03-19-2019, 09:36 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-19-2019, 09:36 AM by TeyonSchavari.)
[Ready for grading]
Hello and welcome to Post-Draft. Today we are sitting down with DT AJ Lattimer, who was selected by the Portland Pythons in the 8th Round of the DSFL draft. How are you feeling today, AJ?
"I'm feeling great, thank you for having me."
I know you have a strong faith as a Catholic, do you feel like that influenced your career path in any way?
"Definitely. Through God all things are possible. My strength comes through Him, and He is the source of my determination. My faith has been my anchor to this world, it has taught me to keep a level head and be humble while I experience success as a football player. I'd like to thank the Lord for helping me accomplish my dreams - I wouldn't be here without Him."
During the draft, did you expect to land with the Pythons or a different DSFL team?
"I had no idea what team I'd end up with. I'd spoken to a couple teams before the draft, and each had their own ideas for me. Portland was one of the teams, and I feel we made a connection. I played for the Cobras in the Prospect Bowl, and wore black and gold at Iowa, so going to a black and gold snake team? It was meant to be. I'm excited to go out there with this group of guys."
As for draft positioning, did you think you would be picked earlier or in the later rounds?
"That is a very tough question to answer. On the one hand, I'm confident in my abilities, confident enough to think that I could have gone anywhere in the first few rounds. On the other hand, this was a very deep draft class with a ton of talented guys coming in. To be honest, I wouldn't have been surprised if I fell towards the end, that's how great these players are. I'm happy with where I was selected."
You are one of the strongest members of this draft class, definitely not a guy I'd want to mess with. How will that help you in this league?
[Laughing] "I mean, obviously the stronger I am the easier it will be to roll through the opposing linemen. It'll definitely draw the opposing team's attention, and that'll create opportunities for my fellow teammates. It is extremely important that I continue to improve my strength."
A criticism I’ve seen is that you don’t have a very high ceiling for your speed. How will that affect you in the long run?
“I’m a pretty big dude, so unfortunately I’m not going to beat anyone with my speed. But as a nose tackle my job isn’t to be the fastest man on the field. I’ll eat up blocks to give my teammates a better chance to break up the play and use brute force to push through the line rather than quickness. All things considered, I’ll be just fine.”
One last question: if you could re-do the draft as the Pythons GM, what changes would you make?
"Come on man, I wouldn't change a thing! Our GM did a great job. I'm beyond excited to play with this group and truly feel like we have the best class of the draft. Our D is going to be scary, just wait. We plan on competing for a title immediately!"
That is a bold claim - you heard it here first, that Python defense is hungry for a championship! It will be interesting to see how this season plays out. Thank you for your time, AJ, and good luck with your career.
"Thank you, sir. God bless."
Hello and welcome to Post-Draft. Today we are sitting down with DT AJ Lattimer, who was selected by the Portland Pythons in the 8th Round of the DSFL draft. How are you feeling today, AJ?
"I'm feeling great, thank you for having me."
I know you have a strong faith as a Catholic, do you feel like that influenced your career path in any way?
"Definitely. Through God all things are possible. My strength comes through Him, and He is the source of my determination. My faith has been my anchor to this world, it has taught me to keep a level head and be humble while I experience success as a football player. I'd like to thank the Lord for helping me accomplish my dreams - I wouldn't be here without Him."
During the draft, did you expect to land with the Pythons or a different DSFL team?
"I had no idea what team I'd end up with. I'd spoken to a couple teams before the draft, and each had their own ideas for me. Portland was one of the teams, and I feel we made a connection. I played for the Cobras in the Prospect Bowl, and wore black and gold at Iowa, so going to a black and gold snake team? It was meant to be. I'm excited to go out there with this group of guys."
As for draft positioning, did you think you would be picked earlier or in the later rounds?
"That is a very tough question to answer. On the one hand, I'm confident in my abilities, confident enough to think that I could have gone anywhere in the first few rounds. On the other hand, this was a very deep draft class with a ton of talented guys coming in. To be honest, I wouldn't have been surprised if I fell towards the end, that's how great these players are. I'm happy with where I was selected."
You are one of the strongest members of this draft class, definitely not a guy I'd want to mess with. How will that help you in this league?
[Laughing] "I mean, obviously the stronger I am the easier it will be to roll through the opposing linemen. It'll definitely draw the opposing team's attention, and that'll create opportunities for my fellow teammates. It is extremely important that I continue to improve my strength."
A criticism I’ve seen is that you don’t have a very high ceiling for your speed. How will that affect you in the long run?
“I’m a pretty big dude, so unfortunately I’m not going to beat anyone with my speed. But as a nose tackle my job isn’t to be the fastest man on the field. I’ll eat up blocks to give my teammates a better chance to break up the play and use brute force to push through the line rather than quickness. All things considered, I’ll be just fine.”
One last question: if you could re-do the draft as the Pythons GM, what changes would you make?
"Come on man, I wouldn't change a thing! Our GM did a great job. I'm beyond excited to play with this group and truly feel like we have the best class of the draft. Our D is going to be scary, just wait. We plan on competing for a title immediately!"
That is a bold claim - you heard it here first, that Python defense is hungry for a championship! It will be interesting to see how this season plays out. Thank you for your time, AJ, and good luck with your career.
"Thank you, sir. God bless."
![[Image: StarkComicCOL.png?width=1118&height=676]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/813516004993925163/969363218738872330/StarkComicCOL.png?width=1118&height=676)
![[Image: 58674_s.gif]](https://signavatar.com/58674_s.gif)
