Praying For A Hail Mary - 5. Chapter 5

Coach Campbell blew his whistle and ordered both lines to take a knee in the middle of the field as he and his staff made their way to join them. “I know I don’t have to tell you how important the outcome of today is to the future of the Cowboys.” Coach Campbell looked around at his team. “Here around me is a Super Bowl team. We have known that for a couple of years now but we haven’t been able to get firing on all cylinders. One thing or another went wrong, throwing our season into a tail spin to a point that we either didn’t make the playoffs or got sent home after the first game.”

Campbell looked over to the sidelines where the five remaining men going out for the quarterback positions were standing before quickly turning his attention back to the men on the field. “That is going to stop here and now! Our luck is going to change by putting the right man into the vacant quarterback position. With his help, not only will this team make it to the playoffs, but go all the way. The Super Bowl Trophy is going to be returned to its rightful place.”

All at once every player jumped up yelling in agreement. “So let’s get out there on this field and give these five players hell.” Campbell walked over to Ware, his defense captain. “You make sure your line tears through the offense and take out the quarterback in the pocket. Don’t let him make a play or move the ball one fucking inch on you. Do you understand?” Ware answered in the positive before Campbell made his way over to Witten who is the co-captain of the offense. “You make sure your line protects the quarterback. The defense better not break through your line or stop any of the plays that is called in the huddle. I want to see touchdowns is that understood.” Witten answered in the positive so loud that everyone in the stadium would have heard him.

Satisfied with the answers he got from his two captains and how energetic the players were, he called in the first of the five quarterbacks to begin the final day of tryouts. No one knew exactly what happened out there with him. The only thing that was certain was this quarterback couldn’t play at the NFL level yet. Maybe in a couple of years, but not this year.

Seeing all that he needed to see after twenty minutes of the first quarterback picking up the ball, he called in Patrick. Who was nervous when he lined up for the first time on the line of scrimmage, but quickly settled down. As he looked over at the defense line, he told himself that he couldn’t do any worse than the one that went before him, which was right.

The first couple of downs, he was only able to move the ball three yards, but on the third and seven, he threw and made contact with Bryant to not only get the needed seven yards for the first down, but tacked on eighteen more yards to that. After that, he settled down in the pocket and was able to move the ball even more smoothly, getting first downs seventy percent of the time.

Not needing to see any more from Patrick, Coach Campbell blew the whistle. He saw that both of his lines were out of breath, which they should be since they have been on the field for a little over an hour, Campbell told them they could rest for fifteen minutes. As the players made their way to the sidelines to get something to drink and sit down, Campbell and his staff went into a huddle.

“Okay I don’t think we need to waste much time on this.” Campbell whispered as he looked at his staff of coaches. “Patrick won’t be my choice to be first string, but I would like to have him either second or third string.” All at once the other coaches agreed. “As far as our first…” Campbell couldn’t remember the player’s name. “The hell with it! The first one on the field this morning he should go. What do you all think?” Once again all the coaches were in agreement with him.

As they went over the first two players that were already on the field, Patrick and Jason were talking about the same thing. “I don’t know if I did enough to stay! What do you think?” Patrick asked as he looked over at Favre and the other two quarterbacks. “Those three are planning something I know it. They are going to do whatever it takes to make sure they get the three open positions and we are sent away with our tails between our legs.”

“Don’t you worry about them Patrick!” Jason snapped his fingers trying to grab Patrick’s attention from Favre and the others. “Leave them to their own devices. Whatever they try to do to us it will fail. Trust me, it will fail!” Reluctantly Patrick nodded his head. “Don’t let them do what they are doing to you right now. It’s taking your head out of the game. Keep it in and I promise you that at the end the right person will be selected for this team.”

As Jason and Patrick were talking, the coaches in their huddle going over their notes and making plans of what they were going to do once they had their final three, with the rest of the team relaxing and drinking water. No one noticed a couple members of the press had snuck in and were up in the stands recording what they could. Even when Coach Campbell called his team back on the field, no one observed them. At least that is what they thought.

Campbell called out the third college quarterback to the field. He was better than the first quarterback, but not as good as Patrick. He fumbled the ball a couple times, which didn’t sit well with Campbell. It brought back memories of games that his team should have won, but were plagued with fumbles. There was no way he wanted to relive that again.

