On the first day of the post season, up and coming Linebacker, Ben Horne, signs a 1 year extension with the San Jose Sabercats worth $2M. Despite the Cats coming off of a losing season, Horne thinks the team can be competitive in S11. When asked about why he signed extension Horne said:
“This team is better than our record shows. We have a lot of young guys who are only going to improve this offseason. I think if we can have a solid draft, this team can make a playoff run. I also think this locker room has a lot to offer. Deringer (@GoonerBear) and I are the best linebacker pair in the league, this 1 year extension gives us a chance to prove that in S11. One of us has to break Sharpei’s (now Cats HOF LB) (@Muford) team records at linebacker.”
Many reporters asked why he didn’t ask for more money, being a top 5 Linebacker in S10.
“I am sure I could have got more on the open market, but I am a team first guy. If a star player suddenly decides to test the FA market this offseason, I’d like us (the cats) to have a chance to sign them. Playoff runs require a solid team and coaches, not just one player.”
In addition to not getting more money, many wonder why he didn’t sign a longer deal.
“While I am 100% in on the Sabercats organization, I am just not sure I am ready for a long-term deal with any team. I want to prove I am the best linebacker in the league first. While I am coming off a career high season, I need to show consistency in those numbers. So, to me this is a bet on myself. I also want to see what the front office does with this team long term. We have to win more ball games. Simple as that. Like I said before, I think we are heading in that direction, but the winning record remains to be seen. I am confident the boss man can get it done.”
With Horne and other NSFL stars being in contracts, the free agent market remains sparse for the offseason. We will see what moves teams make in order to build a winning squad in S11.
“This team is better than our record shows. We have a lot of young guys who are only going to improve this offseason. I think if we can have a solid draft, this team can make a playoff run. I also think this locker room has a lot to offer. Deringer (@GoonerBear) and I are the best linebacker pair in the league, this 1 year extension gives us a chance to prove that in S11. One of us has to break Sharpei’s (now Cats HOF LB) (@Muford) team records at linebacker.”
Many reporters asked why he didn’t ask for more money, being a top 5 Linebacker in S10.
“I am sure I could have got more on the open market, but I am a team first guy. If a star player suddenly decides to test the FA market this offseason, I’d like us (the cats) to have a chance to sign them. Playoff runs require a solid team and coaches, not just one player.”
In addition to not getting more money, many wonder why he didn’t sign a longer deal.
“While I am 100% in on the Sabercats organization, I am just not sure I am ready for a long-term deal with any team. I want to prove I am the best linebacker in the league first. While I am coming off a career high season, I need to show consistency in those numbers. So, to me this is a bet on myself. I also want to see what the front office does with this team long term. We have to win more ball games. Simple as that. Like I said before, I think we are heading in that direction, but the winning record remains to be seen. I am confident the boss man can get it done.”
With Horne and other NSFL stars being in contracts, the free agent market remains sparse for the offseason. We will see what moves teams make in order to build a winning squad in S11.
[OPTION]Position: K/P
[OPTION]Archetype: Accurate
[OPTION]College: University of South Carolina
[OPTION]Nicknames: The Notorious D.U.G.
