Knights of Andreas 1.12: The Knights of Andreas

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Knights of Andreas

Part I

Chapter Twelve – The Knights of Andreas

Sports writer Adam Javad types away on his laptop, writing a season-concluding article on the team he covers, the Los Angeles Knights. He has already submitted a Chargers game recap to his editor for publishing, and his Knights/Packers preview is in the editing stages.

 

Though he’s under no obligation to paint a positive picture of the team, he writes several hopeful paragraphs noting that the Knights finished the season winning three of their final six games. If they somehow beat Green Bay, he can change it to four of six.

 

His typing stops as a random thought occurs to him: the Knights don’t have a nickname.

 

When they were in Oakland, they were the Black Hole, and the fans were Raider Nation. The Cowboys are America’s Team. L.A. doesn’t even have something short and sweet like Blitzburgh or the Bungles.

 

Javad continues writing the article, unable to think of anything for the moment.

 

Chance Phillips sits with the coaching staff as they study film and plan for the season’s final matchup against Green Bay. Phillips has never been on the sidelines, and while he is obviously credible when it comes to X’s and O’s, he rarely contributes to scheming. On this particular occasion, he wishes he could help his coaches.

 

Thanks to unlucky scheduling, the Knights have landed in the middle of a heavyweight fight atop the NFC. The Packers and 49ers are both 14-1, and the Packers own the tiebreaker. Both teams’ head coaches have publicly stated they’re battling for the number one seed through week 17.

 

From an offensive standpoint, Coach Daniel finds plenty of weaknesses in Green Bay’s defense, especially in the trenches.

 

“We’re going to stick to our standard, balanced approach,” Daniel says. “If we’re going to beat these guys, we have to make them respect the run game, have to make them respect play-action. It could take some patience, but that’s the only way it’s going to work.”

 

On the other side of the ball, the entire room watches in half fear, half astonishment at some of the plays Aaron Rodgers makes. One particular replay shows one of many perfectly thrown back-shoulder fades to Jordy Nelson.

 

“That’s undefendable,” the secondary coach says.

 

“My ass,” Coach Harden insists. “Every play is defendable.”

 

No one retorts. Harden licks his chops for a chance to face elite offenses, and Green Bay is no exception. “Let’s find out where we stand,” he says more than once. He assigns Malik Rose to cover Jordy Nelson whenever he lines up outside, confident Rose can stop the back-shoulder fades.

 

“Coach,” Daniel asks, “any special strategies to stop Rodgers?”

 

“Yep,” Harden says. “Constant blitzing. He’ll be on the ground so much he won’t know what to do with himself.”

 

The Knights’ defense blitzes slightly more frequently than the league average; Harden is known for blitzing random personnel more than high frequency. But this week is a special occasion.

 

Hours later, when coaches finalize the game plan and practice schedule, Wayne Schneider invites the entire coaching staff into his office for an apparently impromptu meeting. It doesn’t take long to fill the room.

 

“Okay, gentlemen,” Schneider says, standing at the head of the table, “thank you all for convening on such short notice. I will make this extremely brief because it is late, and we have a long week ahead. I wanted to let you all know that there will be no coaching changes this offseason initiated by this front office. You are free, of course, to seek opportunity elsewhere should the situation arise, but nobody is being released. Mr. Phillips, management, and I continue to believe in this coaching staff that we have assembled. We look forward to watching this team grow with you all in future seasons. That being said, thank you again, and good luck this week.”

 

The room scatters without applause or handshakes. Phillips doesn’t necessarily like Schneider taking charge on delivering that bit of news, but it’s good for the coaches to hear it regardless.

 

Tuesday, the NFL makes a few official announcements.

 

While several games are moved by way of flexible scheduling because of playoff implications, both games concerning the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC stay in place: the 49ers/Rams game at 1pm, the Packers/Knights game at 4:15pm.

 

Additionally, Pro Bowl rosters are released. Only two Knights make the AFC squad: kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler.

 

Energy surrounds the final practice week of the season for Los Angeles, the lethargy of last week history thanks to the Chargers win. Coach Daniel informs his offense of their game plan: balance and patience. He cautions his quarterback, however, about Packers linebacker Clay Matthews.

