This past week I had an opportunity to speak with Nick Pierno, Quarterback for the Colorado Yeti, about this season and the future of the franchise. Pierno is a young player with just two years in the league so far and a lot of potential for the future, however, Pierno’s time in the NSFL has been difficult as his team has struggled to win games. I wanted to know what drove Pierno to continue to succeed despite the lack of success.
I asked him, “your first 2 seasons in the NSFL have been difficult, have you received any advice from Vets on how to deal with some of the struggles that come with being a developing Quarter Back?”
He was trying not to sigh before he answered, “It's been kind of tough because it's not like I had a veteran quarterback to learn under based on the circumstances I was put in, but everyone in the Yeti locker room has been extremely supportive.” I think it’s important to understand that Pierno is very frustrated but he doesn’t feel alone. Pierno and the rest of the locker room understand that it’s a work in progress and that it’s going to be sometime before they are truly ready to compete. In the meantime he’s got some friends to get him through the tough times.
As I have previously alluded, Pierno’s rookie season was quite hideous. While this season he hasn’t thrown more touchdowns, he has cut back on his turnovers which marks improvement. I asked him, “Last season you threw 8 touchdowns and 35 interceptions for 2,209 yards. This season you have thrown 7 touchdowns and 25 interceptions 2,466 yards. You've improved quite a bit on Ball control. Do you think the improvements you've made coming into this season will continue to help you grow into a star?”
Finally a hint of a smile in this interview, “Absolutely! I spent a lot of time this summer watching film and making sure that improving my football IQ was a priority. Turnovers is what's holding us back, and I'm going to make sure that's changed.” Pierno is a hardworking kid. When he was at NC State He was one of the most elite QBs in College football. It didn’t start that way there but eventually he dominated the ACC. It takes time to get to the right point for Pierno but he absolutely has the endurance and drive to do it. Whether he can turn his NSFL career around remains to be seen. Currently to this point he has 15 Touchdowns and 60 interceptions. He’s got a lot of making up to do. I for one believe he can do it.
Pierno strikes me as a team oriented person so naturally it felt only fitting to ask him about the state of the Yeti organization, “Colorado has had an abysmal season but you have improved overall this season. Do you guys feel like you are going to be competitive in the next few seasons?”
Pierno strikes me as someone who is focused on wins and not padding personal stats. If Pierno has a bad day but the team wins, it’s a good day for Pierno. This came clearly through as he replied, “Absolutely. We're stacked with young talent, some new front office leadership and a lot of great leaders on offense and defense.” Pierno is clearly keeping his eye on the prize. Colorado has some time before they need to worry about being good. If they keep focused they are going to get to the top of the mountain before you know it. This also came through when I interviewed the Yetti’s GM who told me this about the future of the organization, “The Colorado Yeti are a team on the rise. When I took this team over, there were challenges that I had to overcome. I built this team with a set championship window, and that is in 3-5 years. I can see the Colorado Yeti in the playoffs by S8, and even vying for a title by S10.” I believe this is a proper ambition to have and it is one reflected all throughout the organization from top to bottom. Clearly a team that has managed to win just one game isn’t ready to compete next year and they understand this. Colorado is opting to build a strong football team by investing in the right players over the draft and focusing on getting better each year rather than forcing it.
I wanted to know what Pierno wanted to be in this league. I wanted to know what his ambitions were and how he wanted to be remembered.
All he said was, “To be the most exciting quarterback of all-time.” Pierno doesn’t waste your time. Everything he says is simple and to the point. While at the conclusion of Season 4 Pierno is not really close to this ambition we may be having a completely different conversation a few seasons from now. It was only a season ago that the idea of using Offensive Linemen Mat Akselsen as a Quarterback would’ve been ridiculous, however, that’s exactly what the Wraiths did and just lost by 7 points in the Ultimus Bowl. In the same sense don’t doubt Pierno now. Each off season he slaves away in the film room and in the gym getting ready to take on the next season. Maybe season 5 won’t be the year where he proves the doubters wrong but looking beyond that we could have a legend on our hands.
The last question I had for Pierno had to do with his favorite moment in the NSFL to this point, “What's been the most impactful game of your career to this point?”
He looked nostalgic as he answered. Even though we’re only a few weeks removed from the game it still felt like a long time. He replied, “Beating Baltimore this year. We had two wins my rookie year and there's other games I put up much better numbers, but I'm all about the team. We had to get real gritty and we beat a really, really talented team and it meant so much for us. It was a game we all got to celebrate together.” This is the core of what I and everyone else mean when they say Nick is a team player. Nick was 8/21 in that game for just 119 yards. The reason why it is his favorite is because his team came out with the win. Pierno loves his team more than he loves scoring touchdowns, and he loves scoring touchdowns. Pierno has had several quality games in his NSFL career but his favorite remains a game where his team really came up big and that’s the quality that will allow Pierno to have a great career in this league. How much you are willing to sacrifice in this league for your team will determine what kind of player you are. Pierno was willing to sacrifice a big stat line so his team could come out with the W. Pierno is a leader and in time can be a text book example of what a QB ought to be.
Pierno isn’t there yet, but his day is coming. Pierno is one of the most dynamic dual threat Quarterbacks in the league, which really stands out from the other pocket passers that make up most of the QBs. If Pierno continues to work hard he and the Yetis will challenge for an Ultimus. They’ll do it because their Quarterback is a team player who is more than willing to take the punches for his team, and his team is right there with him. Today they are the lowly 1 win Yeti, tomorrow the dynamic Ultimus contending Yeti.
