One on One with Vic Carucci

[Vic Carucci]

A One on One with Cydney
	By Vic Carucci National Media

[Vic Carucci]

1. Montreal has always been one of those .500 teams up until this year. This year you've only compiled 3 wins to this point. Obviously this is due to rebuilding. What made you decide in the offseason, that this was the right time?

A number of factors ultimately led to the roster dump, but it really all comes down to money. We'd been playing the salary cap a little too tight - for which I take full responsibility - and were going to be way over heading into the new season. The ownership group has cut funding for the team, because we live in one of the smaller markets. The recent strength of the Canadian dollar has not been able to compensate for the lack of a national television deal in Canada, and we need to be more conservative as a result, and have a self imposed cap that will be effected in the 2010 season (a value I'm not at liberty to discuss). That and the desire to build a team that will win consistently led to the changes that you saw begin last offseason. Now seemed the best time to start the process, with Lyman getting set to retire within the next few seasons, so that we can build around our new QB.


2. Looking at your roster right now, someone might think 'what a mess'. You obviously have some key young players at OT and QB. What is the plan heading into the offseason? What position would you be looking to draft?

If you're hoping to see some big moves like last year, you're going to be sorely disappointed. Keeping our veterans and extending the contracts of our proven youth will be the order of the day. As for the draft, we got our eyes on (yet another try at) a solid young running back. Gerhardt and Velazquez have been having some pretty special seasons at Maryland and Georgia Tech respectively, and our scouts are checking them out as we speak. Otherwise I think we really need some youth injected into our linebacker corps. That said, unless someone retires, I just don't see any room, as this is easily the team's greatest strength.

3. Talk a little about what Lyman Shropshire has meant to this franchise. I have to admit, that he was always one of my favorite QB's. Always running around making plays. What will his legacy be?

Lyman has been the quintessential old school ball player and athlete. When we first drafted him, his role was to carry the team through thick and thin, and he's done exactly that, making tough plays when other QBs would drop or toss the ball away. On top of that, he has now graciously stepped into the backup role to help school TJ ([ifl]Fenkner[/ifl]) in the finer points of pro ball. If only some kind of immortality potion could keep him young, it'd be brilliant.

4. Do you ever watch any of your former players? Who was the hardest one to let go? Who has surprised you with how well they've played after they left MON?

There aren't a lot of ex-Firebirds that I keep track of, simply because we've usually made the extra effort to keep anyone whose play merits that kind of attention, with a few notable exceptions of course. Anyone familiar with the team knows how difficult it was to part with [ifl]Jose Gilpin[/ifl], especially after his spectacular recovery. Packaging him with Big Willie ([ifl]Lor[/ifl], now with Oakland) was easily the hardest thing I've had to do as a GM. I doubt their continued success has surprised anyone. [ifl]James Freeman[/ifl] was also hard to let go, but his loyalty was obviously to the contract rather than the team. Paul ([ifl]Johnston[/ifl]) has done admirably in his absence, though, taking a bit of the sting out of the loss. I didn't really expect [ifl]Erik Collins[/ifl] to perform as consistently as he has either.


5. Besides your own, which teams or players do you like to watch on Sunday's?

I've always kept a really close eye on our division rivals, for obvious reasons. The North has always (with this year as something of an exception) been especially competitive. I also like to keep track of the California franchise, (laughing) since I have all their picks of course!

Thanks for your time.


Thanks for doing this Vic, it's been a blast.

[sovstar]

I really appreciate your contributions to the league, Vic. Hope you keep up the good work! 8)

[Hell Atlantic]

i still rather have Gilpin and the guy i aquired for Lor (my stud Guard) than the picks. picks can bust, proven stud vets w/ maxed out ratings don't. 8)

[Vic Carucci]

I really appreciate your contributions to the league, Vic. Hope you keep up the good work! 8)

Truly my pleasure. Nice to hear some feedback. Sometimes I don't know if people are reading.

I really enjoy doing interviews with people. It gives different perspectives among all the different owners.

[Suicane]

Seriously, your stuff is awesome and well appreciated.

[kingfc22]

I really appreciate your contributions to the league, Vic. Hope you keep up the good work! 8)

Truly my pleasure. Nice to hear some feedback. Sometimes I don't know if people are reading.

I really enjoy doing interviews with people. It gives different perspectives among all the different owners.

Definitely reading and thanks for the great work.

[spunkywhitebread]

As the other's have mentioned, we're definitely reading and enjoying it.

[BOSS]

Yeah i never miss a Vic article. Good job!

[Warhammer]

I really appreciate your contributions to the league, Vic. Hope you keep up the good work! 8)

Truly my pleasure. Nice to hear some feedback. Sometimes I don't know if people are reading.

I really enjoy doing interviews with people. It gives different perspectives among all the different owners.

Heck, that's part of the reason why I'm always open to your interviews, I look forward and read all of these.