Hi everyone. I’m picking up a concept that was done a couple of seasons ago by one of Minnesota’s best, Matt Krause. His concept was a rookie showcase, where every single week, he sat down with one of Minnesota’s new rookies and talked to them about the draft, football, and whatever else you could think of. I thought that this was genuinely such a great idea for the rest of the league to get to know the Grey Ducks rookie class and was sad when Krause got called up. So, without further ado, let me present to you our first rookie to be interviewed. Cleg Manclaw is a 6’5” TE out of East Carolina University, and one of the most intriguing young players in the Minnesota locker room.
Cleg, it’s great to have you here today with us. I understand you guys just got done with preseason. How were the games for you?
You know even though we went 1-3 in the preseason, the games felt great. I feel like i contributed greatly to the team, especially in the run game. I loved smacking around the other team.
Great. Let’s take a few steps back and actually talk about the draft a little bit. I understand that you were quite well known in college football, putting up almost 700 yard in your final season at ECU. That type of production should’ve shot you to the top of many draft boards. My question is: how is it that you fell all the way to the 7th round in the DSFL draft?
I think I fell so far due to my skill set. Not everyone in today's game is looking for a big blocking tight end. They're looking for those guys who will make big flashy plays, but that's just not my style. I like strong hard nose footbal just running the ball right up the gut. While I had a great final season at ECU, I'm glad I was drafted where I was.
Well, I’m incredibly glad that the Ducks were able to get you at such a steal, and I think you’ll be able to show everyone else what they missed out on by not drafting you. But somewhat in line with the previous question, how did you feel on draft night, both leading up to it and the moment when you got selected?
I was incredibly anxious on draft night to be honest. I didn't have to wait as long as some guys out there but I was actually taken aback when I heard my name get called. I had a great experience with the Duck's scouts and they were a team I was hoping would draft me. After I was selected I was elated, I can't wait to get on the field in the regular season.
Couldn’t have expressed it better myself. Well, coming out of college, you were known more as a blocker than a receiver. Do you expect to be used primarily as a blocker in the DSFL, or would you like to maybe pivot more to a receiving type role? Is that the type of role you want to continue to play throughout your entire career?
I want to be where I am utilized best, whether it be blocking or catching. I caught a few passes in the preseason and I hope to expand my role further in the passing game but I feel like blocking is my bread and butter. Pancaking guys on the field is the best feeling in the world.
Looking forward to your first year as a TE in the DSFL, there has been some uncertainty surrounding the ability of the Grey Ducks to perform, largely due to the fact that many veterans departed last season. What do you personally expect to see from your team and more importantly, what are your expectations for yourself?
I think we have the ability to go all the way and win it all. The Ducks have a stellar defense and an amazing one two punch at running back. Some expectations for myself of course is to be the best tight end in the DSFL. I want to prove to everybody that I can perform at a high level and be an asset to help my team win games.
Well, no matter what, I fully expect to be pleasantly surprised by both the Ducks and you. Now that the draft has been over for a while and you’ve had a chance to really get to know some of the guys in your draft class as well as the guys in Minnesota’s LR, what are your impressions so far about the guys and the GMs? Is there anything specifically that you really like or maybe rubs you the wrong way? Would you recommend the Grey Ducks to your past self if you could time travel?
You know I have not heard much about other locker rooms, but I have heard the Grey Ducks locker room is the best. We still have vets who come back to just hang out there everyone has been great. My GM's are both extremely helpful too all of the rookies that were drafted. I have made a lot of friends already in my short time in the league. There is nothing that rubs me the wrong way while I am in the locker room thankfully. If I could time travel I would most certainly tell my past self about this amazing league and the Grey Ducks.
Perfect. Cleg, thank you so much for spending time with me here today, and I’m incredibly excited to see how you perform in this upcoming season. Before I let you back into the locker room, is there anything that you would like to tell the families, friends, coaches, and GMs that are likely reading this interview?
Yeah I just want to say that if you are watching the games tonight, look out for my name. You will most certainly see me involved in every single play on offense, whether it be catching the ball or smashing a defensive end. If any ISFL GM's read this, consider drafting me when my name comes up, you will not be disappointed. Thank you for your time!
