11-23-2019, 02:38 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-23-2019, 05:05 PM by Libertines.)
The Draft
Is it possible for a team to win a draft with only one pick? If you ask Stevie Vassallo the answer is yes, after moving up in the draft, Baltimore grabbed oft-projected first round pick Stevie Vassallo with the first pick of the 2nd round.
We caught up with Stevie and he had a lot to say when asked about slipping out of the first rounds, Stevie said, “I think this will drive me hard… I am going to have an offseason to remember and rip some QB heads off, all the teams who passed in the first round are going to regret that decision every time I put one of their players on the IR…”. When asked how he felt about the trade that landed him in Baltimore, Maryland, “I think it shows a lot of poise from the management staff, when a player of my caliber is still sitting on the board in the second round you need to have some big ol’ balls and pull the trigger, and to the people who are saying they gave up too much, they clearly haven’t been watching me play.” We also asked him what he thinks about the Hawks current lineup, “I managed to have a conversation with coach after the draft, and he has high hopes to get me into the lineup this season, he’s given me a few things to work on over the off-season and I have every intention of coming in and making some noise”.
Pre-draft buzz on Vassallo seemed to see him as a potential first round pick, ddrectors analysis spoke quite highly on the DE, saying, “Stevie Vassallo is a new power rushing defensive end currently playing for Myrtle Beach in the DSFL. He is currently sitting at around 150 TPE and has remained active since creation. As one of only two defensive ends in this draft he is probably going to be a hot commodity due to position scarcity. Vassallo had a knack for getting to the quarterback while playing at UCLA where he recorded 20 sacks in his sophomore season. He had a productive season in Dirty Myrtle with 3 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Those tackle for loss numbers are especially impressive to me. Vassallo seems like a JJ Watt type of defensive end that will help equally in pass defense and run defense.” Vassallo also impressed at the combine with combine commentator 37thchamber, saying “Another mini-duel here, between Vassallo and Kearse. Bjornsson not miles behind them. The less said about Jon Adams, the better, though. Let’s talk about those top two guys for a second. Vassallo looks to be the superior athlete, his vert and broad jump showing great explosiveness, and his shuttle and 3-cone showing good agility, which typically translates to shedding blockers in order to reach the backfield. Kearse, though, is faster -- admittedly not by a lot, but the margins at this level are extra fine -- as well as possessing more raw strength, and seems a bit sharper mentally. In a sport where recognising a play call and reacting fractions of a second quicker could be the difference between a sack or QB hit and conceding a 20 yard pass play… there’s a case to be made that Kearse is the better option. It all comes down to what you think you can coach better. Can you teach Vassallo to read the offense? Can you improve Kearse’s measurables? Maybe you want a bit more of a project player and go for Bjornsson, who is as smart as Kearse, but needs a bit more work in terms of athleticism. All solid options for the next level, though.”
Kearse
Vassallo was asked to comment about Kearse going ahead of him in the draft to which he said, "I think I'm the better DE, and I'll prove it, Kearse had no business going in the first round." Kearse was quick to respond, "Well considering the "draft experts" didn't know anything about me I can see why Vassallo might think that. But in the end he's just a bitter man. I'm the better DE and landed on the better team. We were similar in stats so that means it was something else that separated us. Maybe he should look inward before spouting off because he's insecure as a player. Time will tell who's better at the end of the day, and I'll be working my ass off to make sure it's me."
Taco MacArthur
Baltimore Hawks GM, Taco MacArthur had great things to say about his new DE. "We're really excited to have been able to make a trade up in the draft. The fact that this talented defense end was still available just blows us away. After several conversations with him we are certain he should have been a first round pick. I know the draft commentators said we were robbed by iamslm22 and Philly, but honestly we'd be wanting to get rid of Hobbs now we have Vassallo and a few Mill in cap space isn't a big deal. Have the privileged to start three active players on the defense line is going to really give our defense a boost for this up coming season. As I understand Libertines is active in several sim leagues, and I am certain we will stay active with us here too. He has roughly the same tpe build and amount that our rookie Fabricio Baldari had last season, and Baldari finished the season with the best stats of all rookies defense linemen. So we have really high hopes for what Vassallo will do his rookie season too."
