Portland Pythons runningback Borro Gore recently sat down with our NBC Sports Portland reporter Jerry McNerry to talk about his start to the season, his role with the team, and more.
JM: Hey Borro, thanks for taking some time out of your busy training schedule to have a chat with us!
BG: It's my pleasure, always love talking to the media. Gives the people a chance to get to know me a little better.
JM: And they already seem to love you quite a bit! A lot of Portland fans have been clamoring for you to get a bigger share of the runningback workload, do you agree with that sentiment?
BG: Yeah, as a competitor I'd love to get the ball more. I think I'm the best runningback in the DSFL, so yeah I'd love the ball. But I know [Portland's current starting runningback] Goose knows the offense well and he's been playing like a beast, so it's a tricky situation. I'm just glad to be getting work on the field and I know bigger things are coming for me.
JM: Is it ever frustrating to watch a guy who people don't consider a high profile back, a "meat and potatoes" type runningback, getting a bigger workload than you?
BG: I wouldn't say frustrating. The first three or four weeks it's expected, you know? He's had a lot more time training as a professional, so he had a leg up on me. And when you're joining a team late in the offseason like I did, that's another setback. But we're starting to win some games, and that helps everything.
JM: That seems to be the case, doesn't it. How do you feel like you've done so far in the role you've been given on this team?
BG: I think I'm doing alright. Between the 20s I need to step my game up a little more. I'm not seeing the field like I should be and I'm not capitalizing on my strength or speed like I want to be. But I think I'm playing well in the red zone. It felt good to get a couple of scores against the Solar Bears, finally breaking that end zone. Your first professional touchdown is one you'll remember, and even if it's a one yard run, I'm happy I was able to do enough to get in the end zone. Then to get another later that game and another a few weeks later, I'm happy about that.
JM: You're actually tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns, did you know that?
BG: I didn't! That's pretty cool man, that's pretty good. I'd like to not be tied and have the lead to myself, but I'll take it. I don't want to be a goal line back for the rest of my life, but being able to find the end zone down there is a skill that I know some teams will value down the line. So I just keep up my philosophy of maximizing every chance I get on that field.
JM: Let's shift to the Pythons, how do you think the season is going so far?
BG: Coming on strong and only getting stronger! We're going to surprise some teams. We started a little slow, but I think everyone in that locker room was confident about where we stand this season. We had some things to work on early, but we're setting ourselves up for a run. Our guys are playing well right now. Storm, Aaron, McPoyal, and Roenick are all great players for our offense. I know I'm the last one who needs to step up in a big time role for us to take it to another level and get a chance to defend our Ultimini. I'm up for it.
JM: Well, we'll all be rooting for you here at NBC Sports Portland. Thanks for the time, Borro.
BG: Anytime, Jerry. Be good.
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JM: Hey Borro, thanks for taking some time out of your busy training schedule to have a chat with us!
BG: It's my pleasure, always love talking to the media. Gives the people a chance to get to know me a little better.
JM: And they already seem to love you quite a bit! A lot of Portland fans have been clamoring for you to get a bigger share of the runningback workload, do you agree with that sentiment?
BG: Yeah, as a competitor I'd love to get the ball more. I think I'm the best runningback in the DSFL, so yeah I'd love the ball. But I know [Portland's current starting runningback] Goose knows the offense well and he's been playing like a beast, so it's a tricky situation. I'm just glad to be getting work on the field and I know bigger things are coming for me.
JM: Is it ever frustrating to watch a guy who people don't consider a high profile back, a "meat and potatoes" type runningback, getting a bigger workload than you?
BG: I wouldn't say frustrating. The first three or four weeks it's expected, you know? He's had a lot more time training as a professional, so he had a leg up on me. And when you're joining a team late in the offseason like I did, that's another setback. But we're starting to win some games, and that helps everything.
JM: That seems to be the case, doesn't it. How do you feel like you've done so far in the role you've been given on this team?
BG: I think I'm doing alright. Between the 20s I need to step my game up a little more. I'm not seeing the field like I should be and I'm not capitalizing on my strength or speed like I want to be. But I think I'm playing well in the red zone. It felt good to get a couple of scores against the Solar Bears, finally breaking that end zone. Your first professional touchdown is one you'll remember, and even if it's a one yard run, I'm happy I was able to do enough to get in the end zone. Then to get another later that game and another a few weeks later, I'm happy about that.
JM: You're actually tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns, did you know that?
BG: I didn't! That's pretty cool man, that's pretty good. I'd like to not be tied and have the lead to myself, but I'll take it. I don't want to be a goal line back for the rest of my life, but being able to find the end zone down there is a skill that I know some teams will value down the line. So I just keep up my philosophy of maximizing every chance I get on that field.
JM: Let's shift to the Pythons, how do you think the season is going so far?
BG: Coming on strong and only getting stronger! We're going to surprise some teams. We started a little slow, but I think everyone in that locker room was confident about where we stand this season. We had some things to work on early, but we're setting ourselves up for a run. Our guys are playing well right now. Storm, Aaron, McPoyal, and Roenick are all great players for our offense. I know I'm the last one who needs to step up in a big time role for us to take it to another level and get a chance to defend our Ultimini. I'm up for it.
JM: Well, we'll all be rooting for you here at NBC Sports Portland. Thanks for the time, Borro.
BG: Anytime, Jerry. Be good.
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