 

“Expect to run for your life,” Daniel says.

 

“That’s nothing new,” Maverick says under his breath. Brian Penner gives him a nasty glare.

 

They run drills with a practice squad linebacker chasing Maverick around permanently. Though he doesn’t enjoy being on the run, he delivers his throws outside the pocket with precision accuracy. His ability to make plays on the run was perhaps his biggest asset at Penn State, and he’ll need it to survive this week.

 

Eventually, Maverick is called upon to help the defense. Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes acts as their Jordy Nelson clone so they can practice back-shoulder fades. Malik Rose lines up in coverage.

 

The first throw sails out of bounds.

 

“Nice throw, Mav,” Wilkes shouts.

 

“My bad, D-Jam.”

 

Coaches stand on guard; they remember the fight the two had last week, though things appear to have been resolved despite no formal reconciliation.

 

Maverick’s next throw is perfect. Wilkes spins and catches it. Rose wraps his arms around him and brings him down.

 

“No, no, no,” Coach Harden says. “You’ve got to use your body, use your reach, Malik. Eyes on the ball, then go for it. Get in there, be physical.”

 

“What about pass interference, coach?” Rose asks.

 

“Ah, fuck ‘em. Two guys fighting for the same pass ain’t interference. Besides, if you’re looking at the ball, refs won’t throw the flag. Again!”

 

Maverick’s next pass is slightly underthrown. Wilkes comes back for the ball, but Rose cuts him off and deflects it away.

 

“Attaboy!” Harden cheers. “Nice job, Malik.”

 

As practice goes on, Chance Phillips prepares his offseason strategy from within the walls of team headquarters. Despite being a fair distance from the playoffs again, Phillips is in good spirits. At 5-10, the Knights have already equaled their win total from last year, something that didn’t seem possible a few weeks ago.

 

While the media and fans keep waiting for “the year,” when the Knights erase all ineptitude, take the AFC West by storm, and make the playoffs, Phillips finds a steady progression more likely. Next season, the team could be around 8-8, and then the following year something like 10-6, which would put them in the playoffs. In perspective, making the playoffs in year four, considering what Phillips inherited from the Raiders, sounds about right.

 

With no coaching changes, Phillips’ first order of business this offseason will be free agency. By now, he has the list of impending free agents memorized, including nine starters: Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes, RobertGallery, Cooper Carlisle, John Henderson, Kirk Morrison, Kamerion Wimbley, Malik Rose, Stanford Routt, and Michael Huff.

 

The top priority is definitely Rose, but the list contains plenty of capable starters who Phillips plans on releasing, remnants of the regime before his. Phillips doesn’t know what his chances are to find suitable replacements via free agency, and any draft pick will almost certainly be an immediate downgrade.

 

The long-term prospects of the franchise may be trending up, but there’s no guarantee their record will improve next year.

 

The silver seats of Farmers Field fill as the hours lead up to kickoff. An already drunk Jay Cooper finds his seat, ready to cheer on his team for the last time this year. He has finally lost hope in Andrew Luck and will reluctantly root for victory today. He’s still pissed that his “FUCK THE CHEESEHEADS” sign was confiscated by stadium security, but at least they didn’t find the flask.

 

After the players finish warm-ups and go back to the locker room, the stadium’s big screen shows that the 49ers have beaten the Rams, 34-17. So the Packers take the #1 seed with a win; a loss or tie, and the 49ers get it.

 

The Knights win the coin toss, defer to the second half, and Aaron Rodgers takes the field. The eleven starters of Merle Harden’s 3-4 base defense stare down the best quarterback in the game as four receivers split out wide.

 

Rodgers finds his receivers quickly, and despite perfect coverage by the Knights, the Packers pile up completion after completion and reach the red zone without facing a third down. They break in the run game with James Starks, who gets great blocking. Rodgers caps the drive with a beautiful fade pass to Greg Jennings. The Knights’ defense has their hands on their hips as the Packers celebrate.

 

This isn’t going to be easy.

 

During commercial break, Harden gathers his troops on the sideline.

 

“We knew this guy was good,” he says. “So don’t act like you’re doing something wrong. Hang in there.”

