Tweet
Oakland Press, Oakland, Ca
Today was a huge day for the Nation as one after the other walked into Jave's office and put their signature on the dotted line to remain in Oakland.
Being the quarterback, and leader of the team, Horace Donovan made the biggest, most selfless statement to get things rolling agreeing to a 5 year, 42.52 million dollar contract after initially asking for a 6 year, 168 million dollar contract. "I was injured the entire second half of the season and cost my team a shot at the IFL championship. I had a lot of time to sit and reflect on my place on this team and in the organization and realized I was being selfish and it was hurting our team, and the fans. I wanted to set the example this year knowing both Ricky (Doyle) and Geoff (Wilson) had to agree to contracts in order for us to remain division champions and maybe even see how far we can get in the playoffs next year.
All 3 of us had a big sit down and we all talked about what we wanted for ourselves and the team and we all decided to do the right thing, set the money aside and sign our contracts to return to the playoffs."
And just like that, they did. Geoff Wilson, the All World runningback who was last years league MVP and Offensive Player Of The Year, signed a 4 year, 42 million dollar contract and Ricky Doyle, this years Defensive Player of The Year, followed the lead signing a 5 year, 75 million dollar contract.
After seeing the fan favorite, Warren Farley sent to Portland in a controversial trade that included much maligned LT Clifton Erbaugh and next years 1st round pick, all eyes are now on what could be the leagues best left tackle, Troy Stickney who arrives in Oakland to shore up the offensive line, giving Wilson yet ANOTHER option.
We all remember that draft, in 2014 where owner Jave proudly selected Erbaugh with the second overall pick, only to see him struggle in training camp, and in what some call a panic move, was forced to left tackle after playing right tackle his entire high school and college career. The rest is history as Clifton never quite panned out to the franchise player Jave envisioned and slowly faded into "just a solid player". Jave has refused to discuss since that day.
When rumor became reality and Stickney was put on the trading block, Jave did what it took to finally claim his trophy, his franchise left tackle in a hugely controversial trade that many owners were outraged over, even demanding a league investigation. While the waters have calmed, much is expected of Troy and he appears ready to deliver, " I'm extremely psyched to be here. Donovan and Wilson both called me the day of the trade and congratulated me on the trade assuring me, this was a different Oakland team then the losing franchise I had watched growing up, and with the talent already here, I can't wait to get on the field with them. While I loved Portland, I never really felt like I was wanted or needed, and the entire team in Oakland has already changed that, assuring me I was one of the most important players to ever arrive here. It makes me feel really good about this trade."
With the improvements already made with this team, the future is looking bright in the bay area and fans can't wait to get the season started. Saying this is a good time to be an Assassin fan, would be an understatement! Welcome to 2018, Assassin fans!
Today was a huge day for the Nation as one after the other walked into Jave's office and put their signature on the dotted line to remain in Oakland.
Being the quarterback, and leader of the team, Horace Donovan made the biggest, most selfless statement to get things rolling agreeing to a 5 year, 42.52 million dollar contract after initially asking for a 6 year, 168 million dollar contract. "I was injured the entire second half of the season and cost my team a shot at the IFL championship. I had a lot of time to sit and reflect on my place on this team and in the organization and realized I was being selfish and it was hurting our team, and the fans. I wanted to set the example this year knowing both Ricky (Doyle) and Geoff (Wilson) had to agree to contracts in order for us to remain division champions and maybe even see how far we can get in the playoffs next year.
All 3 of us had a big sit down and we all talked about what we wanted for ourselves and the team and we all decided to do the right thing, set the money aside and sign our contracts to return to the playoffs."
And just like that, they did. Geoff Wilson, the All World runningback who was last years league MVP and Offensive Player Of The Year, signed a 4 year, 42 million dollar contract and Ricky Doyle, this years Defensive Player of The Year, followed the lead signing a 5 year, 75 million dollar contract.
After seeing the fan favorite, Warren Farley sent to Portland in a controversial trade that included much maligned LT Clifton Erbaugh and next years 1st round pick, all eyes are now on what could be the leagues best left tackle, Troy Stickney who arrives in Oakland to shore up the offensive line, giving Wilson yet ANOTHER option.
We all remember that draft, in 2014 where owner Jave proudly selected Erbaugh with the second overall pick, only to see him struggle in training camp, and in what some call a panic move, was forced to left tackle after playing right tackle his entire high school and college career. The rest is history as Clifton never quite panned out to the franchise player Jave envisioned and slowly faded into "just a solid player". Jave has refused to discuss since that day.
When rumor became reality and Stickney was put on the trading block, Jave did what it took to finally claim his trophy, his franchise left tackle in a hugely controversial trade that many owners were outraged over, even demanding a league investigation. While the waters have calmed, much is expected of Troy and he appears ready to deliver, " I'm extremely psyched to be here. Donovan and Wilson both called me the day of the trade and congratulated me on the trade assuring me, this was a different Oakland team then the losing franchise I had watched growing up, and with the talent already here, I can't wait to get on the field with them. While I loved Portland, I never really felt like I was wanted or needed, and the entire team in Oakland has already changed that, assuring me I was one of the most important players to ever arrive here. It makes me feel really good about this trade."
With the improvements already made with this team, the future is looking bright in the bay area and fans can't wait to get the season started. Saying this is a good time to be an Assassin fan, would be an understatement! Welcome to 2018, Assassin fans!
Comment