Sean West: Sean West here with WKEM radio and we have special guest, DSFL break out star of the Portland Pythons, Mark Grau! Hey Mark thanks for joining us to discuss your thoughts on the season, the draft, and anything that might come to mind.
Mark Grau: Thanks Sean, it's great to be here on the show.
SW: So let's talk about your season with the Pythons. You entered the DSFL a bit late in the season, with week three of the pre-season being your first game. What was the hold-up?
MG: To be completely honest it was a matter of deciding whether I wanted to continue my football career.
SW: Can you expand upon that?
MG: Sure, I just had a lot of things physically and mentally I was dealing with and my heart wasn't in football at the time. I spent a lot of time thinking about my future and whether I was cut out for being a professional player. I took the time to stay in shape and work on route running and my reliability of my hands and I realized that I couldn't pass up an opportunity to play professionally, I broke out of my funk and entered the DSFL.
SW: Is this something that you've fully worked through or do you forsee any chance that you could drop out of the NSFL if these feelings hit again?
MG: I'm confident the funk is over. There was nothing more thrilling than playing in the DSFL this year and eventually in the NSFL. I'm out to make a name for myself and I think my play this year spoke volumes about my commitment to the sport.
SW: That's good to hear, so how did you feel during the season? How do you feel about your play and the outcome of the season - losing in the first round as a first seed?
MG: Well it was quite an interesting experience. I ended up on such an incredible team to be honest. PDX and PFTN were excellent mentors and they eased me into the game plan each week and helped me build my confidence. The first few weeks we were very run heavy and that helped me get used to the speed of the game, and by the end of the year I was in contention for most touch downs and had good volume statistics on a run first team. I feel good about the upcoming season and look forward to the draft.
SW: Speaking of the draft, many of the mocks have you going to Orange County Otters, how are you feeling about that?
MG: Well the Otters are the 3 time reigning champions. It would be exciting to play for such a successful team. I have had great talks with their staff and feel that they would be a great fit for me if that's where I ended up.
SW: Any other teams you've had interest in or that have had interest in you?
MG: I've heard from a number of teams, but as for where I would like to go? I feel that I would be a marquee player on any team with the ability to help turn any franchise around or give them the edge they need to with the Ultimus.
SW: *laughing* Very diplomatic answer there, you've been coached well. So you have been vocal about wanting to stay in the DSFL for another year after being drafted, why is that?
MG: Well the Portland organization has been incredible to me. I feel that we have unfinished business still and I want to further my craft before moving up to the incredible talent of the NSFL.
SW: Very well thought out. Well it looks like we're running low on time, any words you'd like to leave us with?
MG: I just want people to see the hard work that I'm putting into being the best. There are some great receivers in the DSFL and Miller is such an incredible prospect coming out the same time as me, but I want to be THE guy people talk about when top level wide receiver play. Thanks for having me on Sean, it was a great time.
SW: Thanks Mark! For those who tuned in late that was Mark Grau, Portland's star receiver who will be entering the draft this year. We'll be right back after a commercial break.
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Mark Grau: Thanks Sean, it's great to be here on the show.
SW: So let's talk about your season with the Pythons. You entered the DSFL a bit late in the season, with week three of the pre-season being your first game. What was the hold-up?
MG: To be completely honest it was a matter of deciding whether I wanted to continue my football career.
SW: Can you expand upon that?
MG: Sure, I just had a lot of things physically and mentally I was dealing with and my heart wasn't in football at the time. I spent a lot of time thinking about my future and whether I was cut out for being a professional player. I took the time to stay in shape and work on route running and my reliability of my hands and I realized that I couldn't pass up an opportunity to play professionally, I broke out of my funk and entered the DSFL.
SW: Is this something that you've fully worked through or do you forsee any chance that you could drop out of the NSFL if these feelings hit again?
MG: I'm confident the funk is over. There was nothing more thrilling than playing in the DSFL this year and eventually in the NSFL. I'm out to make a name for myself and I think my play this year spoke volumes about my commitment to the sport.
SW: That's good to hear, so how did you feel during the season? How do you feel about your play and the outcome of the season - losing in the first round as a first seed?
MG: Well it was quite an interesting experience. I ended up on such an incredible team to be honest. PDX and PFTN were excellent mentors and they eased me into the game plan each week and helped me build my confidence. The first few weeks we were very run heavy and that helped me get used to the speed of the game, and by the end of the year I was in contention for most touch downs and had good volume statistics on a run first team. I feel good about the upcoming season and look forward to the draft.
SW: Speaking of the draft, many of the mocks have you going to Orange County Otters, how are you feeling about that?
MG: Well the Otters are the 3 time reigning champions. It would be exciting to play for such a successful team. I have had great talks with their staff and feel that they would be a great fit for me if that's where I ended up.
SW: Any other teams you've had interest in or that have had interest in you?
MG: I've heard from a number of teams, but as for where I would like to go? I feel that I would be a marquee player on any team with the ability to help turn any franchise around or give them the edge they need to with the Ultimus.
SW: *laughing* Very diplomatic answer there, you've been coached well. So you have been vocal about wanting to stay in the DSFL for another year after being drafted, why is that?
MG: Well the Portland organization has been incredible to me. I feel that we have unfinished business still and I want to further my craft before moving up to the incredible talent of the NSFL.
SW: Very well thought out. Well it looks like we're running low on time, any words you'd like to leave us with?
MG: I just want people to see the hard work that I'm putting into being the best. There are some great receivers in the DSFL and Miller is such an incredible prospect coming out the same time as me, but I want to be THE guy people talk about when top level wide receiver play. Thanks for having me on Sean, it was a great time.
SW: Thanks Mark! For those who tuned in late that was Mark Grau, Portland's star receiver who will be entering the draft this year. We'll be right back after a commercial break.
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WR/RB | Portland Pythons | Colorado Yeti Star RB | Awards Committee Member