SteVo+ 3,702 Posted July 11, 2016 Okay Knights, I'm gonna try something I attempted last year: posting individual player statistics (both for each game and summative season totals) as the chapters are published. Once again, though, this is only by request. So, if you'd like to get stats for your character, speak up. Oh, and a disclaimer here: remember we have two offseason chapters before the 2015 season starts, so if your character ends up not being on the team, no stats. No hard feelings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted July 11, 2016 Pls stats & contract. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted July 11, 2016 I would ask, but I don't think "best GM in the league" is a quantifiable stat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted July 14, 2016 Ok, so far just Briggs and Zack for stats? Others will jump on the bandwagon once chapters go up, I suspect. We're just over three weeks away, and it's time to roll out the teasers. For now, here's just a very basic preview. Sometime next week, I'll post a character guide as a refresher, since it's been a while since the last installment. Next Friday, I'll be posting a 2,000-word article written by a certain beat writer we all know. After that, I may post some snippets from Part V with no context provided, to be mysterious. We shall see. The countdown is on... What to Expect in Part V Regarding the writing... A slight adjustment to the chapter format. After the two offseason chapters, the regular season will be condensed into eight chapters (instead of the usual ten). This way, the end of the regular season is still the tenth chapter. The prose is dominated by comprehensive, diverse storytelling. Gone are the chapters centered on one regular season game with no off-the-field storylines. Don't expect many flashbacks, if any. This season is all about this season, and it's a hell of a ride. Regarding the story... The Knights defend their title, riding the high and facing the challenges of being Super Bowl champions. Chance Phillips initiates his plan to ensure long-term success for the franchise, inching closer to a monumental decision that would alter the landscape of the entire league. The team endures another chaotic offseason reminding them that in the NFL, all celebrations--even Super Bowl victories--are short-lived. Characters and events set up toward what will ultimately be the end of Knights of Andreas. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted July 15, 2016 I'd like stats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theMileHighGuy 656 Posted July 19, 2016 I'd like to see D-Jams awful stats with Mad Max Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted July 19, 2016 The teasers continue! Here's a simple one, just a character guide to refresh your memory on all the weirdos (plus TGP counterparts) contained in this story. 17 days... Knights Characters Wayne Schneider – Owner Chance Phillips [sarge] – General Manager Allan Stein – Assistant General Manager Michael Keegan – Special Assistant to the General Manager Merle Harden [bwareDware94] – Head Coach Ron McKenzie – Offensive Coordinator Chet Ripka [GA_Eagle] – Secondary Coach Jonathan Maverick [Maverick] – Quarterback Marcus Jameson [bigBen07] – Running Back Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes [theMileHighGuy] – Wide Receiver Alex Johnson [badgers] – Wide Receiver Joseph Watson [Thanatos] – Wide Receiver Logan Bishop [Vin] – Tight End Chase Grodd [bradyFan81] – Left Guard Brian Penner [Turry] – Center Sam Luck [eightnine] – Defensive End Damian “Anthrax” Jones [bay] – Nose Tackle Zack Grantzinger [Zack_of_Steel] – Outside Linebacker Briggs Randall [Chernobyl426] – Inside Linebacker Marlon Martin [RazorStar] – Inside Linebacker Sean Brock [seanbrock] – Outside Linebacker Malik Rose [CrimsonRaider] – Cornerback Griswold “Flash” Johnson [DMac for HOF] – Free Safety Robert “Bobby” Schwinn [FartWaffles] – Strong Safety Non-Knights Characters Adam Javad [JetsFan4Life] – Beat Writer, Los Angeles Mobile Jay Cooper [barracuda] – Knights Fan Cassie Sampson [CampinWithWhateverhisnameisthisweek] – Knights Fan Caden Daniel [Favre4Ever] – Head Coach, San Diego Chargers Jerome Jaxson [bangy] – Running Back, San Diego Chargers Paul DeMartine – General Manager, Chicago Bears Tom Everett – Offensive Coordinator, Cincinnati Bengals 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted July 22, 2016 OFFSEASON PREVIEW Knights ready for repeat campaign, poised