Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 36: 036 Nameless Pawn

Todd Blackledge, a former professional quarterback, attended Pennsylvania State University and played for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers before and after turning pro. Although his career as a quarterback wasn’t marked by success, he made a brilliant transition to broadcasting after retiring.

He served as a long-term commentator for ABC and CBS, winning over many fans, and in 2006, signed with ESPN, where he stayed for a solid decade.

Today, partnered with Pash, Blackledge is commentating on this highly-anticipated preseason game, interpreting the match from the perspective of a professional quarterback.

"The situation is somewhat unexpected, but not entirely surprising,"

"The Tigers’ tactics today are very targeted. Thanks to Watson’s outstanding performance, they firmly took the initiative and comprehensively suppressed the Crimson Tide Storm."

"Of course, the Crimson Tide Storm still have a chance in the second half, but the predicament is obvious. After the absence of Derrick Henry’s dominant ground game, the weaknesses in the Crimson Tide Storm’s offense may be amplified."

"The second half will start with the Crimson Tide Storm on offense. Perhaps we can see what adjustments Saban will make."

In football, the coin toss at the beginning of the game allows the correct guesser to choose to either start on offense or pick the side of the field. Most teams choose the field, deferring the offensive opportunity to the opponent, because this means they get to start the second half on offense, taking control of the game’s outcome.

Today is no different.

The Crimson Tide Storm guessed the coin toss right, they chose the field, and thus the Tigers started on offense in the first half; the second half will start with the Crimson Tide Storm on offense.

Blackledge carefully reviewed the roster, then his eyes fell on a name—

Not because it was unfamiliar. In a preseason game, NCAA teams often field a lot of unknown players, and even professional commentators can’t claim to know everyone; unfamiliarity is actually the norm.

But because of the combination of sounds in the name.

Li Wei?

Blackledge was uncertain, "Is this... an Asian-American player?"

In football, from the NFL to the NCAA, Asian faces are still a rare sight.

Pash looked at Blackledge’s expression, a satisfied smile spreading across his face, as if relishing the moment his own little secret treasure had been discovered—

On one hand, there was anticipation for the treasure to finally shine.

On the other hand, there was a reluctance to let go of the secret that was once his alone.

Moreover, Pash was also curious. After all, the previous warm-up game was just an intra-squad scrimmage, and he was very curious to see how number twenty-three would perform today.

"Yes, Asian-American."

"And, let me tell you, he’s only been playing football for three weeks."

Blackledge was taken aback, blurting out, "Are you joking?"

An Asian player, that was surprising enough.

An unknown nobody, the level of shock was doubled.

A complete rookie... who had only practiced football for three weeks?

No sooner had Blackledge spoken than he realized his comment might not be appropriate. He took a deep breath, tried to organize his thoughts, but in the end, the same skeptical question formed in his baffled mind, "Are you joking?"

Pash: ...

Seeing Blackledge’s bewildered face, Pash didn’t bother to explain but merely shrugged slightly, "Maybe only Nick Saban knows."

Blackledge paused. He sensed there was more to Pash’s words. And Pash was right; how could Saban make such a mistake? But whatever the specifics, Blackledge was cluelessly looking towards the field—

The second half began.

Li Wei felt somewhat disappointed.

Because the notable ’Black-faced Yama’ on the defensive group was absent, just like the Crimson Tide Storm, the Tigers also completely switched their lineup.

With the Tigers now far in the lead, Sweeney clearly relaxed his grip, allowing a bunch of youths with the beautiful blemishes of adolescence to appear in the defensive group, likely as high school ungraduated babies like Jacobs and Hertz.

Initially, Li Wei had hoped to come face to face with Black-faced Yama; but on second thought, if they could continuously gain the first attack and even score touchdowns, Sweeney would probably adjust his tactics too.

Very well, then let them stretch their muscles a bit.

When Beteman turned his head, he caught sight of Li Wei limbering up and licking his lips, as if the "0:21" score bore no pressure at all, calming Beteman somewhat, after all, he could always trust Li Wei, right?

"Smack!"

Beteman clapped his hands, calling all his offensive group teammates together; this was their line-up to overthrow the Crimson Tide Storm’s main team. Maybe they were still not the mains, but after this warm-up match, who knows?

In a few words, Beteman informed his teammates of the tactics arranged by the coach, but at the end, he couldn’t help but look towards Li Wei. Only after receiving a confirming response from Li Wei did Beteman comfortably withdraw his gaze and settle down a bit.

The biggest difference from the intra-team game today was that the coach would handle the tactics, and with an adaptable Li Wei on the field, Beteman felt somewhat more confident.

In the first wave of offense, Crimson Tide Storm stuck to its traditional ground attack, which was also why Beteman looked towards Li Wei.

Now it seemed, Li Wei was ready—

Indeed, it was the case.

Li Wei was extremely focused; the more the cheering from Bryant Denny Stadium surged, the more focused he became, and as the tension and pressure of the entire game swelled, the more focused he was, able to hear the sound of his blood burning above his eardrums.

He was ready.

During the first half, Li Wei had been observing, not merely watching the game, but interpreting the opponent’s defensive strategies, and understanding the reasons for their own offensive stumbling blocks, as if analyzing a chess game— silence didn’t mean his mind was empty.

Now was the time for practical training.

Wearing jersey number ninety-nine, Clelin Ferrell, nearly bursting with eagerness, the moment he had agonizingly waited and waited for was about to arrive—

The college game field.

Even though he wasn’t officially enrolled until September, Ferrell was ready to prove himself. He had an outstanding high school career and believed in his talent and abilities.

Ranked 101st nationwide, a three-star high school athlete, in Ferrell’s view, was not enough to reflect his talent; being the seventh-ranked high school defensive end in the country also underestimated his ability.

But no matter, he would prove himself.

He, Ferrell, would become an NFL first-round pick and one of the greatest defensive ends of all time: at 6.4 feet (193 cm) and 265 pounds (120 kg), aiming for current League leading defensive player JJ Watt as his target, he believed he could match Watt, or even outperform him. He was determined to show his dominance on the field—

The Crimson Tide Storm would become his first stage for entering the view of the Professional League.

Sorry, number eighteen quarterback and number twenty-three running back, you guys are going to be the sacrificial offerings. He would use them as stepping stones to become a starting defensive end.

Ferrell was a bit excited.

Thump thump.

Thump thump.

Ferrell was ready, and as the quarterback’s number eighteen starting signal reached his ears, he reacted swiftly, charging out like an arrow released from its bow—

Pressure.

Pressure.

Pressure!

This was the core strategy of the Tigers’ defense, having dominated the game in the first half this way, and now, not only did Ferrell need to apply pressure, but he also intended to outdo it, rushing at full speed and then immediately detecting the opponent’s intention to run the ball.

Number twenty-three, target locked!