PHILADELPHIA — The people who know pro box lacrosse in Philadelphia are holding their breath when the question comes up about the future of the Wings. All seemed to be going well for the rough and colorful Wings until that fatal night of July 13 at Landover, Maryland, when Philadelphia’s captain and premier defenceman suffered an untimely right shoulder separation against the Maryland Arrows, which might keep him out for the rest of the year.
Carm Collins was operated on less than 48 hours after and he’s now going through the frustrating mending process that follows surgery of this type. Dr. Taylor Brandfass, the Wings’ team physician who performed the operation, said it’s much too early to tell whether Collins will play again this year. In a situation like this,” according to Dr. Brandfass, “it’s usually up to the patient. Some have better recovery ability than others. Collins has great desire to play again this season, and .this could figure strongly in his physical condition during the crucial first two weeks in September.” Collins’ worth to the Wings is so great it’s going to be interesting to see how his absence will affect the rest of the team.
Jack Bionda, Wings’ general manager, put it this way when describing Collins’ value to the team. “This guy does so many things for us and he does them so well our fans almost take him for granted. Just watch him when we’re a man short he rags the ball better than any other player in the league. And then, after ragging it, he’ll break loose from twd defenders and go in for an unassisted goal. “
Bionda’s description of Collins’ ragging ability extremely accurate because he has done this about five times this season. One of the best examples of Collins’ defence is what he does to NLL scoring leader, Paul Suggate, of Maryland. With Collins on the floor, Suggate is reduced to just another player. With Carm out, Suggate does just about what he pleases against the Wings. “the heavyweight Collins has been described as champion of North America” and he does handle himself well whenever he’s fighting-. -gut Carm admits he’s done more playing and less fighting this year. “I don’t have to fight anymore, unless it’s really necessary,” the Peterboro native explained. “I guess I’m a more complete player now, and, besides, I’m not doing our team any good in the penalty box. ” Carm is sure the Wings will make adjustments and do well with him out of the lineup.