PLL Offseason Preview- Chaos LC

The Chaos narrowly missed a championship last year, and with the majority of their players definitely coming back next year, this team is bound to repeat their success. With that being said, let's dive into their roster protection.

Chaos LC

Protected Players:Josh Byrne, Connor Fields, Deemer Class, Jake Froccaro, Mark Glicini, Myles Jones, Jarrod Neumann, Troy Reh, Jack Rowlett, Blaze Riorden, Tommy Kelly, Matt Rees (Exempt), Austin Staats (Exempt), Johnny Surdick (Exempt)

Notable Unprotected Players: Curtis Dickson, Miles Thompson, Brodie Merrill

Wow is this team good. There is no other way to describe it. There are absolutely no holes on this roster. And what truly makes this team so good is their selflessness. If you read yesterday’s post about the Atlas, this team is the polar opposite. They are essentially the PLL Golden State Warriors. Connor Fields (Steph Curry) and Myles Jones (Kevin Durant) run the show while Jake Froccaro (Klay Thompson) & Co. are happy to give up the limelight and the goals to help the team. Quite frankly, you could pair almost anybody with Fields and Jones, and you would have a championship caliber team.

Anybody willing to try to stop Connor Fields fake a behind the back shot only to rip one while you are turned around?

Who volunteers to take a Myles Jones bull dodge like poor Tyler Dunn tried to do?

The problem for the rest of the teams in the PLL is that the Chaos do not just have Jones or Fields. Jake Froccaro was good for 27 points last season, Josh Byrne finished with 25, Jarrod Neumann went 35.7% from beyond the 2-point arc, and Blaze Riorden was stout in goal with a 55.8% save percentage. This team led the league in all-pro selections, and every one of those players is protected. It really is difficult to find many problems with this team, so let’s look at their next steps.

I do not blame the Chaos for not protecting Brodie Merrill, as at 38, he is 4 years older than Paul Rabil who, I mentioned yesterday might find it harder to be on the field with the younger guys coming in the league. However, much like Rabil, his leadership will make a big difference. I think he will end up back on the Chaos after the Waterdogs choose to select a younger core. This is really beneficial to the Chaos, as elite defenseman Johnny Surdick (Army) and LSM Matt Rees (Navy) could use a mentor like Merrill to learn from once they get on the field, which is dependent on their military exemptions. The Chaos ironically run on organization, and there is no better defensive leader in lacrosse than Brodie Merrill. Pair him with Neumann, Surdick, Rees, Troy Reh, and Jack Rowlett, and you have the best defense in the league with the best goalie in the league backing them up. Now all they need? Someone to feed all their offensive weapons.

Ideally, Miles Thompson would be passed on by the Waterdogs, in which case there is not a real need on this team for college. However, I do not see that happening, so with the 5th pick in the draft, the Chaos need someone to dish the ball around. Of course, the best option would be Grant Ament from Penn State, but it is likely he will be gone by then. I see Michael Sowers of Princeton falling to them in that spot. Although Sowers is my 4th best prospect in this class, I think a team reaches on sharpshooter Mac O’Keefe early. If Michael Sowers can show up and play on opening day, the season will be over before it begins. With 53 assists last year, good for 3rd in the country, Sowers is an elite prospect and is the perfect guy to replace Miles Thompson in this offense.

This team will rely on their young guys. If Surdick, Rees, and Sowers (or whoever they go with in the draft) reach even half of their potential on the field, the Chaos may not lose a game all season. We will just have to wait and see how the chemistry works with these three. Once it clicks, lacrosse fans are in for a treat for years to come.