IL Indoor

With a new NLL season fast approaching and having heaps of questions that needed to be addressed before kickoff on Jan. 8, I recently took the time to sit down with brothers Zack and Bill Greer to get some answers and hear their outlooks on the upcoming season .

How has your time at Duke and Bryant prepared you for the NLL?

Zack: A couple of things stand out from my college career that I believe have helped me get ready for the NLL. The first would the importance of leadership. I had great leaders as a young player in the NCAA, and I was fortunate enough to be a captain on two different teams. I am hoping this has prepared me to continue being a leader in the NLL. Also, I believe the NCAA has prepared me to handle pressure. At this point in time there is no greater level in terms of fan support than the NCAA and I was again fortunate enough to play in some of the biggest games of all-time. These experiences will be very important to being successful in the NLL.

How has your experience in this past summer’s Mann Cup prepared you for this NLL season?

Bill: Winning the Mann Cup was an unbelievable experience and a goal I have wanted to achieve since I started playing. It was such a tough series being on the road, and the greatest feeling winning all four in overtime. The experience has definitely given me the drive and determination to make up for last year’s loss. I will never forget how it feels to lose, especially having the taste of winning this summer.

You had a taste for playoff action in this past MLL season with the Long Island Lizards; how was your first professional season and what can you take away from the loss to the eventual champion Toronto Nationals?

Zack: Personally, it was a tough first season for me in the MLL. I was injured midway into the year and never fully recovered by the end of the season. Losing in that semifinal game leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, something I plan on using as fuel during my first season in the NLL.

And you Bill, you had a defeat last year of your own, making it to the NLL finals only to lose to Calgary. What can you take away from the loss to help the Titans get over the hump this year?

Bill: I can already tell everyone is determined to get back there this year. However, we can’t forget how much hard work it takes to get to and win a championship. We cannot just assume that because we made it last year we will be there again. Every team has improved and we must do the same. Even after one weekend, I can tell we will be determined.

Your first season in Orlando what can you expect when flying down to “home” games?

Bill: We had a great first weekend in Orlando. The team is moving in the right direction in regards to everything off the floor. We met people on the street who saw our shirts and said they were so excited about the season. That’s a nice feeling! I can get used to shorts, sandals and practicing outdoors.

Your first season in the MLL brought you face to face with Brodie Merrill; did you find a weakness that may help the Swarm when you play the Rush?

Zack: Playing Brodie is never really enjoyable. From playing against him I’ve learned you have to protect the ball, expect anything and really pick your spots carefully.

Coming off a 6-10 season what do you think the Swarm need to do this year to get back to the playoffs?

Zack: The Swarm management has made a lot of good moves in the offseason, and it will be important for us as players to start growing the chemistry that is such a big part of the indoor game.

Coming off such a successful season will it be hard for the team to stay focused? Or can we look forward to a repeat as East Division champs?

Bill: After making it to the final and not coming away with the win we all had a bitter taste. This team has improved year after year and I feel with this lineup and coaching staff we will do whatever necessary to reach our goal.

Many people already know that this season will see your brother Zack join you in this league as the third overall pick to Minnesota but you have been competing with and against your brother-in-laws for a few seasons now (Dan and Paul Dawson). How has that been and do you look forward to the assignment of covering Dan when you play Boston? Can we expect you to throw down with Paul any time soon?

Bill: I am really looking forward to my brother being in the league this year. He is a great player, but an even better person. He has a lot of pressure being the third pick, but he has always excelled under pressure. I can remember teaching him how to throw a backhand. Now I’m known as “Zack Greer’s brother.”

As far as playing my brother-in-laws, I am also really excited. I have played against Dan many times, including the ’07 championship game. He is obviously tough to defend, but I am glad that at least I have an idea of his tendencies. He is also a guy I look up to in regards to work ethic on and off the floor.
As for Paul, we throw down all the time. He probably has 40 lbs. on me, so I usually get tossed. But being older, I have to come back for more. I am glad Paul is starting to get the respect he deserves for his play. He was a huge part of our success this summer and I am sure he will be a leader who plays a critical role in Boston. Either way, when push comes to shove, I’m the only one at the dinner table with an NLL Championship ring!

Playing for Team Canada was obviously a goal for you; how do you think the Canadian attack matches up against the U.S. longpoles? Any chance we might see Swarm and U.S. defender Joe Cinosky covering you?