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Team History
[OPTION] S19 - Myrtle Beach Buccaneers
[OPTION] S20 - Tijuana Luchadores
[OPTION] S21 to S24 - Yellowknife Wraiths
[OPTION] S25 to S31 - New York Silverbacks
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Regular Season Stats
[OPTION] ---- Kicking Stats ----
[OPTION] S19 - 2 GP, 4 XPM, 5 XPA, 80.0%, 3 FGM, 5 FGA, 60.0%, 41 Long, 13 PTs
[OPTION] S20 - 14 GP, 18 XPM, 20 XPA, 90.0%, 19 FGM 21 FGA, 90.5%, 49 Long, 75 PTs
[OPTION] S21 - 13 GP, 34 XPM, 36 XPA, 94.4%, 17 FGM 21 FGA, 81.0%, 50 Long, 85 PTs
[OPTION] S22 - 13 GP, 43 XPM, 46 XPA, 93.5%, 27 FGM, 28 FGA, 96.4%, 56 Long, 124 PTs
[OPTION] S23 - 16 GP, 38 XPM, 39 XPA, 97.4%, 34 FGM, 36 FGA, 94.4%, 57 Long, 140 PTs
[OPTION] S24 - 16 GP, 39 XPM, 42 XPA, 92.9%, 20 FGM, 20 FGA, 100%, 52 Long, 99 PTs
[OPTION] S25 - 16 GP, 37 XPM, 38 XPA, 97.4%, 30 FGM, 32 FGA, 93.8%, 51 Long, 127 PTs
[OPTION] S26 - 16 GP, 34 XPM, 37 XPA, 91.9%, 25 FGM, 25 FGA, 100%, 47 Long, 109 PTs
[OPTION] S27 - 16 GP, 34 XPM, 34 XPA, 100%, 19 FGM, 22 FGA, 86.4%, 51 Long, 91 PTs
[OPTION] S28 - 16 GP, 33 XPM, 34 XPA, 97.1%, 39 FGM, 42 FGA, 92.9%, 55 Long, 150 Pts
[OPTION] S29 - 16 GP, 50 XPM, 52 XPA, 96.21%, 25 FGM, 33 FGA, 75.9%, 55 Long, 125 Pts
[OPTION] S30 - 16 GP, 46 XPM, 46 XPA, 100%, 24 FGM, 29 FGA, 88.9%, 56 Long, 118 Pts
[OPTION] S31 - 16 GP, 38 XPM, 38 XPA, 100%, 28 FGM, 33 FGA, 84.8%, 56 Long, 122 Pts
[OPTION] ---- Punting Stats ----
[OPTION] S20 - 14 GP, 91 Punts, 4138 Yds, 45.5 Avg, 18 Inside 20, 63 Long
[OPTION] S21 - 13 GP, 78 Punts, 3682 Yds, 47.2 Avg, 7 Inside 20, 71 Long
[OPTION] S22 - 13 GP, 73 Punts, 3383 Yds, 46.3 Avg, 16 Inside 20, 71 Long
[OPTION] S23 - 16 GP, 93 Punts, 4400 Yds, 47.3 Avg, 19 Inside 20, 72 Long
[OPTION] S24 - 16 GP, 95 Punts, 4433 Yds, 46.7 Avg, 18 Inside 20, 72 Long
[OPTION] S25 - 16 GP, 113 Punts, 5337 Yds, 47.2 Avg, 23 Inside 20, 72 Long
[OPTION] S26 - 16 GP, 96 Punts, 4606 Yds, 48 Avg, 15 Inside 20, 73 Long
[OPTION] S27 - 16 GP, 97 Punts, 4472 Yds, 46.1 Avg, 39 Inside 20, 69 Long
[OPTION] S28 - 16 GP, 89 Punts, 4231 Yds, 47.5 Avg, 39 Inside 20, 67 Long
[OPTION] S29 - 16 GP, 76 Punts, 3475 Yds, 45.7 Avg, 31 Inside 20, 68 Long
[OPTION] S30 - 16 GP, 72 Punts, 3341 Yds, 46.4 Avg, 28 Inside 20, 68 Long
[OPTION] S31 - 16 GP, 88 Punts, 4040 Yds, 45.9 Avg, 39 Inside 20, 65 Long
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Playoff Stats
[OPTION] ---- Kicking Stats ----
[OPTION] S19 - 1 GP, 2 XPM, 2 XPA, 100%, 1 FGM, 1 FGA, 100%, 18 Long, 5 PTs
[OPTION] S21 - 3 GP, 6 XPM, 7 XPA, 85.7%, 5 FGM, 5 FGA, 100%, 49 Long, 21 PTs
[OPTION] S22 - 1 GP, 1 XPM, 1 XPA, 100%, 3 FGM, 4 FGA, 75%, 38 Long, 10 PTs
[OPTION] S23 - 2 GP, 6 XPM, 6 XPA, 100%, 3 FGM, 4 FGA, 75%, 57 Long, 15 PTs
[OPTION] S26 - 1 GP, 5 XPM, 5 XPA, 100%, 0 FGM, 0 FGA, 100%, 0 Long, 5 PTs
[OPTION] S28 - 1 GP, 1 XPM, 1 XPA, 100%, 1 FGM, 1 FGA, 100%, 39 Long, 4 PTs
[OPTION] S29 - 3 GP, 10 XPM, 10 XPA, 100%, 9 FGM, 9 FGA, 100%, 51 Long, 37 PTs