Vassallo also had great things to say about his new GM, “Taco MacArthur is a great guy, and he clearly has a great eye for talent, when I see what this team has done with Baldari, it makes me extremely excited about my prospects, I can really see myself as potentially a career Baltimore Hawk, I know it’s a bit early for that kind of talk but with this young core of players starting to replace some of the vets, this team really has the potential to do some massive damage over the next few seasons. Taco is showing that he is a GM that isn’t afraid to make some controversial moves, and that he really doesn’t care what his critics think, and I respect that.”
The Trade
MacArthur took some heat for this trade in the draft coverage, with commentator, quoted as saying “Baltimore Got Robbed, Baltimore was bad last year, and they gave up a player and 2.5M Cap Space…. No”, “That’s Straight Up Highway Robbery”, “Who are you possibly thinking at 11 that’s worth that.”. Although seeing the pick was Vassallo, was enough to ease the pain for some. “He’s going to be a super solid guy to have in your corner. I get it, I have full faith in Libertines.”.
The commentary online didn’t have great things to say about the job the Hawks did in this draft either, roastfuego’s too soon draft analysis said, “Baltimore only had one pick in the draft, and they traded a lot away for the selection. At the end of the day, I do not believe that the selection was worth what was paid up. The Hawks did acquire a great talent, but at what cost?”, when asked for his thoughts Baltimore GM Taco MacArthur, said “Thats a tad harsh with zero real analysis of the trade. just more anti Baltimore propaganda.”, Vassallo had a similar reaction, saying, “Too soon is a good title for this article, they really let any bozo become a sports writer these days”.
The trade broke down as follows…
BAL S19 R2 P17 (QB – Avon Blocksdale Jr. – Tijuana Luchadores – 209 TPE)
BAL S20 R2 (To Be Determined)
2.5M S19 Cap Space
DT Jaylin Hobbs (174 TPE, S11 Regression)
For
PHI S19 E2 P11 (DE – Stevie Vassallo – Myrtle Beach Buccaneers – 151 TPE)
When asked about the trade Philadelphia Liberty GM Iam Essellemm, said "Obviously due to having to pick Avon with a 2nd round pick - we really were looking to trade down. Stevie Vassallo is an incredible player - but for us it was a win win. We were taking Avon, we got an extra draft pick AND we got a draft pick - all for getting the same player. Have to do that trade 10 times out of 10."
Hallmonitor
Stevie was a fan favorite for the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers his stat line included a rookie leading 15 TFL, also 39 tackles, 3 sacks, in 14 games played. Myrtle Beach GM Hallmonitor had great things to say about his defensive end and his quiet leadership in the dressing room. “Stevie was a machine coming off the edge. He was on top of the leaderboards for TFLs and was a destructive force to opposing running games. Off the field he was exactly the leader you want in the Locker Room who maybe didn’t always talk but when he did everyone listened. Stevie was exactly the player you'd build a defense around and I'm glad I got the chance to coach him and can’t wait to see his career grow in the future.”.
Baldari
Stevie will be joining a young and dangerous Baltimore line which already includes the feared Fabricio Baldari, I was told to save Baldari for late and then record what he said, mostly to ask him later what he means. I was also told not to eat anything or drink anything he gave me but to accept the thing and to throw it away later. I was also told under no circumstances should I go to his warehouse on the docks or accept any invitation to go back to his warehouse.
"I heard that you were replacing Hobbs, that you think that you're placing me as the next hot rookie defensive end that no one wanted and has a huge chip on his shoulder because of a perceived and probably imagined lack of value by the other Gm's in the league.
YOU THINK YOU CAN REPLACE ME? I didn't hear you say anything but I'm going to assume you said yes. That's a good attitude and/or the one you should take. You won't replace me as the next hot rookie defensive end that no one wanted and has a huge chip on his shoulder because of a perceived and probably imagined lack of value by the other Gm's in the league because I'm not a rookie anymore. Work the boss's system and follow what everyone on the team says and you'll do great in the league. We've got a great line and I can't wait to see what you'll do. Now here's what I want you to remember, I grew up in a poor city and our football team never had a weight room or any budget for practice, in 65 years we've never missed the playoffs and we've sent 230 kids to college. This is what my coach and every coach have told the team at the start of the year and I think it'll be what you need to be rookie of the year. Boys you are not blessed to be raised in a land of plenty and prosperity. You are indeed blessed to live in a land of hard men and harder women.
