Knights of Andreas 2.01: Guarded Waters and Open Windows

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Knights of Andreas

Part II

Chapter Thirteen – Guarded Waters and Open Windows

 

January 12. Playoff football dominates the sports world. With Divisional Weekend two days away, the NFL buzzes with nonstop analysis of which teams are primed to win, and which will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in a month.

 

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, the twenty-four franchises already eliminated prepare for free agency, the first phase of a long offseason.

 

From inside team headquarters of the Los Angeles Knights, one of the twenty-four, decision makers end a meeting in the general manager’s office. Free agency may be a month away, but it calls for a thorough game plan, like any football game.

 

As the crowd leaves, one stays behind: the franchise’s owner, Wayne Schneider.

 

“Chance, could I have a moment?” he asks.

 

“Certainly,” Chance Phillips says. “What’s on your mind, Wayne?”

 

Schneider unbuttons his suit and puts his hands on his hips. “Doesn’t our free agency strategy seem a bit…passive?”

 

“Of course it’s a bit passive. That’s nothing new.”

 

As Knights GM, Phillips usually takes this time of year to dump some of the bad contracts he inherited and work on building space against the salary cap for some undetermined season down the road. Such is management for a long-term rebuilding project.

 

The end of the 2011 season, however, has redefined “long-term.” The Knights ended the year winning four of their last six games, and their 6-10 record included several egregious breakdowns. It’s not outlandish to say they should have been 8-8 or better.

 

The debate amongst fans has raged on since week 17. Some call the final stretch a fluke and insist the Knights are still a poor team; some call it representative of the team’s talent, and that they are making the playoffs this year.

 

“C’mon, Chance,” Schneider says. “Let’s make a splash, test the waters a bit. We’ve got the cap room, don’t we?”

 

Schneider points to a massive chart on the nearest wall; it shows every player under contract with the Knights, including projections on cap figures for the next decade. It shows a lot—most importantly, that Schneider is right. Phillips’ efforts in past years have finally paid off. The Knights will enter free agency with more cap space than ever since moving from Oakland.

 

“Regardless,” Phillips says, “I don’t see any high-profile opportunities, other than what we’ve discussed.”

 

“I understand your trepidation, Chance, I really do. That’s why I hired you. You’re too patient to go crazy and handicap the team with poor contracts. I get that. But this isn’t a bottom five roster anymore. We’ve got it turned around—headed in the right direction, at least.”

 

“I don’t deny that.”

 

“More importantly, the players think it’s turned around. You were in that locker room after the Packers game. You remember. And let’s not forget how poor our division is overall. If you ask me, the window is open. I’m not saying you go out and sign Mario Williams, but find some stopgaps here and there; don’t just sit around and say we’re building through the draft.”

 

“That’s the plan.” Phillips knows Schneider is right, in this case. If he can find cheap veterans to fill roster holes while the younger players develop, it can make the team better in the short-term. “Stopgaps don’t exactly qualify as making a splash, though.”

 

“I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

 

 

 

January 25. Caden Daniel, one of thirty-two men with the privilege of coaching an NFL team, passes the practice field on his way out for the day. He spots an empty parking lot—no reporters.

 

For the past month, beat writers have been asking about the Knights’ strong finish in 2011 and whether or not it is an indication of future success. Though the media is desperate for an answer either way, Daniel knows the truth: he won’t know for awhile.

 

He won’t know until his players return to the locker room for OTAs, until he sees them on the practice field. It’s a media fallacy that a football team can be fully judged after exactly sixteen games, and it applies especially to the Knights in this case, a team that is still growing.

 

In the meantime, Daniel enjoys operating without the pressure of a rebuilding franchise. Despite a lack of talent on the roster, he has proven he can field a competitive team. Now he just needs some help from management, and the Knights can reach their true potential.

 

 

 

February 13. Merle Harden sits in the film room and jots down a few notes. The front office has always accommodated him on his personnel decisions for his defense; in this case, after he told them they should not re-sign Stanford Routt, they gave him the task of finding a suitable free agent replacement. They also provided statistics and assessments compiled by the scouting department, but Harden doesn’t find them very helpful.

 

The door opens as someone knocks on it. “How’s it going, coach?”

 

“Afternoon, Mr. Phillips. It’s coming along.”

 

“Got any names for me?”

 

“Two, so far. Thomas and Marshall.”

 

“Very well.”

 

Harden nods, not sure if he’s supposed to say anything else.

