Season Three is slowly approaching and Ricky Maddox has been in the limelight of three different topics going into the new year.
The first one is that he's coming off of the best statistical line for a Tight End in NSFL History. Having such of a dominating year that he not only did he earn his second Pro Bowl appearance in the first two years of the NSFL, he finally claims the coveted Best TE award he's been itching to get his hands on. Speaking of the Pro Bowl, it leads to the second topic, which is that the S2 Pro Bowl was his final game as a Tight End! That's right, he publicly announced that he's planning to take his talents to the other side of the field and will now be set on "taking some heads off of QBs and RBs all year." The addition of his raw talent, along with draftees Eidur Gustavsson and Ryan Fitzfatrick. Not to mention his fellow NSFC Pro Bowler Bork Björnsson on the prowl, the D-Line appears to be their biggest strength on paper for the Yellowknife Defense. The final topic going into the new year surrounding Maddox's offseason revolves back to where he started. The Tight End position. He can't just leave without a successor to the throne, and the Wraiths did their diligence to make sure they got someone more than worthy. Joseph Askins, the Blocking TE out of ASU, appears to be ready, willing, and able to coninue right where Ricky Maddox left off and help continue the dominiating force of nature known as the offense of the Yellowknife Wraiths. "Man, I don't know I'd do without these guys getting me into shape. They've been very helpful and supportive of my switch and I'm blessed at the opportunity to help the Wraiths get to where they need to be on defense. Ryan, Bork and Eidur all have been making sure that come week one in the preseason, I'll be on my way to greatness." -Ricky Maddox This has been a process for both young men. On Maddox's side, he's doing everything he can to get ready for the upcoming year, relearning the position from a bare base of knowledge and at the same time, he's doing everything he can to mentor and groom the young protégé into becoming the next "GOAT TE." "This guy is a stud. I'm actually surprised he fell THAT deep into the draft, it was clear he didn't have any issues with him, no baggage, kind hearted guy, easy to talk to, always have his ear out to listen and a willing learner, he's got it all. I was told to trust the process and I think we hit that nail on the head hands down when we selected Joseph. He's already the better blocker between us but if he gets his physicality/athleticism up, keeps at it with the receiving end and stays the course, he's going to make waves as soon as week one. You can quote me on that." -Ricky Maddox We will see soon enough if these three topics can be the true difference maker come S3. We will be keeping you up to date with what's going on with the future of #WraithsNation football. 534 Words
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In order to prepare for season 3, or even to return to football at all, Gregor Clegane had to confront his demons. It is still widely unknown exactly what happened to him after his disappearance, but since his return he has had a greater focus on the game than in season past. Some are speculating this is from his experience gained as an alpine climber in the Himalayan mountains. As you and your team become reliant on each other in order to press on and survive he has learned to apply that to the game of football.
Others as writing about how his time spent with the Tibetan Buddhist monks high in the Himalayan mountains has given him much needed time to focus. Practicing yoga might not be the most obvious choice of training for an offensive lineman that relies on strength and power, but it seems to have given him an inner strength that allows him to drive more in the weight room. And most importantly, Gregor Clegane is no longer waking up covered in blood on the floor of seedy motel rooms after going on 2 week binges. Because that isn't a very effective way to prepare for football season. [img src=\"http://i.imgur.com/lVbzvTH.png\" height=\"200px\" width=\"400px\" /]
Julian O'Sullivan has prepared for months in order to be the best player he can be for his much anticipated NSFL debut. The Linebacker was taken in the first round of the draft, 6th overall, by the Orange County Otters, who look to improve on last year's season. O'Sullivan will likely be a day one starter and will make sure he is in the best condition he can be. A lot of his focus has been on conditioning and speed, with sprints being a part of his daily life to improve his stamina. Julian is one of the more highly anticipated draft picks, as he is a true rookie with zero games in his life, but that is all the more reason to try his hardest and try to make sure he can impress and prove the Otters right for believing in him. Studying the game-plan has been the biggest challenge, trying to learn the different formations and where on the field he should be and who he has to cover. He is much more naturally gifted as a run-stopper so being a good asset in the passing defense is something he has to work on hard and by learning the defense he is able to be a better defender. Partially he is also researching the opponents and seeing who he will face.
09-10-2017, 11:06 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-10-2017, 11:06 AM by ElMachoNacho.)
I'm not a rookie anymore. A season is in the books and I can say that I've learned quite a few things. I've learned the joy of wins, the pain of losses, the feeling on an NSFL linebacker burying you in the ground, the feeling of betrayal as a teammate leaves for another squad. In Year 2 I feel as if I have a different mindset than Year 1. In Year 1 I was a rookie happy to just be a part of the team and say idly as things went haywire for us. This year I want to contribute. I want to help this team, and to do that I need to prepare. My pops always said that "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity" , so I've been hard at work, early mornings in the weight room, late nights in the film room. I'm preparing, so when I do get that opportunity, I can show the NSFL what I can do. I want to show that I'm the best back in the NSFL. I want to show that the SabreCats aren't a doormat, that this team has real talent. That's what I've REALLY been doing in the off-season. All anyone wants to talk about is my off-field incident this off-season with the Wraiths, but nobody ever talks about the football aspect of my life. But that's how I like it. I like having a chip on my shoulder. I like having doubters and critics. I like being counted out, because that's been done to me my entire life.
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This off season for Avon Blocksdale was a lot smoother than last year. Last year Avon was a rookie, and joining a team that, quite frankly, was bad in season one. The offseason before S2 Avon was going to have to transition from playing tackle in college to playing on the interior. In the middle of the season last year, Avon actually was moved from Center back to the outside playing right tackle. Blocksdale matched up against some of the best defensive ends in the league.
This season however Avon will be bouncing back to the outside and playing tackle full time, this side protecting Scrub Kyubee's blind side. He has worked very hard all off season to prepare for this tough assignment. Obviously Avon has spent a ton of time in the gym. Working to get his strength up, Avon has been lifting weights, and prepping to crush his opponents. In addition Blocksdale is watching a ton of film on the leagues best pass rushers. He's been trying to learn their tendencies and moves to ensure that he won't be giving up sacks, and so that way he can try to lead the league in pancakes. Blocksdale knows that after barely missing the Pro Bowl this year, he has to get a lot better in order to maintain his high status in the league. 225 |
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