What you see behind me is a concrete wall, what you see behind you is an empty field. We will plant that field with your flesh, we will fertilize it with your blood, and we will water it with your sweat and with your tears. Look at the wall behind me. In the 65 years we have gone to the state football playoffs it and the field behind you is all we've ever known. We do not raise cowards, do not turn from the wall or you will be cast out. We will work our bodies against the wall but we will also work our minds and our hearts against the wall. We do not raise cowards, do not turn away from your emotions, turn them against the wall. It will take your hate, it will take your fear, it will take your anxiety and it will take your doubt. Your parents will give you want you need to live, your city will give you what you need to succeed, but the wall will give you everything you can ever want in life. We do not raise cowards, one day the wall will defeat you, it will take your dreams and kill the joy in your heart. Do not turn away from the wall, you will struggle endlessly but the wall will always give more then it takes. Today you join a family of hard men raised by harder women. A family joined together from a struggle against the wall. You will find a wall everywhere you will travel, humans are like that. Stare at the wall, struggle at the wall, and you will never be alone. He broke into Grunts and roars after that so I hung up. If I disappear suddenly I would strongly suggest investigating to see if he ate me.
I can officially say that this league may not have any quarterbacks left at the end of the year with these two animals on the loose.
S19 Offseason
Stevie Vassallo (Libertines) has been a man on a mission this offseason, we haven’t even hit the pre-season and Vassallo has packed on 55 TPE, his focus has been increasing his speed and strength in preparation for the bigger faster players in the NSFL. Stevie Vassallo was quoted, “I’ve been working hard this off-season, hardly any of these NSFL teams even reached out to me before this draft and I’m now a man on a mission to show these suits what they passed on.”, he then quoted Calvin Coolidge “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Vassallo seems to be getting on well with Baldari and the rest of the D-Line, and it looks like he may just be able to stick with the big team this year. Vassallo said, “At the end of the day, the NSFL is my end goal, it didn’t seem like it would be my time quite yet at the beginning of last season, but the excellent management at Myrtle Beach really gave me the tools needed to accelerate my development, I have a lot to be thankful for and I wish them all the best, their amazing development can be seen in how many top draft picks came out of the Beach.”
Looking Forward
The jury is out on the Baltimore Hawks this year, but consensus seems to be that the NSFC is the weaker conference and Baltimore could be in position to make the playoffs. BaconBrother’s Season Prediction has the Hawks in 2nd place, he was quoted as saying, “Some might be surprised to see Baltimore here, others might feel that everything after the Wraiths in this conference is a crap shoot so they do not care who is put in what order. I see that even with the Hawks having older players that are going through some regression, they will still have enough talent to take second place here. There are three things which I feel validate this opinion. The first is that the Hawks have the most important position in football, the quarterback, locked up and ready to go. Corvo Havran has won the quarterback of the year award two years in a row (although he had to share it this year) and he still a few seasons from regression. This means that he is in his prime and will easily carry the Hawks through any rough patches they might have through the season. The second reason is that honestly I feel Baltimore got pretty well fucked over by the sim last season. I know that it happens to all the teams, but the Hawks talent level was a lot more than their 6-7 record suggests. Lots of games where they were clear favorites and in seasons past, they would have won those games. The sim gives and it takes, and I feel that next season it will give back to the Hawks. The third reason is that honestly, the rest of the conference is not really full of true powerhouse teams, outside of the Wraiths. With much more parity and weaker teams in their conference, compared to the ASFC, I feel that gives them an advantage. I also want to mention that their defense is young in many positions and with Dorfus Jimbo switching over to defense, I feel it will help them a lot next season.”, this rating was done prior to the draft, could Vassallo be the missing piece to flip that 6-7 record from last year.