Zack: I think that is going to be a battle for sure. Obviously the U.S. has some great poles, and the Canadians are known for putting the ball in the net, so it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. It would definitely be fun to get a run at Joe over there.

The West Division was gotten extremely competitive with the offseason additions to Edmonton and Colorado and with the core of Calgary returning, so where do you think the Swarm rank among the West teams? Who is the favourite going into 2010?

Zack: Obviously, coming off of a 6-10 season it looks like the Swarm are going to be the underdog in most West matchups. That’s not always a bad thing, though, and I think we have a team that is going to make moves this year. Calgary is the defending champ, so until they are knocked off then they are the favorites.

The East Division has also seen offseason additions via trade, and players returning from injury in Rochester, Toronto and Boston and with Buffalo always floating around the top and the core of Philly still intact, where do you think the Titans rank among the East teams? Who is the favorite going into 2010?

Bill: I try not to get into preseason rankings, but there is no way anyone can tell who the favorite is in the East. There has been a lot of movement this offseason and every team looks like they have improved. Toronto is definitely making a push this year, Roch is going to be real good with everyone healthy, and Buff is always good. Philly and Boston might creep up on teams as they will both be determined this year. Any team can win on any night, especially this year.

Who do you think the favorite is going into the 2010 NCAA season?

Zack: Calgary is the defending champ as is Syracuse, so they start off as the favorites until someone takes that away. Ideally, the Swarm and the Dukies walk away champions this year.

Bill, can you give us a favourite in NCAA ? Or possibly in the CUFLA? Also, is the 2001 UWO team that won the Canadian National University title a sticky point of conversation with teammate and member of the losing Brock University team Pat Maddalena?

Bill: I like to bring that game up now and again. It’s always good to get one up on “Mad Mouse”. I think Syracuse has to be the favorite this year. Looking forward to see what Jammer can do.

If you could give some advice to freshmen players out there about the NCAA or Canadian University lacrosse season and playoffs what would that be?

Zack: My advice for freshmen is that you have to bring it every day. Too often I have seen freshmen get caught up in the excitement and feel like they can take plays/shifts/practices and games off. The NCAA is too competitive for that.

Bill: Freshman players should arrive to school ready to work and learn. They are going to have to work hard on the field to earn respect and in the classroom to excel. The demand of a lacrosse season can get the best of any student. I would try and find a leader on the team to look up to. Find someone who can show you the ropes, and lead you in the right direction.

Who would be the favorite coming out of the East?

Zack: Orlando is the defending East champ, so they get the nod there. Plus I’d love to see my bro get back to the championship.

Who would be the favorite coming out of the West?

Bill: Again, I really like Calgary’s game. They play up-tempo and have many skilled guys on offense. I like what Edmonton has done with their lineup and I know Keenan and Tallevi will have their guys playing at their best. Minny will be much stronger this season with a mix of youth and veterans, Denver has gone with a young and motivated squad, and the Stealth always seem to be at the top one way or another. Guys like Duch and Zywicki tend to do that.

With you guys playing each other playing on April 24, do you have that date circled? Bill may be assigned to stop you Zack.

Zack: That date is definitely circled, I have played with my bro only a few times and never truly played against him. It’ll be fun to get out there; I know he is looking forward to it too.

Bill: Oh yeah, I have that one circled. Being the older brother I am already in his head. I am five years older, so I always (usually) beat him in everything from driveway basketball to who can throw the football into the tube at the cottage. Seriously, he has a great overall game and I will definitely want to be on him. I will have the biggest scouting report for our guys on the 24th.

Who were your favorite players growing up?

Bill: My favorite players were John Fusco, Gary Gait and Jim Veltman. Each from a different time in my life when my priorities as a player changed. As a young player, I would try to take attributes from each of them and put them into my game.

As a defenseman what is the preseason first-team All-Defense Team in the NLL?

Sandy Chapman
Ryan Cousins
Pat Merrill
Mac Allen
Scott Self

Who is the hardest player to defend?

JGJ (John Grant Jr.) – You never know what he’s going to do at any moment.
Daws (Dan Dawson) – So dynamic, strong at all aspects.
JT (John Travares) – Can’t take your eyes off him for a second.
Colin Doyle – Never stops working.
Casey Powell – Just unreal athleticism and creativity.

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