 

Meanwhile, the home team’s #12 trots out onto the field with his offense. Per the game plan, the Knights open with runs to McFadden, taking their time in between plays. With good blocking up the middle, the offense moves the chains and controls the game’s tempo. When Maverick finally attempts passes, he sees only tight windows that close quickly. Alex Johnson and D-Jam do a good job of getting open on short routes, but Maverick realizes he has no room for error; one slightly off target throw, and it’s a pick.

 

McFadden takes another run up the middle on third and one, but Clay Matthews comes out of nowhere and brings him down for a loss.

 

When the Packers get the ball back, they move the chains again, with more balance this time. Starks has room to work with, and Rodgers completes every one of his passes. Within minutes, they’re in the red zone again.

 

Malik Rose lines up against Jordy Nelson. Rodgers takes the snap, and Nelson runs wide. Anticipating the back-shoulder fade, Rose gets as close as he can as a pass sails for the end zone. Nelson reaches for it, but Rose gets in front of him and swats it away. Rose celebrates for half a second before the nearest referee throws down a yellow flag.

 

“What?! What?!” Rose screams. The fans see an indecisive call on the replay and boo accordingly. Nelson walks away and mutters something. Rose redirects his attention to the receiver. “Shut your white ass up, bitch!” Chet Ripka runs in and removes Rose from the situation. On the sidelines, Coach Harden’s veins pulse on his neck as he berates the nearest official for such a disgraceful call.

 

On the ensuing play, Starks takes a handoff into the end zone. 14-0, Packers.

 

The Knights survive the rest of the first quarter without further suffering. The offense mounts drives that stall at midfield, and Lechler’s punts go inside the ten-yard line, but for a potent offense like Green Bay, it doesn’t matter. Halfway through the second quarter, the Packers face third and five from the Knights’ twenty-six.

 

Rose lines up across from Nelson and isn’t in the mood for another back-shoulder fade. He inches up for bump-and-run as Rodgers takes the snap. Nelson takes a step and gets decked by Rose. Rodgers looks for Nelson, but he’s held up. Briggs Randall and Zack Grantzinger break through on a blitz. Rodgers scrambles and Grantzinger closes in. He heaves on over the middle toward an open Greg Jennings, but Ripka dives from behind and deflects the pass, Rodgers’ first incompletion of the day. Mason Crosby comes on for a forty-three yard kick and narrowly slides it through the posts. 17-0, Packers.

 

Coach Daniel watches his quarterback trot out for another possession. Though he considers a few aggressive play calls, he believes the game plan will work. He knows his players can score on this defense; it’s just going to take time.

 

From the huddle, Maverick takes the play call and sets the formation timidly. His approach to his passes has been different today. With frequent blitzes in his face and tight windows in coverage, he hasn’t forced anything or taken any shots downfield—yet.

 

McFadden continues taking carries right up the middle, which are remarkably effective thanks to Brian Penner, who is dominating nose tackle B.J. Raji at the line of scrimmage.

 

Maverick rolls out and finds Johnson on a deep crossing route for a thirty-yard gain, and a well executed screen to McFadden puts the Knights in field goal range. Maverick hears the next play call and smiles. He relays it and lines up under center. He looks at the sideline and tries to find the other #12. Watch this, Aaron.

 

Maverick fakes a handoff to McFadden and looks left. He pump fakes, looks right, and throws for the end zone. D-Jam runs stride for stride with Tramon Williams, who has any inside move covered. Just as he reaches the goal line, D-Jam lets up and spins around. The ball glides right into his hands and he plants both feet on the grass.

 

The crowd roars and Maverick high fives everyone en route to the sideline. “Now that’s a back-shoulder fade!” Coach Daniel says. One overzealous teammate screams, “Aaron who?” Sebastian Janikowski knocks the extra point through. 17-7, Packers.

 

Harden’s defense allows a few first downs but gets the Packers to punt for the first time all day. Pinned deep with little time left, Daniel decides to let the first half run out.

