We Continue to Build the Roster

Finding Swiss Players 2

Well, since we needed to play with about 50 Swiss football players on our roster we had to look hard at our Swiss National Team for some talent.  Now finding talent was one thing … but we also had to work around what I call the “Swiss mentality.”

Honestly it isn’t a knock on anyone … but the neutrality of the country of Switzerland does effect the people.  I think that often the Swiss will step back and think to themselves … “well let’s hold on and see how this turns out” before they will commit.

There is nothing wrong with that thought process … but when you need to build a football roster in a short period of time.  Well – we need people to make decisions fairly quickly.  But, after spending several years in Switzerland I realized that this might be a problem.

We needed to make a relatively quick signing to get our team rolling.  As I mentioned early we felt Tim Hänni was on board … but he wanted to hold off on our announcing his signing.  His name would help us get other Swiss players on the roster.

Obviously, we stayed with our word to the 6-4, 280-pound Defensive End and held off on publicizing Tim’s decision to play for the Guards.  But, I’m sure there were rumors throughout the Swiss football world about his joining the team.

Knowing that there were only two Swiss quarterbacks worth looking to sign  (and I love them both).  I suggested to Norm to go after the only guy we had a shot at.  Richie Wartmann who played for the Winterthur Warriors had been our QB for the 2017 Junior National Team and I absolutely loved him.

A strapping 6-2, 225 he was really a great looking player.  But, actually Richie might be a linebacker playing quarterback.  However .. whoever (whomever?) we got was actually going to be the backup to our A-tag QB Collin Hill.

The other Swiss player who played QB was another favorite of mine.  Nic Leibundgut was our quarterback while I was with the Thun Tigers.  A tough hard-nosed competitor who was a tremendous thrower.

But, Nic was starting his family and had a daughter on the way .. not the right time to take time away from his home.

So, we went hard after Richie.  He did have his reservations.  Not because of him being a backup to Collin .. but because he had an injured shoulder – which was on this throwing side.  He was debating surgery.  His doctor had basically told him – he could rest it and see how things turned out, or get the surgery.

Richie decided to chance his shoulder and sign with us.

Obviously, Norm Chow our head coach was happy – being the offensive coach as well as our leader – he now had two QB’s.  Big problem solved.

Around the same time we lined up one of the best defensive ends in the country.  Dom Liechti had been a dominant player for the Bern Grizzlies and he wanted on board the Guard’s train.  He also was pretty adamant that he could secure several other top flight Swiss players as well.

Truthfully with his help we were able to gain traction with several other Swiss players.

Then, we went pretty hard on several other players as well.

I already knew about Robert and William Harvey (as well as their younger brother Bay as an intern – a QB at Johns Hopkins).  So, after clearing it with their dad Peter I contacted them and they did both have some interest.  Although they would be in the states until late May.

John Falk was a no brainer for me.  He was coaching already, but had just recently retired as a player.  He would come out of retirement and be a linebacker for us.  John is a warrior – he was always working out and training players.  His signing would help us in so many ways.  As a player, as a leader and his knowledge of the game … a natural born football player.

Norm new we had to find some offensive linemen and so we turned to one of the well-coached (Jeff Buffum) teams  in Switzerland and convinced two of the Calanda Broncos to join us.  Honestly, we were lucky to get them because they had to drive nearly three hours just to get to practice.

Frederico Ferretti and Filip (Peepo) Kovlijenic were considered two of the best players in Switzerland.  They had size and the background to help build our franchise. Plus, they were fantastic guys who knew what it would take to be a good team.

We knew we needed a sound and strong kicker and Matt Hammer told us there was only one way to go.  That was Nils Jonkmans.  Not only was he a very good place kicker – but he was an excellent punter as well.  Oh yeah … what he did in real life – he was a doctor in Switzerland as well.

The trouble with getting Nils signed up was that no one had evidence that he started playing football in Switzerland.  (Remember the ELF rule stated … it wasn’t your passport that determined your place of origin … but where you first played football.

Nils had played soccer in Canada (and football I guess) but everyone said he started playing American football in Bern.  That would allow us to claim him as a Swiss player since after all Bern is the capitol of Switzerland.

It took us several weeks, but we finally were able to get Nils on our roster.

I really liked two defensive backs from Basel after playing against them in the Swiss league (SAFV).  Faubian Bruhin and Florian Ziegler were solid and tough players.

Faubian played corner … but I thought right off the bat he would be a great safety.  But he wanted to play corner – so we promised him first crack at that position.

Now, Florian was one of those guys you automatically liked because he was a really tough guy.  I remembered him from when we played against him when our Swiss team (Thun Tigers) faced off against his Basel Gladiators.

He always played hard and wasn’t afraid to “chirp” at our sideline when he made a play.  At the time I got pissed off at him – but several months later I loved that we had him lined up with our guys.

Pascal Rüegg … Pascal Rüegg … Pascal Rüegg – a gifted wide receiver.  Played in Germany for the  Allgau Comets – but a Swiss player.  We can get him … he signs – and the night before we start practicing he quits.  Concussion, long covid, arthritis … whatever.  He just didn’t want to play.

It’s a shame – a really good football player – and at 6-0, 205 would have been a big help for the Helvetic Guards.

Next up finding more Swiss players who were competing abroad!