For this edition of Beyond the Wall, we sat down with Kansas City Command’s new starting quarterback Steve Wasil. Wasil played two seasons in the af2 before joining the Alabama Vipers in 2010. After one start in Alabama, Wasil was picked up by Kansas City at the beginning of the 2011 AFL season. Wasil started his second AFL game last week against Cleveland completing 19-of-23 passes for 243 yards and five touchdowns in a winning effort. Wasil and the Kansas City Command face the Utah Blaze on NFL Network’s “Arena Football Friday”.
Editor: How did it feel to finally get a chance to start last week for Kansas City? How has the transition been to the starting role?
Steve Wasil: The transition has been very smooth. I have been here since day one of camp and a lot of players that I played with last Sunday are some of the guys that have been here since the beginning of camp as well. I’ve been working with them all season. Every week on offense we have broken down film, so nothing has really changed much. The only difference is that I actually played this past Sunday.
ED: You got a win against Cleveland in your first start with Kansas City. What was that like?
SW: It was pretty exciting. While the game was going on, I knew I had to stay even keeled. I knew I had to keep getting the ball to my receivers and let them do most of the work. I started one game last year for the Alabama Vipers, which I happened to lose, so this is my first victory in the AFL. It was really awesome. It was also Father’s Day and my mother and father were there, so it was very special.
ED: Your third start in the AFL is going to be on NFL Network against Tommy Grady and the Utah Blaze. How are the preparations coming this week? Any added pressure?
SW: We had a NFL Network game against Chicago earlier this season, so I kind of got exposed to what happens during those games. As a team, we have kept working the same way since the first day of camp. I know I just have to go out there and try to do the same things I have practiced every week. I need to get the football out quickly, find my receivers and let them do all the work.
ED: After growing up and playing high school football in Michigan, you were recruited by Albion College. How was your college career? Did it help playing close to home?
SW: I had a great time playing in college. I got the starting job in the third game of my sophomore year and ended up starting the rest of the time while I was there. It’s just like how it is here, where I knew players and was familiar with the coaches. I never tried to do too much when I was playing. I tried to get the ball to my receivers in spots where they could make plays. My receivers helped me out in Albion, like they are helping me here. Even when I played in New York in the af2, my parents traveled to all of the games. If it is in within 12 hours of driving distance, my parents are pretty good about making the trip.
ED: After you graduated, you decided to join the Albion College coaching staff in 2006. What was that experience like for you?
SW: When I coached at Albion I was actually coaching the receivers. I helped out with the quarterback from time to time. Sometimes the Head Coach didn’t really get through to the quarterback with his explanation, so I would try to help and describe how I thought of it. The biggest thing I learned as a coach was the amount of time and effort the coaches put in to football and preparing the team. When I was playing at Albion, we would have camp and practice all the time. I always thought the coaches were there an hour or two before the players got there, but that wasn’t the case. The coaches put a lot of time and effort into preparation. I learned a lot about discipline and responsibility when it comes to preparation and research. I definitely learned how to be a better quarterback and be focused and prepared each day.
ED: In 2010 you played for the first time in the AFL with the Alabama Vipers. How was that experience? Did it take a while for you to adapt to the arena style?
SW: I actually started in 2008 with the Texas Copperheads in Houston in the af2. I played af2 for two seasons, so I was exposed to the arena style game and rules. I had a pretty good grasp of the rules, angles and different coverages. When I went to Alabama in 2010, I actually came off shoulder surgery on my right labrum. That was the biggest adjustment for me because I didn’t have quite all of my arm strength. Coming in midseason was also a bit difficult. Everyone had been through seven or eight week of the season and training camp, and had already gelled as a unit. But it is like going to any other team because all the guys are pretty much the same. They just come in different shapes and sizes.
ED: Then you got picked up by Kansas City at the beginning of the 2011 AFL season. How did you find your way to KC? Did you know anything about the team before you moved here?
SW: I knew that they were the Kansas City Brigade before. I didn’t know anything at all about the actual city. In 2009, when I was in the af2 I played against Coach Danton Barto because we were in the same division. We actually faced his team, the Manchester Wolves, four times. So, he knew about me from the 2009 season. When I got released by the Alabama Vipers in the first week of June 2010, I gave Coach Barto a call about playing for him. He had a good feeling he was going to get a job in the AFL this season, and he ended up joining Kansas City. I called to congratulate him and he told me that he was going to bring myself and one or two other quarterbacks to compete for the starting job. I knew around October that I was going to be here in KC.
ED: Through the first 13 games, JJ Raterink was the starting quarterback and was putting up solid numbers. What was it like playing behind him?
SW: One thing that I learned from JJ was breaking down film and being very detailed with film study. He’s pretty good with the X’s and O’s and making sure people were in the right spots. The main thing that I picked up from him was putting in the time to study and have a good grasp of leading the team. I still try to go out there and play the same way I have played since High School. Sometimes I don’t do everything by the books, and may freelance a bit if I don’t see something clear. It gets difficult as a quarterback when you try to do too much. It gets easy when you find receivers and let them do the work. It gets very tricky when you are trying to make the big play by yourself.
ED: Growing up in Michigan, what sports teams did you root for?
SW: I am a Detroit guy at heart. I am a huge Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons and Lions fan. My mom went to Michigan State, so I cheer for the Spartans. I am actually a big Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan as well. When I was little I loved watching them on NBC.
ED: How do you like Kansas City? Anything you have found interesting?
SW: I like Kansas City a lot. One thing that I did notice is that when I first moved here I thought it was going to be a pretty big city. It definitely has a big city feel but at the same time, it is easy to get around and the traffic isn’t very bad. The people are very friendly. Growing up in Michigan, I am used to the Midwest lifestyle and personality. Everything you do is within 10 to 15 minutes away so it’s easy to get around.
ED: If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?
SW: I would probably say relaxed. I don’t get too excited or too down about things. I just stay relaxed, even keeled and try to work through problems calmly.
ED: Thanks Steve for sitting down with us today! Good luck this weekend against Utah!
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