Welcome back to Talking Smit with me, your fearless, unwavering host Stephan B. Smitfter. Avon Blocksdale is my guest. A man for whom not enough can be said. A pillar of the community and a monster on the field. A former Offensive Lineman who became a Quarterback who has announced that for his final season he will player Cornerback. He steps away from the gunslinger position as the #2 all time in passing attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns. Oh, and an Ultimus Trophy to his name. His legacy more or less speaks for itself. I decided however to let him speak for his legacy instead. The man, the myth, the legend. Avon Blocksdale.
Me: Avon Blocksdale. You announced your pending retirement. Your legacy is nearly set in stone. What is that legacy in your eyes?
Avon: I want people to think of a winner when they think of Avon Blocksdale. I'm going out on top ya know. I managed to win a title in my last season as QB. In my career in NSFL I never had a season where I lost more games than I won. Additionally my names down in the record books. Most efficient QB of all time, and that's a record I hope is never broken.
Me: Point blank. Right here on the circle of honesty. Are you a Hall of Famer?
Avon: 100%. I'm a top 2 QB by any stat in the history of the league, I'm a champion, and I haven't missed the pro bowl since my rookie year (and I've been basically unanimous every year). I don't see how someone couldn't vote for me
Me: There are haters EVERYWHERE my man. What do you say to that voter who inevitably says no?
Avon: I tell them to watch football. If you watch football and don't think that I'm a hall of famer then really really I don't know what to say
Me: So, I'm not sure if you're keeping up with things but your retirement started a chain reaction that led to Yeti Wide Receiver Howard Miller making a public statement about players and team loyalty. Did you happen to catch that?
He chuckles a little and shakes his head. It’s clear he’s heard about the most newsworthy situation in the NSFL this past week’s lead up to the NSFL Draft (which was live earlier tonight in case you missed the blockbuster event!).
Avon: Yea I did. Loyalty is a funny thing. When teams trade players or whatever it's a smart move. But you're just supposed to stay on a sinking ship? I don't get it. The dude wanted to do what was best for him. Obviously I've been loyal to the Hawks and they've been loyal to me. That's rare in sports. The Wraiths, Liberty, Yeti, Sabercats, and Outlaws have all traded active players who wanted to be there. And then they talk about loyalty? Come on.
Me: Typical right? Whatever works for the league is the gold standard and whatever is good for the players is selfish and wrong somehow. Do you think this mentality has contributed to the fact that we rarely see any big moves in free agency?
Avon: I definitely teams try to guilt players into staying. Whereas in Baltimore a guy like Goodson left, and we pitched him, we wanted him to stay, but we didn't try to guilt the guy into it. Obviously I want everyone in Baltimore to stay and be happy, but if they want to leave so be it. Everyone should handle an FA leaving like those Yeti GMs. They have taken everything in stride with Applehort.
Me: It seems like taking things in stride is ostensibly a job requirement for that team. So. What's next for Avon Blocksdale?
Avon: I'm gonna play on the defensive side of the ball for the last year of my career, play some corner. Been working with Antoine on my footwork and such. I think I can have a productive year, and hopefully can lead us to the promised land
Me: My man. Let's break this down LOGICALLY. Who better than a Quarterback to know how the quarterbacks are working?
Avon: Exactly, I know where a QB is gonna throw, I know what the offense is going to call. I think I'm be successful out there
Me: Clifford Rove has had success with the same switch so it's not even unheard of. And he wasn't half the Quarterback you have been. Now..to go into the team dynamics a little more. Trey Willie didn't re-sign with the team. There are those who.....you know....the loudmouths of course....those in the Hawks fanbase who said some very unkind things about your GM based on that. I have a few here.
I pulled a paper and began to read from it in my silky smooth voice.
Me: On Twitter @DmtLvlEire said "Willie is a legend and this clown running our team into the ground is a balding fat idiot. Another from @RafeTT says "Why couldn't Turk be QB? Mckormick is doing it and he's a punk”.
Blocksdale chuckles at that one. It’s like the feel of sunshine on a warm day.
Me: #FiretheGM" and this one, which is the reason I'm reading these which was from @hdrx that says "fire that idiot in charge. That guy can suck a dick. Put Avon in charge. He'd do the job better." What do you think?
He openly laughs about it.
Avon: Twitter trolls are the best, aren't they? I mean we just won a title and these clowns want to fire the GM? I love our fans, but all I gotta say is be patient. Willie recently said he's gonna retire as a Hawk, we just gotta convince the GM to bring him back for the next couple of seasons.
Me: What's your personal relationship with the GM been like? You come from such opposite backgrounds and such completely different people that it's got to be an interesting relationship.
