In the holiday spirit, we find Eugene Smoothie sitting down for an interview talking about his time so far in the ISFL league, the experience of moving from his first team in Philadelphia to Colorado, and what he might have in store next in the coming offseason...
The Past
"When I originally joined the league, I was honestly quite happy to just be part of any team, knowing that my slow start between transferring from tight end over to safety, and becoming a desired prospect happened much, much later compared to a lot of the other peers in my class. Football was never my first choice of the professional league, I think it would have been hockey if you were to force me to pick at the time, but with the allure of trying something different and finding out that there could potentially be a spot in the league as a balanced player with no particular strengths and no particular weaknesses, I was interested in seeing how far I could go. From being welcomed to the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers at the time, and almost immediately moving onto the Philadelphia Liberty when I was selected in the 2nd round, it's been quite a whirlwind to start and I didn't have any considerations for the future other than being happy to have landed on a team that seemed to have valued me the most.
There was some hopes for me to have the title of being a first round pick, but ultimately I knew it was about what I could do with my career more than where I was selected. Still, seeing the Liberty trade for the 2nd pick in the 2nd round made it that much sweeter to hear my name being called at the time. And why else wouldn't I have been excited to join the team? There were some young rising stars at the time with the likes of Brandon Booker, Matt Cross and Wesley Eriksen who I knew I could both rely on as I grew into my role, as well as be able to grow up with together. The prospects of being able to become of the youngest, most dominant and exciting defensive back groups was enticing to think about with all that potential. Obviously it didn't pan out for a variety of reasons but I would admit to being one of the earlier dominos to fall leading to some of the other departures later on. For a young safety in the league, with no real ambition at Rookie of the Year, Defensive Back of the Year or any individual awards, nor thoughts of wanting to win a championship immediately, what changed? Well it would probably have to be the disaster of the 3-13 season in S24. There was no individual blame on any one person, we just found every way to lose. Overwhelming losses, snatching defeat from the jaws of victor, and playing ourselves into the bottom of the league. Something about that really hurts a team that had higher expectations and improving on their 9-7 record from the previous season.
I'm not sure what it was about the particular season but suddenly the future that seemed so full of hope looked incredibly bleak. Trying to see the silver lining in the future seasons and I realized that while I loved so many teammates, my wanderlust had grown from the depression of constant losing and I began to gain an almost traumatic appetite to find some form of success. When I asked for a move in hopes of helping the team, the Philly management were gracious enough to find suitors for me. What I hadn't expected was both the desire for long term certainty from other teams clashing with my hope to test free agency and be able to have true freedom in finding a new home. As team after team went through the cycle of expressing interest, to backing off when they realized I did not have any intention in signing long term, the anxiety of failing both my own hopes of finding team success, as well as leaving my home team with nothing began to gnaw at me. Colorado ultimately convinced me with the idea that while an extension was necessary to facilitate the deal, it would only be for one additional guaranteed season, with the remaining years being a formality if I chose to remain. With that, ending up as a Yeti and reaching the Ultimus Finals in the same season was just about everything I could have asked for, minus one key detail of the final score of the biggest game of my career.
The Present
Currently Colorado sits 7-7 with only 2 games remaining and a fragile 11% chance at making the playoffs, should things go their way in both winning their own games as well as receiving a lot of help on the out of town scoreboards. I've been able to grow this season, being the backup kick returner which has allowed me to become more involved in the game, as the life of a safety is not glamourous at all. Even less so as a Strong Safety when your front 7 does their job well, you're generally an after thought. When you have a great game, it's likely that's not a good sign. Still, I've found myself more involved in games in general this season as part of the Yeti defense and I have to thank them for having me continue to develop into the player that I am today. I didn't think that I would get to the point of being ranked the 8th best safety in the league (in terms of TPE) having fully expected to have a much slower progression compared to some others, but between my own torrid pace and other leading safeties having moved positions (such as my current teammate Greedy Sly), suddenly being ranked in the single digits is the reality.
Teamwise, The hope was that I would find some championship success with Colorado and maybe that would simply tie my heart down to the team here and potentially forever. There are a lot of teammates either who I've known before or have only come to get to know better, and feel like anybody who gets to interact with them on a regular basis are absolutely lucky to be able to do so. In terms of the talent, there's a very interesting mix of both upcoming talent that has room to grow despite already contributing week in and week out, combined with some elite players who remain on this team for seasons to come. Management has shown themselves to be both engaged and capable considering their history.
The Future
So why move? Is missing out on the playoffs enough to force me to turn elsewhere? Yes, and no. The desire to still explore this league and its various members, players and management is something I'm still interested in doing. Now in the prime of my career, there probably is no better time than for me to be able to have my pick of the litter in terms of being able to choose where I'd like to go, as well being able to make a significant impact wherever I do end up.
What is it I'm looking for? Well, to be quite honest that would be hard to pin down. Money was primary concern before, but is turning to be less so. Winning always and forever stands at the top of my list. Is it possible to have an out clause if a team misses the playoffs? I guess I'll find out. Also, that's not to say I would rule out a return to the Yeti. I still haven't quite pinned down what I want exactly but they seem to check off a lot of them. At the end of the day, I guess I just want the experience to be courted and have the liberty to choose without feeling emotionally tied down.
What kind of role do I want on a new team? I'd be interested in hearing what people have to offer. I was convinced to join the Buccs and moving to the opposite side of the ball, with this new sim, it seems like anything is possible. If it turns out that teams just want me as a safety? I don't think I would have qualms with that. Being balanced isn't an option anymore, and I want to leave the speed game to others. Whether that means I turn to becoming a playmaker, or for whatever reason, the very intriguing enforcer, 8th man in the box, I'd want to see how this all turns out (and who knows, maybe make a late case for a potential Hall of Fame career).
Oh and it turns out I can be tampered at anytime during this contract."
The Past
"When I originally joined the league, I was honestly quite happy to just be part of any team, knowing that my slow start between transferring from tight end over to safety, and becoming a desired prospect happened much, much later compared to a lot of the other peers in my class. Football was never my first choice of the professional league, I think it would have been hockey if you were to force me to pick at the time, but with the allure of trying something different and finding out that there could potentially be a spot in the league as a balanced player with no particular strengths and no particular weaknesses, I was interested in seeing how far I could go. From being welcomed to the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers at the time, and almost immediately moving onto the Philadelphia Liberty when I was selected in the 2nd round, it's been quite a whirlwind to start and I didn't have any considerations for the future other than being happy to have landed on a team that seemed to have valued me the most.
There was some hopes for me to have the title of being a first round pick, but ultimately I knew it was about what I could do with my career more than where I was selected. Still, seeing the Liberty trade for the 2nd pick in the 2nd round made it that much sweeter to hear my name being called at the time. And why else wouldn't I have been excited to join the team? There were some young rising stars at the time with the likes of Brandon Booker, Matt Cross and Wesley Eriksen who I knew I could both rely on as I grew into my role, as well as be able to grow up with together. The prospects of being able to become of the youngest, most dominant and exciting defensive back groups was enticing to think about with all that potential. Obviously it didn't pan out for a variety of reasons but I would admit to being one of the earlier dominos to fall leading to some of the other departures later on. For a young safety in the league, with no real ambition at Rookie of the Year, Defensive Back of the Year or any individual awards, nor thoughts of wanting to win a championship immediately, what changed? Well it would probably have to be the disaster of the 3-13 season in S24. There was no individual blame on any one person, we just found every way to lose. Overwhelming losses, snatching defeat from the jaws of victor, and playing ourselves into the bottom of the league. Something about that really hurts a team that had higher expectations and improving on their 9-7 record from the previous season.
I'm not sure what it was about the particular season but suddenly the future that seemed so full of hope looked incredibly bleak. Trying to see the silver lining in the future seasons and I realized that while I loved so many teammates, my wanderlust had grown from the depression of constant losing and I began to gain an almost traumatic appetite to find some form of success. When I asked for a move in hopes of helping the team, the Philly management were gracious enough to find suitors for me. What I hadn't expected was both the desire for long term certainty from other teams clashing with my hope to test free agency and be able to have true freedom in finding a new home. As team after team went through the cycle of expressing interest, to backing off when they realized I did not have any intention in signing long term, the anxiety of failing both my own hopes of finding team success, as well as leaving my home team with nothing began to gnaw at me. Colorado ultimately convinced me with the idea that while an extension was necessary to facilitate the deal, it would only be for one additional guaranteed season, with the remaining years being a formality if I chose to remain. With that, ending up as a Yeti and reaching the Ultimus Finals in the same season was just about everything I could have asked for, minus one key detail of the final score of the biggest game of my career.
The Present
Currently Colorado sits 7-7 with only 2 games remaining and a fragile 11% chance at making the playoffs, should things go their way in both winning their own games as well as receiving a lot of help on the out of town scoreboards. I've been able to grow this season, being the backup kick returner which has allowed me to become more involved in the game, as the life of a safety is not glamourous at all. Even less so as a Strong Safety when your front 7 does their job well, you're generally an after thought. When you have a great game, it's likely that's not a good sign. Still, I've found myself more involved in games in general this season as part of the Yeti defense and I have to thank them for having me continue to develop into the player that I am today. I didn't think that I would get to the point of being ranked the 8th best safety in the league (in terms of TPE) having fully expected to have a much slower progression compared to some others, but between my own torrid pace and other leading safeties having moved positions (such as my current teammate Greedy Sly), suddenly being ranked in the single digits is the reality.
Teamwise, The hope was that I would find some championship success with Colorado and maybe that would simply tie my heart down to the team here and potentially forever. There are a lot of teammates either who I've known before or have only come to get to know better, and feel like anybody who gets to interact with them on a regular basis are absolutely lucky to be able to do so. In terms of the talent, there's a very interesting mix of both upcoming talent that has room to grow despite already contributing week in and week out, combined with some elite players who remain on this team for seasons to come. Management has shown themselves to be both engaged and capable considering their history.
The Future
So why move? Is missing out on the playoffs enough to force me to turn elsewhere? Yes, and no. The desire to still explore this league and its various members, players and management is something I'm still interested in doing. Now in the prime of my career, there probably is no better time than for me to be able to have my pick of the litter in terms of being able to choose where I'd like to go, as well being able to make a significant impact wherever I do end up.
What is it I'm looking for? Well, to be quite honest that would be hard to pin down. Money was primary concern before, but is turning to be less so. Winning always and forever stands at the top of my list. Is it possible to have an out clause if a team misses the playoffs? I guess I'll find out. Also, that's not to say I would rule out a return to the Yeti. I still haven't quite pinned down what I want exactly but they seem to check off a lot of them. At the end of the day, I guess I just want the experience to be courted and have the liberty to choose without feeling emotionally tied down.
What kind of role do I want on a new team? I'd be interested in hearing what people have to offer. I was convinced to join the Buccs and moving to the opposite side of the ball, with this new sim, it seems like anything is possible. If it turns out that teams just want me as a safety? I don't think I would have qualms with that. Being balanced isn't an option anymore, and I want to leave the speed game to others. Whether that means I turn to becoming a playmaker, or for whatever reason, the very intriguing enforcer, 8th man in the box, I'd want to see how this all turns out (and who knows, maybe make a late case for a potential Hall of Fame career).
Oh and it turns out I can be tampered at anytime during this contract."
Quote:1480 WC