05-06-2019, 04:21 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-08-2019, 07:48 AM by Fordhammer.)
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Welcome to Cured, a multi part journey inside the mind of Tony "The Big Salami" Gabagool as he makes his way through his football career. In this interview we sit down with Tony to discuss his NSFL draft journey, where he ended up, and what he sees for the future. [/div]
Hello Tony. Thank you for agreeing to be part of this once again. We here at the Globe look forward to these sit downs.
Pleasure to be back Gony.
So let's get right down to it. When we last spoke with you, you were just wrapping up your rookie season in the DSFL. How did you feel that your rookie season went, did it meet your standards? How do you felt your performance was viewed around the league?
I loved my time with Palm Beach. All of those guys were first class. From the front office down, they made it great to be a rookie. Obviously things didn't turn out the way we wanted it to. We had long odds as an expansion team to begin with, but a couple things didn't swing our way and that is the way it goes some times. I thought I preformed well, and I was honoured to be named a pro bowl alternate. There was so much talent at linebacker so I felt like it was hard to distance myself from my peers, even on my team, the Palm Beach Penetration was a legendary linebacker core that I hope lives on through future generations of players. I know the future is bright there, they have such strong leadership and drafting ability. I know I will be a Palm Beach fan until the end!
How do you think that affected your draft stock? Not being able to stand out as much as you wanted to?
Yeah, I mean, yeah, it made it tough in the draft process. Only about half of the teams reached out to me. I know that my GM's spoke well of me but the whole process is pretty out of my control. I just worked my butt off to show them that I was the kind of guy that could make the positive impact a team is looking for. There were a lot of teams asking if I would position switch. I play this game for the contact, as long as I am in a position to light a mother f****** up, I am happy.
We know that you mentioned that during your DSFL draft process, you felt that you interviewed poorly due to being hungry. Were you able to fix that this time around?
Oh yeah, most definitely. Mo Berry actually called me in the off-season to apologize for the incident before the last draft. He finally took me out for dinner and we were able to talk through our issues. He sent me off to the interviews with a stomach full of greasy noodles and that is exactly what I needed. In hindsight it was pretty important that we were able to squash this beef, seeing we both ended up playing for the same team. I am excited to play with him.
So, I think a lot of experts had you going in the late 4th round? Colorado ends up taking you at the top of the 3rd, was that a surprise to you? What was that phone call like?
Yeah end of 4th was what my agent told me to expect based on his conversastions around the league. Honestly I was shocked I went that high. This draft was the deepest linebacker draft ever and to be thought of so highly was a great honour. Especially since I thought I was undervalued in the DSFL draft. I know a lot of people think they reached for me, but I intend to prove all of those doubters wrong. @Frick_NastyMo Berry and I can strike fear in opposing defenses for years to come.
So how do you feel about playing in Colorado? Is this where you saw yourself ending up?
I am so happy to be here. I want to bring an Ultimus to the great Yeti fans that we have. I look around this locker room and see some hungry guys. We all see the predictions, that we are expected to be one of the bottom teams in the league, and we use it as motivation. I think we have a good chance of being one of the most stout defenses this year, and we will get better and better as the year goes on. I will not guarantee and Ultimus this year, but I will guarantee we will win one before my time here has come to an end!
Lastly, could you just sum up the draft process in general?
Haha sure. Let's just say I am glad that I don't ever have to go through this again. I am excited to get down to business. All of the combine drills, interviews, travelling can really be an exhausting whirlwind. I understand why it has to be the way it is, but I definitely am ready to move on and start my NSFL career. The future is bright in Colorado.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Thank you for reading Part 2 of Cured: The Journey of Tony Gabagool, join us for the next installment when we sit down with The Big Salami midway through his first NSFL season. This is Gony Tabatool from the Boston Globe reporting.[/div]
Hello Tony. Thank you for agreeing to be part of this once again. We here at the Globe look forward to these sit downs.
Pleasure to be back Gony.
So let's get right down to it. When we last spoke with you, you were just wrapping up your rookie season in the DSFL. How did you feel that your rookie season went, did it meet your standards? How do you felt your performance was viewed around the league?
I loved my time with Palm Beach. All of those guys were first class. From the front office down, they made it great to be a rookie. Obviously things didn't turn out the way we wanted it to. We had long odds as an expansion team to begin with, but a couple things didn't swing our way and that is the way it goes some times. I thought I preformed well, and I was honoured to be named a pro bowl alternate. There was so much talent at linebacker so I felt like it was hard to distance myself from my peers, even on my team, the Palm Beach Penetration was a legendary linebacker core that I hope lives on through future generations of players. I know the future is bright there, they have such strong leadership and drafting ability. I know I will be a Palm Beach fan until the end!
How do you think that affected your draft stock? Not being able to stand out as much as you wanted to?
Yeah, I mean, yeah, it made it tough in the draft process. Only about half of the teams reached out to me. I know that my GM's spoke well of me but the whole process is pretty out of my control. I just worked my butt off to show them that I was the kind of guy that could make the positive impact a team is looking for. There were a lot of teams asking if I would position switch. I play this game for the contact, as long as I am in a position to light a mother f****** up, I am happy.
We know that you mentioned that during your DSFL draft process, you felt that you interviewed poorly due to being hungry. Were you able to fix that this time around?
Oh yeah, most definitely. Mo Berry actually called me in the off-season to apologize for the incident before the last draft. He finally took me out for dinner and we were able to talk through our issues. He sent me off to the interviews with a stomach full of greasy noodles and that is exactly what I needed. In hindsight it was pretty important that we were able to squash this beef, seeing we both ended up playing for the same team. I am excited to play with him.
So, I think a lot of experts had you going in the late 4th round? Colorado ends up taking you at the top of the 3rd, was that a surprise to you? What was that phone call like?
Yeah end of 4th was what my agent told me to expect based on his conversastions around the league. Honestly I was shocked I went that high. This draft was the deepest linebacker draft ever and to be thought of so highly was a great honour. Especially since I thought I was undervalued in the DSFL draft. I know a lot of people think they reached for me, but I intend to prove all of those doubters wrong. @Frick_NastyMo Berry and I can strike fear in opposing defenses for years to come.
So how do you feel about playing in Colorado? Is this where you saw yourself ending up?
I am so happy to be here. I want to bring an Ultimus to the great Yeti fans that we have. I look around this locker room and see some hungry guys. We all see the predictions, that we are expected to be one of the bottom teams in the league, and we use it as motivation. I think we have a good chance of being one of the most stout defenses this year, and we will get better and better as the year goes on. I will not guarantee and Ultimus this year, but I will guarantee we will win one before my time here has come to an end!
Lastly, could you just sum up the draft process in general?
Haha sure. Let's just say I am glad that I don't ever have to go through this again. I am excited to get down to business. All of the combine drills, interviews, travelling can really be an exhausting whirlwind. I understand why it has to be the way it is, but I definitely am ready to move on and start my NSFL career. The future is bright in Colorado.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Thank you for reading Part 2 of Cured: The Journey of Tony Gabagool, join us for the next installment when we sit down with The Big Salami midway through his first NSFL season. This is Gony Tabatool from the Boston Globe reporting.[/div]