Chess Not Checkers

The waiver wire went absolutely haywire on Tuesday, and we break down the two biggest moves of the day. The Atlas claimed Matt Rambo off waivers using the three-games-unprotected rule, and he will suit up for New York in Charlotte this weekend. We get into why it happened, whether it makes any sense at all, and what it says about a defending champion that is already in scramble mode without Jeff Teat. Then the Outlaws signed Ryan Croddick from Princeton and immediately flipped him to the California Redwoods for a 2027 first round pick. Brandon had a reaction. We also get into the 5-for-5 eligibility question and what it actually means for the value of that pick.Before any of that, we go through the full Week 3 slate from Baltimore. Joey Spallina's pro debut was everything you wanted it to be: five points, zero turnovers, and his first goal assisted by a familiar face. Rob Pannell passed John Grant Jr. for second all-time in professional field lacrosse history. Jim Stagnitta broke the all-time coaching wins record and had a moment postgame that was hard not to appreciate. Denver took down the defending champions 16-9, Wisnauskas dropped a sock trick, and the Waterdogs continued to look like a team that hasn't figured out what it is yet.The WLL might have already played the game of the season. Maryland Charm 18, California Palms 17 in overtime. Three goals scored in the final minute of regulation. We watched it, we talked about it, and we also get into what the one-game-a-week format is doing to the league's momentum, because that conversation needs to happen.We close with the Tewaaraton. Shawn Lyght of Notre Dame became the first defenseman in the history of the men's award. We talk about whether this is a one-off or a sign that the award is finally evolving, and what it meant that neither Spallina nor Kabiri was able to separate himself enough to take it.If you want to keep talking about this stuff between episodes, the Lax Lifers Club is where that happens. JOIN HERE