04-05-2020, 06:05 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-05-2020, 06:16 AM by earlbacher.)
After announcing his draft eligibility, Alabama linebacker Brian Earlbacher was quick to speak to the media to share his thoughts on where he would like to end up in both the DSFL and NSFL.
To DSFL GMs
Given that Earlbacher will need to spend at least one season in the DSFL before moving into the NSFL, he wanted to get this statement out to DSFL GMs first and foremost.
"I am happy to play for any team in the DSFL. A player of my calibre isn't likely to have a particularly long career in the developmental league, so I'm not fazed about where I end up".
However, Earlbacher also had this important message for DSFL and NSFL GMs alike:
"I'm not going to be your locker room guy. I lead by example with my training, preparation, and performance on the field. I'm not one to rally the troops or to keep other people accountable, so if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere".
[Note: what I mean here is that because of the timezone difference, I'm not likely to be super active during the times the rest of the team is. I'm still interesting in being active in Discord, but I will probably miss the busy times is all].
To NSFL GMs
In stark contrast to his relative indifference about which DSFL team he ends up on, Earlbacher was much more concerned about what his NSFL future holds.
"Next season will be the twenty-second since the league's inception. There's very little left to achieve as an individual player, if anything at all. Not without a career's worth of work, success, and luck at any rate. However, there's something that I can immediately do, and that's help a team win their first ever championship".
Earlbacher was adamant that this was his number one priority as a prospective draftee.
"I don't want to go to a team where success is essentially routine. I want to come into an environment where I can be a difference-maker; where our success will be cherished, even if it never comes a second time".
However, the young linebacker stopped short of suggesting he would pull an Eli Manning if he ended up on one of these successful teams.
"No, I would never refuse to play for any team. In fact, whoever does draft me will get a solid few years out of me no matter what. But, ultimately, I will move on to a team that is seeking their first championship. So, if you think you can make use of me immediately and it won't be too big a blow to lose me after a short stint, feel free to draft me if you have the chance. Otherwise, I'm hoping to be drafted by one of a small group of teams".
Draft Preference List
4. Chicago Butchers
The lowest-ranked team on my draft preference list is the Butchers. Although they are yet to win their first Ultimus, I'm concerned about the steps they're taking to address this. While I want to go to a team where I can help them have major success for the first time, I also don't want to be essentially a lone ranger.
I don't know enough about the situation in its entirety, but seeing both GMs walk out on the team, only to be replaced by members of the same front office against the recommendations of the league owners is concerning for me as a potential draftee. Until I see some concrete evidence that this team is on the right path, they will remain my least desired landing place of the championshipless teams.
3. Colorado Yeti
The Yeti are an interesting proposition. They are one of the founding teams, meaning that they have gone 21 seasons without claiming ultimate glory. As such, this is a team I am very much interested in joining. In fact, part of what drove me to choose linebacker was a combination of the relative lack of linebackers in the league compared to other positions, and the fact that the Yeti are ageing at this position. While I would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about the fact that they have gone so long without being able to win it all, I can see from recent history and the existing roster that the team can't be accused of not trying to win, which - combined with theirs being the longest winless streak - is why they are ahead of the Butchers.
1a & 1b. Sarasota Sailfish and Honolulu Hahalua
While the lure of helping a team like the Yeti win their maiden championship after such a long time is undeniable, there's also something poetic about the idea of joining an expansion team early on and helping them win on the biggest stage before some of the pre-existing teams. That's why I'm ranking the two newest teams in the NSFL as my preferred landing spot for when I'm eventually drafted.
Closing Thoughts
I'd like to finish by reiterating that despite my desire to play for a team that is yet to win the Ultimus, I would not refuse playing for any other team that does draft me. With that said, I would hope that any GMs who make this call would appreciate and respect my desire to move on to such a team a few seasons after I was initially drafted.
To DSFL GMs
Given that Earlbacher will need to spend at least one season in the DSFL before moving into the NSFL, he wanted to get this statement out to DSFL GMs first and foremost.
"I am happy to play for any team in the DSFL. A player of my calibre isn't likely to have a particularly long career in the developmental league, so I'm not fazed about where I end up".
However, Earlbacher also had this important message for DSFL and NSFL GMs alike:
"I'm not going to be your locker room guy. I lead by example with my training, preparation, and performance on the field. I'm not one to rally the troops or to keep other people accountable, so if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere".
[Note: what I mean here is that because of the timezone difference, I'm not likely to be super active during the times the rest of the team is. I'm still interesting in being active in Discord, but I will probably miss the busy times is all].
To NSFL GMs
In stark contrast to his relative indifference about which DSFL team he ends up on, Earlbacher was much more concerned about what his NSFL future holds.
"Next season will be the twenty-second since the league's inception. There's very little left to achieve as an individual player, if anything at all. Not without a career's worth of work, success, and luck at any rate. However, there's something that I can immediately do, and that's help a team win their first ever championship".
Earlbacher was adamant that this was his number one priority as a prospective draftee.
"I don't want to go to a team where success is essentially routine. I want to come into an environment where I can be a difference-maker; where our success will be cherished, even if it never comes a second time".
However, the young linebacker stopped short of suggesting he would pull an Eli Manning if he ended up on one of these successful teams.
"No, I would never refuse to play for any team. In fact, whoever does draft me will get a solid few years out of me no matter what. But, ultimately, I will move on to a team that is seeking their first championship. So, if you think you can make use of me immediately and it won't be too big a blow to lose me after a short stint, feel free to draft me if you have the chance. Otherwise, I'm hoping to be drafted by one of a small group of teams".
Draft Preference List
4. Chicago Butchers
The lowest-ranked team on my draft preference list is the Butchers. Although they are yet to win their first Ultimus, I'm concerned about the steps they're taking to address this. While I want to go to a team where I can help them have major success for the first time, I also don't want to be essentially a lone ranger.
I don't know enough about the situation in its entirety, but seeing both GMs walk out on the team, only to be replaced by members of the same front office against the recommendations of the league owners is concerning for me as a potential draftee. Until I see some concrete evidence that this team is on the right path, they will remain my least desired landing place of the championshipless teams.
3. Colorado Yeti
The Yeti are an interesting proposition. They are one of the founding teams, meaning that they have gone 21 seasons without claiming ultimate glory. As such, this is a team I am very much interested in joining. In fact, part of what drove me to choose linebacker was a combination of the relative lack of linebackers in the league compared to other positions, and the fact that the Yeti are ageing at this position. While I would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about the fact that they have gone so long without being able to win it all, I can see from recent history and the existing roster that the team can't be accused of not trying to win, which - combined with theirs being the longest winless streak - is why they are ahead of the Butchers.
1a & 1b. Sarasota Sailfish and Honolulu Hahalua
While the lure of helping a team like the Yeti win their maiden championship after such a long time is undeniable, there's also something poetic about the idea of joining an expansion team early on and helping them win on the biggest stage before some of the pre-existing teams. That's why I'm ranking the two newest teams in the NSFL as my preferred landing spot for when I'm eventually drafted.
Closing Thoughts
I'd like to finish by reiterating that despite my desire to play for a team that is yet to win the Ultimus, I would not refuse playing for any other team that does draft me. With that said, I would hope that any GMs who make this call would appreciate and respect my desire to move on to such a team a few seasons after I was initially drafted.