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5 seasons ago Tulsa GM Tom "Tarcone" O'Neill decided to change the face of the Tulsa franchise. The team had been mired in mediocracy since the inception of the league in 2003, with only one playoff showing. When he first arrived on the scene the team had come off its 10-6 division winning season. O'Neill added some pieces that he thought would take the team to the next level. Unfortunately, reality gets in the way. After a hot 3-0 start the team stumbled to a 7-9 finish. A rebuild was in the works. It started with the drafting of QB Matt Sanford. The fans and media were skeptical with the face of the franchise, Devon Taylor still on board. O'Neill wasnt fazed and after Sanfords 1st season, Tarcone shipped Taylor to Dakota. The rebuild was in bloom. The team struggled through a 6-10 season and then a 4-12 season. The drafts netted some excellent players. And the trading skills really shined. After finishing 8-8 in 2011 the team took off and had the leagues best record at 13-3. The TigerHawks (The new name given to the franchise in 2010) lost to eventual World Champion Lawrence in the conference final game by one point. We coralled O'Neill after a bust offseason.
Tulsa Daily News (TDN) -- Thanks for taking some time out for an interview, Mr. O'Neill. The question on everyones mind is why did you trade this draft away after several years of great drafts?
Tom O'Neill (TO) -- Great to be here. I saw some opportunities on this team. Were 1 point from the championship game. Developing young players wasnt what I felt we needed this season. The 3 players we got, DE Johnie Basile, DE Jeremy Ellison and SS Walter Fitzgerald, filled spots where I thought we needed improvement most. A pass rush and a playmaker. I feel our defense is miles ahead of last seasons version.
TDN-- How will the retirement of LT Tony Esqueda affect the team and specifically the offensive line?
TO-- Esqueda was an original Tulsa player. We really hated to see him go and was hoping he would come back for more run at a championship. He felt his knees couldnt take it anymore. Our offensive line really flourished under his leadership. Just look at what the team did the last 2 seasons. RB DH Singleton set the single season rushing yard and TD records 2 seasons ago and last season QB Matt Sanford set the single season QB rating record while setting up rookie WR Chris Andrews for the single season receiving TD record. We could not have done these things without his leadership and talent.
The line will really have to work hard this season.
TDN-- Speaking of those records, your Tulsa teams have shown great flexibility on offense. Whats up for this season?
TO-- We are going into training camp looking at maximizing our offensive output. Both running and passing the ball. Part of the reason for our loss to Lawrence was out inability to get the long ball into the game because of the pressure applied.
I want our offense to be able to run or pass and dominate a game with either one of those things in any game. And I dont want the opposition to know whats coming.
TDN-- Can LT Carlton Wilkins fill Esquedas shoes?
TO-- Wilkins got a lot of playing time last season. We knew the end was near for Tony. Wilkins really did an outstanding job for us. We feel on the field that there will be very little drop off.
In the locker room we are looking to see who will step up. LG Oliver Harper has taken over as the leader of the line. WR Ken Albriktsen has been vocal on the field rallying the guys. Sanford has championship experience leading PennState to a national championship in his senior year. Oliver McKenzie is a pros pro. And of course newly acquired SS Walter Fitzgerald brings a fire to the defense it lacked last season.
TDN-- How do you see the NC shaking out this season?
TO-- It has been an arms race this offseason. The great teams from last season all made moves to improve themselves. I see a similar finish to the season. A team with 11 wins missing the playoffs. It is going to be a shootout.
TDN-- On The schedule is the NC North and Lawrence. How will the team fare?
TO-- The IFL schedule makers were very unkind to us. But at 13-3 what do you expect? The games against the NC NOrth and Lawrence, as well as, our division will play heavilty into deciding who goes tot he playoffs. I hope to play .500 ball against those teams.
TDN-- Rookie WR ChrisAndrews had the best season ever for a rookie WR in the iFL. Why did he last until pick 17?
