06-24-2019, 11:22 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-27-2019, 09:54 AM by Fordhammer.)
[Ready for grading - double draft media - 748 words]
An entire season has passed since AJ Lattimer was a surprise first round pick, selected at #8 by the Orange County Otters. For the first time since joining this league, this talented Nose Tackle doesn't have a draft to look forward to this year. We have AJ here now to discuss his most recent season, the one coming up, and the draft in general. Welcome AJ, how are you doing today?
"I'm great, thank you for having me."
There were high expectations for you this year as you were called up to play in the NSFL on day 1. How did you feel you performed given your situation, and how did you handle the pressure?
"I feel that I performed as well as could be expected as a rookie. I was paired up with Thorian Skarsgard, one of the best defensive tackles in the league, and a talented group in general. Sure, I didn't have the greatest stats, but I feel that I was able to create opportunities for my teammates, and I did even better here than in the DSFL. The pressure didn't get to me at all."
This year, you already have a home. No teams contacting you, no pre-draft stress, no fear of the unknown. What have you been doing with this extra time?
"I've continued to work hard. I don't think there is such a thing as an off-season. I'm working with my personal trainers to get bigger, stronger, and faster, while my chef has kept me on a strict diet. There's always time to better myself. In my 'down time' I've meditated to keep my mind healthy and I've prayed a lot."
Since you don't have to worry about yourself being drafted, we were hoping you could provide some insight on this season's draft class. Who are your favorite players coming in?
"I like this draft class as a whole. It's a lot smaller, so the way it'll go is a little less hard-to-predict, but the talent pool is great. I really like Blake Faux at #1, he was great this year. Laszlo Fourty-Two is an awesome receiver, I could see him going early. The one I'm most hyped about is Sam Torensen though. I think he'll be a feature back in a few years. Although, I am a little disappointed that he switched from being a DT, a little personal bias there for me."
People last year were shocked when you were picked in the first round. In fact, there wasn't a single mock draft that had you being picked that early. Who do you think has a chance of being the surprise early pick this year?
"I believe that Alberto McGuire will be picked higher than most people are predicting. I believe I have him going fourth. I love defensive linemen, and although he started late he's been improving steadily. Its tough to find defensive tackles, and I think he has enough talent for a team to jump on him when they have a chance."
Players like Morgan Marshall and Apollo Reed slipped out of the first round last year yet made an impact in their rookie season in the NSFL. Who do you think could potentially fall out of the first round but still make an impact in the big leagues?
"That is a tough one. I think the more obvious answers would be the GM picks, like Hugh Mongo or Wolfie McDummy, but I'll try to stay away from that. I believe Mako Mendonca might slip out of the first, but depending on what team he goes to he might have an opportunity to play right away and could be very successful."
This new draft class has a lot of characters full of unique names. Which name do you think is best?
"My personal favorite is Hakuna Matata. 'It means no worries, for the rest of our days.' Sick Lion King reference. Its a shame he went inactive so soon."
Looking forward, the league is looking much different with the two expansion teams being added. How do you think this will affect your teams success?
"It was tough losing some great guys to the expansion draft. I'll miss having them around, but I understand that with the league growing so quickly this was going to happen eventually. We are still the Otters though, so I'm not too worried. Our team is still solid, and I think we'll still be there in the post season come playoff time."
It was a pleasure speaking with you AJ, good luck on your upcoming season!
"Thank you, see you around."
An entire season has passed since AJ Lattimer was a surprise first round pick, selected at #8 by the Orange County Otters. For the first time since joining this league, this talented Nose Tackle doesn't have a draft to look forward to this year. We have AJ here now to discuss his most recent season, the one coming up, and the draft in general. Welcome AJ, how are you doing today?
"I'm great, thank you for having me."
There were high expectations for you this year as you were called up to play in the NSFL on day 1. How did you feel you performed given your situation, and how did you handle the pressure?
"I feel that I performed as well as could be expected as a rookie. I was paired up with Thorian Skarsgard, one of the best defensive tackles in the league, and a talented group in general. Sure, I didn't have the greatest stats, but I feel that I was able to create opportunities for my teammates, and I did even better here than in the DSFL. The pressure didn't get to me at all."
This year, you already have a home. No teams contacting you, no pre-draft stress, no fear of the unknown. What have you been doing with this extra time?
"I've continued to work hard. I don't think there is such a thing as an off-season. I'm working with my personal trainers to get bigger, stronger, and faster, while my chef has kept me on a strict diet. There's always time to better myself. In my 'down time' I've meditated to keep my mind healthy and I've prayed a lot."
Since you don't have to worry about yourself being drafted, we were hoping you could provide some insight on this season's draft class. Who are your favorite players coming in?
"I like this draft class as a whole. It's a lot smaller, so the way it'll go is a little less hard-to-predict, but the talent pool is great. I really like Blake Faux at #1, he was great this year. Laszlo Fourty-Two is an awesome receiver, I could see him going early. The one I'm most hyped about is Sam Torensen though. I think he'll be a feature back in a few years. Although, I am a little disappointed that he switched from being a DT, a little personal bias there for me."
People last year were shocked when you were picked in the first round. In fact, there wasn't a single mock draft that had you being picked that early. Who do you think has a chance of being the surprise early pick this year?
"I believe that Alberto McGuire will be picked higher than most people are predicting. I believe I have him going fourth. I love defensive linemen, and although he started late he's been improving steadily. Its tough to find defensive tackles, and I think he has enough talent for a team to jump on him when they have a chance."
Players like Morgan Marshall and Apollo Reed slipped out of the first round last year yet made an impact in their rookie season in the NSFL. Who do you think could potentially fall out of the first round but still make an impact in the big leagues?
"That is a tough one. I think the more obvious answers would be the GM picks, like Hugh Mongo or Wolfie McDummy, but I'll try to stay away from that. I believe Mako Mendonca might slip out of the first, but depending on what team he goes to he might have an opportunity to play right away and could be very successful."
This new draft class has a lot of characters full of unique names. Which name do you think is best?
"My personal favorite is Hakuna Matata. 'It means no worries, for the rest of our days.' Sick Lion King reference. Its a shame he went inactive so soon."
Looking forward, the league is looking much different with the two expansion teams being added. How do you think this will affect your teams success?
"It was tough losing some great guys to the expansion draft. I'll miss having them around, but I understand that with the league growing so quickly this was going to happen eventually. We are still the Otters though, so I'm not too worried. Our team is still solid, and I think we'll still be there in the post season come playoff time."
It was a pleasure speaking with you AJ, good luck on your upcoming season!
"Thank you, see you around."