Graders, please split the payment 90% @mango8154 and 10% @shrub02 thank you.
Shrub: Good morning, afternoon, or evening. Whatever time you’re reading this at, I hope life is treating you well. We have a very special guest for today: the up and coming beat reporter, Mango. He is currently a member of the Minnesota Grey Ducks and future Austin Copperhead. It should be interesting to see what he has to say. Let’s get to it.
Shrub: I’d like to begin by learning a bit more about Daniel O’Leary as a player. What is his background?
Mango: Well he was born in Luton, England, he had a tumultuous childhood and started playing rugby early. He credits playing rugby for giving me the skills to play football. He got kicked out after a while though for being “too aggressive”. After that he went through school and after getting to university he joined the uni’s football team. After the first season he became the starting DT, he dominated in England and after he finished playing at uni he got called up to be a DSFL prospect, and got into the draft.
Shrub: Rugby and football seem to have two very different cultures. I’m glad he was able to channel that aggressiveness after the switch and become a very productive player. It seems O’Leary used those rugby skills successfully on the field, leading to a nomination for the DSFL Defensive Tackle of the Year award. What was your reaction to this news?
Mango: Complete and utter surprise. I didn’t think I would get near any award and I'm thankful for being considered, even though I was probably just making up the numbers for the two main nominee’s. I hope I can improve and get nominated again in the coming seasons, and maybe win it one day who knows.
Shrub: Your nomination was very well deserved. I wouldn’t discount that. What do you think led to your success?
Mango: Probably the alternate stats like forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and punt/kick blocks, certainly not for my sacks! Which I want to improve in the future, although I do like I'm an alt stat lord.
Shrub: Those other stats are very important in keeping opponents out of the endzone. Do you have any league role models that have helped with your success?
Mango: My fellow players and my GM’s were my role models during the season, and they greatly helped and really pushed me to be as successful as I have. My GM’s CC and Russ were really great at pushing me to improve while leading by example, and my fellow rookies make me constantly want to improve and get better in the future, people like gragg, painted and shrub have have really lit the way for me and I sort of look up to them in a way as examples on what I should do and what I should aspire to do.
Shrub: That’s great to hear that you could look around the locker room and gain motivation from your fellow rookies.
Shrub: In a previous interview you said that you think you will be drafted somewhere in the 4th round. How do you feel about going early in the 3rd round?
Mango: It feels great. It makes it feel like all my work was worth it, I’m glad I’ve impressed people and it’s good that people have seen the work I’ve put in. I'm very thankful and was overjoyed when it was announced.
Shrub: Are you happy about going to Austin? I heard things get weird there.
Mango: I’m very happy, I've had good conversations with people from the front office of Austin going back to DSFL scouting and I know they had an eye on me. It feels good to know you are wanted and I can’t wait to work with them. The locker room from what I have seen is great, and I’m used to weird things from some of Quack chat.
Shrub: Sounds like a great fit for you. Looking forward, what is O’Leary doing to make himself better for next season?
Mango: Apart from getting better in general? Getting down and focusing on working out, bulking up to throw around those pesky o-linemen, I can’t get much better in the DSFL as I've capped so I can just look to get better for the ISFL, when I get there I would like to reduce my foul numbers, it's never nice to get a foul.
Shrub: Yeah the refs were a bit flag happy last season. You mentioned pesky o-linemen. Do you have any personal rivals? Be it a team or another player?
Mango: Apart from Negs being a rival to his own team and throwing ints? I feel like on Minn all the rookies have a friendly rivalry going on, I always want to one up them and get that slight advantage over them so I can make fun of them (all friendly of course). With people not in Minn, Prof Gravity for one. He’s the leading DT in our whole rookie class and I want to do better, and be the best DT of our class, though I don’t know if he knows I exist (heh). Another small rivalry I have is with void (Brandon Prince), I don’t know how he feels but I’ve enjoyed the banter and trash talk we’ve had with each other in the DSFL chat, and I hope we continue when the season rolls around again.
Shrub: Rivalries like that definitely make the game more fun. Hopefully once you get called up you’ll be able to sack Negs and show him how you really feel.
Shrub: Switching gears to Minnesota, Quack Chat is a very lively locker room. Through all the chaos, have you connected with anyone in particular?
Mango: I’ve connected with my fellow Duckies the most, gragg, painted, skorch and shrub. We all like to have fun and play around, and we run the game chats like counting and the rpg game, those experiences have been great and I always have a great time talking with them, it’s also a great time making fun of them and I take every opportunity to tease them.
Shrub: Well we’d love to have you as a part of the Duck’s trio. We’ll have to come up with a new name though.
Shrub: You and the other s28 teammates you mentioned were a part of a very strong Grey Ducks rookie class. What are your guys’ outlook on next season?
Mango: Yeah our class was very strong, the call ups have hit the squad bad, even taking someone from our rookie class from us (not naming names, you know who you are), so it’s going to be difficult, but our strong defence is still there and with the team building the GM’s are doing, we believe we can go far and do big things, I have faith.