TO-- Im not sure. But the flak that the TigerHawk front office took for drafting him indicates that many teams scouts werent that impressed with his combine or pro day. He was injured during those workouts, so the scouts didnt get a real picture of his ability. We went to his pro day and the combine and were impressed with his size. We watched hours and hours of game film and what we took away from that was that Andrews was a gamer. He loves the game and plays at a different level against competition.
TDN-- What records will the team chase this season?
TO-- We are chasing a championship. if records fall in the process so be it.
TDN--Will the TigerHawks win the championship?
TO-- Yes.
TDN-- That confident?
TO-- Yes.
TDN-- Thank you for a great interview. Good luck in the upcoming season.
TO-- Thank you.
Tulsa Daily News (TDN) -- Thanks for taking some time out for an interview, Mr. O'Neill. The question on everyones mind is why did you trade this draft away after several years of great drafts?
Tom O'Neill (TO) -- Great to be here. I saw some opportunities on this team. Were 1 point from the championship game. Developing young players wasnt what I felt we needed this season. The 3 players we got, DE Johnie Basile, DE Jeremy Ellison and SS Walter Fitzgerald, filled spots where I thought we needed improvement most. A pass rush and a playmaker. I feel our defense is miles ahead of last seasons version.
TDN-- How will the retirement of LT Tony Esqueda affect the team and specifically the offensive line?
TO-- Esqueda was an original Tulsa player. We really hated to see him go and was hoping he would come back for more run at a championship. He felt his knees couldnt take it anymore. Our offensive line really flourished under his leadership. Just look at what the team did the last 2 seasons. RB DH Singleton set the single season rushing yard and TD records 2 seasons ago and last season QB Matt Sanford set the single season QB rating record while setting up rookie WR Chris Andrews for the single season receiving TD record. We could not have done these things without his leadership and talent.
The line will really have to work hard this season.
TDN-- Speaking of those records, your Tulsa teams have shown great flexibility on offense. Whats up for this season?
TO-- We are going into training camp looking at maximizing our offensive output. Both running and passing the ball. Part of the reason for our loss to Lawrence was out inability to get the long ball into the game because of the pressure applied.
I want our offense to be able to run or pass and dominate a game with either one of those things in any game. And I dont want the opposition to know whats coming.
TDN-- Can LT Carlton Wilkins fill Esquedas shoes?
TO-- Wilkins got a lot of playing time last season. We knew the end was near for Tony. Wilkins really did an outstanding job for us. We feel on the field that there will be very little drop off.
In the locker room we are looking to see who will step up. LG Oliver Harper has taken over as the leader of the line. WR Ken Albriktsen has been vocal on the field rallying the guys. Sanford has championship experience leading PennState to a national championship in his senior year. Oliver McKenzie is a pros pro. And of course newly acquired SS Walter Fitzgerald brings a fire to the defense it lacked last season.
TDN-- How do you see the NC shaking out this season?
TO-- It has been an arms race this offseason. The great teams from last season all made moves to improve themselves. I see a similar finish to the season. A team with 11 wins missing the playoffs. It is going to be a shootout.
TDN-- On The schedule is the NC North and Lawrence. How will the team fare?
TO-- The IFL schedule makers were very unkind to us. But at 13-3 what do you expect? The games against the NC NOrth and Lawrence, as well as, our division will play heavilty into deciding who goes tot he playoffs. I hope to play .500 ball against those teams.
TDN-- Rookie WR ChrisAndrews had the best season ever for a rookie WR in the iFL. Why did he last until pick 17?
TO-- Im not sure. But the flak that the TigerHawk front office took for drafting him indicates that many teams scouts werent that impressed with his combine or pro day. He was injured during those workouts, so the scouts didnt get a real picture of his ability. We went to his pro day and the combine and were impressed with his size. We watched hours and hours of game film and what we took away from that was that Andrews was a gamer. He loves the game and plays at a different level against competition.
TDN-- What records will the team chase this season?
TO-- We are chasing a championship. if records fall in the process so be it.
TDN--Will the TigerHawks win the championship?
TO-- Yes.
TDN-- That confident?
TO-- Yes.
TDN-- Thank you for a great interview. Good luck in the upcoming season.
TO-- Thank you.
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