"Lu-Ti likes her dancing, so she'll keep me pretty busy... there are plenty of unattached people who might dance with you," he parried, thinking if they let you in at all...

"The team is a big family really, and that includes our fans. That's why we party before and after games, when the schedule permits. In the long trip north, we did some other stuff as well. Visited a sports bar, went to look at frozen waterfalls, and held a Thanksgiving dinner for those who weren't going home to see their families. Some people's families came to the game and stayed for the dinner - my dad and my uncle amongst them. You may have seen them at the game - they were in the owners' box in military uniform. Dad's army and Uncle Victor is navy."

  China smiled at the  things  Ben told her.and what happens when the team loses?   It won't take long for those players  who feel, mis-sued to complain and cause  friction... you have a loing  way to go before the playoffs. let alone a Super bowl.

 she   sips from her  Coffee  and  nods  with thanks for the danish  that came  with hers  as well.

 Remember, the NFL isn't  ;like  Baeball, basketball or Hockey.. you don't  get to play  a bunch of games  against one team,  just so you can do it again... and then do it once more for the superbowl?....

 ..it is the harshest of games, for a players  dreams... 1 game, to move to the next round..one game  to get to the Superbowl, and one game to win it all....no one cares how  god you did, unless you hold that  trophy , ay the end...

 she giggles,...like that old classic   TV show.. 'there can be, only one'

"Well, if we lose, we'll be licking our wounds and analysing game tapes to see where we went wrong, just as anyone would. We take each game as it comes, and like my dad says 'Train hard, fight easy',"

He grins.

"Just so, 'There can be only one'... it's just as bad if you play tennis - lose one match and you are out of the tournament. Anyway, must go. Been a pleasure meeting you."

Ben got up and held out one of those enormous hands.

  She took his hand  and gave it a gentle  squeeze...I will see you tonight... I hope  the show is worth the time..

  She  would stand , leaving her  cup and wrappers on the tbale as she looked   for  any of her  crew that may have come up.

Ben policed the table then went off in search of Coach Fry.

  Ben would  find  Coach  Fry's  offcie empty ( as  was the rule, no coaches   in the NFL in offcies on player's off  day"

howvere.. in the 'outgoing' mail  holder  was a  manila  envelope  with #19 on it.

Ben felt the envelope and it felt like it contained Adam's discs, so he took it and headed off home, not quite sure what he was going to do with himself for the rest of the afternoon.

-> Townhouses

(( week of  Dolphins game))

   Players   entered  the  Complex, some  stopping by the  Den for a  Coffee  or juice or something   for the meeting,   Adam Bought  a couple dozen Doughnuts to  add to those the coaches provided, and sat at his  Desk with a pair  cream filled  doughnuts  and   a coffee.

 Simms set up  the   powerpoint   and   waited for Meeting time.. The first meeting was the Full team Meeting...
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:27, Sun 04 Oct 2020.

Ben came in with damp hair, having made a crack of dawn visit to the pool, and helped himself to a mug of coffee and some donuts. He came in and sat beside Adam.

"Morning."

 Heather came in all smiles ever since her and Nat kissed. They have been spending as much time together as they could but she was all in to get to work on their next game against Miami. She took a seat and smiled at everyone else.

  Simms Looked  around... and started  to  speak, he  gave looks  and it showed the Standings...we look at this, we  see the dolphins  are 4-7..but they beat Detroit  last Sunday. Now  who can tell me what that ,means to us?

 he Pointed at  Duke,..Not a Damn thing Coach...

Simms nodded    then he pointed to Payne,can you tell me   why?

 Payne looked  a bit nervous  as he said, cause none of  it means  anything  once the game starts..

 ..That's right?...The Ball takes  Funny bounces...they might  'want it' more..whatever... and How   do  we make  sure   that doesn't matter?

 Santos  spoke up...we gotta    want it more then them...

 ..That's part of it.... but  how  do we make sure ?  Adam?

  beat the 9 hells out of them.. hit them hard  every play... and  don't  show ant mercy...

 That's it... We scare people now... They see  people leaving games... they  see highlight hits  every  damn week..But  what do you think  the teams we play are the most afraid of?

  Mik raised his  hand, Hangin' a hundred  on the hosers!

 Sims pointed to Mik and grinned... if we win a game?..so what..right? someone wins  and loses..its the nature of sports... we geat people up, force them to leave the game..either because of the hits..or because they don't want it bad enough to take the beating... well?.. that only effects  the players... but when 100 flashes on the score board.. that effects  everyone!..Fans  are embarrassed. Players  are  Embarrassed..Coaches..owners.. the gods  be damned  hot dog vendor .. it  leaves   a lasting   mark.. a brand.. 'you gave up 100 points!'....

 I remember the preseason game  we rolled up 100.. and the Cowboys?...Then we started to do it pretty  regular.. but now..this  game?.. we're gonna  try! ..I want  any..all..of you to  bring it up  when a reporter  talks to you... 'hang a Hundred'

 Steele  walked in to the Meeting , looking   like a kid  who was sent to the principle's office..

 Steele.. that will cost you 100.00..you Pay  Coach Fry before you  leave to Complex today?.. You show up late  again, you'll be inactive...

 Steele  knew better then to make an excuse  he just nodded  .

  Smokey spoke up.. Caoch Dude?... I mean... won't they try to make it so we can't   get 100?... Like..you know..runs the ball alot, bleed the clock?

 Simms  smiles, I hope...once they hear  us talkign about it, like  its our Game plan, they'll be more worried  about stopping us from reaching 100, then  winning the game.. lets face it?  4 and 7? most of the players   are planning thier off  season... the only thing that  can be worse  then losing, is havign some jerk say he's gonna score 100 points on you..and do it!

 Duke  spoke up,don't you think thier  coach is telign them , that  this is their   superbowl.. Knock us off  of the Undefeated ranks, and Give the Colts  a chance to make a run?

 I'd  Bet my car on that?  But that goes out the window  when the press starts  plastering Dragons  all over the  place  saying  how we'll  'Hang a Hundred"..In fact..  you'll find  in the lockers   green  or white T-shirts that say 'Hang a Hundred'.. we'll be wearing them  for  practice today.. T-shirts and shorts  and helmets today..

 what if  we don't..'hang a Hundred"

 Simms  smiled,its no big deal? especially if  we win..but... if we  win, and we don't   get 100.. then, you all act  upset... There were some tilted heads and  blank stares..

 Adam?  why would we do that?

  because it  gives the rest of the teams we  play from here on out, something to shoot for... rather then winning the game, they will be satisfied  with not getting 100 points dumped on them

 Simms grinned....that's right!, lets face it..even with using Time outs, we need some breaks to reach 100.. But  we did  it enough times, the  other teams think its out goal..and after the owner's meeting?..there's alot of  owners  who are afraid of us.... when you can shake the whole franchise.. that's when you begin to dominate..  The Amotas... Mr Amota..Yuto, and Lu-Ti..dominate  in the board rooms... we dominate  on the field.. no coach we  dropped 100 points on is  safe... Players..aren't safe.. and owners  can't  blame anyone, because none of  you were  signed to Multi year  millions, so they can't say we bought  the  championship, if  we get there.

    Simms  points out , The  Dolphins  have   a decent pass  rush, but thier  corners  are suspect. One corner  does have  4 Picks, but, as some analysts pointed out, its because he is targets  more.

  being the 'best' corner  they have, he'll be assigned to Adam... His   Name is  'Boggy ' Mudd  and has been in the papers  and   ESPN saying how ' I'm gonna  defuse the Bomb"

 The  'big' name on Defesne for the Dolphins is  #53, Harpy Barnes. he 'takes offense' to  TE's    roaming  his territory, he has  put  two TEs out  for the season, and  sent  two more in  to Concussion protocol  this season so far.. though he has  been fined a  few times for hits, it  doesn't stop him from talking, ' Our  season ain't turnin' out like it  shoudl, so i'm out to ruin other people's season ... after this  game, they gonna  call him..Ben No=hope !"

  Simms sits on the  corner of the little  desk  on the stage,Let's here it Bronk..what do you have to say...

 ..Thier Back  7?  are close to being the worse in the NFL... they would  look even worse, except the tend to   get  alot of Fumblers from hits, and Picks from receivers  who try to protect themselevs, rather then catch the Ball... BArnes is a cheap shot artist ... like  some oe the other teams  we played, they  count on him to scare of  folks..or flat out  take them out..he's a guy that need to be hit hard, every play.. put into the  ground with every block, until he takes himself out of the game.

  for me and the other  Wideouts?... we can run streaks all game... we'll score on half the ones  we catch...  that Safety #22 Cole Studden..  he got  some picks of  of  deflected  passes.. , Ben can take him down   town too..but... Barnes is gonna  try to take out Ben.. there isn't  even a 'if' involved

 Duke has to watch  the  DE #94, Maurice  Bends?..he's  Barnes Room mate.. he took out  a QB  first ganme of the season wit a low hit.. he hits  low  all the time, he'll get flagged?  but he doesn't care, he knows they won't  call it every time..and it only take  one hit to  removed you  QB.... 15 yards?.. not a big deal...


 Simms  nods... seemingly impressed  and  satisfied with  Adam's  words... to  Worth, he asks,,,what have you got?

 Worth    points  at the offense that popped up on the slideshow  when   Simms asked...Gonna need to Blitz alot  #18  , thier QB, Pedro franco?..he don't liketo run, but he can scramble to extend the play... his #1  guy is #17 Carlo Sangess..they played  at  Nevada -Las Vegas.. and lit up the scoreboards  there..but..little differant  int he NFL...anyway both are 2nd  year guys?... we need to double up  on  Sangess and blitz the  9 hells out  of  Franco.. we should be good.... Thing here is.. 'hanging  a Hundred'..we gotta play that like that..right?..if  we want people from here on out  to really worry about that..we have to play like we  want to Hang 100..get the ball back.. and all that..Out Up Tempo  Offense doesn't enough on thier side, we gotta get the ball back  so  it loks like  we're hustlin' to get those points..

 Simms nods  again.....No coach in his  right mind shows  stuff like this to his players...but  I'm showing you this, because i trust you all to to keep working hard.. and keep making our  fans proud.. You guys take the Hits..and take the barbs in the media...those poor  folks suffered  day in and day out  roting for the jags  and no getting anything.. They get to  'hit back' at the bullies  who picked on them and Made  fun of them..and they have to do it through you....this is the Promo that starts  today, and will be shown tons of times from here on and into the playoffs..there will be tweaks , i'm Sure... enjoy  it....

   a well animated  scene shows   football players with thier helmets on, carrying  swords  and maces  and crossbows... a Cave looms before them the charred bodies  of  other  players, , only their helmets  , showing thier   insignia ...

 a deep voiced  of a man with an arcane accent says,every week, some one tries to slay the Dragon..... and everyweek they have failed..., the dragons strike   swift !....

  it shows  dragons  flying out of the Lair  Zipping around   while  Players  with Dolphin helmets  try to shoot them with bows...

  a flickering of Adam, or Ben  or Machins   catching   the ball and crossing the goal line  slip in  and out..

 none have survived, DRAGON FIRE.....   a dragon flies  towards  the  screen , flames  shoot out..in those flames  are   Dragons making INTs.. Hitting QBs  , Adam  destroyign a MLB on a blcok  and  Heather's Long  free kick...

 The Toll has been terrible........  each and every   final score   is shown  on the  screen..

 and the dragon's  are not sated, until they feast on 100!

 the commerical ends  witht he  dragons   going back into thier lair.. and   more4 boides   smoking    in the foreground....

 Flaming  Letters   fill the Screen...

 DRAGON FIRE!!!!  HANG A HUNDRED !

  players laughed and clapped.. Thatw as   fan made on a stroybaord.. Yuto's   Medfia  folks made it ito a promo commerical.. every week  they'll stick in new  helmets for out  oppenents, and  add  scores...but most of all..it  underlines what i have said.... players...coaches, and other  fans..they are going to be more worried  about  us  scoring 100, then winnign the game... and? we gotta push that mindset... I never told you guys how to deal with the Media.. but  i will say this....mention the 100 points... make it look like we are all thinking of the 100 points..because, the coaches...just might..want to stop us from getting 100, rather then worry about the game.

Ben giggled.

"Interesting psychology."

Yuto had been talking about it over breakfast yesterday, after he'd stayed overnight at the estate, so it wasn't quite as much of a surprise: but seeing the full-blown animation was still impressive.

As for this Barnes fellow, well, he'd need to catch up with him first. Then he'd find that Ben was there to play football, not MMA.

 Heather listened and smiled, if we push hang a 100 they will focus on stopping us from scoring a hundred not trying to win the game great idea Coach had.

 Heather will ask," Got it coach always mention hang a Hundred, now with these players that like to hurt people, should I be on the look out for a cheap hit when I can Coach?"

 Coach fry spoke up for the special teams,Heather? You an Smokey will always have to worry about cheap shots...As, for that matter. Emma ?  The 'old guard' doesn't like the idea of  women in the league...and Smokey is playing WR  , rather then us  waste a  roster  spot on picking someone up... there are alot of guy out there , who will be  afraid  of  punters  and Kickers  doing  somethign other then  thier main tasks?..but if you look back to the old days..Alot of the Kickers  were  postion players?..so? they'll have to get over it...

 Simms stood up,..well Lets go on the field  and see  what  we can tweak this  week..

   Practice  started  with the r runs and calos  as always. Sims had the team run suicides from the  Goal line  at 10 yard  increments , to  Until they reached the  50.

 Along of the players  were gasses and sweating, some  , only a little

 after the Sucides  Sims   called the team together,we played  games in the cold, rain and snow... for the last 3 weeks we were up North..Now?  we're Home..

 he looked over some of the players who had  taken the suicides  harder then the others.But..we're home now.. the ehat  and the Sun..and you gotta get back to feeling that, Because  the other team,, in trhe last  4  weeks,  Miami played   in chicago and  detroit.. and  played  two games  at home between that time..sunday they played in  a dome not  far from out game , in Detroit.. so? They  shouldn't feel the ehat  any more then normal... we  might have some adjustments.. so we're gonna  run alot in this  heat.... Thursday and friday, we're going to be on the  field  in  full pads, to make sure  we  all are  back on track with the Florida  weather.

 As we go through our drills.. run every  chance you get... drink water  when you need it... and work hard...we're half way up the Mountain..its a long fall from here... I waht to see us knocking other  folks  down...I want to get to the  top..lets  get those postion drills now...

 the team   broke up into  postions for  drills.. almost everyone,  runnign  between drills to get 'the work in'

Ben was just happy to be warm again, and was running around with his usual enthusiasm.

 Heather ran hard, the warmth felt great, she was use to the cold but playing in warmer weather is nicer. After Coach's speech she went out with the kicking team, it will be nice not to kick in the ice and snow for a few games. Heather was all smiles and worked harder than ever.

going through the  reps  the players  seemed to  do well, getting sued to the sun and the heat once more.

  the last   20 minutes   were for  the offesne to work against the Defesne.. 'two hand touch'. even they they all wore  full pads.

   Duke ran the offesne   for  10 minutes. throwing Darts  to every one who  a receiver or a back.

 The  Steele  tok 5 Minutes  worth of  pass plays, he   seemed to focus  on Ben and White, he also threw  two picks  which had  Sims  standing  an inch from his  face  mask asking  the young man if he was colorblind!

 the practice ended  with Adam  taking    5 Minutes of  wild  Cat. Adam rolled and threw  all over the field, the only   player he hit more then Ocne  was ben who caught two.

 Practice  ended with   Simms havign them  run a Mile and beat thier personal best..if they missed thier  personal best they had to walk two more laps.. only  4 players didn't reach thier best...

Sims called out before  they  ran the  Mile,....meetings start at  7, instead of  6, I want to make sure our  field time  will be  'game time'..get your run in, see you tomorrow...

Ben enjoyed the practice and scampered all over the field like an overgrown puppy. At the end, he ran two miles just for the sheer fun of it. He loved running almost as much as he enjoyed playing football.

Then he trotted back into the locker rooms, stripped off and showered. As he dressed he sent a text to Lu-Ti asking if she had a free evening and if so, was there anything in particular that she would like to do.

 Heather ran as hard as she could, even though she was a kicker, Heather was still an athlete and wanted to prove to everyone she was a football player who kicked.

 After the run she smiled and headed for her locker room to shower and change.

  Lu-Ti sent a text back to  Ben, that  she would be in meetings  most of the day, but could meet him for a Late  Dinner around 7:00pm if  he would like. If so she  would have her  driver, , drop her off at the Townhouse.

.......

 Adam  took the time to go into the Wide recivers  room and  look at film there, rather then waste   time goign home.

 His phone was blowing up with texts from  Dolphins saying  'this was the end of the line"... dam  had a  stock message that he would  cut and paste...

 Bring you  Helmet on sunday and prove it...or? shut the  fuck up."

 he watched  the defesne   like he was looking for a clue to a Buried  treasure...

..........

The Dragonettes  were goign to be permitted to come to the game, but they were Limited to the dragon's  sidelines between the 30 yard lines.

 Without Lu-Ti, her  #2  took over  driving the ladies  to get the  steps right, knowing a hostile  crowd  would be there.

Ben responded 'great' and went shopping for food.

   Coach fry came   down the Hall, a Young  Japanese  Woam was Leavign the Wide reciver Room, she had an  cafeteria  tray with two empty  cups  and some  wrappers  and  two  bowls. she smiles  at Caoch Fry , who returns the smile.

Entering the Room he  saw  Adam sitting there  runnign  a play back and forth watching the DB  recat to  an Out  Move, with the reciver then  Cutting   a Post.

 he was scribbling Notes in his playbook, and in a  notebook he had.

 Adam!! Go Home!...

 Smiling  as he  took a bite of a Burger and sipped a soda...Just catchign up on some  film, i didn't get much in on Monday...

 That's because   Monday  is your off day!....

 ..say the guy who gives me a disc  every Monday...

 I don't give it to you, i put it in the mailbox  for you to get it Tuesday...you just pick it up early!

 ..two things  I've seen so  far...

 Fry Sat down and Opened his own food  bag,what?  he took a bit of his own burger.

 The corners  let  any  recivers Go into the Middle, whether its a first Move or second?... The Safeties   have to  pick them up...

 Fry watched the  film as  Adam ran three differant   plays,  point  with a  lazar pen at the DB's  feet and  turn of thier shoulders.

 //so.. fake  outside..cut in  and Angle back out.. we'll be between the   DBs   and the Sateys   and   Dule  just has to drop the ball in the Bucket..20 yards?  just on the catch...

 if the  Safeties    flow to the sidlines?

 Then Bed  eats, going right up the Middle..they haven't changed this  for 5 games.... They shut  down two teams   who had to nibble away and they won both those games, no one has challenged them.. we start bombing them on the edges, and  Ben eats up the Middle?.. they'll have to change the whole  defensive game plan...

 what if the go man?

 then i set a record for the most  long Touchdowns in one game..

 fry  shifted , took another bite  and  talked through his  bite,So?  I double You  , stick the other   safety on Ben....

 ..The Machins, Smokey and the others  cut posts and slants and get 10-15 yards a pop. and   we hit   screens on the outside  and watch thier  Linebackers trying to run down out  backs!

 Fry  opened his  own play book and started makign Notes,over half way through the season and no one saw this?

 Adam shrugs,Most teams are afraid of the Safeties  lighting up  thier   recivers and TEs?.... we don't worry about that here.... and you know what?... if this works,  the Fins  won't  win another game this year , unless they switch up  thier   D?

 ..this...is.....

 ..like stealing

   Adam leans  Back  , rubs his eyes,I think i'm  done  for an hour  or two.... I marked  the  Film with edit  marks, you can show them to Coach.. see you tomorrow...

 he packs up his stuff and his empties. Fry nodded  to him absently as he started  watching the collection of cuts  Adam made..

 Adam, Townhouses.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>