After thirty five minutes of him being on the field, Campbell pulled him off. As his team rested, he was going back and forth on who he wanted to see next. Favre he has seen a lot of, but knew if he didn’t put him on the field to tryout, the others wouldn’t respect him if he gets the nod to be the starting quarterback. Jason, well he saw him on the field in their last game, like the rest of the fans of football. Along with viewing a couple of game tapes of him playing in college, but he wasn’t completely sure if Jason could repeat what he has done in the past.

Going back and forth on who he was going to call next for almost five minutes, Campbell finally decided on leaving Jason till last. He ordered his guys to the line of scrimmage before looking over at Favre and giving him the nod to go in. The minute the press saw Favre running out on the field putting on his helmet, they woke up and made sure they were getting everything on video.

“Hey guys, what’s up?” Favre smiled at the offensive players as he reached the huddle. “We may have never played together on the same line, but some of us have played on the same field. I know how your defense thinks and how they play the game. So as long as you listen to me out there on the line, we are going to run right over them and put points on the board.”

Austin and Bryant looked at each other wondering what was up with this guy. As he said, they have played on the same field with each other, but on opposing teams. Beyond that, he has no more experience than the first three that came before him. So for him to be standing there in the huddle talking the way he is didn’t sit right to them, or really any of the offensive line players.

Keeping their mouths closed, they broke away from the huddle with the rest of the team and lined up on the line of scrimmage. When Favre walked up behind the center, he quickly changed the play, confusing everyone. The play he was calling, wasn’t called in the huddle. Therefore when the ball was snapped, no one was where they were supposed to be, causing Favre to make something out of nothing, getting the first down. Little did the offensive line players know that is what Favre had hoped would happen from the beginning.

“Come on guys let’s get our heads into this!” Favre slapped his hands together a couple of times in the huddle. “You guys know I’m you’re sure bet on getting you back to the Super Bowl, not any of those other guys.” Favre pointed to the sidelines where the four other guys going out for the quarterback positions were standing. “So don’t make me look bad here in tryouts because it won’t work. I’m a play maker and whenever a play falls apart, I will make something happen.”

None of the offensive players liked the way Favre was talking to them. They had a half of a mind to sit back and make him prove what he just said, but knew they would get the short end of the stick on that. Instead, they swallowed their distaste for the man and followed his queue. He called the two plays, which neither were the ones Campbell sent in, before breaking the huddle.

For the second time in a row, he quickly changed the play at the line of scrimmage, causing the offensive line to look like they had no idea what they were doing. Just as the ball was snapped, Coach Campbell whistled the play dead as he and several of his assistant coaches walked out onto the field. It was written all over his face that he wasn’t happy at all.

“What the hell is going on here gentlemen?” Campbell yelled as he reached the offensive line who had already taken a knee. “You guys are acting as if you never played this game before. Taking too much time in the huddle. Once you break out of the huddle, the scrambling around at the line of scrimmage looks like I’m at a circus. The only one that looks like he has his head in the game and knows what he is doing is Favre and that shouldn’t be happening. Get your shit together!”

“I’m sorry sir, the blame should fall on my shoulders.” Favre spoke as he stood up. Every offensive player couldn’t believe what he was doing as they shot him dirty looks. “At this current time I’m the quarterback on the field. I’m the one calling the plays and running the offensive line. If there is a screw up the fault shouldn’t fall on them. It should fall on me.”

Coach Campbell was the only one that was able to see through the bullshit Favre was trying to feed them. The other coaches loved what they were hearing and seeing. In their minds it shows leadership that they want in their quarterback. Leadership they have been lacking for several years now and are glad that they might be getting it back if they have anything to say about it.

On the other side of the field, the players, both sides of the ball, Favre just made enemies with each and every single one of them. They couldn’t believe how far this veteran would go to get signed to a team. The rumors they have heard about him from his former teammates are coming true, drama none of the Cowboy players wanted to have in their lives personally, more so out on the field where they go and escape from the problems of the world for a couple of hours each week.

“Now offense get off your asses and do something out there.” Campbell yelled as he started to walk off the field. “And defense I’d better not see you guys let up at all. If I do, I will take you out back of the woodshed. Is that understood?” All at once the defense players said yes. “Good let’s get back on the line of scrimmage and get it right.”

