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Training Camp Preview

December 5, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


PORTLAND, December 5, 2007 - The days are growing thin and the season opener for the Portland LumberJax is fast approaching on Saturday, January 12 against the New York Titans at 7:30 p.m. at the Rose Garden Arena. With a little over a month until the season officially begins, the third weekend of training camp is critical for the Jax. Camp continues on Saturday, December 8 at the Tualatin Indoor Soccer Center. Morning practice runs from 11 a.m.-12:40 p.m. and evening practice runs from 8:05 p.m.-9:45 p.m.

"This weekend is very important because we are close to a set roster and we are getting closer to the start of the season", said Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan. "We need to take full advantage of every moment on the practice floor."

Now that players have had two weekends to work together and learn each other's strengths and weaknesses, Keenan expects to be able to work more on team drills in addition to outlining his offense and defensive schemes for the season. He also sees this weekend as an ideal time for he and his staff to look at various lineups that give the Jax the best chance to win.

"The focus of this weekend will be to start implementing our systems", said Keenan. "There will be pre-practice team meetings and film sessions to outline what we want to accomplish before we step on the floor."

The offense was an area that Keenan spent the bulk of the offseason reworking. New acquisitions Dan Dawson, Derek Lowe, Derek Malawsky, Spencer Martin, and Scott Stewart all bring a proven scoring edge to an offense that scored a league-low 153 goals during the 2007 season.

"Our offense from a personnel perspective has been completely retooled", said Keenan. "Aside from the obvious guys like Dawson and Malawsky, I really like what I've seen from a few of out other newcomers such as Cory Conway, Peter Jacobs, Lowe and Stewart. We have a real nice combination of players who can play with and without the ball."

The defense, which kept the Jax in many close games, resembles last season's team in terms of size, speed and physical strength. NLL veterans Brad MacDonald and Mike Kilby add additional depth to an already talented unit.

"We have also improved a lot in the defensive end", said Keenan. "MacDonald, Kilby and Tyler Codron instantly make us better. In that trio we have a nice combination of grit, athleticism and skill. Our defense is going to be big and athletic."

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