@theFlock and I are beginning a new series that follows a single team throughout their season beginning post-draft. Each year a new team will be selected to be followed throughout the season monitoring significant events and capturing the humanity of our NSFL players as well. Being based on the NFL Hard Knocks show, we've decided not to change the name, so we hope you'll enjoy the relatively short pilot for our new series, NSFL Hard Knocks.
The hottest days of summer are behind us, but that's only a small relief for the members of the Arizona Outlaws, who are just beginning training camp in the blistering heat of the Arizona desert. With the draft behind us the rookies are now trying to get acclimated to the weather, which is a drastic change for some of them. Namely, Charlie Law, Outlaws newest tight end. The Boise State grad is definitely more used to cold winters and soft summers in Idaho.
Most days you'll find Law by the pool with his girlfriend, or watching Game of Thrones with some teammates, including quarterback King Bronko. Bronko, more than anyone, knows the importance of building chemistry with teammates. As important as practice is, trusting one another begins before anyone touches the ball.
“It's supposed to be difficult to get comfortable with a whole new group of guys, but the truth is, with that many naked people running around it's hard for things to stay uncomfortable,” Law noted.
[DNA by Kendrick Lamar plays over the intercom]
Thumbs tucked into the front of his shoulder pads, new cornerback Artist Boogie dances to the music, coaxing fellow rookie defensive back Vash Erikson into singing with him.
"This heat fucking sucks, huh," Boogie remarks.
"Pfft, I don't know how they do it. Back home it's sixty-something out right now."
On the opposite sideline, first round pick Franklin Harris Jr. runs a ladder drill, impressing the defensive backs coaches as he demonstrates neat footwork maneuvering between the small spaces.
There's a quick smack as first round, second overall pick, Godfrey King crashes into the line dummy.
"Like you're swimming. Push in with your left arm and swim with the right," the line coach instructs.
[Smack], King hits the pad and neatly swings his arm over it.
"Good. Asipi, you're up!"
As 5 o'clock rolls around and the sun is waning, rookie quarterback Tony Flygare remains, along with Archetype Schmarchetype who's stayed behind to get in some extra snaps after a relatively rough day for both of them.
Flygare is expected to be an Outlaws' send-down to the DSFL, where he'll get the chance to improve as he plays against fellow minor leaguers before hopefully returning to the NSFL to backup Bronko, and one day take over the offense himself.
Rookie Samuel Zhang is another camp story. The 6 foot 3 inch Wide Receiver out of Michigan State is coming onto a team that already has three stand out wide receivers. Starters Mayran Jackson and Dustin Evans are the clear one and two, with the big Red Zone Threat, C.A Chess locking up the third slot. Each of these guys can be moved around the field, and line up anywhere, so you have to ask, where does Zhang fit in on a team that rarely runs more than three receiver sets? Word around the office says that they want Zhang to test his skills at Corner this season, but for now, it's only a rumor.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Next time on NSFL Hard Knocks [/div]
As the next day rolls around, rookies and select veterans are expected to show up an hour early for mentor pairing. Mentors are expected to act as interim coaches between practices to help with playbook study, as well as building chemistry.
"Vash, you're with Flock; King and Asipi; Flygare, you and Strike are sharing Bronko; ya'll get it, right? Pair up with your respective position-specific veterans, exchange numbers, and hit the gym.
Trade rumors loom after the Colorado yeti have acquired a new GM looking to shake things up. No one can afford to assume they're safe.
The preseason begins as the Orange County Otters head to Arizona; each team hoping to showcase a successful off-season.
Payout 75% to myself and 25% to Flock this week
GRADED
The hottest days of summer are behind us, but that's only a small relief for the members of the Arizona Outlaws, who are just beginning training camp in the blistering heat of the Arizona desert. With the draft behind us the rookies are now trying to get acclimated to the weather, which is a drastic change for some of them. Namely, Charlie Law, Outlaws newest tight end. The Boise State grad is definitely more used to cold winters and soft summers in Idaho.
Most days you'll find Law by the pool with his girlfriend, or watching Game of Thrones with some teammates, including quarterback King Bronko. Bronko, more than anyone, knows the importance of building chemistry with teammates. As important as practice is, trusting one another begins before anyone touches the ball.
“It's supposed to be difficult to get comfortable with a whole new group of guys, but the truth is, with that many naked people running around it's hard for things to stay uncomfortable,” Law noted.
[DNA by Kendrick Lamar plays over the intercom]
Thumbs tucked into the front of his shoulder pads, new cornerback Artist Boogie dances to the music, coaxing fellow rookie defensive back Vash Erikson into singing with him.
"This heat fucking sucks, huh," Boogie remarks.
"Pfft, I don't know how they do it. Back home it's sixty-something out right now."
On the opposite sideline, first round pick Franklin Harris Jr. runs a ladder drill, impressing the defensive backs coaches as he demonstrates neat footwork maneuvering between the small spaces.
There's a quick smack as first round, second overall pick, Godfrey King crashes into the line dummy.
"Like you're swimming. Push in with your left arm and swim with the right," the line coach instructs.
[Smack], King hits the pad and neatly swings his arm over it.
"Good. Asipi, you're up!"
As 5 o'clock rolls around and the sun is waning, rookie quarterback Tony Flygare remains, along with Archetype Schmarchetype who's stayed behind to get in some extra snaps after a relatively rough day for both of them.
Flygare is expected to be an Outlaws' send-down to the DSFL, where he'll get the chance to improve as he plays against fellow minor leaguers before hopefully returning to the NSFL to backup Bronko, and one day take over the offense himself.
Rookie Samuel Zhang is another camp story. The 6 foot 3 inch Wide Receiver out of Michigan State is coming onto a team that already has three stand out wide receivers. Starters Mayran Jackson and Dustin Evans are the clear one and two, with the big Red Zone Threat, C.A Chess locking up the third slot. Each of these guys can be moved around the field, and line up anywhere, so you have to ask, where does Zhang fit in on a team that rarely runs more than three receiver sets? Word around the office says that they want Zhang to test his skills at Corner this season, but for now, it's only a rumor.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Next time on NSFL Hard Knocks [/div]
As the next day rolls around, rookies and select veterans are expected to show up an hour early for mentor pairing. Mentors are expected to act as interim coaches between practices to help with playbook study, as well as building chemistry.
"Vash, you're with Flock; King and Asipi; Flygare, you and Strike are sharing Bronko; ya'll get it, right? Pair up with your respective position-specific veterans, exchange numbers, and hit the gym.
Trade rumors loom after the Colorado yeti have acquired a new GM looking to shake things up. No one can afford to assume they're safe.
The preseason begins as the Orange County Otters head to Arizona; each team hoping to showcase a successful off-season.
Payout 75% to myself and 25% to Flock this week
GRADED