So Damian, after a respectable, but fairly average rookie season, you were selected in the third round by the Chicago Butchers. Were you shocked at all? What was going on in your head during the draft?
Well you know I was obviously ecstatic to end up in Chicago, they are a great team with a lot of potential for the future. But I really didnt consider anything above the fourth or 5th round a posibility, so to have them take me in the 35th overall, and then to find out that it wasnt really considered a reach, I was over the moon. I always told myself I would be a steal but I didnt I actually would be haha. Its just a grest feeling. Getting that phone call, its unexplainable.
Well you really came into some good form towards the end of the year, and I think despite the statistics in game being fairly average, you seem to have some of those intangible skills teams talk about, was that a contributing factor tonthe Grey Ducks naming you one of the captains?
I really cant say why they chose me, we have so many great players on the ducks, and a lot of Veterans returning this season, so to be chosen for this role is really a great honor. Its such a huge responsibility, that I didnt really think I was ready for, but Ive accepted and can only hope to teach the rookies, and help lead the team the best I can, and Being that an absolute monster in Gleel was chosen along side me makes it even better. We were drafted together now in two drafts, to the same team both times, and to now lead the ducks together is just truly an honor. Hes a grest player, great leader and Im hoping we can use our roles to guide the rookies, and hopefully bring an Ultimini back to Minnesota.
So with that being said, how did you transition from being a rookie in the DSFL, to now being a DSFL veteran and a leader on the team, all in one offseason. How have you handled that change in your performance this preseason?
Well being that it is preseason, I tried to focus less on making plays, and more on calling them. I tried to help the rookies out, reading plays, and trying to really step into that leadership role while still maintaining high performance on the field. Its really a fine line. Of course having so many. Veteran defenders makes it easier on me, and having my co captain Gleel out there calling plays takes the weight off a bit. In game 1, I tallied four tackles, one sack, and a pass defense and was able to grab my first career interception so it was just a great game. Great moment. Trying to take on that leadership helped me reading plays, I was able to notice things I wouldnt have last season, and that may be because I have a full season on my belt now, but the sack, was a read and an audible, the Interception came off of a tip I just happened to be paying attention and dove for it. I would have been happy just winning, but a 26-3 win and stats like that will always put a smile on my face hahaha.
What about week 2, the first loss of the season is always hard, tell me about the loss in London, how did you do, what were you feeling?
Well no matter what a loss always stings. But preseason losses sting a bit less. They are mostly to give the rookies a chance to get on the field without any real pressure, give them a taste of what its like out there. That doesnt mean we dont play hard and push ourselves, we absolutely do. But a preseason loss in London, ahainst the defending champs, I think we played pretty well. It was a tough game, they got ahead early and kept the lead, our rookie QB Negs had his first taste of playing on the road, all the way in London against a tough team, he didnt play great, but still he is learning, and he played lights out week one. He will come into his own in time. Luckily our run game is so incredible, it will relieve some of the pressure on him. Defensively we didn't play great. I did manage another interception, picking off Cortez is a great feeling. Hes a great QB, great guy, but man it felt good to snag that pass out of the air. He didnt even see me coming! We definitely have one of the better secondaries in the league, better defenses in general I think, we might be a little down after this game, but a preseason loss on the road is not as bad as it feels.
Now week 3 is arguably the best game youve ever played, you were all over the field stopping runs and passes alike. Defensively the Ducks held Tijuana to only 8 points. It was lights out defense on both sides of the ball with only 22 points being scored total. You had 6 of those points fron that epic pick six, are you bummed it was in the preseason? Walk me through it.
Well you know, this was two great teams going toe to toe, pound for pound. Just real tough, smashmouth football. Two of the best running teams going head to head. Tijuana has one of the best Quarterbacks in the league in Mike Boss Jr. So to keep him 12/26 with no touchdowns and two interceptions is a big milestone for us. It was all hands on deck but we got the job done. Now id be lying if I said i wasnt disappointed this game wasnt regular season. To beat one of the best teams on the road, and to play the way I did, only to have it not really matter in the end, stings a little I wont lie, but I will always remember it. My first pick six. It was early wnd quarter, I think about 9 minutes, I was roaming the left side of the field, doubling up with Brucie out in coverage. I think it was Chainbreaker who went in off the edge and hit Boss as he threw, I had read his eyes down to the flat, tryingnto dump to the tight end but the hit sent it overthrown, I sprinted downfield towards it and caught it in stride on the left sideline. I had to bounce around a bit towards the right side of the field, but a few nice blocks got me in the endzone. It was incredible feeling. I hadnt scored since college, i forgot the rush that comes with it. That was quite the red zone celebration. Just a great play that Ill remember forever, and I couldnt have done it without the guys up front causing pressure and then blocking.
It was quite the play to watch! I think even Tijuana fans were cheering, just a great play no matter what. Now game four was a bit slower for you compared to the other three, first game without an interception. Walk me through it.
Well it was our third away game in a row, but we went in and played great. All things considered for a rookie against our defense, James played ok, only completed 13 passes, but didnt throw any picks unfortunately. We did manage to sack him a few times and obviously only allowed 3 points, so it was a solid game, just not really a lot of chances for an interception coming my way, i didnt have any passes thrown close enough to be able to get one. I tried to bait him a few times but he wouldnt throw my way. Overall it was a solid performance all around, I helped a bit in the run game, stuffing a run behind the line after a clean read. Defense played flawless front to back, running backs played lights out as always, Negs didnt turn the ball over, thisnwas just a game where everything clicked.
