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15 Questions: Mike Manuel

Ask any USAFL General Manager which GM best exemplified the character of the league and to a man, they all would say Mike Manuel. Joining the league in it's first season online has allowed him the opportunity to play a big role in establishing the attitude and friendly environment of the league. When Mike's Washington Redskins finally broke their Super Bowl winless streak a couple seasons ago, everyone shared in his joy. No one deserved to win a Super Bowl more than Mike Manuel ............. well, except for Garritt, but we already interviewed him.

"Mike has faithfully served for years as a sounding board for me when it comes to issues within the league," says USA Sports Founder Andrew Lewis. "I have come to rely on his wisdom and mild-mannered strength. I highly doubt this league would have prospered at all, had it not been for Mike's heart for establishing good relationships with each of the GMs in the league."

When the league re-launched in 2001, Mike was appointed the Draft Night Moderator. He could tell you some horror stories about those first few drafts. Now that Garritt has automated the entire event, none of us know how easy Mike's duties have become. "It's still a lot of work, but it's nothing compared to what it used to be," says Manuel.

Manuel's commitment to maintaining the USAFL's standard of excellence is a shining example to every member of the league. Not to mention the fact that the guy hardly ever has a losing season. Mr. Consistent.

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WASHINGTON REDSKINS GM Mike Manuel

1. How can I begin without first saying, you guys put on one heck of a parade last year when you won the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. What an incredible time it must be for you and everyone in your organization. What did that championship season mean to you?

Well you know better than anyone except maybe Garritt how much we wanted that victory. We have tried so hard and came up just short so many times I was beginning to believe that it would never come. It was incredible when we posted that victory. I love this team and this league and would have been happy if I never won a Cup. This is just sweet.

2. With that incredible season and turn-around from the year before, you would think you'd have the GM of the Year away locked up, but you lost out to Minnesota's Lou Lombardo in a close race. Any bad feelings about not winning that Award?

None at all. Let me say that nobody was more pleased than myself that Lou won that award. Lou has done a wonderful job in Minnesota. He has improved his team steadily year after year and he deserved that award. I don't think just because you win the cup you should be the GMOY. I had a very good team and I knew I would threaten. I didn't think I would win but I knew I would threaten. Minnesota had a breakthrough year and Lou deserved the award.

3. In a couple of days, the league will be entering its third season of the new Free Agency Market web-application. What is your opinion of the new system? How is changed the way you handle your team's off-season?

Well, The application itself is great. Garritt once again has done his usual great job of improving our league. I will have to say that it has made my job harder. I don't trade much so I rely on the Draft and the Free Agency Market to get my team. With the new system I have to do much more work determining how much I am actually willing to spend on a player.

4. You've been in the USAFL since it's very first season online. In fact you were the third person to join, after Garritt and the old Atlanta Falcons/Pittsburgh Steelers GM Tim Arkwright. You have seen this league grow and blossom, seen GMs come and go, and seen different features come and go. How do you explain your passion for the USAFL? What is it about this league that keeps you coming back season after season?

I love football and I love the FPpro series of games. That was what initially got me interested in the league. Once I was in I was attracted by the live draft and the people involved. From the very start Andrew always kept this league at a very high standard. That was one plus. The people with a few exceptions have always been great here. I still to this day love the Draft it is my favorite part of the league.

I also need to take a minute to say something about the people we have in the league now. We have always had a great group of guys by and large but I must say this group is by far the BEST we have ever had. One case of that is the fact that Garritt had camps done very early Tuesday because everyone took the time to get them in early. Salaries are always in. Everyone now attends drafts or at least those that can't attend have made other arrangements. On top of all that is the fact that this group gets along with each other well. Think of that for a second. How many places can you think of where 18 people from all walks of life get along as well as we do... It is the people that make it fun for me to continue in this league.

5. One of the most controversial topics around the league is the "rape-trade". How one established GM will pull an incredibly unbalanced trade with a lesser GM. What's your opinion on this as well as your opinion on how the league refuses to step in and regulate the fairness of trades?

I am firmly behind the league's stance of not stepping in. If we would step in the league would fold rather quickly I believe because people would then wonder if the commishes played favorites. My opinion on the practice of the "rape-trade" is this. I could not do this type of trade. I wouldn't be able to sleep. I am not saying that it is wrong period. I am just saying that for me it is wrong. New people need to helped along when they join. Guys jumping them right from the start has to be bad in the long run for the league as a whole.

