*Statement from NOLA's Quenton Bode

[terriblehippo]

Code:

Ready to be graded (343 words)

I think I speak for everyone in the New Orleans organization when I say that this season was disappointing, but not entirely unexpected. I knew even before I was drafted by New Orleans that they were in the middle of a rebuild. We all came into this season expecting to struggle, and struggle we did: New Orleans finished with a 2 - 12 record and a -182 point differential. However, that does not mean that any of us are comfortable with our performance, and I know that every one of is already preparing for next season.

I also want to personally apologize for my performance this season, both on and off the field. I did not play nearly as well this season as I should have, and I can't help but feel that some of our losses might have gone the other way if I had. Off the field, I lost focus on several occasions, and missed training opportunities because of it. No one is more upset or disappointed by that fact than me, and I won't try to excuse that lack of diligence on my part. All I will say is that I won't make the same mistakes next season.

Finally, I want to reiterate that I am still fully committed to this team, despite the rough season we had. I still plan on re-signing with New Orleans once my rookie contract ends, and I want to spend my entire career with the Second Line. A championship team is not built overnight, and I'm willing to invest the time and effort to make that happen. If I were the kind of player to be discouraged by one poor season, I wouldn't have made it to the DSFL, much less the NSFL.

So yes, this was not the rookie season I wanted to have. But writing me--or the rest of the New Orleans Second Line--off would be a big mistake, and I'm looking forward to showing everyone in this league what we're capable of.