*Thight End Declan Harp first media appearance!

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[HOST] Hello and welcome today! Thank you everyone who has showed up to this exciting press conference of the newest draftee, season 9 draftee, for the NSFL - Declan Harp. As of last night, Declan was picked up from the waivers by the San Antonio Marshals so you can expect to see him on the field next week as he will play the remaining season with Marshals in order to help them to achieve their goals and also build up portfolio for the draft.

Before we start the actual press conference with open mic for the questions, I will give a little background on Declan. Declan Harp is a youngster of age of 18, born on 7th of February, 2000. He is a native of United Kingdom, born in London and for past 14 years been playing rugby at a high level. He attended the prestigious Twickenham Rugby School with a goal to become a professional rugby player. Although graduating the Twickenham Rugby School with exceptional scores and representing Team England in U-12, U-14 and U-16 world championships, his goals switched from rugby to American Football and now he has announced his debut in states. Declan is 6`3 and wights 250lbs. Plays Tight End positions as a possession tight end.

Now, we will continue the presser with the questions from audience! Mic is open, just raise your hand and when mic is presented to you, state your name, organization you represent and ask the question!

*Ask anything you would like to know*

What inspired your players name?

I do not think that it requires any explanation as this is a name of the main character from the TV show called "Frontier" played by Jason Momoa which is my actual inspirations as I just love the whole RL character that Jason is. When I chose a name for a player or anything like that I want it to be cool and not always a name that is made up on spot like "Rick Nero" for example does the job. So I tend to go with TV show character names that I like as it comes with an actual character personality if people have seen it.

What made you switch from Rugby to American football?

In the last few years in my rugby career I started to feel that I am not growing much and that I lack challenges in my daily life as a player so I had to change something. Just as extra thing I started to study American Football and after some times I realised that I would like to try myself out in this game, so I went to play with some people that are playing in British American Football organisation and that was it. I got hooked. Unfortunately the level was not satisfying for me in Britain so decision was made to come to states to play with the best.

What made you decide to try out for the tight end spot?

This position looked the most appropriate for my set of skills and also I enjoyed it very much while playing in Britain with some university teams. Also I found myself to be quite good at it and it challenged me to work on some other things that I did not work on while being a rugby player, such things as agility for example.

Pineapple on pizza. Yes or no?

Well I have eaten it not once but several times, so I guess I cannot say no!

If you answered no to the previous question, what is wrong with you?

Well although I answered with yes on the previous questions I still would like to add that you can not blame people for not liking it as tastes are different not just in food, but in music, sport and many other things, so do not be a hater!

Any teams you fancy being drafted by? (Both for the DSFL draft as the NSFL draft)

To be honest I am still in middle of research of all the teams in NSFL and DSFL. At the moment I have been picked up by San Antonio Marshals for the remaining of the season so will see how it will go and maybe I might wish to be drafted by them back in the DSFL draft. I definitely would like to hear from other teams as communication is very important. You will not get me just with the best offer money wise.

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

We all know that a woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood! But the better question is why would a woodchuck chuk wood?

With your background as multi-sport athlete and the versatility that TE offers in the sim, can we expect to see you lining up in different positions all over the field?

Definitely! Maybe not at the beginning as I am still new to the game and definitely will need some adjustments and improvements in my knowledge of the game, the runs, the defence and my personal performance as well. Also my positioning on the field will be based on how my coaches and GM's see me fit to play.

How's the transition from living in the UK to the USA going? Do you have a cowboy hat yet given the Marshalls picking you up?

The transition is going in quite well, although I must say that it is too early to talk about it as I am still feeling like on a vacation mode. Need more time to see how is my adaptation to the new life going on. And about the hat, indeed, I have a cowboy hat already, not quite because Marshals picked me up, but more cuz I just like western culture. Unfortunately I have issues with cowboy boots as I have not found yet any that would fit my big feet.