Avon: He's a good guy, he's obviously smart and successful. It's not too often you get a guy with that level of success and experience. A DSFL champion. A Head Office Member. DSFL Commissioner. This guy is a try hard. He's a bit of a dork in some ways, but we get along well enough for sure. Him and the co-GM work real well together and you can't argue with the success. First year 7-7 with a first round exit. Second Year 11-3 with an Ultimus Loss. Third year 13-1 with an Ultimus Title. That's great
Me: It's hard to argue with that kind of progression. Let's switch gears though and take a bit of a look back. Who are the toughest defenders you've had to deal with in your career?
Avon: Two guys jump out right away. Dermot Lavelle and Benson Bayley. Those two Corners were insanely good and very tough get around.
Me: It's not a coincidence that they're two of the longest lasting corners in league history. Who was the easiest corner to throw on?
Avon: Anyone on the Liberty. Those guys suck. It was so easy to throw all over those guys. Lincoln Jefferson was trash. Tyler Oles? Even worse as a QB than a CB. Rove? He wasn't good til he came to Baltimore.
Me: Well then. I'm gonna put you on the spot after that. Who is the best player in Liberty history?
There’s zero hesitation form the calm, confident former QB. The kind of obvious display of those Hall of Fame traits.
Avon: Vikain Melamedov. No doubter. Dude's a legend, a future hall of famer, and was dominant on the Hawks. Love the guy
Me: Is he someone you've studied tape of in preparation of your switching?
Avon: Yea for sure, the guys I've studied have been have been Hawks. Delacour, Turner, Vikain.
Me: A HELL of a lineup to be sure. Now, before we get out of here I have to ask. What quarterback are you most looking forward to picking off?
His smile is like warm caramel.
Avon: Is it tacky to say everyone? I want to pick everyone off
Me: Its not tacky. It's honest. It's that Blocksdale Mentality. Anything you want to say to anyone in the league?
Avon: You come at the king, you best not miss
Me: MY MAN! Avon Blocksdale ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for joining me. Go Hawks!
Avon: Caw caw!
The man lives for this team and it’s going to be interesting to see how this final year finishes in it’s unconventional glory. The man is a legend and anyone who thinks otherwise should go take a walk into the ocean because you are WRONG. The REIGNING, DEFENDING CHAMPIONS picked up Ryan Applehort to man that QB position for the foreseeable future and the team’s fortunes look just as bright as they have. I’m Stephan B. Smifter and this has been Talking Smit.
[1489 words, split 50/50 between myself and iamslm]
[Contact Dwyer for your appearance on Talking Smit. Don’t tell him why. It’ll confuse him greatly.]
Me: Avon Blocksdale. You announced your pending retirement. Your legacy is nearly set in stone. What is that legacy in your eyes?
Avon: I want people to think of a winner when they think of Avon Blocksdale. I'm going out on top ya know. I managed to win a title in my last season as QB. In my career in NSFL I never had a season where I lost more games than I won. Additionally my names down in the record books. Most efficient QB of all time, and that's a record I hope is never broken.
Me: Point blank. Right here on the circle of honesty. Are you a Hall of Famer?
Avon: 100%. I'm a top 2 QB by any stat in the history of the league, I'm a champion, and I haven't missed the pro bowl since my rookie year (and I've been basically unanimous every year). I don't see how someone couldn't vote for me
Me: There are haters EVERYWHERE my man. What do you say to that voter who inevitably says no?
Avon: I tell them to watch football. If you watch football and don't think that I'm a hall of famer then really really I don't know what to say
Me: So, I'm not sure if you're keeping up with things but your retirement started a chain reaction that led to Yeti Wide Receiver Howard Miller making a public statement about players and team loyalty. Did you happen to catch that?
He chuckles a little and shakes his head. It’s clear he’s heard about the most newsworthy situation in the NSFL this past week’s lead up to the NSFL Draft (which was live earlier tonight in case you missed the blockbuster event!).
Avon: Yea I did. Loyalty is a funny thing. When teams trade players or whatever it's a smart move. But you're just supposed to stay on a sinking ship? I don't get it. The dude wanted to do what was best for him. Obviously I've been loyal to the Hawks and they've been loyal to me. That's rare in sports. The Wraiths, Liberty, Yeti, Sabercats, and Outlaws have all traded active players who wanted to be there. And then they talk about loyalty? Come on.
Me: Typical right? Whatever works for the league is the gold standard and whatever is good for the players is selfish and wrong somehow. Do you think this mentality has contributed to the fact that we rarely see any big moves in free agency?
Avon: I definitely teams try to guilt players into staying. Whereas in Baltimore a guy like Goodson left, and we pitched him, we wanted him to stay, but we didn't try to guilt the guy into it. Obviously I want everyone in Baltimore to stay and be happy, but if they want to leave so be it. Everyone should handle an FA leaving like those Yeti GMs. They have taken everything in stride with Applehort.
Me: It seems like taking things in stride is ostensibly a job requirement for that team. So. What's next for Avon Blocksdale?
Avon: I'm gonna play on the defensive side of the ball for the last year of my career, play some corner. Been working with Antoine on my footwork and such. I think I can have a productive year, and hopefully can lead us to the promised land
Me: My man. Let's break this down LOGICALLY. Who better than a Quarterback to know how the quarterbacks are working?
Avon: Exactly, I know where a QB is gonna throw, I know what the offense is going to call. I think I'm be successful out there
Me: Clifford Rove has had success with the same switch so it's not even unheard of. And he wasn't half the Quarterback you have been. Now..to go into the team dynamics a little more. Trey Willie didn't re-sign with the team. There are those who.....you know....the loudmouths of course....those in the Hawks fanbase who said some very unkind things about your GM based on that. I have a few here.
I pulled a paper and began to read from it in my silky smooth voice.
Me: On Twitter @DmtLvlEire said "Willie is a legend and this clown running our team into the ground is a balding fat idiot. Another from @RafeTT says "Why couldn't Turk be QB? Mckormick is doing it and he's a punk”.
Blocksdale chuckles at that one. It’s like the feel of sunshine on a warm day.
Me: #FiretheGM" and this one, which is the reason I'm reading these which was from @hdrx that says "fire that idiot in charge. That guy can suck a dick. Put Avon in charge. He'd do the job better." What do you think?
He openly laughs about it.
Avon: Twitter trolls are the best, aren't they? I mean we just won a title and these clowns want to fire the GM? I love our fans, but all I gotta say is be patient. Willie recently said he's gonna retire as a Hawk, we just gotta convince the GM to bring him back for the next couple of seasons.
Me: What's your personal relationship with the GM been like? You come from such opposite backgrounds and such completely different people that it's got to be an interesting relationship.
Avon: He's a good guy, he's obviously smart and successful. It's not too often you get a guy with that level of success and experience. A DSFL champion. A Head Office Member. DSFL Commissioner. This guy is a try hard. He's a bit of a dork in some ways, but we get along well enough for sure. Him and the co-GM work real well together and you can't argue with the success. First year 7-7 with a first round exit. Second Year 11-3 with an Ultimus Loss. Third year 13-1 with an Ultimus Title. That's great
Me: It's hard to argue with that kind of progression. Let's switch gears though and take a bit of a look back. Who are the toughest defenders you've had to deal with in your career?
Avon: Two guys jump out right away. Dermot Lavelle and Benson Bayley. Those two Corners were insanely good and very tough get around.
Me: It's not a coincidence that they're two of the longest lasting corners in league history. Who was the easiest corner to throw on?
Avon: Anyone on the Liberty. Those guys suck. It was so easy to throw all over those guys. Lincoln Jefferson was trash. Tyler Oles? Even worse as a QB than a CB. Rove? He wasn't good til he came to Baltimore.
Me: Well then. I'm gonna put you on the spot after that. Who is the best player in Liberty history?
There’s zero hesitation form the calm, confident former QB. The kind of obvious display of those Hall of Fame traits.
Avon: Vikain Melamedov. No doubter. Dude's a legend, a future hall of famer, and was dominant on the Hawks. Love the guy
Me: Is he someone you've studied tape of in preparation of your switching?
Avon: Yea for sure, the guys I've studied have been have been Hawks. Delacour, Turner, Vikain.
Me: A HELL of a lineup to be sure. Now, before we get out of here I have to ask. What quarterback are you most looking forward to picking off?
His smile is like warm caramel.
Avon: Is it tacky to say everyone? I want to pick everyone off
Me: Its not tacky. It's honest. It's that Blocksdale Mentality. Anything you want to say to anyone in the league?
Avon: You come at the king, you best not miss
Me: MY MAN! Avon Blocksdale ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for joining me. Go Hawks!
Avon: Caw caw!
The man lives for this team and it’s going to be interesting to see how this final year finishes in it’s unconventional glory. The man is a legend and anyone who thinks otherwise should go take a walk into the ocean because you are WRONG. The REIGNING, DEFENDING CHAMPIONS picked up Ryan Applehort to man that QB position for the foreseeable future and the team’s fortunes look just as bright as they have. I’m Stephan B. Smifter and this has been Talking Smit.
[1489 words, split 50/50 between myself and iamslm]
[Contact Dwyer for your appearance on Talking Smit. Don’t tell him why. It’ll confuse him greatly.]
![[Image: 68.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/722696337912496132/759304283312881684/68.png)
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