GRADED
I asked him, “your first 2 seasons in the NSFL have been difficult, have you received any advice from Vets on how to deal with some of the struggles that come with being a developing Quarter Back?”
He was trying not to sigh before he answered, “It's been kind of tough because it's not like I had a veteran quarterback to learn under based on the circumstances I was put in, but everyone in the Yeti locker room has been extremely supportive.” I think it’s important to understand that Pierno is very frustrated but he doesn’t feel alone. Pierno and the rest of the locker room understand that it’s a work in progress and that it’s going to be sometime before they are truly ready to compete. In the meantime he’s got some friends to get him through the tough times.
As I have previously alluded, Pierno’s rookie season was quite hideous. While this season he hasn’t thrown more touchdowns, he has cut back on his turnovers which marks improvement. I asked him, “Last season you threw 8 touchdowns and 35 interceptions for 2,209 yards. This season you have thrown 7 touchdowns and 25 interceptions 2,466 yards. You've improved quite a bit on Ball control. Do you think the improvements you've made coming into this season will continue to help you grow into a star?”
Finally a hint of a smile in this interview, “Absolutely! I spent a lot of time this summer watching film and making sure that improving my football IQ was a priority. Turnovers is what's holding us back, and I'm going to make sure that's changed.” Pierno is a hardworking kid. When he was at NC State He was one of the most elite QBs in College football. It didn’t start that way there but eventually he dominated the ACC. It takes time to get to the right point for Pierno but he absolutely has the endurance and drive to do it. Whether he can turn his NSFL career around remains to be seen. Currently to this point he has 15 Touchdowns and 60 interceptions. He’s got a lot of making up to do. I for one believe he can do it.
Pierno strikes me as a team oriented person so naturally it felt only fitting to ask him about the state of the Yeti organization, “Colorado has had an abysmal season but you have improved overall this season. Do you guys feel like you are going to be competitive in the next few seasons?”
Pierno strikes me as someone who is focused on wins and not padding personal stats. If Pierno has a bad day but the team wins, it’s a good day for Pierno. This came clearly through as he replied, “Absolutely. We're stacked with young talent, some new front office leadership and a lot of great leaders on offense and defense.” Pierno is clearly keeping his eye on the prize. Colorado has some time before they need to worry about being good. If they keep focused they are going to get to the top of the mountain before you know it. This also came through when I interviewed the Yetti’s GM who told me this about the future of the organization, “The Colorado Yeti are a team on the rise. When I took this team over, there were challenges that I had to overcome. I built this team with a set championship window, and that is in 3-5 years. I can see the Colorado Yeti in the playoffs by S8, and even vying for a title by S10.” I believe this is a proper ambition to have and it is one reflected all throughout the organization from top to bottom. Clearly a team that has managed to win just one game isn’t ready to compete next year and they understand this. Colorado is opting to build a strong football team by investing in the right players over the draft and focusing on getting better each year rather than forcing it.
I wanted to know what Pierno wanted to be in this league. I wanted to know what his ambitions were and how he wanted to be remembered.
All he said was, “To be the most exciting quarterback of all-time.” Pierno doesn’t waste your time. Everything he says is simple and to the point. While at the conclusion of Season 4 Pierno is not really close to this ambition we may be having a completely different conversation a few seasons from now. It was only a season ago that the idea of using Offensive Linemen Mat Akselsen as a Quarterback would’ve been ridiculous, however, that’s exactly what the Wraiths did and just lost by 7 points in the Ultimus Bowl. In the same sense don’t doubt Pierno now. Each off season he slaves away in the film room and in the gym getting ready to take on the next season. Maybe season 5 won’t be the year where he proves the doubters wrong but looking beyond that we could have a legend on our hands.
The last question I had for Pierno had to do with his favorite moment in the NSFL to this point, “What's been the most impactful game of your career to this point?”
He looked nostalgic as he answered. Even though we’re only a few weeks removed from the game it still felt like a long time. He replied, “Beating Baltimore this year. We had two wins my rookie year and there's other games I put up much better numbers, but I'm all about the team. We had to get real gritty and we beat a really, really talented team and it meant so much for us. It was a game we all got to celebrate together.” This is the core of what I and everyone else mean when they say Nick is a team player. Nick was 8/21 in that game for just 119 yards. The reason why it is his favorite is because his team came out with the win. Pierno loves his team more than he loves scoring touchdowns, and he loves scoring touchdowns. Pierno has had several quality games in his NSFL career but his favorite remains a game where his team really came up big and that’s the quality that will allow Pierno to have a great career in this league. How much you are willing to sacrifice in this league for your team will determine what kind of player you are. Pierno was willing to sacrifice a big stat line so his team could come out with the W. Pierno is a leader and in time can be a text book example of what a QB ought to be.
Pierno isn’t there yet, but his day is coming. Pierno is one of the most dynamic dual threat Quarterbacks in the league, which really stands out from the other pocket passers that make up most of the QBs. If Pierno continues to work hard he and the Yetis will challenge for an Ultimus. They’ll do it because their Quarterback is a team player who is more than willing to take the punches for his team, and his team is right there with him. Today they are the lowly 1 win Yeti, tomorrow the dynamic Ultimus contending Yeti.
GRADED