Holdouts, Absence Create Hostility in Mini-Camp
During mini-camp, it became apparent that even with Caleb Wragge's best efforts, hostility from teammates has crept into camp. Of the 10 players on the roster, only 4 showed up at camp on Friday. I was able to catch up with Sean Szarnych during camp today. Szarncyh was very straight forward and did not have anything to hide. Clearly the frustration has set in on him, and likely more of the players. Watch the interview below.
Wow.
New paragraph. Wow.
"The other people think they're franchise players so they don't want to come. They're like all Brett Favres."
~Sean Szarnych
We could probably just end this post right here, but that's not why I get paid the big bucks. Anyway, although the comments Szarnych made were verbally directed at the portion of the team not in attendance, reading through the lines a bit makes you wonder if he has someone in mind. The NIA thinks so.
Isaiah Acfalle has yet to come to team practice and is the lone player holding out on his contract. According to Wragge, he is holding out for more candy and has not yet accepted an offer for a box of tootsie pops. What's more concerning for the squad, however, is that Acfalle's contract discussions are discouraging other teammates from showing up to practice. Given that the NIA has only seen Wragge, Szarnych, Kevin Fitzgibbons, Patrick Cristi, and Aaron Ligeralde at Dribbling Seamen practices, we can begin to wonder of Acfalle's influence is affecting the rest of the team. We will call this the Acfalle Effect.
After failed attempts to get a hold of Acfalle, he eventually responded directing us to his agent, Joshua Bradshaw. We had a discussion on the matter.
Naval Intramural Academy: Isaiah Acfalle has named you his agent. When his contract situation be resolved?
Joshua Bradshaw: We are currently trying to get his contract resolved however both sides don't seem to be coming to an agreement. My client isn't asking for much. He is of top level talent and he is only requesting what is fair to him. If both sides can't come to an agreement soon, I believe trading him will be the only viable option.
NIA: Where does Mr. Acfalle want to play? Does he want to retire a Dribbling Seaman?
JB: He wants to be with the Seaman. He wants to retire a Seaman. He wants to be the best Seaman to ever play. But if the front office doesn't see him in their plans, he will take his dynamic offense and lock down defense somewhere else.
NIA: Does he have any offers from other teams at this time?
JB: Yes. Quite a few offers. Teams that want to give him more money and more incentives. However, he wants to be a part of the Seaman organization. He loves the Seaman!
NIA: What teams have leveraged offers to him?
JB: Due to him being under contract still, we aren't at liberty to discuss which teams want him. Just know that if this doesn't get resolved quickly, after his contract is up after this season, there is a good chance that a HUGE rival will have Isaiah Acfalle.
NIA: What does Isaiah have to say to the Dribbling Seamen fans about the potential of this happening?
JB: He is tragically upset for them. They deserve their MVP in the line-up but he refuses to be treated with the negativity Mr.Wragge has been sending his way both privately and publicly.
NIA: Is there anything else Mr. Acfalle would like to say?
JB: "Once I get back on the court, everyone better be afraid of the reigning MVP! I'm coming to get all of you!"
NIA: How can he be the reigning MVP if this is his rookie year in the CUI (Clarke University Intramurals)?
JB: He came from the Gavilan League (GL) where he was the MVP. The Gavilan league has always been considered the tougher league because it's in California and California is better than Iowa. CA>IA.
Regardless of the situation, the CUI basketball league starts this Sunday and the Dribbling Seamen only have a little over two days to figure this out. It does not appear that they are willing to trade Acfalle, at least before the season. So if Acfalle is willing to miss time over this, he won't be dressed this weekend. However, the Dribbling Seamen will have to figure out what exactly they want to do before the trade deadline and contracts become set for good.
Advice for fantasy owners is to trade him or keep him on your bench. You don't want to drop him and have no potential return for him.
The GL MVP looks to make an impact this year. But will the Dribbling Seamen front office let him, or better yet, will his teammates want him?
Wow.
New paragraph. Wow.
"The other people think they're franchise players so they don't want to come. They're like all Brett Favres."
~Sean Szarnych
 |
| Isaiah Acfalle has yet to make it to Dribbling Seamen practice. |
Isaiah Acfalle has yet to come to team practice and is the lone player holding out on his contract. According to Wragge, he is holding out for more candy and has not yet accepted an offer for a box of tootsie pops. What's more concerning for the squad, however, is that Acfalle's contract discussions are discouraging other teammates from showing up to practice. Given that the NIA has only seen Wragge, Szarnych, Kevin Fitzgibbons, Patrick Cristi, and Aaron Ligeralde at Dribbling Seamen practices, we can begin to wonder of Acfalle's influence is affecting the rest of the team. We will call this the Acfalle Effect.
After failed attempts to get a hold of Acfalle, he eventually responded directing us to his agent, Joshua Bradshaw. We had a discussion on the matter.
Naval Intramural Academy: Isaiah Acfalle has named you his agent. When his contract situation be resolved?
Joshua Bradshaw: We are currently trying to get his contract resolved however both sides don't seem to be coming to an agreement. My client isn't asking for much. He is of top level talent and he is only requesting what is fair to him. If both sides can't come to an agreement soon, I believe trading him will be the only viable option.
NIA: Where does Mr. Acfalle want to play? Does he want to retire a Dribbling Seaman?
JB: He wants to be with the Seaman. He wants to retire a Seaman. He wants to be the best Seaman to ever play. But if the front office doesn't see him in their plans, he will take his dynamic offense and lock down defense somewhere else.
 |
| Joshua Bradshaw represents Isaiah Acfalle and is leading contract negotiations. |
JB: Yes. Quite a few offers. Teams that want to give him more money and more incentives. However, he wants to be a part of the Seaman organization. He loves the Seaman!
NIA: What teams have leveraged offers to him?
JB: Due to him being under contract still, we aren't at liberty to discuss which teams want him. Just know that if this doesn't get resolved quickly, after his contract is up after this season, there is a good chance that a HUGE rival will have Isaiah Acfalle.
NIA: What does Isaiah have to say to the Dribbling Seamen fans about the potential of this happening?
JB: He is tragically upset for them. They deserve their MVP in the line-up but he refuses to be treated with the negativity Mr.Wragge has been sending his way both privately and publicly.
NIA: Is there anything else Mr. Acfalle would like to say?
JB: "Once I get back on the court, everyone better be afraid of the reigning MVP! I'm coming to get all of you!"
NIA: How can he be the reigning MVP if this is his rookie year in the CUI (Clarke University Intramurals)?
JB: He came from the Gavilan League (GL) where he was the MVP. The Gavilan league has always been considered the tougher league because it's in California and California is better than Iowa. CA>IA.
Regardless of the situation, the CUI basketball league starts this Sunday and the Dribbling Seamen only have a little over two days to figure this out. It does not appear that they are willing to trade Acfalle, at least before the season. So if Acfalle is willing to miss time over this, he won't be dressed this weekend. However, the Dribbling Seamen will have to figure out what exactly they want to do before the trade deadline and contracts become set for good.
Advice for fantasy owners is to trade him or keep him on your bench. You don't want to drop him and have no potential return for him.
The GL MVP looks to make an impact this year. But will the Dribbling Seamen front office let him, or better yet, will his teammates want him?
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