COFFEE WITH THE COMMISH III – A MONTH OF CONTROVERSY AND UPSETS…

Another Hard-Hitting Story by RMFL Beat Writer: Mort Snodgrass

RMFL – Good morning!!

In an attempt to keep the RMFL readership completely informed, or at least as informed as humanly possible, the well-funded RMFL writing staff has struck an agreement with RMFL Commissioner, Jared Neumeier, to conduct a monthly series for the web site, we want to call: “Coffee with the Commish”. In this monthly segment, we will sit down with the long-time RMFL Commissioner and ask a series of directly pointed and relevant questions of the day. The staff will also entertain questions from players, coaches and fans around the league that will be used in future Coffee with the Commish segments. This weeks chain of questions comes direct from the staff itself, however, the questions will be direct… no punches pulled.

MS: WOW…What a month, eh? Its hard to figure out where to start, so I guess we should start with really the biggest issues and work down.

COMMISH: Fire away; there is NOTHING that has happened that I won’t talk about.

MS: What about the Muddogs situation… ownership changeover… and that whole deal?

COMMISH: I don’t wan to talk about it.

MS: No, seriously, how do you justify basically ousting an RMFL General Manager/Owner?

COMMISH: There’s an old saying that I’m sure no one knows who said it first, but it is still true about a lot of things. It is thus, “if you are going to BE a MAN, then ACT like a MAN.” In the RMFL, if you are going to BE an owner, then ACT like an owner. An RMFL owner HAS GOT to take full responsibility for debts… and certainly display a particular amount of integrity. The Muddogs previous owner, would not, could not, did not… and therefore IS NOT. Therefore, I don’t look at it like I ousted an “owner”, basically, all I did was to give recognition to the true “owners” of the team. The guys that were getting it done and taking the responsibility.

MS: Are you concerned, though, that this could set a bad precedent in the future. Maybe internal revolts against ownership?

COMMISH: Well, obviously I wouldn’t think so. IF the “revolting players” can show that their owner has been lieing to the league and bouncing checks, I’ll again be on their side. However, it is simply a matter of player not liking “how things are being run…” or what their team fees are, etc., they will get no support from me. You would have to be seriously failing as an owner before I am going to go to this lengths… and he was.

MS: What about what happened in Helena a few years ago?

COMMISH: Similar case actually Like the Muddog situation, it was the players AND coaches that had petitioned against the ownership. Now the Muddogs and coaches DID NOT “petition” against Descamps, however, if I waited for that to happen, there was a chance the bridges he would have burned in that touchy Utah playing field market would have gotten irreparably burned. There was a need for real haste. There is no team without your players, the original Helena ownership (were going to be called Tri-Valley Titans), were not going to have players… or the guys who had raised 95% of their sponsorships. It was ultimately a slam dunk. I think we will see some really good things from the Muddog management over time; although I think they will be changing the team name in the off-season.

MS: Okay, what about these Stat violations? Is the penalty too harsh?

COMMISH: Well, actually, neither the Rhino-Raiders or Heat have actually been really penalized yet. The only harm done has been in a small dose of public perception, maybe. We’ve only had one of these challenges won in the past few years, so it is rare to have two consecutive… in the same week. I just hope that this not only shapes up these teams, but everyone. I think almost everyone loves the stats… but they have got to know they are pretty close; if not, that ends the fun because they will all be doubted. It takes two absolutely proven violations for a team to get the “death penalty”, so I hope that this will just be a wake-up call around the league… There is always someone watching… its called a camera.

MS: Speaking of that, as we are almost halfway through the season, has there been any serious fights or discipline problems?

COMMISH: Well, we have certainly had our share of disagreements and scuffles… a few ejections, etc., but for the most part, and in some cases ALL of the players on MOST of the teams, this season has been played with class and the proper focus on the game. I’m perfectly ready, however, if given visual evidence to “weed out” any players that don’t seem to understand that football is rough enough if played within the right spirit, much less with some intent to injure or some deluded philosophy that you “have to make a statement”.

MS: Is this any reference to the recent message board postings on Jeff May or “unnecessary shots”?

COMMISH: Yes. Although I may laugh it off a bit about getting drilled so often as a quarterback after I no longer had the ball, but at this level of football, there is ABSOLUTELY NO justification or rationalization for hitting a guy “just because”. Of course this is a rough sport and you shouldn’t play the game if you “can’t take a hit”, but let no one kid themselves… this is semi-pro and NOT the NFL… or even the NCAA. IF you think you have to take a “statement shot” at a guy and there seems to be no real reason within the context of the play to do so, just hope that no one catches it on tape and sends it to me and asks what the hit was about. What really would be a quick ticket out of the league is an unnecessary hit… away from the play… that causes an injury. If all three of those factors line up and I find out about it, I’ll cancel that players RMFL pass as quick as you can say Rhinos rule…., or is that Rhinos drool??.

MS: Lets talk about your pre-season projections… Biggest surprise team??

