I've been requested by the league to hold a press conference. Any questions about the Wraiths season, my conversion to CB, or the upcoming obligation to Las Vegas are fair game.
Why did you make a bet like this?
Big stakes are exciting. I dare anyone to claim that the league, and especially the Legion games, were less interesting because of it.
We're you hoping that LVL would be competitive enough to force you to go there or we're you hoping to acquire RFFO to the wraiths for "free"?
I want something closer to parity in this league, and that means a lot of things. It means NOT having a team that has effectively become a bye week, even at home (interestingly enough, the Legion have won more games on the road than at home). It means NOT having a team that is the clear favorite to win the Ultimus every year. This bet would solve one of those problems. And, if I'd won, would have solved both, as I still think @RavensFanFromOntario is a horrible GM, and his player, Tyler Varga, a horrible example to the team in his undeserved salary and half-assed improvement. I saw an opportunity to make my team better, dethrone the perennial champs, and get Vegas out from under a shitty GM that was, and still is, holding them back.
Are you upset with San Jose for losing to Las Vegas in terrific fashion?
Not really. Berc had a perfect game and they still barely won. SJS's gameplan made complete sense. They did get suckered into a lot of one on one matchups between LeClair and Bayley, but that was due to Vegas having been so predictable that they took that predictability for granted. Plenty of good teams have made similar mistakes.
Do you have long term plans for LVL or do you hope to just do your time and then find greener pastures?
I don't know. I've been in contact with a few Legion players, and I wouldn't be opposed to working with them. I feel I've made my views on RFFO clear, though there are a couple of other players I think would be very decent GMs should he step down. I'd like to be part of helping a team with 5 wins over 2 seasons become competitive. If I believe that can happen, then I might be willing to consider it.
How did the management feel about your bet when it was initially made? What about now with the outcome?
At first, @Bzerkap was shocked, but did think it was funny. Remember that this bet was made at a time AFTER the trade of Mark Ramrio, and BEFORE any of the Yeti trades. At the time, I genuinely believed no team would be close to the same tier. While it was a risk, conservative estimates gave me about a one in four chance of winning, but that didn't take into account lack of development, as the Legion were far and away the least improved team in Season Two. After the Yeti meltdown, things got a lot scarier. Remember that the Yeti were arguably a top three team in S2. Even after the first wave of trades, they were still stronger than SJS and BAL. But it kept going. When we finally got official word of the Legion/Yeti game, we had already kind of expected it. With us losing to the Yeti in COL and Cats in Yellowknife, not to mention some other REALLY close games, it just felt every bit of bad luck possible should be expected.
Throughout the wait, @Bzerkap expressed concern over the trade far more than excitement, but the Wraiths are very tolerant of ego and the costs associated. There have been plenty of personalities that have damaged this team, but even though they are losing me, I brought a couple of inactives back, helped other teammates make money, and generally went way out of my way to help this team. A quick look at my stats for this season and last showed that I was extremely unselfish when it came to helping my team win, playing in schemes and positions that hurt my chance for personal success. I like to think that's why he never expressed anger at the bet.
I will add that only once did I hear a concern voiced about this being collusion, as they were negotiations between myself and another team's GM. I think that the lack of precedent, along with an 0-9 (0-13 with preseason) losing streak to start the season showed that it was a bet that could have easily gone either way. Had the Yeti not tanked, it still would be possible.
What players on the Legion are you most looking forward to playing with?
Can't believe I'm saying this, but Savea. Pre-draft there was no one I wanted to match up against more, but our games were meaningless in Season Two, with him being sent toward Shelton instead, which I get. And now in S3 I'm a cornerback. The rivalry just became irrelevant, and I'd be glad to have someone competitive enough to keep pushing while on that team on my squad. Connor Tanner and Wallace Stone deserve a ton of credit for giving Bercovici time to pass the ball more this season, and I think Tanner is a far bigger part of their success this year than any other player. The W-L record after his call-up makes that pretty clear.
Who are your predictions for offensive players in this seasons pro-bowl?
((Quick note: I went to look at last season's only to find that the S2 pro bowl team isn't in the pro bowl teams section))
QB: Boss, Bronko, Orosz, Kyubee
RB: Mackworthy, Tweed, Nuck, Savea
WR (which I think is over-represented): Westfield, Weston, Phelps, LeClair, Garden, North, Willie, Cook
OL: Blocksdale, Hendrix, Akselsen, Floggity, Finkenlarkin, Pest, Winchester, Clegane, Yates, Thomas
TE: DiMirio and Askins (by process of elimination), Wright, Tanner
How many games do the Legion win now with you on the squad?
Getting one good player doesn't vault a team to greatness (just ask the Liberty who signed two). Honestly, though, I think that in Season Five Vegas will be a 4 win team if no other big free agency moves are made. However, with all the cap space Vegas will have, plus a few up and coming players, I could see some folks wanting to come here to rack up some stats, maybe get paid a little. Thanks to league rules, I know my pay will go up considerably when I head there.
Would you take back the bet if you could?
