SteVo+ 3,702 Posted December 11, 2015 Knights of Andreas Part IV Based on Characters Created by: badgers Bangy Barracuda Bay BigBen07 BradyFan81 BwareDware94 Chernobyl426 DarthRaider DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F eightnine FartWaffles Favre4Ever JetsFan4Life Maverick monstersofthemidway RazorStar Sarge seanbrock SteVo Thanatos19 theMileHighGuy Vin Zack_of_Steel Chapter Forty-Two – Against All Odds “…It is a tougher Monday than usual today, as Knights fans wake up this morning, for the first time since November, after a loss. The Knights’ magical run ends with a Super Bowl defeat at the hands of the Seahawks…” “…Fans may still be moping around, but the Knights are getting busy. The team announced today they have re-signed center Brian Penner to a three-year, $21 million contract. That’s a nice start to the offseason, locking down veteran leadership before Penner could reach free agency…” “…Surprising news today, as the Cincinnati Bengals have hired Tom Everett to be their offensive coordinator. It was speculated but not really expected that the Knights would lose their head offensive coach, whose contract expired, and now, they have a significant position to fill very late in the coaching carousel…” “…Some more contract news, as we’re only a few days away from free agency: the Knights have re-signed Logan Bishop to a five-year deal worth $29 million. Bishop was set to be under contract in 2014 but was not due any guaranteed money, per the deal he signed last offseason. Of course, there were rumors that Bishop was hesitant about re-joining the team after the firing of Caden Daniel, but those certainly seem a moot point now. Bishop is locked up through 2018, his age-33 season…” “…The Knights have found their offensive coordinator, and it’s a name no one expected. The team announced today the hiring of Ronald McKenzie, head coach at North Dakota State University. McKenzie was North Dakota State’s offensive coordinator during Merle Harden’s three-year head coaching tenure there…” “…We have our first big deal of free agency. Left tackle Jared Veldheer has signed with the Arizona Cardinals for five years, $35 million. So, the Knights let their starting left tackle walk, the contract numbers presumably too rich for them despite so much cap room…” “…Jerome Jaxson is reuniting with his old head coach. The former UConn running back has signed a three-year, $14 million contract with the San Diego Chargers, joining Caden Daniel, who coached Jaxson both in college and with the Los Angeles Knights…” “…Here’s something of an odd surprise: Sebastian Janikowski has signed a four-year deal with the Detroit Lions. Janikowski was, rather famously, drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the 2000 draft, and had been with the franchise ever since. The Knights will presumably be looking for a kicker in this year’s draft…” “…Finally, some good free agent news for the Knights: they have signed Sam Luck to a four-year deal, reportedly worth $31 million. According to sources, Luck had larger offers on the table, so this looks like a win for both sides. The Knights lock up a key defensive player at a small discount, and Luck can hit free agency again while he’s still in his prime…” “…Due to the departure of both Jared Veldheer and Khalif Barnes, the Knights find themselves with holes at both offensive tackle spots. GM Chance Phillips says the team will be aggressive to fill those holes via the draft…” “…The Knights have hired Michal Keegan to an unspecified front office role. A 27-year-old Cornell graduate, Keegan is a statistics guru unknown in league circles, though he was interviewing with several NFL teams…” “…No surprise here: the Knights have exercised Briggs Randall’s fifth-year option for 2015. Both Randall’s agent and the team say they are optimistic about hammering down a long-term extension this summer…” “…The first round of the 2014 NFL Draft is over, and, as promised, the Knights were aggressive, trading up thirteen spots for Virginia Tech offensive tackle Tristan Adams…” “…Chance Phillips’ aggressive draft strategy continued last night, as the Knights packaged both 2014 and 2015 draft picks to move up and select Boise State offensive tackle Evan Fowler. The Knights have now drafted two rookies to fill their holes at offensive tackle…” “…OTAs have begun, and the Knights have two absent players: Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes and Malik Rose, who are holding out for new contracts. Both players are currently on deals signed in 2012. Wilkes has two years left on an incentive-based deal that can pay as high as $9 million annually. Rose, meanwhile, is entering year three of a five-year deal that averages $6.5 million per season…” “…The Knights announced a new contract for head coach Merle Harden today, extending the man who was a Coach of the Year candidate in 2013. Financial details were