DENVER, COLORADO - Nicholas Pierno took the stand for media availability after Thursday’s practice session and the first question was straight to the point: “Do you have any comment on Darren Smallwood’s recent comments to the media about you and the Yeti organization?”
Pierno was honest.
“It was kind of surprising to hear about. Here’s a guy I’ve never spoken to in my entire life, and completely unprovoked—nobody even asked him about me—goes off. Kind of crazy to think a grown man is thinking about me in his free time. What did he say again?”
Johnny Journo from the Denver Post raised his hand, “I have it right here.”
He continued: “Pierno is a sucky QB. When the team gave up a lot to Yellowknife for the mobile QB, I said they should have opted for Christian Adams instead. The argument fired back was that Pierno was a harder worker, Pierno was training more and that Adams, despite having the option to get the job, never did. Ok, fine but here’s the thing, take it from an expert, training means squat if you’re not built to play in this league.”
Jounro added, “When another reporter asked if he thought (Pierno) should retire, Smallwood concurred.”
Pierno responded, “Wow, he went on that whole tangent out of the blue? I guess I should be flattered he’s thinking about me so much.”
The reporters in the crowd chuckled.
William Writer, the Yeti beat reporter for ESPN.com, raised his hand and asked, “Does Smallwood’s comments motivate you at all? Perhaps to prove him wrong?”
“I suppose so,” Pierno responded. “I’m a guy that’s always played with a chip on my shoulder, though. I’m going to let my play this season speak for itself.
He quickly added: “You could say I have weeks four and eight circled on my calendar, though. He says a mobile quarterback can’t succeed in the league? I’m eager to see his team’s defense try and slow me down.”
Johnny Journo raised his hand again: “Is there a rivalry between you and Smallwood now?”
Pierno didn’t have to take time to think about his answer.
“No way. Once I leave this press conference, he’s not going to be on my mind anymore. I don’t spend my free time thinking about people I’ve never even met, let alone even texted or communicated with in any way. If he’s going to allow thoughts of me to occupy his mind, that’s his choice.”
Writer added in, “Smallwood said he guaranteed Las Vegas quarterback Borkus Maximus would have a better year than you—any thoughts?”
“Honestly, I want to see Maximus succeed—he had a rough debut, but I’m confident he’ll bounce back. I know what it’s like to be thrown into a starting job as a rookie,” Pierno said. “I root for all the quarterbacks in this league, especially the younger guys. We’re all one brotherhood.”
Writer asked a follow-up, “So, who is going to have a better season?”
Pierno responded, “Every day my biggest competitor is the man in the mirror. Each day I strive to be better than I was the day before. I’m just focused on what I can do to improve myself.”
“Fair enough,” Writer responded.
“If that’s all for today, I’m going to head out to watch some film,” Pierno said. “I’m not really interested in talking about this topic again—I have bigger fish to fry and more important things to think about. I hope everyone has a safe drive home.”
585 words
Pierno was honest.
“It was kind of surprising to hear about. Here’s a guy I’ve never spoken to in my entire life, and completely unprovoked—nobody even asked him about me—goes off. Kind of crazy to think a grown man is thinking about me in his free time. What did he say again?”
Johnny Journo from the Denver Post raised his hand, “I have it right here.”
He continued: “Pierno is a sucky QB. When the team gave up a lot to Yellowknife for the mobile QB, I said they should have opted for Christian Adams instead. The argument fired back was that Pierno was a harder worker, Pierno was training more and that Adams, despite having the option to get the job, never did. Ok, fine but here’s the thing, take it from an expert, training means squat if you’re not built to play in this league.”
Jounro added, “When another reporter asked if he thought (Pierno) should retire, Smallwood concurred.”
Pierno responded, “Wow, he went on that whole tangent out of the blue? I guess I should be flattered he’s thinking about me so much.”
The reporters in the crowd chuckled.
William Writer, the Yeti beat reporter for ESPN.com, raised his hand and asked, “Does Smallwood’s comments motivate you at all? Perhaps to prove him wrong?”
“I suppose so,” Pierno responded. “I’m a guy that’s always played with a chip on my shoulder, though. I’m going to let my play this season speak for itself.
