SportsHype.Net sat down with Arizona Outlaws Defensive Tackle Andrew Reese and team General Manager Victoria Danvers moments ago. Surprisingly, Reese does look drastically slimmer than he did at the end of the previous season. In addition to the weight loss, he has also grown his hair out and let it revert back to its natural color, ditching the blond buzzcut for a thicker dark brown haircut…
If one didn’t know better, they might mistake him for an entirely different person.
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Sports Hype: Thank you both for sitting down with us. We’ve been told that you have a big announcement to make.
Victoria Danvers: We do and we’re very excited to talk about this. Andrew wanted to be here to personally deliver the news himself.
SH: Before we go any further, Andrew, I can’t help but point out the obvious. You’ve lost an incredible amount of weight. Is this related to your knee injury last season?
Andrew Reese: To be honest, it definitely is. And, if I may say so, it’s also directly related to the announcement we’re here to make today.
SH: How is the state of your knee?
AR: Better. We’re making day-to-day improvements, but these last few months have done me a lot of good.The good news is that surgery was not required, though I have been under the care of some great professionals. Miss Danvers even flew in a highly well-regarded specialist to ensure that there won’t be long-term damage from this last season. Unfortunately, the Defensive Lineman position is very taxing on the knees and re-aggravated an old injury from my college days. The doctors have recommended that I lose a substantial amount of the extra weight that I’ve been carrying these last few seasons, which was something that was compounding the injury. That said, due to the high contact nature of the position and my inability to continue to stay at the recommended weight requirement, I have officially played my last game as a Defensive Tackle.
SH: That’s some pretty substantial news. Have you decided on what position you’re going to move to? Or is that decision still in progress?
AR: I have. Or rather we have. The Outlaws organization has been completely supportive as I’ve had to adapt to some major changes. I have nothing but respect for the Defensive Linemen of the NSFL, but it takes a very specific type of athlete to excel in that role and sustain the kind of daily grind that those guys go through. Fortunately, as many people remember, I was a Quarterback in the DSFL and for most of my college career. And that’s the position I’ll be moving back to. With the doctors’ recommendation that I drop so much weight, it seemed more natural for me to step back into that role rather learn a completely new position that I don’t have any experience with.
SH: Wow. That is surprising news. Many had wondered what Arizona’s plans were for the QB position and sources from the team have been quiet on that front. Several people expected to Arizona to draft its next QB. Obviously, that didn’t happen in the draft as many expected.
VD: That was discussed and heavily considered. We were very fond of the options that were available, but with the current state of the team, we wanted to make sure that the transition to our next Quarerback went smoothly and I have confidence that Andrew’s experience will allow him to step into his new role. Making a switch like this over the course of a single offseason is certainly a challenge and hardly ideal, but you play the hand you’re dealt. Andrew has put in an incredible amount of hours studying tapes and learning the offensive playbook. We’ve also brought in a few former NSFL Quarterbacks to work with him and help acclimate to this new role as quickly as possible. Including a few names that fans would definitely recognize. This is a major change for him and there are risks involved whenever an athlete loses this much weight in a short period of time; we’re working closely with our trainers and a few local medical experts to make sure that all possible precautions are being taken. However, it is a unique opportunity to have a former QB in our locker room, especially one with Andrew’s experience and leadership skills. We believe that allowing him to step back into that role will significantly speed up our timetable for becoming a contender again. S14 is expected to be a bit of trial run for us, admittedly, but we’re confident that he’ll be grow into the position as the season goes on.
AR: Learning a new role is difficult, but if you count my college days, I’ve been a QB longer than I’ve been a Defensive Tackle. Taking on that DT role was an exciting challenge, but I don’t think it’s the position I was best suited for. I do feel that there’s a real chance for me to reinvent myself once again and have my original role be the one that ultimately defines my career.
SH: Is this a viable long-term solution for the team? A lot of people would call it a quick fix. Perhaps even a short-sighted one. No offense, Andrew, but knee problems don’t tend to lend themselves to a long career.