not released, but it is a four-year extension, making Harden L.A.’s head coach through the 2018 season…” “…As the first day of training camp nears, the Los Angeles Knights have still not reached an extension agreement with Jonathan Maverick, who enters the final year of his rookie contract this season. The two sides are reportedly still millions of dollars apart in negotiations…” “…Both Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes and Malik Rose attended training camp today in Valencia. While Jefferspin-Wilkes refused to comment, Rose answered questions and defiantly proclaimed, ‘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’...” “…So, no new contract for Jonathan Maverick. The 25-year-old signal caller will play through the final year of the $60-million rookie deal he signed in 2010. GM Chance Phillips said the team is comfortable using the non-exclusive franchise tag on Maverick next offseason, if necessary, and that the quarterback remains very much a part of their long-term plans…” “…While the Knights enter the 2014 season with high expectations, they face a historically difficult task. The last team to win it all after losing the Super Bowl the previous year? The famous 14-0 Miami Dolphins team that won Super Bowl VII back in 1973. In fact, over the last decade, only five of ten Super Bowl runner-ups even made the playoffs the following year…” The visitors take up most of the narrow tunnel, inching toward the light at its end that leads to the field. Everyone stands shoulder to shoulder, pads touching, until a stadium employee at the front of the crowd gives them the go-ahead, and the reigning AFC champions take the field. Players run out of the tunnel into brightness and look around at a familiar sight. Thanks to either coincidence or a dark sense of humor by the schedule makers, the Knights start their new season where the last one ended: MetLife Stadium. Now, of course, it’s lacking a Super Bowl atmosphere, packed instead with a partisan crowd of Jets fans. The pre-game festivities end quickly, and the Knights get the ball first. After a touchback, the offense takes the field, and quarterback Jonathan Maverick presses his hand against his helmet. The play call comes into his ear, spoken by a rasp, husky voice. From the sidelines, Ronald McKenzie watches the huddle break into formation for the first play of the season, his first play call as Los Angeles Knights offensive coordinator, and his first play in the NFL. Maverick lines up under center behind a familiar interior offensive line: left guard Chase Grodd, center Brian Penner, right guard Kevin Zeitler. Maverick takes the snap and throws laterally to his left. Da’Jamiroquai Jefferspin-Wilkes catches it and lines up the corner across from him. Wilkes runs through the five yards he’s given and uses his 6’4” frame to get another three, tackled for an eight-yard gain. Quick plays like that are a new addition to the offensive repertoire, courtesy of Coach McKenzie. As he has said throughout the offseason, “If the defense gives us five yards, we’re gonna take it, then fight for five more.” Wilkes lines up in various places over the next few plays, happy to showcase his versatility. After failing to get a new contract in the offseason, he looks forward to a big season and a huge payday next spring. Across the field, wide receiver Alex Johnson is ready for what must be a big year. In in the final season of his rookie contract, Johnson is a free agent to be, and he has already proved his value on the field; it’s just a question of how often he can stay on the field. The injury problems that have nagged him throughout his life are now the biggest blotch on his resume. His agent had some contract discussions with the Knights during the offseason, but the organization made their intentions clear: they want to see Johnson play a full season before paying him big money. Johnson runs into the flat, wide open, and Maverick throws it. He catches the pass, runs forward into space, and goes down. Unlike Wilkes, Johnson has been coached to hit the grass with defenders closing in. The extra two yards, Coach McKenzie says, are not worth the injury risk. Operating a quick throw, pass first offense, the Knights reach midfield on the season’s opening drive, soon facing third and four. Maverick fakes a handoff and drops back. Pressure comes outside. He steps up, looking for Wilkes, and bombs it. In double coverage, Wilkes tries to separate, running as fast as he can, but the pass goes over everyone’s head. Wilkes jogs back to the sideline, happy the offense is already taking shots downfield. It won’t be long before they connect. “Listen up, ladies!” McKenzie barks on the sideline. “That’s a terrible start to the season. Everything we’ve rehearsed for months and we can only get to midfield? Unacceptable. We execute and get into field goal range next time.” Nearby, Merle Harden keeps