By the way here is a picture of me in my cowboy hat: PICTURE

You've decided on possession TE and seem to be going for the "box the DB out and make a play" style of TE that has been so successful in the NFL. What's your favourite route to run if you know the ball's heading your way and you need 10 yards to the walk-off TD?

I would like to do it quick and straight forward so my way of playing would be to either quickly get rid of the defender or bully my way through him and get a quick, short burst pass, something like pop/hot but into the TD zone.

Tight End is one of the shallowest positions in the league. One of the big reasons is because the position players either fizzle out, switch positions or get suspended and never return (fun story for another time). Do you plan to stick at tight end for the entirety of your career or are you open to a position switch and if so, where's your ideal spot.

I do intend to stick with Tight End position for entirety of my career and I have no intentions to switch position or to fizzle out. I am ready to change this concept of Tight Ends so far in this league. I am a determined person who is ready to work hard to achieve everything. As long as I am able to bring my team results they need or the support they need, even by getting some yards down the stretch that helps the team, I`m cool with it. I am a team player and always have been. Not here for fame or my name on tabloids.

We've had two other rugby players in the league, both running backs, you'd be the first tight end from the great game of rugby, how does that make you feel?

The fact that I am not the first person that goes from rugby to American Football just shows me that it is possible and that I am not Christopher Columbus of rugby who find American Football. About the fact that the two previous player both are running backs does not surprise me in the slightest as that is the closes position to what you are used as a rugby player. In the future there also might be someone that comes from the rugby background and plays as a fullback. I personally feel that I`m the best as a Tight End from my little experience so far. That is where I perform the best and I enjoy this position.

What's your biggest challenge heading into the draft. Should people take you 1oa? If so, why?

The biggest challenge is the fact that people might not take me serious with the amount of experience I have at the moment. I am really grateful to San Antonio Marshals GM's for picking me up and giving me the chance to prove myself. I am not gonna speculate on should I be picked as 1oa or not, I will leave that to media and team scouting personnel. I believe in hard work and I believe that the work ethic and my actions on the field will place me where I am suppose to be in the draft.

The Hawks need a new GM, you interested?

Thank you for such a nice offer but I will have to refuse as I have other things I want to achieve in my life before even considering coaching or GM'ing a team! I believe that you will find a fitting candidate to fill the spot.

What's the biggest culture shock coming to America from across the pond?

I guess the fact that it is true, not just stereotype, that you can pick up any chick with a British accent!

Boxers, briefs, or other?

This one is pretty easy - boxers. I like to feel comfortable, but during the games and practice briefs as its easier to use the uniform. But yeah, when outside the practices and games definitely boxers.

How long do you think before you switch to running back?

Not sure what are you talking about as I do not intend to switch to running back. I think you are underestimating my mental game here for some wack weak arse player that does not know what to do on the field as his mind is not set.

Have you ever visited Saskatchewan?

I personally no, I have not been in Saskatchewan. I would not mind going to any of the towns in the region but I guess that will be in the future as I have no doubt I will have my chance to visit Canada.

What is Brad Pitt's best performance and why is it Lt. Aldo Rayne?

Because he's a bloody bastard or should I say Bloody Inglorious Bastard? I mean I really liked the movie and he did play really well but I must say that he has some other great roles and performances as well. I like him in the Fight Club, Fury and Troy as well!

Who is the best Backstreet Boy?

Always have liked Kevin. I do not know why, but he was my favourite. I think I liked the looks of him.

If I snap my fingers do you instinctively cringe?

Why would I? I would probably just snap my fingers back to you!

How comfortable are you with rambling drunk people?

I myself do not drink so it is a little bit weird when the person gets really drunk and they start rambling about stuff, it makes me feel lost, like I do not know what to do, so I usually just play along. Especially I hate when they go in all that - I love you dude! - mode!

Is a hot dog a sandwich?