AR: Those are conversations that I’m having with our trainers and we’re focusing heavily on steps I can take in my personal life to reduce the stress on my knee and lower the chances of another injury. While we were careful not to rush me back onto the field too soon, we’ve had a few chances to run drills with our practice squad and some of the more proficient players in our organization. My endurance isn’t where I want it to be and that’s a side effect of the sudden weight loss, but my throwing arm still feels pretty good. As far as my knee goes, we’re still seeing a lot of progress. Barring a re-injury, if we limit my participation in training camp, they’re telling me the knee will be at 100% before the preseason. Of course, when it comes to injuries, playing QB will obviously have its own set of challenges. Our trainers don’t love the idea of me being a sack target for the other team, but this is a more natural fit for me than a position like Wide Receiver or Cornerback. So, whatever position I was going to switch to, I would still be facing the same types of risks. The goal here is to limit how often I come into contact with the heavy hitters even it’s not something we feel I can avoid entirely. At the very least, allowing me to pull back and operate under the protection of an offensive line is a move that we’re hoping will extend my career for at least a few more seasons.
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SH: I have to say. This is a tremendous undertaking. What kind of changes are you going to be making in your diet and training?
AR: Well, first off, let me assure you that everything is on the level.
All three let out a laugh.
AR: I’m only dealing with league-approved supplements going forward. For the most part, though, it just comes down to hard work and a good diet. As a lineman, I had to do a lot to keep my weight up. I was eating a high calorie diet, which was artificially inflating my weight. We have a target weight range in mind that I’m trying to reach and it feels like one that’s much more natural for someone with my height and build. It’s been very difficult, but it’s a change that I think is well worth the trouble.
SH: Well, this position change should be exciting to watch, but it also has the potential to be very controversial. Based on previous experiences, what do you expect the reaction to be?
VD: As Andrew said, this is a decision that we seriously debated and, during those discussions, we did consider the type of impact that this could have. Historically, we’ve had a few well-known players make the jump to Quarterback. The NSFL is blessed with a versatile talent pool, probably more so than any other football league. But the competition is also very punishing and the journey for a new Quarterback can be a difficult one. I think Cooter Bigsby, Corvo Havran, and Rose Jenkins are all equipped to make that leap from the DSFL to the next level, but beyond that, it’s a difficult landscape to predict. We have an amazing roster of prospects coming up for the S15 draft, including many Quarterbacks. Some of those QBs may be the stars of tomorrow. But a lot of QBs have come and gone without making any real impact in the NSFL. For a young QB listening to this,, they’re not going to be thrilled to see a veteran step in and take over that role. That potentially takes a spot away from someone else. And that’s not something I find joy in. But I’m also a believer that the cream rises to the top. If a young QB is really determined to succeed, they will. It may be a hard road ahead. It may take several seasons before they ever start for an NSFL team. Andrew made the decison to switch to another role, so he could step right into the NSFL. He’s worked hard for our team and I think he’s earned the right to step back into the role that he originally wanted to play. Not everyone is going to agree with this move, but the feeling within our organization is that it’s a move that makes sense for the team.
SH: You mentioned Rose Jenkins. Obviously, Bigsby and Havran were off the board before the your first pick came along, but many analysts expected Jenkins to go to the team in the second round.
VD: Well, let me start by saying that Rose is an exceptional talent and I thoroughly enjoyed the many of the conversations I’ve had with her. Obviously, there were a lot of options discussed before I stepped into this role and our plan was always to weigh those options. Everyone expected us to draft the next QB and this was a phenomenal draft class for QBs. I believe all three of the prospects I mentioned above will play a massive part in the league for years to come. However, when you have a veteran player with previous experience at that position, that’s something you have to at least consider. Especially when you factor in the opportunity to speed up our timetable for contendership as I said earlier. In my talks with Free Agents and existing team members, there was a lot of concern about putting all of our weight behind a rookie QB. Any rookie QB, no matter how talented, is going to take time to adjust to the league. And that was a concern from both existing players and potential free agents. In the case of Baltimore and Yellowknife, they both have veterans in place to hold down the position while their rookies learn the role. The same is true for San Jose. But that wasn’t an option that was there for us. Putting all of our success on the shoulders of a young QB is an extremely risky move. Fortunately, we had the option to instead put our faith in Andrew and we feel strongly feel that it was the right decision.