 

The Knights come out running in the second half. Penner continues to dominate Raji, and this gives McFadden enough room to get four yards on every carry. Occasionally, the Packers’ front seven cheats up, and Maverick audibles to a toss play. Riding McFadden’s big day, the Knights reach field goal range without throwing a pass. When they do, Maverick delivers another perfectly thrown ball to Zach Miller, who breaks a tackle at the five and lunges into the end zone. 17-14, Packers.

 

Defensively, Harden makes an adjustment. The one weak link on Green Bay’s offensive line is left tackle Marshall Newhouse, so Harden puts his best pass rusher on him. Grantzinger typically lines up on the opposite side, but Harden wants to test his versatility. His first snap from the position, Grantzinger blows by Newhouse and gives Rodgers a crushing hit. This leads to a three-and-out, Green Bay’s first of the day.

 

Daniel has no reason to abandon his offensive strategy. McFadden gets ten yards on the first play of the drive thanks to Penner, who plows Raji to the ground off the line, gets to the second level and does the same to A.J. Hawk, then reaches the secondary and blocks Charles Woodson.

 

FOX announcers Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston take note of this as they watch the replay.

 

“One, two, three blocks,” Johnston says, circling the Packer victims on the screen. “Just a great play by Brian Penner there.”

 

“That’s beautiful football,” sideline analyst Tony Siragusa says.

 

“And by the way,” Albert says, “while we’re talking about the Knights’ center, how about their quarterback?” An infographic appears on screen that shows Maverick’s stat line: 16/16, 145 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT. “As you can see, Jonathan Maverick has yet to miss a pass. This is arguably his best game of the year so far.”

 

On cue, pass rush forces Maverick to roll out and throw the ball away for his first incompletion. He takes it himself on the next play for a few yards, and McFadden converts the third down on a sweep. The drive continues but stalls at the Packers’ forty-three.

 

“Field goal,” Daniel says without hesitation.

 

Janikowski lines up for a sixty-yard kick. The snap and hold are in line, and Janikowski boots it. It carries right down the middle and clears the cross bar by several yards. The crowd screams and the game is tied, 17-17.

 

The Packers’ offense responds with urgency. Rodgers negates Harden’s pressure with quick passes that move the chains. The Knights still hold their own in coverage and don’t miss tackles; Briggs Randall in particular does an admirable job holding Jermichael Finley without a reception. Suddenly, Rodgers finds time and launches a bomb to Greg Jennings, who runs ahead of Michael Huff by a few strides. He catches it and evades Huff’s dive. 24-17, Packers.

 

Ready to respond, the Knights’ offense suffers another big play from Clay Matthews that deflates the drive, and they go three and out.

 

The Packers pick up where they left off, and their drive reaches field goal range as the third quarter ends.

 

“Need a spark here, gentlemen,” Coach Harden says to his defense during the commercial break. “Who’s gonna step up?”

 

Everyone looks around, but nobody speaks. When the defense retakes the field, Sean Brock spells Kamerion Wimbley. He’s still in Harden’s doghouse, but he still deserves snaps against a suspect left tackle. He stares down Newhouse as Rodgers takes the snap. Brock gets around Newhouse with ease and swats at the ball, but Rodgers tucks it and rolls to his left. Brock gets back to his feet and chases down Rodgers, who looks to pass, can’t find anybody, tries to juke Brock, and gets tackled for a nine-yard loss.

 

On second and nineteen, Greg Jennings makes a nice catch to create a manageable third and five. Green Bay spreads out their wide receivers, Los Angeles spreads the secondary, and Rodgers hands off to Starks. He runs through a huge hole with only Randall to beat. Both men lower their shoulders, but Randall gets the better of him, halting his momentum and driving him back a yard. It’s fourth down, and Crosby comes out for the field goal. He strikes it awkwardly, the ball drifts wide left, and the Knights take over with good field position.

 

Suspecting Green Bay may finally be able to counter the up-the-middle runs, Daniel runs plays from a double tight end set, knowing Logan Bishop’s run blocking to be competent. McFadden takes a few off-tackle runs and moves the chains. Still very methodical and patient, the clock ticks down as the Knights mount a drive, down a touchdown.

