Post by CowboyinAmerica on Nov 20, 2011 12:30:11 GMT -5
With the draft less than 24 hours away, the newly-minted UFSL General Managers are scrambling to contact draftees in preparation of the big event. But they’re not the only ones scrambling: most of the league’s players don’t even know what position they’ll end up at.
Jamaal Stockton, rookie out of Northern Illinois, is one of those stuck in limbo. He’s willing to play for any team that will have him, and no matter where he ends up, he’s likely to be near the top of the practice charts. Stockton has made his preference known to have a no-position change clause in order to play at the same position for his whole career. But what position would that be? Jamaal Stockton gave Pro Football Weekly a breakdown of his top 5 choices.
1. Strong Safety - Honestly, I’m not quite sure why the team that drafts me wouldn’t want me to play strong safety. As of right now, I’m the only true player entering the league at the position. When compared to a converted quarterback or running back that is begrudgingly playing the spot, having a player enthusiastic about playing safety seems like a no-lose scenario. However, with only 41 total players among 4 different teams, the scenario exists where no team wants a strong safety in place of filling another position. Having played a bit of cornerback in college myself, I know about the position hierarchy. I won’t be shocked if I’m asked to move.
2. Outside Linebacker – From one position with no other players to another, the idea of playing outside linebacker intrigues me. Way, way back in the day, agent Zach Warren entered his first football league playing outside linebacker with the MSFL’s Israeli Storm, and while he played a number of other positions throughout the years, outside linebacker was always near the top of his list. A strong linebacker corps is a nice luxury, especially when facing off against the likes of Ikechukwu Osuwah and Rock Afella.
3. Cornerback – Normally a high-profile position, the lack of committed cornerbacks in this league shocks me. Every single team will need two solid corners with the amount of wide receiver depth in this league, and if not, then they’re in danger of being easily exploited. I feel that my skills would be easily translatable to the position, with an emphasis on speed and acceleration. Agent Zach Warren played cornerback once and had success with the VFL’s Boston Rebels, a team that played against current General Managers Osuwah and Mexico. This time around, they may want Stockton on their side.
4. Tight End – Strangely, tight end has been one of the more popular positions in the UFSL, attracting high talent levels capped by UCLA’s own KJ Bryant. While Stockton originally came into the UFSL with the full intention of playing tight end, he was turned off by the amount of talent already occupying the position. Much like his brother George Michael Bluth’s dreams in the now-defunct SSN, it’s likely that he will ply his trade elsewhere. If all four general managers decide that an active tight end is an important component of the offense, however, he’ll gladly make the move to the offensive side of the ball.
5. Middle Linebacker – If I had to take a guess, one or two of those eight athletes may be playing this position once all is said and done. If not, though, and the general manager wants to move me there, I’ll move with open arms. Who wouldn’t want to play middle linebacker? You’re the heart and soul of the defense, you get the most stats of any defensive position, and you get much of the credit for guiding the team to victory. I’m probably never going to play it, but hey, it would be cool.
