Howard Miller, the first player selected in the S7 NSFL draft and the Colorado Yeti's newest recruit, sat down with an NSFL insider to discuss the draft day experience, his feelings about his new home, and what the future holds.
Q. Howard, thanks for joining me. First of all, congratulations on being selected first overall!
A. It's my pleasure, thanks for having me. And thank you! It was a very special and exciting moment for me.
Q. You were the consensus first overall pick. Every mock - except the outlandish ones - had you going at number one. Was it really that exciting?
A. Absolutely! It's hard to explain, but mentally, there's a big difference between a bunch of people reporting that I would be going at 1, and actually hearing my name called out. My parents always drilled this saying into my head: "don't count your chickens until they hatch". Until I was standing on the podium with a jersey in my hand, I didn't assume I was getting picked at all.
Q. That makes back-to-back drafts now that you've been selected first overall in. The Coyotes selected you at 1 in the S6 DSFL draft, and now the Yeti in the S7 NSFL draft. How does the weight of expectation feel now compared with last season?
It's about the same, honestly. I know people like to tout that the DSFL is the NSFL's baby brother, and in a sense that's true. But the teams in both leagues have real fanbases behind them, people dedicating their time, money, and emotions to our success or failure. So, really, there's no difference being in the 'big league'. I know that people in Colorado are hoping that I can be a difference-maker for the Yeti, and that's what people were hoping for in Kansas City when @124715 and @AzhekAhriman drafted me. I'm just going to work as hard as I always have and hope to keep up the production from last season.
Q. Now, about the Yeti. How do you feel about playing for them? There have been some rumblings around the league leading up to the draft about players not wanting to go there. How do you feel about being drafted by the first team to go 0 - 14?
A. I'll be upfront from the start and say that I reached out to General Manager @sapp2013 partway through last season, when it seemed likely they would have the first overall pick, and admitted there was a team that had expressed interest in me early on and that I would like to play for. I told him that if he chose to draft me, I would give nothing short of 100% for the team, but that I wanted him to know that my heart was already in another place.
To my surprise, he was open to the suggestion. There were teams looking to trade up - not just the team that I had expressed an interest in joining - and he knew that he could secure a lot of draft capital by moving back. That wasn't the only reason he heard me out, though. He told me that he didn't want to see players in this league fail and that he wouldn't hold me to ransom if I truly didn't want to play in Colorado. He also emphasised that he was building a team culture that simply wouldn't function with players who weren't on board.
To be honest, the moment I had that conversation with him, my mind was changed. Here was a man who was human enough to hear a draft prospect's wishes about his future, was committed enough to the league to factor its longevity into his own draft planning, but was also loyal enough to his team to happily turn away a top prospect if it meant maintaining the culture he worked hard to build. Some people say that talent should override locker-room presence, but I disagree; I think having players who want to be on your team is priority number one. And he made me into one of those players that day.
I want to stress that my desire to play elsewhere had nothing to do with the likelihood of winning. I was excited to go to Kansas City and get the opportunity to turn the franchise around, and I feel the same way about Colorado. It's just that I had established relationships elsewhere in the league, and hoped to be reunited with old friends.
Instead, I'm making great new ones in Colorado, and I couldn't be happier to be a Yeti!
Q. Wow, that's quite an insight! You mentioned helping turn things around in Colorado - how do you think the team will fair next season? When do you think you will be challenging for the Ultimus?
A. Next season will likely be more of the same for the Yeti. We traded away our workhorse running back and have a rookie quarterback coming in to replace the injured Pierno. Of course, the new and improved Pierno will bolster our defence, but it's no secret that this league isn't kind to rookie QBs. I think Applehort is in for a long season, but I think he'll grow from it and be better for it.
Honestly, I'd say S10 we win the Ultimus. The core of the Yeti organisation - guys like Saint and Sandoval - will be getting into their twilight years. Maybe Saint isn't around anymore, but I think he's got enough juice in the tank. And hallmark guys like Bly Jr. will definitely still be a cornerstone of the defence. Couple that with the incredible draft we just had: Mark Grau (@keanex), Ryan LeFevre (@feve10), Desta Danger (@DestaDanger), Ryan Applehort (@Daybe), Alvin Chipmunk (@andybj), and Bubba Beau-Boucher (@Angels_Otani) all being established pros, I just don't see any team stopping us. Not to mention recent big-name additions Dwayne Aaron (@Supersquare04) and Carlito Crush (@JKortesi81).
