1.How did you feel your offseason went?
I did what I set out to do. I heard a lot of rumblings and rumors that I screwed up the team even more then the previous GM. I heard the team by team previews, the preseason analsys all saying we were thr worst team, we had no shot, that Orlando could be the worst team in HIFL history. I hear people saying I still had a great foundation with Back and Mullins and I traded them away for nothing. I hear it all. You know who else hears it, Best, Barclay, Cohen and Collins, how about some of those amazing rookies out there that I drafted with the picks I got from those supposed bad deals I made.That locker room has been paying attention and they are salty, they are gritty and they are ready to prove some people wrong. See, you can't build something great if you don't have the proper foundation, if you do not know what the foundation is made of. And for what it was worth, the foundation that was here was not laid down by one Eddie Phoenix. It was not a foundation I saw as strong enough to hold what we are trying to build in Orlando. I came in and I knew I was going to reset the culture here. Change the narrative and make the Orlando stampede a team with an identity. Not a team in which one or two stars played on but a team that went out there and played like,- just that, a TEAM!.
2. After seeing them in camp and in pre-season, do you think you have any stand out rookies?
Well, I think Simon did a terrific job, for a rookie coming in to what is being said a rebuilding situation with the spotlights on him knowing he is playing for his hometown. That he is one of the pieces that will carry this team, I think he did a great job. I also think Ryan Cochran did well, he got a nice sack there vs Tombstone and I feel Cooper surprised a lot of folks, he played hard. What is important when these rookies go out there is not what they do per say to make the highlight reel but that they understand the fundamentals, play their positions to the best of their ability and contribute even when they aren't involved in the play. When A team loses, most times it's because players do not play their position properly or are out of position or giving up because the ball went away from them. That is not what i saw out there. I saw professional athletes who know what they are doing and do it damn well. Honestly, that is what I want from our rookies out there on the field.
3. Did you have any position battles in camp/preseason? How did they turn out?
I saw some hungry guys out there. You know, everyone here is playing wihtout anyone giving them a chance. From our number 1 to our 5th stringer, everyone is trying to do what they can to not only get better, but make Orlando Stampede better.
4. What was the highlight, and what was the lowlight of your preseason games?
As a whole I think the highlights were watching these guys go putt here already knowing what is being said and still competing at a high level even in something as what some might say meaningless preseason games. Well, by the way those teams were competing out there you wouldn't have know if it was preseason or week 9. And lets not forget QB, Kyle Aquino and his performance out there putting the Stampede on his back and let's not forget the man on the other side that made it all possible for Kyle, Mike Gorham, 105 yards on 5 catches, that man is playing mad and I like it. Let's not forget with all the passing Brandt looked solid and slippery out there. He forced those LB's to come up giving Mike some space to get open. I see good things in Orlando's future. As far as lowlights are concerned I don't think there was any. Administration wise I could have handled something better but as a team and in that locker room I think the guys know what must be done. You guys are giving us a snow balls chance in Disney Land to do anything this season and fr me. I think that is fantastic. It will allows these guys to go out there and shock the world every week.
5. What is this teams biggest challenge going into the season?
I think it's going to be keeping our spirits up. All the guys in the back have heard the nay sayers and right now that has become a huge chip on their shoulder, but no matter how angry you play or how much you look from within to self motivate, when you hear you are a loser and then you lose a few games you start to believe the non-sense being said around you. So the biggest challenge is going to be making sure that our coaches keep these guys motivated and always looking for something to put on the board to get themselves angry and ready to play no matter what is being said in the news or what the record says.
6. Where do you predict this team finishes at the end of the season?
I will predict this, this team will surprise some people. This team with shock some people. I predict some of those players you all have written off will make the highlight reel most nights, and most of all, I predict this team will give Orlando something to be proud of as long as they always come ready to play.
