[div align=\\\"center\\\"]AC Hackett sits down with Rob Long from 105.7 The Fan. [/div]
In a trade that rocked the NSFL landscape, standout coverage linebacker AC Hackett was traded from the San Jose SaberCats to the Yellowknife Wraiths for Luke Chunk and a 3rd round pick. Hackett was in the midst of a stellar season, posting 79 tackles, 7 passes defended and an interception. I’m your host Rob Long, and without further ado, let’s get Mr. Hackett in studio.
Rob: Welcome AC, it’s great to have you on the show.
Hackett: It’s great to be here Rob, I’ve been a listener for a long time. *Chuckles* I do have to say that these aren’t quite the circumstances that I imagined I’d be making my first appearance under if I’m going to be completely honest.
Rob: Well let’s get straight into those circumstances then. Did today’s trade come as a surprise to you?
Hackett: No, not entirely. I didn’t force my way out or anything like that but I did indicate that I was unlikely to re-sign with the Cats and that it may have been in the team’s best interest to try and recoup some value now. I was surprised by how quickly everything came together though, I went from extension talks to the Wraiths in a matter of days.
Rob: Was there a specific reason that you didn’t want to re-sign with the Cats? By all indications you seemed happy there.
Hackett: Those indications were accurate, I was happy in San Jose up until the very second that I left. Guys like Dan and Ben are bona fide superstars and the Sabercats locker room was one of the most relaxed environments I’ve ever been around. I want to offer the fans in San Jose and the entire Sabercats family my sincerest thanks for welcoming me into their city and on to their team. The experience I had out there is one that I won’t soon forget.
Rob: Again though, if everything was sunshine and roses, why did you want to leave?
Hackett: I’m a wanderer, I’m not sure if there’s any other way to describe it. I wander when I’m on the phone, I wander when I eat, shit – er -- shoot, I wander just for the sake of wandering. Unless I’m at home, my inclination is to go explore. My desire to play for new teams is just a macro-level reflection of that tendency.
Rob: Well then Mr. Wanderer, you’re only under contract in Yellowknife until the end of the season, how do those tendencies affect your offseason plans?
Hackett: *tersely* I just got here, so I think it’s a little bit too early to start thinking about what I’m going to do in the offseason. This team is a legitimate contender and my focus is on doing everything I can on the field to help bring a title to the Great White North.
Rob: Okay fair enough, is there anyone you’re particularly excited to play with in Yellowknife?
Hackett: I’m obviously not an offensive player, but playing with the NSFL’s version of the Triplets in Orosz, Garden and Bubba Nuck is going to be really really exciting. Also, teaming up with the league’s second-smartest linebacker in Kevin Cushing, a fact I’m going to remind him of often, has the potential to be a very fruitful relationship. It's going to be fun shutting down Ricky Maddox aka The Goat everyday in practice rather just in the occasional meetings too.
Rob: We’ve talked a lot about the change on the field, but you still have to live where you play. How difficult do you expect the transition from San Jose to Yellowknife to be?
Hackett: Haha I’m trying not to think too hard about that. Even though the East Coast is the Beast Coast, you can get used to gorgeous California days. Once the trade was announced, Kevin actually texted me saying that it’s probably for the best that I give all of my short-sleeve clothes to charity. I’m still not quite sure where Yellowknife is on a map, but hey, all I have to do is find the stadium. That all said though, San Jose isn’t my home either, Baltimore is. So I’ve gotten used to making transitions.
Rob: Alright AC, we’re just about out of time, but are there any parting thoughts you’d like to leave us with?
Hackett: When I said that I was thankful for the opportunity the Cats provided to me, I really meant it. They have a world-class, talent-studded organization. Sure, they haven’t been perfect but the team has also had some crappy breaks. There's no such thing as curses. Mark my words, if their core develops, the San Jose is going to make some noise one day. Thanks for having me on Rob, it was an absolute pleasure being here.
Players mentioned:
@7hawk77
@`BenLongshaw`
@Ballerstorm
@NUCK
@kckolbe
@SimmerDownBruhh
In a trade that rocked the NSFL landscape, standout coverage linebacker AC Hackett was traded from the San Jose SaberCats to the Yellowknife Wraiths for Luke Chunk and a 3rd round pick. Hackett was in the midst of a stellar season, posting 79 tackles, 7 passes defended and an interception. I’m your host Rob Long, and without further ado, let’s get Mr. Hackett in studio.
Rob: Welcome AC, it’s great to have you on the show.
Hackett: It’s great to be here Rob, I’ve been a listener for a long time. *Chuckles* I do have to say that these aren’t quite the circumstances that I imagined I’d be making my first appearance under if I’m going to be completely honest.
Rob: Well let’s get straight into those circumstances then. Did today’s trade come as a surprise to you?
Hackett: No, not entirely. I didn’t force my way out or anything like that but I did indicate that I was unlikely to re-sign with the Cats and that it may have been in the team’s best interest to try and recoup some value now. I was surprised by how quickly everything came together though, I went from extension talks to the Wraiths in a matter of days.
Rob: Was there a specific reason that you didn’t want to re-sign with the Cats? By all indications you seemed happy there.
Hackett: Those indications were accurate, I was happy in San Jose up until the very second that I left. Guys like Dan and Ben are bona fide superstars and the Sabercats locker room was one of the most relaxed environments I’ve ever been around. I want to offer the fans in San Jose and the entire Sabercats family my sincerest thanks for welcoming me into their city and on to their team. The experience I had out there is one that I won’t soon forget.
Rob: Again though, if everything was sunshine and roses, why did you want to leave?
Hackett: I’m a wanderer, I’m not sure if there’s any other way to describe it. I wander when I’m on the phone, I wander when I eat, shit – er -- shoot, I wander just for the sake of wandering. Unless I’m at home, my inclination is to go explore. My desire to play for new teams is just a macro-level reflection of that tendency.
Rob: Well then Mr. Wanderer, you’re only under contract in Yellowknife until the end of the season, how do those tendencies affect your offseason plans?
Hackett: *tersely* I just got here, so I think it’s a little bit too early to start thinking about what I’m going to do in the offseason. This team is a legitimate contender and my focus is on doing everything I can on the field to help bring a title to the Great White North.
Rob: Okay fair enough, is there anyone you’re particularly excited to play with in Yellowknife?
Hackett: I’m obviously not an offensive player, but playing with the NSFL’s version of the Triplets in Orosz, Garden and Bubba Nuck is going to be really really exciting. Also, teaming up with the league’s second-smartest linebacker in Kevin Cushing, a fact I’m going to remind him of often, has the potential to be a very fruitful relationship. It's going to be fun shutting down Ricky Maddox aka The Goat everyday in practice rather just in the occasional meetings too.
Rob: We’ve talked a lot about the change on the field, but you still have to live where you play. How difficult do you expect the transition from San Jose to Yellowknife to be?
Hackett: Haha I’m trying not to think too hard about that. Even though the East Coast is the Beast Coast, you can get used to gorgeous California days. Once the trade was announced, Kevin actually texted me saying that it’s probably for the best that I give all of my short-sleeve clothes to charity. I’m still not quite sure where Yellowknife is on a map, but hey, all I have to do is find the stadium. That all said though, San Jose isn’t my home either, Baltimore is. So I’ve gotten used to making transitions.
Rob: Alright AC, we’re just about out of time, but are there any parting thoughts you’d like to leave us with?
Hackett: When I said that I was thankful for the opportunity the Cats provided to me, I really meant it. They have a world-class, talent-studded organization. Sure, they haven’t been perfect but the team has also had some crappy breaks. There's no such thing as curses. Mark my words, if their core develops, the San Jose is going to make some noise one day. Thanks for having me on Rob, it was an absolute pleasure being here.
Players mentioned:
@7hawk77
@`BenLongshaw`
@Ballerstorm
@NUCK
@kckolbe
@SimmerDownBruhh
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