Knights of Andreas 3.03: The I-Word

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Knights of Andreas

Part III

Based on Characters Created by:

badgers

Bangy

Barracuda

Bay

BigBen07

BwareDware94

Chernobyl426

DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F

eightnine

FartWaffles

Favre4Ever

JetsFan4Life

Maverick

monstersofthemidway

OAK

RazorStar

RevisFan81

Sarge

seanbrock

SteVo

Thanatos19

theMileHighGuy

Vin

Zack_of_Steel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Nine – The I-Word

 

Inside a minute to go in the first quarter, the Knights mount another strong drive. The Redskins defense includes little talent outside of Brian Orakpo, so the Knights move the ball with ease.

 

Though Alex Johnson’s ankle hasn’t yet returned to one hundred percent, Logan Bishop makes his first start of the season and racks up three receptions in the first quarter. Maverick leads a passing attack capable of stretching the field interlaced with a consistent run game, and the Knights can’t be stopped. Maverick caps the drive with a twelve-yard touchdown pass to Bishop, his first end zone trip of the year, and the Knights have an early 14-0 lead, with Farmers Field in celebration mode.

 

Defensively, everything goes according to plan. While the Redskins have a formidable offensive line, the Knights stop the run well enough to force Robert Griffin III to make plays, just what Coach Harden wants. Griffin is certainly a dual-threat quarterback, but he plays with more vulnerability and less consistency than the rookie out of Baylor he was last season. Many in the sports world debate his health, and if Harden gets his way, there will be no doubt at the end of this game. The Knights may be 1-2, but the Redskins are about to be 0-4.

 

As the second quarter begins, Griffin gets a few first downs with his legs, prompting Harden to scream for more pass rush. Jamari Price is getting absolutely dominated by Trent Williams, while Grantzinger going at it with Tyler Polumbus has been fun to watch. Despite intricate blitzing by Harden, the Redskins reach field goal range and get on the board. 14-3, Knights.

 

Harden lays into his defense for pathetic effort while the offense brings the crowd back into it quickly, starting their ensuing drive with a thirty-yard pass to Wilkes and finishing it with a five-yard touchdown run by Jameson. 21-3, Knights.

 

The dominance continues until halftime with the same score. Making little adjustments, the Knights coaching staff prepares for an easy second half.

 

Both teams come out to find the clouds have faded. The sun shines intensely on Farmers Field, raising the temperature a few degrees. And while the control of the game doesn’t change as much as the weather in the second half, something else does happen.

 

Midway through the third quarter, Marlon Martin stays down after laying a big hit on Alfred Morris and leaves the game with a shoulder injury.

 

Dan Connor, his replacement, goes down three plays later with an arm injury. This, thankfully, occurs on a third down stop, and Connor reenters the game on the next possession with a clean bill of health. Coach Harden is saved from playing a fifth-round rookie.

 

On the first play of the fourth quarter, blockers tumble at the line of scrimmage on a Knights’ running play, and one of them comes down awkwardly on Chase Grodd’s right leg. Though trainers quickly identify his injury as non-severe, Grodd does not return, and his absence impedes the running game.

 

Somewhere in the middle of this, Brian Penner hurts his back, but he neither tells anybody nor shows any signs of playing hurt.

 

All the while, the offense fails to string together first downs consistently. On the field for most of the second half, the defense allows a field goal early in the fourth quarter and a last-minute touchdown drive (plus two-point conversion) that cuts the lead to 21-14.

 

Enraged that his team has fallen asleep and allowed the Redskins back into it, Harden subdues his anger after the Knights recover the onside kick and run out the clock. Harden walks to midfield to shake hands with Coach Shanahan, trying to decide how best to discipline his players for an inexcusable second half performance.

 

 

 

As is the case every year, the 2013 NFL season reaches the quarter mark before fans can appreciate the fact that it’s football season again.

 

At 2-2, the Knights look up on the rest of their division. The Broncos and Chiefs have gotten off to a 4-0 start while the Chargers are 3-1. The Knights have a bye in three weeks but two divisional matchups before then: a road trip to Kansas City and a home game against San Diego.

 

Monday morning, the coaching staff is hard at work scheming for the undefeated Chiefs. Harden, however, doesn’t feel intimidated. Not that he would anyway, but there’s no way he will ever fear an offense led by Alex Smith. They have a strong offensive line and running attack, Harden admits, but their receiving options pose no threat. The Chiefs are 4-0 because of their defense, and that’s on Everett to handle.