COMMISH: There is no question that has to be the Bear River Valley Rockets. What did I have them, 11 out of 12?? Right now, they definitely have to be considered one of the 4 best AA teams (counting Montana as well). A close second for surprise teams would be the Muddogs, especially as they have had to battle through adversity. Who’d a thunk they would be 5-0 at this point?

MS: How about AAA surprises?

COMMISH: In the pre-season, I thought Madison had a slightly better chance than not to pull off the victory over the Rhinos up there, however, I knew their defense may not be enough. Other than that, its no surprise to see an undefeated Bears setting up to play an undefeated Rhino-Raiders at this point. In the North, the Matadors win over my #3 was obviously a BIG upset, however, this is the AAA gentlemen and all of the teams are capable of pulling off a big victory over anyone else. My biggest surprise, although they are 0-3 is probably the Heat. I think they are the most better than I expected them to be and could win any or all of their remaining games if they can get organized and motivated. McLucas impresses me and their defense is tough. In Idaho, I’d still be very surprised if any of the Eastern teams did not make the playoffs along with the Rhinos and Bears. I’m still expecting a dog fight for the 6^th spot.

MS: Early favorites for MVP?

J. NEUMEIER, SPORTS WRITER: See, now you are REALLY making me change hats!! In the AA, I think there are 5 names that stand out… so far. Shane Jurasek and Justin Nixon in Montana, Jordan Kjar for the Muddogs, Mike Messinger for the Rockets and maybe Jeff Dottson for the Scorpions… although I think the Scorpions are going to have to start winning to make him a contender. In the AAA its still VERY early… I expect the “ususal suspects” to continue to material as the season progresses. You have to throw out Stireman and Greenberry of the Rhino-Raiders; Trevor Bell will also be a real consideration as the season progresses, Boden and Ard and eventually maybe Brandon Reed of the Mustangs, Dougherty and either Nate Brown or Buck Mouser will emerge from the Lionz although Nate Rydalch is capable of changing the course of any game… Other than maybe Jockumsen who seems to be headed for another tackling crown, I think its still too early in the AAA. They are only 3 games into a 9 game season.. But it could be that the eventual league MVP won’t even come out of that list… that’s why we play the games!

MS: What is your biggest concern going from here into the rest of the season?

COMMISH: My nerves.

MS: I thought this commish thing was a cake walk for ya?

COMMISH: Sometimes, its not so bad. Its really not so much the issues that come up as the work involved. Its just a lot of time. I love the update calls on Saturday… hate the stat work on Sunday. While we have a full slate of games, every Sunday I end up exhausted by late that night. I know the guys are waiting for the game postings and I can only work so fast… AND get it all entered right. Then the countless corrections I get sent, most of them not my fault.. some of them are… .

MS: Isn’t this the biggest reason why you feel you have to walk away?

COMMISH: Bar none .

MS: What about just getting someone else in to do the stats?

COMMISH: Oh I’ve thought of a lot of options and that has certainly been one of them. It would be far easier to find a good “Commissioner”, however, than it will be to find a good sports writer or dedicated stat guy.

MS: So what’s the status of the Commissioner transition?

COMMISH: Pretty much no progress. I still need to get some questionnaire written up and sent out. If anyone out there thinks they have what it takes for the job, they can feel free to e-mail me and let me know. I’ll include them on the questionnaires that I will send out.

MS: So you really are going? No chance for a return for another season?

COMMISH: Oh, there’s a chance. It would be part a problem in the transition and part financial, however. To live where I live, I may need this second job, even if it kills me for 4 months of the year. Regardless of 2007, I will eventually have to move on. I’ll get old before my time in this position.

MS: What is your assessment NOW on the AAA/AA split?

COMMISH: It was absolutely a good thing… and I think everyone agrees as well. I think teams are even happy with the divisional schedules. With gas now headed over $3 a gallon to stay, this league HAS GOT to be sensitive in KEEPING TRAVEL COSTS DOWN… not only financially as a league, but as consumers that need to be smarter about what we do. As much as we would like to “play every team once”, it is becoming a more and more ridiculous idea financially.

MS: So… what’s your take on the big Rhino-Bears clash Saturday night?

COMMISH: Are you going to make me change hats again?

MS: If you must

COMMISH: Well, I don’t think I must. I’d call it a coin toss as commissioner or as a sports writer. I really wish I was going to be there, but I cannot. If there is a playoff rematch, however, I expect I’ll be at that. I think if the Bears get 2 or more sacks in the first half they will go on to win. If the Rhinos score 3 or more touchdowns in the first half they will go on to win.

MS: Well, I think that is all of the questions for now; feel free to send in any others for the next segment of C witth the C!

COMMISH: The season is in full swing now… lets all enjoy this wonderful sport of ours; play hard, play safe… but remember to “PLAY”. It is JUST a game.

MS: Well, thanks again and from the well-funded RMFL writing staff… lets start having some real fun!!!!