The Santa Ana Star
Your source for simulated news since 1887!
NSFL training camp is a tumultuous time for rookies. For some that were stars in college it can be an ego-shattering experience to fall short of expectations, and for others it is only the beginning of realizing their life long dreams. One thing is for certain, you won't put a team together on the field if you don't have a team off the field.
For two Otters' draft picks, that bond came from something as simple as a name. Affectionately named the "Wright Brothers" by Otters fans, RB Omar Wright and FB George Wright hope to be the motor behind an Otters offense that some think was overlooked in the draft. GM Andreas Hearst looked early and often to establish an elite defense, putting 5 of his first 7 picks there including first overall J.J. Reigns and All-American Bowl standout Arby Krimlaw. Omar Wright wouldn't have his named called until the 9th round, and George remained on the board until the end of the 18th round.
At a glance, the two seem to be polar opposites. Short, shifty, and exceptionally fast, Omar played on both sides of the ball at Rutgers. He began his career at Safety before transitioning to the center point of an electric and fast-paced rushing offense. George is stout and fearless, and he made a name for himself at Iowa as college football's premier lead blocker and a fan favorite who would make a catch before bulldozing his way into the endzone. Beneath the surface though, these two players share much in common, and this common ground shows in their teammwork on the field.
Family Matters
George Wright Jr. is the first in his family to hit the majors in American football, but hardly the first to play it. His father, George Sr., played Linebacker at Wisconsin but backed out of a pro career to focus on his family and start his own ice cream shop in Madison which runs to this day. His grandfather was an early star of Canadian football, the eccentric and showboating Don "Lefty" Wright, who helped the Edmonton Eskimos to three straight Grey Cups in the 1950s. George has always considered his father and grandfather to be instrumental in helping him succeed as a player, but he now wants to make his own way and avoid living someone else's dream.
For Omar, his football skills are the key to a better life for his family. He is motivated to succeed in the league to bring that money back to his family. Growing up in urban Newark, opportunity frequently hides behind obstacles, and Omar hopes that a better home for his parents and a college education for his sister will mean a better future for those that have given him so much through his life. He recalls his parents picking up extra jobs to help support him at Rutgers, and his younger sister dreams of becoming a chemist one day. Omar already donates his extra money to help impoverished children afford fashionable clothing, sometimes the difference maker for a young child trying to make a good first impression.
Heads Down, Eyes Up
For a rookie trying to carve his way into a starting position, there is simply no room for arrogance. In an interview with a local radio station, George admitted that the amount of work that goes into training camp is incredible but he feels up to the task.
"It's a lot to learn." George said, "The coaches have me working on blocking schemes with the O-line, receiving drills with the QBs, and even some Special Teams work. At Iowa I was pretty free to pursue the play my own way, but here it's a system and everyone is expected to do their part."
George is likely to take snaps between Tight End and Fullback. Wherever he lines up, he will play bodyguard to the QB and help create holes for the team's two RBs.
"I'm not sure Leroy (Jenkins) is even human," George admitted in his interview, "he may be a bear or something. It's not very often that you're told to block for someone who's even bigger than you, does he need it? I think he'd rather just run the defense over."
When asked about Omar, George gave a fond response, "He's like a little brother to me. He's quiet but once you get to know him he's a good kid. Crazy fast too, if we can give him good running lanes he'll show off those legs. The way I see it, if Omar has a good game then I think I've had a good game too because it means we're blocking well up front."
In a press conference before the draft, George wouldn't say exactly which team he had hoped to play for, though he did hint at the Otters. "It's disappointing to fall as far as I did in the draft, but I couldn't be happier to play for Orange County. Being an 18th round pick just means I'll have to work that much harder to put us in the win column. The draft is over, so I don't think it matters who was taken when, now all we're focused on is bringing home the championship."
Will the Brothers Get Lift-Off?
All six teams in the league face an uncertain future in the season ahead. That same uncertainty hangs above the head of every rookie picked in the inaugural draft. The Otters are following the classic philosophy that an elite defense and run-friendly offense are the starting points for a championship team, but will it work or fall apart? For the Wright Brothers George and Omar, the path to success won't be walked alone.