an eye on his friend, confident but tentative about McKenzie’s first year in the NFL. He’s no brilliant football mind, but he doesn’t have to resurrect a middling offense devoid of talent. Whenever McKenzie asked for advice throughout the offseason, Harden simply said, “Just don’t fuck it up.” Harden, meanwhile, watches his defense take the field, a defense returning all eleven starters from last year. Jets quarterback Geno Smith lines up for New York’s first offensive snap of the season, staring down a three-man defensive line: left end Sam Luck, nose tackle Damian Jones, right end Gregory Vance. Smith hands off to Chris Ivory. Luck breaks off the edge and brings him down for a one-yard gain, making the defense’s first tackle of the year. That’s a fine start to the next four years for Luck, whose new contract includes $16 million guaranteed. He left some money on the table, but he’d rather be in California. It’s home. In four years, he can take the money and cash in, but there’s a lot of football between then and now. And after going from a rookie unsure he’d be able to play in a 3-4 to one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league, he sees no limit to his potential. On second down, Luck breaks through again towards Ivory, but Smith has the ball after a play-action fake. He finds a receiver downfield, and the home crowd cheers for the first down. The Jets line up in a bunch formation, and Damian “Anthrax” Jones lines up right on top of the ball. The third-year tackle opens this season like last year: the victor of a preseason position battle. Coach Harden labeled it a position battle, anyway, between him and Wesley Mann. But Anthrax has held the top depth chart spot since April. He’s entrenched as the starter now. Jones accelerates and battles with Nick Mangold, one of the league’s better centers. He gains no leverage as Smith drops back to pass, finding a receiver again. Another first down puts the Jets in field goal range, and Harden’s screams reach the field. On second and four, Anthrax gets around Mangold and crushes Ivory for a two-yard loss, silencing the crowd. Anthrax enjoys the celebration but knows it’s brief; he looks to the sideline and sees a familiar signal: nickel package, sub out. He jogs off the field while cornerback Ken Lucas takes his place in the Knights’ 2-4-5 formation. Hands on his hips, Anthrax watches from the sideline as his teammates cover the third down play beautifully, forcing Smith to roll out and throw it away. Nick Folk comes on for a fifty-one-yard field goal and boots it through for the season’s first points. The Knights take over with awful field position, pinned on their own four. The game is tied, 3-3, with 10:52 left in the second quarter. McKenzie isn’t about to invite a safety, so he runs the ball. Marcus Jameson takes multiple carries up the middle, pounding away for a first down. With Jaxson gone, two undrafted free agents are behind Jameson on the depth chart, one of whom is hurt. It looks like Jameson is the Knights’ feature back now, something he has no problem with. McKenzie keeps the running plays coming, to the delight of his interior offensive line. Penner pummels his opposite nose tackle, occasionally reaching the linebackers to kick their asses too. He especially enjoys the youth that now surrounds him on the line, bookended by two more high draft picks. With the team’s commitment to the trenches, the Knights will soon have the most feared offensive front in football. And Penner, playing on a new contract, will be happy to experience it before retiring as a Knight. Jameson surges through a huge hole for another first down. On his way back to the huddle, he high-fives Grodd, the creator of that hole. Grodd’s focus is the same as last year—improve in pass protection—but now he knows better than to dwell on that during a game. He lines up for first and ten. Now with plenty of room to breathe, McKenzie decides to open things up. Maverick takes a deep drop, looking for Wilkes, but pressure comes from his blind side, and he hurries a throw out of bounds. A nearby receiver prevents an intentional grounding call, a lucky break. Adams, the guilty lineman, helps Maverick to his feet. “That’s on me,” the rookie left tackle says. “Forget it.” Maverick fakes a handoff and rolls out on second and ten, but a defender is right in his face. He throws it away and gets hit, rolling onto the grass. That one was on Fowler, the right tackle, who remains silent as the offense huddles up. Third and ten. Maverick lines up in shotgun as the crowd gets loud. He drops back and tracks Johnson over the middle. Maverick throws just as he breaks open, but he gets hit as he releases it, falling to the ground as another white jersey lands on top of him. On the ground, he hears the crowd roar, knowing it’s worse than an incompletion. He gets up, and his fears are confirmed: interception, Jets