Coach Campbell blew his whistle, getting both of the lines up and into their huddles. Favre knew he had shook the boat, but didn’t care. At that moment the only thing he did care about was getting the starting quarterback position. Once he signs his name on the dotted line, then and only then he would go back and try and fix any feathers he ruffled during tryouts.

“Look guys I’m a different kind of player. I’m what you call old school.” Favre started to explain as Campbell called in the two plays. “I’m used to running the offense from every angle. That includes deciding what plays are ran. Yes the coach throws in his two cents, but at the end I decide what play we run by what I see on the field. So get used to it.”

Before anyone could object, Favre called the two plays he wanted ran and broke the huddle. As he walked up to the huddle, he looked over at Jason and winked at him. At that moment he knew without a doubt that he had the starting quarterback position. Not just because he is the better player out of everyone left standing, in his mind, but he has the experience to back it up.

The next forty minutes, Favre took the offense line up and down the field, scoring each time. It impressed Campbell’s staff, the press that had snuck in and Jerry Jones who was watching it all from his box. As he sat there in the owner’s box, he was more sure of himself that he made the right decision on Favre being the starter than he was when he ordered Campbell to make it happen.

The day was getting away from Campbell, so he ended the Favre Show. Giving his team a fifteen minute break, Campbell talked with his staff on what they had just witnessed. Even though he was the one that called his staff over and started the conversation, he wasn’t in it. He was looking over at Jason hoping that the young guy’s head was in the game. He couldn’t afford a slow start like the day before because if it happens again, he is back on special teams.

Wanting to go over and talk with Jason, the guy he wants to be the one to take over in the quarterback position, Campbell decided not to. He called both of his lines over to him, gave them a small pep talk before sending them back on the field with Jason right alongside of them. All the coaches were ready for the worse, but were about to be knocked off their feet.

Jason joined the offensive line in the huddle with the plays Coach Campbell wanted them to run. However, the coach set up the scenario that they were down by four, with fifteen seconds left on the clock on their own two yard line. In order to win the game, they had time for one more play that everyone knew was coming, a Hail Mary. All Jason needed to do is look at his three receivers, they knew what he needed of them without him saying a word.

Breaking the huddle, the offensive line took the shot gun formation. The defense lined up in a blitz formation. They had orders to get to Jason and take him out, and that is exactly what Ware, Lee and the other defense players are planning to do. The only problem with that plan was that they have never played against Jason. They saw him play for them, but never had to take him on.

On the sideline, the coaches, Favre, Patrick and the other two quarterbacks got on their feet and got as close to the action on the field without stepping onto it. Up in the owner’s box, Jerry Jones and his son were on their feet with their faces almost completely against the glass. In the stadium, the reporters that had snuck in were also on their feet thinking the same thing that everyone else was thinking. ‘Will Jason be able to pull it off?’

They didn’t have to wait much longer for their answer. Jason walked up behind the center and started the cadence, bringing the game clock down to one before calling for the ball. Everyone in that stadium saw everything in their minds for those twenty odd seconds in slow motion. When Jason got the ball in his hand and the offensive line went into motion, everything went back to regular speed, which at that point was very fast.

Jason took a couple steps back looking to his right at Bryant, but saw he wasn’t breaking free from his coverage. He then looked to the middle and saw Witten had broken free, but he saw it as clear as day if he threw Witten the ball, he would get tackled in the secondary. Not wanting that outcome, he looked to his left and saw Miles was running down the sidelines, but just like Bryant, he hadn’t broken free from his coverage at all.

Through the corner of his eye to the right, he saw his line crumbling. Quickly he moved back another couple of steps, putting him in the in zone. He was trying to give his teammates time to break free, but saw that wasn’t happening when he took another glance around the field. The line completely crumbled on his right and was giving way in the middle. Knowing if he didn’t move not only they wouldn’t get their touchdown, but the defense would get a safety.

Stepping back into the pocket, escaping two tackles, Jason once again looked at the field, but saw nothing had changed. Just as he was turning to the middle, he saw the defensive line had broken through and were making their way towards him. Having no other choice, he moved back out of the pocket to his left, escaping another tackle, and then another.

Trusting in his fellow teammate, Jason looked to his right, but threw the ball to his left as Ware and Lee reached him. He got the ball out just in time before he hit the turf in the end zone. Everyone watched in awe as the ball glided through the air like a perfectly launched missile.