to be AFC powerhouse By ADAM JAVAD February 8, 2015 It’s been six days since the Knights won the Super Bowl and three days since their championship parade, which means it’s time to look toward the offseason in detail. The Knights have a few starters hitting free agency and a few others ready for lucrative contract extensions, but they have both the cap space and the core of players to handle it. That being said, the team has numerous decisions to make all over the roster. I’ll do my best to sort it all out for you. Let’s start with the obvious. Priority Number One: Jonathan Maverick The Knights’ QB is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 10, but let’s be honest—that’s never going to happen. The Knights have never indicated a desire to seek other options, and why would they? Maverick was taken 3rd overall in the 2010 draft for a reason. His expiring contract provides a hurdle, but recall Chance Phillips’ words in August, when it was reported that Maverick would play out the final year of his contract: Both sides are comfortable with where we are at this point. After this season, negotiations will resume, and should we fail to reach a deal again, we are comfortable applying the exclusive franchise tag. That will allow both sides more time to reach a deal. NOTE: The exclusive franchise tag prevents other teams from negotiating with tagged players. Expect Phillips to follow through on that promise if the two sides fail to reach a deal before March 2, the deadline for teams to apply the franchise tag. - - - - - - - - - - - Now, let’s look at various position groups. In keeping with tradition, I’ll label each as either a strength, weakness, or wild card. Spoiler alert: only one weakness this year! Strength: Running Back Free Agents: none Fans were nervous and frustrated to see Jerome Jaxson sign with division rival San Diego, but Marcus Jameson responded, carrying the offense at times during Johnathan Maverick’s absence in 2014. Rookies Darren Banks and Jeremy NesSmith underwhelmed last year, but they were undrafted free agents. Look for them to get more carries as the Knights try to preserve Jameson after an insane workload. Jameson enters a contract year, but Chance Phillips has bought into the growing philosophy that quality running backs can be found easily through the draft. Jameson, remember, was a 7th-round pick himself. This will be a position of focus next offseason. Strength: Offensive Line Free Agents: none Tristan Adams and Evan Fowler struggled as rookies, but both were high draft picks for a reason, and the Knights made significant draft investments to get them for a reason (more on that later). Count on them to make big leaps next year. More importantly, expect the Knights’ offensive front to regain the levels of dominance we saw in 2013. Kevin Zeitler enters a contract year this season. Chase Grodd’s fifth-year option will almost certainly be picked up, meaning he and Brian Penner will enter contract years in 2016. Expect the Knights draft a guard/center or two in the middle rounds, and don’t be surprised to see a long-term extension for either Grodd or Zeitler, if the Knights can get a team friendly deal. Strength: Defensive Line Free Agents: none Gregory Vance is entering a contract year and will very likely be a cap casualty. If you’re a ProFootballFocus subscriber, you know Vance as one of the worst 3-4 DEs in the league. Cutting him would save the Knights a little over $4 million in cap space. Still, the Knights’ defensive prominence despite Vance’s subpar play proves they don’t need super talent at the position. Look for the team to pursue a bargain free agent like Henry Melton or Kendall Langford (or maybe even 35-year-old Corey Redding on a one-year deal) or a young replacement through the draft. With Sam Luck entrenched at the other end position, nose tackle is much more intriguing. If you follow Merle Harden’s training camp comments, you know there’s been a position battle there the last two years, which Damian Jones has won. But Wesley Mann, former 2nd-round pick, is still on the roster, and Jones enters a contract year this season. Jones has established himself as the better player, making Mann expendable. Does he have any trade value? Even a late-round pick might be worth it for the Knights. A creative idea other Los Angeles beat writers have suggested: starting Jones and Mann, playing one at RE and the other at NT. I’m not sure this will actually happen, but if you’re a believer in starting your