Word Count: 959
Your source for simulated news since 1887!
NSFL training camp is a tumultuous time for rookies. For some that were stars in college it can be an ego-shattering experience to fall short of expectations, and for others it is only the beginning of realizing their life long dreams. One thing is for certain, you won't put a team together on the field if you don't have a team off the field.
For two Otters' draft picks, that bond came from something as simple as a name. Affectionately named the "Wright Brothers" by Otters fans, RB Omar Wright and FB George Wright hope to be the motor behind an Otters offense that some think was overlooked in the draft. GM Andreas Hearst looked early and often to establish an elite defense, putting 5 of his first 7 picks there including first overall J.J. Reigns and All-American Bowl standout Arby Krimlaw. Omar Wright wouldn't have his named called until the 9th round, and George remained on the board until the end of the 18th round.
At a glance, the two seem to be polar opposites. Short, shifty, and exceptionally fast, Omar played on both sides of the ball at Rutgers. He began his career at Safety before transitioning to the center point of an electric and fast-paced rushing offense. George is stout and fearless, and he made a name for himself at Iowa as college football's premier lead blocker and a fan favorite who would make a catch before bulldozing his way into the endzone. Beneath the surface though, these two players share much in common, and this common ground shows in their teammwork on the field.
Family Matters
George Wright Jr. is the first in his family to hit the majors in American football, but hardly the first to play it. His father, George Sr., played Linebacker at Wisconsin but backed out of a pro career to focus on his family and start his own ice cream shop in Madison which runs to this day. His grandfather was an early star of Canadian football, the eccentric and showboating Don "Lefty" Wright, who helped the Edmonton Eskimos to three straight Grey Cups in the 1950s. George has always considered his father and grandfather to be instrumental in helping him succeed as a player, but he now wants to make his own way and avoid living someone else's dream.
For Omar, his football skills are the key to a better life for his family. He is motivated to succeed in the league to bring that money back to his family. Growing up in urban Newark, opportunity frequently hides behind obstacles, and Omar hopes that a better home for his parents and a college education for his sister will mean a better future for those that have given him so much through his life. He recalls his parents picking up extra jobs to help support him at Rutgers, and his younger sister dreams of becoming a chemist one day. Omar already donates his extra money to help impoverished children afford fashionable clothing, sometimes the difference maker for a young child trying to make a good first impression.
Heads Down, Eyes Up
For a rookie trying to carve his way into a starting position, there is simply no room for arrogance. In an interview with a local radio station, George admitted that the amount of work that goes into training camp is incredible but he feels up to the task.
"It's a lot to learn." George said, "The coaches have me working on blocking schemes with the O-line, receiving drills with the QBs, and even some Special Teams work. At Iowa I was pretty free to pursue the play my own way, but here it's a system and everyone is expected to do their part."
George is likely to take snaps between Tight End and Fullback. Wherever he lines up, he will play bodyguard to the QB and help create holes for the team's two RBs.
"I'm not sure Leroy (Jenkins) is even human," George admitted in his interview, "he may be a bear or something. It's not very often that you're told to block for someone who's even bigger than you, does he need it? I think he'd rather just run the defense over."
When asked about Omar, George gave a fond response, "He's like a little brother to me. He's quiet but once you get to know him he's a good kid. Crazy fast too, if we can give him good running lanes he'll show off those legs. The way I see it, if Omar has a good game then I think I've had a good game too because it means we're blocking well up front."
In a press conference before the draft, George wouldn't say exactly which team he had hoped to play for, though he did hint at the Otters. "It's disappointing to fall as far as I did in the draft, but I couldn't be happier to play for Orange County. Being an 18th round pick just means I'll have to work that much harder to put us in the win column. The draft is over, so I don't think it matters who was taken when, now all we're focused on is bringing home the championship."
Will the Brothers Get Lift-Off?
All six teams in the league face an uncertain future in the season ahead. That same uncertainty hangs above the head of every rookie picked in the inaugural draft. The Otters are following the classic philosophy that an elite defense and run-friendly offense are the starting points for a championship team, but will it work or fall apart? For the Wright Brothers George and Omar, the path to success won't be walked alone.
Word Count: 959
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