ball. Maverick glares at his left tackle as they leave the field. Second and ten, Jets ball from the Knights’ thirty. With only 0:36 left in the first half, the Jets line up in shotgun, trying to extend their 10-3 lead. In the secondary, cornerback Malik Rose lines up against Eric Decker, a pathetic excuse for a number one receiver, and a waste of Rose’s time. Smith has spent most of his time attacking Richard Marshall, wisely staying away from Rose. Decker runs along the sideline and Rose goes with him. He looks up, surprised to see a pass headed their way, but it sails over everyone’s head and out of bounds. Too bad; a more accurate pass and Rose might have been able to intercept it. Third and ten. Strong safety Sebastian Stevenson cheats toward the box to blitz, leaving free safety Griswold “Flash” Johnson alone over the top. Flash has had a quiet day so far, unafraid of New York’s receivers and waiting for Smith to throw up a jump ball. Flash backs up and sees a short pass go over the middle. Jeff Cumberland catches it in traffic and multiple defenders get their hands on him. Flash picks up speed and rams the tight end, sending him into the grass with force. “Get some, bitch,” Flash says, strutting away as the officials signal fourth down. The Jets tick the clock down, call timeout, and send the field goal unit out. Folk hits another kick, and everyone heads to the locker rooms for halftime. From an executive suite atop the stadium, general manager Chance Phillips watches nervously, the home crowd abuzz from the Jets’ 13-3 lead. He tallies a few stats for his offensive line and arrives at an unpleasant conclusion: the Knights have surrendered six QB hurries, and all six have come from the pair of rookies Phillips acquired so aggressively. The Knights traded a first- and third-round pick plus a second rounder in 2015 to get Adams, a physical freak with elite potential who was inconsistent in college. The Knights then traded a second, fourth, and 2015 fourth rounder to move up for Fowler, one of the more pro-ready tackles in the entire draft albeit with a limited ceiling. The Knights’ offensive line now includes two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and some undrafted guy named Brian Penner. But all that potential isn’t helping their current situation. In fairness, facing the duo of Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson is an unfair starting point for rookie tackles. Besides, Phillips is confident both tackles will pan out into decent rookies. He’s secretly more worried about the first season of the team’s offensive coordinator. Front office personnel, head coaches, and Wayne Schneider sit around the table in Phillips’ office, endless packets of paper in front of them. “Okay, let’s get into it,” Phillips says. “We need to find an offensive coordinator. Should we talk about what we’re looking for?” “Obviously, we need a coach who gels with the players we have,” Schneider says. “It’s a little late in the game to renovate the entire offense.” “The offense is pretty balanced, though,” DeMartine says. “I imagine that would appeal to just about any coach.” “You know what,” Phillips says, sensing the conversation becoming counterproductive, “let’s just go through some names.” There aren’t many. Just about every high profile offensive coach was hired in January. Gary Kubiak, Scott Linehan, Kyle Shanahan, Norv Turner—all off the market. Tom Everett’s departure to Cincinnati has left the Knights in a difficult spot. Over the next few minutes, only two names are discussed: Jim Caldwell and Hue Jackson. Caldwell brings a much different coaching style than Harden, a possible complication, as well as the possibility of becoming a head coach candidate in a year or two, not a plus regarding continuity. Jackson seems a better option in that regard, but his skill as an offensive coordinator is debated, and it becomes clear the Knights simply don’t think highly of him. “As long as we’re willing to think outside the box,” Harden says, “I have a suggestion.” “By all means, coach,” Phillips says. “Ronald McKenzie.” The room goes quiet. Hardly anyone knows of McKenzie beyond his title as head coach at North Dakota State University. “I worked with him for three years,” Harden says. “If we want someone who gels with my coaching style, who will make the transition as painless as possible, he’s your guy.” “What about from an X’s and O’s standpoint?” Schneider asks. “He’s known for being flexible. He’ll work with whatever offense he has. When I was there, he ran a run-and-gun with a lot of double tight end sets, bunch formations, things like that. In the years since, they’ve recruited some good receivers and transitioned to more of a pass-first attack.” Everyone looks impressed. “How do you think he’ll approach our offense?” Phillips asks. “You’ll have to ask him.” “Zero NFL experience,” Schneider says. “He’s still as good an