Shrub: You must be referring to Andrew Warthol being called up, as losing a backup TE (Bender) couldn’t have hurt that bad (lol). But I like the positive outlook. Can you give me a probability of making the playoffs?
Mango: We’ve got a very good chance and with good drafting, which seems to have happened, from our GM’s I’d consider us a favourite to get to the Ultimini. Not sure about winning it though but we’ll see as the season progresses. I hope we do of course.
Shrub: I hope so too. I’ll following your progress closely next season
Shrub: Ok, let’s pivot you as a user: Football doesn’t have a huge presence internationally. The ISFL is doing a good job changing that. As a Brit, did you have much knowledge of the sport before joining the league?
Mango: I’ve been aware of American football for a long time, since the late 00’s, I played a few of the maddens even, though I didn’t know what I was doing. I started getting more involved in the sport about 5 years ago, taking a bigger interest as my interest in sports in general grew. I’ve been actively watching the seasons for about two years, and have been enjoying myself so far.
Shrub: Have you learned anything since?
Mango: Since joining I’ve learnt more about the shortened versions of words and have learnt a bit more of the technical side of the sport, which is cool.
Shrub: That’s great to hear that you were exposed to football early on and are still learning. Very cool!
Shrub: Next is every scout's favorite question: do you have any plans on taking on a larger role in the league?
Mango: I’m not 100% sure, I’m enjoying myself and I would be interested in getting a role but I would have to see what each job is like and to see if I would enjoy it, I wouldn’t want to burn out and stop enjoying myself as I really like it here.
Shrub: That’s a great outlook to have. Having fun is the most important thing here.
Shrub: Alright, let’s wind things down. I’m sure you’ve learned a lot in your first year in the DSFL. Got any advice for those bright-eyed rookies joining a sim league for the first time?
Mango: My advice would be to throw yourself in, learn as you run and don’t be worried to make mistakes, this has worked for me and I've done pretty well. Also I would say if you need help, ask for it. There is no shame in asking and there are plenty of helpful people willing to lend a hand. Plus the rookie mentors are literally there to help out, it's their job and they do it well. Another thing I would say is to go out and get involved with the community. Talking to people is a really fun part of the league and it would be a shame to miss it.The last thing I would suggest is that to go at your own pace, enjoy yourself, having fun is the most important thing.
Shrub: That’s all great advice. S29 rookies listen up! This man knows what he’s talking about. Well Mango, it has been a pleasure to sit down and learn a bit more about you. Although my time in Minnesota was short, you helped make it entertaining. I look forward to competing with you once you get called up to the big leagues.
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Shrub: Good morning, afternoon, or evening. Whatever time you’re reading this at, I hope life is treating you well. We have a very special guest for today: the up and coming beat reporter, Mango. He is currently a member of the Minnesota Grey Ducks and future Austin Copperhead. It should be interesting to see what he has to say. Let’s get to it.
Shrub: I’d like to begin by learning a bit more about Daniel O’Leary as a player. What is his background?
Mango: Well he was born in Luton, England, he had a tumultuous childhood and started playing rugby early. He credits playing rugby for giving me the skills to play football. He got kicked out after a while though for being “too aggressive”. After that he went through school and after getting to university he joined the uni’s football team. After the first season he became the starting DT, he dominated in England and after he finished playing at uni he got called up to be a DSFL prospect, and got into the draft.
Shrub: Rugby and football seem to have two very different cultures. I’m glad he was able to channel that aggressiveness after the switch and become a very productive player. It seems O’Leary used those rugby skills successfully on the field, leading to a nomination for the DSFL Defensive Tackle of the Year award. What was your reaction to this news?
Mango: Complete and utter surprise. I didn’t think I would get near any award and I'm thankful for being considered, even though I was probably just making up the numbers for the two main nominee’s. I hope I can improve and get nominated again in the coming seasons, and maybe win it one day who knows.
Shrub: Your nomination was very well deserved. I wouldn’t discount that. What do you think led to your success?
Mango: Probably the alternate stats like forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and punt/kick blocks, certainly not for my sacks! Which I want to improve in the future, although I do like I'm an alt stat lord.
Shrub: Those other stats are very important in keeping opponents out of the endzone. Do you have any league role models that have helped with your success?
Mango: My fellow players and my GM’s were my role models during the season, and they greatly helped and really pushed me to be as successful as I have. My GM’s CC and Russ were really great at pushing me to improve while leading by example, and my fellow rookies make me constantly want to improve and get better in the future, people like gragg, painted and shrub have have really lit the way for me and I sort of look up to them in a way as examples on what I should do and what I should aspire to do.
Shrub: That’s great to hear that you could look around the locker room and gain motivation from your fellow rookies.
Shrub: In a previous interview you said that you think you will be drafted somewhere in the 4th round. How do you feel about going early in the 3rd round?
Mango: It feels great. It makes it feel like all my work was worth it, I’m glad I’ve impressed people and it’s good that people have seen the work I’ve put in. I'm very thankful and was overjoyed when it was announced.
