Now that the International Simulation Football League season is over halfway completed, rookie wide receiver Tugg Speedman finally agreed to sit down with us here at the San Jose Chronicle to give an interview, his first in over a season. Speedman hails from Cleveland, Ohio and attended Texas Christian University (TCU). From there he made waves in the Developmental Simulation Football League when he was drafted at the tail end of the second round by the London Royals. Speedman spent two full season's with the team and caught over 150 passes and had over 1500 receiving yards setting several team records as well as one Developmental Simulation Football League record. To the surprise of no one, he was drafted in the first round of the International Simulation Football League to the San Jose Sabercats. So far this season, his rookie season, he has 40 receptions and 439 receiving yards. Let's catch up with the first year pro now.
Interviewer: "Tugg thanks for finally sitting down with us. We are so excited to talk San Jose and football with you. First off, how has the adjustment been coming back to the United States from the United Kingdom?"
Tugg: "No problem, I wanted to do it sooner but I wanted to get acquainted with the city, my coaches, and my teammates first and that just turned into the preseason and then the regular season. But yeah, I adjusted pretty quickly. I love it out here, California is beautiful and playing out my dream in the International Simulation Football League is a dream. I miss London and everyone there but this is what I have worked so hard to get to, and the work is never done."
Interviewer: "Such a quick turn around I'm sure you lost track of time and you just went straight into training and football mode. Speaking of, how are you feeling about the season so far? We've been following your Twitter and certainly get a chuckle out of your tweets although we have noticed your pleas to getting into the end zone. Care to comment?"
Tugg: "Yeah I want to be the best like I know I am so the work is never done. This season has been a rollercoaster. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. We've gone on a couple hot and cold runs, which is a part of the game. We have an extremely talented football team and sometimes it just does not go your way. We're gonna keep digging in and grinding week in and week out, that's who we are. I'm glad you enjoy me tweets, but don't get it twisted, I know I am not the #1 options yet and hell not even the #2 option. I am going to earn that but it will take time. I respect what we have and what the game plan is. That being said, I have gotten so damn close to getting in the end zone. I blame myself more than anything but it will happen... I know it will."
Interviewer: "Are you happy with your stats this far into the season?"
Tugg: "I will be honest, no. I am going to compare myself to my fellow rookie wide receivers and if I see them having more success than me that makes me more hungry to be better and get more involved. Again, I know my place in this offense but that doesn't mean that I can't be hungry to be better. If I settled with what I have, then I will have let this team, my coaches, and the fans down."
Interviewer: "And speaking of the fans, how have they treated you so far into your rookie season?"
Tugg: "The fans have been great! San Jose fans expect to be great and will love you if you leave everything out there on the field so I think they see that and respect my game. They'll grow to love me and you'll see that in the stands when everybody is wearing number 6."
Interviewer: "With five weeks left in the season, how are you feeling? Obviously you're not out of it yet but you're on a three game skid and need to turn it around. What's the locker room and morale of the team like right now?"
Tugg: "We know we're better than our record but we aren't letting that phase us, we come out and give it our all every single week. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes it just doesn't go your way but we will never give up and will claw our way into the playoffs, count on that. I expect a nice run to start here soon that will get us into the playoffs and from there. I'm a believer and so should you and all the fans."
Interviewer: "Well we haven't lost hope yet, it's nice to see a player showing their passion and belief in their team. As a rookie, has anyone taken you under their wing or given you some guidance?"
Tugg: "You'll get that from any one of these guys, we all love this game and this team. But yeah, Ty Hood has somewhat taken me under his wing. He's a great teammate and helps keep me in check. He also went scoreless as a rookie and keeping my spirits up. He knows that I had this issue during my time in London with the Royals. He always tells me to let the game come to me and the rest will take care of itself. I've really appreciated that. It's also really awesome to see a guy like him, one of the best wide receivers in the league, and take the time for a rook. That'll always stay with me. I've also spent extra time with Monterey Jack to get a rhythm going and find that connection so it's been awesome to work on that every week."