 

Maverick fakes a handoff and the defense bites. Clay Matthews comes up the middle; Maverick buys himself some time with a pump fake and rolls right. Johnson is single covered downfield. Maverick takes a step forward and launches a pass for the end zone. Johnson sprints for the ball, realizes he’s out of position at the last second, spins, and catches the ball with his outstretched left hand. He falls awkwardly but comes up with the ball in the end zone. Tie game, 24-24.

 

During the ensuing commercial, the Knights’ sideline buzzes with an energy they’ve lacked all season. They’re playing toe to toe with one of the NFL’s best teams, and it looks like it’s going down to the wire.

 

The Packers take over and string together a few first downs. The clock ticks under seven minutes as they face second and two from the fifty. Rodgers fakes a handoff and looks right. He fires to Nelson, but Sam Luck swats it down at the line of scrimmage. While Luck is having a hell of a time against Bryan Bulaga, that’s the third pass he’s batted down. Rodgers takes the snap from shotgun on third and two. Next to Luck, Grantzinger blitzes and Bulaga picks him up; the right guard slides to pick up Luck, who spins right and blows by him. Rodgers has nowhere to go, tucks the ball, and goes down.

 

The ensuing punt pins the Knights deep in their own zone. The defense closes in, and they can’t manage a first down. Lechler lines up to punt from the very back of the end zone.

 

He gets the punt off, and Randall Cobb catches it from midfield. He darts one would-be tackler and finds a lane at the forty. Marlon Martin slices through two blockers, swings his arm, and strikes the ball in Cobb’s hands at the perfect angle; it bounces off the grass and into a crowd. Countless bodies pile on, grabbing for the ball. It takes the refs a whole minute to sort through the chaos, and when it’s all clear, Brian Penner has the ball in his hands. First down, Los Angeles.

 

Maverick takes the field with 3:35 left and all three timeouts—plenty of time. The goal: milk as much clock as possible and get downfield for the game-winning score. One play at a time, Maverick tells himself.

 

He lines up from shotgun on first down, seventy-one yards from the end zone. He takes the snap and scans with a clean pocket. D-Jam and Johnson are covered downfield. He wants to dump it off to McFadden, but pressure comes on the right side. He looks left and spots Bishop wide open; he throws it to him. Bishop catches it, turns upfield, breaks a tackle, and the stadium starts to vibrate.

 

The players on the field feel it first, then the fans. Everyone loses all perspective for a moment, and then the entire stadium is shaking.

 

“Earthquake!” many fans shout. Pandemonium overtakes Farmers Field, then the shaking subsides. Order is restored.

 

Everyone’s attention returns to the field: Bishop still has the ball, and has apparently not stopping running with it. The Packers stand as if the play is over, and Bishop jogs the rest of the way to the end zone. Fans scream for a touchdown as the officials gather. During the conference, the spectators reflect over what they just witnessed.

 

An earthquake. An earthquake in the middle of a football game.

 

Thankfully, no one seems hurt; on the sidelines, some equipment got thrown around but didn’t strike anyone. The California natives in attendance recognize that quake as a relatively weak one, though still obviously very bizarre and unexpected. Finally, head referee Pete Morelli switches on his intercom and faces the near sideline.

 

“During the—play—none of the officials blew their whistle. Therefore, play was never stopped. The result is a touchdown, Los Angeles.” He raises his arms, and the crowd erupts, almost creating another earthquake of their own. The Packers sideline protests, but the Knights kick the extra point and make it 31-24. Still stunned, Coach Harden and the Knights realize Aaron Rodgers has over three minutes on the clock.

 

Rodgers takes over and gets to work. He throws short passes into tight coverage and moves the chains. Harden refuses to call anything resembling prevent defense, trusting his corners in single coverage. He dials up a few blitzes, but Rodgers gets rid of the ball before they can disrupt the play.

 

The two-minute warning arrives as the Packers reach midfield. The Knights’ defense rests and prepares for what needs to be the final stand.

 

Rodgers finds Greg Jennings for five yards and the offense rushes back to the line. Kirk Morrison hurriedly calls the play to his defense as Rodgers takes another shotgun snap.

