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It has been a roller coaster ride for the Arizona Outlaws over these last few seasons. After winning 3 straight championships (amid much controversy), the team fell into a slump, failing to establish themselves as a top contender for over a decade. GM Victoria Danvers took over the team at the end of S13, starting a new direction for the team that saw them trade away all of their veterans in order to boost their draft capital and put together a younger team. On the back of an incredible S15 draft, the Outlaws were able to make the playoffs in S16 and defy the odds in order to win their first Ultimus title since S3. And this time with far less drama. Miss Danvers sat down with the media recently to talk about the previous season as well as what lies ahead for the team.
Q: Let’s start off on a positive note. Congratulations on your Ultimus victory. What did this championship win mean to the team?
A: Well, obviously, we’re over the moon about it. This team has worked so hard at every level, from the personnel in my office to the coaching staff to the players on the field. And they absolutely deserve every bit of success they’ve had. I can’t imagine being surrounded by a better group of people. They inspire me to continue to work hard and aim higher every day. It also allows us to finally put the team’s unfortunate history behind us and take that long-anticipated step forward.
Q: What do you say to critics that feel the Outlaws just got lucky? The two teams that were expected to meet in the Ultimus were eliminated in the conference championship round, leading to an Ultimus match-up that literally no one predicted.
A: Well, I’m sure the analysts and experts have their opinions, but at the end of the day, this is why we play the games. Every team has a chance, no matter how big or small, and it’s on each team to make the most of the opportunities in front of them. We knew going into the play-offs that the Otters were going to be a tough opponent. We had two difficult games against them in the regular season, which we split, and we were walking into enemy territory. But our guys stood their ground and fought hard. I’m proud of our players for playing at such a high level and I’m proud of our coaching staff for putting together a game plan that allowed us to succeed. It may have been an upset, but that doesn’t undermine the victory. If anything, it proves just how determined this team was. And I imagine the Liberty feel the same way. These were the two teams that wanted it the most. I respect both the Otters and the Butchers as organizations and I applaud them for their success during the regular season, but when it came time to play the conference championships, they were clearly not the better teams that day.
Q: In only 3 seasons, you were able to turn the team around with a complete rebuild. That has to be one of the fastest turnarounds in league history. What do you feel was the key to success?
A: Well, before I can take credit for anything, I have to say that I’ve been absolutely blessed with the talent that we have. I also give a lot of credit to our veterans in S14, who understood the situation the team was in and were more than willing to pack up their lives and move halfway across the country if it helped out the team. The team needed a fresh start and their understanding made the process far smoother than we expected it to be. We were also fortunate to pick up an incredible group of players in the S15 Draft. We made a lot of moves to secure the talents that we wanted and our success rate has been absolutely phenomenal. We legitimately picked up 5 superstars in Landers, Irving, McKinnie, Knight, and Morris. And I’m hoping they’ll continue to be part of this team for a long time to come.
Q: Many were surprised to see Sam Hardwick and Ricky Adams go to expansion teams. What led to those decisions?
A: The expansion draft left us with a lot of choices to make. It’s also not a secret that we were bidding for free agent Vinny Valentine and were looking to open up some cap space, which heavily influenced that decision. It didn’t pan out, but we had faith in our younger players being able to step up and I think Jeffery Murphy and Jammerson Irving both did an excellent job filling in at that WR2 slot when they weren’t playing their traditional positions.
Q: The offense did have its struggles, ending up ranked 8th overall in points scored. Was that a concern early in the season?
A: It definitely was and we experimented with a few different solutions. The versatility of Murphy and Irving were both major assets, but Slim Shady and Seer Zephyrous also played multiple roles as well. It took some time for our offense to really start to gel, but as the season went on, I became more confident in our players to get the job done on the field. Personally, I never viewed us as a bad offense; we still had serious upside. What we needed was consistency, but that was something we were able to improve on as the season moved on. In the regular season, we averaged 22 points a game while, in the post season, we averaged 35 points per game. That shows the ability of this team to develop quickly and step up in big game situations. And those are the traits you look for in championship-caliber players.
