(1.5x please)
Ladies and gentleman, welcome again to ESPNSFL. My name is Zerin Nandrews and this is episode number 16 of our “Thoroughfare to Glory” (TTG) saga, bringing you the life of Season 18 QB, the “Portuguese Phenom”, Jay “Football” Cue.
The time has finally come. Jay Cue is 100% a member of the Arizona Outlaws and will be starting as their QB when the season returns. It has been a long time in the making for the Portuguese player, but how does he feel about his first game in the NSFL? What are the team expectations for this season?
And for the first time we traveled to Arizona to the Outlaws state of the art training facilities to catch up with Jay.
Dirk - So, Jay, how are you doing so far?
Jay - I have been great Dirk. Fortunately I am finally here to stay. I loved my time playing for Portland, but you have to understand, 3 seasons playing in the DSFL when all you want is to play in the big leagues since you arrived in the United States... It is a long long time.
Dirk - We can understand that definitely, but i guess you wanted to say your goodbyes to the Python fans in a different way.
Jay - I did yes. It was by far the worst of my 3 seasons there, when all everyone on the team wanted was to retain the Ultimini Trophy. We lost very important players coming into the season, we did our best to be able to replace them not only with quantity but especially with quality, but unfortunately it was not our year. Credit to the teams we faced, they also got better, but we lost a couple of very close games that if had gone the other way, the season would be completely different. But that is also how we grow as a human being and a player, so even though the season ended in a sour note by losing in the Conference Final, I became a better player because of it.
Dirk - Even it it was your worst season there team wise, you still got a very good season personally though...?
Jay - My numbers were pretty decent i guess, but when you look at the numbers a few years later and that does not come with a championship attached, the feeling is not great. But obviously I am proud of the numbers i leave behind in the DSFL, i think we can definitely say that I am one of the most prolific QB's that ever played there, and there have been quite a few already. But my eyes are now on setting records in the NSFL.
Dirk - How do you feel your first season will go?
Jay - It will be a very hard season for me, no doubt about it. Being a "rookie" QB in a tough like like this requires a lot of changes on my game. Forget the opponents, even with your own team you have things to adjust! But so far practice has been great, I have quickly adjusted to the demands of the coaches, been studying a lot of film on opponents and getting our playbook into my head. It also helps that our former QB Andrew Reese is now the General Manager, so he is an active part of every practice, giving me some pointers and advice on how to get to the next level.
Dirk - You have big shoes to fill, that is a given.
Jay - I am fully aware of that. I feel that this season will show that I am up for it, Arizona made a big investment on my abilities drafting me in the Second Round of the Draft, so i am completely focused on repaying them with interest. Still, I will be playing against the best in the world in the defense, that are salivating for hitting the rookie QB and getting some pick sixes. Trust me, that is intimidating, but i knew it would happen eventually, so i am glad it is just a few days away.
Dirk - Have you looked into other QBs in the league?
Jay - I follow every QB in the NSFL very closely. Most of them are a level above myself, but the good thing is that I know that and my game will adjust to it. It is my first season here, my goal is to win the RotY award, so i will put up some decent numbers. Been working hard on my throwing power and accuracy, but also on my mobility to give opponents a few different things to think about.
Dirk - And regarding the Outlaws chances of making to the playoffs, how do you see them performing?
Jay - We are in a very though conference. The Orange County Otters look unbeatable, NOLA is getting better every season and looks like they are entering their prime years, the Copperheads are also moving up... It is going to be a very hard season for sure, some playoff spots might be decided on small details, where 1 game can get you in or leave you out of it... But nothing is certain until the games are played and we are here to do the best we can and create some surprises maybe.
Dirk - Well, we are definitely looking forward to finally see you play in the NSFL. We will be sure to come back once the season starts to have your input on playing for the Outlaws.
Jay - Thanks Dirk, come back any time.
And this is all the time we have for today, stay tuned for more interviews and information on our TTG. This was Zerin Nandrews, for ESPNSFL at the Arizona Outlaws training facility, goodbye, see you next time.
