In America, the winner takes all.

Chapter 338 Low point? underestimate?
Midsummer 1999, Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey Metropolitan Stadium.

"Interception! Angels cornerback Roland Bailey jumped high and got the ball from the Vikings wide receiver! This is Randall Cunningham's second turnover of the game!" Live said the commentator, CBS's Mike Patrick.

The Vikings quarterback on the field quickly moved closer to Roland's return route, but as the 40-yard record holder in this year's draft, he could only watch in vain as Roland Bailey ran past him.

He can't catch up with Roland Bailey, just like he can't catch up with the years that are gone forever.

"Trash! Let's wait for the end!"

"Why would Dennis Green let him play when even this Angels team can't break through?"

"This is the second turnover in the first half. If the Vikings want to continue the momentum they had last year, they'd better think hard about who their starting quarterback should be?"

"Continuing the momentum from last year, did I hear you right? Stop dreaming. With Randall Cunningham on the court, don't even think about making the playoffs this year. Let Ethan O'Connor come to Minnesota."

"Forget it, Ethan hasn't played yet this year. He left the team during the training camp and went on a date with a British model. I don't think his performance this year will be much better!"

Along with the huge boos from the home fans, the home fans began to talk a lot.

Except for a few voices mentioning Eason, most of the discussion was about his own quarterback Randall Cunningham.

You must know that last year's Vikings scored a full 556 points and only lost two games in the regular season. Logically speaking, even if there were some mistakes, the fans at the scene would not boo like this.

In fact, it indicates that rugby has very different characteristics from other professional leagues.

Considering the existence of a hard salary cap, each team has to live a tight life every year, carefully selecting every position, and striving to get good enough results for every penny spent.

This causes the old players in the team to be quickly abandoned when their condition declines. There are also many cases where last year's starting lineup was eliminated in this year's training camp.

In addition, factors such as the closer average strength of the teams caused by the draft mechanism eventually lead to greater fluctuations in the team's performance.

Last season's Super Bowl champion may not make it to the playoffs this year, and last season's loser may also become a Super Bowl champion.

In short, a dynasty can only last, it never lasts forever.

As for the fairy tale in the football world where one person stays with one team for life, don’t even think about it playing out in the NFL.

This kind of lineup changes a little every year, and the pressure of the lineup changing a lot every year is now given to Randall Cunningham. No matter how you were last year, as long as you perform poorly this year, you will be booed by the fans and "focused" by the head coach. If it is difficult to see improvement, Randall Cunningham will soon be put on the bench. , if you are lucky, you will be released at the end of the season, and you can still get a guaranteed salary for one season. If you are not lucky, you may even be eliminated before the start of the season and become unemployed.

Or how about Randall Cunningham being forced to retire three years ago?

Ethan, who was standing on the sidelines, saw Randall Cunningham walking dejectedly off the court with his head lowered and his waist in his hands. Not to mention how embarrassed his back was.

Last season's opponents lost their competitiveness this year, and Ethan didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

Of course he has this kind of pressure. After returning to the United States, he saw overwhelming news that he left the training camp without permission, abandoned all his teammates during the preseason, and went to London alone to date an unknown model. .

Even Michael Ovitz personally called Ethan to inquire about this matter. Ethan had to patiently explain that he had to go to London, and he would return as soon as possible for the Angels...

SHIT, if I had known I would be exposed, why not stay in London for a few more days!

As for the identity of the woman, because Giselle was wrapped tightly at the time, Ethan ran fast enough, it was cloudy in London at the time, and the camera had limited performance, the photo didn’t look clear. , so that everyone can only guess the identity of the other party.

The troubled media named the girl "X" and made a list of all the possible models, and Gisele was certainly on the list. But no one can give any concrete evidence. She is currently just one of the "suspects".

"Ethan, do you want to play in the third quarter?"

Head coach Andy's voice interrupted Ethan's thoughts.

Ethan looked at the scoreboard in the distance. It was similar to the last preseason game. The Angels currently only had three points. Fortunately, it was only at the end of the second quarter.

Unfortunately, the Vikings have already scored 21 points, which is worse than Tampa Bay in the last game.

Therefore, if nothing unexpected happens, this will be another big defeat.

Ethan shook his head at this time.

Since the last game taught this group of young and energetic young people a lesson, he doesn't mind letting the Angels continue to sink.

"Let's test the effects of the new players...including the quarterback position."

Ethan looked at the back of the player who was walking onto the field not far away. It came from the quarterback recruited by the team, Mike Quinn.

