Sunday, April 24, 2011

Starting off on the right foot...



You never really go into games knowing what possible outcomes may lay ahead. While we were aware of the Plattling Blackhawks roster issues prior to our trip, we still took our first game in the GFL very seriously. Regardless of the circumstances, we remained cool and collective, but most importantly focused through out the game. With that said, our first game in the GFL this season started off on the right foot with a 42-0 win over Plattling this past Saturday.



Overall, defensively while we held them to the shut out, we played extremely sloppy. I think we may have given up over 250 yards in penalties. If we want to seriously contend for the GFL Championship this season it begins with cleaning up those kinds of mistakes that can really cost you against the top tier teams in the league.

In hindsight, playing MLB for the first time ever was fun. Well, kind of boring in this game to be honest considering they only had 2 rushing attempts the whole game... translation... boring, but the fact that we got the win, shut out, and no injuries, GREAT DAY!

Big ups to my boy Bass for the first time playing DB, got that pick six, Joe was running the hell out of them biscuits he got for feet, boy ran for at least 250 and three touchdowns. Rocky was out there ballin as well, so overall, I am really looking forward to a great season here in Hessen. I honestly believe we have the core and foundation to win a GFL Championship.

One step at a time, remain focused. Lets get it!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Changing Time Zones



... well initially I was dead set on playing arena football this season; however, over the past few months I have weighed my options in various lights. While playing arena would give me the benefit of being stateside for a season, going overseas poses far more positives than playing arena does. Those very positives influenced me enough to swing my focus back to the EU. So with that said, I have decided to go back to Europe for a second round of football overseas. This time I will be calling Deutschland home for a little under a year, where in the town of Marburg (outside of Frankfurt) I will be playing for the 2010 GFL Semi-Finalist and South Division Winners, the Mercenaries. Coach Roman contacted me mid-January with the possibility of playing overseas and after some time it materialized into another once of a life time opportunity.

Click HERE for the press release.


While this is my second venture in the EU I will be joined by seasoned veteran and all around EU all star, Rocky Ciasulli, and EU prom night virgins Ryan Bass and Joe Clark. Overall analysis, the Mercenaries under Coach Roman, along with the direction of the organization, has setup a great foundation and launch pad for success. Look at the success that they had last season winning the GFL South and making it all the way to the German Semi-Finals (losing to Berlin Adler). With the additions of this years imports, Marburgs winning tradition should move higher with the acclaimed GFL Championship in sight. I strongly feel we have one of the strongest groups of National Team players already in Marburg, a great coach and organizational staff, and the right combination of talent with this years imports to win a championship. Now if these next couple weeks can fly by, I am growing anxious to meeting up with them in Marburg and get the ball rolling.

So what made me pick Marburg? I had opportunities to play with various teams in the AFL and other arena leagues, but the chance to be in a foreign culture and meet tons of new people was too good to pass up. I have had the privilege to play in both Spain and Italy, in great cities like Barcelona and Milan, and the chance to be in Germany for an extended period of time with all their cultural history and while playing the game I love out weighed any other opportunity.

Former International Teammates

Wanted to touch on some of my former teammates from over seas who have continued on through out the EU continent.


I know y'all remember the Ice Man from my previous posts while in Badalona playing for Dracs. Well Ice is now doing it big in France with Falcons de Bron-Villeurbanne after playing with the Kouvola Indians in Finland at the end of last season.



Xavi, whom I also played with in Badalona with Dracs is now playing out in France as well with the Ours de Toulouse. Xavi as y'all remember was one half of the Gonzalo Arango Tandem, along with his brother who played QB, Sergi.

Imported Goods 2011

With that said, I will be departing in a few days from the US and as both anticipation and excitement grow, I am really looking forward to this coming season overseas. It should be another fun filled adventure that God has blessed me with over the past couple years.

Toodles......