 

“Also, Merle, about the other thing. I know you said you didn’t want to get into it, but I understand if you do, and I’m willing—”

 

“No worries, Mr. Phillips. I’m under contract one more season. After that, I’ll decide where I go.”

 

“Fair enough. Let me know if you need anything else.” He shuts the door.

 

Harden seems to be the only one in Los Angeles who doesn’t want to talk about his contract. He is entering the final year of the three-year deal he signed with the Knights, and he has no desire to talk about an extension. He will be the defensive coordinator for the 2012 season. After that, he could end up a couple different places.

 

 

 

February 24. The front office wraps up another week of preparation. Phillips has his free agency strategy ready, and while he obviously can’t predict whom the Knights will sign, they will certainly enter the market with a lot of holes to fill.

 

Kirk Morrison, for example, never adjusted well to the 3-4 defense. Neither did Kamerion Wimbley. So that’s two linebackers gone. Between similar situations and expiring contracts, the Knights will soon have holes at wide receiver, left guard, right guard, nose tackle, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, both cornerback spots, and free safety. Of the free agents to be at those positions, Phillips only wants to bring back two.

 

Cornerback Malik Rose is one of the Knights’ best players. The Knights have a contract offer on the table, but Rose’s agent said his client wanted to test the market and consider all offers. Phillips knows no one will break the bank for Rose because of his past and hopes to use that to his advantage.

 

Meanwhile, receiver Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes is a wild card. He flashed both elite potential and utter stupidity last season, but the Knights are extremely thin at the position after releasing Darrius Heyward-Bey. Wilkes’ agent, however, is Drew Rosenhaus, so no dialogue has been exchanged.

 

While Phillips will enjoy more cap space than ever, he is only willing to sign a top-level veteran at one position: offensive line, the team’s biggest weakness in 2011. Center Brian Penner has returned to elite form, left tackle Jared Veldheer is finally progressing, and right tackle Khalif Barnes is mediocre but under contract. So that leaves both guard positions open.

 

It’s a strong left guard class this year, with Carl Nicks, Ben Grubbs, and Evan Mathis all free agents. Nicks is the superior talent and should be the first domino to fall with a huge contract, probably beyond Phillips’ range. He doesn’t see enough positional value in offensive guard to warrant a major contract, and he likes his chances of finding competent starters in the draft, but he would rather not go into the draft needing two guards. If he can land either Grubbs or Mathis, then the only hole to fill is right guard, meaning he won’t necessarily need a first round pick to do it.

 

 

 

March 13. The new league year begins, along with it the 2012 free agency signing period, at 4pm Eastern Time. In Los Angeles, it is 1pm as Phillips stands in a large conference room with Schneider, the coaching staff, and the scouting department.

 

Bits of news come in rapidly from agents, other GMs, and reporters. This team is interested in that guy, such-and-such may be going here-or-there, his agent is looking for so-many guaranteed dollars, etc. No surprises yet. Phillips monitors Rose and Wilkes, his two in-house targets, but nothing develops.

 

Tidbits come in throughout the day with only one notable transaction: the Jets re-sign Sione Pouha. Nose tackle is a position of need for the Knights, and Phillips wants to address it. He still needs to find a long-term solution via the draft, of course, but there are a few stopgap veterans on the market he likes.

 

 

 

March 14. A marquee signing opens the day: Vincent Jackson to Tampa Bay for five years, $55.5 million. The Knights are happy to see Jackson leave San Diego.

 

The wide receiver wave continues with Pierre Garcon, who signs with Washington for five years, $42.5 million. Then Marques Colston re-signs with New Orleans for five years, $36.3 million.

 

Phillips gets a phone call from Drew Rosenhaus, obviously regarding Wilkes.

 

“Look, Chance,” Rosenhaus says, “it’s obvious the market for receivers clearly dictates a five-year deal, so let’s not even discuss that. Out of the receivers signed so far, Mr. Wilkes’ athletic abilities and elite potential compare more closely to Vincent Jackson. So let’s start there.”

 

Phillips does the math: $55.5 million for five years is $11.1 million per year. And Jackson reportedly got $26 million guaranteed.

 

“No way, Drew,” Phillips says. “That’s nowhere close to what we feel is appropriate.”

 

“Then you are severely underrating my client.”

 

“So be it. Call me back when you feel like being reasonable.” He hangs up. Everyone in the room looks impressed.

 

“Well,” Schneider says, “that’s one way to deal with Rosenhaus.”

