08-24-2021, 08:45 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-28-2021, 11:58 PM by allbetsonjames. Edited 1 time in total.)
Tensions are running high in the San Jose locker room, as 2044 Draft pick Buffalo Hunter has decided to opt out of his final year mutual option. It is believed that Hunter simply wants to test the interest level around the league, before deciding whether to re-sign with the Sabercats or take up a deal with a new team. Hunter was the third Tight End selected in that draft and still believes he should have been a first round selection based on multiple factors including activity, work ethic and bank balance, but saw both Chevvy Bronko and Gronko Meurto taken before him by Philadelphia and Berlin respectively.
Whether or not this has fueled his desire to chase an Ultimus victory as soon as possible, which would be a near impossibility with the Sabercats remains to be seen, but he has spoken publicly about biding his time while James Lewandowski chased the 600 reception milestone with San Jose ensuring that they were providing him with every opportunity to do so. Hunter only saw 25 targets all season and sitting on the sidelines seems to have unsettled the young TE. "I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't disappointed with my role this season. I didn't expect to usurp Lewandowski in my first season as a Sabercat, but I think my usage was pretty low and I could have been given a little more game time. I saw 25 targets(with 20 receptions) for the entire season, so coming from the London Royals system where I was a priority target probably gave me a false sense of importance at the ISFL level. I expected more action and was disappointed when it didn't arrive. That's why I have opted out of the final year, to see what teams might have a role for me, or the possibility to compete for an Ultimus in the next couple of seasons. I haven't ruled out returning to San Jose, assuming they are even still interested at this point, but I'd be denying myself an opportunity to see how teams might value my skillset and ability to be honest".
The Sabercats were undeniably right to give Lewandowski every opportunity to chase glory, and reward his service to the franchise, however this seems to be a case of having an impatient young replacement, eager to contribute and showcase his ability, being frustrated with the situation he found himself in post-draft. In fact, San Jose might have been better off asking Hunter to remain in London until Lewandowski was finished, as the 2 TE sets were seemingly not utilized as discussed prior to Hunters arrival in San Jose, possibly leading to some of the frustration seen this season.
There will probably not be a lot of interest in a seemingly petulant young player like Hunter, as teams usually like their players to fit into the team environment and not disrupt the atmosphere that can take several seasons to develop. Is it a risk to sign Buffalo Hunter? Sure. But it's also a risk not to.
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