Technically no, because yes it is a meat between bread, but sandwich consists of two slices of bread while hotdog is just put between cut open bun. I think this is a question that even scientists do not know because you can come up with so many points of why it could be considered as a sandwich and why it could not. I think both items are food that I would put in my belly and when it gets there, no one cares is it a sandwich or not because it will end up being a poop anyways.

Has JJ Reigns forgotten more about this game than you'll ever know?

I truly have no idea who that is, even google did not help me, so I guess that he is more forgotten if even someone who knows it all, does not know shit about him.

How often do you blame Dermot?

So far I have been lucky to not have the need to blame him for nothing yet. Will have to wait and see, maybe at some point I will blame him for everything, you never know. As Justin Bieber said "Never say never!".

Write us a haiku

You asked so much shit
Arse would be proud of all that
Now I need a spliff

What were your thoughts on the process to join the DSFL?

So far I am enjoying the process and I am really happy that I got the chance to play in DSFL for a little bit before the actual draft for the league. It gives me this extra opportunity to show myself and make some interest about me for other teams that might take a look at me as a player. But like I said earlier, will see how will I do with San Antonio Marshals, and then maybe I will decide that I want to stay with them. Anyhow the process and the experience is great so far.

Who do you measure yourself against in this current draft cohort? Any specific guys you'll be using as a measuring stick this season? I know its small, but look for guys with S9 next to their name (or go further and look at S8 guys for Potland Pythons, Kansas City Coyotes, Tijuana Luchadores, or San Antonio Marshals).

Hard to say, as you mentioned not a big class yet and even in S8 draftees not many that are playing the same position that I am. The few I've seen did not impress me that much to consider them my rivals as I think I will overcome them pretty soon. And I cannot be rival with someone who plays different position because I have my job on the field and they have theirs, those two things do not cross each other, so I have to wait and see, it is still early and more talents will and might join and who knows maybe someone is so good that I will have to fear from him.

Do you have any more veteran players you've noticed that you're looking to build towards? Any S7 NSFL draftees or more veteran players? (you can check rosters of NSFL teams)

I would say that the veteran player that I would look up to is no one else than Paul DiMirio. I believe that his statistics and play has shown that TE is a force to be recon with on the field. To be honest I am surprised that there are not that many TE players in the league as we can do some crazy stuff and make the magic happen.

What are your thoughts on playing for the Ultimini-reigning San Antonio Marshals? (although we're having a tough season this time around hahah)

So far I have not had the chance to play an official game with Marshals so I cannot say nothing about that. I have met the team though, I have had practice with them and so far I feel really good and I like the people in the team and the management. I was told that next week will be my debut so I will be able to tell more on this topic after that.

Given the tight competition for the SFC (Southern Football Conference) in the DSFL and with 4 more games remaining, who do you think will make the DSFL playoffs?

Well it is obvious that Portland and Kansas will get to the playoffs from the North Conference. On the south conference everything is up for grabs, but of course I hope that Marshals will get further and it seems that Tijuana could be the other team, leaving Solar Bears and Seawolves behind and out of playoffs.

How will you know if you're successful these next 4 games and playoffs? Do you have any specific goals in mind to accomplish?

I am not aiming too high with the expectations. I just want to do good for the sake of the team and help them with the season standings. It will be more about how will I feel after the game, like did I do everything I could, what could I have done better, what were my mistakes and stuff like that. When I will analyse all of that I will know have I accomplished what I would like to. For now my only goal is to get on the field and perform to best of my capabilities.

The draft is coming up in only a couple weeks for the DSFL. Where do you see yourself in terms of this small draft cohort so far?

As I said before I am not going to speculate on my draft pick position but all in all I feel good. I think I am leaving the right impression on people I meet and talk to. Next step is to show that I am reliable on the field and I think that my chances on going high are really promising.

What's a thight end?

That is a mistake pointed out by a grammar nazi! But you are welcome for knowing your language at least at this level, so you poor soul do not have issues with communicating with others, including me!