CHAPTER 85

We had our third preseason game scheduled in Detroit, it was customary for the starters to play close to three quarters, this was their tune up game. Next week in our final game, they would take only a few snaps, no one wanted to get hurt the week before the regular season started. We held true to form, Billy played most of the game, I had maybe five snaps, I didn't catch a pass.

The following Monday, we cut down from eighty players to sixty five. It was sad to see guys cleaning out their lockers, their hopes and dreams, at least temporarily placed on hold. What it also meant was that the players left would be getting more reps, the days would be longer.

By now, practice had become the offense against the defense, everyone was getting a little anxious, we were tired of hitting on each other. Several times already this week, players had to be separated. I was beginning to understand some of what Josh was teaching, I could sometimes see what the defense would do before they did it. But I was no where near, where I needed to be. We were winding down practice on Monday, we had maybe ten plays left to run. We were simulating fourth down's with medium yardage to go, basically game on the line type drills. Josh had called a trips right formation, which meant we lined up three receivers to the right side of the field. One ran a go route, which took him long down the side line, the second ran a hook fifteen yards up the field, the last ran a quick ten yard out. The fourth receiver lined up on the left, I was in the slot. He ran a deep post, I was supposed to run a fifteen yard out pattern. I was the check down receiver, which meant I was the last option, or if they blitzed, I became the hot read and ran a skinny post across the middle.

As we came up to the line of scrimmage, my eyes were down field, scanning the defense. They appeared to be in Cover Two or a Zone package. It appeared the strong safety and linebacker would be responsible for my coverage. With that understood, I knew my route would be the original out pattern, unless the linebacker crept up to the line showing blitz. As Josh began his cadence, the defense suddenly shifted, the safety slid over to the trips side, the linebacker on my side dropped eight yards into coverage. I thought I recognized what appeared to be man coverage on my side of the field, zone on the other. What that meant was that the linebacker would have me man to man. I snapped my head around to the center of the field to see what Josh was doing. He was already locked on me, his eyes in my direction as he continued to call cadence.

I looked down the line at the ball, last thing I wanted was to jump off sides being too eager. The ball was snapped, I came off the line clean, Just a few short steps up field, confirmed the linebacker did indeed have me one on one. I drove hard up the field, at the ten yard mark, slowed and began a lazy turn to the outside. The linebacker bit, taking a full step and a half up the field. I planted my left foot hard, then accelerated up the field, leaving him two steps behind. At twenty yards, I glanced back to the line of scrimmage, the ball was already out of Josh's hand. He led me perfectly, I never broke stride, the play resulting in a forty yard touchdown, no one came close.

"Jesus H. Christ , what in the living fuck was that ?", Walt Carmichael, our defensive coordinator yelled, "Who the fuck was supposed to be covering the kid ?"

As I trotted back to the huddle, you could see the excitement in Josh's eyes. For the first time, he saw the fruits of his labor pay off, I actually read the same thing, at the same time he did.

"That was a big league read baby.", he said, patting me on the ass.

Walt was still out of control, ranting and raving at his defense, our Head Coach Joe Stanton, finally called off what was left of the remaining few plays. As we started off the field, I could see Coach Stanton was reading Coach Reed the riot act about something. As we headed to the locker room, Coach Reed called out for both Josh and I, to join him.

"Who in God's name, called that adjustment just now. Please tell me it was an audible, that I didn't hear Josh.", he barked.

Being the rookie, I knew I place, I kept my mouth shut. Josh looked at me with a smile, then turned back to Coach Reed.

"It was an adjustment we both saw at the same time Coach, the rookie made a big time read.", he said.

I knew from the little time I had been at this level, receivers broke off their routes all the time. I'm not sure what Coach Reed was after, the fact that we made the adjustment, or the fact we pulled it off so well. Either way he turned to me, ready to give me hell.

"So what you're saying is, baby face here, barely a month in his pro career, makes an on the fly adjustment, on fourth down , with the game on the line ?", he asked.

"Yep Coach, that's pretty much it.", Josh replied.

Coach Reed turned to Josh pissed because he answered so quickly. He turned back to me pointing his finger in my face.

"You get the fuck out of here. I need to talk to him for a minute.", he shouted.

"Yes sir.", I said, trotting off the field, glad to be clear of the shit storm.

