GM GOOCH ENTERS INTO THE SHOWCASE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM AND SMILES. HE IS VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE.I am very excited to be here.
GM GOOCH WONDERS IF THAT NEEDED TO BE SAID, BUT HE CONTINUES ONThis is a very exciting time in the HIFL. New franchises. New GMs. New cities. New fans. It's an exciting time here in the HIFL. I'm ready for some questions...
1. Talk about last weeks game. We played hard against an extremely talented Las Vegas team. I am proud of our offense for continually getting in to Matthew Johnson's FG range. Las Vegas has an extremely stingy defense and for us to be able to move the ball was impressive. I'm also impressed with our defense. We slowed down that potent offense with so many weapons. I am proud of the resolve this team is developing. A never give up attitude. I love it. I am very proud of this team.
2. What are your thoughts on this years draft class as you head into the showcase to see many of them for the first time?Excitement is in the air. I believe we have the best young football prospects in the world coming to show off their hard work. They have worked for years for days like today. I'm excited to see what they are able to achieve.
3. What are you hoping to gain from this weeks Showcase?I want to be able to find pieces that fit the Long Beach Mermen team. I want to find players that have a strong work ethic and a desire to be the best. I want players who are ready to do their best for their team and to play as a team. I'm wanting to find great athletes who love this great game and who want to be a part of something special. I want to find that hungry guy who may not be a top prospect now, but is ready to have a team take a chance on him and for him to become a superstar. I believe a Disney move years ago called it a "Diamond in the Rough." I want to try to discern who has that motor to be coachable and continue to work hard after they get a contract. It is expected of 1st and 2nd round picks to be ready to get in the mix, I'm wanting to see that hungry player that believes in himself that just needs a team to take a chance on him to prove the world wrong and to prove himself right. I'll be looking for fire in eyes this week.
4. What did you schedule for your players during the bye week? Training or a week off?We will continue to train. We have to continue to work hard. We are a relatively healthy team and I feel the work is going to continue to allow us to gel as a team. We are seeing really good football from Long Beach, and I believe with the great athletes we have, that our play is only going to get better as our team works together.
5. Talk about anything else on your mind in reference to the league/sport as a whole.
I just want to thank the HIFL for putting this showcase on. We all have a good time together. It reminds us of the many things there are to love about this sport. The whistle to whistle is paramount, but it's great to watch people dedicated to their craft. It's like a breath of fresh air. The HIFL spends money to put this on and I want to let the league office know that I am grateful to have this avenue to look at players.
Seeing new faces around these parts is
6. Discuss some of the hiring and firing around the league over the last two weeks, what surprised you most, and what did you see coming?I am very happy to see GM Kirk back. In public we traded barbs, remember the doggy door and "St. Paul Dragons" comments, but behind the scenes we are friends. Many of the barbs you find GMs firing off are good natured. GM Kirk is a dedicated GM and the Crowns are lucky to have him. He makes whatever division he is in better. He is excited to be back wearing the teal and purple of Charlotte.
I am surprised to see Gates leaving, but not extremely surprised. He has proven that he can build a franchise from the ground up.
I am not surprised that GM Lucas is out of a job. I believe his ownership has been very patient but sometimes you need to learn lessons the hard way. He is a talented, invested GM that I believe will learn and in his next job will do a respectable job.
I am somewhat surprised that GM T-Bone got his walking papers from Kansas City.