Interviewer: "Sounds like a tight knit group for sure. Well Zak, we'll let you get going. Thank you so much for stopping by and good luck the rest of the season".
Tugg: "No problem! Thanks for being flexible on the interview and being so welcoming to this rookie. Catch ya next time and Go Sabercats!"
Interviewer: "Tugg thanks for finally sitting down with us. We are so excited to talk San Jose and football with you. First off, how has the adjustment been coming back to the United States from the United Kingdom?"
Tugg: "No problem, I wanted to do it sooner but I wanted to get acquainted with the city, my coaches, and my teammates first and that just turned into the preseason and then the regular season. But yeah, I adjusted pretty quickly. I love it out here, California is beautiful and playing out my dream in the International Simulation Football League is a dream. I miss London and everyone there but this is what I have worked so hard to get to, and the work is never done."
Interviewer: "Such a quick turn around I'm sure you lost track of time and you just went straight into training and football mode. Speaking of, how are you feeling about the season so far? We've been following your Twitter and certainly get a chuckle out of your tweets although we have noticed your pleas to getting into the end zone. Care to comment?"
Tugg: "Yeah I want to be the best like I know I am so the work is never done. This season has been a rollercoaster. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. We've gone on a couple hot and cold runs, which is a part of the game. We have an extremely talented football team and sometimes it just does not go your way. We're gonna keep digging in and grinding week in and week out, that's who we are. I'm glad you enjoy me tweets, but don't get it twisted, I know I am not the #1 options yet and hell not even the #2 option. I am going to earn that but it will take time. I respect what we have and what the game plan is. That being said, I have gotten so damn close to getting in the end zone. I blame myself more than anything but it will happen... I know it will."
Interviewer: "Are you happy with your stats this far into the season?"
Tugg: "I will be honest, no. I am going to compare myself to my fellow rookie wide receivers and if I see them having more success than me that makes me more hungry to be better and get more involved. Again, I know my place in this offense but that doesn't mean that I can't be hungry to be better. If I settled with what I have, then I will have let this team, my coaches, and the fans down."
Interviewer: "And speaking of the fans, how have they treated you so far into your rookie season?"
Tugg: "The fans have been great! San Jose fans expect to be great and will love you if you leave everything out there on the field so I think they see that and respect my game. They'll grow to love me and you'll see that in the stands when everybody is wearing number 6."
Interviewer: "With five weeks left in the season, how are you feeling? Obviously you're not out of it yet but you're on a three game skid and need to turn it around. What's the locker room and morale of the team like right now?"
Tugg: "We know we're better than our record but we aren't letting that phase us, we come out and give it our all every single week. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes it just doesn't go your way but we will never give up and will claw our way into the playoffs, count on that. I expect a nice run to start here soon that will get us into the playoffs and from there. I'm a believer and so should you and all the fans."
Interviewer: "Well we haven't lost hope yet, it's nice to see a player showing their passion and belief in their team. As a rookie, has anyone taken you under their wing or given you some guidance?"
Tugg: "You'll get that from any one of these guys, we all love this game and this team. But yeah, Ty Hood has somewhat taken me under his wing. He's a great teammate and helps keep me in check. He also went scoreless as a rookie and keeping my spirits up. He knows that I had this issue during my time in London with the Royals. He always tells me to let the game come to me and the rest will take care of itself. I've really appreciated that. It's also really awesome to see a guy like him, one of the best wide receivers in the league, and take the time for a rook. That'll always stay with me. I've also spent extra time with Monterey Jack to get a rhythm going and find that connection so it's been awesome to work on that every week."
Interviewer: "Sounds like a tight knit group for sure. Well Zak, we'll let you get going. Thank you so much for stopping by and good luck the rest of the season".
Tugg: "No problem! Thanks for being flexible on the interview and being so welcoming to this rookie. Catch ya next time and Go Sabercats!"
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