Including him, a total of more than a dozen players entered the Angels training camp through additional recruitment. Most of them were recommended by Mike Holmgren's staff, and most of them were relievers who were released from other teams. Mike Quinn is one of them.

Coincidentally, Ethan had met him last year, in the Cowboys' training camp. However, with Ethan's arrival that year, he was quickly eliminated and later entered the Cowboys' training team, where he was beaten by Ethan during training. Sen rubbed her repeatedly for more than half a year.

With Ethan watching, Mike Quinn took a deep breath and became focused. With his command, the center passed the ball to him.

But before he started passing the ball, the Vikings' defensive end arrived. He was forced to turn around and run out of the pocket. I don't know whether it was because of nervousness or other reasons. His feet were mixed and he went straight without contact. fall……

As a burst of sneers came from the audience behind him, Ethan quickly covered his face, he couldn't bear to watch anymore.

Mike Quinn was rubbed against him in the training team for a season. Let's not say he is standing still, he can only be said to be in steady decline.

"...McQuinn, if there was an ugly highlight reel in the NFL, your performance in the first half would definitely be on the list!" During halftime, Holmgren was spitting in the locker room, training from running back to center, and then to From center to quarterback.

No one survived.

"Roland, you are still laughing. Do you think your performance in the first half was very good? There were 7 confrontations in the first half, and only 4 were successful. The defensive team lost at least 60 yards in your position!" Rhodes, who was focused on defense, also said mercilessly.

Roland, who was snickering when his name was called, stiffened and quickly started laughing.

"At least I won't taste the fragrance of earth on the court." He retorted in a low voice.

"We still need to think about how to turn the situation around in the game." Andy pulled out his thick book from nowhere, as if conjuring magic.

"The wide receiver's Post and Corner route in the first half didn't work at all. He simply gave up this route and used Hitch to sneak attack and catch the opponent off guard."

"The slot receiver gives up the previous tactics and uses flat to provide cover."

"And the tight end, I don't want to see you being pushed away by the tight end again. Didn't you eat today or did you go to Minnesota's red light district for fun last night? My granddaughter is stronger than you, don't act like a bitch!" Huo Mgren raised his hand and pinched Desmond Clark's chin.

"I played wide receiver at Wake Forest." Desmond Clark responded in a low voice, feeling aggrieved for himself. The size of a wide receiver cannot be compared with that of a defensive end. Holmgren narrowed his eyes and used so much force on his hands that he pinched Desmond Clark until it hurt. Then he gave up and said coldly: "I don't care what position you played before. If you still want to keep your job, And if you propose to your girlfriend this year, please gain weight!"

"Yes, regarding weight, whether it is weight gain or weight loss, as long as the requirements are met, there will be corresponding bonuses. These are all written in the contract." Rhodes also spoke at this time.

"And if it is not achieved...although there will be no fines because it is not legal and does not meet the requirements of the players union, but I swear, after the additional physical training, you will beg the team to fine you money." Rhodes smiled sinisterly.

Under the gloomy wind of the "Xuan Ming Two Elders", the players in the locker room made a swallowing sound.

·
The center kicked off, and Mike Quinn gritted his teeth. The moment he was hit by the center, he tilted his body and threw the football in his hand.

The slot receiver pulled wide at this time, attracting the attention of two players, and after the receiver Donald Driver only moved forward three yards, he began to cut inside, and the tight end not far away used a sucking The Vikings defensive end who was trying to stop the defender in front of him... was the "Hitch" sneak attack that Andy mentioned at halftime.

"Beautifully caught the ball, these boys from the Angels seemed to have grown up ten years in an instant. They made a mature combination and advanced all the way to the thirty-yard line!"

Although Ethan did not play in the second half, under the tactical arrangements of the three coaches and quick on-the-spot command, the Angels finally carried out several effective attacks.

Although they still lost the game 17-27, at least it was not a complete defeat like the previous game.

Everything is going in the right direction, right?
After the game, Holmgren and Andy returned to the locker room sullenly, and in the process they argued over the layoff list...

Ethan sighed and high-fived the players one by one as they returned to the sideline.

After two preseason games, the team needs to make major layoffs based on the performance of the players. In the next week, a quarter of the training camp players will be eliminated, and then another 20 players will be eliminated in the next two games. Finally, in the season Before the start, draw up your roster for the season.

·
"Sorry, Jason Suttle, you performed better at the cornerback position, but we already have Roland Bailey, and you saw his performance in these two games, which is worthy of his draft position. So this There’s a lot of competition for positions, and I’m sorry.” Ethan said expressionlessly while sitting in the office, and then comforted him.