 

Rose tries to bump Nelson off the line, but he breaks inside for a slant. Rose sprints to recover. Rodgers throws the ball for Nelson, Rose dives to tip it, and the ball bounces off Rose’s hand into midair. Ripka comes running and catches it in his arms. His momentum takes him past the offensive line easily as he runs along the Knights sideline, in a state of madness. Ripka slows down as he nears the end zone, but no one catches him. 38-24, Knights.

 

The fans make noise Farmers Field has never heard, and they keep it up as the Packers get the ball back. Even with all three timeouts, Green Bay can’t manage another score. They get close, but the clock runs out, and the regular season is over.

 

The applause continues as many Knights shake hands with the defeated Packers and wish them luck in the playoffs. While the Knights fans still have playoff football to look forward to, they wonder when their team will be participating; if today’s game is any indication, it won’t be very long. Even Jay Cooper manages to clap a few times. “Maybe these clowns aren’t total dog shit,” he says.

 

As the players and coaches go back to the locker room, they applaud their fans in appreciation. Coach Daniel tries to think of some sentimental, season-closing speech, but just like last week, circumstances do not allow it. Though the ultimate sadness of the season’s end lurks underneath the celebration, sadness can wait until tomorrow. There’s something else going on here.

 

None of the celebrating Knights discusses it, but they feel they have turned a corner. The last stretch of the season has seen them elevate their play, including several impressive performances and now a win against an elite team. It’s a shame it took this long, and maybe it’s a shame the season is only sixteen games, but as far as the players are concerned, “rebuilding” is ancient history.

 

Next season can’t get here soon enough.

 

In the hours following the game, all media analysis of the Packers/Knights game focuses on Logan Bishop’s 71-yard earthquake reception. Per the U.S. Geological Survey, they learn the earthquake registered a 4.3 on the Richter scale.

 

One television analyst, while commending the Knights for their gritty performance, dramatically hails them as “the Knights stationed along the San Andreas Fault.”

 

This line becomes rather catchy, but many find it wordy. Between television commentary, newspaper columns, and internet posts, it evolves into “the Knights along the San Andreas Fault,” then “the Knights on the San Andreas Fault,” and then simply “the Knights of San Andreas.”

 

About to submit his article, Adam Javad uses that last phrase, hopeful the nickname he was looking for will stick. He restructures the entire article to reflect the team’s performance over the final six weeks and concludes with, “The Knights of San Andreas have arrived.”

 

Seconds away from submitting the article to his publisher, he edits it with the intention of trimming a few words. He gets to the end and, on a whim, removes “San” from the sentence. He submits the article and closes his laptop.

 

The Knights of Andreas have arrived.

[Bangy 19]

Amazing final episode Stevo, love how everyone is now together on the same page from the FO, Coaching Staff and Players. They finally feel like a team.

 

Glad you mentioned pretty much everyone as well . Ricky as im preduming the Knights beat writer shall be interesting too. think I was the only one not mentioned so would been nice have appeared on the sideline, but ah well hopefully have more of a role season 2 lol.

 

Thanks for doing these bro thry have been great to read.

 

KNIGHTS WIN, KNIGHTS WIN

[Sarge+ 3,436]

 

Epic ending to an epic beginning. An earthquake in the middle of a game. Nice. The way you came up with the nickname Knights of Andreas is awesome as well.

[Vin+ 3,121]

An earthquake-assisted TD and a nice cap to the season, aw yeah.

 

Nice work, SteVo. Part II is gonna be awesome.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Excellent work, Steven. One hell of a game recap, an amazing twist, my guy making the game changing play and Logan Bishop with an earthquake assisted TD. Excellent work here.

[seanbrock 1,684]

God is on our side apparently lol. Great write up. I really enjoyed this one. Now that we have all the intro's out of the way it'll be cool to see us all interact.

[GA_Eagle 595]

Edited July 28, 2014 by GA_Eagle

[theMileHighGuy 656]

Awesome finale! It took an act of God but we beat the Packers

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

There are only two ways to actually beat the Packers.... Employ a mediocre but rarely divine QB like Colin Kaepernick or.... benefit from an act of God.

 

Edited July 31, 2014 by Favre4Ever

[BwareDWare94 723]

Dude, this is fucking awesome, and your writing grows with every chapter.

 

If you're a published author later in life, nobody here is going to be surprised.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

You guys are too kind.