(Ready for grading--double draft media)
We got the chance to sit down with the newest member of the Philadelphia Liberty receiving corps, Nacho Varga. After an average season in the DSFL with the Palm Beach Solar Bears, Nacho was taken with the #29 overall pick by the Philadelphia Liberty.
We caught up with Nacho in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico the day after the draft to get his thought on this past season, the draft, and his upcoming NSFL debut.
Hi, Nacho. We appreciate you taking the time to interview with us. I'm sure your schedule is pretty hectic these days.
Hey, no problem. I'm always a busy man, but I like to do these once in a while.
Let's start with your season with the Solar Bears. How did you feel about your season as a whole, and your individual and team performance?
Obviously, I think there are some things we'd do differently. We had a few bright spots, but really struggled as a team. As an expansion team, we were at a bit of a disadvantage since we were all first-year players. I'm not here to make excuses, though. We played our hearts out every game, but we also made a lot of mistakes. I think you could see us start to put things together towards the end of the season, but it was too little too late at that point. I definitely take part of the blame. Me and Apollo never really developed enough chemistry to get things going. It's possible we could have with some more time, but we won't know at this point. We had some nice plays, but I need to be more consistent in getting separation from corners, and my route running technique needs to be improved before I can make an impact on the next level. All that said, our locker room was a tight-knit group, and our GMs did a great job of keeping everyone together. A lot of locker rooms would have been torn apart by a rough season like that, but we just got closer together as a group. I'll miss these guys as a lot of us go our separate ways, but I'm sure we'll keep in touch.
Let's talk about the draft. You were pretty consistently rated as the 4th receiver in a class of 4 active receivers. Do you feel that was fair, and did you expect to go in the 3rd round?
Let me start by saying I'm thrilled with the team I'm on. I'm glad the Liberty were able to grab me in the third, since they were able to pick up two outstanding defensive players in the first two rounds. That said, I really didn't expect to fall that far. I heard from most of the GMs before the draft, and heard generally positive things. I never thought I'd go before Landers, as he seemed to be the consensus #1 receiver, and had been killing it all year. I'm guessing the Austin and San Jose GMs had Tidwell and Ahri higher on their draft boards for one reason or another, as they both passed on me to take those guys. Then as the draft went on, I just don't think WR was a big need for most teams. At some point in the offseason I became the consensus #4 guy, but I'm out to prove that I'm the best receiver in this class. I think the Liberty got a steal, and I can't wait to prove it over the next several seasons. This group of receivers might be pretty shallow compared to some of the other positions, but I think the four of us are going to be talked about for years to come.
What's training camp been like with your new teammates?
It's been great. We've been putting in the work, and I think we can make a run at the Ultimus again this year. I've been battling it out with Emoji (@BWIII) and D'Attoria in camp, and it's been a real challenge. I'm also learning a lot from their veteran WRs, and I'm realizing I have a long way to go. You think you have it figured out in the DSFL, but it's going to be a whole different challenge at the next level. Everyone here is just on a different level. Bigger, faster, stronger. I’ve got my work cut out for me, but I’m ready to go. I’ve got some great mentors, and I think I can contribute pretty quickly here in Philly.
We saw you took a pretty cheap deal to play for Philly. What were the negotiations like?
My family business has proven to be quite… lucrative, let’s just say. I do not need to make a ton of money off of my contract here, and I was happy to allow the team to have some extra cash for other needs. When they approached me for my draft sig photo shoot, I wanted to make sure I was seen in my natural habitat: counting my loads of cash made from my completely legitimate family business.
Which DB in the NSFL are you most looking forward to going up against?
Hmm, that’s a good one. I would have to say Xerxes Ridley (@plantane) at the moment. I did not even make his “5 Toughest Receivers I’ve Ever Covered” list. Which was a little surprising since I scored on him in our first matchup together. He’s one of the most talented corners in this class, and the Butchers took him in the 2nd round. He’ll be in the DSFL this year, but I can’t wait to go up against him next season after we’ve both had another year to develop as players. Logan Uchiha (@CalvinP) has also talked a lot of trash this offseason against my boy D’Attoria (@124715), so I can’t wait to burn him for some TDs this year if he tries to cover me in the slot. I’ve seen some tape of him, and I don’t think he’s got a prayer of staying with me in the open field. Rumors from camp are he’s been spending more time in the film room instead of in the gym, but film will only help so much when I run right by him.
One last question, before we let you get out of here. The rumors of your connections to the Salamanca cartel seem to have died out during the season, but there have been numerous reports of you being seen hanging out with some of your old friends during the offseason. Did Philly address the off-the-field issues with you during before bringing you on board?
I have stated over and over again that I do not like speaking about this issue. You would think I would learn that these questions are always coming. I will only say that I have been open and honest with my team, and they fully trust me to make the right decisions in who I spend my time with.
Thanks for your time today. Good luck in your first NSFL season.
