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The Deep Dive : Inside Whalers Football
Iss #: 1
Week 3, 2064
Whalers Record: 1 - 1 (Tied 1st)
Week 3 Matchup: vs Los Angeles Matadors
This week the Los Angeles Matadors (0-2) come into Hartford to take on a Whalers football team that is looking to put last weeks loss to Salt Lake City(2-0) in the past and get back to winning ways. Los Angeles is a team that is struggling early in the 2064 season but should not be taken lightly. Behind center they have 3rd year QB Alejandro Spoon. After his first two starts this season its clear that Spoon is still working out the kinks in his game. With just 272 yards passing, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions, Spoon will be looking for a break out game and help lead the Matadors to there first win of the season.
On the defense side of the ball Los Angeles gave up a total of 81 points in the first two games of the season. They are the 26th ranked passing defense giving up just under 300 yards passing a game. Hartford will be looking for veteran QB Phillip Hitchcock to put up big numbers through the air this week.
Hartford's defense comes into the game ranked 6th overall. Lead by DE Dustin Yamashita this defense will be putting a lot of pressure on the young quarterback. Yamashita comes into the game with 3 sacks on the year which is tied for 2nd most in the league.
Player Spotlight: Phillip Hitchcock
While this is his first year playing for the Hartford Whalers, Phillip Hitchcock is well known throughout the IFL. The 2052 draft saw QB’s go with the first 3 picks, Hitchcock however would wait until the 5th round to hear his name called by the commissioner. Drafted by San Antonio, Hitchcock would take his first snap in the IFL for the Lancers. San Antonio would trade Hitchcock to Vancouver, who would then trade him to Little Rock, all in week 9 of his rookie season. While spending 5 seasons with the Lancers (located in Little Rock at the time), Hitchcock would struggle finding his stride. In 2055 Hitchcock would sign a 5 year extension worth $69 million, however would again find himself the subject of a trade in 2057. Little Rock sent Hitchcock to Tijuana where he would find his most success. In 2058 Hitchcock lead Tijuana to its 5th Imperial Bowl Championship with a 28 - 21 win over Iowa City. Hitchcock would be named MVP of that game throwing for 358 yards and 2 touchdowns. 2058 Also saw Hitchcock named MVP of the league, throwing for 4873 yards and 43 touchdowns. After a lack luster season last year with Los Angeles Hitchcock now finds himself with Hartford. So far this season he has thrown for 457 yards and 3 touchdowns. Its still unclear if Hitchcock has anything left in the tank but if he can recreate his 2058 season fans in Hartford would be ecstatic.
Sit down with Coach Mandel
Every week here on The Deep Dive we will be sitting down with head coach Jameson Mandel to talk Whalers Football!
Deep Dive: Coach thanks for taking a few moments of your time to sit down and talk football with us. We know you must be super busy planning for this weeks match up with the Matadors
Coach Mandel: My pleasure! I will always have time for an opportunity to speak to this fan base.
DD: Coach you come into week 3 with an even record. Last week was a tuff loss, falling 22 - 20 to a very good Salt Lake City football team, tell me what you are looking to improve on heading into this week 3 matchup.
CM: Well we need to convert more on 3rd down. We had 16 3rd down opportunities last week and we were only able to turn 4 of those into 1st downs. More importantly we need to continue to do what we are doing well. We need to keep protecting the ball on offense and keep getting pressure to the QB on defense. We do that we will have a chance to take home the W each and every week.
DD: You mentioned pressure on defense and a big part of that game plan is Dustin Yamashita. How important is it for this football teams success that he has a big season?
CM: Well this is a football team that I am very proud of, and we will never be successful based on just one player alone but its no secrete Dustin is the leader of this defense. That guy is a monster and when he is on the field every offensive coordinator in the league will have to account for him. A guy like that can be the differences of winning and losing a handful of games each season and I am happy he is on our side.
DD: Coach, the front office went out and got you a QB in Phillip Hitchcock in the offseason. He signed at 3 year deal. What do you see in the future for Phillip and how is he impacting this football team?
CM: Listen, i am not saying any breaking news here, Phillip has struggled past few seasons but I have no doubt in my mind he still has what it takes to put up MVP numbers again. He is a veteran on this squid and has really done a great job taking some of the younger guys under his wing and showing them what winning football looks like. I love working with Phillip and excited for the rest of the world to see his comeback to greatness.
DD: One last question Coach and we will let ya go. This is year 3 for you as the Whalers head coach. How important is it for your job security that this season Hartford not only finishes with a winning record but make a playoff run this season?
CM: We have one goal each and every year and that’s a championship. Yes those things will be great to accomplish along the way but that is never our end game. As far as job security goes I know one thing and one thing only that fixes everything and that's winning and that's what we will do.
That was Sit Down with Coach Mendel. If you have any questions for coach just respond with your questions in this thread and we will be sure to get answers for you!
Editors note
In every online league that I do I love to do a little write up to help keep me and others invested in the universe of the game. This is my first FOF online league so this is a work in progress but any feedback is welcome! Also I will be diving into the history of Hartford and its players. I am strictly going off of research that I can find through the game and the league site. I apologize if I get any of it mixed up in advance. I hope you enjoy the first of many issues of The Deep Dive.
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