Post by Banana Cat on Nov 13, 2011 0:53:49 GMT -5
www.lfl360.com/articles/redemption-tamica-estrella-las-vegas-sin/
REDEMPTION: TAMICA ESTRELLA, LAS VEGAS SIN
By: Troy Whigham (LFL360.com – NATIONAL)
Last season, Tamica Estrella was one of the few bright spots on a San Diego Seduction team that was reeling from one of the most embarrassing losses in LFL history. Surrounded by players still licking their wounds, she not only pushed herself to be a better player, she pushed those around her to be a better team.
As a result, the Seduction went from being the laughingstock of California, to one helluva rags-to-riches franchise.
Unfortunately for Tamica, she went out with a knee injury in only her second game after sparking a rivalry with all-star Candis Mosely of the Dallas Desire that resulted in the Dallas receiver being shut down against Tamica. Tamica had proven she had talent and could go up against the best the league had to offer. At least, until she hurt her ACL on her first play against the Los Angeles Temptation.
That sucked.
But she came back strong. She played her way onto the LFL All-Fantasy squad representing the Western Conference. Things looked pretty good.
But as promising as the Seduction had become, they never could get past the Los Angeles Temptation, the defending league champions. The Seduction failed to make the play-offs. From there, things just got worse.
The San Diego Seduction folded, leaving Tamica Estrella a football player without a team.
And then came the Las Vegas Sin.
Her redemption.
The Sin were being hailed as an all-star team, luring highly talented veterans from several teams; Brenner from Dallas, Davenport from Los Angeles, Pryor from Chicago, Turley from Miami, Brace from Seattle.
And Estrella from San Diego.
She made the nine-hour trip to Las Vegas. She tried out. She made the team. The cover corner earned her strong-side spot on a roster chock-full of players with impressive credentials. The team was so strong on paper that it was being tagged as a potential champion before it had even strapped on its shoulder pads.
Then came the implosion.
The coach was replaced. Players left the team disgruntled. The team was in a tailspin, being ranked in the basement in the preseason predictions.
Tamica Estrella looked around. Nine hours on a bus is a long trip. Did she really want to go through this again?
Of course she did. She was a baller.
Coach Dion Lee turned things around quickly. Vegas won against a quality Chicago club in the Sin’s home-opener, and did it in impressive style. Rookies like Cassandra Strickland, Nikki Johnson, and Sunshine Misa-Uli showed that they belonged with the league’s elite.
Then Vegas went up against a high-caliber Seattle Mist team looking to prove that it was better than its last season’s 0-3 record reflected. The Sin got the “W” in that one, 28-24.
Now they face the two-time LFL Champion Los Angeles Temptation. Estrella has never beaten them.
Like Patton knowing that to take Italy meant capturing Sicily, Estrella knows to take a championship means she has to beat Los Angeles.
And that means beating her former teammates Audrey Latsko and Danielle Harvey, who still train with her five days a week, and who now play for the Temptation.
“I obviously don’t have to talk about how important this game is for our franchise. For me, it’s that much more important.”
“Los Angeles was the team I played against in San Diego when I was injured on the first play of the game. It was a devastating moment for me because of all the work I put in. I played with AudreyLatsko, Danielle Harvey and Amber Reed.”
“The blood runs deep with my old best friend and teammate Audrey Latsko. We started together in Las Vegas excited to play together and make an impact on this expansion team, before she went to the Temptation. Nobody would have thought that we would ever play for different teams. We both still live in San Diego and we will be battling for pride, principle and the opportunity to go to the show. My Cinderella story in Las Vegas trumps her addition to a back to back championship team.”
“Danielle Harvey, safety in LA, was also a part of my training camp in San Diego. Audrey and I brought her on to start on defense for last game in San Diego. Because I went down on the first play last season, I was not able to play beside Danielle and here we are now. I’m sure she has her doubts, but she has developed as player because of the time we put into her way back then.”
“I’m sure many people and players never thought I could come back from my ACL injury, as a specialty player and cover corner. I’m the only specialty player to come back from an ACL and play in not only the All-Fantasy game, but to be a leader on my new team and hang with even the best receivers in the game, like Jessica Hopkins, while still in my knee brace.”
“We have an incredibly talented team in Las Vegas, with a roster filled with hidden talents. This Friday we get to have all of our troops in attendance and we are ready!”
By: Troy Whigham (LFL360.com – NATIONAL)
Last season, Tamica Estrella was one of the few bright spots on a San Diego Seduction team that was reeling from one of the most embarrassing losses in LFL history. Surrounded by players still licking their wounds, she not only pushed herself to be a better player, she pushed those around her to be a better team.
As a result, the Seduction went from being the laughingstock of California, to one helluva rags-to-riches franchise.
Unfortunately for Tamica, she went out with a knee injury in only her second game after sparking a rivalry with all-star Candis Mosely of the Dallas Desire that resulted in the Dallas receiver being shut down against Tamica. Tamica had proven she had talent and could go up against the best the league had to offer. At least, until she hurt her ACL on her first play against the Los Angeles Temptation.
That sucked.
But she came back strong. She played her way onto the LFL All-Fantasy squad representing the Western Conference. Things looked pretty good.
But as promising as the Seduction had become, they never could get past the Los Angeles Temptation, the defending league champions. The Seduction failed to make the play-offs. From there, things just got worse.
The San Diego Seduction folded, leaving Tamica Estrella a football player without a team.
And then came the Las Vegas Sin.
Her redemption.
The Sin were being hailed as an all-star team, luring highly talented veterans from several teams; Brenner from Dallas, Davenport from Los Angeles, Pryor from Chicago, Turley from Miami, Brace from Seattle.
And Estrella from San Diego.
She made the nine-hour trip to Las Vegas. She tried out. She made the team. The cover corner earned her strong-side spot on a roster chock-full of players with impressive credentials. The team was so strong on paper that it was being tagged as a potential champion before it had even strapped on its shoulder pads.
Then came the implosion.
The coach was replaced. Players left the team disgruntled. The team was in a tailspin, being ranked in the basement in the preseason predictions.
Tamica Estrella looked around. Nine hours on a bus is a long trip. Did she really want to go through this again?
Of course she did. She was a baller.
Coach Dion Lee turned things around quickly. Vegas won against a quality Chicago club in the Sin’s home-opener, and did it in impressive style. Rookies like Cassandra Strickland, Nikki Johnson, and Sunshine Misa-Uli showed that they belonged with the league’s elite.
Then Vegas went up against a high-caliber Seattle Mist team looking to prove that it was better than its last season’s 0-3 record reflected. The Sin got the “W” in that one, 28-24.
Now they face the two-time LFL Champion Los Angeles Temptation. Estrella has never beaten them.
Like Patton knowing that to take Italy meant capturing Sicily, Estrella knows to take a championship means she has to beat Los Angeles.
And that means beating her former teammates Audrey Latsko and Danielle Harvey, who still train with her five days a week, and who now play for the Temptation.
“I obviously don’t have to talk about how important this game is for our franchise. For me, it’s that much more important.”
“Los Angeles was the team I played against in San Diego when I was injured on the first play of the game. It was a devastating moment for me because of all the work I put in. I played with AudreyLatsko, Danielle Harvey and Amber Reed.”
“The blood runs deep with my old best friend and teammate Audrey Latsko. We started together in Las Vegas excited to play together and make an impact on this expansion team, before she went to the Temptation. Nobody would have thought that we would ever play for different teams. We both still live in San Diego and we will be battling for pride, principle and the opportunity to go to the show. My Cinderella story in Las Vegas trumps her addition to a back to back championship team.”
“Danielle Harvey, safety in LA, was also a part of my training camp in San Diego. Audrey and I brought her on to start on defense for last game in San Diego. Because I went down on the first play last season, I was not able to play beside Danielle and here we are now. I’m sure she has her doubts, but she has developed as player because of the time we put into her way back then.”
“I’m sure many people and players never thought I could come back from my ACL injury, as a specialty player and cover corner. I’m the only specialty player to come back from an ACL and play in not only the All-Fantasy game, but to be a leader on my new team and hang with even the best receivers in the game, like Jessica Hopkins, while still in my knee brace.”
“We have an incredibly talented team in Las Vegas, with a roster filled with hidden talents. This Friday we get to have all of our troops in attendance and we are ready!”