best three linemen, this would be how to do it. Strength: Secondary Free Agents: Richard Marshall, Sebastian Stevenson Malik Rose is the best cornerback in the league. And now that the Javion Torrey story is behind him, the Knights will look to give him the raise he wants. Remember what he said last year on the first day of training camp, after holding out for OTAs: They didn’t pay me, but I’m still the best corner in the game. I’ll play another season to show that, and they’ll have to pay me even more. To his credit, Rose was right. So, where’s the money coming from? Richard Marshall is as good as gone, to start. In fairness, playing corner across from Malik Rose is a thankless job. I think the Knights realize that now, so they might as well have a cheaper player there. Merle Harden has talked up last year’s 7th-round pick Ken Lucas, who was serviceable as a nickel corner this year, but don’t count on management having the same opinion. A high draft pick for a corner is very much a possibility. At safety, Griswold Johnson should get a long-term extension shortly after Rose gets his. Sebastian Stevenson is likely gone, but that’s only because Robert Schwinn was such a pleasant surprise spelling him. Schwinn is a liability in coverage, but with “Flash” Johnson over the top, Schwinn will serve primarily a run stopper. With a thin, top-heavy free agent class at safety, I don’t see the Knights finding someone better than Schwinn. He might face some rookie competition, but he should still slide into the starting lineup easily. Wild Card: Receivers & Tight Ends Free Agents: Alex Johnson Alex Johnson has gotten a reputation as injury-prone and overrated, but he’s a highly productive receiver when he’s in the lineup. And Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes has never played a full season without Johnson lining up across from him. That being said, the emergence of Joseph Watson makes Johnson expendable. Watson will need a new contract himself after 2016, and Jefferspin-Wilkes will almost certainly holdout from training camp this year in search of a mega deal. Any new contract for Johnson makes it harder to re-sign the receivers who don’t have injury concerns. The smart money is on the Knights letting Johnson go to pay Jefferspin-Wilkes and Watson. They wouldn’t do that only to turn around and spend big on a free agent, so who could they target? Looking at this year’s free agent class, they’d have to take a flier on someone. Some names to consider: Percy Harvin, Dwayne Bowe, Eddie Royal. I think Los Angeles would be the perfect place for Andre Johnson, but he may not come cheap despite his age. There’s not much to be said at tight end. Logan Bishop is under contract four more years, though he turns 30 in a few days. Wild Card: Linebacker Free Agents: Marlon Martin We’ll start on the outside. Zack Grantzinger’s not going anywhere, obviously. Sean Brock could be a cap casualty, but are the Knights ready to hand Jamari Price a starting job? The 1st-round pick has underwhelmed so far. Something I need to point out here—if you’ve been listening to the national media, you are aware of a cap spike in Sean Brock’s contract. Many reporters are making it out to be a horrendous increase that makes the deal impossible to hang onto. The truth? Brock’s cap hit in 2014 was $4.55 million. Next year, it increases to $8.55 million. Yes, that’s a sharp jump, and yes, the Knights could save $4 million by cutting Brock. But thinking big picture, $8.55 million is a fair price for a productive pass rusher. Conventional wisdom says the Knights should play it safe with pass rush, hang on to Brock, and hope Price breaks out. But both Merle Harden and Chance Phillips have spoken publicly about Harden’s tactical blitzes decreasing the need for standard pass-rushers. Either way, the team faces a tough decision at a crucial position. Moving inside, Briggs Randall enters a contract year, but he could be the first big contract of the offseason. The Knights will want to lock up their defensive captain for a long time. That leaves fan favorite Marlon Martin. He’s got a tremendous career story, and many have argued his years playing special teams instead of linebacker lessen his age concerns. That being said, he’s simply not as valuable to the Knights as he would be to other teams. This is a great opportunity to draft a talented rookie in the high/middle rounds and let him develop next to Randall. You could argue a 1st-round pick could be an upgrade over