We start this section with an interview with sdrawkcaB (aka Ichiro). http://www.onlinedynasty.net/ndl2/coach ... p?coach=31
He was a former conference commissioner, average first person shooter and loves the Michigan Wolverines. He was also a co-host for the Emmy-award winning TBI and his claim to fame is eating a dozen Snickers donuts from the Donut Mill in Battle Creek, Michigan, on a Wednesday afternoon. So what is he up to now?
Let's get right down to it...
Interviewer's comments in red font to dispute some of this coach's words in case he misremembers and to add other insight.
Q: Why is sdrawkcaB no longer in the NDL?
A: sdrawkcaB is no longer in the NDL because he lost the competitive fire. BIGmike just wasn't as big as he used to be, Trendon's rants weren't as witty as they once were, and beating TBall just became old hat I'm pretty sure our series record is even. Not to mention Michigan State started owning DickRod, and I just couldn't take any abuse from Weasel. Truth be told, work and school and other various activities picked up significantly and it became more of a chore getting the games in on time.
Q: What have you been doing since leaving the NDL?
A: Great question. A combination of work, school, soccer, counting down the days until DickRod is gone, and trying to work my way up to the legendary sausage finger status of Nole. It's much harder than you may think. You should see the training regimen he sent me.
Q: When was the last time you turned on your PS3? And what game did you play?
A: Judging by the layer of dust...3-4 months ago? I'm pretty sure it was COD, but my friend was playing and not me. Does that count?
Q: When was the last time you purchased a copy of the NCAA Football series?
A: NCAA 10? He can't even remember... how sad.
Q: You played eight seasons in the NDL, four of which were with Illinois, was that your favorite team you used?
A: Illinois was probably my most enjoyable team. I actually became familiar with all the players, had some good rivalries with fellow coaches, and had Juice and Benn at the pinnacles of their lives. Not a bad combination. Benn was actually a second team all-American under coach sdrawkcaB... Juice Williams on the other hand? In the four years Illinois was under sdrawkcaB's control, Juice threw 134 interceptions. sdrawkcaB sure loved the phrase 'THE JUICE IS LOOSE!' but it should have been 'THE JUICE HAS A LOOSE CANNON!'
Q: You had one season in Boise, how was it playing on the Blue Turf?
A: I loved the blue turf. Aside from a terrible impulse draft decision, taking the Broncos when they weren't even on my draft board, I really loved having the blue turf on my side (even though it probably didn't provide any distinct advantage for me).
Q: Any tips for BIGMike, who is the season 19 coach of the Broncos?
A: Embrace the smurf turf. Note: sdrawkcaB had no other suggestions b/c he knows Mike is a far superior coach.
Q: What was your favorite part of the NDL?
A: My favorite part of the NDL had to have been the core group of coaches back in the "glory days". Like me, coaches have come and gone, but the league has stayed strong because of the core group of people that work behind the scenes, and I think the camaraderie, banter on the forums, secondary games (COD!), and extras revolving around the games themselves really make the NDL the best league around.
Q: Where did the idea for NDL:Cooking come from?
A: I think the NDL cooking seed was initially planted when all the NDL members voted Bud to be on the local news with his steak recipe. Seeing him in the NDL shirt was priceless (anyone still have that video?)! Then I think some guys wanted to get in shape and lose weight a little later on and a section was born. JeffMo, if you are reading this, I would like to reiterate that vanilla CREME filled long johns trump that nasty custard filling any day of the week.
Q: At one time you were the conference commissioner for the Sun Belt. Why that conference?
A: Fun in the Sun Belt! I probably enjoyed being the conference commish the first few years for the Sun Belt more than actually playing any of the seasons with my team. Team-wise, the Sun Belt was probably the last conference anybody wanted to be in, so I figured I would try to spice it up as much as I could for the owners. I enjoyed attempting to do a legit radio show, as I stumbled over my words, and just really wanted to get everyone involved.
Q: You had the chance to play against many NDL members, which one or ones did you enjoy playing against?
A: Well, I was 40-0 against TBall not true, so he was probably my favorite to stomp out. I had some good match-ups and conversations with Brevin/Peay. Playing against Hoospack was always fun, that is when he wasn't hanging out at the beach with RayRay. Some old school coaches that I came in with and played against for a long time also include Stegro, Slash, and Pokes. There weren't too many guys I didn't like playing against, and if you were one of them I am sure your coach's report reflected that (insert feminine emoticon here).
Q: Everyone knows the NDL message boards are legendary, so which NDL poster did you always want to read his posts?
A: First and foremost, I enjoyed re-reading my own posts - because they were fantastic. There really are too many people to name, so if I started with a handful I am sure I would miss someone. There were some legendary topics though on the old forum. I would love to be able to read through those again. I think we all would if the boards were still functioning.
Q: Most memorable moment in the NDL?
A: The day I got the call up to the show. And also when I had my perfect season. I'll never forget that special time in my life. He's referencing season 10 - that perfect season was one of.. well.. how he kept Illinois is still beyond me. sdrawkcaB led the non-Fighting Illini to an 0-12 mark, but that was just his first of four seasons in Illinois.
Q: Have you considered a potential return to the league?
A: Yes, but I'm not sure I could commit enough time to give back to the league what it deserves. At the very least it would be great to hop on the next shooter game and shoot the shit with people.
Q: Here's your chance to add anything you want to say.
A: I would just like to give a shout out to Cnasty, Ajalves, Wes, Dray, Riccio, Jeffdaddy, Mark B, Trendon, Hoos, dub, bearass, Jeffmo, BIGmike, bigry, crowes, dolemite (when not naked and completely shaved), holmey, stan, biffy, weasel, seeit, BEEFY, and most importantly packsy for beating Reggie Bush in that race. My apologies if I forgot anyone. Kind of.
And this completes our stroll down memory lane for now. Again, if you have other old NDL coaches you want to hear from, let me know. I will track them down for you.
