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* Interview with Gordon Gecko - sapp2013 - 08-26-2017

Today we will be speaking with Baltimore Hawks General Manager, Gordon Gecko. After having a terrible first season and winning only four of the teams 14 games that season, Mr. Gecko was able to turn his team around, winning twice as many games as well as finding himself hosting the Yellowknife Wraiths in Baltimore for the NSFC Conference Championship.
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Thank you for meeting with me today. As we know, your team has played so well this season that you have earned a home game against the Wraiths, a team that was supposed to be an Ultimus favorite this season. Can you walk us through what you did this year as a General Manager to get your team to this point in the season?
The most important thing was bringing in a lot more hardworking and committed players to our current group from S1. We had a lot of depth issues to address and thankfully the S2 draft was loaded with talent and we were fortunate to have extra picks. Once I had the players in house I did the best I could to infuse more enthusiasm and excitement about the upcoming season.

With last year’s dreadful season, what have you specifically done differently, or what were you looking to do in the season 2 draft to not replicate last season’s poor play?
The balance of the lineup and depth is the biggest reason but there were a few scheme changes on offense and defense we were able to successfully implement. The hiring of Noppadet as our co-GM and director of analytics and football strategy was key in helping me out in that area. On defense we wanted to force more TOs and get after the QB more, our league ranks in those areas proved we accomplished that. On offense we were able to protect Kyubee a lot more and establish a strong running game.

Speaking of the draft, was there anyone that you felt was an absolute steal for your team? And what about someone that may have slipped through your fingers to another team?
I was really happy about our picks but if I had to pick out who was a big steal I think getting a high level starter in round 6 and beyond is good criteria for that. James Wright with the 45th pick in the 6th round and Matthew Vincent with the 52nd pick in the 7th round fit the bill. As for steals for other teams I haven't really paid attention to that, all my focus goes into the Hawks roster.

You started the season 7-2 but skidded to a 8-6 record after going 1-4 in the last 5 games of the season. Does this concern you going into the playoffs?
I'm not concerned about it at all. Examining the schedule before the year made me ready for that possibility. Home field advantage in this league is a big deal. We did flawless work in our home games while we had to finish out the year on the road against great teams.

I understand that it is extremely difficult for teams to come into Baltimore and walk away with a win. Do you have an explanation for why this might be?
We have very passionate fans that fuel us but since the majority of our team is S2 rookies I think they might feel a lot more relaxed and comfortable at home. Also, road games against every team in the league except Philly means that we have to do a lot of traveling. Being at home in Baltimore for at least a week before a home game does wonders for our team.

This may be a sour topic, and you probably already know this question is coming, but what was going through your mind when you heard that Carmel Gibson was Overdosing on TPE throughout the season?
It was a really unfortunate situation. The good news from that occurrence is that drug tests will be conducted in a more thorough manner in the future. And I have also asked our team doctors to implement a drug testing program of our own, every new rookie will have to pass it before week 1 of the regular season.

Many say that Baltimore should have had wins revoked on the season or allow other players to do medically-safe and doctor approved TPE enhances versus your team as an eye for an eye type punishment. What do you want to say to those who want the whole Baltimore organization to suffer for something that you and the organization had no knowledge of?
Football is a team sport. We're not carried by any one particular player. We would have ended up with the same record had Sanderson been starting instead. The best course of action is what is currently being done. Remove the illegal player and make sure it doesn't happen again in the future.

Do you think his punishment was just? Should he have received more or less of a punishment?
I think the league office handled the situation correctly. There are a lot of smart people that make up that panel and I was ready to support whatever they decided.

Do you think that the absence of Gibson is the reason for you team’s end-of-season slide?
Not at all. Those games we lost on the road were always going to be very tough to win. And in our last home game of the year we won with Sanderson leading the way in receptions.

How has the rest of the locker room taken the news about Gibson?
They were a bit shocked at first. But they understood Gibson had to be punished and supported my decision to release him.

Speaking of the other players, has there been 1 player that has stepped up as a locker room leader?
I greatly appreciate all of our dedicated players but I have to give a special shout out to Avon Blocksdale. He's all in helping the Hawks become the best team they could be.

At times this season, people have praised both your rushing and passing attack, but both seem to have fallen off a bit, especially in the efficiency category. With the game against the wraiths coming up, what is the game plan you will be going with?
We are going to lean on our defense to slow down the explosive Wraiths offense. If we take care of the ball on offense and be opportunistic, I think we could get the job done and advance.

Assuming the Outlaws beat the Otters, and If the Hawks pull out the win versus the wraiths, you will have an uphill battle against the defending champions and the consensus best team in the league. Do you see this kind of as a 2007 Patriots versus Giants Superbowl, where one is the obvious favorite and the other stumbled their way to the Championship game?
Yeah, that's a pretty good analogy. I haven't thought about any team besides the Wraiths but if we do meet up with the Outlaws 100% of the pressure will be on them. Almost nobody outside of Baltimore predicted we would be in this position. If you check the season predictions only two players outside of Baltimore thought this was a possibility. But for now I'm only focused on Yellowknife, for future games we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Being one of two teams to beat the Outlaws so far this season, you must have some sort of game plan to give you a chance against this juggernaut. What is one thing that needs to happen for you to win against them if you make it to the Ultimus?
Having our defense dominate and put our offense into favorable field position via a TO or two would go a long way beating a 12-2 team.

Looking towards the season 3 draft, is there one player that is on your radar for your first-round pick? Is there a reason for trading up or down to secure this player?
As we get closer to the draft and more prospects emerge, I could be more certain on the direction we will go. But preparation has begun and there are definitely impressive prospects to be had in the S3 draft.

With the introduction of the DSFL next season, do you think this will help or hurt the competition at the NSFL level?
I think the DSFL will be tremendous. Most rookies won't be able to stand a chance to compete with veterans who have three or more seasons under their belt. Players will be able to develop in a zero stress and very fun environment and jump up to the NSFL when they are ready.

Last question, are you ready for the playoffs?
I'm ready to rock.
@Noppadet
@iamslm22
@PlotzkeA
@DollarAndADream

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* Interview with Gordon Gecko - iamslm22 - 08-26-2017

Thanks for the shout out. Great article guys. This Hawks squad is something special. BAL

* Interview with Gordon Gecko - sapp2013 - 08-26-2017

(08-26-2017, 04:00 PM)iamslm22 Wrote:Thanks for the shout out. Great article guys. This Hawks squad is something special. BAL

forgot tags...i'll get on that

* Interview with Gordon Gecko - Deusolis - 08-26-2017

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* Interview with Gordon Gecko - Noppadet - 08-27-2017

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