 

“To beat these guys, we have to get creative,” Everett says in the first meeting of the day. “But before that, we have to figure out who we are. We have to figure out what this offense does best. What do you all think?”

 

He waits for his offensive coaches, who offer no response. Nervous, he looks to the head coach.

 

“Okay, Merle, let’s start with you. Same question, but defensively, of course.”

 

“Which question?” Harden says, off guard and genuinely perplexed at what the hell Everett is talking about.

 

“Who are we, as a defense?”

 

“Oh, that’s easy. Eleven guys trying to stop the other eleven guys from scoring.”

 

 

 

When the players return to the MedComm Center, the new name for Knights headquarters courtesy of Medical Communications, Inc., coaches focus on injured players. Defensively, Martin’s injury seems minor, and Harden can confidently start Connor in his place anyway. On the offensive line, Grodd is declared probable for Sunday, and Penner’s back feels fine, though he still doesn’t tell anyone about it.

 

Despite all of this, Tuesday morning marks the triumphant return of Sean Brock, self-declared all-time great pass rusher. He welcomes everyone with exuberance in the locker room, and makes his presence known immediately in the weight room.

 

“Get ready, boys,” he says while finishing a round of bench presses. “The league’s best pass-rushing tandem is back in town.”

 

“Here we go again,” Martin says from a nearby stationary bike, arm wrapped in a sling to help his shoulder heal.

 

“No, no, not ‘here we go again.’” Brock rises from the bench. “Last year was last year. This season, me and Zack are going to bring it in a way no NFL team is prepared to handle.”

 

“Yep,” Grantzinger says, working through dumbbell exercises. “Like you said, Marlon, here we go again. Fucking great to have you back, Sean.”

 

“Careful, Zack. One sack in four games is hardly reason to talk.”

 

“Uh oh!” Wilkes says, approaching the linebackers after some time on the treadmill. “Do we have another contest in the works?”

 

Grantzinger: “Sean tried that already. Didn’t work out so well.”

 

Wilkes: “Oooh! What now, Sean?”

 

Brock: “Just wait, boys. Just wait.”

 

Wilkes tries to think of something to keep him fired up, but he spots Alex Johnson strutting through the room, visibly irritated.

 

“Yo, Alex, that ankle gonna heal sometime this century or what?”

 

“Fuck yourself,” Johnson says, giving Wilkes a hard, shove that knocks his phone out of his pocket. Brock sees and notices it’s ringing.

 

“Whoa, whoa!” Wilkes says as Johnson heads for the exit. He’s too stunned and Johnson is too far away for a response. “Fuck, man. I’m sorry! What do you guys think is up his ass?”

 

Brock: “D-Jam, you got a call, man…843 area code? Where the fuck is that?”

 

Wilkes: “Give me my goddamn phone, bitch!”

 

Wilkes snatches it back and struts away to lift some weights.

 

Brock: “It’s good to see things haven’t changed around here.”

 

Grantzinger: “Yeah, somehow we all carried on without you just fine.”

 

 

 

As practice week goes on, Coach Everett continues his investigation, asking the same strange questions as he did on Monday. Present in many of these meetings is Chance Phillips; present on some of them is Wayne Schneider.

 

Thursday, Phillips tries to find some time alone in his office, but Schneider lets himself in, walks toward the window, and gazes toward the practice field.

 

“A little strange, isn’t it?” Schneider says. “A 2-2 team, four weeks into the season, still trying to find itself.”

 

Phillips isn’t at all in the mood for games. “That’s what happens when you switch coaches. Culture shift can take awhile.”

 

“For Harden, yes, I agree. But I’m referring to Everett. He’s been offensive coordinator four years and he’s still trying to figure out who the good players are and how to use them.”

 

“His contract expires this year, if you’d like to can him.”

 

Schneider casts a glare at Phillips, who focuses on his computer screen. “To be fair, he’s got a point. I don’t know if we’re supposed to be a tough team, a fast team, a finesse team, I don’t know.”

 

Still not seeing the point of this conversation, Phillips tries to end it. “Look, Wayne, I have a few emails to send and then I’m heading down to the field. We can pick up this conversation there?”

 

“Sure thing.”

 

Schneider walks out, and Phillips slides his chair toward the big board of Knights and their contract numbers.

 

A 2-2 start is not what Phillips—or anyone—was hoping for this season, and it won’t help get Schneider off his case, especially considering the Knights are already in year four of Phillips’ tenure.

 

He won’t be able to hide behind the team’s youth much longer.

 

 

 

For the first time this year, Maverick enjoys a full week of practice with a healthy Logan Bishop. Now Johnson’s ankle just needs to heal and this offense can reach its true potential.

 

Coach Everett’s introspective struggle continues. He loves watching a content Maverick throw to Wilkes and Bishop, and he’s very fortunate to be coaching an offense this talented. He just has to figure out how to put everything together.

 

During a film study involving all offensive coaches (plus an indifferent Harden), they throw ideas around the room as the tape winds.

 

“Wilkes is still getting doubled.”

 

“Then let’s use that to our advantage. Shift the defense where we want them.”

 

“That’ll work even better once Johnson’s back.”

 

“And Bishop helps in the meantime.”

 

“It’d be great if we could get some production from the slot.”

 

“Larkhill is a third-round rookie. Give him some time.”

 

“Can we be honest about D-Jam for a minute? He’s only gonna tolerate low receptions for so long. He’ll start chirping.”

 

“Let me worry about that,” Everett says. “I’d like to shift the conversation over to Maverick.”

 

“What about him, coach?”

 

“I don’t see any consistency in his game. Some games he looks like a pocket passer, some games he looks like a scrambler, some days he looks like a gunslinger. I remember scouting his Penn State tape and we saw the same thing. Any suggestions?”

 

Nobody says anything, and a few coaches look genuinely concerned that the team’s franchise quarterback is now being questioned. Or is he?

 

“If I may,” Coach Harden says, clearing his throat and commanding everyone’s attention. “Gentlemen, I’m not an offensive coach, but I know quarterbacks. I play against them every week. I study what they do, how they do it, and I figure out a way to beat them. And for my money, well—just look at that throw. Tom, run the film again.” Everett rewinds the film to replay one of Maverick’s touchdown passes from the Redskins game. “Look at that. Rolling out to his weak side, and he throws a fucking rope to the corner of the end zone. How many quarterbacks in this league can make that throw? Seriously, how many? Five? Six?”

 

“Fair enough, coach, but what’s your point?”

 

“My point is we’ve got a really talented kid under center for us. Let’s not overthink this great situation. Instead of trying to mold Mav into something he’s not, let him become the quarterback he wants to become.”

 

The coaches take in the head coach’s idea quietly.

 

“That’s my two cents, anyway,” Harden says. “You all know whatever you decide, I’m behind you. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

 

Harden walks out for some fresh air.

 

 

 

The Knights take the field at Arrowhead Stadium, a place that has not been kind to them in recent years. And at 4-0 under Andy Reid, the Chiefs no longer appear to be doormats. Regardless, today must be the day that inverts all that. Already trailing the rest of the division in a season where a playoff berth is the goal, falling to 2-3 is not an option.

 

The Knights receive the ball first and Coach Everett’s offense takes the field. Everett isn’t sure his questions will be answered with one game, but for now, he wants balance. Jaxson and Jameson are a very competent one-two punch in the backfield, and Maverick has plenty of receiving targets, even if Johnson isn’t fully healthy.

 

Facing a great defensive front, the Knights manage an effective run game. Jaxson and Jameson split snaps at about a 70-30 ratio, with Jameson getting a few key third-and-short carries. Penner goes head to head with Dontari Poe, Kansas City’s most dominant defensive linemen, winning the intense battles more often than not. Grodd gets to the next level and clashes with a fantastic linebacking corps. Cumulatively, the Knights compile ninety-two rushing yards in the first half, sixty-five of them by Jaxson, though they fail to reach the end zone on the ground.

 

The Knights getting 4.6 yards per carry doesn’t worry Kansas City’s defense, apparently, because they stay consistent in their pass coverage throughout the first half. Wilkes is covered by Sean Smith with Kendrick Lewis usually helping over the top. He runs deep routes only to draw Lewis deep and make room for other receivers, he feels. He finishes the first half with only one reception for six yards on a comeback route.

 

Wilkes does open things up, as Everett expected. Johnson and Bishop are open more often than not, and the Chiefs can’t get enough pass rush to stop Maverick from quick throws. Johnson’s ankle is healthy enough so he can cut on his routes the way he wants to, and Bishop breaks multiple tackles after the catch, reminding Maverick why he’s such a great weapon.

 

Despite an effective, balanced offense, the Knights suffer multiple stalled drives, simply not converting when they need to. Whenever Maverick drops back for a long pass, he becomes the victim of a brutal pass rushing tandem in Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. The Knights put 13 points on the board before halftime with a last-minute drive mounting, but Maverick takes a shot downfield for Wilkes that Kendrick Lewis snags for an interception.

 

On the other side of the ball, Merle Harden coaches and oversees his apparently bipolar defense.

 

The Chiefs involve Jamaal Charles early and often, surprising no one and putting Damian “Anthrax” Jones in the spotlight. Kansas City center Rodney Hudson dominates him, paving the way for Charles. Because Jones subs out for nickel personnel on third downs, his focus today is on stopping the run, and Hudson continually beats him at the point of the attack. The Chiefs stick with runs up the middle throughout the entire half, and Jones grows increasingly nervous, knowing Wesley Mann is waiting eagerly on the bench.

 

At left end, Sam Luck stares down Eric Fisher, this past draft’s first overall pick but far from a polished right tackle. Luck has looked forward to this matchup all week—for multiple reasons. In a contract year, Luck has only one reason to suspect his next contract won’t be what he wants. He is a great run-stopper and his pass rush numbers have increased every year, but teams have noticed. He receives extra attention whenever the recently paid Grantzinger isn’t blitzing next to him, which is just the point: Luck needs to prove he can get sacks without an elite linebacker taking blockers away. He gears up for plays when Grantzinger drops back in coverage, leaving Luck one-on-one against Fisher. But Fisher holds his own enough to keep Luck at bay, and the four pressures he acquires in the first half all come on plays where Grantzinger draws blockers away from him.

 

Marlon Martin spends most of the first half on the bench, telling himself the shoulder is the only reason he’s losing snaps to Dan Connor.

 

With Charles running free, Briggs Randall spends just about every snap stationed in the middle, anchoring the run defense and preventing Charles from singlehandedly destroying the Knights. He racks up ten tackles in the first half alone but makes no flashy plays. If not for Randall, he feels, Charles would score on every possession. Thankfully, he only does so once.

 

Sean Brock’s first 2013 game unfortunately pits him against Branden Albert, a great pass blocker. Brock goes at him with every move he has, breaking through occasionally but never reaching Alex Smith, who gets rid of the ball quickly. Brock drops back into coverage more than he wants to, including a few screens to Charles that catch Brock off guard and out of position, but he doesn’t lose any snaps to Jamari Price. The idea of a rookie overtaking Brock’s starting spot was a laughable one, and now it can rest.

 

Zack Grantzinger rushes the passer much less than usual during the first half, assigned to cover the flats and eliminate some of Alex Smith’s checkdown options. Harden knows Smith can’t throw anything beyond eight yards reliably, so he wants to force him into taking deep shots that his secondary can feast on. Grantzinger shuts everyone down in coverage and makes his limited blitz opportunities count, hitting Smith a few times and forcing one fumble, though Kansas City recovers.

 

With Alex Smith looking for receivers, his supposed top wideout, Dwayne Bowe, is nowhere to be found thanks to Malik Rose. A few years ago, Bowe enjoyed a career game against Rose, but that isn’t happening today, and it will never happen again. Rose erases him from the game with ease, running stride for stride on every route he runs. Rose is in position for multiple interceptions, but Smith seems too scared to throw any—for now.

 

With Jamaal Charles moving the offense by himself and Rose shutting down Bowe, Flash Johnson holds things down over the top—which, for Alex Smith, is fifteen yards downfield. The Chiefs seem smart enough not to try anything deep, with Johnson simply tackling checkdown receivers who make it past their first man.

 

The Chiefs mount three drives that reach the red zone, capitalizing on two of them, and lead at halftime, 17-13.

 

 

 

In the second half, a close football game becomes a chaotic and hysteric one.

 

The Knights get the first possession, and Everett tries to open things up (at the request of Maverick and Wilkes), but Maverick is hit releasing his first pass of the half, and Derrick Johnson intercepts the wobbly throw.

 

The Chiefs respond with a back-shoulder fade for Bowe, which Smith lofts a little too high, Rose catches, and takes the other way for a pick six. 20-17, Knights.

 

Learning from their mistake, Kansas City goes back to Jamaal Charles, who essentially takes their next drive all the way himself, capping it with a leap into the end zone on third and goal. 24-20, Chiefs.

 

The Knights go back to a balanced offense, which nets a few first downs, but the drive stalls at midfield, forcing a punt.

 

The Chiefs offense experiences little success the rest of the second half, but not because of any adjustments Harden makes; they simply forget about Charles, throwing more, including on third and short. One particular play, Smith throws over the middle, Luck tips it in the air, and both Randall and Martin have an interception lined up, but they collide with each other and hit the grass along with the ball, a harmless and embarrassing incompletion.

 

Just as the Knights start to find rhythm on offense, Alex Johnson catches a pass, spins, and Eric Berry knocks the ball out of his hands for a fumble, setting the Chiefs up in Knights territory. Smith, however, throws another errant pass that Flash Johnson corrals for an interception.

 

On the ensuing Knights possession, Maverick falls under immense pressure and forces a throw toward Bishop, his first poor decision of the day, and Derrick Johnson intercepts it, notching the Knights’ third turnover and the game’s fifth.

 

“This is a goddamn disgrace,” Harden says on the sideline.

 

The fourth quarter eventually arrives, with the second half drudging along much slower than the first half did. Trailing by four, every offensive possession becomes important for the Knights. They eventually find themselves just across midfield with the clock under ten minutes. After Jaxson gets two yards on third down, the Knights face fourth and one.

 

“Let’s go,” Harden says to Everett. “Pick your best play, coach.”

 

Everett thinks about it: which one in the playbook can get them a yard right now, when they need it the most? He considers three options: a quick run up the middle for Jameson, a screen pass to Jaxson, or a trips formation designed to break Johnson open in the flat.

 

In the huddle, Maverick relays the call—screen to Jaxson—and lines everyone up. The Chiefs look ready to defend a screen. Facing immense crowd noise, calling adjustments is difficult, but Maverick backs up and calls an audible. The crowd gets even louder as Maverick tries to communicate the new call with the play clock running low. He gets back to formation, not sure everyone has heard the play, and takes the snap.

 

He fakes an inside handoff to Jameson and sees the front seven converge. He looks left. Wilkes isn’t running free, but he breaks on an out route and is open. Maverick winds up to throw—a free rusher slams him to the grass for a sack. Turnover on downs.

 

 

 

The Chiefs reach the red zone quickly, ready to seize victory. Charles gets a sweep on first and ten, and Flash Johnson bolts toward him. As Charles sidesteps a block, Johnson’s arm beats the football loose. It bounces off the grass and into a massive pile of bodies, where the Knights somehow regain possession. Their sideline comes to life with 7:35 to play.

 

“No more bullshit,” Maverick says in the huddle. “Let’s take care of business.”

 

Despite Everett’s insistence for patience, Maverick lobs one up for Wilkes on the drive’s first play. Despite double coverage, Wilkes out-jumps everyone and brings down a forty-yard catch.

 

Maverick looks elsewhere the next few plays, connecting with Johnson and Bishop for multiple first downs. With Kansas City’s secondary scrambling, Everett dials up some runs with Jaxson and Jameson, which get the Knights another first down at the four-yard line.

 

First and goal. Maverick gets ready for a fade to Wilkes, single-covered. He sees Lewis running to double him, hurries the snap, and lobs it up. Wilkes shows off his athleticism by outreaching Sean Smith and hauls in the touchdown. 27-24, Knights, 4:39 to play.

 

A celebratory relief takes over the sideline as the offensive players and coaches congratulate themselves.

 

“Great drive, coach,” Harden says to Everett. “You do that every possession, we’ll never lose a football game.”

 

“You got it, coach.”

 

The celebration is short-lived, however, as the Chiefs somehow get the pass game going with Alex Smith. Still throwing short passes, Smith moves the chain one first down at a time. Every time Harden calls a blitz, Smith has the ball out in a hurry.

 

The drive reaches the edge of field goal range at the two-minute warning, and Harden gives Randall an earful.

 

After a five-yard run by Charles, the Chiefs line up for second and five. A miscommunication on defense leads to a receiver lined up with nobody covering him. Nobody notices at first, but Andy Reid calls timeout, and the Knights get away with it.

 

Smith looks deep the next few passes, a futile exercise that brings up fourth down. Ryan Succop comes on and drills a forty-three yard kick, tying the game, 27-27.

 

With 1:16 to go and all three timeouts, Harden isn’t about to take a knee and accept overtime. Based on their last drive, that should be more than enough time for the offense to get into Janikowski’s range.

 

The first play, Everett calls a run to Jaxson, a conservative start designed to avoid a three and out. Jaxson takes it up the middle, a defender gets his helmet on the ball, and it pops loose, right into the arms of a red jersey. Arrowhead Stadium rocks as the Chiefs offense comes back on the field, already in field goal range.

 

Enraged at such an incredulous turn of events, Coach Harden watches as the Chiefs run the ball down to the three-yard line, taking all the Knights’ timeouts and game clock with it, and Succop hits the chip shot field goal. Chiefs win, 30-27.

 

Harden gets off the field as fast as he can, and he’s glad to see his players do the same. The upcoming week of practice will be the most unpleasant of their lives.

 

Once the locker room is settled and everyone is accounted for, things go quiet. The players know by now that their head coach isn’t one for inspiration after a win, but after a loss, they don’t need to be told to get ready.

 

“That was absolutely atrocious,” Harden says to his players and coaches. “Just awful. One of the worst football games I’ve ever seen. You all better feel sick to your stomachs right now, because I sure as hell do. I don’t know what the hell’s the matter with this team, but we better fucking fix it. No way we should be 2-3, but that’s what we are, gentlemen. Two wins, three losses. We have to get our shit together fast. This is an important week coming up for us. We have to get back on track to play a great football game next Sunday…and I don’t have to tell you all what next Sunday is.”

 

The players lift their heads, remembering the occasion: Caden Daniel and the San Diego Chargers return to Farmers Field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bangy 19]

Ahhh I missed the Zack/Sean bitching back and forth. Man I fumble to end the game...

 

Enjoyed as always, wonder how playing against Daniels will be for Jaxson.

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

Stevo, why do you hate the Knights?

[RazorStar 4,025]

Because everyone sucks. Especially Cherry getting in the way of my Alex Smith INTs.

[seanbrock 1,684]

But the Chiefs are frauds. Remember that? lol

 

Knights are getting some key players back from injury(and suspension ) and finding their identity. Young team with a new HC. I smell a big time roll after the bye.

Edited May 17, 2015 by seanbrock

[Cherry 1,302]

Because everyone sucks. Especially Cherry getting in the way of my Alex Smith INTs.

Someone has to man the middle or else Jamaal scores every play bud

 

Thanks for helping me on those 20-some stops.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Lost a heartbreaker which means you all get to revel in slaughtering me next week. Ha

[JetsFan4Life 542]

Loving it so far but NEEDS MORE ADAM JAVAD.

[Sarge+ 3,436]

So the "I" word is Identity?

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Pick six

[RazorStar 4,025]

So the "I" word is Identity?

 

Incompetent.

[әightninә. 39]

Always good reading these. Unfortunate that my player is essentially useless, but.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

So the "I" word is Identity?

 

I think it's open to interpretation but here's my take on that:

 

 

 

I think the I-word in this chapter could be "identity" or "individual." Identity seems the most obvious because that's what Coach Everett is searching for, trying to identify his best players and such. So, offensively, the team is trying to find their identity in this chapter.

 

Defensively, however, it seems their problem is playing as individuals, not as a team. Read the description of the first half of the Chiefs game again: instead of describing the game progressively from kickoff to halftime, each player gets his own paragraph of summary. We've never had games described that way before.

 

 

[Sarge+ 3,436]

 

Can't wait for the next chapter.

[theMileHighGuy 656]

I thought it was for Injury. Then Identity. Then Incredible TD catch.

 

[Barracuda 629]

843...South Carolina. WHO IS IT?

[Bangy 19]

Hmmmmm who's got links to Carolina?

[theMileHighGuy 656]

D-Jam do. And I know who it is

[SteVo+ 3,702]

MHG knows what's up.

 

For the record, here's an excerpt from chapter four, "The Receiving End," from the flashback where Phillips is trying to sell Schneider on the possibility of signing D-Jam.

 

 

 

“He’s got quite a history.”

“Yes he does. But as I said, it would only be a one-year investment. Could be cut loose at any time.”

“Tell me if I’ve got any of this wrong.” Schneider picks up a piece of paper from his desk. “Top recruit to USC, charged with assault two years later, transfers to Coastal Carolina and puts up astronomical stats. Fourth overall pick to Seattle, complains about the weather, has a good rookie year, then a great second season until he’s arrested on gun charges, suspended indefinitely, and surprisingly cut by Seattle at the conclusion of his suspension. He’s a free agent for the last week of the season plus playoffs and nobody gives him a shot. That about right?”

“Yes, that’s all correct.”

 

 

[RazorStar 4,025]

So this is the chapter where D-Jam comes out of the closet?