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Welcome to the 4th edition of IFL Unlocked.
In this edition we bring you the first 'Stars of the IFL' feature as we honor one of the top offensive talents in the IFL:
RB Tom 'Ducky' Mallard of the Los Angeles Matadors
Running back Tom Mallard was drafted by the Los Angeles Matadors with the 1.6 selection in the 2018 IFL draft.
The Kansas State alumni was the top rated back in the 2018 draft class and from an early stage the Matadors GM, Hoosier, had him earmarked as the future powerhouse of the LA franchise
The 5'10ft / 205lb back had been a sensation through his college career.
He possessed all the necessary skills to be a true three down feature back for an IFL franchise and he only enhanced his repuation at the 2018 Indianapolis combine.
Mallard had elite 4.49 speed, was the strongest back in the class with a 23 bench press score and had an excellent 7.18 agility score.
Scouts were absolutely blown away by his position drill score of 39 which was head and shoulders over any other back available and there was no doubt this guy was a rare talent.
Mallard had scouts drooling at the 2018 combine.
That athletic prowess was backed up with elite on field skills making Mallard one of the highest rated prospects in the draft that year.
Mallard could kill you with speed, was powerful between the tackles and able to show the patience and smarts to hit his running lanes.
The guy never got stuffed for a loss and was a fine pass blocker picking up the blitz.
As if his runing ability wasn't enough, Mallard was a suerplative receiving threat out of the backfield.
Great hands, 3rd down killer instinct and top route runnning combined with ability after the catch to make him a true dual threat back and almost a one man offense.
The guy was a stud and would clearly go on to terrorise IFL defenses from the get go.
Matadors GM, Hoosier knew he absolutely had to draft him as soon as he saw the draft class:
Q. Was Mallard always your number 1 target in the 2018 draft?
A: Yes. Mallard was my target all along in the first, but I really didn't think he'd drop to six.
I got lucky when four of the top five picks were defensive picks. Quarterback Ouellette went first, then a defensive end, two corners, and a linebacker. So the top five picks fell just right.
Q:If he’d been selected earlier who was your plan B?
A: Gerald Johnstone, now with Chicago and taken at 1.31 by Fresno is another player I was looking at, but really didn't like his endurance bars, so I doubt I would have taken him.
I don't know...I don't remember what I was thinking since I was so focused on getting Mallard.
I did try to trade down a bit, but whenever I'm sitting there looking at a running back in the first, I'll take him.
Mallard was our third RB taken in the first round in three years. The others fumbled their chances away with Los Angeles.
I was hellbent on getting it right.
Q. Can we discuss how you evaluated Mallard?
A: I'll quote myself in the 2018 Matadors Offseason Report and Rookie Draft: "The old rubric when drafting players is.. combines combines combines. "Ducky" Mallard's combines are eye popping.
The ingame scouting report confirmed him, Stelmack loved him, and I couldn't pass him up.
Bars are all excellent and I love me a running back in this game."
Throw in our scouting staff's "As Scouted" rating, and there ya go.
Q. Coming out of college, there were some slight doubts over his endurance and durability. Was that something that you examined before drafting him?
A: Ducky missed a large portion of his rookie year to a vision problem, and it was looking like I drafted a welter weight who spent too much time with Sparkwonup. But he rebounded well to win OROY that season.
A reminder of how the drafting went before Mallard was selected at 1.6:
1.1. QB Ouellette, Wichita 79/79
No awards yet
1.2. DE Lake, Lansing 73/73
No awards
1.3. CB Rocco, St. Louis 83/83
2020 All Pro
1.4. CB Collier, Lousiana 78/78
No awards
1.5. SLB Robbins, Little Rock 84/84
2018 DROY
2020 All League First Team
2021 All League 2nd Team
1.6. RB Mallard, 70/70
2018 OROY
2019 All League First Team
2020 All League 2nd Team
2021 All League First Team
2021 OPOY
2021 League MVP
Mallard took the number 28 jersey upon joining the Matadors and very early on in his career he had the LA fans shouting 'OLE' every time he broke through the first line of defense.
Q. Although his first year as a pro wasn’t huge, he performed very well for a rookie. His first pro game was a 100yd rushing game and he managed to break the 1000yd barrier on the season.
He hauled in some significant receiving yardage and perhaps most impressively he fumbled the ball just once in 278 touches.
Mallard won the 2018 Rookie of the Year award and became an instant hit in LA.
How did Mallard react to receiving the award and what impact did he have on your team and it’s future plans?
A: I think Mallard put us on the map in the Imperial League. With him, we have an identity.
Can you name a Matador before Ducky? I can't.
Our future plans are to use him more in the passing game, and less in the run game.
We've got a new QB now, and I'm trying to weave his strengths into the offense without sacrificing Ducky's run totals.
