FrustratedFinsFan:
Mike Robertson is without a doubt my greatest protege'. Mike is the one person who was like a sponge. I consider him my son and like any father, you want him to be better than you. Everything about this style of play from figures to use, playbook, strategies, and schemes, Mike learned at my house. However, Mike was smart enough to expand on it. With his own ingenuity, he taught me things about the game. Most people who see us play know it is carbon-copy textbook. We know each other as well as anyone could in the game. I taught Mike to share his knowledge as you saw him come help you in LA. That is one of his greatest assets as a teacher. But yes, he directly comes from my tree and I am very proud to say that. He is someone who I love to play because he brings out the best in me.
Greg Hardmon is a protege' of mine. Greg is one of those willing to listen and absorb information. Greg is like a light bulb because when you turn him on and reveal information to him, he always sees the logic in what you are talking about. He plays the game on a higher plane. I look forward to matching wits with him.
Dru Sparks is someone who is just simply a quick study. He's Mike Robertson with attitude. I hate to see when he really becomes great at this game. We discuss figure making, playbooks, strategy and marketing of the hobby and he's always one who wants to pick my brain.
Darrian Ross (aka RavenManiac) is another one who I consider a protege'. Darrian is just a student of the game whose hard work is starting to pay off big. Things we have discussed on the phone or in person, he implemented in his game and it has been very effective. I look forward to playing him one day. He already knows information before I start talking about it because "he's watched the DVD a thousand times).
LeRon King came to me about 5 years ago. And like most of my protege's, they come to my house to live, learn, and get on my nerves! LeRon knows the game but because he does not consistently play like everyone else, he has not taken that next step. I have seen the potential as he has manhandled a few great coaches in the DFW. I hate to see what happens when it all kicks in. He's one that I look forward to playing because he wants to beat me so bad. I know in time it will happen.
Kevin Boddie is one who always ask questions and want information. Whether its marketing or strategy or customizing, Boddie has more enthusiasm for the game than most. He's extended family and one I talk to regularly. This guy is very intellectual and will be a brilliant coach. I just hope I can continue to get a few wins over him before he over-takes me.
RJ is another who is a branch from my tree. The thing I've got to get through to RJ is to RE-SET. Once he does, he will win. He's won in the LAEFL 2 times but his experience in the DFW has been a little difference. I remember when RJ came to the DFW and I told him the system that I taught Mike Robertson, Oscar Woodard, LeRon King, and Dru Sparks and how it was important for him to structure his system in that way. He heard me but he really did not hear me. Mike went right out and had a pretty easy victory over RJ. There are certain things RJ now sees but he still needs to RE-SET. Hopefully in time, he will do that all the way. I hope it happens before him and I play each other in the college league. The great thing is he know I will help him if he ask me.
There are others who I would love to play but I love playing the guys who have invested their time in learning from me. Some have passed me and others are passing me. It is my hope that all will pass me one day so that I can be pushed to get better. I am sort of in a dilema because while most or all of these are purely footballers, I am busy doing so many other things in the game. But I have no problem sharing that information and understanding my place in the game.
One other guy who calls constantly wanting information. He's got 10 years worth of "rhetoric" that I have written on chat pages and put in a binder. Biglock made a binder of information I spewed off on the Miggle page. He said it helped in his maturation. I thought he was crazy!
He tells me the message I send is consistent ranging from strategy to marketing to customizing. That's Jamal "Biglock" Lockhart. He's been to my house and I have shared much information with him. Lock lacks the pleasure of being able to play someone consistently so he never gets the chance to implement things that him and I talk about. Getting the information is one thing but the application of that information is something totally different. Lock knows the system that Mike does as Dru does as LeRon does as others do. It's what they do with it once they know it. Lock would definitely be another one I would love the pleasure of playing.
One other guy I would love to play AGAIN is Norbert. For the one time, I felt totally outcoached by a peer. Norbert is a great friend but I tell him all the time, right now all I have is hate for him! He came to Texas and beat me in my own confines. I know as he reads this, he's crackin' up
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Hopefully, one day we will play again. I definitely enjoyed the moment with Norby. He was mesmerized by the atmosphere of the stadium, playing outside, the lights, the whole enchilada! I really enjoyed having him around me. But again, I still hate him!
For the most part, many of these guys have seen the system that I employ. For the most part, Mike Robertson has perfected the system. Our system is not built strictly on power but it combines power, finesse, weight distribution, functionality, isolation, and understanding pressure points. Certain athletes (base + figure) are used at certain spots on the field to maximize what can be done. Right now, Mike is a better version of me. But he knows, I look forward to getting my revenge on him.
These are the guys I love to play or would some day like to play.
Reg