05-05-2019, 08:28 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-08-2019, 07:47 AM by Fordhammer.)
[Ready for grading - 559 words]
Hello to everybody in the NSFL,
In case you don't know me, my name is AJ Lattimer, former Pythons DT and new member of the Orange County Otters. After the events of the draft, I wanted to address everyone to give insight into my emotions during the process, and outline my plans for my future in the league.
After an awesome first year with the Pythons, I'm a bit sad that I'll have to say goodbye so soon. I developed a great relationship with many of my teammates, and I had a blast playing with them. We had a lot of exciting wins, and to cap it off by winning the Ultimini was like living in a dream. I was honored to have been a starter in the DSFL pro bowl, but to be quite honest I wasn't sure about my prospects in the upcoming NSFL draft due to an underwhelming year statistically and lower TPE count than my peers.
I had read media articles saying that I was the 2nd rated DT behind Ricardo Morris, but that I wouldn't be picked until after round 2. Most of the mock drafts I saw reflected this sentiment, as not a single person thought I'd go in the first round. As much as I believe in myself and my talents, this even had me thinking that I would be a mid round pick. After going in the 8th round of the DSFL draft, I had very low expectations.
I had no idea who was going to take me or where, but I could have never have guessed it would have been round 1. So, when I heard my name called with 8th overall pick, I was floored! My excitement was through the roof, and I was very happy that the Otters believed in me enough to take me with their first pick. I was annoyed at myself for having such low expectations and doubts.
Then, I read everybody's reaction. Heard the media heads questioning the pick. People weren't thrilled, to say the least. "What!? LATTIMER? WHY?"; "Huge reach"; "There were better players available." I'm not hurt in the least by this. I know people weren't expecting it at all, I can't even say that I was, but I know that I belonged in the first round. The Otter's GM saw in me what I've always known was there: I am a competitor and will be a special player in this league. Hurt by the doubters and haters? No. I'm motivated.
I'm grateful that the Otters saw my potential and put their faith in me. I will go to war for this team, as I want to prove to everybody that I was worth the pick by kicking the oppositions teeth in game after game, season after season. We have the talent to compete for a championship immediately, and I want to be a contributing factor in our future playoff runs. Our GM was also smart enough to pick a bunch of my fellow Pythons who all share the same winning attitude. Orange County's long string of successful seasons is far from being over with this new wave of talent coming in.
I will do whatever it takes to ensure that my team is successful. I'm a proud member of the Otters, and I'm set to prove my worth. Thank you for listening.
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Hello to everybody in the NSFL,
In case you don't know me, my name is AJ Lattimer, former Pythons DT and new member of the Orange County Otters. After the events of the draft, I wanted to address everyone to give insight into my emotions during the process, and outline my plans for my future in the league.
After an awesome first year with the Pythons, I'm a bit sad that I'll have to say goodbye so soon. I developed a great relationship with many of my teammates, and I had a blast playing with them. We had a lot of exciting wins, and to cap it off by winning the Ultimini was like living in a dream. I was honored to have been a starter in the DSFL pro bowl, but to be quite honest I wasn't sure about my prospects in the upcoming NSFL draft due to an underwhelming year statistically and lower TPE count than my peers.
I had read media articles saying that I was the 2nd rated DT behind Ricardo Morris, but that I wouldn't be picked until after round 2. Most of the mock drafts I saw reflected this sentiment, as not a single person thought I'd go in the first round. As much as I believe in myself and my talents, this even had me thinking that I would be a mid round pick. After going in the 8th round of the DSFL draft, I had very low expectations.
I had no idea who was going to take me or where, but I could have never have guessed it would have been round 1. So, when I heard my name called with 8th overall pick, I was floored! My excitement was through the roof, and I was very happy that the Otters believed in me enough to take me with their first pick. I was annoyed at myself for having such low expectations and doubts.
Then, I read everybody's reaction. Heard the media heads questioning the pick. People weren't thrilled, to say the least. "What!? LATTIMER? WHY?"; "Huge reach"; "There were better players available." I'm not hurt in the least by this. I know people weren't expecting it at all, I can't even say that I was, but I know that I belonged in the first round. The Otter's GM saw in me what I've always known was there: I am a competitor and will be a special player in this league. Hurt by the doubters and haters? No. I'm motivated.
I'm grateful that the Otters saw my potential and put their faith in me. I will go to war for this team, as I want to prove to everybody that I was worth the pick by kicking the oppositions teeth in game after game, season after season. We have the talent to compete for a championship immediately, and I want to be a contributing factor in our future playoff runs. Our GM was also smart enough to pick a bunch of my fellow Pythons who all share the same winning attitude. Orange County's long string of successful seasons is far from being over with this new wave of talent coming in.
I will do whatever it takes to ensure that my team is successful. I'm a proud member of the Otters, and I'm set to prove my worth. Thank you for listening.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"] [/div]