So. Now that I talked about my plans for myself in terms of not GMing and such I wanna talk about my player some. Even though I know there's a least a few of you out there who don't really believe that I didn't apply. And fair. Telling people publicly that I'm not doing it while privately doing it for the sheer entertainment value when I get it does sound like some shit I'd do. But I'm not doing it.
As such I've been contacting ISFL teams myself (yall thought I was done scouting early just because I'm not a GM?). It's been an interesting process to speak to a variety of teams, many of whom are quite clearly unsure of my intentions and are probably lying to me. Which sounds judgey. But keep it in mind from their perspective:
-Even if they understand that I dont want to do expansion, they may not be sure of how long until i decide to GM. Well, I've made the call to remove myself from the GM game for a while. I've given myself a minimum 6 month break starting earlier this month. So mid-Feburary at the earliest is when I'm going to consider going back in.
-Even if they understand my feelings on that they may not know how hard I'm trying to get back to the Copperheads. Also fair. I did build the team after all. Is this one of those things where I'm just gonna run back to them at first opportunity? No. I love the team. I love the locker room. In the event they draft me I'll be perfectly happy there. But I have no special pull to get back here. I gave the team everything it needed and it doesn't need me mothering it. It doesn't need to be saved and can survive without me perfectly fine. I will always be the founder of the team. Nothing changes that. But like...I haven't even owned the discord in like 6 months. I made sure that when I stepped aside that it wasn't some "ruling form the shadows" nonsense. I'm just a guy in the war room. And if I get drafted to another team, there's not going to be some inevitable time til my return. It'll be a clean break. If I ever do return it will be because its the best option for me. Not because I made it. The same way I don't pop in on Arizona, the rookie mentors, or awards and try to run things. The same way I'm not just gonna crash on Sam's couch when she's older. The Copperheads can and will exist without me. Hell, I took a quiet 3 week break near the end of last season to assess my feelings and they basically already did it. So.....to make it clear. Whatever team drafts me will have my full attention.
-Even if a team understand all the preceding points, there still may be the question of long term commitment. There's two points to make here. The first is that I just retired a player after 4 seasons. I hated playing safety and had no special connection to the character. On the other hand I loved being a WR and my character is literally me so...I feel like any worry about the position or character should be nonexistent. The other half of the long term worry would be the feeling that clearly I'm the type who will leave if I don't think things are headed ion the right direction. This will be accurate. I'm not committed to the idea of staying or going. I'm committed to the idea of being in a good situation. If that means the team is headed in the right direction, then I'll be there. If not, then I wont. The key point that GMs often have to consider is whether their idea of right direction matches up to the player's. So they may be a tad skittish on that front. Well, let me be clear and concise on what that means to me. The first half is that team is working towards a title, or building the roster for a title. the second half is that I am in position to contribute. I want to finally make a Hall of Famer. So being in position to do that is also important. So there you go. I'm going to do my best at all times to be up front with GMs. And my team.
So...where does all this lead? Well, it leads hopefully to a great career for Adam Spencer. But in the meantime, it leads me to telling GMs what I want. My demands for my draft. I'm not gonna go full Dermot over here but I have a few things I want. There likely wont be a lot of surprise here but its still good to lay things out openly.
#1 I want to come up immediately.
Now this likely means I start as a WR3. I'm beyond fine with that. In fact I've focused my current build so that on day 1 I am ready to excel in that role. 80 sped, 80 catch, 75 agility, etc. By the time I get to the big league in S25 I plan to have all the major attributes raised to an average or above level. If I'm going to demand to start right away, I'm going to live up to the needs of that demand.
#2 I will be tamperable at any time by anyone
I have said many times that this will be part of every contract I ever sign going forward and I meant it. This is not a you thing. This is a me thing. This is a result of having to be on many sides of tampering issues that have been ridiculous. Also I can speak from experience here. Teams don't actually take advantage of it that much.
#3 I'd like to be in the war room
This is negotiable. If you have a full thriving bustling war room and you don't really want any more people in it, I understand. If I can look at the war room and say "hey..they dont need me at all" then that's 100% cool. If you keep me out and I don't feel like its doing the best job or really thriving...well...my contract will end eventually. That seems like a fair stance to me. Alternatively, if I'm in the war room, your team gets better. My resume speaks for itself and I have numerous references.
#4 A no trade clause to Orange County
This one is important. I understand that trading happens. As long as a GM is upfront with me, I get it. I've been there. Just not to that team. Not for any malicious or angry reasons. Simply put I think its cool that I'm one of the more successful people in the league (4 Ultimus rings, 1 GM of the Year, and more Pro Bowls than I can count) and I've never played for OCO while doing it. I want to keep that intact. I've spoken with OCO about this and made sure they understood why I feel this way. This clause protects it from ever taking place and will also follow me going forward. Because I don't expect future GMs and people to be aware of every little thing and remember. So I'll take care of it myself. I'd rather explain it a bunch more times as need be.
And there they are. Reasonable in my view for what I hope to accomplish and hopefully understandable and manageable form a team perspective as well. Also a good barometer. If you're looking at the tampering clause for example and it makes you really unhappy...then we probably aren't right for each other anyway. And if that's your feeling I have no problem with you telling me that. Or shaking your fist a bit if others start adopting it too. That's fair.
So...I hope this has helped lay out a lot more about my priorities, goals, plans, and what you can expect as you consider drafting me. Additional fun fact. I've literally never been drafted in round 1 in the ISFL. I'm just saying. Also, I am stupid rich in the league and don't get a shit about money. GMs, I hope to hear more from you soon. I promise I'll let you lead this stage.