If that group of guys stays together and puts in the work, I think we've got a big headstart on what are some ageing rosters in the NSFL. Mark my words, the Colorado Yeti is going to be the next dynasty in this league.
Q. It certainly was a very strong draft. And a lot of familiar faces - tell me what it means to have so many Coyotes players with you in Colorado.
A. It's great! It really helps having those familiar faces when you're going through something as daunting as moving cities and finally getting a chance to play at the top level in this sport. Not to mention, Fev and Bubba are two of the greatest teammates you could ask for. I was talking them up any time I bumped into a GM at the combine or during pro days. I wanted them to land wherever I did, and I'm so thrilled that it's actually happened.
Q. Finally, do you have a nickname for the young core of Coyotes looking to make a brighter future for Colorado?
Nothing's set in stone yet, but I was thinking maybe the Coyote Crew? [Laughs] I'm not sure, I'll have to get back to you on that one.
We're part of a new team now and I want to focus on building an identity here in Colorado. I love the Coyotes organisation and fans - they'll always have a place in my heart and I hope they finally get that Ultimini they deserve - but my number one priority at the moment is being the best player I can be for the Yeti, and working on getting this team a championship.
Q. Howard, thank you so much for your time. Any closing remarks?
A. YETI BABY LET'S DO THIS!
Q. Howard, thanks for joining me. First of all, congratulations on being selected first overall!
A. It's my pleasure, thanks for having me. And thank you! It was a very special and exciting moment for me.
Q. You were the consensus first overall pick. Every mock - except the outlandish ones - had you going at number one. Was it really that exciting?
A. Absolutely! It's hard to explain, but mentally, there's a big difference between a bunch of people reporting that I would be going at 1, and actually hearing my name called out. My parents always drilled this saying into my head: "don't count your chickens until they hatch". Until I was standing on the podium with a jersey in my hand, I didn't assume I was getting picked at all.
Q. That makes back-to-back drafts now that you've been selected first overall in. The Coyotes selected you at 1 in the S6 DSFL draft, and now the Yeti in the S7 NSFL draft. How does the weight of expectation feel now compared with last season?
It's about the same, honestly. I know people like to tout that the DSFL is the NSFL's baby brother, and in a sense that's true. But the teams in both leagues have real fanbases behind them, people dedicating their time, money, and emotions to our success or failure. So, really, there's no difference being in the 'big league'. I know that people in Colorado are hoping that I can be a difference-maker for the Yeti, and that's what people were hoping for in Kansas City when @124715 and @AzhekAhriman drafted me. I'm just going to work as hard as I always have and hope to keep up the production from last season.
Q. Now, about the Yeti. How do you feel about playing for them? There have been some rumblings around the league leading up to the draft about players not wanting to go there. How do you feel about being drafted by the first team to go 0 - 14?
A. I'll be upfront from the start and say that I reached out to General Manager @sapp2013 partway through last season, when it seemed likely they would have the first overall pick, and admitted there was a team that had expressed interest in me early on and that I would like to play for. I told him that if he chose to draft me, I would give nothing short of 100% for the team, but that I wanted him to know that my heart was already in another place.
To my surprise, he was open to the suggestion. There were teams looking to trade up - not just the team that I had expressed an interest in joining - and he knew that he could secure a lot of draft capital by moving back. That wasn't the only reason he heard me out, though. He told me that he didn't want to see players in this league fail and that he wouldn't hold me to ransom if I truly didn't want to play in Colorado. He also emphasised that he was building a team culture that simply wouldn't function with players who weren't on board.
To be honest, the moment I had that conversation with him, my mind was changed. Here was a man who was human enough to hear a draft prospect's wishes about his future, was committed enough to the league to factor its longevity into his own draft planning, but was also loyal enough to his team to happily turn away a top prospect if it meant maintaining the culture he worked hard to build. Some people say that talent should override locker-room presence, but I disagree; I think having players who want to be on your team is priority number one. And he made me into one of those players that day.
I want to stress that my desire to play elsewhere had nothing to do with the likelihood of winning. I was excited to go to Kansas City and get the opportunity to turn the franchise around, and I feel the same way about Colorado. It's just that I had established relationships elsewhere in the league, and hoped to be reunited with old friends.
Instead, I'm making great new ones in Colorado, and I couldn't be happier to be a Yeti!
Q. Wow, that's quite an insight! You mentioned helping turn things around in Colorado - how do you think the team will fair next season? When do you think you will be challenging for the Ultimus?