Q. Once Mallard had joined the Matadors, how soon did you realise you had a bone fide superstar in your hands?
A: The Second season.
We ran the hell out of Mallard and he just missed 2000 yards rushing and he never missed a game.
After winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2018 and then very nearly breaking the 2000yd barrier in only his second year, league pundits were soon comparing him to the very best rushers in league history.
Q. How does Mallard compare to some of the All-Time greats like Ken Singleton and Ozzy Osbourne?
A: Well, Mallard is a Crazy Train, so he's up there with Ozzy!
Like I said earlier, I think he compares to Walter Payton. And he reminds me of Tarc for some dang reason. I think it's the hair.
Mallard's early career is littered with awards.
Can he become the best ever?
Q. The only slight blot on his early career was that he had some ball security issues in his 2nd year but that seems to have been quickly resolved.
How did he iron out that issue early on in his career?
A: Weight training and Conditioning.
[B]We spend extra time in training camp on Conditioning since we've had a string of bad injuries over the seasons, and I think that helps the running back more than the quarterback. Especially in my offense.
Q. Each season, Mallard is rushing for approaching 400 carries.
So far he seems to have avoided an injury issues but some observers are questioning how long he can keep up this bruising workload.
What’s your take on that viewpoint?
A: I've got to stretch out his career by incorporating Barlow's arm in our offense more.
We also brought back Rob Dodge, a zero endurance wideout we drafted in the third round a year ahead of Mallard to help shore up our passing game.
If I can find that balance between heavy run and pass, I think that'll help. And a solid backup. We've struggled to find a number two back and I'm still not sure the slow footed rookie Briggs is that guy.
If we had a strong number two back, then we could dial down his carries a bit.
Q. Before the 2021 season, LA traded for St Louis QB Bazooka Barlow.
How did Mallard react to having perhaps a bigger name on the roster?
A: He called his buddy Sparkwonup and went on a three day binge on some damn Minnesota boat. He was overheard saying "It's about damn time."
Choose your poison - Bazookad or 'Hit Hard with the Mallard'
Q. You are known as a ground and pound type GM and with Mallard on the team it’s not surprising. Is that the way the game should be played?
A: For me, hell yeah.
I don't buy into a lot of what the FOF Gods espouse.
I think this game can be tailored any damn way a GM wants it to work, they've just got to put the time and effort to make it work. Run the damn ball, stop the run, dominate the clock and keep the other team off the field. That's always made sense to me.
Q. His rookie contract is up at the end of this season.
Any danger the team won’t give him whatever he wants for his new contract?
A: We've already submitted a contract to the league and should he accept, we're set for his entire career.
Edit: New Contract signed.
Q:Has Mallard ever come close to being traded out?
A: No.
Q. Do you see Mallard joining the fabled and exclusive 2000yds rushing club anytime soon?
A: I hope so.
Q. How much does it hurt him that he has yet to appear in a playoff game?
A: We've been a snake bitten team, and I'm not talking about the Vipers here.
Matadors have endured some pretty catastrophic injuries and they've always set us back.
We were close last season, but I think this season is our time.
We had Portland on the ropes and they came back to win, and then we dominated Salt Lake City.
If we don't make it this season...well hell...I'll join Ducky and Sprakwonup on that damn boat and just go up in smoke on the league.
Q:Is the pressure on LA to make it to the playoff party if they want to keep a player like Mallard?
A: Playoffs or not, he stays.
Matador for life.
Q. Mallard’s nickname ‘Ducky’ is a clear reference to his surname but some might regard it as a little camp (although not to his face)…..does that bother Tom?
A:Well, I'm a big NCIS fan, and it seemed a no brainer.
Is it camp? Funny you should say that, He's had it since he was a kid...it was bestowed upon him in the fourth grade when attended Camp Runamok.
Q. Does he have a celebrity girlfriend?
A: Girlfriends.
Q. Who does Mallard room with on road trips?
A: He rooms with himself...and whatever broad he picks up.
He warrants a room with a view.
Q. What is his relationship like with his Offensive Line and how does he get on with Bazooka?
A: He's been bitching about upgrading the offensive line, and I think he's right.
Kyle Ellis and Mallard shower together often, so it's pretty tight I think.
That young guy Hoover is following Ducky's path to superstardom...injured early in his career and pissing me off.
Q. The producers of the Madden console game switched from NFL to IFL stars this season. Mallard is their cover star for the new edition, how did his team mates react?
A: ANY positive press for the Los Angeles franchise is a good thing, so if they don't like it, they can kiss my big fat Hoosier buttocks.
You know you've made it when you're the Madden cover star
Thanks to Hoosier for those insights into his star player.
There you have it, arguably the best RB presently playing in the IFL.
Tom 'Ducky' Mallard - 'Ole!'
Mallard's career stats to date.
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