As such I've been contacting ISFL teams myself (yall thought I was done scouting early just because I'm not a GM?). It's been an interesting process to speak to a variety of teams, many of whom are quite clearly unsure of my intentions and are probably lying to me. Which sounds judgey. But keep it in mind from their perspective:
-Even if they understand that I dont want to do expansion, they may not be sure of how long until i decide to GM. Well, I've made the call to remove myself from the GM game for a while. I've given myself a minimum 6 month break starting earlier this month. So mid-Feburary at the earliest is when I'm going to consider going back in.
-Even if they understand my feelings on that they may not know how hard I'm trying to get back to the Copperheads. Also fair. I did build the team after all. Is this one of those things where I'm just gonna run back to them at first opportunity? No. I love the team. I love the locker room. In the event they draft me I'll be perfectly happy there. But I have no special pull to get back here. I gave the team everything it needed and it doesn't need me mothering it. It doesn't need to be saved and can survive without me perfectly fine. I will always be the founder of the team. Nothing changes that. But like...I haven't even owned the discord in like 6 months. I made sure that when I stepped aside that it wasn't some "ruling form the shadows" nonsense. I'm just a guy in the war room. And if I get drafted to another team, there's not going to be some inevitable time til my return. It'll be a clean break. If I ever do return it will be because its the best option for me. Not because I made it. The same way I don't pop in on Arizona, the rookie mentors, or awards and try to run things. The same way I'm not just gonna crash on Sam's couch when she's older. The Copperheads can and will exist without me. Hell, I took a quiet 3 week break near the end of last season to assess my feelings and they basically already did it. So.....to make it clear. Whatever team drafts me will have my full attention.
-Even if a team understand all the preceding points, there still may be the question of long term commitment. There's two points to make here. The first is that I just retired a player after 4 seasons. I hated playing safety and had no special connection to the character. On the other hand I loved being a WR and my character is literally me so...I feel like any worry about the position or character should be nonexistent. The other half of the long term worry would be the feeling that clearly I'm the type who will leave if I don't think things are headed ion the right direction. This will be accurate. I'm not committed to the idea of staying or going. I'm committed to the idea of being in a good situation. If that means the team is headed in the right direction, then I'll be there. If not, then I wont. The key point that GMs often have to consider is whether their idea of right direction matches up to the player's. So they may be a tad skittish on that front. Well, let me be clear and concise on what that means to me. The first half is that team is working towards a title, or building the roster for a title. the second half is that I am in position to contribute. I want to finally make a Hall of Famer. So being in position to do that is also important. So there you go. I'm going to do my best at all times to be up front with GMs. And my team.
So...where does all this lead? Well, it leads hopefully to a great career for Adam Spencer. But in the meantime, it leads me to telling GMs what I want. My demands for my draft. I'm not gonna go full Dermot over here but I have a few things I want. There likely wont be a lot of surprise here but its still good to lay things out openly.
#1 I want to come up immediately.
Now this likely means I start as a WR3. I'm beyond fine with that. In fact I've focused my current build so that on day 1 I am ready to excel in that role. 80 sped, 80 catch, 75 agility, etc. By the time I get to the big league in S25 I plan to have all the major attributes raised to an average or above level. If I'm going to demand to start right away, I'm going to live up to the needs of that demand.
#2 I will be tamperable at any time by anyone
I have said many times that this will be part of every contract I ever sign going forward and I meant it. This is not a you thing. This is a me thing. This is a result of having to be on many sides of tampering issues that have been ridiculous. Also I can speak from experience here. Teams don't actually take advantage of it that much.
#3 I'd like to be in the war room
This is negotiable. If you have a full thriving bustling war room and you don't really want any more people in it, I understand. If I can look at the war room and say "hey..they dont need me at all" then that's 100% cool. If you keep me out and I don't feel like its doing the best job or really thriving...well...my contract will end eventually. That seems like a fair stance to me. Alternatively, if I'm in the war room, your team gets better. My resume speaks for itself and I have numerous references.
#4 A no trade clause to Orange County
This one is important. I understand that trading happens. As long as a GM is upfront with me, I get it. I've been there. Just not to that team. Not for any malicious or angry reasons. Simply put I think its cool that I'm one of the more successful people in the league (4 Ultimus rings, 1 GM of the Year, and more Pro Bowls than I can count) and I've never played for OCO while doing it. I want to keep that intact. I've spoken with OCO about this and made sure they understood why I feel this way. This clause protects it from ever taking place and will also follow me going forward. Because I don't expect future GMs and people to be aware of every little thing and remember. So I'll take care of it myself. I'd rather explain it a bunch more times as need be.
And there they are. Reasonable in my view for what I hope to accomplish and hopefully understandable and manageable form a team perspective as well. Also a good barometer. If you're looking at the tampering clause for example and it makes you really unhappy...then we probably aren't right for each other anyway. And if that's your feeling I have no problem with you telling me that. Or shaking your fist a bit if others start adopting it too. That's fair.
So...I hope this has helped lay out a lot more about my priorities, goals, plans, and what you can expect as you consider drafting me. Additional fun fact. I've literally never been drafted in round 1 in the ISFL. I'm just saying. Also, I am stupid rich in the league and don't get a shit about money. GMs, I hope to hear more from you soon. I promise I'll let you lead this stage.
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1403 words