Missant Diary: Win or Go Home
Frankfurt Galaxy offensive lineman Charles Missant has been allocated to NFL Europe from the New York Jets. Missant will keep a weekly NFL Europe Diary through the season for nfleurope.com. This week the Galaxy starting center talks about last week's loss that prevented Frankfurt from qualifying for the World Bowl and his hopes to make it to the final with a win this week against Berlin.
It was a very disappointing loss against Amsterdam, as we were looking to keep the 6-0 streak alive. The stats speak for themselves, but we didn't come out on top. The nice thing about this weekend is that if we come out on top, we get to play Amsterdam in the World Bowl. If we win that game, it will outweigh the two losses to them. We just need to finish and execute.
Our running back, Roger Robinson, is really close to breaking the single-season rushing title. It feels good to be a part of an offensive line and offensive unit that can set an NFL Europe league record, and a Frankfurt Galaxy record. It's a good feeling, and to be a part of that is special. That bodes well for our offensive line, and it means we reached our goal of establishing an identity and being successful.
It will be nice to get out of the hotel and back home. As players, whenever you live together and see each other everyday, it wears on you. Ten to fourteen weeks eating every meal together, playing together, and going out together can make anyone get at each other's throats. But that's when the true team chemistry comes out. How you react in adverse situations, how you bond; that's what makes a team. Obviously our main goal is to go home and make a football team, so of course there is going to be a lot of stress and anxiety around the team. I felt that our team, through the tough times and the good times, has meshed really well together. That's the kind of team we have this year on the Galaxy.
I'm not nervous for the upcoming game against Berlin. Our goal is to win and have a World Bowl berth, but our team is not a squad that gets nervous. I think we play better under pressure. That bodes well for a good team. We've had a good week of practice so far. That's not to say that we're overlooking Berlin, it's just that we have confidence in ourselves. We're looking forward to the World Bowl. Our main goal is to take one game at a time, and you win some and lose some, but I think we're preparing to win this football game.
Unfortunately Casey is going home today, but it has been a great seven weeks with her here in Germany. She won't be able to go to the World Bowl if we make it, but like I said before, I feel really fortunate that I had a part of my family here with me the whole time.
We're leaving Frankfurt tomorrow morning, and we'll go straight to Düsseldorf if we win. Frankfurt has been a great city, the people are absolutely great here, the restaurants are amazing, and when we play the fan support is unbelievable. I can't say enough about the fans. I actually went to a fan barbeque with Daniel Benetka (defensive tackle), David Kimball (kicker), Martin Latka (fullback), and Casey. They cooked for us, they gave us presents, and we signed autographs. Little things like that that will be instilled in my memory have made this trip special. For us, as players, to have fans like that gives us an edge. It makes us want to play hard for them.
I've developed some relationships with some of the guys that I feel will last a lifetime. You don't remember all the tough practices and training camps, you remember the great times with the guys both on the field and off. That's what makes a great team. That's when you get on a roll.
Being in a hotel for ten plus weeks now, I'm looking forward to a change of scenery. Obviously, we want to get to Düsseldorf. I heard that they have a nice week planned for us during the week of the World Bowl. I miss my family. I don't usually get homesick, but I'm ready to see my mother and father, my brothers, and my animals when I get back home. On the other hand, we as a team want to finish what we started and achieve all of our goals. We have the opportunity to do that going into Berlin. If we win, we go. If we don't, we'll have to see how the Rhein Fire does. But we're definitely in the best position right now to make it to the championship. We just need to finish strong.
I've had a great overall experience. I've worked with some great coaches, and met some great people that have had a big impact on my life. This has been a great learning experience, coming over here to NFL Europe. It has been quite an experience getting game film, meeting new people, and making new friends.
I'd like to say thank you to all of the fans, to the Frankfurt Galaxy organization, and to NFL Europe for giving me an opportunity to come and play football. Not too many people get to come live in Europe for three months, and it has been a fantastic experience.