Is it possible for a team to win a draft with only one pick? If you ask Stevie Vassallo the answer is yes, after moving up in the draft, Baltimore grabbed oft-projected first round pick Stevie Vassallo with the first pick of the 2nd round.
We caught up with Stevie and he had a lot to say when asked about slipping out of the first rounds, Stevie said, “I think this will drive me hard… I am going to have an offseason to remember and rip some QB heads off, all the teams who passed in the first round are going to regret that decision every time I put one of their players on the IR…”. When asked how he felt about the trade that landed him in Baltimore, Maryland, “I think it shows a lot of poise from the management staff, when a player of my caliber is still sitting on the board in the second round you need to have some big ol’ balls and pull the trigger, and to the people who are saying they gave up too much, they clearly haven’t been watching me play.” We also asked him what he thinks about the Hawks current lineup, “I managed to have a conversation with coach after the draft, and he has high hopes to get me into the lineup this season, he’s given me a few things to work on over the off-season and I have every intention of coming in and making some noise”.
Pre-draft buzz on Vassallo seemed to see him as a potential first round pick, ddrectors analysis spoke quite highly on the DE, saying, “Stevie Vassallo is a new power rushing defensive end currently playing for Myrtle Beach in the DSFL. He is currently sitting at around 150 TPE and has remained active since creation. As one of only two defensive ends in this draft he is probably going to be a hot commodity due to position scarcity. Vassallo had a knack for getting to the quarterback while playing at UCLA where he recorded 20 sacks in his sophomore season. He had a productive season in Dirty Myrtle with 3 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Those tackle for loss numbers are especially impressive to me. Vassallo seems like a JJ Watt type of defensive end that will help equally in pass defense and run defense.” Vassallo also impressed at the combine with combine commentator 37thchamber, saying “Another mini-duel here, between Vassallo and Kearse. Bjornsson not miles behind them. The less said about Jon Adams, the better, though. Let’s talk about those top two guys for a second. Vassallo looks to be the superior athlete, his vert and broad jump showing great explosiveness, and his shuttle and 3-cone showing good agility, which typically translates to shedding blockers in order to reach the backfield. Kearse, though, is faster -- admittedly not by a lot, but the margins at this level are extra fine -- as well as possessing more raw strength, and seems a bit sharper mentally. In a sport where recognising a play call and reacting fractions of a second quicker could be the difference between a sack or QB hit and conceding a 20 yard pass play… there’s a case to be made that Kearse is the better option. It all comes down to what you think you can coach better. Can you teach Vassallo to read the offense? Can you improve Kearse’s measurables? Maybe you want a bit more of a project player and go for Bjornsson, who is as smart as Kearse, but needs a bit more work in terms of athleticism. All solid options for the next level, though.”
Kearse
Vassallo was asked to comment about Kearse going ahead of him in the draft to which he said, "I think I'm the better DE, and I'll prove it, Kearse had no business going in the first round." Kearse was quick to respond, "Well considering the "draft experts" didn't know anything about me I can see why Vassallo might think that. But in the end he's just a bitter man. I'm the better DE and landed on the better team. We were similar in stats so that means it was something else that separated us. Maybe he should look inward before spouting off because he's insecure as a player. Time will tell who's better at the end of the day, and I'll be working my ass off to make sure it's me."
Taco MacArthur
Baltimore Hawks GM, Taco MacArthur had great things to say about his new DE. "We're really excited to have been able to make a trade up in the draft. The fact that this talented defense end was still available just blows us away. After several conversations with him we are certain he should have been a first round pick. I know the draft commentators said we were robbed by iamslm22 and Philly, but honestly we'd be wanting to get rid of Hobbs now we have Vassallo and a few Mill in cap space isn't a big deal. Have the privileged to start three active players on the defense line is going to really give our defense a boost for this up coming season. As I understand Libertines is active in several sim leagues, and I am certain we will stay active with us here too. He has roughly the same tpe build and amount that our rookie Fabricio Baldari had last season, and Baldari finished the season with the best stats of all rookies defense linemen. So we have really high hopes for what Vassallo will do his rookie season too."