[OPTION] S30 - 2 GP, 5 XPM, 5 XPA, 100%, 3 FGM, 3 FGA, 100%, 49 Long, 14 PTs
[OPTION] ---- Punting Stats ----
[OPTION] S21 - 3 GP, 25 Punts, 1150 Yds, 46.0 Avg, 2 Inside 20, 64 Long
[OPTION] S22 - 1 GP, 6 Punts, 247 Yds, 41.2 Avg, 0 Inside 20, 57 Long
[OPTION] S23 - 2 GP, 11 Punts, 493 Yds, 44.8 Avg, 1 Inside 20, 60 Long
[OPTION] S26 - 1 GP, 9 Punts, 422 Yds, 46.9 Avg, 2 Inside 20, 70 Long
[OPTION] S28 - 1 GP, 4 Punts, 163 Yds, 40.8 Avg, 1 Inside 20, 46 Long
[OPTION] S29 - 3 GP, 11 Punts, 489 Yds, 43.2 Avg, 1 Inside 20, 53 Long
[OPTION] S30 - 2 GP, 8 Punts, 391 Yds, 48.9 Avg, 3 Inside 20, 63 Long
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Trophy Case and Awards
[OPTION] 1x Kicker of The Year (S22)
[OPTION] 2x Punter of The Year (S25, S28)
[OPTION] 4x Pro Bowl (S22, S24, S25, S28)
[OPTION] 2x Ultimus Champion (S23, S29)
[OPTION] 2x NSFC Champion (S21, S23)
[OPTION] 1x ASFC Champion (S29)
[OPTION] 2x DSFL OPoTG
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Other Accomplishments
[OPTION] Tied Playoff Field Goal Length Record (57 yards in S23)
[OPTION] Team USA Member (S22, S23, S25, S26)
[OPTION] S24 Charity Tournament Champion (Atlanta Pink Ponies)
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION]Position: LB/DE
[OPTION]Archetype: Power Rusher Turned Speed Rusher
[OPTION]College: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Team History
[OPTION] S7 - Tijuana Luchadores
[OPTION] S8 to S13 - San Jose Sabercats
[OPTION] S14 to S18 - Baltimore Hawks
[OPTION] S19 - Arizona Outlaws
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Regular Season Stats
[OPTION] S7 - Tijuana - 45 Tck, 6 Sacks, 1 TFL, 0 Int, 8 PD, 0 FF, 0 FR
[OPTION] S8 - San Jose - 73 Tck, 2 Sacks, 7 TFL, 0 Int, 6 PD, 0 FF, 0 FR
[OPTION] S9 - San Jose - 88 Tck, 4 Sacks, 2 TFL, 2 Int, 4 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
[OPTION] S10 - San Jose - 117 Tck, 2 Sacks, 2 TFL, 1 Int, 1 PD, 0 FF, 1 FR
[OPTION] S11 - San Jose - 114 Tck, 5 Sacks, 1 TFL, 0 Int, 5 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR
[OPTION] S12 - San Jose - 40 Tck, 4 Sacks, 9 TFL, 0 Int, 13 PD, 0 FF, 0 FR*
[OPTION] S13 - San Jose - 26 Tck, 1 Sack, 4 TFL, 0 Int, 0 PD, 0 FF, 0 FR*
[OPTION]S14 - Baltimore - 90 Tck, 10 Sacks, 1 TFL, 0 Int, 14 PD, 1 FF, 0 FR
[OPTION]S15 - Baltimore - 96 Tck, 12 Sacks, 1 TFL, 0 Int, 15 PD, 0 FF, 0 FR
[OPTION]S16 - Baltimore - 105 Tck, 10 Sacks, 0 TFL, 0 Int, 16 PD, 2 FF, 2 FR
[OPTION]S17 - Baltimore - 89 Tck, 9 Sacks, 2 TFL, 0 Int, 3 PD, 1 FF, 0 FR
[OPTION]S18 - Baltimore - 85 Tck, 8 Sacks, 0 TFL, 1 Int, 16 PD, 0 FF, 1 FR
[OPTION]S19 - Arizona - 97 Tck, 3 Sacks, 0 TFL, 0 Int, 3 PD, 0 FF, 1 FR
[OPTION] *Season played as DE instead of LB
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Playoff Stats
[OPTION]S7 - Tijuana - 15 Tck, 2 Sacks, 0 TFL, 0 Int, 0 PD (2 games)
[OPTION]S12 - San Jose - 0 Tck, 0 Sacks, 0 TFL, 0 Int, 0 PD (1 game)
