[div align=\\\"center\\\"]HELP! I’VE FALLEN AND I CAN’T GET UP![/div]
Well folks, when training camp starts in Arizona this offseason C.A. Chess will have earned himself a new nickname: “Life Line” because the Wide Receiver fell down the draft boards, and some wondered if he’d ever be able to recover. In the end, he ended up at one of his top teams, and the most seamless fit when the Arizona Outlaws finally selected him at number 32.
Many teams identified Chess as potentially a second round talent. For what it’s worth: Chess and his agent quietly and privately predicted to family and friends that he would be going either 16 to the Outlaws or 25 to the Wraith, when neither of those happened the cameras of the NSFL Network turned to Chess in the green room Chess was visibly upset.
When the Outlaws selected a fellow pass catcher, Dustin Evans at 16 Chess privately began to panic. Since the beginning of the draft process it was clear that the Outlaws were the best fit for the wideout from Flint, and when they went another direction Chess was worried that the bottom had dropped out. Nine picks later at 25, Chess was contacting the Wraith GM personally to see what the situation was -- however Yellowknife had no urgent need at WR meaning that Chess would drop even further. “Honestly, this is all really overwhelming. I’m just so glad to end up with the Outlaws -- the reigning champs. Did I go as high as I wanted? Of course not. But at the end of the day I ended up on a championship team with an even better locker room.” When asked if he was worried about competing against highly touted UofM Hurricane, Chess laughed off the question “Come on… Really? Of course not. He’s such a great receiver, and in case you guys didn’t know there’s more than one receiver on the field at a time. We’re going to grow together, it’s not about no ‘competition.’”
It’s impossible to think that Chess’ extremely recent entry into the draft process didn’t play a part in his drop, but despite coming off injury Chess is ready to contribute. “I can’t say it enough, I really can’t: I’m excited to play for the world champion Arizona Outlaws. Honestly, when I was dropping down the board the only thing I was really worried about was ending up on a team that didn’t really want me, and I avoided that. Now it’s about focusing on training so that I can bring another championship to the desert.”
For what it’s worth, the other Outlaws seem excited. Almost immediately after being selected Chess was included into the team groupchat. Defensive tackle Arbin Asipi was quoted as saying “C.A. Chess will be the greatest Wide Receiver in history, right up there with all of the other Outlaws.” While that quote may be a bit of hyperbole on the behalf of the d-tackle it does speak to the quality the Outlaws expect out of their players.
For now it’s on to contract negotiation for Chess, and it should be interesting to see how it plays out. As a player that was expected to go a bit higher, Chess may have a bit of leverage in contract negotiations, but once again he shrugs off the concerns. “When it comes time to negotiate a contract me and my agent will handle that, but for now it’s about enjoying the night. I’ve come a long way, and it’s time to celebrate the journey that has brought me here.”
While many have called his drop Brady Quinn-esque, you have to believe that Chess is in a better situation than Quinn was with the Browns. Moving forward, Chess may even be relieved that he won’t be carrying around the pressure of a top round pick. But be certain: he will be using the drop for motivation.
Word Count: 654
GRADED
Well folks, when training camp starts in Arizona this offseason C.A. Chess will have earned himself a new nickname: “Life Line” because the Wide Receiver fell down the draft boards, and some wondered if he’d ever be able to recover. In the end, he ended up at one of his top teams, and the most seamless fit when the Arizona Outlaws finally selected him at number 32.
Many teams identified Chess as potentially a second round talent. For what it’s worth: Chess and his agent quietly and privately predicted to family and friends that he would be going either 16 to the Outlaws or 25 to the Wraith, when neither of those happened the cameras of the NSFL Network turned to Chess in the green room Chess was visibly upset.
When the Outlaws selected a fellow pass catcher, Dustin Evans at 16 Chess privately began to panic. Since the beginning of the draft process it was clear that the Outlaws were the best fit for the wideout from Flint, and when they went another direction Chess was worried that the bottom had dropped out. Nine picks later at 25, Chess was contacting the Wraith GM personally to see what the situation was -- however Yellowknife had no urgent need at WR meaning that Chess would drop even further. “Honestly, this is all really overwhelming. I’m just so glad to end up with the Outlaws -- the reigning champs. Did I go as high as I wanted? Of course not. But at the end of the day I ended up on a championship team with an even better locker room.” When asked if he was worried about competing against highly touted UofM Hurricane, Chess laughed off the question “Come on… Really? Of course not. He’s such a great receiver, and in case you guys didn’t know there’s more than one receiver on the field at a time. We’re going to grow together, it’s not about no ‘competition.’”
It’s impossible to think that Chess’ extremely recent entry into the draft process didn’t play a part in his drop, but despite coming off injury Chess is ready to contribute. “I can’t say it enough, I really can’t: I’m excited to play for the world champion Arizona Outlaws. Honestly, when I was dropping down the board the only thing I was really worried about was ending up on a team that didn’t really want me, and I avoided that. Now it’s about focusing on training so that I can bring another championship to the desert.”
For what it’s worth, the other Outlaws seem excited. Almost immediately after being selected Chess was included into the team groupchat. Defensive tackle Arbin Asipi was quoted as saying “C.A. Chess will be the greatest Wide Receiver in history, right up there with all of the other Outlaws.” While that quote may be a bit of hyperbole on the behalf of the d-tackle it does speak to the quality the Outlaws expect out of their players.
For now it’s on to contract negotiation for Chess, and it should be interesting to see how it plays out. As a player that was expected to go a bit higher, Chess may have a bit of leverage in contract negotiations, but once again he shrugs off the concerns. “When it comes time to negotiate a contract me and my agent will handle that, but for now it’s about enjoying the night. I’ve come a long way, and it’s time to celebrate the journey that has brought me here.”
While many have called his drop Brady Quinn-esque, you have to believe that Chess is in a better situation than Quinn was with the Browns. Moving forward, Chess may even be relieved that he won’t be carrying around the pressure of a top round pick. But be certain: he will be using the drop for motivation.
Word Count: 654
GRADED