my career and have survived most of them so I just know my fate lies in the hands of the owners.
KMN-Which is the easiest to deal with, Professional teams or movies?
MF-"Forgetting about egos, with the movies every day is game day. Everything I do for them is preparing them for the screen. I know what the hits will be, we rehearsed them and have each and every step charted. I have a safety meeting with the trainer and the unit director every morning so we know what hits and stunts are planned, then we come up with the padding to protect the athlete."
"With the teams, I try to protect the athlete to the best of my ability with the equipment given. Although I work closely with Jen Massey we cannot forsee any injury because so many things can happen on the floor. All I can do with these guys is once they get injured, use my knowledge to prevent any further damage."
Thanks agin to Mike Fox....
Discuss this article in the LAXPhilly Forums
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