Folks, that’s a wrap for this week’s rookie showcase. Thank you Cleg once again for taking the time to do this interview with me and I wish you all the luck in the upcoming season. Stay tuned in later seasons to get to know some more of our great rookie class.
Graders please split 50/50 between 24redcrayons and cynoblaze
Cleg, it’s great to have you here today with us. I understand you guys just got done with preseason. How were the games for you?
You know even though we went 1-3 in the preseason, the games felt great. I feel like i contributed greatly to the team, especially in the run game. I loved smacking around the other team.
Great. Let’s take a few steps back and actually talk about the draft a little bit. I understand that you were quite well known in college football, putting up almost 700 yard in your final season at ECU. That type of production should’ve shot you to the top of many draft boards. My question is: how is it that you fell all the way to the 7th round in the DSFL draft?
I think I fell so far due to my skill set. Not everyone in today's game is looking for a big blocking tight end. They're looking for those guys who will make big flashy plays, but that's just not my style. I like strong hard nose footbal just running the ball right up the gut. While I had a great final season at ECU, I'm glad I was drafted where I was.
Well, I’m incredibly glad that the Ducks were able to get you at such a steal, and I think you’ll be able to show everyone else what they missed out on by not drafting you. But somewhat in line with the previous question, how did you feel on draft night, both leading up to it and the moment when you got selected?
I was incredibly anxious on draft night to be honest. I didn't have to wait as long as some guys out there but I was actually taken aback when I heard my name get called. I had a great experience with the Duck's scouts and they were a team I was hoping would draft me. After I was selected I was elated, I can't wait to get on the field in the regular season.
Couldn’t have expressed it better myself. Well, coming out of college, you were known more as a blocker than a receiver. Do you expect to be used primarily as a blocker in the DSFL, or would you like to maybe pivot more to a receiving type role? Is that the type of role you want to continue to play throughout your entire career?
I want to be where I am utilized best, whether it be blocking or catching. I caught a few passes in the preseason and I hope to expand my role further in the passing game but I feel like blocking is my bread and butter. Pancaking guys on the field is the best feeling in the world.
Looking forward to your first year as a TE in the DSFL, there has been some uncertainty surrounding the ability of the Grey Ducks to perform, largely due to the fact that many veterans departed last season. What do you personally expect to see from your team and more importantly, what are your expectations for yourself?
I think we have the ability to go all the way and win it all. The Ducks have a stellar defense and an amazing one two punch at running back. Some expectations for myself of course is to be the best tight end in the DSFL. I want to prove to everybody that I can perform at a high level and be an asset to help my team win games.
Well, no matter what, I fully expect to be pleasantly surprised by both the Ducks and you. Now that the draft has been over for a while and you’ve had a chance to really get to know some of the guys in your draft class as well as the guys in Minnesota’s LR, what are your impressions so far about the guys and the GMs? Is there anything specifically that you really like or maybe rubs you the wrong way? Would you recommend the Grey Ducks to your past self if you could time travel?
You know I have not heard much about other locker rooms, but I have heard the Grey Ducks locker room is the best. We still have vets who come back to just hang out there everyone has been great. My GM's are both extremely helpful too all of the rookies that were drafted. I have made a lot of friends already in my short time in the league. There is nothing that rubs me the wrong way while I am in the locker room thankfully. If I could time travel I would most certainly tell my past self about this amazing league and the Grey Ducks.
Perfect. Cleg, thank you so much for spending time with me here today, and I’m incredibly excited to see how you perform in this upcoming season. Before I let you back into the locker room, is there anything that you would like to tell the families, friends, coaches, and GMs that are likely reading this interview?
Yeah I just want to say that if you are watching the games tonight, look out for my name. You will most certainly see me involved in every single play on offense, whether it be catching the ball or smashing a defensive end. If any ISFL GM's read this, consider drafting me when my name comes up, you will not be disappointed. Thank you for your time!
Folks, that’s a wrap for this week’s rookie showcase. Thank you Cleg once again for taking the time to do this interview with me and I wish you all the luck in the upcoming season. Stay tuned in later seasons to get to know some more of our great rookie class.
Graders please split 50/50 between 24redcrayons and cynoblaze
![[Image: Cleg_Manclaw_Signature.jpg]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/741672705954414672/759515446117531718/Cleg_Manclaw_Signature.jpg)
