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4th Round Selection and Line Focus
MINNEAPOLIS MN
Last year was a whole different feeling around Minneapolis. The buzz on the Mustangs was another
mediocre season. Danny Eisenhart was landing at Humphrey Terminal along with 10 other draft hopefuls. The Mustangs had brought
in a group of linemen prospects who they were interested in for the draft. None of which were stand out stars. "No one blended
in more than Eisenhart" Linecoach Carey Bailey said recalling the day. "He looked like an old country boy, but when he hit
the field, we were amazed. I had never seen a lineman with such talent that flew so far under the radar."
When Head Coach Mitch Browning saw Eisenhart in action he immediatly sent out a press
release talking up 3 or 4 of the other players, all of whom went before Eisenhart in the draft, and he left Eisenhart off
the list. "I knew we were the only team that had him work out and I wanted everyone including Danny to think we were dissapointed.
When you find a talent like that, and nobody knows who he is, It's tough to keep it under raps, but it worked and he's here."
"I figured, after the workout in Minneapolis, I would go undrafted. I knew I could play,
but going to such a small University doomed me. I got a call early one Saturday morning though, on the phone was Mitch. I
was shocked, I ran to my computer and my face was on the Mustangs website. It was a shock."
Eisenhart immediatly packed his bags and caught a flight to Minnesota. "I didn't know
they didn't want me for three more weeks." Eisenhart said jokingly. "I stayed at an AmericInn for three weeks then moved into
the team hotel."
It was a strange start for a player few people thought would
hit the field all year. Now Eisenhart is the highest paid player on the Mustangs and is still improving. "He may be one of
the best ever, and I'm not blowing smoke." Bailey said week 7 of '07. "He can run, block, tackle, catch, cause fumbles and
is just a force on every play."
Eisenhart is just one third of what is expected to be the
best line in franchise history. "We have depth, youth and veterans. You don't find that on most teams. We have five or six
players that could be starters on any OIFL team and they would be very successful."
Seymour Butz is the most experienced player on the line and has had two stints in the organization.
"I loved it with these guys my first time and I still love it now, I think having Eisenhart and Moore next to me this year
will only make me better and we will clear a path for the run and stop the pass rush. I am looking forward to help this team
win."
Speaking of Alex Moore, he is the newest member of this
line. "When I was traded from Tucson I didn't know what to think. I thought it could be a fresh start and then I thought,
who's on that team? Within about twenty seconds I thought, Butz, Eisenhart, Jefferson, Driggers. Damn, I won't start. I am
gonna have to fight. And I will, I'd give anything to be a part of this line and I will work for it."
The Minneapolis line looks poised to have a good year, Next week we will cover the Running
back and Linebacker situation and take a look at out newest running back Rod Moesly.
A Veteran's View
BLOOMINGTON MN
Jeff Loria drove down from his home in White Bear Lake to take in the press conferences of his new
team mates. He introduced himself, let him know what he expected and took them out to dinner. This is something Loria attempts
to do with any new team mate he has. "It's a friendly and fun way to let them know what to expect in Minnesota and what I
expect of them." Loria told me after a press conference held earlier this week.
This afternoon I got the privilage of going out with Loria for lunch. I learned a lot about what
it is like in the locker room of an OIFL team, what he thinks of the city and organization and what he expects this year.
We walked into "Khan's Mongolian Barbeque" which is one
of Loria's favorites. "What can I say, I'm a sucker for sugar filled rolls." Loria said jokingly as we sat down. If you have
never been to Khan's, it is a buffet style restaurant where you fill a bowl with meat, noodles, veggies and fruit. Then you
put in spices our sauces and they cook it for you in a minute or two. But I'm not hear to tell you about the food.
As we sat down it started snowing outside the window, just another sign we're in Minnesota
and as Loria put it, "It's a good welcome for Nick Lang." Nick Lang who was traded from Tucson went out with Loria a night
before and was still in town to take in the wonders of Minnesota Winter. Twenty bucks says he's back in Arizona by the end
of the night.
Here is a look at how our conversation went...
Me: You were very critical of the move to Minneapolis as well as the move to Columbus
when they happened. You never really came out with a comment, but we could tell you were dissapointed.
Loria: I didn't understand the need to move from OKC where we were a succesful franchise,
but the new ownership saw new life in Columbus, then they immediatly sold the franchise. Our current ownership saw no life
in Columbus and moved here. I wanted some commitment. Moving my family that much is tough but it seems we are in Minnesota
perminantly, so it's all good.
Me: Wade Mickey.
Loria: hahaha, that was tough, he was offered a contract that was unnacceptable. We wanted to keep
him, and this is what I want some players with big egos to think about. It's a contract negotiation for a reason. The team
comes with a low offer, they usually try to extend your contract for the same price. After that happens you put your offer
out there. Wade got mad, ruined his locker and left.
Me: Who
has that locker now?
Loria: For all I know it's still his, who would take a locker
without a left wall?
Me: How do you envision the season playing out?
Loria: We were so close last year, we lost to Evansville three times. The final one hurt
the most. A blocked fieldgoal... It has happened to us a few times this year, blocked kicks that is, and none of them stung
more than that. Next year I see the playoffs again. I hope we make it further than last year, and we should.
Me: Who will start at WRDB this year?
Loria: Are you ready for another plate?
Me: So that's
how we're doing it today, I got it. Sure, we'll get a second plate. And then we'll go off the record.
If you ever meet Jeff Loria, it is a great experience. His biggest critisicm on the field
is he's not a leader. When you talk to him you feel that somewhat, but you feel more like he is a great team mate. I can tell
he can take charge on the field and fits in with the crowd off the field. Let's just hope all that about the playoffs comes
true.
Mustangs Introduce New Mustangs
MINNEAPOLIS MN
The Minneapolis Mustangs have made a splash or two on the trade market in the past couple weeks.
The Mustangs received some veteran talent and even some future talent in recent trades they made with Texas and Tucson. The
first of the two trades was made with Texas in which Minneapolis gave up their first round pick for Veteran RBLB Rod Moesly
along with 3rd year players QB Tacasey Cadet and WRLB Hurley Adcock.
At a press
conference on the 11th of February after holding up his new jersey, Moesly showed no sign of looking back. "I can't wait to
start for a contending team, I am going to fight for my spot as a starter and get us into the playoffs for the second strait
year." Rod Moesly is 18th all time in the OIFL as a rusher and plans on building on his already impressive numbers in Minneapolis.
Cadet and Adcock also seemed enthusiastic about joining the mustangs but seemed more
sentimental about the whole ordeal. "I am looking forword to being mentored by one of the best Quarterback's in the game in
(Jeff) Loria, but it is a tough transition." Cadet said at the press conference. "I have been with Dodge City my whole career,
now I have been with 3 different teams in a matter of months, It will take me a while to get settled in here, but I am in
it for the long haul."
Less than a week later the Mustangs made another trade that
excited fanbase. Minneapolis sent all of their remaining draft picks to Tucson for OIFL great WRDB Nick Lang and Veteran Nose
Guard Alex Moore. The Mustangs held a press conference introducing them to the city this afternoon.
Nick Lang and Alex Moore both said they were excitied to contribute to the team but neither
release any further comment.
David Williamson who has spent his career in the Mustangs/Chaos/Cyclone
organization had this to say. "I can't wait for the season to start, fans had been questioning our commitment to winning because
we had such a low payroll and hadn't made any moves this offseason but I hope they are as pumped as me, even though we aren't
spending a million a week, we are still as good as any team in the league and we will be their in the end fighting for the
title."
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