Q: Speaking of Vinny Valentine, you recently signed him to a two-season contract. How does it feel to land him after seeing him go to Orange County last season? And what do you feel he adds to this offense?
A: We’re very excited to have Vinny in an Outlaws uniform. Orange County offered an exciting opportunity for him last season and he was able to make the most of that opportunity, earning the Offensive Player of the Year award. Fortunately, we’ve proven that we are a contender and I think, with Vinny as our WR1, we’re going to be better than ever. He adds an immediate boost to this offense and I firmly believe he’s the missing piece we were looking for. He’s already showing a great rapport with our QB Andrew Reese and I think the two are really going to compliment one another on the field.
Q: What does the addition of Valentine mean for fellow WR Brock Landers?
A: Brock is an incredibly talented young man and I think he’s on his way to being one of the all-time greats. He stepped up in a big way when he was called upon to be our WR1 and obviously he delivered. However, bringing in an established top WR adds so many layers to this offense and Brock is aware of that. He’s not going to let his ego get in the way of success. He knows he’s still got a great future ahead of him and his only focus right now is continuing to improve as a receiver and looking to continue to build upon the success from last season.
Q: Not every member of the team seems to be as positive. There were rumors last season that LB Gekyume Stokeley laid down an ultimatum for the team and demanded to be traded. Is this true?
A: Gekyume is a competitor. And, sometimes, competitors can clash in the locker room. He felt that his talents would be more useful elsewhere and we were willing to accommodate his request. Fortunately, I think the trade worked out very well for the team. Marc Spector has been a fantastic DE and pairs really well with DT Ricardo Morris. And I already mentioned Seer Zephyrous, who had a fantastic season as a blocker and utility player. We wish Gekyume only the best and we hope the trade has worked out as well for him as it has for us.
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Q: One surprise last off-season was the return of Bucky Barnes, who was traded to the Liberty during the S14 offseason, only to return to the team 2 seasons later. We were told at the time that Bucky was looking for a fresh start. Was Bucky unhappy with the Liberty? Or did something change in those 2 seasons?
A: I haven’t spoken with Bucky at length about his time with the Liberty, but as I understand it, he enjoyed his time there. When I made the decision to trade away our veterans, Bucky was the first person I met with and we had a long conversation about the direction of the team. He was concerned that being stuck on a rebuilding team would cost him his chance to compete for a trophy and I understood that completely. Fortunately, by the time S16 came around, a lot had changed. I saw us as a contender and, thankfully, Bucky shared that same vision. Now, not only can he call himself a champion, but he was able to win it with the team he started with. I genuinely appreciate the faith that he showed in the team by coming back and I’m glad that he was able to be part of this last season with us.
Q: Another player that really broke out last season was Raymond Vans, who won LB of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. What do you think made the difference for him?
A: Raymond has always been an exceptionally talented player. We simply needed to surround him with the right teammates. Thankfully, we’re now one of the best defenses in the league and I’m excited to see him in a situation to play at the level we knew he was capable of. He’s a legit superstar and I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next season.
Q: In addition to Vans, the Outlaws also resigned fellow LB Leighton Lee. Was this a priority for the team?
A: Not only was it a priority, but I would argue it was our highest priority. Lee has been a great asset to this team and, at the Middle Linebacker position, he’s essentially the glue that holds our defense together. Introducing a new player into that role felt like the wrong move and we were very adamant about wanting to bring Lee back. He played more of a team leader role last season, but his impact was absolutely vital to the success we had and I’m confident that he’s going to continue to impress a lot of people with his work going forward.
Q: On the topic of defense, word coming out of the organization is that TE Steven Moore is moving to the DE role. Any comment on that?
A: This is true and we’re really proud of Moore for the commitment that he’s made to take on a new role at this point in his career. He’s done a tremendous job in the TE role over the years and he’s been a fantastic mentor to Jammerson Irving, but as one of our strongest players, he saw an opportunity to make an impact in a different way and we feel that he’s going to thrive in his new role. Avery Woodham is working closely with him to help him adapt to the role in time for the regular season and we feel he’s going to add an important layer to an already stellar defensive unit.
Q: In the most recent draft, the Outlaws drafted Shane Masters and the Donut brothers, but the team surprisingly opted to send them all down to the DSFL. Why was this decision made?
A: Obviously, this is a very stacked squad and the addition of Vinny Valentine to the receiving core and Steven Moore to our defensive line made it more difficult to integrate our rookies in at the level we wanted. We feel that they’re going to get the best experience out of another season in the DSFL, but rest assured, there are long-term spots for all 3 players and I’m personally looking forward to seeing how they develop and improve as players as this next season.
Q: Any thoughts on the current S18 draft class?
A: This is the strongest class since S15 and that’s not a comparison I make lightly. And the closest comparison before that has to be the inaugural class. It says a lot about the popularity of the league and the quality of our scouts that we’re attracting so many viable candidates, but even with that in mind, I’m truly impressed with the sheer of talent I’m seeing. Clearly, our scouting team is going to have their work cut out for them this season.
Q: Final question… While the team is still relatively young, many of the key offensive players are aging, such as Andrew Reese and Slim Shady. Is there pressure on your organization to capitalize and win another championship before these players start to get any older?
A: Of course, time is always a concern for any team. When we made our trades in S14, we did that strategically with a specific window in mind and that window is designed to incorporate our S11 and S12 talents in with the younger players from S14 and S15. I’m confident that our veterans can endure and continue to contribute, but at some point, a good team has to make preparations for the future and S18 is going to be an opportunity to start taking those steps. For now, we’re just focusing on doing what we can with the team in front of us and, so far, it’s worked out well.
2294 Words
Ready for Grading
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It has been a roller coaster ride for the Arizona Outlaws over these last few seasons. After winning 3 straight championships (amid much controversy), the team fell into a slump, failing to establish themselves as a top contender for over a decade. GM Victoria Danvers took over the team at the end of S13, starting a new direction for the team that saw them trade away all of their veterans in order to boost their draft capital and put together a younger team. On the back of an incredible S15 draft, the Outlaws were able to make the playoffs in S16 and defy the odds in order to win their first Ultimus title since S3. And this time with far less drama. Miss Danvers sat down with the media recently to talk about the previous season as well as what lies ahead for the team.
Q: Let’s start off on a positive note. Congratulations on your Ultimus victory. What did this championship win mean to the team?
A: Well, obviously, we’re over the moon about it. This team has worked so hard at every level, from the personnel in my office to the coaching staff to the players on the field. And they absolutely deserve every bit of success they’ve had. I can’t imagine being surrounded by a better group of people. They inspire me to continue to work hard and aim higher every day. It also allows us to finally put the team’s unfortunate history behind us and take that long-anticipated step forward.
Q: What do you say to critics that feel the Outlaws just got lucky? The two teams that were expected to meet in the Ultimus were eliminated in the conference championship round, leading to an Ultimus match-up that literally no one predicted.
A: Well, I’m sure the analysts and experts have their opinions, but at the end of the day, this is why we play the games. Every team has a chance, no matter how big or small, and it’s on each team to make the most of the opportunities in front of them. We knew going into the play-offs that the Otters were going to be a tough opponent. We had two difficult games against them in the regular season, which we split, and we were walking into enemy territory. But our guys stood their ground and fought hard. I’m proud of our players for playing at such a high level and I’m proud of our coaching staff for putting together a game plan that allowed us to succeed. It may have been an upset, but that doesn’t undermine the victory. If anything, it proves just how determined this team was. And I imagine the Liberty feel the same way. These were the two teams that wanted it the most. I respect both the Otters and the Butchers as organizations and I applaud them for their success during the regular season, but when it came time to play the conference championships, they were clearly not the better teams that day.
Q: In only 3 seasons, you were able to turn the team around with a complete rebuild. That has to be one of the fastest turnarounds in league history. What do you feel was the key to success?
A: Well, before I can take credit for anything, I have to say that I’ve been absolutely blessed with the talent that we have. I also give a lot of credit to our veterans in S14, who understood the situation the team was in and were more than willing to pack up their lives and move halfway across the country if it helped out the team. The team needed a fresh start and their understanding made the process far smoother than we expected it to be. We were also fortunate to pick up an incredible group of players in the S15 Draft. We made a lot of moves to secure the talents that we wanted and our success rate has been absolutely phenomenal. We legitimately picked up 5 superstars in Landers, Irving, McKinnie, Knight, and Morris. And I’m hoping they’ll continue to be part of this team for a long time to come.
Q: Many were surprised to see Sam Hardwick and Ricky Adams go to expansion teams. What led to those decisions?
A: The expansion draft left us with a lot of choices to make. It’s also not a secret that we were bidding for free agent Vinny Valentine and were looking to open up some cap space, which heavily influenced that decision. It didn’t pan out, but we had faith in our younger players being able to step up and I think Jeffery Murphy and Jammerson Irving both did an excellent job filling in at that WR2 slot when they weren’t playing their traditional positions.
Q: The offense did have its struggles, ending up ranked 8th overall in points scored. Was that a concern early in the season?
A: It definitely was and we experimented with a few different solutions. The versatility of Murphy and Irving were both major assets, but Slim Shady and Seer Zephyrous also played multiple roles as well. It took some time for our offense to really start to gel, but as the season went on, I became more confident in our players to get the job done on the field. Personally, I never viewed us as a bad offense; we still had serious upside. What we needed was consistency, but that was something we were able to improve on as the season moved on. In the regular season, we averaged 22 points a game while, in the post season, we averaged 35 points per game. That shows the ability of this team to develop quickly and step up in big game situations. And those are the traits you look for in championship-caliber players.
Q: Speaking of Vinny Valentine, you recently signed him to a two-season contract. How does it feel to land him after seeing him go to Orange County last season? And what do you feel he adds to this offense?
A: We’re very excited to have Vinny in an Outlaws uniform. Orange County offered an exciting opportunity for him last season and he was able to make the most of that opportunity, earning the Offensive Player of the Year award. Fortunately, we’ve proven that we are a contender and I think, with Vinny as our WR1, we’re going to be better than ever. He adds an immediate boost to this offense and I firmly believe he’s the missing piece we were looking for. He’s already showing a great rapport with our QB Andrew Reese and I think the two are really going to compliment one another on the field.
Q: What does the addition of Valentine mean for fellow WR Brock Landers?
A: Brock is an incredibly talented young man and I think he’s on his way to being one of the all-time greats. He stepped up in a big way when he was called upon to be our WR1 and obviously he delivered. However, bringing in an established top WR adds so many layers to this offense and Brock is aware of that. He’s not going to let his ego get in the way of success. He knows he’s still got a great future ahead of him and his only focus right now is continuing to improve as a receiver and looking to continue to build upon the success from last season.
Q: Not every member of the team seems to be as positive. There were rumors last season that LB Gekyume Stokeley laid down an ultimatum for the team and demanded to be traded. Is this true?
A: Gekyume is a competitor. And, sometimes, competitors can clash in the locker room. He felt that his talents would be more useful elsewhere and we were willing to accommodate his request. Fortunately, I think the trade worked out very well for the team. Marc Spector has been a fantastic DE and pairs really well with DT Ricardo Morris. And I already mentioned Seer Zephyrous, who had a fantastic season as a blocker and utility player. We wish Gekyume only the best and we hope the trade has worked out as well for him as it has for us.
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Q: One surprise last off-season was the return of Bucky Barnes, who was traded to the Liberty during the S14 offseason, only to return to the team 2 seasons later. We were told at the time that Bucky was looking for a fresh start. Was Bucky unhappy with the Liberty? Or did something change in those 2 seasons?
A: I haven’t spoken with Bucky at length about his time with the Liberty, but as I understand it, he enjoyed his time there. When I made the decision to trade away our veterans, Bucky was the first person I met with and we had a long conversation about the direction of the team. He was concerned that being stuck on a rebuilding team would cost him his chance to compete for a trophy and I understood that completely. Fortunately, by the time S16 came around, a lot had changed. I saw us as a contender and, thankfully, Bucky shared that same vision. Now, not only can he call himself a champion, but he was able to win it with the team he started with. I genuinely appreciate the faith that he showed in the team by coming back and I’m glad that he was able to be part of this last season with us.
Q: Another player that really broke out last season was Raymond Vans, who won LB of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. What do you think made the difference for him?
A: Raymond has always been an exceptionally talented player. We simply needed to surround him with the right teammates. Thankfully, we’re now one of the best defenses in the league and I’m excited to see him in a situation to play at the level we knew he was capable of. He’s a legit superstar and I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next season.
Q: In addition to Vans, the Outlaws also resigned fellow LB Leighton Lee. Was this a priority for the team?
A: Not only was it a priority, but I would argue it was our highest priority. Lee has been a great asset to this team and, at the Middle Linebacker position, he’s essentially the glue that holds our defense together. Introducing a new player into that role felt like the wrong move and we were very adamant about wanting to bring Lee back. He played more of a team leader role last season, but his impact was absolutely vital to the success we had and I’m confident that he’s going to continue to impress a lot of people with his work going forward.
Q: On the topic of defense, word coming out of the organization is that TE Steven Moore is moving to the DE role. Any comment on that?
A: This is true and we’re really proud of Moore for the commitment that he’s made to take on a new role at this point in his career. He’s done a tremendous job in the TE role over the years and he’s been a fantastic mentor to Jammerson Irving, but as one of our strongest players, he saw an opportunity to make an impact in a different way and we feel that he’s going to thrive in his new role. Avery Woodham is working closely with him to help him adapt to the role in time for the regular season and we feel he’s going to add an important layer to an already stellar defensive unit.
Q: In the most recent draft, the Outlaws drafted Shane Masters and the Donut brothers, but the team surprisingly opted to send them all down to the DSFL. Why was this decision made?
A: Obviously, this is a very stacked squad and the addition of Vinny Valentine to the receiving core and Steven Moore to our defensive line made it more difficult to integrate our rookies in at the level we wanted. We feel that they’re going to get the best experience out of another season in the DSFL, but rest assured, there are long-term spots for all 3 players and I’m personally looking forward to seeing how they develop and improve as players as this next season.
Q: Any thoughts on the current S18 draft class?
A: This is the strongest class since S15 and that’s not a comparison I make lightly. And the closest comparison before that has to be the inaugural class. It says a lot about the popularity of the league and the quality of our scouts that we’re attracting so many viable candidates, but even with that in mind, I’m truly impressed with the sheer of talent I’m seeing. Clearly, our scouting team is going to have their work cut out for them this season.
Q: Final question… While the team is still relatively young, many of the key offensive players are aging, such as Andrew Reese and Slim Shady. Is there pressure on your organization to capitalize and win another championship before these players start to get any older?
A: Of course, time is always a concern for any team. When we made our trades in S14, we did that strategically with a specific window in mind and that window is designed to incorporate our S11 and S12 talents in with the younger players from S14 and S15. I’m confident that our veterans can endure and continue to contribute, but at some point, a good team has to make preparations for the future and S18 is going to be an opportunity to start taking those steps. For now, we’re just focusing on doing what we can with the team in front of us and, so far, it’s worked out well.
2294 Words
Ready for Grading
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Thanks to Jangorhino for the sig.