[div align=\\\"center\\\"]
The Impact of the Fox
[/div]
There are many rookies who have already made huge impacts on their team both in S1 before they were drafted and so far in this season. From the offensive linemen such as Gregor Clegane, Tim Pest and Vincent Sharpei to the new rookie filled defense of the Yellowknife Wraiths including Dermot Lavelle, Bork Bjornsson and Kevin Cushing among others, to offensive stars such as Darlane Farlane or Dustin Evans, the S2 rookie class has made a big impression on the NSFL right out of the gates. Looking at the brief for this article, one player stood out to me. What bigger impact could a rookie have on his team than drafting the players that made it up?
Fox North, the wide receiver taken 7th overall in the S2 draft looks to lead the Philadelphia Liberty from the field along with his agent and also co-GM Silver Fox, who will be running things behind the scenes.
We talked with both Fox and Silver to analyse both the effect they’d had on the Liberty so far and their role in the progression of the team going forward.
How do you feel about the Liberty's start to the season?
Silver Fox: “Well, obviously we were hoping for better, especially at our first home game, but it wasn't in the cards. It's looking like it'll take a season or two for the TPE gap to be surmountable. Still, I hope for some wins later this season as our guys pick off the low hanging stat fruit.”
Are you happy with your performances even though they did not result in a win for the team?
Fox North: “I was definitely happy with my performances, at least games 1 and 2. Seems to have tapered off a bit, especially against the Hawks at home, but I'm confident I'll rebound - definitely too many drops, but sometimes luck isn't on your side - I still have the best hands in the league. Just gotta show it next time. Vs the Otters in game 3, I swear I was across the line for a TD, but they put it on the 1 yard line and we couldn't get it across - that was very disappointing. Other than that, I've had quite a few nice catches and I just need to be a little more consistent there.”
What will you do to turn things around moving on in the season?
Fox North: “I definitely can't have those drops like I did game 3 and 4. I aspire to have every one of my games go like game 1 or 2, big yardage contributions and maybe a score or two.”
Silver Fox: “We're trying different strategies and run/pass percentages, but there's only so much you can do when the vast majority of our team are rookies. It's just gonna take time, but we're a tight-knit group and I have confidence we'll start showing up late this season and throughout S3 and S4.”
How did the Matt James drama affect the locker room, what was your role in resolving that?
Silver Fox: “There was a lot of shock at first that Matt James would hold out, but looking back at it we shouldn't have been so surprised. He didn't even show up to the locker room after being drafted like everyone else did, so that should have been a red flag. Anyway, after his agent drove Adam nuts I got handed the job of dealing with him, so I kept it civil while we explored trade options and eventually found a home for him on the Wraiths. Fox North was on the Wraiths prior to getting drafted to Liberty, and he thought highly of them, so I didn't feel bad sending Matt there. Bzerkap and I have a good working relationship, so we hammered out a trade and off he went.
As an aside, if any rookies read this prior to the draft, not responding to a GM's messages is not the same thing as telling them you don't want to play there. If I'd been able to fill the OL without trading him at the time, I would have considered letting him rot on the sidelines for a season just to prove a point, but as a young team we had needs that took priority.”
What are your goals for the season?
Fox North: “I want 1,200 yards and 8 or 9 TDs.”
Silver Fox: “I'd love to see the Liberty win 6 games, though at this point maybe 4 is more realistic, but more than that I just want to see us grow as a team. I was hopeful we could jump in and take out the SaberCats and Hawks right away, not to mention the Legion, but it looks like it could take a season to start making good on that. That's fine, we expected some growing pains. This time next season, I think we'll be a lot better off.”
Anything else you'd like to add?
Both: “Go Liberty!”
As one of the most electric rookies out there on offense it will be interesting to see how Fox North goes this season and if he can reach the goals he has set for himself.
Silver Fox has shown great leadership and management qualities so far as a new GM and it will take a little longer for us to see if his plan works out and the goals he has set can be reached. The foundation is there though and there seems to be a clear plan and vision for the team moving forward. If things pan out the way they could then the considerable work Silver has put in to this team will begin to be rewarded in seasons to come. Such is the way things work in sports management, it is not an instant change, and sometimes fans can be quick to forget that. So far Liberty fans seem to be happy with the progression shown and being from Philadelphia they might be more ready to “Trust the Process”.
