The Denver Outlaws finished the 2010 Major League Lacrosse season second in the standings at 8-4. However in the playoffs, they were overmatched by the Long Island Lizards in the first round.
Playoff losses have been the biggest problem for the Outlaws since their inception in 2006. They have won at least 7 regular season games every year and every year they have failed to win an MLL Championship.
The biggest question mark for the Outlaws in 2011 is whether or not they can get over that Championship hurdle. It would be surprising if the Outlaws don’t have a good regular season. They have one of the best young cores in the league, which is returning for their third straight season together. But how mentally tough will they be come late August?
Let’s break down the 2011 Outlaws biggest strengths and weaknesses.
Biggest Strength: Offense
The Outlaws will be battling it out with the Boston Cannons for the leagues best offense. Their attack features two of the most dynamic scorers in the league, Drew Westervelt and Brendan Mundorf. Both scorers had a down season last year in terms of scoring, but only because the rest of the offense is so balanced. Newly drafted UNC star Billy Bitter will likely battle it out for the third attack spot with veteran Matt Brown.
They are complimented by young offensive minded midfielders. Max Seibald is quickly becoming one of the games best young scorers in his position. Veteran Brian Langtry and the young Dan Hardy are real good at setting up the offense on the break. They will be complimented by the addition of second round draft pick Steve Serling from Hofstra.
Biggest weakness: Goalie
Out of risk of angering a lot of Denver fans who are in love with the 3-time MLL All- Star goalie, I’m going to say that Jesse Schwartzman is over- rated. Actually I will go on a limb and say he is very mediocre. In 11 games last year he had a12.39 goals against average. That is just the 4th best in a league of 6 teams. He had a .530 save percentage last year, 5th best in the league. This, while he had a defense in front of him featuring physical and talented stars Lee Zink, Eric Martin, and Matt Bocklet.
His best career year came in 2009 finishing with an 11.28 gaa and a .54 save percentage. He has the same defense in 2011 as he did in 2010. What Jesse Schwartzman will we see this year?
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