(07-29-2017, 06:35 PM)RedCydranth Wrote:Hype is a strong thing to have in a player. Many players going into this years draft have ridden the hype train all the way to the bank. No greater example is that of the formidable Blaster Blade. He showed up out of know where one day and exploded into our living rooms. NSFLN played his interviews on loop all week leading up to the draft. Everyone knew he'd be a top 5 pick. Come draft day, the hype y train for Blaster Blade stopped in Colorado. The Yeti acquired the monstrous DE seconds overall and made him one of the teams focal point for this season defensive scheme.

But part of being a hyped player is living up to that hype. There was no question that Blaster's work ethic would be nothing short of that of an ox in an old fashioned grain mill. But how would all that work out on the field? Preseason gives us the chance to follow up on the hype that is Blaster.

Week one of the Preseason found Blaster and the Colorado Yeti in the frozen north, taking on the Yellowknife Wraiths. While most of the fans up there came out to see how Wraith rookies like Dermot Lavelle, Kevin Cushing and Bork Bjornsson did in their home opener, some fans of the Yeti showed up to watch Blaster. However the trip was wasted as he didn't even make it into the stat sheet. For a short while there was speculation of whether Blaster was holding out, lazy or potentially injured. Yeti personnel remained silent.

Week two came and Colorado was home and hosting the Arizona Outlaws. Rumors swirled about whether Blaster was going to suit up or not, and when the team came out in the field a collective sigh was breathers when they saw the big defensive end rumble out of the tunnel, throwing his hands up in the air causing the fans to work up into a hysteria. On the field, he made his presence felt. He netted four tackles and a sack. The crown was elated to see their top pick lay out the Quarterback for the first time.

All that week it was the polar opposite of the one prior. Newspapers cheered that Blade was the face of the defense and that he's only going to get better as time goes on. Despite being 0-2, the team was pleased with what they saw out of their rookie. Staying at home, this time they faced the expansion Las Vegas Legion. Blaster exploited their sieve of a defense and took down a whopping three times way their first victory. Three sacks in one game from the rookie solidified that this guy is legit and the hype train in Colorado is rolling along.

The final week, the Orange County Otters came into town. The stadium was packed, even though it was the final week of preseason. Orange County always draws a crowd. Blaster saw the opportunity to make his presence felt yet again. This time he tallied six tackles, three of which came for a loss and he added a sack onto his already impressive numbers.

Overall, even though he only played in 3 games he outplayed every other Defensive End drafted in this year's draft. If that's not an exciting player to follow going into this second season, I don't know what is. Blaster is most certainly on the radar for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

574 Words

@Blaster

(07-30-2017, 07:03 AM)Lainncli Wrote:Blaster Blade. Name like that, you better be doing something exciting - And it looks like, this season, he might just be. Picked up early last season off waivers by Arizona, Blade's NSFL debut might've turned some heads. Three tackles, two for loss, a sack and a forced fumble looked to be a solid addition to the Outlaws defence. However, there had obviously been no great impression made on the team's GMs. Blade oscillated between first and second string, at times appearing to have breakout performances before fading back into the shadows. Although his side laid claim to the Ultimus Trophy, Blade was anonymous with only one tackle to show in the final.

It's no surprise he came to Colorado with something to prove, having been taken second overall in the draft after his waiver expired. Playing just three pre-season games, Blade produced five sacks - including an intimate introduction for new boys Las Vegas. Interviewed after the game, GM InciteHysteria stater Blade was "just eating" - And at three hundred and ten pounds, the lad can sure eat. A star player in the Yeti's new-look defence, Blaster Blade is a prime candidate to be setting the league alight this season.

@Blaster