KLAS sent Jeaque Itsche to find the elusive Rounders' GM, TurfToe.

Here's a replay of the brief interview that ran on local affiliate, KLAS-Channel 8. Jeaque Itsche moderating:

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] What's your take on your first season in the CFL?

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe:[/u49e8c7d] Roughly $2.5 million...

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] What I meant was, how would you rate your performance in your first year in the league?

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe:[/u49e8c7d] I think we did better than expected. I think the jury is still out on the '06 draft. We drafted 3rd overall last year and are now drafting 14th in 2007. As long as we end up drafting 20th or lower next year I'll be happy.

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] The jury is still out? What about the Samoan Tsunami and his Defensive Rookie of the Year Award?

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe:[/u49e8c7d] Yeah, Mario's a great kid. He's done everything we asked him to do this year. Last year, Aaron and Melo anchored the 3-man front with Fike doing all of the dirty work inside. Coach Crowley and I agreed to make the switch to the 4-3 and Ah Yat was key to making that happen. Alot of people thought the line would suffer with Melo being lost as a cap casualty last year and Fike and Aaron struggling to make the 4-man line work. Well, they did struggle but Mario didn't. I think that makes his award all that more impressive, he did it with his supporting cast in a transition mode. We expect things to go even better next year. By the way, Mario appreciates the nickname the fans and the media have given him, you know, the Samoan Tsunami, but he's taking a liking to the new one his teammates have given him, D-Roy.

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] Speaking of the team, what do you have in store for the 2007 season?

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe:[/u49e8c7d] You'll just have to wait and see like everyone else.

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] Sounds like you have some surprises in store.

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe:[/u49e8c7d] ...or I have no fucking clue as to what I'm doing...

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] Nice mouth! Do you kiss your wife and kids with that mouth?

[u49e8c7d]Turftoe:[/u49e8c7d] My wife? Uh, I lost her last year. Kids? Shit, I forgot about them...

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] Are you guys planning to replace Thomas Karl in free agency or through the draft?

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe:[/u49e8c7d] Well, we're going to have to replace 'The Bum' somehow, as I don't think Sonntag is ready to step up and carry the load just yet. We'll obviously have to use free agency, the draft, or a trade to get the ball carrier we need.

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] You still call him 'The Bum'? Did your abrasive relationship cause him to retire?

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe:[/u49e8c7d] Abrasive relationship? The relationship was, and still is, fine. Karl is a consumate pro and will probably be back as an assistant coach next year, as a matter of fact. You media types think you have all of the angles covered. Karl's nickname was an inside joke that you guys will never understand. His name will be on the Rounders' record books for quite some time. He has a lot of respect on the field and in front offices across the league. As far as his retirement, we had many discussions during the offseason and I think he made the right decision for the right reasons. There are more things to life than football,well not that many but some, and he did what he had to do.

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] So, there's nothing to the stories about the assault charges?

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe[/u49e8c7d] [laughing]: No...

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] What about the two of you spotted leaving the hospital?

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe[/u49e8c7d] [laughing harder]: Man, you guys are just straight up stupid aren't you? Karl's wife gave birth at the end of last season and there were several Rounders that visited them in the hospital. You guys are pathetic! If there were any truth to the rumor that there was a physical altercation, don't you think one of us would have had physical proof?

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] Well, Thomas had a black eye and a busted lip at the end of the season...

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe:[/u49e8c7d] He sure did. Have you ever heard of the Tucson Toros? Next time we play them, I'll give you the rock 20 times up the middle and see how you fare. This is the CFL you know. There ain't nothing for free in this league. Well, except maybe some San Antonio tickets... Anyway, the point is, Karl was a starting RB in the CFL and even though I'm tough, he would've flat out killed me if we got into a tangle. I've got to run, I'm late for an important meeting...

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] This has been Jeaque Itsche for KLAS, Channel 8, in fabulous Las Vegas. We were joined by the Las Vegas Rounders GM, TurfToe who is running off to an important meeting to decide the fate of your Las Vegas Rounders...

[u49e8c7d]TurfToe:[/u49e8c7d] Sorry to interrupt Jeaque, but it's just a tee time with Karl, Olsen, and Coach Crowley.

[u49e8c7d]Jeaque:[/u49e8c7d] Dammit! They were right, you are a prick. Back to the studio...

_________________
ROF Division Champions: 2039 - 2043, 2045, 2047, 2054, 2056 - 2060, 2063, 2066-2067
WFC Conference Champions: 2018, 2041, 2042, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062-2063
CFL Champions: 2018, 2041, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062