Mar 4th, 2022 00:00, by Chris H.

New city, new opportunity – How Dragons Tight End Igor Mašlanka prepares for the 2022 season

Tight End Igor Mašlanka started to play football in 2018. Now, the ultra-athletic tight end moves to Barcelona to pursue his dream.

Igor Mašlanka (#87) next to Miłosz Maćków (#10) on the right. © Lukasz Skwiot

Mar 4th, 2022 00:00, by Chris H.

New city, new opportunity – How Dragons Tight End Igor Mašlanka prepares for the 2022 season

Tight End Igor Mašlanka started to play football in 2018. Now, the ultra-athletic tight end moves to Barcelona to pursue his dream.

Four years to make his biggest step. Igor Mašlanka started playing football in 2018 in the Czech Republic for the Brno Sigrs. The Slovakian born is one of a few players of his country making the step towards the biggest European stage. He even managed to qualify for the NFL International Combine in London in 2021.

The 25-year-old tight end and wide receiver transferred to the Wroclaw Panthers in 2021, after playing in the Czech Republic for three years. He was involved just for 30 yards in six catches with the Panthers but being used more and more in the running game. Due to his huge frame with 1,96 m height and 110kg weight, the Scouts immediately took action.

Mašlanka: "I want to show more next year"

“My only experience from before are from [the] Czech Republic”, Mašlanka said about his first time stepping on the field.

Looking at his first year in the European League of Football, Mašlanka is not satisfied: 

“My first year was okay. It was my first time playing on a big stage, with great players and in the biggest league in Europe. I was hoping to get more opportunities in [the] passing game, but I got into a system that didn’t use a tight end that way. Which – after all – wasn’t that bad, because at least I learnt how to block – mostly playing receiver before. I was also very lucky to have a great offensive line coach and teammate in Miłosz [Maćków] who helped me with basics and to become a complete tight end. So, after all, I would say it was positive, but I want to show more next year for sure“.

In October 2021, Mašlanka was invited to the NFL International combine in London where he put up the following numbers:

40-yard dash: 4,91s
20-yard shuttle: 4,38s
L-cone drill: 7,36s
Broad jump: 9,34ft
Vertical jump: 29inch
Bench press: 12 reps

New city, new opportunity

The Slovakian was picked up in the off-season by the Barcelona Dragons. “Signing [with] Barcelona means a lot to me. It is an opportunity to work abroad and do the job I love. I am very thankful to general manager Bart Iaccarino for believing in me and giving me chance to prove that I belong amongst the best in Europe.”

When talking about his future, Mašlanka not only wants to improve his skills but also the skills of others. “I would like to keep playing on the highest level possible, at least for the next couple of years. I also have my own gym with a friend, where I work as a strength and conditioning coach. I would also like to improve in this way. The ideal way is to grow my name in Europe and then use it as a brand for coaching other athletes that are trying to pursue a dream like myself.”

With Zach Edwards, the Barcelona Dragons have more than a solid quarterback who can provide passes to all of his guys. The new system of the Barcelona coaches may be more suitable for Mašlanka and his skillset.

More news around the Dragons here!

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