Well, we're more than halfway through the season, and the Yeti have only managed a single win (against the struggling Legion) so far. Still, we've been in some close games that we just haven't quite been able to pull off. I'm having my best season statistically, so obviously my emotions are a bit mixed when it comes to this year. As a player on a team in full rebuild mode, I'm sure you have questions for me.
Fire away!
Our locker room is looking up, all the time. Our discussions, when they're about business, are all about how we can get better. We don't focus on what's gone wrong in a non-constructive way at all. Of course, we all express our frustrations from time to time, but you wouldn't expect anything else from a bunch of world class competitors. If we weren't frustrated by the losses, we wouldn't have the impetus to get better. Really, Pierno, our GMs, Carlito, and any number of our other guys are contributing constantly and positively to the atmosphere in there. I think Nicky P and DoubleC are really developing a bond off the field, coaching each other and putting on the pressure to get better, so it's bound to be translated on the field before long.
The youth on this team is absolutely key. Of course, we'll never forget our veterans, and they'll go up in the ring of honor when their time is eventually up (which is hopefully not for a while). Even our new veteran Ricardo Sandoval has made himself at home, and he'll have a place here as long as he wants one. But the value of Andre Bly, Jr., Carlito Crush, and Michael Tillman... Man, have these guys shown up to play. Their presence here really can't do anything but make us optimistic about our future. I don't think anyone had a better draft than we did in season five. All of them inspire me to be better and to do better. When I'm slacking off, they're there to make sure I get back on track. I'd like to think I do the same for them. There's no team in the league with a better team culture than we have, and both our young guys and our veterans are so crucial to that.
So far, The Process has been good to me. It's been good for our guys to know that there's a plan, and that we're not just going out there to earn a paycheck. I have confidence not just in the judgment of our Front Office; I also have confidence in the way that they're running things and the culture that they're instilling. Everyone on this team has a voice, and everyone can contribute ideas and thoughts whenever they want. That sort of open door policy is how I operate best, and I think that goes for just about everyone on this team. Plus, when you see other guys putting so much faith in the future and Trusting the Process, as you've put it, you can't help but get caught up in the hype. #TrustTheProcess
I don't think there's a limit on what we can accomplish. I think as long as Saint and I keep inspiring each other and keep improving everyday, we could challenge for the best linebacking duo in the league a little ways down the road. Of course, he's already an all-star, so I've just gotta ride his coattails until I can catch up to him, haha. This team has a bright future. You can see it best with our quarterback play -- with how Nick has improved this year -- but it goes all the way down. We're already playing in some tight games this year that we just haven't quite been able to take a hold of, which is so much better than last year's results. Honestly, as we mature and gain some experience, there's no reason to think that this team couldn't be playing for the Ultimus in a few seasons.
Oh man, St. Johnathon, Patron Saint of Tackling, has been so inspiring to me. I can only hope to reach his level a few years down the line. The plays he's able to make with his athleticism and knowledge of the game are things that I can only aspire to so far. That said, I think I have my own bag of strengths that I bring to the field as well. Occasionally, I'll grab more tackles than him in a game or make a couple more plays, and I like to tease him about those, but really we both know it's all thanks to him that I can make those plays. If you can't trust your teammates, you're never going to excel in this league. And there's no one on that field that I trust more than my squadmate Saint.
It's tough to give a firm prediction on when we'll make our next playoff run. It's going to depend on a lot of things, only some of which are in our control anyway. We've seen the Legion and the Outlaws get absolutely blown up with scandals this year. It was impossible to see those things coming. Whether there are things like that, that help or hinder us remains to be seen. As far as our own talent is concerned, we're not nearly as far off as people think we are. Everyone here is willing to take on a role to help this team succeed. We're not out there blasting our own egos all over the place, trying to be the next guy to get that sack or catch that touchdown. We all just want to win. An attitude like that is going to pay dividends sooner rather than later.