Well I appreciate you taking this time to talk with me, judging by this preseason performance Im expecting you to make some big plays this season. Im looking forward to seeing the season unfold.
Well you know I was obviously ecstatic to end up in Chicago, they are a great team with a lot of potential for the future. But I really didnt consider anything above the fourth or 5th round a posibility, so to have them take me in the 35th overall, and then to find out that it wasnt really considered a reach, I was over the moon. I always told myself I would be a steal but I didnt I actually would be haha. Its just a grest feeling. Getting that phone call, its unexplainable.
Well you really came into some good form towards the end of the year, and I think despite the statistics in game being fairly average, you seem to have some of those intangible skills teams talk about, was that a contributing factor tonthe Grey Ducks naming you one of the captains?
I really cant say why they chose me, we have so many great players on the ducks, and a lot of Veterans returning this season, so to be chosen for this role is really a great honor. Its such a huge responsibility, that I didnt really think I was ready for, but Ive accepted and can only hope to teach the rookies, and help lead the team the best I can, and Being that an absolute monster in Gleel was chosen along side me makes it even better. We were drafted together now in two drafts, to the same team both times, and to now lead the ducks together is just truly an honor. Hes a grest player, great leader and Im hoping we can use our roles to guide the rookies, and hopefully bring an Ultimini back to Minnesota.
So with that being said, how did you transition from being a rookie in the DSFL, to now being a DSFL veteran and a leader on the team, all in one offseason. How have you handled that change in your performance this preseason?
Well being that it is preseason, I tried to focus less on making plays, and more on calling them. I tried to help the rookies out, reading plays, and trying to really step into that leadership role while still maintaining high performance on the field. Its really a fine line. Of course having so many. Veteran defenders makes it easier on me, and having my co captain Gleel out there calling plays takes the weight off a bit. In game 1, I tallied four tackles, one sack, and a pass defense and was able to grab my first career interception so it was just a great game. Great moment. Trying to take on that leadership helped me reading plays, I was able to notice things I wouldnt have last season, and that may be because I have a full season on my belt now, but the sack, was a read and an audible, the Interception came off of a tip I just happened to be paying attention and dove for it. I would have been happy just winning, but a 26-3 win and stats like that will always put a smile on my face hahaha.
What about week 2, the first loss of the season is always hard, tell me about the loss in London, how did you do, what were you feeling?
Well no matter what a loss always stings. But preseason losses sting a bit less. They are mostly to give the rookies a chance to get on the field without any real pressure, give them a taste of what its like out there. That doesnt mean we dont play hard and push ourselves, we absolutely do. But a preseason loss in London, ahainst the defending champs, I think we played pretty well. It was a tough game, they got ahead early and kept the lead, our rookie QB Negs had his first taste of playing on the road, all the way in London against a tough team, he didnt play great, but still he is learning, and he played lights out week one. He will come into his own in time. Luckily our run game is so incredible, it will relieve some of the pressure on him. Defensively we didn't play great. I did manage another interception, picking off Cortez is a great feeling. Hes a great QB, great guy, but man it felt good to snag that pass out of the air. He didnt even see me coming! We definitely have one of the better secondaries in the league, better defenses in general I think, we might be a little down after this game, but a preseason loss on the road is not as bad as it feels.
Now week 3 is arguably the best game youve ever played, you were all over the field stopping runs and passes alike. Defensively the Ducks held Tijuana to only 8 points. It was lights out defense on both sides of the ball with only 22 points being scored total. You had 6 of those points fron that epic pick six, are you bummed it was in the preseason? Walk me through it.
Well you know, this was two great teams going toe to toe, pound for pound. Just real tough, smashmouth football. Two of the best running teams going head to head. Tijuana has one of the best Quarterbacks in the league in Mike Boss Jr. So to keep him 12/26 with no touchdowns and two interceptions is a big milestone for us. It was all hands on deck but we got the job done. Now id be lying if I said i wasnt disappointed this game wasnt regular season. To beat one of the best teams on the road, and to play the way I did, only to have it not really matter in the end, stings a little I wont lie, but I will always remember it. My first pick six. It was early wnd quarter, I think about 9 minutes, I was roaming the left side of the field, doubling up with Brucie out in coverage. I think it was Chainbreaker who went in off the edge and hit Boss as he threw, I had read his eyes down to the flat, tryingnto dump to the tight end but the hit sent it overthrown, I sprinted downfield towards it and caught it in stride on the left sideline. I had to bounce around a bit towards the right side of the field, but a few nice blocks got me in the endzone. It was incredible feeling. I hadnt scored since college, i forgot the rush that comes with it. That was quite the red zone celebration. Just a great play that Ill remember forever, and I couldnt have done it without the guys up front causing pressure and then blocking.
It was quite the play to watch! I think even Tijuana fans were cheering, just a great play no matter what. Now game four was a bit slower for you compared to the other three, first game without an interception. Walk me through it.
Well it was our third away game in a row, but we went in and played great. All things considered for a rookie against our defense, James played ok, only completed 13 passes, but didnt throw any picks unfortunately. We did manage to sack him a few times and obviously only allowed 3 points, so it was a solid game, just not really a lot of chances for an interception coming my way, i didnt have any passes thrown close enough to be able to get one. I tried to bait him a few times but he wouldnt throw my way. Overall it was a solid performance all around, I helped a bit in the run game, stuffing a run behind the line after a clean read. Defense played flawless front to back, running backs played lights out as always, Negs didnt turn the ball over, thisnwas just a game where everything clicked.
Well I appreciate you taking this time to talk with me, judging by this preseason performance Im expecting you to make some big plays this season. Im looking forward to seeing the season unfold.