[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Vander Jones was drafted by the Orange County Otters two seasons ago and he has not played a single snap for the team. Instead he has been playing the DSFL with the San Antonio Marshall partly because it was his desire to stay in DSFL but mostly because the Otters did not have a spot for him. When Jones was drafted by the Otters he signed a three year contract that included a mutual option in the final year. The plan for Jones is that he will be using that mutual option and choose to opt out and hit free agency. Will he garner much interest? It is hard to say considering he was only contact by two teams when he was a prospect in the NSFL draft two seasons ago. Plus it's not as if Jones has been earning TPE at a rapid rate, he basically has done all the free stuff, and provided no extra effort which is also part of the reason he has been in the DSFL for three seasons now. However he is still here and has been earning TPE at a moderate pace and could possibly pick up that pace now that he is about to be forced into playing in the NSFL. We are still weeks away from the free agency period but Jones is deciding to put together a list of teams he could see himself playing for or wanting to play for as well as his desires in both the team culture and his contract.
Orange County Otters
While Jones is going to choose to opt out of his contract he can certainly still wind up back with the Otters. He isn't exactly looking to leave because he hasn't enjoyed his time around the Otters franchise so if they have a spot for him it isn't out of the realm of possibility he ends up staying. The big positive the Otters have going for them is familiarity, as he has spent two seasons in the Otters locker room, as well as his best friend Johnny Blaze being on the team. Jones had zero draft stock but thanks to his relationship with Blaze and his short time in the Marshalls locker room, that has some Otters members in it, the Otters decided to put Jones with Blaze and hope it would entice him to be more active. So far it has worked and if he left the Otters it isn't out of the question to wonder if Jones would remain interested in the league. The only way this marriage would continue is if the Otters have a spot for Jones which they may not when it is all said and done.
New Orleans Second Line
One of only two teams that contacted Jones in the pre-draft questionnaire stage was the New Orleans Second Line. Jones was convinced that NOLA would be the team to draft him because it seemed the interest was genuine and they had some late round draft choices. Pair that with a draft day trade where they traded away the corner back they drafted and Jones was even more convinced. However the Otters jumped on Jones unexpectedly and NOLA never got the chance to draft him. Headed into this season there was some rumored interest again from NOLA in acquiring Jones but it never came to fruition. It may have been because of the contract, having an opt out, or the fact that the Otters may have wanted too much if there actually ever was any talk between the two teams. From an opportunity standpoint this team may offer the most to Jones as they are going through a complete rebuild and need to add some punch in the secondary. This team will be high on Jones' list if they are interested and make a good offer.
Philadelphia Liberty
Secondary seems to be a position of need for the Liberty as the corner backs on the roster currently are uninspiring to say the least. It is possible that the safeties are actually playing corner, I haven't looked that closely, but regardless there appears to be positions in the secondary to fill. Jones could fit right in for the Liberty as they look to build back up to a contender. The biggest thing going for the Liberty, even more than the seemingly open secondary spots, is the coach BWIII. Jones and BW go way back, much like Blaze and Jones, and the familiarity would help keep Jones motivated and active. These two have been crossing paths for literal years and they even live in the same state during the off season. It is unclear if the Liberty will have interest in Jones but the interest is there on the player side of things.
The Rest
Outside of those top three there isn't anything that would exactly make Jones want to play for them based on prior experiences. However, with that said, Jones is open to every team and mainly wants to go through the free agency process and get a feel for who needs his services. Any team that is interested will definitely be heard and considered.
Free Agency Wants
1. Money
The single most important thing for Jones is to cash in as much as possible. We can all claim we do it for the love of the game but in order to stay in the game at a competitive level Jones will need money. Up until this point Jones has not done any extra work to earn money and it has been completely based on his contracts. He is hoping to keep it that way. Jones is hoping to get enough money to do weekly training for an entire season and then he will continue to the extra TPE earning methods the league has to offer. This won't break a team's chance if they aren't the highest offer but the more money the more enticing it will be for Jones to join. Does Jones have the clout to demand high dollars? Absolutely not. But it doesn't hurt to be up front and see what comes his way.
2. Opportunity
Playing time and opportunity to start in a secondary is going to be crucial element in any offer for Jones. He is aware that this would likely eliminate a few teams, especially the championship contenders right now, but it wouldn't be very fun to finally make it to the NSFL and then have to sit on the bench or play nickel corner and get very few chances to make plays. Jones could have very well been called up by the Otters this season to provide depth but he asked to stay in the DSFL to get more playing time which they were more than happy to grant it for him. Playing time equals fun time and fun time equals motivation.