A. Next season will likely be more of the same for the Yeti. We traded away our workhorse running back and have a rookie quarterback coming in to replace the injured Pierno. Of course, the new and improved Pierno will bolster our defence, but it's no secret that this league isn't kind to rookie QBs. I think Applehort is in for a long season, but I think he'll grow from it and be better for it.
Honestly, I'd say S10 we win the Ultimus. The core of the Yeti organisation - guys like Saint and Sandoval - will be getting into their twilight years. Maybe Saint isn't around anymore, but I think he's got enough juice in the tank. And hallmark guys like Bly Jr. will definitely still be a cornerstone of the defence. Couple that with the incredible draft we just had: Mark Grau (@keanex), Ryan LeFevre (@feve10), Desta Danger (@DestaDanger), Ryan Applehort (@Daybe), Alvin Chipmunk (@andybj), and Bubba Beau-Boucher (@Angels_Otani) all being established pros, I just don't see any team stopping us. Not to mention recent big-name additions Dwayne Aaron (@Supersquare04) and Carlito Crush (@JKortesi81).
If that group of guys stays together and puts in the work, I think we've got a big headstart on what are some ageing rosters in the NSFL. Mark my words, the Colorado Yeti is going to be the next dynasty in this league.
Q. It certainly was a very strong draft. And a lot of familiar faces - tell me what it means to have so many Coyotes players with you in Colorado.
A. It's great! It really helps having those familiar faces when you're going through something as daunting as moving cities and finally getting a chance to play at the top level in this sport. Not to mention, Fev and Bubba are two of the greatest teammates you could ask for. I was talking them up any time I bumped into a GM at the combine or during pro days. I wanted them to land wherever I did, and I'm so thrilled that it's actually happened.
Q. Finally, do you have a nickname for the young core of Coyotes looking to make a brighter future for Colorado?
Nothing's set in stone yet, but I was thinking maybe the Coyote Crew? [Laughs] I'm not sure, I'll have to get back to you on that one.
We're part of a new team now and I want to focus on building an identity here in Colorado. I love the Coyotes organisation and fans - they'll always have a place in my heart and I hope they finally get that Ultimini they deserve - but my number one priority at the moment is being the best player I can be for the Yeti, and working on getting this team a championship.
Q. Howard, thank you so much for your time. Any closing remarks?
A. YETI BABY LET'S DO THIS!
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1286 WORDS | READY FOR GRADING[div align=center]
Update Page
[div align=center]![[Image: VBAY5Tq.png]](https://i.imgur.com/VBAY5Tq.png)
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[div align=center][SELECT style="background-color:maroon; color:white; font-family:Arial; font-size: 12px; width: 400px; "][br]
[OPTION]Scott Michaels || Colorado Yeti General Manager || #YetiNoises
[OPTION]Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] NSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S9: 3 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 9 - 5
[OPTION] S11: 8 - 6
[OPTION] S12: 6 - 8
[OPTION] S13: 8 - 6
[OPTION] Career: 34 - 26 (.567)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]NSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION] S9: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S11: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S12: DNQ
[OPTION] S13: 1 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 4 (.200)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] DSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S8: 10 - 4
[OPTION] S9: 9 - 5
[OPTION] Career: 19 - 9 (.792)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]DSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION]S8: 1 - 1
[OPTION]S9 0 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 2 (.333)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Accolades
[OPTION]S11 NSFL GM of the Year
[OPTION]S9 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFC Conference Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]===========================================
Update Page
[div align=center]
[/align][div align=center][SELECT style="background-color:maroon; color:white; font-family:Arial; font-size: 12px; width: 400px; "][br]
[OPTION]Scott Michaels || Colorado Yeti General Manager || #YetiNoises
[OPTION]Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] NSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S9: 3 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 9 - 5
[OPTION] S11: 8 - 6
[OPTION] S12: 6 - 8
[OPTION] S13: 8 - 6
[OPTION] Career: 34 - 26 (.567)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]NSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION] S9: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S11: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S12: DNQ
[OPTION] S13: 1 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 4 (.200)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] DSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S8: 10 - 4
[OPTION] S9: 9 - 5
[OPTION] Career: 19 - 9 (.792)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]DSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION]S8: 1 - 1
[OPTION]S9 0 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 2 (.333)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Accolades
[OPTION]S11 NSFL GM of the Year
[OPTION]S9 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFC Conference Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]===========================================
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