By the time I hit the locker room, everyone was already undressing, hitting the showers. The mood was definitely somber, the locker room was unusually quiet, By the time I was about ready to hit the shower, Josh walked back in the locker room. He passed me on the way to his locker, he winked at me as he walked by.

I showered dressed and left the facility, stopping off at Ms. Jessica's to drop off the rental agreement papers, and a check for the first six months rent. She informed the condo board had already accepted me as a tenant, although it would be on a probationary basis. If everything went well for the first three months, I would be confirmed. Jessica, told me she was removing her personal items the rest of the week, I could move in Saturday morning, or anytime there after. She handed me the keys, wishing me good luck.

The following day after practice, Coach Reed asked to see me in his office. He offered me a seat as I walked in, closing the door behind me. He sat on the edge of his desk, he appeared to be a bit nervous.

"Brian, all in all, I am extremely pleased at the progress you have made. I had no idea, you have been spending time with Josh in the film room, taking film home at night with you. Right now, honestly, it's a toss up between you and Huber, as to who I would start. I going to play you quite a bit Saturday night, here in our last game, before our season opener.", he stated.

"Thanks Coach, I appreciate it.", I answered.

"Don't thank me, you will be playing with all backups mostly. But I need you to work on your run blocking, it's the weakest part of your game. That is the only reason Huber will start ahead of you, he does a little bit better job. You're a good kid Stevens, sometimes I think a little too nice.", he said, "If I could put Huber's ego in your body, I would have an all pro."

He dismissed me and I exited the complex, trying to sort out just what he meant by his last remark. Billy Huber, while a long time pro, was by all accounts, an arrogant asshole. Did he really want me to become like him ? That night at the hotel, I studied film on the New York team that we would play Saturday night.

True to promise, the starter's played about three offensive series on Saturday night, then hit the benches. Different combinations of backup's played the majority of the game, all desperately trying to make their final bid to secure a roster spot. I had a decent game with five catches for sixty seven yards, although I had been overthrown once in the end zone, it would have been a touchdown if Josh had been in the game.

I showered , then dressed making my way out of the stadium to my car. Several hundred fans were still waiting around to see the players as they left the complex. I signed autograph's for a few minutes, making my way along the steel barricades. I finally made my way to the end of the barricades, then out to the parking lot. That night in my hotel room, I gathered up what was left of my personal belongings in a pile.

The following morning, I loaded my car with my things, checked out of the hotel, then drove across town to the condo. It took only three trips up the stairs to bring what little I had into the unit. True to her word, Ms. Jessica had cleared the unit of all personal items, linens, bedding and such. I suddenly realized, I had to go shopping right way. I checked the refrigerator, it was empty other than three bottles of water. I decided to go grocery shopping as well.

For the first time in my life, I went to the grocery store alone, responsible for all of the purchases. It took me over two hours to get out, my basket was overflowing to capacity. I got home and starting hauling the bags up the flight of stairs. On my last trip up, I saw Alexis coming out of her unit as I passed by.

"Hey, you moved in ?", she asked.

"Yep, trying to hurry up and get the things I need. Next I have to go get towels, sheets, pillows and stuff like that. I don't have a clue as to what I need.", I laughed.

"Well look, I am headed over to have lunch with my friend Paige, how about after lunch I help you out ?", she offered.

"Alexis, I can't keep asking you to do everything for me.", I replied.

"You didn't ask, I offered. See you in a few hours.", she laughed, heading in the other direction.

I went inside, organized all the groceries in the different cabinets, then made a quick bite to eat. One thing I immediately knew, I needed a TV bad, I was bored to tears. I called back home and spoke to Ashley for a few minutes, she as well was on her way out to see some friends. Just a minute or so after I had hung up with her, there was a knock on my door. I got up, opened the door to see Alexis and a very attractive blonde hair girl standing there.

"Hey Brian, this is my friend Paige. Paige, this is Brian Stevens.", she said, making the introductions, "We are both going to help you spend your money."

"Sure, why not. Come in please.", I offered.

Both women entered the condo, Alexis leading the way. She had a small tablet in her hand, with an ink pen in the other. She walked through the unit making notes on the colors and décor of each room and what was needed. After about ten minutes, she told me she was ready to go. I locked up and headed down the stairs following the two women. I unlocked the car as we approached it, Paige made her first comment of the day.

"Holy crap, that a nice ride.", she laughed.

"Thank you.", I replied, getting in.