It's a Reminder

Personally, I am very proud of this team and how they reacted at the Las Vegas game. I could maybe see how a person in the press box could read the things on the field a little differently that someone actually on the field or the sideline.

First off, let me preface what I'm going to say with my reiteration (I told several people this exact thing before, during and after the game) that there is a core of players on that Outlaw team that has my utmost respect. They have all the class and heart of any players I've ever seen. They've showed up to Farmington with about 15 people total and played to the last whistle. They didn't quit or throw in the towel as others have done. They played. The score was something like 68 to 0 but you would've never know by the way those men played! Hats off to them and I spoke to them at the game as well. They were not participating in the trash Shawn talks about on his blog. Not a word. #22 is as good a DL as there is in this league and I think every one of us got beat at least once or twice by him. I did not hear one word out of him when he did well and he complimented us when we blocked him well. Most teams are comprised mostly of players of that ilk. The Roughnecks certainly are.

Some very ugly incidents occured and they were originated by people who had absolutely zero interest in playing a football game. Period.

The only thing I saw Roughnecks players and coaches doing was to either protect themselves from things that had no business on the field of play or to protect their teammates from such. Sure, there was a response or two to the chump(s) on their sideline that relentlessly heckles off-color insults and profane venom at us and our families. But I would call "put on some pads and join us!" a pretty damned mild reply!

Fact is, non-team affiliated person aren't allowed in the "player's box" at any level. These clowns were on the field itself in some instances. Running their lips constantly. Now, conversely, I saw officials jump all over a fellow player at a different game for yelling a very mild "run your mouth now" to an uncommonly vocal player on the opposing team who had just gotten lit up. Rightly so. It keeps things from escalating. Not one word was said to any of them to cease their trash-talking. Their owner, who was also ejected came up and personally apologized to us for his words and his actions and we accepted it. It was heat of battle and I don't recall that any of his tirade was directed towards us anyways. Had he been forced to leave the sidelines, as is THE RULE when an ejection occurs, he probably would have been spared some embarrassment as well. I've been there and I understand why that rule is in place. And the fact that the first player that got ejected was allowed to remain anywhere near the football field is complete idiocy and imcompetence! Period!
I will not go into what happened but it was as far from football as I've ever seen and if he's allowed to play another down in this league then there is a huge problem.
But, the true character of this team shone thru at that time. I am proud of the entire team on their very profession reaction to that incident. Had we chosen to react differently then an all-out brawl would have occured. Trust me. Some of the players on the opposing team were looking for just that. We came to play a game and that's what we did. Players defended themselves and their teammates and that is all they did. The game film will completely back me up on that. One of our toughest and most "excitable" lineman got hit so hard (in the head!) that it knocked him to the ground.......he reacted professionally and did not seek immediate revenge and retaliate. Not because he was scared or is a wussy, I promise you that much.

We had every opportunity to let that game get out of hand. We did not and kept our cool. We chose not to react. A reactive word here and there inviting them to "put up or shut up"? Please! what would you expect? I do not see that as a "stoop".

Once more, I am very proud of the way this team....MY team reacted to all of that nonesense. We were thanked and commended on it by many. Including the classy core members of their team that I've mentioned.

This is NOT a team of thugs and criminals and our actions proved that. with a resounding exclamation point!

I've not heard other teams occuse us of that either?

Enough of that. Back to the team stuff.

We identified some very good improvement opportunities for our offensive line to capalize on. We are coming together well as a unit and improving daily. The chemistry and bonds are forming and the system is taking root. things are looking very bright for this team. One of our brothers did sustain an injury and it's not know yet the severity of his MCL issue. We are holding our collective breath waiting for his MRI results and praying for the best.

Our defense once again showed us how awesome they can be and this game also belongs to them. That's two in a row and the way they are doing it is a pleasure to be a part of.

This team has begun developing a deep comraderie that occurs only rarely in the sports world. There have been many mistakes made during past games, as is always going to happen. The big difference with this team is that you never hear about it. Nobody pointing them out. Coaches coach and that's their job. Correcting mistakes is their job. I'm talking about players. I haven't heard a single snide or derogatory comment about any of their teammates from the sideline about mistakes made on the field. Soto was on his back so many times that it was a complete embarrassment to those of us whose job it is to protect him. But he showed ultimate class, poise and leadership when he could have done otherwise and been justified in doing so. Same with Royce and Cody. Not a word except "great block" when one was given and "you'll get it. Keep working." when we missed on e and had to look into their eyes as we picked them up off of the ground........in the backfield, usually.

They had some great athletes up front and we got a little confused. .....but "we'll get it. We'll keep working."

Thanks to those that made the trip to support us. I apologize on behalf of all the true football players on that field (on both sides) that you had to witness and endure things that you should never be exposed to as a football fan. It was out of our control but we apologize nonetheless.