6. Let's talk about your team for a minute. The Redskins have been running the Heavy Offense for what seems like a couple of generations. Around the league the Heavy Offense is even known as the Redskins Offense. What is it about that style of football that appeals to you?

I love smash mouth football. I always have and the Heavy Offense is exactly that. I know that the league wants to see those pretty boy QB's and fancy pants WR's running all over and leaping for the TD catch but, I love seeing a RB getting the ball and running it straight up the gut. I love hard nose Football and I teach that to my team. I draft based on that philosophy and don't see a reason to change that now.

7. Considering you were in the league when it had it's only expansion, when it expanded from 12 teams to 18 teams. What's your opinion on the league possibly expanding in the future, adding 10 teams to the league? Can it work? Could we find 10 more people to be as active as the 18 we have right now?

I am very concerned about the possible expansion. Whenever you change the league there is always the chance that it could fail. I however am very confident in Andrew and Garritt that this change will go smoothly and properly. I think it will take a bit of time to get all the teams filled with real GM's but I am excited to see the expansion come.

8. You have been the most consistent when it comes to playoff berths. What secrets can you give the newer GMs? How do you keep your team playing at such a high-level of excellence? Especially with the scheduling that favors lesser teams and difficult for winning clubs?

Secrets....hahaha. Here is the biggest secret. EN,EN,EN,EN.... I cannot emphasize that enough. I have always been sold on the thought that you must have Endurance. I study the rookie draft. I of course have an Excel sheet that I use that rates the players based on a formula that I have tweaked to my liking. If you want to be successful in this league for a long time you must develop good drafting skills. Trading is good for some but if you don't have good drafting skills you are not going to stick around very long.

9. In our league, they’re are several different levels of competiveness. Describe your competitive spirit when it comes to the USAFL. You don't appear to be a cut-throat kind of competitor, but I can tell you love winning just like the next guy. How would you describe your competitive spirit when it comes to the USAFL?

Well your right I am not cutthroat as in doing anything to win. I believe in fair play. I love seeing everyone succeed. If everyone succeeds to some extent that can only help the league as a whole. I do however want to WIN. I cannot wait to get on the Internet in the evening to see how my team or Car has done. Win baby Win. I love that saying.

10. What one feature of the USAFL would you say is by far, the best component to the league?

The College Draft. Enough said.

11. If you could have any ACTIVE player on your team right now, who would it be?

Active player is easy. GB's Keith Gunn. A fantastic HB. Maybe the best ever.

12. Let's say you do make the Super Bowl this season, which team would you like to face?

Ok, I would love to make it again and I would love to win however, I would be very torn if I were to face Oakland. I would love to see Garritt win the Super Bowl I am just not sure if I would like to be his victim. If Oakland doesn't make it I would say Denver. Just so I could beat them. :o)

13. How many of your family/friends know that you are a hard-core USAFLer? Do you talk about it with them? Or are you a closet USAFLer?

My wife Ann and Jason my son. Also my dad David. Ann is always asking if this is Draft Monday. (Not in an excited way either) LOL.

14. Describe your environmental setting on a draft night. Do you draft from work/home? Do you order out for pizza/wings/etc? How much paperwork are you looking through to make your selection, or is all your scouting work done on the computer?

Well I have my Mt. Dew at my side and I have my excel sheet along with the draft page. I also have a page with all the teams needed players listed and the "A" needs of each team. Draft night has gotten much easier the last few seasons and I am much more relaxed now. I can actually laugh at some of the stuff getting typed in the chat now. :o)

15. Which of the following would you rather have in your trophy case? One Lorne Sundby Cup, three James Maurer GM of the Year Awards, six NFC Championship trophies, four Bing Bennett Most Valuable Player Awards, five Tim Arkwright Rookie of the Year Awards, or ten NFC East Division Championship trophies?

I have been thinking about this since I saw the first interview and always thought that this was a really dumb question. I always said Sundby Cup However, after winning a Sundby Cup I have to say that my Spirit award is my most cherished award.

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NEXT WEEK: Denver Broncos GM Bill Barnwell