"It's still half a month before the start of the new season. If you're lucky, you should be able to find a job in another training team."

This is standard procedure for firing a player. Encourage first, then state the objective situation, and finally point out another way for the players.

He admits that firing players is never easy.

In fact, this matter should have been done by the coach, but Andy and Holmgren each had their own opinions and argued endlessly about the list of eliminated personnel. This dispute had lasted for three days. In order to prevent the conflict from further expanding, Ethan could only Take on this chore yourself.

He knew that if he showed the slightest bit of reluctance at this time, things would become very difficult to handle.

But his eyebrows still twitched for a moment. He originally had high hopes for this experienced old player.

Sure enough, Jason Suttle, who was sitting opposite, began to plead, saying that he had been unemployed for half a year. Even if he was not a cornerback, he could still be a freeback or a safety, even if he was a substitute, even if he was on the special team, he acceptable.

"Sorry, this is a joint decision between the coaching staff and me. After you go out, follow the staff to pack your things and hand him your tactical manual." Ethan shook his head and said with determination.

Upon seeing this, the other party smiled sarcastically, his lips twitching, and finally stood up, leaving without shaking hands with Ethan.

"Wait." Ethan suddenly stopped him.

The other party stopped.

"Look how many people are outside!" Ethan asked.

"nine."

After the corner left, Ethan did not immediately let the next person in, but made a phone call first.

After a while, Grace in a suit walked into the room.

"I was just at Catherine's, discussing the categories of licensed products with her." She walked over and sat down opposite Ethan.

"That's where the players will sit later. I'm expelling the players." Ethan rubbed his face hard.

"Ahem, if there's nothing else to do, I'll leave first and you continue your work." Grace saw that the situation was not going well and was about to run away.

"Grace, I have some serious business later, such as...testing the training results of the cheerleading team!" Ethan said righteously.

Coming to the basement, it has been transformed into a cheerleading training room. It looks like a dance studio, with the entire side covered by glass. Ethan saw eight cheerleaders wearing tight training uniforms training. The rehearsal was a group dance during halftime. The background accompaniment was changed from Sister Niu to the hottest pop singer Xiaotian. Hot song sung by Tian.

Ethan stopped here for a while, but he was very satisfied with the current Angel Cheerleaders. As for McKenna, she had already met everyone. McKenna's well-behaved personality has won the love of many people. And she also has a good relationship with Kelsey.

"Soon, you will amaze the NFL and even the United States." Ethan looked at them.

And just after Ethan left, Kelsey's cell phone rang immediately...

·
Time passes day by day. The Angels unsurprisingly lost their last two preseason games without Eason on the field.

As the Angels' first opponent this season and Ethan's old club, the Cowboys are making constant moves.

The most eye-catching thing is that Jones senior introduced last year's second overall quarterback from the Chargers, Ryan Leaf.

The No. 2 pick in last year's draft behind Peyton Manning, he had a less than successful season last season and had a poor rapport with fans, claiming he had a shoulder injury twenty minutes before this year's training camp. , and had conflicts with the fans at the scene, which further reduced his reputation among the fans, and his cooperation with the team almost collapsed.

Old Jones keenly captured the opportunity, and successively convinced the Lightning team's management and Ryan Leaf himself to bring him to Dallas at a very small cost to take over the vacancy left by Ethan.

"No matter how you look at it, this is a good deal. Ethan thinks he won the Super Bowl championship on his own? You are so wrong. Without the Cowboys players, how can he survive until the fourth quarter?" Old Jones looked at the training players in the audience with a smile.

"And the Angels lost all four preseason games. Ethan didn't even dare to play. I think he might be afraid. He felt that he couldn't turn the situation around, so he stayed off the field and remained mysterious. In contrast, the Cowboys The team won all four games in the preseason." Old Jones' son also said.

"Besides, it's not the best news."

"What else?" Old Jones raised his eyebrows.

Hearing the bad news about Ethan almost made him happier than hearing the good news about the Cowboys.

"The Angels' training camp attendance was lower than expected, not even as good as the San Diego Chargers. Cowboys fans don't care about the Angels at all, and no one in California buys this guy's account. He's really not as good as Ryan Leaf." ." Good son Stephen's face has "win" written all over it.

"I couldn't wait to see his expression after losing in Dallas. I decided to witness this scene with my own eyes." Old Jones had a fox-like smile on his face.

He was going to show up for the Cowboys' opener, stand on the sidelines, and personally shake hands with Ethan after the game.

(End of this chapter)