Thanks for your great answers @Silver Fox
GRADED
The Impact of the Fox
[/div]
There are many rookies who have already made huge impacts on their team both in S1 before they were drafted and so far in this season. From the offensive linemen such as Gregor Clegane, Tim Pest and Vincent Sharpei to the new rookie filled defense of the Yellowknife Wraiths including Dermot Lavelle, Bork Bjornsson and Kevin Cushing among others, to offensive stars such as Darlane Farlane or Dustin Evans, the S2 rookie class has made a big impression on the NSFL right out of the gates. Looking at the brief for this article, one player stood out to me. What bigger impact could a rookie have on his team than drafting the players that made it up?
Fox North, the wide receiver taken 7th overall in the S2 draft looks to lead the Philadelphia Liberty from the field along with his agent and also co-GM Silver Fox, who will be running things behind the scenes.
We talked with both Fox and Silver to analyse both the effect they’d had on the Liberty so far and their role in the progression of the team going forward.
How do you feel about the Liberty's start to the season?
Silver Fox: “Well, obviously we were hoping for better, especially at our first home game, but it wasn't in the cards. It's looking like it'll take a season or two for the TPE gap to be surmountable. Still, I hope for some wins later this season as our guys pick off the low hanging stat fruit.”
Are you happy with your performances even though they did not result in a win for the team?
Fox North: “I was definitely happy with my performances, at least games 1 and 2. Seems to have tapered off a bit, especially against the Hawks at home, but I'm confident I'll rebound - definitely too many drops, but sometimes luck isn't on your side - I still have the best hands in the league. Just gotta show it next time. Vs the Otters in game 3, I swear I was across the line for a TD, but they put it on the 1 yard line and we couldn't get it across - that was very disappointing. Other than that, I've had quite a few nice catches and I just need to be a little more consistent there.”
What will you do to turn things around moving on in the season?
Fox North: “I definitely can't have those drops like I did game 3 and 4. I aspire to have every one of my games go like game 1 or 2, big yardage contributions and maybe a score or two.”
Silver Fox: “We're trying different strategies and run/pass percentages, but there's only so much you can do when the vast majority of our team are rookies. It's just gonna take time, but we're a tight-knit group and I have confidence we'll start showing up late this season and throughout S3 and S4.”
How did the Matt James drama affect the locker room, what was your role in resolving that?
Silver Fox: “There was a lot of shock at first that Matt James would hold out, but looking back at it we shouldn't have been so surprised. He didn't even show up to the locker room after being drafted like everyone else did, so that should have been a red flag. Anyway, after his agent drove Adam nuts I got handed the job of dealing with him, so I kept it civil while we explored trade options and eventually found a home for him on the Wraiths. Fox North was on the Wraiths prior to getting drafted to Liberty, and he thought highly of them, so I didn't feel bad sending Matt there. Bzerkap and I have a good working relationship, so we hammered out a trade and off he went.
As an aside, if any rookies read this prior to the draft, not responding to a GM's messages is not the same thing as telling them you don't want to play there. If I'd been able to fill the OL without trading him at the time, I would have considered letting him rot on the sidelines for a season just to prove a point, but as a young team we had needs that took priority.”
What are your goals for the season?
Fox North: “I want 1,200 yards and 8 or 9 TDs.”
Silver Fox: “I'd love to see the Liberty win 6 games, though at this point maybe 4 is more realistic, but more than that I just want to see us grow as a team. I was hopeful we could jump in and take out the SaberCats and Hawks right away, not to mention the Legion, but it looks like it could take a season to start making good on that. That's fine, we expected some growing pains. This time next season, I think we'll be a lot better off.”
Anything else you'd like to add?
Both: “Go Liberty!”
As one of the most electric rookies out there on offense it will be interesting to see how Fox North goes this season and if he can reach the goals he has set for himself.
Silver Fox has shown great leadership and management qualities so far as a new GM and it will take a little longer for us to see if his plan works out and the goals he has set can be reached. The foundation is there though and there seems to be a clear plan and vision for the team moving forward. If things pan out the way they could then the considerable work Silver has put in to this team will begin to be rewarded in seasons to come. Such is the way things work in sports management, it is not an instant change, and sometimes fans can be quick to forget that. So far Liberty fans seem to be happy with the progression shown and being from Philadelphia they might be more ready to “Trust the Process”.
Thanks for your great answers @Silver Fox
Code:
1012 words + 600k bonus + 850k NSFLN bonus = $2.462mil
GRADED
Donatello McTurtle || CB/OL #72 || Tijuana || New York || S33-S44
Ben Alexander-Arnold || CB/FB #66 || TIJ || AUS/NO || S24-S33
Ben Tu'inukuafe || OL/DE #61 || Tijuana || New Orleans || S15-S24
Tana Keïta || LB #53 || Tijuana Luchadores || NO/OCO || S10-S15
Ardie Savea || RB/TE #26 || New Orleans Second Line || S1 - S10
------------