(971 words)
Ladies and gentleman, welcome again to ESPNSFL. My name is Zerin Nandrews and this is episode number 16 of our “Thoroughfare to Glory” (TTG) saga, bringing you the life of Season 18 QB, the “Portuguese Phenom”, Jay “Football” Cue.
The time has finally come. Jay Cue is 100% a member of the Arizona Outlaws and will be starting as their QB when the season returns. It has been a long time in the making for the Portuguese player, but how does he feel about his first game in the NSFL? What are the team expectations for this season?
And for the first time we traveled to Arizona to the Outlaws state of the art training facilities to catch up with Jay.
Dirk - So, Jay, how are you doing so far?
Jay - I have been great Dirk. Fortunately I am finally here to stay. I loved my time playing for Portland, but you have to understand, 3 seasons playing in the DSFL when all you want is to play in the big leagues since you arrived in the United States... It is a long long time.
Dirk - We can understand that definitely, but i guess you wanted to say your goodbyes to the Python fans in a different way.
Jay - I did yes. It was by far the worst of my 3 seasons there, when all everyone on the team wanted was to retain the Ultimini Trophy. We lost very important players coming into the season, we did our best to be able to replace them not only with quantity but especially with quality, but unfortunately it was not our year. Credit to the teams we faced, they also got better, but we lost a couple of very close games that if had gone the other way, the season would be completely different. But that is also how we grow as a human being and a player, so even though the season ended in a sour note by losing in the Conference Final, I became a better player because of it.
Dirk - Even it it was your worst season there team wise, you still got a very good season personally though...?
Jay - My numbers were pretty decent i guess, but when you look at the numbers a few years later and that does not come with a championship attached, the feeling is not great. But obviously I am proud of the numbers i leave behind in the DSFL, i think we can definitely say that I am one of the most prolific QB's that ever played there, and there have been quite a few already. But my eyes are now on setting records in the NSFL.
Dirk - How do you feel your first season will go?
Jay - It will be a very hard season for me, no doubt about it. Being a "rookie" QB in a tough like like this requires a lot of changes on my game. Forget the opponents, even with your own team you have things to adjust! But so far practice has been great, I have quickly adjusted to the demands of the coaches, been studying a lot of film on opponents and getting our playbook into my head. It also helps that our former QB Andrew Reese is now the General Manager, so he is an active part of every practice, giving me some pointers and advice on how to get to the next level.
Dirk - You have big shoes to fill, that is a given.
Jay - I am fully aware of that. I feel that this season will show that I am up for it, Arizona made a big investment on my abilities drafting me in the Second Round of the Draft, so i am completely focused on repaying them with interest. Still, I will be playing against the best in the world in the defense, that are salivating for hitting the rookie QB and getting some pick sixes. Trust me, that is intimidating, but i knew it would happen eventually, so i am glad it is just a few days away.
Dirk - Have you looked into other QBs in the league?
Jay - I follow every QB in the NSFL very closely. Most of them are a level above myself, but the good thing is that I know that and my game will adjust to it. It is my first season here, my goal is to win the RotY award, so i will put up some decent numbers. Been working hard on my throwing power and accuracy, but also on my mobility to give opponents a few different things to think about.
Dirk - And regarding the Outlaws chances of making to the playoffs, how do you see them performing?
Jay - We are in a very though conference. The Orange County Otters look unbeatable, NOLA is getting better every season and looks like they are entering their prime years, the Copperheads are also moving up... It is going to be a very hard season for sure, some playoff spots might be decided on small details, where 1 game can get you in or leave you out of it... But nothing is certain until the games are played and we are here to do the best we can and create some surprises maybe.
Dirk - Well, we are definitely looking forward to finally see you play in the NSFL. We will be sure to come back once the season starts to have your input on playing for the Outlaws.
Jay - Thanks Dirk, come back any time.
And this is all the time we have for today, stay tuned for more interviews and information on our TTG. This was Zerin Nandrews, for ESPNSFL at the Arizona Outlaws training facility, goodbye, see you next time.
(971 words)