3. Honesty
The final thing that Jones wants and appreciates is honesty. He isn't interested in hearing all about the peachy times he could have if he signed for a specific team. Jones operates in realistic terms and he flat out wants to know what his role would be and why the team wants him. If it's simply to add a young player with a little bit of upside and you have zero interest in adding the user behind him to the locker room, tell him, he will appreciate and respect that more than if you blew smoke up his butt about how great he is and how great they could be together. Be up front.[/div]
Orange County Otters
While Jones is going to choose to opt out of his contract he can certainly still wind up back with the Otters. He isn't exactly looking to leave because he hasn't enjoyed his time around the Otters franchise so if they have a spot for him it isn't out of the realm of possibility he ends up staying. The big positive the Otters have going for them is familiarity, as he has spent two seasons in the Otters locker room, as well as his best friend Johnny Blaze being on the team. Jones had zero draft stock but thanks to his relationship with Blaze and his short time in the Marshalls locker room, that has some Otters members in it, the Otters decided to put Jones with Blaze and hope it would entice him to be more active. So far it has worked and if he left the Otters it isn't out of the question to wonder if Jones would remain interested in the league. The only way this marriage would continue is if the Otters have a spot for Jones which they may not when it is all said and done.
New Orleans Second Line
One of only two teams that contacted Jones in the pre-draft questionnaire stage was the New Orleans Second Line. Jones was convinced that NOLA would be the team to draft him because it seemed the interest was genuine and they had some late round draft choices. Pair that with a draft day trade where they traded away the corner back they drafted and Jones was even more convinced. However the Otters jumped on Jones unexpectedly and NOLA never got the chance to draft him. Headed into this season there was some rumored interest again from NOLA in acquiring Jones but it never came to fruition. It may have been because of the contract, having an opt out, or the fact that the Otters may have wanted too much if there actually ever was any talk between the two teams. From an opportunity standpoint this team may offer the most to Jones as they are going through a complete rebuild and need to add some punch in the secondary. This team will be high on Jones' list if they are interested and make a good offer.
Philadelphia Liberty
Secondary seems to be a position of need for the Liberty as the corner backs on the roster currently are uninspiring to say the least. It is possible that the safeties are actually playing corner, I haven't looked that closely, but regardless there appears to be positions in the secondary to fill. Jones could fit right in for the Liberty as they look to build back up to a contender. The biggest thing going for the Liberty, even more than the seemingly open secondary spots, is the coach BWIII. Jones and BW go way back, much like Blaze and Jones, and the familiarity would help keep Jones motivated and active. These two have been crossing paths for literal years and they even live in the same state during the off season. It is unclear if the Liberty will have interest in Jones but the interest is there on the player side of things.
The Rest
Outside of those top three there isn't anything that would exactly make Jones want to play for them based on prior experiences. However, with that said, Jones is open to every team and mainly wants to go through the free agency process and get a feel for who needs his services. Any team that is interested will definitely be heard and considered.
Free Agency Wants
1. Money
The single most important thing for Jones is to cash in as much as possible. We can all claim we do it for the love of the game but in order to stay in the game at a competitive level Jones will need money. Up until this point Jones has not done any extra work to earn money and it has been completely based on his contracts. He is hoping to keep it that way. Jones is hoping to get enough money to do weekly training for an entire season and then he will continue to the extra TPE earning methods the league has to offer. This won't break a team's chance if they aren't the highest offer but the more money the more enticing it will be for Jones to join. Does Jones have the clout to demand high dollars? Absolutely not. But it doesn't hurt to be up front and see what comes his way.
2. Opportunity
Playing time and opportunity to start in a secondary is going to be crucial element in any offer for Jones. He is aware that this would likely eliminate a few teams, especially the championship contenders right now, but it wouldn't be very fun to finally make it to the NSFL and then have to sit on the bench or play nickel corner and get very few chances to make plays. Jones could have very well been called up by the Otters this season to provide depth but he asked to stay in the DSFL to get more playing time which they were more than happy to grant it for him. Playing time equals fun time and fun time equals motivation.
3. Honesty
The final thing that Jones wants and appreciates is honesty. He isn't interested in hearing all about the peachy times he could have if he signed for a specific team. Jones operates in realistic terms and he flat out wants to know what his role would be and why the team wants him. If it's simply to add a young player with a little bit of upside and you have zero interest in adding the user behind him to the locker room, tell him, he will appreciate and respect that more than if you blew smoke up his butt about how great he is and how great they could be together. Be up front.[/div]
S25 Sarasota: 26 rec, 437 yds, 16.8 ypc, 4 TD
S26 Sarasota: 45 rec, 724 yds, 16.1 ypc, 7 TD
S27 Sarasota: 81 rec, 1,122 yds, 13.9 ypc, 8 TD **Ultimus Champs**
S27 Sarasota: 81 rec, 1,122 yds, 13.9 ypc, 8 TD **Ultimus Champs**
S28 Sarasota: 84 rec, 1,182 yds, 14.1 ypc, 3 TD
S29 Sarasota: 105 rec, 1,470 yds, 14.0 ypc, 14 TD **PRO BOWL**
S30 Sarasota: 80 rec, 1,174 yds, 14.7 ypc, 9 TD **Ultimus Champs**
S30 Sarasota: 80 rec, 1,174 yds, 14.7 ypc, 9 TD **Ultimus Champs**
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