After a DSFL season that saw him record 91 tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery, (Teammate Charlie Trout had 150 tackles and 8 sacks!!!) Portland LB Logan Lejune enters the NSFL draft. Of course as he said, the playoffs and Ultimini come first. Our reporter Mike Blueberg sat down with Logan ahead of the draft.
Blueberg- How was your first season in the DSFL with Portland?
Lejune- Throughout my highschool years at PNG and my college years at Lamar, I had never heard of the NSFL. When it became increasingly obvious that I would not be drafted in the NFL I was ready to leave football behind and move on with my life. My agent told me that a league called the National Sim Football League was interested in me. He said the leagues developmental league was holding a draft soon. Well, I knew absolutely nothing about the NSFL or the affiliated DSFL but I entered the draft.
When I was drafted 23rd overall 2 thoughts came to mind. First I thought of my friend Jonathon Livingston who played for the Portland Beavers in the PBE. My second thought was "Well this should be interesting. I didn't know if the Pythons were good, bad, or average. I just knew I would give it my all.
Finally the day of the team mini camp came. I got to meet my new teammates. I was impressed by the talent around me. Defensively I was most impressed. These guys flew to the ball and just made plays. I felt confident about going to war with them. (Of course they could have been bad in comparison to the rest of the league and I wouldn't have known.)
The atmosphere in the locker room was great. Most everyone was friendly, and we all were really competitive. We knew winning was the goal and together we strived to achieve that goal. The season came, and we took care of business. With the guys we have, 13-1 was no surprise. We rolled. This has been the best experience I have had throughout all my years playing football.
Blueberg- How confident do you feel heading into the postseason?
Lejune-Like I basically said, I have so much confidence in my teammates. We excel in all facets of the game. Coach won't let us overlook anybody. We are ready and we know what we are capable of doing. I feel very confident, but not overconfident.
Blueberg- Lets forget about the DSFL for a minute. With the NSFL draft approaching, and you have probably already been asked this, how do you feel about switching positions.
Lejune- I have been a linebacker my whole life. Well there was that one game I played fullback but that is another story... At my size I feel that linebacker is the best position for me. However, I will do whatever the team needs me to do. If my coach thinks I would make a better safety or cornerback I will do my absolute best to make the transition.
Blueberg- Speaking of the upcoming draft, has there been much interest in you among the teams?
Lejune- There has been some interest. A couple of teams have spoken with me. It's still early of course. The GMs are probably focused on the playoffs. I have to just keep focusing on the task ahead, the DSFL playoffs. The interest will come when it comes.
Blueberg- Another question you have heard before, are there any specific teams you would like to be drafted to?
Lejune- I can't even tell you which teams made the playoffs this season. I barely know who won the Ultimus last year. I would like to be apart of a winning team, but I would like to come in and join a rebuild with a chance to become a franchise face. I will say the teams that have contacted me are places I would feel great about joining.
Blueberg- Can you give us a hint about those teams?
Lejune- *pantomimes zipping lips*
Blueberg- Okay, okay. It was worth a shot. Do you worry that teams will take your lack of knowledge about the league as a red flag?
Lejune- They can think what they want. Its my job to improve and make plays that win football games. That's what I am doing.
Blueberg- On lighter note, What was your favorite moment from the regular season?
Lejune- Getting that fumble recovery in week 14 was awesome. It is impossible to explain the feeling of being at the bottom of the pile. Na, I am joking. The celebration after we clinched the wins in a season record would have to be the best moment. When coach calmed us down and told us plainly that we had done nothing yet... That was incredible.
Blueberg- Give the readers one thing you need to work on, and one thing your satisfied with.
Lejune- I am never satisfied. Of course I really cannot see myself getting any faster. I guess I will have to be satisfied with my speed. My endurance needs work. A little extra juice here or there and maybe Trout wouldn't have had such a massive advantage in tackles.
Blueberg- Thank you for spending time with us today. We wish you good luck in the playoffs, the upcoming draft, and throughout the rest of your career.
Blueberg- How was your first season in the DSFL with Portland?
Lejune- Throughout my highschool years at PNG and my college years at Lamar, I had never heard of the NSFL. When it became increasingly obvious that I would not be drafted in the NFL I was ready to leave football behind and move on with my life. My agent told me that a league called the National Sim Football League was interested in me. He said the leagues developmental league was holding a draft soon. Well, I knew absolutely nothing about the NSFL or the affiliated DSFL but I entered the draft.
When I was drafted 23rd overall 2 thoughts came to mind. First I thought of my friend Jonathon Livingston who played for the Portland Beavers in the PBE. My second thought was "Well this should be interesting. I didn't know if the Pythons were good, bad, or average. I just knew I would give it my all.
Finally the day of the team mini camp came. I got to meet my new teammates. I was impressed by the talent around me. Defensively I was most impressed. These guys flew to the ball and just made plays. I felt confident about going to war with them. (Of course they could have been bad in comparison to the rest of the league and I wouldn't have known.)
The atmosphere in the locker room was great. Most everyone was friendly, and we all were really competitive. We knew winning was the goal and together we strived to achieve that goal. The season came, and we took care of business. With the guys we have, 13-1 was no surprise. We rolled. This has been the best experience I have had throughout all my years playing football.
Blueberg- How confident do you feel heading into the postseason?
Lejune-Like I basically said, I have so much confidence in my teammates. We excel in all facets of the game. Coach won't let us overlook anybody. We are ready and we know what we are capable of doing. I feel very confident, but not overconfident.
Blueberg- Lets forget about the DSFL for a minute. With the NSFL draft approaching, and you have probably already been asked this, how do you feel about switching positions.
Lejune- I have been a linebacker my whole life. Well there was that one game I played fullback but that is another story... At my size I feel that linebacker is the best position for me. However, I will do whatever the team needs me to do. If my coach thinks I would make a better safety or cornerback I will do my absolute best to make the transition.
Blueberg- Speaking of the upcoming draft, has there been much interest in you among the teams?
Lejune- There has been some interest. A couple of teams have spoken with me. It's still early of course. The GMs are probably focused on the playoffs. I have to just keep focusing on the task ahead, the DSFL playoffs. The interest will come when it comes.
Blueberg- Another question you have heard before, are there any specific teams you would like to be drafted to?
Lejune- I can't even tell you which teams made the playoffs this season. I barely know who won the Ultimus last year. I would like to be apart of a winning team, but I would like to come in and join a rebuild with a chance to become a franchise face. I will say the teams that have contacted me are places I would feel great about joining.
Blueberg- Can you give us a hint about those teams?
Lejune- *pantomimes zipping lips*
Blueberg- Okay, okay. It was worth a shot. Do you worry that teams will take your lack of knowledge about the league as a red flag?
Lejune- They can think what they want. Its my job to improve and make plays that win football games. That's what I am doing.
Blueberg- On lighter note, What was your favorite moment from the regular season?
Lejune- Getting that fumble recovery in week 14 was awesome. It is impossible to explain the feeling of being at the bottom of the pile. Na, I am joking. The celebration after we clinched the wins in a season record would have to be the best moment. When coach calmed us down and told us plainly that we had done nothing yet... That was incredible.
Blueberg- Give the readers one thing you need to work on, and one thing your satisfied with.
Lejune- I am never satisfied. Of course I really cannot see myself getting any faster. I guess I will have to be satisfied with my speed. My endurance needs work. A little extra juice here or there and maybe Trout wouldn't have had such a massive advantage in tackles.
Blueberg- Thank you for spending time with us today. We wish you good luck in the playoffs, the upcoming draft, and throughout the rest of your career.