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Ready to be graded (1769 words)
Quenton Bode steps up to the podium.
"Thank you all for coming. I hope you all got a chance to read my recent statement, but if not--or if you want me to clarify something--I'll be happy to answer any and all questions. So let's get started."
Despite the 2-12 start, how do you feel about NOLA going forward? --ValorX77
"I've felt great about this team since the moment they drafted me, and our 2-12 season did nothing to diminish those feelings. All of my teammates are fantastic, and we've got a great locker room that remained positive throughout the season, which is big. Our front office has been completely open, and honest communication like that goes a long way toward building a winning culture. I think we have most of, if not all, the pieces we need to be a championship team, and I have faith that we'll get whatever remaining talent we need to put us over the top."
Do you think NOLA will take a hit from the expansion draft? --ValorX77
"I think we might lose a player or two, sure, but this team is deep enough that we'll be able to weather any losses we might sustain. I've had several opportunities to talk with Juosu about our plans for the expansion draft, and I think we're fully prepared for it. The other thing to consider is that, even if we do take a big hit, every other team is going to take a hit as well, so our losses will be cancelled out by the losses that every other team suffers as well. All of that to say, I'm not especially worried about the expansion draft."
It appears NOLA is going on a rebuild, how long do you think it'll last? --ValorX77
"NOLA has been rebuilding for a while now. I was fully aware of that before last season's draft, and even before Juosu and I began pre-draft conversations. I knew what the situation was when I was drafted, and I knew what this season was going to be. But I don't think we'll be rebuilding much longer. We have a lot of talented players on this roster, and we're positioned to get a lot of young talent in the next two drafts. I feel confident in our standing when it comes to free agency, and I think we'll be an attractive destination for a lot of players. We're in a good spot on all fronts, so I think this rebuild will be over very soon."
Have you ever considered dying your fur to purple? Or another color? Maybe the NO logo on your butt? --Duilio05
"You know, I've never considered dying my fur any other color. But I think I'll do it when NOLA wins the Ultimus--make my fur that beautiful Second Line purple to celebrate. I don't know about the logo though, but anything can happen."
When will Slothface be joining the team? --Duilio05
"I don't want to speak too much for Sloth, since his decisions are his own, and I don't want to step on my teammate's toes. But it's my understanding that he'll be joining the team soon. He's a competitor, and while I know he's enjoyed his time in the DSFL, I think he's ready to bring his talents to the big league. Beyond that, you'll have to ask him."
Did you record any sacks against Cooter? --Duilio05
"I did, yeah. We played Yellowknife in Week 3, and near the end of the first quarter I managed to hit him for a six yard loss. It's a strange feeling to sack a former teammate, but we both understand that it's just a game. I only recorded three sacks this season, and I'm glad that he was one of them."
How does it feel to have your rookie season under your belt? --CFLSchooners
"It's bittersweet, to be honest. My rookie season was not what I wanted it to be, both in terms of how I performed and how the team performed. I'm disappointed that I didn't have more of an impact on the field, and I think we might have had a couple more wins if I had played to my full potential. But I'm excited to begin my sophomore season. It's difficult to adjust to the NSFL, but now I know what to expect from this league and this level of competition. Now that I'm used to everything, I think I'll be able to do much better going forward, and I think our team will be better for it."
Where do you think you'll make improvements to your game going forward to help out the team? --CFLSchooners
"That's a great question. I realized partway through the season that, while I didn't have any issues getting to the ball carrier, I was struggling to bring them down. That resulted in plays going for extra yards, which kept some drives alive and ended up as points for our opponents. So I talked with the training staff, and we've been working hard on my ability to finish my tackles. This offseason I'm going to be working on my reaction time and my quickness. I know there are still several areas of my game that need improvement, but I'm trying to work on reacting to the play, getting to the ball carrier, and taking them down. In my mind, that's what makes a good defender, and I want to be as good a defender as I can. I want to be an anchor for this defense for a long time to come."
What would you consider the benchmark for a good season both for you personally and the team as a whole next year? --TomHanks
"Personally, I want to finish top five in the league for tackles. I was up there for most of the season, then had a few bad games near the end of the season and dropped down to eighth overall. That's not entirely bad, especially for a rookie, but I hated letting that slip away from me. I want to get to the top of that list and stay there next season. I'd also like to force some more turnovers--whether that's forcing fumbles or intercepting passes--and I'd like to score at least one defensive touchdown. As far as the team, I think it's as simple as making the playoffs. We had a rough season, but we're in a good position to turn it around and make some noise in the post-season. Making the playoffs next season would be a sign that the rebuild is over, and that New Orleans is ready to start competing for the Ultimus."
What are you most looking forward to next season? --TomHanks
"I've touched on it before, but I'm really looking forward to playing alongside Slothface. We were two of the best linebackers in the DSFL in Season 14, and I was beyond thrilled when we were drafted back-to-back. I know we have the potential to be a force on defense for a long time to come, and I think that will be key to the team's future success. I'm also really excited to be playing with my old friend Forrest Gump again. We were teammates during the S15 Prospect Bowl--go Grizzlies!--and we got to be really close during our time there. We weren't on the same team in the DSFL, but we stayed in contact with each other, and I was so happy when he was drafted by New Orleans. He's been doing great things in the DSFl, and I'm excited to see him in the NSFL."
With 8 of the 10 teams making the playoffs next season, how do you rate NOLA's chances? --TomHanks
"I'm really confident that New Orleans will make the playoffs next season, despite the expanded field. Out of the team's top three draft picks, I was the only one who didn't return to the DSFL, so we were playing without some of our most promising players. But those guys have been working hard and improving, so they're gonna hit the ground running when they come back. All of our other players have been hard at work too, so our entire roster is going to be ready to compete. I've been talking with the front office as well, and we feel really good about our chances in both the draft and free agency. Our roster is only going to get better, and I'm sure we'll be able to secure a playoff spot."
What's your handedness? --Baron1898
"I'm right handed. Or right pawed, I guess."
How has being a polar bear impacted your time in the league? --Baron1898
"To be honest, I haven't really noticed. I'm sure some of my opponents have noticed--it's hard to ignore a massive polar bear lined up opposite you, whose only job is to hit you as hard as possible. I think my opponents have felt the psychological impact of playing against a polar bear, but honestly it's not something I think about all that often. I've been "the polar bear" for such a long time now that I'm used to it, and I have so many other things to think about and focus on and worry over that it's something I just don't think about. I really only think about it when someone else brings it up. I enjoy it, for sure, but it's not something I obsess over, if that makes sense."
Any rising stars from the frozen North we should know about? --Baron 1898
"Oh man, there's so many! There's a kicker from my home state of Alaska named Ricky Bobby who I think has a lot of potential. Joe Bobgarter from Nova Scotia is going to be a stud, I think, and I'm definitely keeping a close eye on him. There's quite a few young players from Canada, actually: Mervin Leonard from the Northwest Territories, Jason Carver from Alberta, Julian McMorris from Manitoba, and Tyron Brackenridge from Ottawa. I'm really excited to see so many players from up north joining the league. Having so many players from that part of the continent will do a lot to make our league more popular there, which opens the door for future players from that area. I'm so glad we were able to get some new talent from the north."