Just as Jason released the ball, Miles turned and saw it. He continued running and just as he stepped into the end zone on the other side of the field, he reached out his hand. Like a magnet, the ball landed perfectly in Miles hands and he pulled it in to his body as the defensive players tried to knock it out, but there was no use. He got control of the ball and the coach standing right there blew his whistle indicating a touchdown.

For several moments there was complete silence in the stadium. No one said a word or moved an inch. They just stood there stunned at what they just saw. Jason throwing a perfect ball from one end zone to another. Something that is rare to see. In fact, no one can remember the last time they heard of something like that happening in practice or in a game.

Finally after a few minutes of silence, cheers erupted. It started in the end zone between Miles and Bryant and carried down the field to Jason, Ware and Lee. Even though the defense failed at what they were supposed to do, they were celebrating alongside the offensive players. They loved what just happened and hoped that Jason wasn’t a one trick pony.

Up in the owner’s box, Jerry and his son were lost for words. Unable to find his tongue, Jerry’s mind was working. He liked what he saw, but was not sold on Jason being the starting quarterback. He wants experience in that position and the only one that has it is the one he ordered his head coach to give the position to. So no matter what the young man does out there, he swore to himself that he was not going to change his mind on who he wanted for his team.

Down on the field, Favre was starting to get worried, but after the initial shock wore off, he regrouped. He knew there was no way that Jason was going to be picked over him. Even after what he just did, he knew there was no way. Then he started to think if he continues to pull rabbits out of his hat like that today, he has a chance. Pushing those thoughts back, he looked over at the coaches.

The coaches were not doing much celebrating. They knew this was only one play and in tryouts, not in a real game where it counts. Don’t get them wrong. Just like the others, they loved what they just saw, but it wasn’t enough to sell them. They needed to see a lot more for them to end their love affair with Favre and start one with him.

It took a couple of minutes for Campbell to get control of his players. When he did, he had them line up and play football for close to another thirty minutes. Almost like Favre, Jason took the offensive line down the field each time and scored with a few differences that not only caught the eye of the coaches on the sideline, but the owner and his son up in their box.

Jason executed every play that Coach Campbell sent in, and rarely changed the play at the line of scrimmage. He moved in the pocket as if he was dancing to music. Nothing fazed him and when needed he wasn’t afraid to tackle, which was almost in every running play. His fellow teammates on both sides of the ball were respecting him more and more as they played together.

Once Campbell felt he saw enough, he called the play they were about to start dead. “Okay guys we’ve seen enough, so why don’t you get something to drink and rest. When we need you again, I’ll call you back on the field.” Campbell spoke in his low but commanding voice. As he walked back to the sideline to join his staff, he stopped Jason. “You did more out there in the last thirty minutes than I ever thought you could do. Great job!”

No other words were spoken between the two. They went their own directions. Campbell to his staff, Jason to get something to drink and then sit next to Patrick who patted him on the back. They talked about each of their tryouts and their chances on making the cut. Right as Campbell blew his whistle, both of them were confident enough that they did enough to make the cut.

“Okay we have decided on our three, but we are not going to announce them just yet. Out of respect to the five that came out here and gave it their all the last three days. I owe it to tell them in private if they made the cut. So if the five players would make their way to the locker room we can have that talk. The rest of you stretch out because there is still a lot to decide on when we return with the final three.”

Everyone got up all at once, but the five remaining quarterbacks headed to the locker room while the first string Cowboys started their stretches. They didn’t have to wait long for them to know who was staying and who was going once they got to the locker room. Campbell called in one at a time the two players they were cutting. Once he did that, he came out and talked to the remaining three in the locker room, Favre, Jason and Patrick.

“Congratulations to you three you are the ones that made the final cut.” None of them celebrated because they knew there was a but coming. “However, your tryouts are not done yet. We still have to decide who is going to take the starting quarterback position, second string and third string. Even after we do that, it could all change if contract discussions fall apart, but let’s not think about that last part right now. Let’s get through the final leg of these tryouts, okay?”

All at once, Favre, Jason and Patrick said yes as they jumped to their feet. Without needing to be told, they started their way back onto the field. When the veteran Cowboys saw who was left standing, they applauded. Favre thought they were applauding for him, but if he only knew that they were actually applauding Jason and Patrick. It was those two they wanted, not him.

