02-13-2021, 02:53 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-14-2021, 09:15 PM by Asked Madden.)
Please myself 95% and mojojojo 5%!
Another one of the interview series. I had a great conversation with mojojojo which you can read below:
Steven O'Sullivan: To start with, tell me a bit about your history with the ISFL and your player!
mojojojo: Well the ISFL is my first (and likely only) sim league and I just joined a few real-world months ago. So my player, Ernest Lover (DE), is entering his third full season in the league.
Lover was picked up on waivers in the DSFL for the Kansas City Coyotes and played a few games for them at the end of the S24 season. He was then drafted by the London Royals in the S25 DSFL draft.
He had a great S25 season in London, winning Defensive End of the Year in the DSFL and then was drafted 3OA in the S26 ISFL draft to the Baltimore Hawks
Lover was called up immediately and struggled a little in his first season in the big leagues. On the field, he didn’t put up many stats but continued to play hard each and every game. Off the field, he found it difficult to connect with his teammates.
During the offseason, Lover was traded to the Sarasota Sailfish and is very excited to be starting the S27 season with his new team! Offseason training has been going well and he is already forming strong connections with teammates, particularly a very formidable and cohesive defensive group.
Steven O'Sullivan: You've already been through a lot in your short career! How does it feel to have been traded? What kind of emotions did it give you as that happened? It sounds like you might have been happy based on your comments there?
mojojojo: Being traded is a really interesting experience. Not fitting in very well in Baltimore, I actually asked my General Managers if they would consider hearing trade offers for me. I know that Baltimore invested a lot in me picking me overall and wanted to see whether the team could get value for me while allowing me to explore a team where I fit in better on the field and in the locker room. So I initiated the trade discussions, but then didn’t have much knowledge about the wheelings-and-dealings going on behind the scenes. There were a couple of teams I thought might be interested in making an offer for me, but it wasn’t until Sarasota and Baltimore had come to an agreement that I learned where I would be ending up. And I have to say I’m pretty happy with the result!
Steven O'Sullivan: Awesome to hear that the trade worked out for you in the end! What are your goals now that you have that behind you and can focus on the on field stuff more?
mojojojo: Now that Lover has made the move to Sarasota, he is very excited to learn from the elite group of defenders on the Sailfish. Holding the line of scrimmage with veterans like Son Goku (DE) and Fawn Dillmiballs (DT) has been an inspiration. And I have a great classmate in Demon Jaxxson (DE) who started at the same time as me. So we can run drills and learn the playbooks together.
Lover has always been a team-first player. While he will admit it was a rush to win accolades for his performance in the DSFL, since moving straight into the ISFL he has been working on skills that will help the team stop the run. Not being as involved in the pass rush, Lover is hoping for a few TFLs but doesn't have many aspirations for sacks (although he will always go for the QB if given the opportunity to make a play for the team). Lover just wants to help the Sailfish reach the playoffs again this season.
Steven O'Sullivan: How has the move from DSFL to ISFL been for you? With the competition being a lot harder, is it tough to make that move?
mojojojo: There is definitely a jump in the level of competition moving from the DSFL to the ISFL, especially when you get called up immediately. You just have less time to get acclimated to the league and its play.
I think there’s a sweet spot for defensive players being in the DSFL for two seasons. That way you feel a little more competitive in the big league once you join. That’s sort of how I am feeling now that I have a full year of ISFL experience behind me. That my skills are now high enough that I can compete with the OL and running backs on the field.
Steven O'Sullivan: It's an interesting topic to me, since I am in my first season after the draft and am doing really well in the DSFL but the jump to the ISFL seems like a scary one. I obviously understand that being WR3 would mean less targets than currently in the DSFL as the main target, which will mean less catches and yards and I am okay with that, but I also don't want to suck. I am seeing a lot of drops on my player and that worries me. But at the same time I really have a hunger to be called up and start my career in the ISFL.
mojojojo: Yeah, I definitely get that.
