*Harp about draft!

[OBESE]

The NSFL Draft now is done and everyone has been drafted to one or another team. Some of you from the press might be wondering why there was not media releases from Declan prior the Draft or during the draft to make his name to be around, then the answer is simple - that was what Declan did not want to. He did speak with most of the GM's of the teams and that was all publicity he needed. Now when the draft is over, we can talk about what happened prior the draft, what was talked, who Declan was talking to and what were his thoughts.

Okey, so let's start with the first team that kind of rolled the ball for Declan - SaberCats!
SaberCats were the first team that approached Harp and invited to the meeting. We all know how it went as there already was articled and media coverage about it. Of course the announcement from Declan about not being drafted by SaberCats did change some things and GM's started to look more carefully at this young player. The fact that SaberCats spoke with Harp so early and did their scouting early was understanding because they had the most picks this draft and there was a lot of players to speak with, to figure out who to take. During the live draft, the SaberCats GM was one of the guests-hosts and around 4th pick while talking about who SaberCats might take, he said that he has to respect the wish of Harp not wanting to be drafted by SaberCats, which gave the feeling that that was the draft position where Declan could have gone.

The next team Harp spoke with was Outlaws. He had the chance to see the GM'ing of Roly for a bit when Declan played for the Marshalls till he moved to be GM of Arizona, so it was a team already with a person that Harp has made the connection. The talk was really chill, both parties talked about what are they looking at and what would be their wish. Of course, one of the topics was a deeper explanation about the article published after the meeting with SaberCats. After the talks Arizona seemed like a good location, although they are rebuilding. When asked about Harp possibly taking a role of a leader for the team, he refused it as there was no way he would think of himself to be a worthy leader when he still was adjusting to the game and league himself. No talks followed after the one and as we saw Arizona Outlaws did not pick Declan with their second pick.

Then maybe a few days later the Co-GM of Hawks called Harp as part of their early scouting and they had a decent talk. This one was a bit different as it feels more casual in general. At first, followed all the introductions and the questions and standards that the team is looking for and following but after that there was a more general conversation about the actual situation for tight ends in the league and in the specific teams. It was in no way biased or pushing towards Baltimore, it was more a fact check of which teams have good tight ends and which ones might be more interested in picking one up in this draft. Baltimore actually was one of the back end teams as they already have a good tight end from the recent season 7 draft, so they seemed like a not possible destination. Already later the GM of Baltimore Hawks actually showed up and we had a meeting where he tried to get to know Declan better. Both sides seemed very satisfied with the talks and good vibes were coming out of it.

Liberty was actually one of the teams that straight away said - we do not care about that situation around SaberCats, we are happy to look at you as a clean player. Some questions were asked and answered, but one of the most important seemed about Harps thoughts for a position switch. Other teams also asked about this, but the answer was the same - No. Harp stood his ground as he does not intend to actually switch his position and stay as tight end his whole career. Might be that was the reason why Liberty did not pick up Declan with their third pick, but we will not know for now.

Wraiths were super cool and straight forward with not that many questions, but with deep interest in Harp and already plans how and where to use this player in their team. It is hard to know would Wraiths pick up Declan if they could as their first pick was the last one in the first round, but Declan was picked up in the middle of the first round. But they were really pumped if they could have the chance to get him.

Otters did have a meeting with Declan and you can say that it was really formal, really by the book. It all started with the introduction and presentation of what the heck Orange County Otters are and what have they done in the past. I mean they are a strong team with strong record on their hands and anyone would be happy to play for such strong team. There were some discussion about the fact that they are already quite packed with receivers, but the Co-GM that was at the meeting, did assure that it does not matter as the team is a heavy passing team anyways and everyone would get their fair share of involvement, considering that the GM is a great strategist. There was definitely interest by the Otters but in the conversation after the meeting, but sides understood that the sixth pick of the first round that Otters had might not stretch it and Harp could be gone by that time. So possibly, if Baltimore would not have picked Declan, Otters would have.

Yeti's made a simple phone call that was not that long and gave out the feeling that it is just a procedure contacting to cover all the prospects, so Declans answers were based on the energy that the teams GM gave him. Only two questions were asked, one about position change and another was - would Declan be happy if drafted by Yetis. After he answered both of the questions the GM did offer to have a one on one meeting where they can have better conversation that over the phone to which Declan replied - if you are really interested in me, then sure, let's do it, if you are not sure, then let's just save our time. I guess that answer was enough for them to figure out do they want Harp or not, because the one on one meeting never happened.

And the last team that contacted Harp was - NOLA. It was a funny phone call where the GM just said Hi, introduced himself and wished the best for the upcoming draft. He said they would take Declan if not for the fact that their first pick was somewhere in the fourth round and he knew that there is no bloody way that Harp would fall that far. He mentioned that maybe in the future they might get him as a Free Agent if Declan would ever end up being one, but for now that's it. It was a nice gesture from the teams side and definitely put them as a possible place of interest if ever anything would happen.

After all the conversations with all the team representatives the most interest from Declan Harp was in Arizona, Yellowknife, Orange County and Baltimore, not in a specific order. Liberty and Yeti's were bit behind the top list, NOLA was not a possible destination anyways and SaberCats were a no go at all.

When speaking with GM's for Harp it was important to let them know that he has few requirements as well and he expected any team that would draft him to meet them. The two requirements were that Harp will play for at least one more season down in DSFL and that he will not officially change position. At this moment Baltimore Hawks have already accepted the requirements and Declan Harp is staying down in DSFL and playing again for Kansas City Coyotes.

The fact that Baltimore drafted Declan was a shock to a lot of experts, fans, players and everyone else as well, but Harp feels good about the team and feels that when he will move to the big league, they will figure everything out and find a perfect way how to oil the mechanism together with all the pieces that they already have. There is a future we do not know about, so we can just wait and see what happens!

Soon after publishing this article there might be an open press conference from Declan Harp so stay tuned and with all the questions about what has happened and what are Harp's thoughts about his future you will be able to ask in the press conference.

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