Martin, as much as fans like him. Eric Kendricks or Denzel Perryman, maybe? Wild Card: Max Buchanan Ok, I’m breaking the rules by not naming a position, but I haven’t formally covered quarterbacks yet. Plus, Buchanan is an interesting name around the league. He put together a solid enough season to make QB-needy teams take a look. And the Knights, short on draft picks (again, more on this in a minute), should be eager to collect extra picks. Here’s another thought—what if the Knights hang onto Buchanan? I know Knights fans don’t want to confront the possibility of Maverick becoming injury prone, but a quality backup is a luxury even great teams can’t always afford. Sorry, Kellen Clemens, but Buchanan passed you on the depth chart for a reason. Weakness: Special Teams Free Agents: none Yes, Shane Lechler is one of the best punters in the business, but Noah McCabe is one of the worst kickers in the business. Remember that moment when the Knights took him in the 5th round? (Why, Chance Phillips, why?) Ok, so McCabe did nail the Super Bowl winning field goal, which was undoubtedly awesome. But he needs to put together a consistent season to establish himself as being worthy of that draft pick. And if the rumors are true about longer extra points this season, that’s even more pressure on McCabe’s leg. Also, Jerome Jaxson’s departure last offseason created a void at punt returner the Knights never really filled. It definitely couldn’t hurt to add a receiver/corner with gamebreaker potential. - - - - - - - - - - - Draft Outlook I’ve referenced the draft multiple times throughout this article, specifically mentioning that the Knights are low on picks. Here’s a summary of it all. As part of draft day trades for Tristan Adams and Evan Fowler, the Knights gave their 2nd and 4th-round picks to the Jets and Redskins, respectively. That leaves the Knights with just five picks in April, and since the Super Bowl champions pick 32nd in every round, that means just three picks in the draft’s top 200 selections. However… Don’t forget about compensatory picks. Though we won’t know for sure what the Knights’ share is until March, it’s never too soon to guess. You can roam the Internet for predictions on compensatory pick allotment, but the guys who seem to get it right every year say the Knights are in line for two picks, one for Jared Veldheer and one for Jerome Jaxson. Bottom line? The Knights should enter the draft with seven selections, and should be in a good position to either trade up or down, depending on which prospects they like. Projected Roster Ok, all of this being said, here’s my best guess at the starting eleven on both sides of the ball, with notes for all players currently not under contract for 2015. QB: Jonathan Maverick (re-signed to 5-year deal) RB: Marcus Jameson WR: Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes WR: Joseph Watson WR: Chris Conley (3rd round draft pick, Georgia) TE: Logan Bishop LT: Tristan Adams LG: Chase Grodd C: Brian Penner RG: Kevin Zeitler RT: Evan Fowler LE: Sam Luck NT: Damian Jones RE: Kendall Langford (signed to 3-year deal) OLB: Zack Grantzinger ILB: Briggs Randall ILB: Neiron Bell (5th round draft pick, Florida) OLB: Sean Brock CB: Malik Rose CB: Kevin Johnson (1st round draft pick, Wake Forest) FS: Griswold Johnson SS: Robert Schwinn - - - - - - - - - - - Be sure to check the L.A. Mobile regularly for updates on the NFL offseason, and follow me on Twitter (@AdamJavadLA) for the most up-to-date rumors and information. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted July 22, 2016 You put Denzel Perryman beside me and we're going to give opposing running backs fucking nightmares Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bangy 19 Posted July 22, 2016 You put Denzel Perryman beside me and we're going to give opposing running backs fucking nightmares UMMMMMHUMMMMM OKAY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bangy 19 Posted July 24, 2016 Go return a punt Happy too TDS are TDS all purpose back at the end of the day. You got those ankles fixed yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) Normally I would post the Knights' schedule, but remember Part V starts in the offseason. We won't get to week 1 until the third chapter, so I'll post the detailed schedule around then. For now, here's a list of all our opponents for the upcoming season. Remember also that the defending champions play the league's kickoff game, so feel free to speculate who that will be... Los Angeles Knights 2015 Home Opponents Los Angeles Knights 2015 Away Opponents Edited July 24, 2016 by SteVo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted July 24, 2016 The Chargers have got to the be the opening game, right? After that epic AFCCG? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bangy 19 Posted July 24, 2016 Week Two, Come at me bros. I am once again looking forward to this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted July 29, 2016 ONE WEEK! The official teaser for chapter 55 will be posted Monday, but for now, here's one last tidbit. Since we've had such a long layoff since Part IV, this is a recap of significant events that have occurred. Note that reading these can clue you in to what you'll see in Part V, so read at your own risk. That being said... Previously, on Knights of Andreas… (events listed chronologically, not necessarily in order of importance) Through a strange sequence of events, Bishop became suspicious that Wilkes was unable to read. Though never confirming this, he told Phillips about it. After watching the Knights blow what looked like a sure playoff berth, Cooper went streaking onto the field and was subsequently banned from Farmers Field. Farmers Field was awarded Super Bowl 50. Thanks to a mysterious connection with Harden and Schneider, Cooper returned to Farmers Field, though relegated to a luxury suite under a false identity. He didn’t enjoy the atmosphere, so he now watches from Knight’s End. Tom Everett left the Knights to be the Bengals offensive coordinator. The Knights hired Ron McKenzie, an old friend of Harden’s, to replace him. Maverick separated his shoulder during week 1, forcing Max Buchanan under center. Buchanan held his own, with players stepping up around him, until Maverick’s return in week 17. The Knights defense dominated in epic fashion during 2014, joining the ’00 Ravens, ’03 Bucs, ’08 Steelers, and ’13 Seahawks in the discussion for the century’s best defense. Malik Rose was marred in legal trouble when an old adversary, Javion Torrey, reentered his life and was promptly beaten by known associates of Rose’s. Rose was ultimately not charged with any crime. Rams owner Stan Kroenke purchased a large amount of land in Inglewood, prompting Schneider to suspect there could soon be a second NFL franchise in Los Angeles. Adam Javad and Phillips continued to work well together, with Phillips promising Javad a sit-down interview with Rose (Schneider’s idea). Harden’s alcoholism finally came to a head, with the players staging a de facto intervention after he showed up to practice hungover. He took a temporary leave of absence, throwing out all liquor in his house except for one bottle, maybe (the chapter ended ambiguously). He also acquired a puppy, a Doberman named Bowser. Per the price of a successful franchise, the Knights front office took multiple hits, worst among them Assistant GM Paul DeMartine’s departure to be Chicago’s GM, which stunned Phillips. The Knights hired Allan Stein to fill his position. Chet Ripka rejoined the Knights as secondary coach. Schneider and Phillips may have put their tense relationship behind them. Schneider recently handed Phillips a contract extension that made him the highest paid GM in football. Facing looming salary cap problems in the wake of multiple lucrative contract extensions, Phillips contemplated a bold idea: Jonathan Maverick. He asked Keegan to do research, privately, on the idea. TEH KNIGHTZ WON DA SUPER BOWLZ!!!!!!!11 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) No more Sundays without football, no more Fridays without KoA. Here is your first official teaser of Part V. After the two offseason chapters, these will come with league-wide standings and player statistics for those who have requested it. Ch. 56 - Hail to the King Los Angeles celebrates a Super Bowl championship while the Knights begin a hectic offseason. Several players and coaches face decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. Phillips faces a decision that would reshape the entire league. Word Count: 6,330 Edited August 1, 2016 by SteVo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted August 2, 2016 Programming note: since I'll be on a road trip to North Carolina, Friday's chapter might technically get posted late Thursday night. I'm sure you guys won't mind. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted August 2, 2016 It's finally the Chargers' year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites