Ladies and gentleman, welcome again to ESPNSFL. My name is Zerin Nandrews and this is episode number 15 of our “Thoroughfare to Glory” (TTG) saga, bringing you the life of Season 18 QB prospect, the “Portuguese Phenom”, Jay “Football” Cue.
6 games into the season, and like last year, the season started slow for the Portland Pythons. 3 wins, 3 losses for a .500 record, and our star Jay Cue has thrown for almost as many interceptions as he did the whole last season. New receiver corp, can that be the problem? Or it is just a bad season, filled with bad throws?
Jay sat down with ESPNSFL and our reporter Dirk Kerbstreit for another interview.
Dirk - So Jay, after a great ending last season, we talked in the offseason and you were confident on another great year. Now, we find the team sitting at 3 - 3 and your personal numbers are a bit disappointing. What is wrong?
Jay - I do not think we can say that anything is wrong Dirk. Our team had to let some important players return to their NSFL teams, players that were already completely integrated and knew our offense and defense strategies by heart and we welcomed a new batch of rookie players that are still finding their feet. It is normal, it is part of the DSFL teams process, and we have to look forward and deal with it. Besides, we cannot forget that our opponents also try to get stronger, and since we are the Ultimini champions, we have a target on our backs, motivating even more the other team.
Dirk - Are you still confident about the season? Can the team get to the Ultimini game again?
Jay - Definately. I know that we are not even halfway through the season and we already lost 3 games, as many as last year, and that makes our supporters nervous. But that is a good think in my eyes, because it shows that the Pythons are now synonymous with winning, and when something other than that occurs, people demand that we turn it around quickly. But that is good, we know the task and what we need to do to achieve our objectives.
Dirk - What about your numbers? You set an unbelievable standard in the last 2 seasons and even higher objectives for this one the last time we talked. Do you feel you had to much confidence on your, and the teams, skills?
Jay - I am still definitely trying to get to those numbers. But yeah, things aren't really going like i wanted, so my numbers are suffering a bit. The rookies are doing great, we had a very good draft even though we picked late, but it is just not comparable to last season for example, especially in the offense. Still, it is something we have to deal with and make the best of it.
Dirk - And yesterday we got the confirmation that Andrew Reese is retiring after a great career, meaning that next year you will finally play in the NSFL for the Arizona Outlaws. Are you ready for the challenge?
Jay - I am Dirk. This situation has been planned since i was drafted by the Outlaws, so I already knew that season 20 would be my first NSFL season. I am excited for it, I know that the defenses will try to pick me apart, as they should, but I am confident I can help them to the next level. The Outlaws have been knocking on the door for a while now, trying to get that Ultimus trophy back to Arizona, and that is the objective. I am definitely working for the Ultimini now, but of course that next season is already on my mind. I can't wait to start and play again against my fellow S18ers.
Dirk - Speaking of Season 18 players, we recently lost one of the top earners, Thudd Kassel, in the midst of some controversy regarding contract discussions.
Jay - Yeah, too bad that these things happen, but they do. Thudd had a great career ahead of him still, but he felt it was the right decision. It is unfortunate for him, his team, the league, for everyone that enjoys the game as he brought a lot to it. But let us make this situation to at least bring the end of the grey area that was discussed so that it does not happen again. Rules need to be enforced and to not allow "double entendres". If you see this Thudd, always rated you, i hope you come back to the game sometime.
Dirk - Thanks for your time Jay, we will come back after the next few games. Let's hope the team gets its groove back.
Jay - Thanks Dirk, see you next time, hopefully with better numbers.
And this is all the time we have for today, stay tuned for more interviews and information on our TTG. This was Zerin Nandrews, for ESPNSFL at the Portland Pythons training facility, goodbye, see you next time.
6 games into the season, and like last year, the season started slow for the Portland Pythons. 3 wins, 3 losses for a .500 record, and our star Jay Cue has thrown for almost as many interceptions as he did the whole last season. New receiver corp, can that be the problem? Or it is just a bad season, filled with bad throws?
Jay sat down with ESPNSFL and our reporter Dirk Kerbstreit for another interview.
Dirk - So Jay, after a great ending last season, we talked in the offseason and you were confident on another great year. Now, we find the team sitting at 3 - 3 and your personal numbers are a bit disappointing. What is wrong?
Jay - I do not think we can say that anything is wrong Dirk. Our team had to let some important players return to their NSFL teams, players that were already completely integrated and knew our offense and defense strategies by heart and we welcomed a new batch of rookie players that are still finding their feet. It is normal, it is part of the DSFL teams process, and we have to look forward and deal with it. Besides, we cannot forget that our opponents also try to get stronger, and since we are the Ultimini champions, we have a target on our backs, motivating even more the other team.
Dirk - Are you still confident about the season? Can the team get to the Ultimini game again?
Jay - Definately. I know that we are not even halfway through the season and we already lost 3 games, as many as last year, and that makes our supporters nervous. But that is a good think in my eyes, because it shows that the Pythons are now synonymous with winning, and when something other than that occurs, people demand that we turn it around quickly. But that is good, we know the task and what we need to do to achieve our objectives.
Dirk - What about your numbers? You set an unbelievable standard in the last 2 seasons and even higher objectives for this one the last time we talked. Do you feel you had to much confidence on your, and the teams, skills?
Jay - I am still definitely trying to get to those numbers. But yeah, things aren't really going like i wanted, so my numbers are suffering a bit. The rookies are doing great, we had a very good draft even though we picked late, but it is just not comparable to last season for example, especially in the offense. Still, it is something we have to deal with and make the best of it.
Dirk - And yesterday we got the confirmation that Andrew Reese is retiring after a great career, meaning that next year you will finally play in the NSFL for the Arizona Outlaws. Are you ready for the challenge?
Jay - I am Dirk. This situation has been planned since i was drafted by the Outlaws, so I already knew that season 20 would be my first NSFL season. I am excited for it, I know that the defenses will try to pick me apart, as they should, but I am confident I can help them to the next level. The Outlaws have been knocking on the door for a while now, trying to get that Ultimus trophy back to Arizona, and that is the objective. I am definitely working for the Ultimini now, but of course that next season is already on my mind. I can't wait to start and play again against my fellow S18ers.
Dirk - Speaking of Season 18 players, we recently lost one of the top earners, Thudd Kassel, in the midst of some controversy regarding contract discussions.
Jay - Yeah, too bad that these things happen, but they do. Thudd had a great career ahead of him still, but he felt it was the right decision. It is unfortunate for him, his team, the league, for everyone that enjoys the game as he brought a lot to it. But let us make this situation to at least bring the end of the grey area that was discussed so that it does not happen again. Rules need to be enforced and to not allow "double entendres". If you see this Thudd, always rated you, i hope you come back to the game sometime.
Dirk - Thanks for your time Jay, we will come back after the next few games. Let's hope the team gets its groove back.
Jay - Thanks Dirk, see you next time, hopefully with better numbers.
And this is all the time we have for today, stay tuned for more interviews and information on our TTG. This was Zerin Nandrews, for ESPNSFL at the Portland Pythons training facility, goodbye, see you next time.