I said a LOT that RFFO most likely would have agreed to three games, and I wish I'd made that offer, but I was in full on "dicks on the table" mode. Aside from that, no. It was a lot of fun, rocked the league a bit, and is going to change how the teams develop. That's kinda the shit I like doing.
Are you aware the Yeti weren't the reason we got the 2 wins?
They were a solid 50% of that.
Your opinions on me are valid, I've been bad as a GM and I accept that. We're heading in the right direction now though, and a huge part of that has been Ardie and Formx. They've been instrumental in keeping a team together and bringing people in and I can't credit them enough.
You've made some good deals to help the recovery effort, but I think what's really hurting is your inconsistent effort as a GM. I think if you were on top of it every day, the team would get better. I think if you stepped down and let someone else completely run it, it would get better. But having other people do the work and occasionally overriding them is not healthy.
Do you see yourself as a linebacker or a secondary piece?
100% secondary, though debatable whether I help more as a safety or CB. I think it depends on what pieces there are to work with.
What excites you the most about playing on the Legion?
Making a bad team better. Knowing that a new player who gets drafted there is less likely to feel completely defeated before their first game. If you look at the first half of Philly's Season Two, you'll see that Jefferson gave that team a LOT of hope by making big plays, and that's what I want to do in Vegas.
Do you believe you are what the Legion need to kickstart them into getting motivated to get over the rebuild hump?
I think I am PART of what the team needs. I am easily the most talented player projected to end up on that roster, but far from the most talented in the league. As a cornerback, I'm not even considered the best corner on my own team. But the moment I set foot on the field, the entire defense gets better. Interceptions and pass deflections go up, sacks go up as QBs spend a little more time waiting for someone to get open. Right now every team plans to pass non-stop on them. With me on the field they have to balance it more. In addition, I think I would be one of the better kick and punt returners, something I haven't had the chance to do in Yellowknife. Given that Vegas is currently last overall in special teams, having me in there will improve their field position.
So...kickstart? Maybe not that big a spark. But maybe the first domino.
Since you will be leaving the team after S4, has there been any talk of the Wraiths trading you either to the Legion or another team this offseason, so they can recover some value before you leave in free agency?
There has been a little. Mr. Crown knows the Legion are interested in having me a season early, but there are also a couple of teams interested in having me on their roster for one year to try and get an Ultimus. Unfortunately, Yellowknife is one of them. I think the front office is waiting to see how the offseason looks. If they feel we are a real contender this year to not just play the Outlaws, but actually beat them, then they'll probably keep me around.
What are the Wraiths getting in return?
Another reporter already answered this, but I don't want anyone feeling left out, so here it is: more than they got for Hackett.
Why did you make a bet like this?
Big stakes are exciting. I dare anyone to claim that the league, and especially the Legion games, were less interesting because of it.
We're you hoping that LVL would be competitive enough to force you to go there or we're you hoping to acquire RFFO to the wraiths for "free"?
I want something closer to parity in this league, and that means a lot of things. It means NOT having a team that has effectively become a bye week, even at home (interestingly enough, the Legion have won more games on the road than at home). It means NOT having a team that is the clear favorite to win the Ultimus every year. This bet would solve one of those problems. And, if I'd won, would have solved both, as I still think @RavensFanFromOntario is a horrible GM, and his player, Tyler Varga, a horrible example to the team in his undeserved salary and half-assed improvement. I saw an opportunity to make my team better, dethrone the perennial champs, and get Vegas out from under a shitty GM that was, and still is, holding them back.
Are you upset with San Jose for losing to Las Vegas in terrific fashion?
Not really. Berc had a perfect game and they still barely won. SJS's gameplan made complete sense. They did get suckered into a lot of one on one matchups between LeClair and Bayley, but that was due to Vegas having been so predictable that they took that predictability for granted. Plenty of good teams have made similar mistakes.
Do you have long term plans for LVL or do you hope to just do your time and then find greener pastures?
I don't know. I've been in contact with a few Legion players, and I wouldn't be opposed to working with them. I feel I've made my views on RFFO clear, though there are a couple of other players I think would be very decent GMs should he step down. I'd like to be part of helping a team with 5 wins over 2 seasons become competitive. If I believe that can happen, then I might be willing to consider it.
How did the management feel about your bet when it was initially made? What about now with the outcome?
At first, @Bzerkap was shocked, but did think it was funny. Remember that this bet was made at a time AFTER the trade of Mark Ramrio, and BEFORE any of the Yeti trades. At the time, I genuinely believed no team would be close to the same tier. While it was a risk, conservative estimates gave me about a one in four chance of winning, but that didn't take into account lack of development, as the Legion were far and away the least improved team in Season Two. After the Yeti meltdown, things got a lot scarier. Remember that the Yeti were arguably a top three team in S2. Even after the first wave of trades, they were still stronger than SJS and BAL. But it kept going. When we finally got official word of the Legion/Yeti game, we had already kind of expected it. With us losing to the Yeti in COL and Cats in Yellowknife, not to mention some other REALLY close games, it just felt every bit of bad luck possible should be expected.
