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+---- Thread: *Cause for Concern (/showthread.php?tid=36280)
*Cause for Concern - woelkers - 11-23-2021
A refreshing performance in which Cedric Wilkins II took a punt return to the house in Orange County appears not to have been enough to turn the tides in his favor, as reports are surfacing that the Philadelphia Liberty organization has officially begun to shop the rookie cornerback. Despite his unusual behavior since joining the team, this news comes as a bit of a shock, as Wilkins seems to have been developing into exactly the type of playmaker the team was hoping to have for the nickelback position, and currently leads all cornerbacks in sacks on the season.
Wilkins, addressing the press early in the week following the team’s loss to the Arizona Outlaws, seemed hesitant to speak on the situation, but eventually made his position clear, “I’m going to keep giving my all here until they tell me otherwise, you know? I’m not happy with the situation, I would never have scripted things like this, but I just have to keep showing what I can do. Either I stay here, or I don’t, I can’t really control that, I only control me”. Wilkins, asked about what he thinks led to this decision, said, “I obviously ain’t been a perfect player. My game tape ain’t great, my approach to this game ain’t the same as the team’s, I get why they made the call. Now I just have to do what I can to keep playing the game, keep providing for my people”.
Wilkins then addressed his recent altercation with quarterback Ryan Negs, “I made a mistake. I let my emotions get the best of me, I don’t deny that. There was still some heat in Orange County, I gave him hell once I scored…I can’t explain that lack of control. I’m working at correcting that. I’ve apologized to Ryan; I’ll apologize again here…that shit ain’t me. I’m a lover, I love this game, I love my people, and even if we ain’t always agree, my teammates are some of my people”. Wilkins further stated, “I get the frustration around the locker room, trust me, I do. But even if I get shipped, I’m going to make sure I ain’t leave this team on bad terms with anybody”.
Wilkins then proceeded to grab his helmet, and jogged onto the practice field, creating a tension that couldn’t be cut with a chainsaw. The gathered reporters almost universally held their breath, watching intently to see how the rookie would be received by his colleagues, especially with the threat of a trade looming. To the surprise of most, Xavier Walls, formerly one of Wilkins’ lead critics, appeared to welcome him warmly; later confronted about their exchange, Walls reportedly stated, “Once I hit the turf, the drama dies; I don’t bring that stuff into the huddle”.
The front office staff declined to comment on their expectations for a Wilkins trade, nor did Wilkins have a response to inquiries about his value. Similarly, neither side acknowledged concerns about his contract, set to expire at season’s end. “I’m a member of this team until they tell me I’m not,” Wilkins reiterated, “Anybody who likes the look of me, they can make whatever offer they feel comfortable with, but until then, I’m playing like I belong here”.