Rush Forward Davis Flying Under the Radar
January 24, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--- Players are often their own worst critic. Case in point - Edmonton Rush forward Jarrett Davis.
While Mark Matthews, Curtis Knight, Zack Greer, and Aaron Bold are getting heaped with praise for their parts in the Rush's perfect 3-0 start, Davis has scooted under the radar despite the fact that he is second on the team in both points and assists. Savvy observers, like Rush GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan, though, have picked up on Davis's high-quality start to the year which aims to continue Saturday night when the Rush take on the Vancouver Stealth in Langley, B.C.
"He is such a complete player," said Keenan. "He plays with a lot of responsibility and he gets right into the battle. And for such a young guy, he's a very good leader."
Named to part of the Rush's leadership core this season, Davis is sporting the 'A' on his jersey and rising to the forefront of the Edmonton roster. Still, he's not fully satisfied with his accomplishments to date.
"I would rate my own game as satisfactory so far this season," said Davis. "I think I've done some good things but I need to improve in other areas. One of the reasons I've been able to contribute more is due to confidence both from my coaches and teammates. They trust me with the ball more this year and so far its been working."
Davis might not be completely happy with his own game yet he's managed 15 points through three games. At the same time as part of that leadership group he's giving full-throated praise for the team's franchise-best beginning to a season.
"I'm very happy with the start we've had, but what's more impressive is that we've been able to get better each game," noted Davis, who came to the Rush prior to the 2013 campaign in a trade with Rochester.
"The 3-0 start is great, but it really means nothing unless we continue to improve as a team and as individuals so that we are peaking at the end of the year."
Last season, Davis hit career highs in goals (16), assists (25), and points (41) and he's well on his way to eclipsing those numbers this season. In 2013, it also became apparent that Davis, a product of Bellarmine University, could provide a little more to his game than just the numbers on a scoresheet. There's a tenacious quality there with a smidge of agitator complemented with a touch of a grinder.
The combination of scoring prowess and shift disturber allows Davis to raise a fair bit of heck on the floor.
"I wouldn't consider myself tough or gritty but I've always stood up for myself and for my teammates," said Davis. "We have a great team toughness philosophy on our team. At any time we know that someone will come in and stand up for one another.
"You add that and having the league's pound-for-pound toughest guy in Nic Bilic it makes for a team that no one really wants to mess with."
The Rush's Saturday night tilt in Vancouver against the Stealth is a rare opportunity for Edmonton's fly-in players from the West Coast to have a close-to-home road game. It's a welcome situation for Davis who hails from Port Moody, B.C.
"The obvious answer is it's nice to not have to travel. I'm not a fan of airports so anytime I can avoid them is a bonus for me," Davis said.
"But more importantly it's very exciting to play in front of friends and family. My parents have seen a handful of games but because we are so close to home some extended family and friends are able to come out and watch."
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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 24, 2014
- McCready Comes out Firing - Rochester Knighthawks
- Mammoth Returns to Canada Looking to Right the Ship - Colorado Mammoth
- Rush Forward Davis Flying Under the Radar - Edmonton Rush
- Philadelphia Wings Add Forward Roger Vyse to Active Roster - Philadelphia Wings
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