option as we have right now,” Phillips says. “Let’s schedule an interview.” The Knights defense takes the field with Coach Harden’s message ringing loud in their ears: “Make a fucking play.” Outside linebacker Sean Brock hangs over the line of scrimmage, ready to take off and plant Smith to the ground. He times his jump perfectly, gets around the left tackle, and hits Smith just after he throws it. The pass lands incomplete, and Brock prepares to do the same thing on second and ten. On the opposite side, Zack Grantzinger gets set to blitz after dropping back in coverage the previous play. Moving around is nothing new for Grantzinger, but he’s desperate for a big play. The Jets offense is garbage; the Knights should be dominating. Grantzinger and Brock both get pressure off the edge, forcing Smith to step up and hurry a throw that lands incomplete. Inside linebacker and defensive captain Briggs Randall calls the next play, an inside blitz. Like Grantzinger, Randall has extremely high expectations for the defense this year, and today’s performance is totally unacceptable. Randall blitzes on third and ten, sidestepping a lineman and chasing after Smith. Randall dives, grabs Smith by the legs, but can’t pull him down. Smith looks ready to launch a pass before being leveled by Marlon Martin. One of the few veterans on this defense, 32-year-old Martin soaks up praise for the key sack as the Knights defense heads back to the sidelines. With Dan Connor’s offseason departure, Martin is finally a full-time starter. His contract expires after this season, but he doesn’t foresee any problems re-signing, mostly due to his tendency to avoid the spotlight. Martin is probably the fourth best linebacker on the team, but there’s no shame in that with this roster. The field position battle tilts in favor of the Knights, and the offense manages a field goal before the third quarter ends, cutting the deficit to 13-6. It seems the Jets are about to strike back, getting a couple first downs with the run game, but Smith lofts an inaccurate pass that Flash intercepts, and the Knights take over near midfield. McKenzie deliberately keeps his calls balanced. From his study of the Knights before taking the job, he knows the offense operates at its best when both the run and pass game are effective. Neither aspect of the offense can carry the team by itself—something he hopes to change. Maverick drops back and, yet again, rolls out due to pressure. On the run, he spots tight end Logan Bishop break open and hits him for an eight-yard gain. Though he’d obviously prefer better protection, Maverick doesn’t mind all the running around. In fact, he thrives in it. He hopes to incorporate more rollouts and bootlegs into the playbook this year. The recipient of that catch, Bishop gets back in the huddle, slightly disappointed to hear the call, which has him in pass protection instead of running a route. He understands, of course, and will never argue with doing what he can to help the team. After all, Bishop is living the good life (whatever that means) after an offseason where he received a $29-million contract and got married. Maverick hands off to Jameson, thankful to rest a few seconds and watch his running back do all the hard work. A few yards later, the Knights have a first down in Jets’ territory. In the huddle, Maverick isn’t the only one who’s tired. Wide receiver Joseph Watson lines up in the slot, ready to run yet another deep route. He likes that Coach McKenzie wants to maximize his talent, but so many forty- and fifty-yard sprints are starting to catch up to him. He shouldn’t complain, though; a year ago, Watson just barely made the roster after being a seventh-round draft pick. Now, he has solidified a role as the team’s slot receiver. Maverick takes the snap in shotgun and looks right. A screen develops in front of Watson and Maverick fakes a throw, trying to sell a broken play. As he rolls left to escape pressure, Watson takes off. Maverick stops, plants his feet, and bombs it toward the end zone. Watson, open by two steps, catches the pass in stride just as he crosses the goal line. Touchdown, Knights. Maverick and Watson smile together on the sideline and enjoy some praise from their offensive coordinator. That fake bubble screen is a favorite of McKenzie’s, and they executed it to perfection. The score remains tied, 13-13, as the fourth quarter begins. The Jets offense appears to find momentum before Smith tries to beat Rose on a deep throw. Rose makes the interception near the end zone and falls out of bounds, pinning the Knights on their own four-yard line. Then, something happens. The Knights move the ball with ruthless efficiency. Every one of McKenzie’s calls is spot on. Jameson finds holes on every run, and Maverick sits behind clean protection, able to go through his progressions and find open receivers. Adams and Fowler finally hold their own against the Jets’ pass rush, with Bishop swinging back and forth to help. The fourth quarter ticks away as the Knights get one first down after another, reaching the red zone with ten minutes left. Johnson makes a diving grab near the sidelines to set up first and goal on the eight. McKenzie calls his “isolation formation,” with Wilkes lined up wide left. The Jets play along, putting a single cornerback on Wilkes. McKenzie doesn’t need to tell Maverick what to do. Wilkes runs along the sideline toward the end zone. The cornerback is right in his face, but it doesn’t matter. Maverick lofts it up, and Wilkes launches himself into the air, easily outreaching the defender. He catches the ball and plants his feet well in bounds for the touchdown. Wanting to dunk the ball on the goal posts (and probably draw a penalty), Wilkes decides they’re too far away, spikes the football as hard as he can, and gets mobbed by his teammates. On the sideline, McKenzie is all smiles. He lavishes his players with praise for a damn near perfect drive, and that was barely scratching the surface of his playbook. In an effort to ease the transition, the Knights will slowly expand the offensive playbook each week, culminating in some no-huddle in December, if all goes according to plan. The celebration dies down and McKenzie looks down the sideline, seeing his head coach and friend Merle Harden sporting a rare, reassuring smile. “Welcome to the NFL, Mac,” Harden says. Everett grabs the last box out of his office and walks out through the empty locker room, Harden right next to him. “I wish you luck in Cincinnati, Tom,” Harden says. “But I gotta say I wish you would have stayed.” “It’s business, Merle,” Everett says, eyes still on the walk ahead of him. “Just business.” “I understand. Just, with the timing and all, you left us in a tough spot.” Everett stops. He adjusts the box in his arms and faces his former colleague. “You know something? I resent that. Is it my fault we didn’t finish the season until February? If so, excuse me for doing my part to get this team to a goddamn Super Bowl. You’ve got an immature quarterback who thinks he’s God’s gift to football, and I straightened him out. So, with all due respect, you’re welcome.” Harden considers a haymaker straight to Everett’s jaw. Instead, he crosses his arms and seethes. “You know something? The reality is, Tom, this offense didn’t take off until Maverick started calling plays. The reality is the kid brought everything together when you couldn’t. And because of that, you’re taking your master plans and brilliant play-calling skills elsewhere. So, with all due respect? Good riddance, coach. Now get the fuck out of my locker room.” Everett seems to be considering a response, but he looks flustered. He opens his mouth to speak, readjusts his grip on the box, and strolls out of the MedComm Center for the last time. After the defense forces a punt, the Knights get the ball back on their own thirty-three, up 20-13 with 4:47 to go in the fourth quarter. Jameson pounds away up the middle, getting extra yards where he can and earning a first down on three tough runs. Jets head coach Rex Ryan burns his first timeout with 2:43 on the clock, and the Knights are essentially one first down from victory. Two more Jameson runs and Jets timeouts bring up third and four with 2:31 left. McKenzie calls play-action, hoping to burn the defense and end it here. Maverick fakes a handoff to Jameson and looks over the middle. Pressure forces him to step up into a crowd. He runs forward, ready to try for the first down himself, but spots Bishop over the middle and fires just as he gets hit from behind, falling forward. The pass hits Bishop between the numbers for a ten-yard gain. “Fuck yes!” Harden screams on the sideline as players and coaches celebrate around him. “Nice call, Mac, now let’s—oh, fuck me.” Harden’s eyes fall on Maverick, still lying on the grass, writhing in pain. Trainers sprint toward the Knights’ quarterback as things go very still. Jets fans are exiting the stadium, but they do so quietly, and many can hear Maverick screaming. Maverick stays on the ground, squirming involuntarily. Everything seems to blur as faces appear on top of him. “Talk to me, Mav,” one of the trainers says. “The shoulder, it fucking hurts.” “Which part? Which part hurts?” “The whole fucking thing!” Wobbling around, Maverick feels hands holding him in place as he tries not to move his right shoulder. He has broken a bone before, and this feels different. It feels like the inside of his shoulder has been ripped apart. Over the next few minutes, the pain tempers a bit, though any motion of his arm makes it feel like it’s on fire. The trainers help him to his feet, and it seems the entire team is standing in line to wish him good luck on his way to be examined. Meanwhile, in comes Max Buchanan, the second-year quarterback who beat out free agent