 

Phillips didn’t even bother mentioning the factors that should force D-Jam into a low contract; calling Rosenhaus’ bluff was an easy decision.

 

A few hours later, Josh Morgan signs with Washington for five years, $12 million. Phillips finds this signing very peculiar; if you’re only going to pay a player $2.4 million per season, why commit to them for five years? He shrugs off the thought, now worried about the wide receiver position.

 

“Okay, gentlemen,” Phillips says, “it’s not looking good at receiver right now. I wonder how far Rosenhaus will come down on Wilkes.”

 

“If I can be honest, Chance,” Schneider says, “I’m a little surprised you’re this dedicated to Wilkes. He was a shot in the dark last year anyway. Did he really live up to his potential?”

 

“Wayne’s right,” says Paul DeMartine, newly promoted assistant general manager. “He still hasn’t produced like he did his rookie year in Seattle.”

 

“Yeah, well,” Phillips says, “maybe he’s still getting there. Coach, what do you think?” Phillips listens closely for Daniel’s response; he believes very strongly in communication between coaches and management, especially in decisions like this.

 

“Quite honestly,” Daniel says, “I think Wilkes, more than anything, needs continuity. He needs stability. He’s had it rough the last few years, and I think this is the best place for him.”

 

“I don’t disagree, DeMartine says, “but does he know that?”

 

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Phillips says. He desperately wants to retain D-Jam because the Knights have no depth at the position. Alex Johnson had a very good rookie year, but even if he progresses, Jonathan Maverick needs a number two receiver.

 

A few hours later, the Chiefs sign former Knight Stanford Routt for three years, $19.6 million, another reminder that the Knights have holes at both cornerback spots. Phillips wanted to bring Routt back, and probably would have given him twenty million, but Coach Harden insisted he could find a better corner for his defense. Whether he likes it or not, Phillips has to trust Harden.

 

 

 

March 15. Another marquee signing gets things going: Cortland Finnegan to St. Louis for five years, $50 million. An hour later, Carlos Rogers re-signs with San Francisco for four years, $29.3 million.

 

Phillips works the phones frantically, keeping up with the two cornerback targets Harden has named: Richard Marshall and Terrell Thomas. The latter wants to sign first, and the Giants seem very insistent on keeping him. The bidding escalates, and the Giants offer four years, $28 million, $11 million guaranteed. Phillips deems that far too rich an investment for an athlete with injury concerns. The Giants make the deal official, and the Knights hone in on Marshall.

 

While this happens, Paul Soliai and Red Bryant re-sign with Miami and Seattle respectively, two more nose tackles off the market.

 

A modest bidding war begins between L.A. and Miami. Phillips remains passive, and eventually Miami makes its final offer: three years, $15 million. Phillips counters with $16 million, and Marshall’s agent agrees.

 

As the paperwork comes in for signatures, the room is full of handshakes and congratulations for the first signing of the year. A former second round pick, Marshall has had a disappointing career so far, but he played exceptional in 2011. Harden loves the signing (assuming Marshall is second on the depth chart, not first), and Phillips loves that he didn’t need to commit to four years or more.

 

As the signatures pile on, more cornerbacks sign around the league: Brandon Carr with Dallas for five years, $50.1 million, and Eric Wright with Tampa Bay for five years, $37.5 million. This prompts a phone call from Malik Rose’s agent, and the room goes quiet.

 

Phillips does more listening than talking and scribbles notes on a legal pad. “Okay, I’ll call you back in ten minutes,” he says, then hangs up. “Here’s the deal. The market for Rose is heating up, but only to a point. Mostly three- and four-year deals. We still have the only five-year deal on the table.”

 

“What are the figures on the other deals?” DeMartine asks.

 

“Six or seven million per year. And in fairness, we just signed a number two corner for a little over five per, so we have to be in that range. I say we up our offer from five to six per, and go from there.”

 

“That would bring the total contract to…?”

 

“Thirty million. Five years.”

 

 

 

Malik Rose receives a look from Eva, his wife, who holds a crying Jasmin in her hands. The frequent phone calls apparently haven’t helped her sleep. Malik is too busy to notice, nervously navigating uncharted territory. Though he has switched teams before, the trade from Pittsburgh came out of nowhere. Being a free agent is different.

 

“I think it’s your turn,” Eva says, extending Jasmin. Malik gets ready to hold her, but his phone rings. He checks the ID.