Our rookies couldn't be doing any better than they are. Carlito, Michael, and Andre are there learning and growing every single day. We don't have missed practices or skipped meetings. Everyone shows up to take this job seriously. Those guys are already taking on leadership roles of their own. They look and sound like veterans far beyond their years. There's been effectively no learning curve for them, which I find astonishing. I'm pretty jealous of that, to be honest, haha. It has always taken me a lot longer to be as mature as these guys are. As go the rookies, so goes the team, and vice versa. There's nothing more that we could ask of these guys.
Honestly, we just need more guys that fit into our culture here. We're not totally set at any position as far as experience and performance are concerned, so anybody anywhere is going to help us. Our young guys so far have set an outstanding precedent, so I just hope the new guys that we bring in can live up to that level of professionalism and selflessness. As far as helping on the field, it's obvious that our offense has the most room to improve -- specifically, our passing game. Even so, positional needs can usually be addressed through free agency and trades, so the most important factors are taking the best player available and getting guys that fit our locker room.
Colorado has been nothing but great to me since the day I got here. Everyone really went out of their way to make me feel at home, from taking me out to dinner, letting me stay with them until I found a house, even down to trying to set me up with some of their female friends, haha. The people are what really keep me here, and as long as that's the case, it's hard to imagine being anywhere else. That said, if they decide, for whatever reason, that they need to move in a different direction, I understand the business aspect of this league. Whatever happens, I'll have no hard feelings for anyone in this organization.
The rest of this season is all about growth. We're not in playoff contention, and so now we're just playing spoiler and trying to scrape out some wins from our remaining contests. We've played some teams really close, and I think we can upset someone this year. So for the rest of the season, I hope that we can continue to improve, continue to get closer together as a team, and continue to see areas that need to be addressed. It may not be the result we all are aiming for, but it's going to be a lot of fun nonetheless.
As I've made pretty clear previously, I love where our locker room is at and where it's headed. People are contributing. People are fired up. And people are trusting in each other. Those are the key ingredients that make up a place where I want to play. It's never going to be about amassing personal stats here; it's going to be about playing for the guy next to you and making sure you don't let HIM down. As I said before, there's no team in the room with a better locker room than ours. Of that I'm confident.
Our front office did us a great service in the draft this season. Grabbing the top three picks that we did, these guys are all astonishing in their mentalities and work ethic. The later guys that we were able to select are playing their roles for us, just as we hoped they would. There's nobody that left our locker room scratching our heads as to why they were picked where they were. Everything had its reason and our guys had their methodology clear. I have nothing but confidence that they're going to carry these same skills into the draft this year as well.
That's a pretty interesting question. I don't think I've ever been asked that before. But my answer, I think, would have to be the Tao Te Ching. It's the original holy text of Taoism, and it has a lot of amazing things to offer in its short 81 verses. It basically presents three moral tenets: moderation, humility, and universal compassion. I try to keep things in moderation by not spending a ton of money or partying too much, while still enjoying the fruits of my labor and the extraordinary luck I've experienced in my life. You'll see me going out with Pierno and Saint and the other guys every now and again, but you'll never see me owning a 6,000 square foot house or driving around in a Maserati. Humility comes easily being on a team where all the guys here are pretty humble. We all keep each other in check and keep each other accountable. It also makes things easier when I have a guy on the field next to me who's a future Hall of Famer. My ego can never get too big with him standing next to me, haha. The third tenet of the Tao is universal compassion, and this is the hardest one. It's hard to see the humanity present in the evil people in the world, those that would harm others or take advantage of people for personal gain, but I try to remember that they're all people with their own stories and their own flaws. In a lot of ways, we're all brothers and sisters, made from the same stuff, trying to do the same things.
The thing that is lacking the most in my game is experience. I like the way that I've developed my body and mind thus far. I like that I'm a student of the game and that I can make up for my lack of natural ability with play recognition and awareness. But I have so many more snaps to get before I'm in the same discussion as Saint and Winchester, Jaylon Lee and Vincent Sharpei. Fortunately, I learn pretty quickly from experience, so my numbers have been decent this year. There's so much left to learn. My hope is that by the time my career is finished, I can leave a legacy of linebackers being the quarterbacks of the defense again, calling audibles, recognizing screens, and keeping the rest of the defense disciplined and in position to make plays.
My absolute favorite thing about Yeti fans is how socially conscious they are. This state and this city believe in things like equality and charity. I don't think the Yeti would be nearly as able to accomplish the philanthropy that we do without the fans supporting and encouraging us to stay active in the community. I, personally, have been given so many opportunities to do good since I've come here. It's really an honor to work with the fans in this city and all over the country who believe in us and our mission. I really couldn't possibly give a least favorite things, so I'll give another positive. Our fans have stayed so loyal to us ever since the Noble debacle. I mean, we went from a team who could legitimately compete in the playoffs to a bottom dweller in the matter of a single investigation. Even with that, our fans have never wavered and have cheered us on the whole way. We players aren't the only ones who #TrustTheProcess.
My least favorite stadium to play in has to be in Philadelphia. Those fans there are brutal. I mean, if they catch one of us Yeti in the parking lot, they will just berate and belittle us like it's their job. I mean, it sort of is their job, but nobody takes it more seriously than Philly fans. It feels like they hate opposing teams almost as much as they love their own. I mean, that's dedication to the cause. The other place that's tough is Yellowknife. I mean, it's kind of nice that there are no distractions when we go up there in terms of night life or anything. That aspect doesn't bother me. It's just so friggin' cold. We're used to playing in the cold up here in the mountains, but it doesn't compare to life in Yellowknife. Those people are resilient, and they're loyal to their community. I have nothing but love for both Philly and Yellowknife, but they are some really tough places to play.
Word count: 2565
READY FOR GRADING
Fire away!
Quote:What’s the general mood in the locker room?
The Yeti has two star S1 players but also young studs like Andre Bly Jr. on defense—how has the team’s youth been beneficial to your development (if it has)?
Do you #TrustTheProcess?
What do you think the ceiling is for you personally and your team?
Our locker room is looking up, all the time. Our discussions, when they're about business, are all about how we can get better. We don't focus on what's gone wrong in a non-constructive way at all. Of course, we all express our frustrations from time to time, but you wouldn't expect anything else from a bunch of world class competitors. If we weren't frustrated by the losses, we wouldn't have the impetus to get better. Really, Pierno, our GMs, Carlito, and any number of our other guys are contributing constantly and positively to the atmosphere in there. I think Nicky P and DoubleC are really developing a bond off the field, coaching each other and putting on the pressure to get better, so it's bound to be translated on the field before long.
The youth on this team is absolutely key. Of course, we'll never forget our veterans, and they'll go up in the ring of honor when their time is eventually up (which is hopefully not for a while). Even our new veteran Ricardo Sandoval has made himself at home, and he'll have a place here as long as he wants one. But the value of Andre Bly, Jr., Carlito Crush, and Michael Tillman... Man, have these guys shown up to play. Their presence here really can't do anything but make us optimistic about our future. I don't think anyone had a better draft than we did in season five. All of them inspire me to be better and to do better. When I'm slacking off, they're there to make sure I get back on track. I'd like to think I do the same for them. There's no team in the league with a better team culture than we have, and both our young guys and our veterans are so crucial to that.
So far, The Process has been good to me. It's been good for our guys to know that there's a plan, and that we're not just going out there to earn a paycheck. I have confidence not just in the judgment of our Front Office; I also have confidence in the way that they're running things and the culture that they're instilling. Everyone on this team has a voice, and everyone can contribute ideas and thoughts whenever they want. That sort of open door policy is how I operate best, and I think that goes for just about everyone on this team. Plus, when you see other guys putting so much faith in the future and Trusting the Process, as you've put it, you can't help but get caught up in the hype. #TrustTheProcess
I don't think there's a limit on what we can accomplish. I think as long as Saint and I keep inspiring each other and keep improving everyday, we could challenge for the best linebacking duo in the league a little ways down the road. Of course, he's already an all-star, so I've just gotta ride his coattails until I can catch up to him, haha. This team has a bright future. You can see it best with our quarterback play -- with how Nick has improved this year -- but it goes all the way down. We're already playing in some tight games this year that we just haven't quite been able to take a hold of, which is so much better than last year's results. Honestly, as we mature and gain some experience, there's no reason to think that this team couldn't be playing for the Ultimus in a few seasons.
Quote:How does it feel to be playing alongside Johnathon Saint?
How soon do you think the Yeti will turn around and become a competitive playoff team again?
How are the new rookies fitting into your locker room?
Oh man, St. Johnathon, Patron Saint of Tackling, has been so inspiring to me. I can only hope to reach his level a few years down the line. The plays he's able to make with his athleticism and knowledge of the game are things that I can only aspire to so far. That said, I think I have my own bag of strengths that I bring to the field as well. Occasionally, I'll grab more tackles than him in a game or make a couple more plays, and I like to tease him about those, but really we both know it's all thanks to him that I can make those plays. If you can't trust your teammates, you're never going to excel in this league. And there's no one on that field that I trust more than my squadmate Saint.
It's tough to give a firm prediction on when we'll make our next playoff run. It's going to depend on a lot of things, only some of which are in our control anyway. We've seen the Legion and the Outlaws get absolutely blown up with scandals this year. It was impossible to see those things coming. Whether there are things like that, that help or hinder us remains to be seen. As far as our own talent is concerned, we're not nearly as far off as people think we are. Everyone here is willing to take on a role to help this team succeed. We're not out there blasting our own egos all over the place, trying to be the next guy to get that sack or catch that touchdown. We all just want to win. An attitude like that is going to pay dividends sooner rather than later.
Our rookies couldn't be doing any better than they are. Carlito, Michael, and Andre are there learning and growing every single day. We don't have missed practices or skipped meetings. Everyone shows up to take this job seriously. Those guys are already taking on leadership roles of their own. They look and sound like veterans far beyond their years. There's been effectively no learning curve for them, which I find astonishing. I'm pretty jealous of that, to be honest, haha. It has always taken me a lot longer to be as mature as these guys are. As go the rookies, so goes the team, and vice versa. There's nothing more that we could ask of these guys.
Quote:What do you think your team needs to address in the draft?
Do you believe Colorado is the right place for you?
What are your hopes for the rest of the season?
Honestly, we just need more guys that fit into our culture here. We're not totally set at any position as far as experience and performance are concerned, so anybody anywhere is going to help us. Our young guys so far have set an outstanding precedent, so I just hope the new guys that we bring in can live up to that level of professionalism and selflessness. As far as helping on the field, it's obvious that our offense has the most room to improve -- specifically, our passing game. Even so, positional needs can usually be addressed through free agency and trades, so the most important factors are taking the best player available and getting guys that fit our locker room.
Colorado has been nothing but great to me since the day I got here. Everyone really went out of their way to make me feel at home, from taking me out to dinner, letting me stay with them until I found a house, even down to trying to set me up with some of their female friends, haha. The people are what really keep me here, and as long as that's the case, it's hard to imagine being anywhere else. That said, if they decide, for whatever reason, that they need to move in a different direction, I understand the business aspect of this league. Whatever happens, I'll have no hard feelings for anyone in this organization.
The rest of this season is all about growth. We're not in playoff contention, and so now we're just playing spoiler and trying to scrape out some wins from our remaining contests. We've played some teams really close, and I think we can upset someone this year. So for the rest of the season, I hope that we can continue to improve, continue to get closer together as a team, and continue to see areas that need to be addressed. It may not be the result we all are aiming for, but it's going to be a lot of fun nonetheless.
Quote:What do you think about the locker room?
Did the Yeti get the draft right?
As I've made pretty clear previously, I love where our locker room is at and where it's headed. People are contributing. People are fired up. And people are trusting in each other. Those are the key ingredients that make up a place where I want to play. It's never going to be about amassing personal stats here; it's going to be about playing for the guy next to you and making sure you don't let HIM down. As I said before, there's no team in the room with a better locker room than ours. Of that I'm confident.
