(S26) - PT 1 - Keep the Change You Filthy Animal

[Troen]

The offseason is a time of change. Tell us what has changed for your player or for your team since you last took the field. Are you loaded up with new weapons or a large cast of rookies? Has your player improved, or are they currently in the throes of regression? How do you think this season will play out differently than ones before?

For myself, little has changed since last year. I've done what I can to step up into the of our dear departed captain Carolinabbq Isbest's shoes as this year's defensive captain, but I feel like I've pretty much peaked as far as individual playing ability. But, as this year's defensive captain, I think my role has expanded now to try and improve those around me on the team even more than normal - doing things like ensuring I'm always putting in max effort, seek out the newer players who are struggling and try to help them work through issues, that kind of thing. In a year that looks likely to be a very transitional one and likely Easton Cole's last before retiring, we might not have the highest hopes of winning an Ultimus. But, it's not like we have no hope or anything. Our defensive side of the ball is really coming into a strong unit, with what I think is possible the best front seven that we've had since I joined the team. We have a solid though perhaps less flashy pack of receivers who are damn fast. Sure, Cole might be a little interception-heavy, but maybe the wily vet can make his smarts work for another year? I think this best case is that he ends up as this season's old man Manning, where he gets dragged to a championship on the back of a great defense. Between his experience, the defense, and a few lucky breaks, I think we have a chance to compete. I can't say that we're the favorites, but I can say that I'll do what I can to make us feared on the field.