(S16) - Ultimus Week

[RobCubed]

3) All about the QBs - Falconi vs. Reese, overall Playoff stats



It wasn't easy to find a female football player picture that I could edit into this, so I said screw it and just got a picture of Emanuela Postacchini and put a football in her hand.

12) Sit-down with a star - Morgan Marshall, FB for the Yellowknife Wraiths - 2030 Pro Bowler

Question: You've had considerably less rushes per game this past season, but your receiving yards have more than tripled, and your all-purpose yards have actually gone up by about 30. Was this part of a new planned offensive scheme, or was it your effort to show yourself as more of an all-purpose back?

Marshall: I’m definitely angling towards being an all-purpose back, but there were a number of factors contributing to my usage. We shifted this year from a three person running back corps to a two person group, as Dick Wizardry moved over to the Copperheads, so my overall usage went up a bit. But this year was also definitely more focused on the passing game with Cooter emerging into his prime, and so both me and Canton were definitely less focused on than the passing game. It’ll be interesting to see how our offensive philosophy continues to evolve into next year and the true start of our Ultimus window.

Question 2: At Princeton, you majored in Economics. Running backs tend to not have the longest of careers - although you've shown yourself so far to not be injury prone, not missing a single game - but what are your plans going forward if your career were to end tomorrow?

Marshall: I never want to end up like many of my athlete colleagues, who end up broke a few years after retirement despite earning millions because they couldn’t be fiscally responsible. If my career was to take a turn for the worse, I like to think that my work would leave me in a stable situation. I was planning on going to grad school and becoming a lawyer if I didn’t get drafted, and that’s probably still my fall back plan, although I’ve got good side money coming in already from my ownership of the B&M Media Group.

Question 3: Your team lost by one point in a heart breaking defeat to Liberty, who've now moved on to Ultimus. Surprising to see two underdogs battling it out with just barely winning records. Just looking at the stats myself, I feel like they underutilized you and didn't target you enough times in the passing game. Do you think that will be a change going forward, looking at the success you've had receiving the ball this past season?

Marshall: I don’t want to talk about anything my GMs haven’t officially stated yet, but to my knowledge we are certainly looking at further changes to our offensive strategy. It’s always been the plan to aim for an Ultimus in S17, and given that the GMs spent a second round pick on me I can’t imagine them not wanting to increase my role as one of the focus points on the offense. This year’s been a bit disappointing in the stats department, but hopefully next year will be different, and I have faith in our leadership to make it happen.

Question 4: What's your least favorite defense to run against? A specific player if you can think of one - but what team do you think gives you the greatest challenge?

Marshall: On this level I’m really glad that I’m on Yellowknife, because we’ve got a nasty defensive line that I’d hate to run against. Personally it’s always not fun to rush against Baltimore, New Orleans, or Colorado - not necessarily because of the skill level, but primarily because they’ve got my Fabulous Five crewmates manning the linebackers and secondary. It wasn’t that long ago that I played with Berry, Bode, and Green, not against them. We’re professionals though, and Berry in particular doesn’t pull any punches with his tackling. I might still be sore from the last time he tackled me.

13) Sit-down with a fan: Interviewed by Net Gaines
http://nsfl.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=...ndpost&p=208854


20) Let’s get Wild!(card) - Yellowknife is robbed... by their own coaching staff?

The Yellowknife Wraiths. A favorite to win the wild card against the 7 and 6 Philly Liberty. There are just over three minutes on the clock in the fourth quarter. The Wraiths are down by four points, so a field goal won't do it. A short pass by Bigsby to Helanen just brought them to 4th and 1 at the 17 yard line.

The second in the league pass defense, third in league for interceptions, third in league for sacks, and the leader in forced fumbles. Definitely one of the strongest defenses in the league. Yellowknife still has all three timeouts.

Or maybe, there's just one yard to go. Just a sneak, or a handoff to the Pro Bowler Morgan Marshall. Worst case you turn the ball over with 3 minutes to go, 3 timeouts, a top defense, and on their own 17 yard line. The sidelines are a frenzy as the coaching staff tries to make up their mind, a decision that most fans would agree is fairly straight forward.

Go for it.

But the Wraiths don't have a Riverboat Ron handy. Yes, their defense is second or third overall... but it's not first. And Liberty has been giving them a pounding this game.

Kick it?

Harris Jr. trots out to the field, an easy 34 yard FG for a man who's never missed a 30-39 yard attempt in his two years in the league. He sails it easily between the goal posts, bringing the Wraiths just a single point down. Kickoff. Liberty's Garnett returns to the twenty five. Pass, rush, rush. First down! A minute and a half left, all three timeouts available.

No timeouts called. More rushing plays to run out the clock. The Wraiths lose, somehow, by 1 point to the 7-6 Philly Liberty.

Maybe they should have gone for it on 4th and 1. Maybe they should have called a timeout (or three!). But who knows, maybe that's why I'm not a coach.

THIS SECTION IS NOT FOR MY CREDIT, JUST HELPING ANOTHER ROOKIE OUT!

12) Second Interview - Net Gaines:

Question: So we're going to start with an obvious question here, and one I'm sure you've heard a lot... but are you concerned about your checkered past when it comes to a league that has seriously cracked down on any illicit substances? Do you think this will impact your draft score?

Net Gaines: I'm not going to lie I'm a bit concerned giving my sketchy history when it comes to illicit substances. But I think I've done enough to prove dispite that history I'm willing to change and all I can do right now is pray that it doesnt have a big impact on my draft score

Question 2: You have an absolutely insane number of tackles, but were then suspended due to PEDs. Do you think you'll be able to keep that production up without PEDs in a league where the players you need to tackle are bigger, faster, and stronger than anything you faced in college?

Net Gaines: I'm confident enough to say that I can keep up that production without PEDs. I believe in my talents and been training hard ever since I got suspended. I'm going to prove that performance while I was on PEDs wasnt just a fluke

Question 3: I know this is a common question, but is there a specific team you'd love to play for? If not, what sort of team would you like to play for? Do you want to join a championship team right off the bat or will you work with a less successful team to build them up?

Net Gaines: You know I just wanna go in there and play some football the game I loved since childhood, i don't care if it's a successful team or a team that's still building I'll go in there and make plays and try my absolute best to make the team better

Question 4: You haven't played for a year - the Prospect Bowl is coming up, and this'll be your first time on the field in a long time. How has your exercise and practice regimen been leading up to this, and how are you going to prove yourself in this game after being away so long? You have any numbers you'd like to hit in this game?

Net Gaines: I've been working with a coach improving  drills, speed and strength so I'm not concerned if i am not ready for the prospect, i'm just looking to make some plays in general and show my football abilities to all the GMs looking to draft me

Question 5: Thanks so much for your time. Any last comments you want to make to any of the coaches and GMs out there looking at you for the upcoming draft?

Net Gaines: Sure if you draft me it will be the best decision you ever made as a GM! And I also wish you luck with the prospect bowl/draft too