Our front office did us a great service in the draft this season. Grabbing the top three picks that we did, these guys are all astonishing in their mentalities and work ethic. The later guys that we were able to select are playing their roles for us, just as we hoped they would. There's nobody that left our locker room scratching our heads as to why they were picked where they were. Everything had its reason and our guys had their methodology clear. I have nothing but confidence that they're going to carry these same skills into the draft this year as well.
Quote:What piece of art has inspired you the most to achieve your professional goals? (Book/Movie/Tv show/Painting/Performance/whatever)
What do you feel is the thing you need to work on improving the most?
What is your favorite thing about Yeti fans? What about least favorite thing?
Which opponent's stadium is your least favorite place to play at?
That's a pretty interesting question. I don't think I've ever been asked that before. But my answer, I think, would have to be the Tao Te Ching. It's the original holy text of Taoism, and it has a lot of amazing things to offer in its short 81 verses. It basically presents three moral tenets: moderation, humility, and universal compassion. I try to keep things in moderation by not spending a ton of money or partying too much, while still enjoying the fruits of my labor and the extraordinary luck I've experienced in my life. You'll see me going out with Pierno and Saint and the other guys every now and again, but you'll never see me owning a 6,000 square foot house or driving around in a Maserati. Humility comes easily being on a team where all the guys here are pretty humble. We all keep each other in check and keep each other accountable. It also makes things easier when I have a guy on the field next to me who's a future Hall of Famer. My ego can never get too big with him standing next to me, haha. The third tenet of the Tao is universal compassion, and this is the hardest one. It's hard to see the humanity present in the evil people in the world, those that would harm others or take advantage of people for personal gain, but I try to remember that they're all people with their own stories and their own flaws. In a lot of ways, we're all brothers and sisters, made from the same stuff, trying to do the same things.
The thing that is lacking the most in my game is experience. I like the way that I've developed my body and mind thus far. I like that I'm a student of the game and that I can make up for my lack of natural ability with play recognition and awareness. But I have so many more snaps to get before I'm in the same discussion as Saint and Winchester, Jaylon Lee and Vincent Sharpei. Fortunately, I learn pretty quickly from experience, so my numbers have been decent this year. There's so much left to learn. My hope is that by the time my career is finished, I can leave a legacy of linebackers being the quarterbacks of the defense again, calling audibles, recognizing screens, and keeping the rest of the defense disciplined and in position to make plays.
My absolute favorite thing about Yeti fans is how socially conscious they are. This state and this city believe in things like equality and charity. I don't think the Yeti would be nearly as able to accomplish the philanthropy that we do without the fans supporting and encouraging us to stay active in the community. I, personally, have been given so many opportunities to do good since I've come here. It's really an honor to work with the fans in this city and all over the country who believe in us and our mission. I really couldn't possibly give a least favorite things, so I'll give another positive. Our fans have stayed so loyal to us ever since the Noble debacle. I mean, we went from a team who could legitimately compete in the playoffs to a bottom dweller in the matter of a single investigation. Even with that, our fans have never wavered and have cheered us on the whole way. We players aren't the only ones who #TrustTheProcess.
My least favorite stadium to play in has to be in Philadelphia. Those fans there are brutal. I mean, if they catch one of us Yeti in the parking lot, they will just berate and belittle us like it's their job. I mean, it sort of is their job, but nobody takes it more seriously than Philly fans. It feels like they hate opposing teams almost as much as they love their own. I mean, that's dedication to the cause. The other place that's tough is Yellowknife. I mean, it's kind of nice that there are no distractions when we go up there in terms of night life or anything. That aspect doesn't bother me. It's just so friggin' cold. We're used to playing in the cold up here in the mountains, but it doesn't compare to life in Yellowknife. Those people are resilient, and they're loyal to their community. I have nothing but love for both Philly and Yellowknife, but they are some really tough places to play.
Word count: 2565
READY FOR GRADING
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![[Image: NEPhgSX.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/NEPhgSX.jpg)
