My welcome to the moment league was my entire rookie season. I didn't get a single stat. That's right, your boy Spottie O'Dopaliscious of the Arizona Outlaws managed to tally a total of zero tackles, zero passes deflected, zero interceptions, zero fumbles forces, zero fumbles recovered, and zero sacks. It was a true awakening. I really put the O in O'Dopaliscious that season. It was tough, but it's what I needed. I just simply wasn't good enough. So I spend a lot of time in the offseason getting better and better. I learned a lot from the veterans as well. It lead to me becoming a Pro Bowler multiple times and winning one CBotY (or whatever the heck it's called now). It was really cool and the lowest of lows really made the highest of highs that much better. I also managed to win 3 Ultimus and make it to another 1 or 2 (I can't remember cuz I drank away the losses). Either way, it's been a fun career and I'm looking forward to retirement.
Lenard McRobinson hasn't yet gotten a chance to step onto the field for an ISFL or DSFL game, but that doesn't mean he hasn't had a "welcome to the league" moment. As an incoming rookie quarterback - specifically, a scrambler who molds his game around athleticism and an ability to create plays on the ground - he's already faced his share of doubters. The ISFL has rarely seen successful rushing-oriented quarterbacks, and this stigma has followed Lenard as he's begun his pro career. The moment in question: when he officially entered his name into the DSFL draft for season 44, a league representative informed him that successfully holding a quarterback job in the ISFL is tricky and not-so-subtly encouraged him to consider switching positions. At the same time, whispers in league circles began to circulate about how unlikely it is that an athlete like Lenard will be able to carve out a successful ISFL career. While he understands the skepticism, Lenard is looking forward to proving the doubters wrong.
America South America - K/P - Player Page Tijuana Luchadores --Retired-- Alfonso Dos Santos - K/P - Player Page l Update Page New Orleans Second Line - Bondi Beach Buccaneers Brock Bodenhamer - WR - Player Page l Update Page New Orleans Second Line - Myrtle Beach Buccaneers Bona'beri Jones - WR - Player Page l Update Page New Orleans Second Line - Portland Pythons Noah Goodson - LB - Player Page l Updates New Orleans Second Line-Yellowknife Wraiths-Baltimore Hawks-Arizona Outlaws-Portland Pythons
Since joining the league, I've been lucky in that my player has been able to make a major, immediate impact. My guy became the sole RB on one of the league's best teams, so I didn't have much of a tough time in my first couple games. However, the hardest (and probably most resemblant of a "welcome to the league" moment) came in week five against the Minnesota Grey Ducks. My team tried feeding me the ball all game, as I had 19 handoffs and 2 pass targets. However, I couldn't get anything going. One 16 yard run... and that was kind of it. I had 54 total rushing yards, good for a clean 2.8 YPC. I also had a drop on one of my two targets. It was a horrible game for me, and it was one of the biggest reasons the team lost. The feeling sucked, so it motivated me to improve my player.
I'll write this on the career of Wendell Sailor because my new career hasn't really started yet. Wendell Sailor though was a remarkable rookie quarterback in the ISFL, experienced a defining season that would shape his career. Despite the challenges of transitioning from the DSFL to the ISFL, Wendell's shone through. In his first season, Wendell had a "welcome to the league" moment of a different kind. He nearly captured the ISFL MVP award, showcasing his poise, skill, and ability to excel in the heightened competition.
Wendell's rookie statistics were impressive, reflecting his leadership, accuracy, and playmaking abilities. Although he narrowly missed out on the MVP honour, his debut season established him as a rising star in the league. This incredible campaign highlighted Wendell's natural talent and unwavering dedication. Rather than faltering under pressure, he embraced the challenge and left a lasting impact. Wendell's extraordinary rookie year laid the foundation for a captivating career, solidifying his status as one of the league's best ever quarterbacks, probably even the #1 best ever.
The big welcome to the league moment for Kovic came during his very first college practice. He was coming into a sport he had only heard about on television and radio and now he’s here to try and prove that he can make it in the big time. The very first practice where coach called for a simple rushing technique drill and Kovic had absolutely no idea how to be technical when it came to football. He only knew how to simply overpower the other players on the field to get results, so having to learn he cant just do that was a real eye opening move to him. He took this lesson in stride though, where he spent the extra hours with the coaching staff after practices and similar to learn actual technique and how to become a complete team player, rather than his poor current form. The end result has been an elite pass rusher looking to make a jump at the ISFL level very soon.
"You relieve the same day over and over again, you kind of start to see who you really are."
Harley Andrews has been in the league for quite some time now, but he still remembers his early days in the league quite well. Andrews was an All American defensive end at the University of Florida and as such, he always lined up at defensive end and was never asked to work outside of that skill set. That quickly changed for Andrews in his first season with the Sarasota Sailfish though. When he joined the team, the Sailfish already had multiple experienced players on the edge, so to get playing time he was going to have to contribute in other ways. For Andrews, this would come by way of an inside linebacker role on most downs. He found himself in coverage much more than he was used to which was probably the toughest adjustment or “welcome to the league” moment. He also found himself taking on running backs head to head when filling gaps on running plays. He managed to adjust well though, and the role change ended up being temporary as he moved back to a pass rusher role the following season.
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07-09-2023, 12:08 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-09-2023, 12:09 AM by AJay887. Edited 1 time in total.)
The path to the DSFL has not been a long one just yet for Gajeel Redfox. After waking up and going out into the city of Fiore, finding a quiet park for training, he worked out on his strength routine, lifting heavy, old, rotting tree stumps off the ground, and doing squats with the massive logs on his back. Upon returning to the guild hall, he flipped on the television, and heard that the waiver claims for the DSFL were happening at that exact moment. After making a quick snack and sitting down to watch, he eventually heard his own name, claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Coyotes. Quite a journey to get to Missouri from Magnolia, Texas, but he immediately started packing up to set off for the midwest. Being greeted at the door to the new training facility by his general manager, Gajeel rolled up his sleeves. "It's time to get to work."
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The journey from where Matthew Mara started compared to where he is now is fraught with peaks and valleys matched by few. From a humble beginning to a reluctant star, Matthew never really chose his path. No instead it was laid out before him and he just followed along. Even that tragic night where he was in that accident, it was merely another step on his journey.
Mara's true destiny didn't start until after that accident. After he had healed. After he graduated and even after joining the priesthood. His destiny began when he realized that football was still an option. It wasn't something easy. Something laid out right in front of him like everything else in his life. No, this would be something that would take him far away from "the path". Perhaps it wasn't football that lured him away and in fact, it was the feeling of standing up for once and taking control over his life. Regardless of where the decision took him, it was one that was his own even if it wasn't successful. Thankfully, everything has worked out. He has achieved his dream and is enjoying the moments. Life is too important to stay off the grass. [202 words] |
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