At some point you just have to say “I’m ready” and know that it’s okay to struggle a little as you get used to the ISFL. It happens to everyone who makes their debut and there is a whole team there to support you and help you develop even further
I think you hit a point where you just feel like the only way to keep getting better is to take on the higher competition
Even if that means your stats will suffer a little in the short term
Steven O'Sullivan: Definitely! And it is an exciting process. I think Wide Receiver is a great position for it since there are several ones and you can start by being less important, whereas on the defense if you are one player that sucks, the offense can take advantage of it over and over.
mojojojo: Yeah, there’s definitely a lot of pressure being a relative newbie on the line of scrimmage for each and every play
Also fewer opportunities to leave the game for a play to get some coaching and then come back in, for example
Steven O'Sullivan: Yes, exactly! And with being a speedy wide receiver, catching your breath can be the difference between being able to run down that deep ball or not.
mojojojo: Hmm, yes. I can imagine this, but as a very large defensive lineman I’ve never considered speed my strongest attribute, haha
Steven O'Sullivan: What is your strongest attribute, strength?
mojojojo: Yeah. I’ve been putting a lot of work into my strength and tackling skills.
Since I specialize in stopping the run, I want to be able to bring down that running back as soon as I can wrap him up
Steven O'Sullivan: Are there any running backs you especially fear?
mojojojo: There are a lot in the league who are just fantastic athletes so it’s difficult to name just one. I will say that I am glad I get to practice against a veteran like Raphtalia Chan, because if you can bring her down you can get to anyone in the league
I’m glad I don’t have to face her in game situations
Steven O'Sullivan: I must admit, I don't know rivalries yet, but is there a team that is a rival? I imagine bringing that team's running back down must feel even more fun.
mojojojo: Yes, definitely.
I’m still pretty new to the Sailfish, but I know that their historic rivalries is the Hahalua because both teams were added to the league at the same time
Kind of like the current New York Silverbacks - Berlin Firesalamanders expansion rivalry
I think more recently it would be Chicago. We’ve faced off in the playoffs for a number of seasons now. All of our games tend to be nail-biters.
So it definitely feels extra good to bring down Baby Yoda
Steven O'Sullivan: Alright, this is good info. Hate Hahalua and Chicago, got it!
It's definitely fun to get to know some of my future teammates in this fashion, I think it will make it much more personal when I get called up if I know who I play with.
mojojojo: Yeah, it’s been really fun to talk to you so thanks so much for reaching out with the questions
I’m looking forward to hanging out in the locker room!
Another one of the interview series. I had a great conversation with mojojojo which you can read below:
Steven O'Sullivan: To start with, tell me a bit about your history with the ISFL and your player!
mojojojo: Well the ISFL is my first (and likely only) sim league and I just joined a few real-world months ago. So my player, Ernest Lover (DE), is entering his third full season in the league.
Lover was picked up on waivers in the DSFL for the Kansas City Coyotes and played a few games for them at the end of the S24 season. He was then drafted by the London Royals in the S25 DSFL draft.
He had a great S25 season in London, winning Defensive End of the Year in the DSFL and then was drafted 3OA in the S26 ISFL draft to the Baltimore Hawks
Lover was called up immediately and struggled a little in his first season in the big leagues. On the field, he didn’t put up many stats but continued to play hard each and every game. Off the field, he found it difficult to connect with his teammates.
During the offseason, Lover was traded to the Sarasota Sailfish and is very excited to be starting the S27 season with his new team! Offseason training has been going well and he is already forming strong connections with teammates, particularly a very formidable and cohesive defensive group.
Steven O'Sullivan: You've already been through a lot in your short career! How does it feel to have been traded? What kind of emotions did it give you as that happened? It sounds like you might have been happy based on your comments there?
mojojojo: Being traded is a really interesting experience. Not fitting in very well in Baltimore, I actually asked my General Managers if they would consider hearing trade offers for me. I know that Baltimore invested a lot in me picking me overall and wanted to see whether the team could get value for me while allowing me to explore a team where I fit in better on the field and in the locker room. So I initiated the trade discussions, but then didn’t have much knowledge about the wheelings-and-dealings going on behind the scenes. There were a couple of teams I thought might be interested in making an offer for me, but it wasn’t until Sarasota and Baltimore had come to an agreement that I learned where I would be ending up. And I have to say I’m pretty happy with the result!