He quickly added: “You could say I have weeks four and eight circled on my calendar, though. He says a mobile quarterback can’t succeed in the league? I’m eager to see his team’s defense try and slow me down.”
Johnny Journo raised his hand again: “Is there a rivalry between you and Smallwood now?”
Pierno didn’t have to take time to think about his answer.
“No way. Once I leave this press conference, he’s not going to be on my mind anymore. I don’t spend my free time thinking about people I’ve never even met, let alone even texted or communicated with in any way. If he’s going to allow thoughts of me to occupy his mind, that’s his choice.”
Writer added in, “Smallwood said he guaranteed Las Vegas quarterback Borkus Maximus would have a better year than you—any thoughts?”
“Honestly, I want to see Maximus succeed—he had a rough debut, but I’m confident he’ll bounce back. I know what it’s like to be thrown into a starting job as a rookie,” Pierno said. “I root for all the quarterbacks in this league, especially the younger guys. We’re all one brotherhood.”
Writer asked a follow-up, “So, who is going to have a better season?”
Pierno responded, “Every day my biggest competitor is the man in the mirror. Each day I strive to be better than I was the day before. I’m just focused on what I can do to improve myself.”
“Fair enough,” Writer responded.
“If that’s all for today, I’m going to head out to watch some film,” Pierno said. “I’m not really interested in talking about this topic again—I have bigger fish to fry and more important things to think about. I hope everyone has a safe drive home.”
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[div align=center][SELECT style="background-color:white; color:Black; font-family:Arial; font-size: 12px; width: 400px; "][br][OPTION]Nicholas Pierno || QB || Colorado Yeti || S3 45th Pick || 448 TPE
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 180
[OPTION]Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
[OPTION]Number: 6
[OPTION]College: N.C. State
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Passing Stats
[OPTION]S3: 2,209 YDS, 8 TD, 35 INT, 35.3 RTG
[OPTION]S4: 2,466 YDS, 7 TD, 25 INT, 50.8 RTG
[OPTION]S5: 1,957 YDS, 4 TD, 19 INT, 55.0 RTG
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Rushing Stats
[OPTION]S3: 78 YDS, 0 TD
[OPTION]S4: 113 YDS, 0 TD
[OPTION]S5: 348 YDS, 1 TD
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Trophy Case/Achievements:
[OPTION]COL record for passing yards in a game: 346
[OPTION]COL record for longest run: 27
[OPTION]COL record for completion % in a season: 58
[OPTION]COL record for longest pass: 48
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Transactions
[OPTION]S3 NSFL 45th pick by YNW
[OPTION]S3 Signed for 3+1 year deal for $11,500,000
[OPTION]S3 DSFL 2nd pick by KC
[OPTION]S3 Traded to COL
[OPTION]S5 Signed 3-year, $17,000,000 extension
[OPTION]===========================================
[SELECT]
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 180
[OPTION]Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
[OPTION]Number: 6
[OPTION]College: N.C. State
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Passing Stats
[OPTION]S3: 2,209 YDS, 8 TD, 35 INT, 35.3 RTG
[OPTION]S4: 2,466 YDS, 7 TD, 25 INT, 50.8 RTG
[OPTION]S5: 1,957 YDS, 4 TD, 19 INT, 55.0 RTG
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Rushing Stats
[OPTION]S3: 78 YDS, 0 TD
[OPTION]S4: 113 YDS, 0 TD
[OPTION]S5: 348 YDS, 1 TD
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Trophy Case/Achievements:
[OPTION]COL record for passing yards in a game: 346
[OPTION]COL record for longest run: 27
[OPTION]COL record for completion % in a season: 58
[OPTION]COL record for longest pass: 48
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Transactions
[OPTION]S3 NSFL 45th pick by YNW
[OPTION]S3 Signed for 3+1 year deal for $11,500,000
[OPTION]S3 DSFL 2nd pick by KC
[OPTION]S3 Traded to COL
[OPTION]S5 Signed 3-year, $17,000,000 extension
[OPTION]===========================================
[SELECT]