(S2) - PT #1 - Pre Season Hype

[Kronen]

I can look back on my preseason games and history with a distant fondness. The atmosphere was charged but friendly. Everyone was posting and jockeying for position and crowing their own exploits at the top of their voices. Even after picking off DeMirio twice in one game, there were no hard feelings after the game. We just brushed ourselves off and fought the good fight tomorrow. The jocularity of the locker room was good spirited.

Having joined the Otters, my expectations and commitment to the game have completed changed. I don't feel motivated by the smaller competitions amongst my rookie brothers. I'm motivated by getting that slight nod after a play by LB and safety extraordinaire Dominic Verns. I'm not motivated by the joking trash talk and chest bumps with a rookie tight end. I'm motivated by avoiding having my collar yanked into a dressing down by Agnus Winchester after I perform poorly on a progression of plays.

It's not sexy or trendy or easily marketable sadly, but it's the truth. My responsibility to my teammates has completely eclipsed any other smaller or egoist considerations. I don't want to let my brothers in pads down and will do everything in my power to make sure I perform up to their exacting standard.

[124715]

The only answer here is Wraiths LB Kevin Cushing. Cushing made a big splash upon his entrance into the NSFL, as he was one of the most active S2 prospects. However, he was occasionally quite rude to people on the board. I didn't think much of it until his impressive temper tantrum, in which he even lashed out at a GM. Our rivalry stemmed from our activity: we were both so active on the board, it was impossible to have us not develop a friendly rivalry. Unfortunately, as time went on, the "friendly" part began to slip out of our rivalry. Cushing became obsessed about his draft position, saying that he was a steal at 13, and that 13th was a low position. Meanwhile, I, who had more TPE, said nothing about my draft position - 23rd. I was busy earning TPE. Cushing, of course, continued his as well, but he couldn't seem to get over the fact that he'd "fallen" to the second round.

This matchup is all about personal pride, as I try to prevent Cushing shutting me down as he so promised, and as we try to find the superior player.

Yes, I know the schedule changed and we don't play the Wraiths anymore. I'd already started writing it so too late

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[Anti-Hype]

There were a lot of things I was interested to see during the preseason. Specifically how often our back up QB McJugs would hit the dirt and, boy was it an awful lot. We tossed Berc in for like 25 snaps a game and gave the rest to this unconditioned bozo. It was hilarious we had bets for how many times the other team could lay him out. We were usually under! I got my fair share of beat downs to. But these hits were usually on starters so they felt real nice.

The rare times Berc was out there he had great synergy with LeClair and Stormblessed which is exactly what we want to see in the front office. Hopefully they will all continue to develop together. I think the biggest stand out was how competitive we still were in the long run. I expected us to end up a laughing stock but that wasn't the case. Our defense held together and our run game was solid. We're gonna keep adding to the pieces when we can and hope for the best. In the mean time, we can start placing bets for next years preseason. I'm trying to take home the big bucks.

[JBLAZE_THE_BOSS]

Everyone always romanticizes these battles during camp. It's two warriors battling for a final spot on the team. Two men giving it their all to prove that they belong amongst their fellow soldiers. A valiant fight to display dominance and put food in their family's mouths.

Except me. Everyone thinks camp is such a great thing, except me. The way I see those scenarios is akin to that of a bum fight. Bring up YouTube and search "Bum fights" and you'll see what I'm talking about. It's two broke clowns bashing each others brains in for a chance to be the last guy on the roster. What a pathetic existence. The best thing is, football is all these guys have. Once they're cut, they don't have any other role in society. They'll try to play football anywhere they can for a paycheck and one last chance at the big time. Ultimately, a large number of them will fail and their lives will be ruined.


For the real stars of the league, like myself, this is nothing to worry about. As long as I don't get hurt, the best part about pre-season is the August sun, shining against my creamy complexion.

- 200 Words

[Aenir]

Its the Preseason! After a long offseason, it is so great to get the pads back on and back to work, I really enjoy the practice, but nothing quite compares to pre-season work! There isn't anyone in particular I want to play very much, I mean its always good to get one over on Matthew Peterson (CB, LVL) but that's more a good natured rivalry then one that NEEDS to be addressed. I am more excited to be back here in Yellowknife, working for the fans, the supporters groups, the mascot (who creeps me out by the way) and all of the hard working people in both the stadium and the team offices. I am excited to be here because it means my journey for the NSFL Championship (I refuse to call it the Ultimus) is one step closer, that the team is that one step closer to getting games that matter, and playing in the greatest rush of all... The NSFL playoffs! I will admit it is nice at the end of the season to take a break, let your body heal, that only lasts for a week or two however. Then its back to practicing my throwing, progressing through my reads (I had a VR setup installed that lets me increase my speed while going through my progressions). Even then, it still isn't the same until the pads come on and we start working out for real. I cant wait for the next season*!



*And the Opportunity to burn CB Peterson a few more times, make him look silly with a pump fake or something :towel:


268
@Peterson

[Saliva^]

I am back and I need some rivalry to keep me going. Oh wait, I don't need a rival when I have one already. That player is same old Lady Marmelade who is now playing for the Liberty team. In case if you're wondering who's that guy - Vikian Marmeladov is his name, but I'll call him how I want. And by the way, he was thrown out from Colorado to an expanison team...he's such a great player isn't it? Naaaaah. He can say what he wants about his 70 or so tackles, but at end of the day I was the 35th best player in S1, he barely made the TOP 50. I know the 35th place isn't something to brag about, but what I was trying to say - I'm better than him, period.

The pre-season has ended already and let's take a look what happened in both SJ vs Philly matchups. 48-0?! Rekt. Lady posted only 4 tackles when I amassed two sacks with 1 PD. Who's better, huh? Now the second game. We decided to give some chances to them, but then we pulled an ultimate troll to take the 1 point lead and played some tight defence in two other quarters. What happened to Marmelade? Same old 4 tackle shit. Me? 2 PD's and two interceptions. Hardrool>Marmeladov all day all night, period.

[RainDelay]

Bailey Cook is coming off of a sensational first season in the NSFL, in which he tallied over 1000 yards, solidifying himself as one of the best receivers and players in the league's early stages.

So who was he most excited to face? It is hard to choose just one, as he has developed connections and rivalries with many linebackers and defensive backs.

However, to pick the one he really wanted to face most, you would have to travel southeast. And then way, way up north. I'm talking about his ex-teammate at Florida State University, Yellowknife Wraiths cornerback Dirk Cutter.

As written about in a previous media spot, these two were good friends but had quite the rivalry going. Sometimes, Cook would come out of the practice gates and simply torch this man downfield with cuts left right and every which way, but other times Dirk Cutter would read all his moves like a book, and shut down anything Seminoles QB DeAndre Francois would feed him.

The long history between the two is why Bailey Cook was most looking forward to facing the Wraiths. He got to line up across from his old teammate, just as he did in college.

[PlotzkeA]

As a rookie, I am just excited to hit anything that moves. College wasn't very challenging, as I was bigger, faster and stronger than most people I played against. The one guy I am very excited to go against is Bubba Nuck, from the Wraiths. I watched that guy so many times last year on T.V. and god damn if I didn't wanna smack him into next week. I love playing against the best of the best, it brings out the best in me. I don't care if I get run over, or juked, because I will learn and adapt for next time so I can make the tackle. Thats the thing about me, I am not just some kind of dumbass that says “Me see ball, Me go after ball”, I understand defenses and read offenses. Another person I am excited to play against is Kevin Cushing, not that I will actually be playing against him on the field, but when he is on the other team. He was the first linebacker taken in the draft and man did that light a fire under me. That put a chip on my shoulder that this league has never seen before. Playing against his team is when I will show everyone that you shouldn't have passed up on James Wright…

[Muford]

One team that I am super excited to face off against is the Yellowknife Wraiths. That defense has revamped a lot this off season throughout the draft, bringing in guys like Dermot Lavelle, Kevin Cushing and Bork Bjornsson. One player in particular that I’ve kept my eyes on is Bork. I believe Bork is going to be a force to be reckoned with in this league, and he is a monster on that defensive line. At 6’5 360, with some good speed and strength to match, he is a matchup nightmare. He is a player that teams have watched, and will continue to watch and start to game plan against. He can interrupt most team’s offensive lines, and I can’t wait to go up against him and test my abilities against such a monster of a man.

I also can’t wait to see Chris Orosz’s face as we match up against him. San Jose has added a lot of difference makers on both sides of the ball, but especially along our defensive line. Guys like Enchilada and Chidubem are going to be forces to reckon with. Mark my words. San Jose vs Yellowstone is going to be a great matchup, and you are going to want to get tickets to that game.

(212 words)

[Grapehead]

I'm most excited to play the Outlaws in pre-season. I felt like how our season ended against them in the playoffs last season was heartbreaking. This is our chance to grab a little bit of that sweet revenge, and get some of our mojo flowing. Taking down the reigning champions, even just in the pre-season, would be a big morale boost for the guys. The Otters were a really controversial team last season, with many stories coming out of Orange County, but this season we've made football our top priority. A lot of that means proving last season was just an anomaly, and that the Otters are better than that result. So I was really excited to see the pre-season schedule included a showdown with Arizona. I think we've established a rivalry, and those are what drive sport in my opinion. Couldn't be happier to have the opportunity to win another battle with them. A win against Arizona is a boost that will propel us full steam ahead into the regular season. We absolutely need this win, and we're hungry to get out there and take it. Don't be surprised to see the Otters steal a win down in Arizona, because there will be a lot more where that came from!