 

“It’s my agent. I gotta take this, I’m sorry, baby.” He picks up as Eva walks away. “Talk to me.”

 

“Okay, Malik, as of now, Los Angeles is the only five-year deal on the table. And most corners are getting five years. A few other offers, from the teams we mentioned.”

 

“What’s the best offer besides L.A.?”

 

“Miami. Four years, twenty-six million.”

 

Rose considers life in Miami for a moment. It would be a little closer to home, a proposition with benefits and consequences.

 

“Get Miami up to five years, if you can. Then we’ll see how their offer competes with L.A.’s.”

 

“You got it, Malik.”

 

Before checking on Jasmin, Rose ponders the contract numbers he has heard so far. The Knights are up to thirty-two million dollars, and Miami could match it. Rose wanted something in the forties, but given his current situation, the possibility of another baby, and his friends taking their cut, thirty-two is enough.

 

 

 

The Knights barely have time to process Carl Nicks’ five-year, $47.5 million contract with Tampa Bay before negotiations ramp up with Rose’s agent. Though Miami’s resistance to a five-year commitment gives Phillips the edge in bidding, he raises his offer a bit, desperate the close the deal. His final offer is five years, $32.5 million.

 

Rose hears the deal from his agent, who haggles back with Phillips over a few hundred thousand dollars. Phillips raises the average salary from $6.5 million to $6.52 million, and an agreement is reached. Rose heads for team headquarters as Phillips irons out the financial structure of the deal. The contract is printed just before Rose arrives. He exchanges jovial handshakes and wishes of good will, views a copy of the contract, and Malik Rose is a Knight through 2016.

 

Schneider talks about a press conference, and Phillips tunes out the conversation. With Carl Nicks signing, left guard is now the Knights’ top priority.

 

 

 

March 16. An early morning bidding war for Ben Grubbs ends with Los Angeles on top. Grubbs, however, passes up a few million and signs with New Orleans for five years, $36 million. Apparently, the Knights still aren’t in a position to lure free agents on money alone.

 

Evan Mathis becomes the team’s top target. Phillips calls his agent and schedules a visit for tomorrow. Mathis is visiting Baltimore today, and Philadelphia has an offer on the table, so it’s a three-way contest.

 

Meanwhile, Jason Campbell signs with Chicago on a one-year deal. Phillips expected Campbell would leave, but he wants to find a veteran backup for Maverick. Coach Daniel is the biggest quarterback guru in the organization, and while he doesn’t like the free agent class, he has given Phillips a green light. A few hours later, the Knights sign Chad Henne to a two-year, $7 million deal.

 

The rest of the day is quiet, so front office members pass the time by discussing Mario Williams’ six-year, $96 million contract with Buffalo.

 

 

 

March 17. Evan Mathis arrives and tours team headquarters. He meets the owner, general manager, and speaks in depth with the offensive coaching staff. Phillips, however, is called away; something is heating up.

 

He returns to his office and discovers that Dan Connor wants to sign a contract today. Dallas has a two-year, $6.5 million offer on the table, but Connor is willing to take a discount to reunite with Coach Harden, who coached him in Carolina. A few phone calls later, the Knights sign Connor for two years, $6 million, filling their void at inside linebacker. Since it’s Saturday, Harden isn’t at team headquarters, so Phillips texts him the news about the reunion.

 

Less than an hour later, another one of Phillips’ targets is about to make a decision: John Abraham. Phillips wants Abraham on a one-year deal to boost the team’s pass rush, but Atlanta’s offer is for three years.

 

“I’m sorry, Chance,” Abraham’s agent says, “but unless you’re willing to go beyond one year, my client won’t consider the offer. He wants longevity.”

 

Of course he does. Abraham turns 34 in May; he’s a declining player and wants to get as much money as he can while he can. It is precisely this reason Phillips is unwilling to commit beyond a single season.

 

With no other free agent options, this means Sean Brock will start at right outside linebacker. Harden insists he’ll be fine and was against the idea of Abraham initially. Once again, Phillips is forced to trust his defensive coordinator.

 

Phillips rejoins Mathis and channels his best salesman persona, telling him the contract is ready to sign right now. Mathis humbly declines, says he will make a decision soon, and leaves Los Angeles without a deal. Phillips fills everyone in on the Connor and Abraham signings, and reminds them that between the three bidders for Mathis, the Knights have the highest contract on the table.

 

 

 

March 18. Kendall Langford signs with St. Louis for four years, $24 million. Phillips loves that contract for Langford, and gladly would have given it to him to play right defensive end. Unfortunately, Tommy Kelly has three years left on an ugly contract Phillips inherited.

 

A few hours later, Phillips gets a call from Evan Mathis’ agent. The entire room goes quiet again, and Phillips’ look of defeat stuns them. He delivers the news that Mathis is taking a hometown discount to re-sign with Philadelphia for five years, $25 million.

 

“Dammit, that’s twice Philly has poached us,” Schneider says, referring to Nnamdi Asomugha.

 

“In fairness,” DeMartine says, “Nnamdi didn’t really play well last season.”

 

“Good. Fuck the Eagles.”

 

“Let’s change the subject,” Phillips says.

 

There’s not much of a subject to discuss besides the offensive line, which now has two gaping holes at left and right guard. The Knights have whiffed on all three of their premiere targets.

 

 

 

March 19. Half the day passes without substantial news, save for Michael Bush signing with Chicago. This doesn’t worry the Knights; they’re comfortable with a Darren McFadden/Jerome Jaxson tandem in the backfield.

 

“Maybe we should make a move on D-Jam,” Phillips eventually says. “Most of the receiver market is dried up. Rosenhaus is obviously overselling his hand. Maybe if we jump in now and make a decent offer, it’ll work.”

 

“Rosenhaus is a slippery fuck,” Schneider says. “I wouldn’t do it.”

 

“Hell with it, let’s see what happens. The deal we talked about?”

 

“If you insist.”

 

Phillips dials the number. It rings five times before someone answers.

 

“Good afternoon, Chance.”

 

“Listen, Drew, with regards to Jefferspin-Wilkes, it’s obvious you don’t have any deals on the table right now.”

 

“Hold on a second—”

 

“No, you hold on. We’re prepared to make a four-year deal worth twenty-five million total. Something tells me that’s miles ahead of anything you’ve received so far. Tell that to Wilkes and get back to me.” He hangs up.

 

The rest of the day passes without a call from Rosenhaus, or anybody else.

 

 

 

March 20. For the first time, a signing gravitates the entire room to the television screen, which displays the breaking news headline: “Broncos sign Peyton Manning.” Everyone watches the coverage a few minutes before speaking.

 

“This changes our division quite a bit,” Coach Daniel says.

 

“Changes the entire conference,” Schneider says.

 

“What a shame,” DeMartine says. “After the Chargers kept Norv, I figured our division would stay terrible.”

 

“Bring ‘em on,” Coach Harden says.

 

Phillips doesn’t say anything, too busy pondering the ramifications of this signing. He and several others in the Knights organization had a slightly higher view of the team’s outlook simply because a 9-7 record could be a playoff berth in the AFC West. That no longer seems to be the case.

 

 

 

March 21. While the league is still frenzied over the Manning signing, Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes is beyond disappointed. His agent promised him a big deal, and it hasn’t happened. With all the free agent receivers getting five-year deals, he really thought this was the year he got the big payday he deserved. Now, it doesn’t seem likely.

 

“I apologize, D-Jam,” Rosenhaus says over the phone. “I really felt we had a chance to max it out.”

 

“What about another one-year deal?”

 

“No way. That just makes you look weak, and worsens your contract value down the road.”

 

“Oh, okay. So what do we do?”

 

“I think I can talk your GM into some incentives.”

 

“Incentives?”

 

“Yes. If you get this many receiving yards, this many touchdowns, Player of the Week, Pro Bowl, anything. I’ll load that contract with incentives. This way, if you perform like the wide receiver you and I both know you are, you end up making the big bucks.”

 

“That sounds great. Let’s do it.”

 

 

 

March 22. Phillips ponders an incentive-based contract for D-Jam. He suspects his flat, four-year offer is still way better than anything else on the table, but incentives could open the door for another possibility.

 

“I’m open to the idea,” Phillips tells Rosenhaus over the phone, “but only if I get lots of insurance in return.”

 

Rosenhaus has been negotiating NFL contracts for years; he knows what Phillips is talking about. “I’d have to see the contract.”

 

“I’ll get it to you by the end of the day.”

 

 

 

March 23. Ten days have passed since free agency opened, and with all the big names signed, things are winding down. Many teams shift their focus from free agency to the draft.

 

While Phillips and Rosenhaus haggle over incentive details, the Knights sign Antonio Garay to a two-year, $6.6 million contract, though there is no guaranteed money in the second year. Phillips still plans to draft a nose tackle, but in the meantime, he’s happy to poach Garay from division rival San Diego.

 

 

 

March 24. Phillips and Rosenhaus finally reach an agreement on D-Jam’s contract numbers. On the surface, it is a four-year, $26 million deal, but incentives make it potentially worth up to $36 million.

 

“If he hits the incentives,” Phillips says, “then he’s worth nine million per year.”

 

Also, the contract includes very little guaranteed money beyond the first year. So if anything unfortunate happens with D-Jam, Phillip can cut him without much financial ramification for the Knights.

 

Before the end of the day, D-Jam arrives to add one more signature to the agreement, and Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes is a Knight through 2015.

 

 

 

March 28. Andy Lee signs an extension with San Francisco for six years, $20.5 million. Finally with a benchmark, Phillips works with Shane Lechler’s agent and hammers out terms for an extension. Lechler is entering a contract year, and Phillips wants the game’s best punter to retire a Knight. A few hours later, they add three years and restructure his current deal, essentially creating a four-year, $14 million deal.

 

 

 

The calendar turns to April, and the focus at Knights headquarters shifts to the draft, though the workday hours stay the same. One particularly long night, Schneider, Phillips, and Daniel review the team’s depth chart.

 

Daniel: “Still no starters at left and right guard. All due respect, Chance, but this has to be a draft priority.”

 

Schneider: “Missing on the free agents really hurt.”

 

Phillips: “We tried. And I won’t deny that guard is a priority. But Harden’s been raising hell about free safety, as you both know.”

 

Schneider: “Best player available between the three? I can’t see us filling all three with productive rookies, if that’s the goal.”

 

Phillips: “That’s only the goal if we see ourselves as a winning team this season.”

 

Schneider: “Are we?”

 

No one speaks for awhile.

 

 

 

 

[RazorStar 4,025]

We better be!

 

Nice chapter, good way to settle in and build up for next season.

[GA_Eagle 595]

Awesome!!

[Sarge+ 3,436]

You weren't kidding when you said there was a lot going on in this chapter. Great work as always. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

 

Great stuff as always. Bring on next Friday.

[theMileHighGuy 656]

"Good. Fuck the Eagles"

 

great stuff. Just makes me want moar

[Bangy 19]

We better be!

 

Nice chapter, good way to settle in and build up for next season.

 

Of course we are, you got Action Jaxson in the backfield.

 

Great start to the new season Stevo, love how much moar of it there is.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

It's good to be back. Thanks for the praise, gentlemen. I hope you find these first two chapters entertaining enough to excuse the lack of actual football, but it won't be long now.

Edited November 21, 2014 by SteVo

[seanbrock 1,684]

Loved it. The contract negotiations between Rose and D-Jam/Rosenhaus were great and seeing the dynamics between the coaches, GM and owner in an offseason for a losing team was great too.

 

In other news, I'm starting! Me and Zack are gonna break Pey Pey's neck again.

[Thanatos 2,847]

These are awesome, keep it up SteVo!

 

Any chance I could get a guy in here, maybe one of the rookies about to be drafted?

Edited November 22, 2014 by Thanatos19

[SteVo+ 3,702]

These are awesome, keep it up SteVo!

 

Any chance I could get a guy in here, maybe one of the rookies about to be drafted?

 

Yay, I've sucked in another reader!

 

We can talk about moar characters after the season, sir. Always looking for fresh names.

[Sarge+ 3,436]

I don't know why, but for some reason I picture Chance looking like this:

 

[RazorStar 4,025]

I dunno, I always had it in my head he looked something like this:

 

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Sarge's picture is pretty close to what Phillips looks like in my head.

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

Great chapter, Stevo. Can't wait for Friday.

Edited November 22, 2014 by Zack_of_Steel

[badgers 380]

Nice work as always. It's awesome how you research all this stuff, like what happened in the 2011 free agency, what kinds of deals were signed, and what not. I would never remember all of that haha.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Nice work as always. It's awesome how you research all this stuff, like what happened in the 2011 free agency, what kinds of deals were signed, and what not. I would never remember all of that haha.

 

That only amounted to about 10 minutes of research. The draft was trickier, as you'll see next week...

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Malik gettin paid

[Cherry 1,302]

Chad Henne not going to the Jags alone has massive amounts of change down the road. This will be interesting how things don't go to shit...

[BwareDWare94 723]

Guess who kicks ass?

 

YOU DO!