SH: Andrew, what would you say to the young QBs that are hearing this news? You yourself made a position switch in order to make it into the NSFL and now, with you switching back, this is going to potentially force someone else to make a change that wouldn’t have done so.
AR: That’s very true. I was in the same position that a lot of those young QBs are in now. And, even after the change, it was always something I wrestled with. Part of me was just happy to contribute in a role that the team needed. But the QB position was the one that made me fall in love with this game. And yet it’s also the most difficult position to succeed at. There’s only one spot available on each team and that makes it a very competitive spot. Unlike a Running Back, you can’t slide into other positions as a flex player. You’re either good enough to start or you’re not. But, if you really believe in yourself, I think you’ll find a way to get to where you want to go. This was my path here. For those QBs that are destined to be an NSFL starter, they’ll find their own path there as well.
SH: This is sure to be a move that causes a lot of discussion. You’ve commented on many of the other moves the team has made recently, but you haven’t had a chance to talk about the S14 draft. Any comments on that?
VD: Well, it’s no secret that we’re hard at work within the Outlaws organization. This is a team that I have a long-term vision for. We’ve hit a lot of obstacles recently, but we’re adapting and I think S14 is going to be an important part of our journey back to being a contender. However, we are thoroughly pleased with the way the draft played out and we picked up a number of players that can be absolutely difference-makers in the long-term. I’m really excited to see the trio of Vans, Stokeley, and Lee play together. And I think Dingus Hunk has the potential to be a real steal for us considering we were able to get him at the #10 pick. These men definitely fit the vision that we have for our team and I’m very optimistic about the long-term direction that this draft helped take us in.
SH: Well, I think we can wrap this up. Best of luck to you both this season. Thank you for your time.
Andrew Reese is the new Quarterback for the Arizona Outlaws.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"][/div]
2514 Words
Ready for Grading
If one didn’t know better, they might mistake him for an entirely different person.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"][/div]
Sports Hype: Thank you both for sitting down with us. We’ve been told that you have a big announcement to make.
Victoria Danvers: We do and we’re very excited to talk about this. Andrew wanted to be here to personally deliver the news himself.
SH: Before we go any further, Andrew, I can’t help but point out the obvious. You’ve lost an incredible amount of weight. Is this related to your knee injury last season?
Andrew Reese: To be honest, it definitely is. And, if I may say so, it’s also directly related to the announcement we’re here to make today.
SH: How is the state of your knee?
AR: Better. We’re making day-to-day improvements, but these last few months have done me a lot of good.The good news is that surgery was not required, though I have been under the care of some great professionals. Miss Danvers even flew in a highly well-regarded specialist to ensure that there won’t be long-term damage from this last season. Unfortunately, the Defensive Lineman position is very taxing on the knees and re-aggravated an old injury from my college days. The doctors have recommended that I lose a substantial amount of the extra weight that I’ve been carrying these last few seasons, which was something that was compounding the injury. That said, due to the high contact nature of the position and my inability to continue to stay at the recommended weight requirement, I have officially played my last game as a Defensive Tackle.
SH: That’s some pretty substantial news. Have you decided on what position you’re going to move to? Or is that decision still in progress?
AR: I have. Or rather we have. The Outlaws organization has been completely supportive as I’ve had to adapt to some major changes. I have nothing but respect for the Defensive Linemen of the NSFL, but it takes a very specific type of athlete to excel in that role and sustain the kind of daily grind that those guys go through. Fortunately, as many people remember, I was a Quarterback in the DSFL and for most of my college career. And that’s the position I’ll be moving back to. With the doctors’ recommendation that I drop so much weight, it seemed more natural for me to step back into that role rather learn a completely new position that I don’t have any experience with.
SH: Wow. That is surprising news. Many had wondered what Arizona’s plans were for the QB position and sources from the team have been quiet on that front. Several people expected to Arizona to draft its next QB. Obviously, that didn’t happen in the draft as many expected.
VD: That was discussed and heavily considered. We were very fond of the options that were available, but with the current state of the team, we wanted to make sure that the transition to our next Quarerback went smoothly and I have confidence that Andrew’s experience will allow him to step into his new role. Making a switch like this over the course of a single offseason is certainly a challenge and hardly ideal, but you play the hand you’re dealt. Andrew has put in an incredible amount of hours studying tapes and learning the offensive playbook. We’ve also brought in a few former NSFL Quarterbacks to work with him and help acclimate to this new role as quickly as possible. Including a few names that fans would definitely recognize. This is a major change for him and there are risks involved whenever an athlete loses this much weight in a short period of time; we’re working closely with our trainers and a few local medical experts to make sure that all possible precautions are being taken. However, it is a unique opportunity to have a former QB in our locker room, especially one with Andrew’s experience and leadership skills. We believe that allowing him to step back into that role will significantly speed up our timetable for becoming a contender again. S14 is expected to be a bit of trial run for us, admittedly, but we’re confident that he’ll be grow into the position as the season goes on.
AR: Learning a new role is difficult, but if you count my college days, I’ve been a QB longer than I’ve been a Defensive Tackle. Taking on that DT role was an exciting challenge, but I don’t think it’s the position I was best suited for. I do feel that there’s a real chance for me to reinvent myself once again and have my original role be the one that ultimately defines my career.
SH: Is this a viable long-term solution for the team? A lot of people would call it a quick fix. Perhaps even a short-sighted one. No offense, Andrew, but knee problems don’t tend to lend themselves to a long career.
AR: Those are conversations that I’m having with our trainers and we’re focusing heavily on steps I can take in my personal life to reduce the stress on my knee and lower the chances of another injury. While we were careful not to rush me back onto the field too soon, we’ve had a few chances to run drills with our practice squad and some of the more proficient players in our organization. My endurance isn’t where I want it to be and that’s a side effect of the sudden weight loss, but my throwing arm still feels pretty good. As far as my knee goes, we’re still seeing a lot of progress. Barring a re-injury, if we limit my participation in training camp, they’re telling me the knee will be at 100% before the preseason. Of course, when it comes to injuries, playing QB will obviously have its own set of challenges. Our trainers don’t love the idea of me being a sack target for the other team, but this is a more natural fit for me than a position like Wide Receiver or Cornerback. So, whatever position I was going to switch to, I would still be facing the same types of risks. The goal here is to limit how often I come into contact with the heavy hitters even it’s not something we feel I can avoid entirely. At the very least, allowing me to pull back and operate under the protection of an offensive line is a move that we’re hoping will extend my career for at least a few more seasons.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"][/div]
SH: I have to say. This is a tremendous undertaking. What kind of changes are you going to be making in your diet and training?
AR: Well, first off, let me assure you that everything is on the level.
All three let out a laugh.
AR: I’m only dealing with league-approved supplements going forward. For the most part, though, it just comes down to hard work and a good diet. As a lineman, I had to do a lot to keep my weight up. I was eating a high calorie diet, which was artificially inflating my weight. We have a target weight range in mind that I’m trying to reach and it feels like one that’s much more natural for someone with my height and build. It’s been very difficult, but it’s a change that I think is well worth the trouble.
SH: Well, this position change should be exciting to watch, but it also has the potential to be very controversial. Based on previous experiences, what do you expect the reaction to be?
VD: As Andrew said, this is a decision that we seriously debated and, during those discussions, we did consider the type of impact that this could have. Historically, we’ve had a few well-known players make the jump to Quarterback. The NSFL is blessed with a versatile talent pool, probably more so than any other football league. But the competition is also very punishing and the journey for a new Quarterback can be a difficult one. I think Cooter Bigsby, Corvo Havran, and Rose Jenkins are all equipped to make that leap from the DSFL to the next level, but beyond that, it’s a difficult landscape to predict. We have an amazing roster of prospects coming up for the S15 draft, including many Quarterbacks. Some of those QBs may be the stars of tomorrow. But a lot of QBs have come and gone without making any real impact in the NSFL. For a young QB listening to this,, they’re not going to be thrilled to see a veteran step in and take over that role. That potentially takes a spot away from someone else. And that’s not something I find joy in. But I’m also a believer that the cream rises to the top. If a young QB is really determined to succeed, they will. It may be a hard road ahead. It may take several seasons before they ever start for an NSFL team. Andrew made the decison to switch to another role, so he could step right into the NSFL. He’s worked hard for our team and I think he’s earned the right to step back into the role that he originally wanted to play. Not everyone is going to agree with this move, but the feeling within our organization is that it’s a move that makes sense for the team.
SH: You mentioned Rose Jenkins. Obviously, Bigsby and Havran were off the board before the your first pick came along, but many analysts expected Jenkins to go to the team in the second round.
VD: Well, let me start by saying that Rose is an exceptional talent and I thoroughly enjoyed the many of the conversations I’ve had with her. Obviously, there were a lot of options discussed before I stepped into this role and our plan was always to weigh those options. Everyone expected us to draft the next QB and this was a phenomenal draft class for QBs. I believe all three of the prospects I mentioned above will play a massive part in the league for years to come. However, when you have a veteran player with previous experience at that position, that’s something you have to at least consider. Especially when you factor in the opportunity to speed up our timetable for contendership as I said earlier. In my talks with Free Agents and existing team members, there was a lot of concern about putting all of our weight behind a rookie QB. Any rookie QB, no matter how talented, is going to take time to adjust to the league. And that was a concern from both existing players and potential free agents. In the case of Baltimore and Yellowknife, they both have veterans in place to hold down the position while their rookies learn the role. The same is true for San Jose. But that wasn’t an option that was there for us. Putting all of our success on the shoulders of a young QB is an extremely risky move. Fortunately, we had the option to instead put our faith in Andrew and we feel strongly feel that it was the right decision.
SH: Andrew, what would you say to the young QBs that are hearing this news? You yourself made a position switch in order to make it into the NSFL and now, with you switching back, this is going to potentially force someone else to make a change that wouldn’t have done so.
AR: That’s very true. I was in the same position that a lot of those young QBs are in now. And, even after the change, it was always something I wrestled with. Part of me was just happy to contribute in a role that the team needed. But the QB position was the one that made me fall in love with this game. And yet it’s also the most difficult position to succeed at. There’s only one spot available on each team and that makes it a very competitive spot. Unlike a Running Back, you can’t slide into other positions as a flex player. You’re either good enough to start or you’re not. But, if you really believe in yourself, I think you’ll find a way to get to where you want to go. This was my path here. For those QBs that are destined to be an NSFL starter, they’ll find their own path there as well.
SH: This is sure to be a move that causes a lot of discussion. You’ve commented on many of the other moves the team has made recently, but you haven’t had a chance to talk about the S14 draft. Any comments on that?
VD: Well, it’s no secret that we’re hard at work within the Outlaws organization. This is a team that I have a long-term vision for. We’ve hit a lot of obstacles recently, but we’re adapting and I think S14 is going to be an important part of our journey back to being a contender. However, we are thoroughly pleased with the way the draft played out and we picked up a number of players that can be absolutely difference-makers in the long-term. I’m really excited to see the trio of Vans, Stokeley, and Lee play together. And I think Dingus Hunk has the potential to be a real steal for us considering we were able to get him at the #10 pick. These men definitely fit the vision that we have for our team and I’m very optimistic about the long-term direction that this draft helped take us in.
SH: Well, I think we can wrap this up. Best of luck to you both this season. Thank you for your time.
Andrew Reese is the new Quarterback for the Arizona Outlaws.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"][/div]
2514 Words
Ready for Grading
Thanks to Jangorhino for the sig.