03-18-2019, 10:59 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-22-2019, 09:51 PM by JKortesi81.)
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]We were able to catch up with newly drafted Solar Bear Tony "The Big Salami" Gabagool after his big day. He was listed as the #21 overall prospect going into the draft but slipped into the 7th round and was one of the bigger steals for the Solar Bears, who traded their 2nd round pick for next year for a shot with The Big Salami;[/div]
Let's start with the elephant in the room, coming into the draft, most analysts saw you as a top 5 linebacker and a top 25 overall player, but as the draft unfolded you ended up being picked #39, watching 8 linebackers taken before you. What do you think contributed to that?
I have no idea. I have been putting in the work, I lead the Prospect Bowl in tackles and helped lead my team to the championship. That being said, I am so happy to have landed where I did. Obviously when your stock falls, its hard not to feel a bit disrespected, but whenever a team trades what they did, to get a shot to take you, it makes you feel wanted.
Did you have any idea that the Solar Bears coveted you that much? A 2nd round pick is a lot to trade for a 7th.
I had some good chats with the management there. They told me they were enthusiastic. They saw the opportunity to get three of the top linebackers in the draft and they jumped on it.
Let's talk about the other linebackers on your team. Rock Hardshaft and Guy Nikko were two of the top guys out there. Have you had a chance to talk to them yet? What is the linebacker room going to be like?
Man, I look around me and all I see is talent. There is no way we aren't a top defense. I spoke with Rock and Guy a bit, we are all in it to win. There is going to be some healthy competition and that's just going to make us all better. And don't even get me started on our safteys, we are going to make opposing quarterbacks wish they stuck to playing baseball.
Okay, okay, how did you get "The Big Salami" nickname?
Uhhhh....next question please.
Do you want to use this opportunity to say anything else?
Yeah, I do. I am a pretty level guy, I don't get shook easy, but being passed over as much as I did definitely hurt. I am looking forward to making every team that passed on me regret that. I am so grateful that the Solar Bears gave me a shot, and believed in me enough to trade up to grab me. Rest of the league....watch out.
Let's start with the elephant in the room, coming into the draft, most analysts saw you as a top 5 linebacker and a top 25 overall player, but as the draft unfolded you ended up being picked #39, watching 8 linebackers taken before you. What do you think contributed to that?
I have no idea. I have been putting in the work, I lead the Prospect Bowl in tackles and helped lead my team to the championship. That being said, I am so happy to have landed where I did. Obviously when your stock falls, its hard not to feel a bit disrespected, but whenever a team trades what they did, to get a shot to take you, it makes you feel wanted.
Did you have any idea that the Solar Bears coveted you that much? A 2nd round pick is a lot to trade for a 7th.
I had some good chats with the management there. They told me they were enthusiastic. They saw the opportunity to get three of the top linebackers in the draft and they jumped on it.
Let's talk about the other linebackers on your team. Rock Hardshaft and Guy Nikko were two of the top guys out there. Have you had a chance to talk to them yet? What is the linebacker room going to be like?
Man, I look around me and all I see is talent. There is no way we aren't a top defense. I spoke with Rock and Guy a bit, we are all in it to win. There is going to be some healthy competition and that's just going to make us all better. And don't even get me started on our safteys, we are going to make opposing quarterbacks wish they stuck to playing baseball.
Okay, okay, how did you get "The Big Salami" nickname?
Uhhhh....next question please.
Do you want to use this opportunity to say anything else?
Yeah, I do. I am a pretty level guy, I don't get shook easy, but being passed over as much as I did definitely hurt. I am looking forward to making every team that passed on me regret that. I am so grateful that the Solar Bears gave me a shot, and believed in me enough to trade up to grab me. Rest of the league....watch out.
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