Shrub: Are you happy about going to Austin? I heard things get weird there.
Mango: I’m very happy, I've had good conversations with people from the front office of Austin going back to DSFL scouting and I know they had an eye on me. It feels good to know you are wanted and I can’t wait to work with them. The locker room from what I have seen is great, and I’m used to weird things from some of Quack chat.
Shrub: Sounds like a great fit for you. Looking forward, what is O’Leary doing to make himself better for next season?
Mango: Apart from getting better in general? Getting down and focusing on working out, bulking up to throw around those pesky o-linemen, I can’t get much better in the DSFL as I've capped so I can just look to get better for the ISFL, when I get there I would like to reduce my foul numbers, it's never nice to get a foul.
Shrub: Yeah the refs were a bit flag happy last season. You mentioned pesky o-linemen. Do you have any personal rivals? Be it a team or another player?
Mango: Apart from Negs being a rival to his own team and throwing ints? I feel like on Minn all the rookies have a friendly rivalry going on, I always want to one up them and get that slight advantage over them so I can make fun of them (all friendly of course). With people not in Minn, Prof Gravity for one. He’s the leading DT in our whole rookie class and I want to do better, and be the best DT of our class, though I don’t know if he knows I exist (heh). Another small rivalry I have is with void (Brandon Prince), I don’t know how he feels but I’ve enjoyed the banter and trash talk we’ve had with each other in the DSFL chat, and I hope we continue when the season rolls around again.
Shrub: Rivalries like that definitely make the game more fun. Hopefully once you get called up you’ll be able to sack Negs and show him how you really feel.
Shrub: Switching gears to Minnesota, Quack Chat is a very lively locker room. Through all the chaos, have you connected with anyone in particular?
Mango: I’ve connected with my fellow Duckies the most, gragg, painted, skorch and shrub. We all like to have fun and play around, and we run the game chats like counting and the rpg game, those experiences have been great and I always have a great time talking with them, it’s also a great time making fun of them and I take every opportunity to tease them.
Shrub: Well we’d love to have you as a part of the Duck’s trio. We’ll have to come up with a new name though.
Shrub: You and the other s28 teammates you mentioned were a part of a very strong Grey Ducks rookie class. What are your guys’ outlook on next season?
Mango: Yeah our class was very strong, the call ups have hit the squad bad, even taking someone from our rookie class from us (not naming names, you know who you are), so it’s going to be difficult, but our strong defence is still there and with the team building the GM’s are doing, we believe we can go far and do big things, I have faith.
Shrub: You must be referring to Andrew Warthol being called up, as losing a backup TE (Bender) couldn’t have hurt that bad (lol). But I like the positive outlook. Can you give me a probability of making the playoffs?
Mango: We’ve got a very good chance and with good drafting, which seems to have happened, from our GM’s I’d consider us a favourite to get to the Ultimini. Not sure about winning it though but we’ll see as the season progresses. I hope we do of course.
Shrub: I hope so too. I’ll following your progress closely next season
Shrub: Ok, let’s pivot you as a user: Football doesn’t have a huge presence internationally. The ISFL is doing a good job changing that. As a Brit, did you have much knowledge of the sport before joining the league?
Mango: I’ve been aware of American football for a long time, since the late 00’s, I played a few of the maddens even, though I didn’t know what I was doing. I started getting more involved in the sport about 5 years ago, taking a bigger interest as my interest in sports in general grew. I’ve been actively watching the seasons for about two years, and have been enjoying myself so far.
Shrub: Have you learned anything since?
Mango: Since joining I’ve learnt more about the shortened versions of words and have learnt a bit more of the technical side of the sport, which is cool.
Shrub: That’s great to hear that you were exposed to football early on and are still learning. Very cool!
Shrub: Next is every scout's favorite question: do you have any plans on taking on a larger role in the league?
Mango: I’m not 100% sure, I’m enjoying myself and I would be interested in getting a role but I would have to see what each job is like and to see if I would enjoy it, I wouldn’t want to burn out and stop enjoying myself as I really like it here.
Shrub: That’s a great outlook to have. Having fun is the most important thing here.
Shrub: Alright, let’s wind things down. I’m sure you’ve learned a lot in your first year in the DSFL. Got any advice for those bright-eyed rookies joining a sim league for the first time?
Mango: My advice would be to throw yourself in, learn as you run and don’t be worried to make mistakes, this has worked for me and I've done pretty well. Also I would say if you need help, ask for it. There is no shame in asking and there are plenty of helpful people willing to lend a hand. Plus the rookie mentors are literally there to help out, it's their job and they do it well. Another thing I would say is to go out and get involved with the community. Talking to people is a really fun part of the league and it would be a shame to miss it.The last thing I would suggest is that to go at your own pace, enjoy yourself, having fun is the most important thing.
Shrub: That’s all great advice. S29 rookies listen up! This man knows what he’s talking about. Well Mango, it has been a pleasure to sit down and learn a bit more about you. Although my time in Minnesota was short, you helped make it entertaining. I look forward to competing with you once you get called up to the big leagues.
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