[OPTION]S13 - San Jose - 5 Tck, 1 Sack, 0 TFL, 0 Int, 0 PD (1 game)
[OPTION]S14 - Baltimore - 8 Tck, 2 Sacks, 0 TFL, 0 Int, 1 PD (1 game)
[OPTION]S15 - Baltimore - 13 Tck, 3 Sacks, 0 TFL, 1 Int, 2 PD (2 games)
[OPTION]S17 - Baltimore - 19 Tck, 2 Sacks, 0 TFL, 0 Int, 1 PD (3 games)
[OPTION]S18 - Baltimore - 14 Tck, 1 Sacks, 1 FF, 0 Int, 1 PD (2 games)
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Trophy Case and Awards
[OPTION] Tijuana Luchadores Ring of Honor (S24 class)
[OPTION] 5x Pro Bowl (S10, S14, S15, S16, S18)
[OPTION] 1x Ultimus Champion (S15)
[OPTION] 2x NSFL NSFC Champion (S15, S17)
[OPTION] 16x Defensive Player of the Game
[OPTION] 1x DSFL SFC Champion (S7)
[OPTION] 1000+ Tackle Club
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Front Office History
[OPTION] S8 to S12 - Co-GM of Tijuana Luchadores (Co-GM: nunccoepi)
[OPTION] S13 - Head Coach of San Jose Sabercats
[OPTION] S14 to S17- Co-GM of Baltimore Hawks (Co-GM: nunccoepi)
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Trophy/Award Case
[OPTION] 1x Ultimus Champion (S15)
[OPTION] 2x NSFL NSFC Champion (S15, S17)
[OPTION] 3x Ultimini Champion (S8, S9, S10)
[OPTION] 4x DSFL SFC Champion (S8, S9, S10, S11)
[OPTION] 3x DSFL Co-GM of the Year (S8, S9, S10)
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Overall Stats
[OPTION] Regular Season 85-40
[OPTION] Post Season 11-5
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Regular Season Stats
[OPTION] S8 - TIJ - 8-6 - 2nd in SFC Division - Made Playoffs
[OPTION] S9 - TIJ - 10-4 - 1st in SFC Division - Made Playoffs
[OPTION] S10 - TIJ - 10-4 - 1st in SFC Division - Made Playoffs
[OPTION] S11 - TIJ - 5-9 - 2nd in SFC Division - Made Playoffs
[OPTION] S12 - TIJ - 9-5 - 1st in SFC Division - Made Playoffs
[OPTION] S13 - SJS - 12-2 - 1st in ASFC Division - Made Playoffs
[OPTION]S14 - BAL - 11-3 - 1st in NSFC Division - Made Playoffs
[OPTION]S15 - BAL - 12-2 - 1st in NSFC Division - Made Playoffs
[OPTION]S16 - BAL - 7-6 - 4th in NSFC Division
[OPTION]S17 - BAL - 8-5 -2nd in NSFC Division - Made Playoffs
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Post Season Stats
[OPTION] S8 - TIJ - 2-0 - Won Ultimini
[OPTION] S9 - TIJ - 2-0 - Won Ultimini
[OPTION] S10 - TIJ - 2-0 - Won Ultimini
[OPTION] S11 - TIJ - 1-1 - Lost Ultimini
[OPTION] S12 - TIJ - 0-1 - Lost in SFC Championship
[OPTION] S13 - SJS - 0-1 - Lost in ASFC Championship
[OPTION] S14 - BAL - 0-1 - Lost in NSFC Championship
[OPTION] S15 - BAL - 2-0 - Won Ultimus
[OPTION] S16 - Did not make playoffs
[OPTION] S17 - BAL - 2-1 - Lost Ultimus
[OPTION]------------------------------------------------------------
[OPTION] Other Career Achievements
[OPTION] Lead Tijuana to first Franchise Ultimini (S8)
[OPTION] First DSFL Franchise to win 3 Ultimini's in a row (S10)
[OPTION] GMed the only shutout in Ultimus History (S15)
[OPTION] Created QuickKetchup Strategy Testing
[OPTION] Co-GM of Great Lakes Dragons in S24 Charity Tournament