We got the chance to sit down with the newest member of the Philadelphia Liberty receiving corps, Nacho Varga. After an average season in the DSFL with the Palm Beach Solar Bears, Nacho was taken with the #29 overall pick by the Philadelphia Liberty.
We caught up with Nacho in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico the day after the draft to get his thought on this past season, the draft, and his upcoming NSFL debut.
Hi, Nacho. We appreciate you taking the time to interview with us. I'm sure your schedule is pretty hectic these days.
Hey, no problem. I'm always a busy man, but I like to do these once in a while.
Let's start with your season with the Solar Bears. How did you feel about your season as a whole, and your individual and team performance?
Obviously, I think there are some things we'd do differently. We had a few bright spots, but really struggled as a team. As an expansion team, we were at a bit of a disadvantage since we were all first-year players. I'm not here to make excuses, though. We played our hearts out every game, but we also made a lot of mistakes. I think you could see us start to put things together towards the end of the season, but it was too little too late at that point. I definitely take part of the blame. Me and Apollo never really developed enough chemistry to get things going. It's possible we could have with some more time, but we won't know at this point. We had some nice plays, but I need to be more consistent in getting separation from corners, and my route running technique needs to be improved before I can make an impact on the next level. All that said, our locker room was a tight-knit group, and our GMs did a great job of keeping everyone together. A lot of locker rooms would have been torn apart by a rough season like that, but we just got closer together as a group. I'll miss these guys as a lot of us go our separate ways, but I'm sure we'll keep in touch.
Let's talk about the draft. You were pretty consistently rated as the 4th receiver in a class of 4 active receivers. Do you feel that was fair, and did you expect to go in the 3rd round?
Let me start by saying I'm thrilled with the team I'm on. I'm glad the Liberty were able to grab me in the third, since they were able to pick up two outstanding defensive players in the first two rounds. That said, I really didn't expect to fall that far. I heard from most of the GMs before the draft, and heard generally positive things. I never thought I'd go before Landers, as he seemed to be the consensus #1 receiver, and had been killing it all year. I'm guessing the Austin and San Jose GMs had Tidwell and Ahri higher on their draft boards for one reason or another, as they both passed on me to take those guys. Then as the draft went on, I just don't think WR was a big need for most teams. At some point in the offseason I became the consensus #4 guy, but I'm out to prove that I'm the best receiver in this class. I think the Liberty got a steal, and I can't wait to prove it over the next several seasons. This group of receivers might be pretty shallow compared to some of the other positions, but I think the four of us are going to be talked about for years to come.
What's training camp been like with your new teammates?
It's been great. We've been putting in the work, and I think we can make a run at the Ultimus again this year. I've been battling it out with Emoji (@BWIII) and D'Attoria in camp, and it's been a real challenge. I'm also learning a lot from their veteran WRs, and I'm realizing I have a long way to go. You think you have it figured out in the DSFL, but it's going to be a whole different challenge at the next level. Everyone here is just on a different level. Bigger, faster, stronger. I’ve got my work cut out for me, but I’m ready to go. I’ve got some great mentors, and I think I can contribute pretty quickly here in Philly.
We saw you took a pretty cheap deal to play for Philly. What were the negotiations like?
My family business has proven to be quite… lucrative, let’s just say. I do not need to make a ton of money off of my contract here, and I was happy to allow the team to have some extra cash for other needs. When they approached me for my draft sig photo shoot, I wanted to make sure I was seen in my natural habitat: counting my loads of cash made from my completely legitimate family business.
Which DB in the NSFL are you most looking forward to going up against?
Hmm, that’s a good one. I would have to say Xerxes Ridley (@plantane) at the moment. I did not even make his “5 Toughest Receivers I’ve Ever Covered” list. Which was a little surprising since I scored on him in our first matchup together. He’s one of the most talented corners in this class, and the Butchers took him in the 2nd round. He’ll be in the DSFL this year, but I can’t wait to go up against him next season after we’ve both had another year to develop as players. Logan Uchiha (@CalvinP) has also talked a lot of trash this offseason against my boy D’Attoria (@124715), so I can’t wait to burn him for some TDs this year if he tries to cover me in the slot. I’ve seen some tape of him, and I don’t think he’s got a prayer of staying with me in the open field. Rumors from camp are he’s been spending more time in the film room instead of in the gym, but film will only help so much when I run right by him.
One last question, before we let you get out of here. The rumors of your connections to the Salamanca cartel seem to have died out during the season, but there have been numerous reports of you being seen hanging out with some of your old friends during the offseason. Did Philly address the off-the-field issues with you during before bringing you on board?
I have stated over and over again that I do not like speaking about this issue. You would think I would learn that these questions are always coming. I will only say that I have been open and honest with my team, and they fully trust me to make the right decisions in who I spend my time with.
Thanks for your time today. Good luck in your first NSFL season.