Vassallo also had great things to say about his new GM, “Taco MacArthur is a great guy, and he clearly has a great eye for talent, when I see what this team has done with Baldari, it makes me extremely excited about my prospects, I can really see myself as potentially a career Baltimore Hawk, I know it’s a bit early for that kind of talk but with this young core of players starting to replace some of the vets, this team really has the potential to do some massive damage over the next few seasons. Taco is showing that he is a GM that isn’t afraid to make some controversial moves, and that he really doesn’t care what his critics think, and I respect that.”
The Trade
MacArthur took some heat for this trade in the draft coverage, with commentator, quoted as saying “Baltimore Got Robbed, Baltimore was bad last year, and they gave up a player and 2.5M Cap Space…. No”, “That’s Straight Up Highway Robbery”, “Who are you possibly thinking at 11 that’s worth that.”. Although seeing the pick was Vassallo, was enough to ease the pain for some. “He’s going to be a super solid guy to have in your corner. I get it, I have full faith in Libertines.”.
The commentary online didn’t have great things to say about the job the Hawks did in this draft either, roastfuego’s too soon draft analysis said, “Baltimore only had one pick in the draft, and they traded a lot away for the selection. At the end of the day, I do not believe that the selection was worth what was paid up. The Hawks did acquire a great talent, but at what cost?”, when asked for his thoughts Baltimore GM Taco MacArthur, said “Thats a tad harsh with zero real analysis of the trade. just more anti Baltimore propaganda.”, Vassallo had a similar reaction, saying, “Too soon is a good title for this article, they really let any bozo become a sports writer these days”.
The trade broke down as follows…
BAL S19 R2 P17 (QB – Avon Blocksdale Jr. – Tijuana Luchadores – 209 TPE)
BAL S20 R2 (To Be Determined)
2.5M S19 Cap Space
DT Jaylin Hobbs (174 TPE, S11 Regression)
For
PHI S19 E2 P11 (DE – Stevie Vassallo – Myrtle Beach Buccaneers – 151 TPE)
When asked about the trade Philadelphia Liberty GM Iam Essellemm, said "Obviously due to having to pick Avon with a 2nd round pick - we really were looking to trade down. Stevie Vassallo is an incredible player - but for us it was a win win. We were taking Avon, we got an extra draft pick AND we got a draft pick - all for getting the same player. Have to do that trade 10 times out of 10."
Hallmonitor
Stevie was a fan favorite for the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers his stat line included a rookie leading 15 TFL, also 39 tackles, 3 sacks, in 14 games played. Myrtle Beach GM Hallmonitor had great things to say about his defensive end and his quiet leadership in the dressing room. “Stevie was a machine coming off the edge. He was on top of the leaderboards for TFLs and was a destructive force to opposing running games. Off the field he was exactly the leader you want in the Locker Room who maybe didn’t always talk but when he did everyone listened. Stevie was exactly the player you'd build a defense around and I'm glad I got the chance to coach him and can’t wait to see his career grow in the future.”.
Baldari
Stevie will be joining a young and dangerous Baltimore line which already includes the feared Fabricio Baldari, I was told to save Baldari for late and then record what he said, mostly to ask him later what he means. I was also told not to eat anything or drink anything he gave me but to accept the thing and to throw it away later. I was also told under no circumstances should I go to his warehouse on the docks or accept any invitation to go back to his warehouse.
"I heard that you were replacing Hobbs, that you think that you're placing me as the next hot rookie defensive end that no one wanted and has a huge chip on his shoulder because of a perceived and probably imagined lack of value by the other Gm's in the league.
YOU THINK YOU CAN REPLACE ME? I didn't hear you say anything but I'm going to assume you said yes. That's a good attitude and/or the one you should take. You won't replace me as the next hot rookie defensive end that no one wanted and has a huge chip on his shoulder because of a perceived and probably imagined lack of value by the other Gm's in the league because I'm not a rookie anymore. Work the boss's system and follow what everyone on the team says and you'll do great in the league. We've got a great line and I can't wait to see what you'll do. Now here's what I want you to remember, I grew up in a poor city and our football team never had a weight room or any budget for practice, in 65 years we've never missed the playoffs and we've sent 230 kids to college. This is what my coach and every coach have told the team at the start of the year and I think it'll be what you need to be rookie of the year. Boys you are not blessed to be raised in a land of plenty and prosperity. You are indeed blessed to live in a land of hard men and harder women.