Kellen Clemens for the backup job. Today, Buchanan only has to take a few snaps and kneel down, but everyone can’t help but wonder what his role will be in the coming weeks. Players change out of pads slowly and quietly. The locker room is as nervous and tense as it can be following a win. There’s always plenty of uncertainty going into a new season, but after one game, this is the worst a 1-0 record can feel. “Listen up,” Coach Harden says. “I know we’re all worried about our quarterback right now, and we should be, but there’s nothing we can do. The doctors are checking him out. He’s in good hands. I know we all tend to be pessimistic in situations like this, so let’s not forget there’s a good chance Mav is just a little sore and back to being the usual pain in the ass on Tuesday morning. In the meantime, I want you all to remember that we played a good game today, and we got a win. Right now, that’s more important than anything.” The players know their head coach is right, but his words offer them no relief. They find no comfort. Less than an hour later, Phillips, Harden, and Dr. Evans, the Knights’ head doctor, stand in a tunnel underneath the stadium. Measures are taken to make sure no cameras or microphones are around. “Well?” Phillips says. “No bullshit, doc. How bad?” “It’s difficult to say,” Evans says. “X-rays are negative, which is good, but it looks like we’re dealing with a separation of some kind.” “Timetable?” “Right now, he’s out indefinitely.” “Dammit, I don’t want to hear this indefinitely crap. I need a number.” “Chance, I’m sorry, but right now, we can’t—” Feeling his skin flare with anger, Phillips grabs a nearby chair and throws it down the hallway. It bangs off the wall and ground, reverberating throughout the tunnel with a horrible clang. Phillips puts his hands on his hips and catches his breath. Harden and Evans are visibly stunned by his reaction. “I’m sorry,” Phillips says. “I’m sorry, doc. But I need a number. I don’t care if you reevaluate tomorrow morning and change your mind, but right now, I need something concrete.” Phillips and Harden fixate on the doctor as he looks down in thought, pursing his eyebrows, then looks up. “Months. Not weeks.” 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted December 11, 2015 Maverick confirmed bust. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 11, 2015 Oh shit, we Romo'd our quarterback. Oh well, guess the defense will have to clean up this mess. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted December 11, 2015 KoA is back Mav ded. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted December 11, 2015 Show me the money pls Good to have KOA back! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barracuda 629 Posted December 11, 2015 There goes the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted December 13, 2015 Game day bump! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014 Posted December 16, 2015 Awesome first chapter. Guess it makes sense that our season is derailed so we can win the SB at home next season? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 16, 2015 There needs to be a mass exodus to San Diego. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GA_Eagle 595 Posted December 16, 2015 Oh no, say it ain't so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted December 17, 2015 Hump de bump. Read before the next chapter goes live tomorrow morning! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theMileHighGuy 656 Posted December 19, 2015 Finally getting the chance to read my KoA Awesome stuff, it really flies by and I typically hate reading. Have a feeling D-Jam is gonna hate this new guy. I might be mistaken, but didn't D-Jam just get a new contract last season? (I mean, dude would prolly hold out anyway, just wondering.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted December 19, 2015 Finally getting the chance to read my KoA Awesome stuff, it really flies by and I typically hate reading. Have a feeling D-Jam is gonna hate this new guy. I might be mistaken, but didn't D-Jam just get a new contract last season? (I mean, dude would prolly hold out anyway, just wondering.) He signed a 4-year, $26-million (incentives can make it as high as $36M) contract in free agency 2012. So this is year three. He'll enter a contract year next season without a new deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theMileHighGuy 656 Posted December 19, 2015 He signed a 4-year, $26-million (incentives can make it as high as $36M) contract in free agency 2012. So this is year three. He'll enter a contract year next season without a new deal. Ah right, I forget how many seasons we've gone through already Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick 791 Posted January 15, 2016 im ded. Fitting that I'm as injury prone as the Cowboys' QB... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites