Rick Skuff may have been on the border of making the NSFL cut for the Baltimore Hawks this year, but as long as you end up on the right side of the border it doesn't matter how close you were. Upon reporting to training camp in Minnesota he found that his locker had been moved. Not down the locker room, but all the way to Baltimore.
"I was a little surprised when I found out I'd been called up. I didn't expect a parade or anything, but in the shuffle of the offseason I guess I just didn't know where I was supposed to look to see where I was going to be. But in the end it was great news. I'm super happy to be in Baltimore, playing on the biggest stage."
The Hawks had a rough week one, with some good individual performances but a loss to go along with them.
"We're here to win, however we need to. If that means one guy getting carries or another guy, whatever. We want those wins. But I can't lie, when I got those first few catches out of the backfield, and especially when I scored, I was super stoked. I had to give the groundskeeper a case of beer to make up for me smashing a divot into the endzone when I spiked the ball after my touchdown. I'd rather have gotten the win, of course, but that's a moment I'm going to remember the rest of my life. I didn't get any carries, but as long as I'm getting the ball in my hands one way or another I'm going to be pretty happy."
The Baltimore backfield is one of the stronger in the league, and there are two halfbacks who are capable of carrying the load. This was part of why Skuff was a bit of a surprise call-up. Skuff had this to say about his role on the team this year.
"I know I won't be starting at halfback any time soon. That's fine. I just want on the field, wherever they can line me up, as much as possible. I played a lot of fullback in Minnesota and I'm always comfortable there. I'll even line up at tight end, where I think I can contribute in the passing game quite a bit now. I've grown as a pass catcher over the offseason."
The NSFL is the most competitive sports league around, and this year figures to be no different. Baltimore is a historically successful team, but this year is very rookie heavy. Expectations are all over the place for the season.
"I mean, my first season in the DSFL I got an Ultimini. Why not an Ultimus the first year in the NSFL! But we know we're building a dynasty here, not running a sprint. There are sure to be some growing pains, especially early in the season. Any time you're breaking in a new quarterback and as many rookies as we're starting all over the field that's just a given. My goal is to get to the halfway point of the season better than .500, and make a playoff push in the second half. I think we'll be one of the most improved teams from the beginning of the season to the end for sure, and if we don't get the breaks we need and miss out on the playoffs I think we'll be one of the favored teams heading into next year."
Culturally Minnesota had been a great fit for Skuff. We asked how he'd adjusted to life in Baltimore.
"Well, it's closer than Minnesota, although definitely more different. Oakey's Holler only has a couple thousand people in it altogether, Baltimore has that many on a couple blocks. I've got to say, the beer selection here is outstanding. Bud Heavy far as the eye can see, and when those game checks hit I raid all the gas stations for their Bud Premium. I have had a tough time finding space to grow my... er... gardens, but haven't had much trouble re-purposing some abandoned homes for Skuff Family Industrial Enterprise activities. Definitely roomier than the RVs we're used to."
Finally, when asked about how he was fitting in on the Baltimore team, Skuff had this to say.
"I'm so glad I ended up here. Minnesota had a great locker room, and Baltimore is just more of the same. Guys always hanging around, shooting the shit, lots of different stuff to talk about. Supportive, knowledgeable. I've heard stories about the inside of other locker rooms and I'm glad I ended up on this one. It might not be an ideal fit when it comes to playing time, but I'd rather be here than anywhere else."
"I was a little surprised when I found out I'd been called up. I didn't expect a parade or anything, but in the shuffle of the offseason I guess I just didn't know where I was supposed to look to see where I was going to be. But in the end it was great news. I'm super happy to be in Baltimore, playing on the biggest stage."
The Hawks had a rough week one, with some good individual performances but a loss to go along with them.
"We're here to win, however we need to. If that means one guy getting carries or another guy, whatever. We want those wins. But I can't lie, when I got those first few catches out of the backfield, and especially when I scored, I was super stoked. I had to give the groundskeeper a case of beer to make up for me smashing a divot into the endzone when I spiked the ball after my touchdown. I'd rather have gotten the win, of course, but that's a moment I'm going to remember the rest of my life. I didn't get any carries, but as long as I'm getting the ball in my hands one way or another I'm going to be pretty happy."
The Baltimore backfield is one of the stronger in the league, and there are two halfbacks who are capable of carrying the load. This was part of why Skuff was a bit of a surprise call-up. Skuff had this to say about his role on the team this year.
"I know I won't be starting at halfback any time soon. That's fine. I just want on the field, wherever they can line me up, as much as possible. I played a lot of fullback in Minnesota and I'm always comfortable there. I'll even line up at tight end, where I think I can contribute in the passing game quite a bit now. I've grown as a pass catcher over the offseason."
The NSFL is the most competitive sports league around, and this year figures to be no different. Baltimore is a historically successful team, but this year is very rookie heavy. Expectations are all over the place for the season.
"I mean, my first season in the DSFL I got an Ultimini. Why not an Ultimus the first year in the NSFL! But we know we're building a dynasty here, not running a sprint. There are sure to be some growing pains, especially early in the season. Any time you're breaking in a new quarterback and as many rookies as we're starting all over the field that's just a given. My goal is to get to the halfway point of the season better than .500, and make a playoff push in the second half. I think we'll be one of the most improved teams from the beginning of the season to the end for sure, and if we don't get the breaks we need and miss out on the playoffs I think we'll be one of the favored teams heading into next year."
Culturally Minnesota had been a great fit for Skuff. We asked how he'd adjusted to life in Baltimore.
"Well, it's closer than Minnesota, although definitely more different. Oakey's Holler only has a couple thousand people in it altogether, Baltimore has that many on a couple blocks. I've got to say, the beer selection here is outstanding. Bud Heavy far as the eye can see, and when those game checks hit I raid all the gas stations for their Bud Premium. I have had a tough time finding space to grow my... er... gardens, but haven't had much trouble re-purposing some abandoned homes for Skuff Family Industrial Enterprise activities. Definitely roomier than the RVs we're used to."
Finally, when asked about how he was fitting in on the Baltimore team, Skuff had this to say.
"I'm so glad I ended up here. Minnesota had a great locker room, and Baltimore is just more of the same. Guys always hanging around, shooting the shit, lots of different stuff to talk about. Supportive, knowledgeable. I've heard stories about the inside of other locker rooms and I'm glad I ended up on this one. It might not be an ideal fit when it comes to playing time, but I'd rather be here than anywhere else."