What you see behind me is a concrete wall, what you see behind you is an empty field. We will plant that field with your flesh, we will fertilize it with your blood, and we will water it with your sweat and with your tears. Look at the wall behind me. In the 65 years we have gone to the state football playoffs it and the field behind you is all we've ever known. We do not raise cowards, do not turn from the wall or you will be cast out. We will work our bodies against the wall but we will also work our minds and our hearts against the wall. We do not raise cowards, do not turn away from your emotions, turn them against the wall. It will take your hate, it will take your fear, it will take your anxiety and it will take your doubt. Your parents will give you want you need to live, your city will give you what you need to succeed, but the wall will give you everything you can ever want in life. We do not raise cowards, one day the wall will defeat you, it will take your dreams and kill the joy in your heart. Do not turn away from the wall, you will struggle endlessly but the wall will always give more then it takes. Today you join a family of hard men raised by harder women. A family joined together from a struggle against the wall. You will find a wall everywhere you will travel, humans are like that. Stare at the wall, struggle at the wall, and you will never be alone. He broke into Grunts and roars after that so I hung up. If I disappear suddenly I would strongly suggest investigating to see if he ate me.
I can officially say that this league may not have any quarterbacks left at the end of the year with these two animals on the loose.
S19 Offseason
Stevie Vassallo (Libertines) has been a man on a mission this offseason, we haven’t even hit the pre-season and Vassallo has packed on 55 TPE, his focus has been increasing his speed and strength in preparation for the bigger faster players in the NSFL. Stevie Vassallo was quoted, “I’ve been working hard this off-season, hardly any of these NSFL teams even reached out to me before this draft and I’m now a man on a mission to show these suits what they passed on.”, he then quoted Calvin Coolidge “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Vassallo seems to be getting on well with Baldari and the rest of the D-Line, and it looks like he may just be able to stick with the big team this year. Vassallo said, “At the end of the day, the NSFL is my end goal, it didn’t seem like it would be my time quite yet at the beginning of last season, but the excellent management at Myrtle Beach really gave me the tools needed to accelerate my development, I have a lot to be thankful for and I wish them all the best, their amazing development can be seen in how many top draft picks came out of the Beach.”
Looking Forward
The jury is out on the Baltimore Hawks this year, but consensus seems to be that the NSFC is the weaker conference and Baltimore could be in position to make the playoffs. BaconBrother’s Season Prediction has the Hawks in 2nd place, he was quoted as saying, “Some might be surprised to see Baltimore here, others might feel that everything after the Wraiths in this conference is a crap shoot so they do not care who is put in what order. I see that even with the Hawks having older players that are going through some regression, they will still have enough talent to take second place here. There are three things which I feel validate this opinion. The first is that the Hawks have the most important position in football, the quarterback, locked up and ready to go. Corvo Havran has won the quarterback of the year award two years in a row (although he had to share it this year) and he still a few seasons from regression. This means that he is in his prime and will easily carry the Hawks through any rough patches they might have through the season. The second reason is that honestly I feel Baltimore got pretty well fucked over by the sim last season. I know that it happens to all the teams, but the Hawks talent level was a lot more than their 6-7 record suggests. Lots of games where they were clear favorites and in seasons past, they would have won those games. The sim gives and it takes, and I feel that next season it will give back to the Hawks. The third reason is that honestly, the rest of the conference is not really full of true powerhouse teams, outside of the Wraiths. With much more parity and weaker teams in their conference, compared to the ASFC, I feel that gives them an advantage. I also want to mention that their defense is young in many positions and with Dorfus Jimbo switching over to defense, I feel it will help them a lot next season.”, this rating was done prior to the draft, could Vassallo be the missing piece to flip that 6-7 record from last year.
![[Image: UCLA.png]](https://i.ibb.co/0crbT3x/UCLA.png)