Throughout the wait, @Bzerkap expressed concern over the trade far more than excitement, but the Wraiths are very tolerant of ego and the costs associated. There have been plenty of personalities that have damaged this team, but even though they are losing me, I brought a couple of inactives back, helped other teammates make money, and generally went way out of my way to help this team. A quick look at my stats for this season and last showed that I was extremely unselfish when it came to helping my team win, playing in schemes and positions that hurt my chance for personal success. I like to think that's why he never expressed anger at the bet.
I will add that only once did I hear a concern voiced about this being collusion, as they were negotiations between myself and another team's GM. I think that the lack of precedent, along with an 0-9 (0-13 with preseason) losing streak to start the season showed that it was a bet that could have easily gone either way. Had the Yeti not tanked, it still would be possible.
What players on the Legion are you most looking forward to playing with?
Can't believe I'm saying this, but Savea. Pre-draft there was no one I wanted to match up against more, but our games were meaningless in Season Two, with him being sent toward Shelton instead, which I get. And now in S3 I'm a cornerback. The rivalry just became irrelevant, and I'd be glad to have someone competitive enough to keep pushing while on that team on my squad. Connor Tanner and Wallace Stone deserve a ton of credit for giving Bercovici time to pass the ball more this season, and I think Tanner is a far bigger part of their success this year than any other player. The W-L record after his call-up makes that pretty clear.
Who are your predictions for offensive players in this seasons pro-bowl?
((Quick note: I went to look at last season's only to find that the S2 pro bowl team isn't in the pro bowl teams section))
QB: Boss, Bronko, Orosz, Kyubee
RB: Mackworthy, Tweed, Nuck, Savea
WR (which I think is over-represented): Westfield, Weston, Phelps, LeClair, Garden, North, Willie, Cook
OL: Blocksdale, Hendrix, Akselsen, Floggity, Finkenlarkin, Pest, Winchester, Clegane, Yates, Thomas
TE: DiMirio and Askins (by process of elimination), Wright, Tanner
How many games do the Legion win now with you on the squad?
Getting one good player doesn't vault a team to greatness (just ask the Liberty who signed two). Honestly, though, I think that in Season Five Vegas will be a 4 win team if no other big free agency moves are made. However, with all the cap space Vegas will have, plus a few up and coming players, I could see some folks wanting to come here to rack up some stats, maybe get paid a little. Thanks to league rules, I know my pay will go up considerably when I head there.
Would you take back the bet if you could?
I said a LOT that RFFO most likely would have agreed to three games, and I wish I'd made that offer, but I was in full on "dicks on the table" mode. Aside from that, no. It was a lot of fun, rocked the league a bit, and is going to change how the teams develop. That's kinda the shit I like doing.
Are you aware the Yeti weren't the reason we got the 2 wins?
They were a solid 50% of that.
Your opinions on me are valid, I've been bad as a GM and I accept that. We're heading in the right direction now though, and a huge part of that has been Ardie and Formx. They've been instrumental in keeping a team together and bringing people in and I can't credit them enough.
You've made some good deals to help the recovery effort, but I think what's really hurting is your inconsistent effort as a GM. I think if you were on top of it every day, the team would get better. I think if you stepped down and let someone else completely run it, it would get better. But having other people do the work and occasionally overriding them is not healthy.
Do you see yourself as a linebacker or a secondary piece?
100% secondary, though debatable whether I help more as a safety or CB. I think it depends on what pieces there are to work with.
What excites you the most about playing on the Legion?
Making a bad team better. Knowing that a new player who gets drafted there is less likely to feel completely defeated before their first game. If you look at the first half of Philly's Season Two, you'll see that Jefferson gave that team a LOT of hope by making big plays, and that's what I want to do in Vegas.
Do you believe you are what the Legion need to kickstart them into getting motivated to get over the rebuild hump?
I think I am PART of what the team needs. I am easily the most talented player projected to end up on that roster, but far from the most talented in the league. As a cornerback, I'm not even considered the best corner on my own team. But the moment I set foot on the field, the entire defense gets better. Interceptions and pass deflections go up, sacks go up as QBs spend a little more time waiting for someone to get open. Right now every team plans to pass non-stop on them. With me on the field they have to balance it more. In addition, I think I would be one of the better kick and punt returners, something I haven't had the chance to do in Yellowknife. Given that Vegas is currently last overall in special teams, having me in there will improve their field position.
So...kickstart? Maybe not that big a spark. But maybe the first domino.
Since you will be leaving the team after S4, has there been any talk of the Wraiths trading you either to the Legion or another team this offseason, so they can recover some value before you leave in free agency?
There has been a little. Mr. Crown knows the Legion are interested in having me a season early, but there are also a couple of teams interested in having me on their roster for one year to try and get an Ultimus. Unfortunately, Yellowknife is one of them. I think the front office is waiting to see how the offseason looks. If they feel we are a real contender this year to not just play the Outlaws, but actually beat them, then they'll probably keep me around.
What are the Wraiths getting in return?
Another reporter already answered this, but I don't want anyone feeling left out, so here it is: more than they got for Hackett.