[Jim Meyer]

Originally Posted by Adam Freeman

66 came to us prior to alliance selection and asked us if we would accept their invitation. We informed them that would have to decline their offer, because we felt it was a better option to pick our own alliance.

So, they really weren't taking any risk...other than if we did something other than what we told them.

In my opinion, there is no way we would have been as dominate for the #1 alliance as 217 was, they were incredible.

In the past we have been very open with teams about whether we would accept an alliance with them or not. Our intent was to save them from having to publicly select us, only to have us decline. We're fine if they want to pick us openly anyway, as it has been pointed out, it's a good move strategically (we're also fine with them not publicly picking us too ). What I hadn't considered is that a team would ask us this question with no intention of actually pairing up with us, but merely looking to block us from being picked by another team. This practice I feel would be deceitfull and clearly not in the spirit of FIRST. I want to be clear here, the practice that would be deceitful would be telling us we are your top pick just to see if you can block us from being picked by another team.

Originally Posted by Chaos Marine

As you know 33,27,67 did decline us (as predicted) if any of these teams were to join together they would have been a POWER HOUSE! so with the help of so friends we did a little spying work and put the plan into action. I think most of you can figure the plan out from the way we pick those teams.

Back to what actually happened. A mentor from team 66 approached us about being their top pick. They had some concerns about 217's electrical problems (apparently rightfully so). If this was all a ruse to find out whether we would decline a pick or not (with no intention of picking us) I would be extremely disapointed, regardless of the eventual outcome.