Steven O'Sullivan: Awesome to hear that the trade worked out for you in the end! What are your goals now that you have that behind you and can focus on the on field stuff more?
mojojojo: Now that Lover has made the move to Sarasota, he is very excited to learn from the elite group of defenders on the Sailfish. Holding the line of scrimmage with veterans like Son Goku (DE) and Fawn Dillmiballs (DT) has been an inspiration. And I have a great classmate in Demon Jaxxson (DE) who started at the same time as me. So we can run drills and learn the playbooks together.
Lover has always been a team-first player. While he will admit it was a rush to win accolades for his performance in the DSFL, since moving straight into the ISFL he has been working on skills that will help the team stop the run. Not being as involved in the pass rush, Lover is hoping for a few TFLs but doesn't have many aspirations for sacks (although he will always go for the QB if given the opportunity to make a play for the team). Lover just wants to help the Sailfish reach the playoffs again this season.
Steven O'Sullivan: How has the move from DSFL to ISFL been for you? With the competition being a lot harder, is it tough to make that move?
mojojojo: There is definitely a jump in the level of competition moving from the DSFL to the ISFL, especially when you get called up immediately. You just have less time to get acclimated to the league and its play.
I think there’s a sweet spot for defensive players being in the DSFL for two seasons. That way you feel a little more competitive in the big league once you join. That’s sort of how I am feeling now that I have a full year of ISFL experience behind me. That my skills are now high enough that I can compete with the OL and running backs on the field.
Steven O'Sullivan: It's an interesting topic to me, since I am in my first season after the draft and am doing really well in the DSFL but the jump to the ISFL seems like a scary one. I obviously understand that being WR3 would mean less targets than currently in the DSFL as the main target, which will mean less catches and yards and I am okay with that, but I also don't want to suck. I am seeing a lot of drops on my player and that worries me. But at the same time I really have a hunger to be called up and start my career in the ISFL.
mojojojo: Yeah, I definitely get that.
At some point you just have to say “I’m ready” and know that it’s okay to struggle a little as you get used to the ISFL. It happens to everyone who makes their debut and there is a whole team there to support you and help you develop even further
I think you hit a point where you just feel like the only way to keep getting better is to take on the higher competition
Even if that means your stats will suffer a little in the short term
Steven O'Sullivan: Definitely! And it is an exciting process. I think Wide Receiver is a great position for it since there are several ones and you can start by being less important, whereas on the defense if you are one player that sucks, the offense can take advantage of it over and over.
mojojojo: Yeah, there’s definitely a lot of pressure being a relative newbie on the line of scrimmage for each and every play
Also fewer opportunities to leave the game for a play to get some coaching and then come back in, for example
Steven O'Sullivan: Yes, exactly! And with being a speedy wide receiver, catching your breath can be the difference between being able to run down that deep ball or not.
mojojojo: Hmm, yes. I can imagine this, but as a very large defensive lineman I’ve never considered speed my strongest attribute, haha
Steven O'Sullivan: What is your strongest attribute, strength?
mojojojo: Yeah. I’ve been putting a lot of work into my strength and tackling skills.
Since I specialize in stopping the run, I want to be able to bring down that running back as soon as I can wrap him up
Steven O'Sullivan: Are there any running backs you especially fear?
mojojojo: There are a lot in the league who are just fantastic athletes so it’s difficult to name just one. I will say that I am glad I get to practice against a veteran like Raphtalia Chan, because if you can bring her down you can get to anyone in the league
I’m glad I don’t have to face her in game situations
Steven O'Sullivan: I must admit, I don't know rivalries yet, but is there a team that is a rival? I imagine bringing that team's running back down must feel even more fun.
mojojojo: Yes, definitely.
I’m still pretty new to the Sailfish, but I know that their historic rivalries is the Hahalua because both teams were added to the league at the same time
Kind of like the current New York Silverbacks - Berlin Firesalamanders expansion rivalry
I think more recently it would be Chicago. We’ve faced off in the playoffs for a number of seasons now. All of our games tend to be nail-biters.
So it definitely feels extra good to bring down Baby Yoda
Steven O'Sullivan: Alright, this is good info. Hate Hahalua and Chicago, got it!
It's definitely fun to get to know some of my future teammates in this fashion, I think it will make it much more personal when I get called up if I know who I play with.
mojojojo: Yeah, it’s been really fun to talk to you so thanks so much for reaching out with the questions
I’m looking forward to hanging out in the locker room!