For the next two hours, Campbell ran the three remaining finalists through the ringer. He wanted to know how far he could push them and what they could do. Each of them had pros and cons, but at the end he wanted Jason more than ever before in his starting quarterback position. However, he knew he had an uphill battle with Jerry because he wanted another player in that position.

Getting everything he could out of the tryouts, he ended practice and ordered his players to hit the showers. Before leaving the field, Campbell pulled Favre, Jason and Patrick to the side to inform them that they will be notified on their decision when they arrive in the morning. Knowing that they were not going to get any more information from Campbell, the three quarterbacks thanked their new head coach before heading to the locker room in silence.

Patrick and Jason walked behind Favre as they went down the long tunnel leading to the locker room. A few feet from the door, Favre stopped and turned around. “I know you guys don’t like me.” Favre looked at the door. “Most of them in there probably feel the same way you guys do. But you have to understand that this is probably my last chance to play for a team that has a real shot on making it to the Super Bowl in the next couple years. The same amount of time I probably have left to really make a difference out there.”

Favre for the first time displayed emotion. Showing Jason and Patrick the person that they thought he was from seeing him on television. “What I’m getting at is that I have limited time to get another Super Bowl ring. You guys are just starting out and there is no doubt once I finally leave the game, you will be the future of it. I want these last few years and I will do anything to get them!”

In a split of a second the Favre that Jason and Patrick got to know in these last few days returned. Not wanting to make something out of nothing, they didn’t reply. They just stood there and heard him out. Once he was done, they walked into an almost empty locker room. There were just a few of the guys left, and they were on their way out. Leaving them alone.

Back in Coach Campbell’s office his staff of coaches had made their way in and started giving their two cents on where each of the three remaining quarterbacks should go. No surprise to Campbell they all agreed on one thing, Favre being the starter. The only thing that was left to fight about was who is going to be second string and who would be third string. There everyone was split on the remaining two, which didn’t sit well with Campbell.

“I’m going to be brutally honest with you guys!” Campbell yelled over his coaches to get control of the conversation, which he did. Almost immediately they all quietened down. “If any of you plan to be more than coordinators and assistant coaches, you need to know when to fight the owner. If you go around always agreeing with what you’re being told, you will fail and fail badly.

Favre is still a great quarterback, but his great years are behind him. Yes he can still play some good football, but nothing like some of the new quarterbacks we are seeing out there. He doesn’t scramble as he used to. He doesn’t have the arm that he used to have. And most importantly he comes with his habits. Good or bad, he has habits that can’t be broken.” Campbell looked over his offensive line coach. “Did you like when he ignored the plays that were called in?” Coach Lewis shook his head. “Well if he did it in tryouts and didn’t think twice of it, he will do it on the field during a real game. That is why our offensive line looked so bad. I don’t want that.”

“I agree with you sir, but I truly believe I can get it through his head that we call the plays, not him out there in huddle.” Lewis jumped in. “He still has at least two years in him to play at the level we need out of a quarterback. I want that kind of play and the experience he brings. Those two reasons and only those two is why I want him as the starter.”

“Yes and they are great reasons, but let’s look at the other two. Jason is already at a level that I have never seen. The last couple of nights I have been watching the games he played in college and man let me tell you this guy is awesome on the field. He puts together runs that should have failed from the get go. The college teams he was on should have never made it to the Rose Bowl, but because of his willingness to leave it all out there on the field, they have three Rose Bowl wins in a row.” Campbell looked around the room. “Do any of you know how many times before Jason took the quarterback position for UTEP they made it to a bowl?” One at a time the coaches answered no. “The big goose egg is how many.

We have a chance to mold this young guy into a player that we want him to be. He doesn’t have any bad habits that will be hard to get him to stop.” Campbell looked straight at Lewis. “And this thing you going to Favre and telling him he isn’t allowed to call his own plays and he will listen is nothing but bullshit. That guy has been doing that most of his career and there is no way he’s going to stop doing that now towards the end of his career.”

“No one is going to argue with that point or any of the points you bring up.” Everyone turned around to see Jerry and his son at the door. They stood aside to let them walk in. “Look I’m not fooling myself on what we can get out of Favre. He doesn’t have that much time left to play the game, but the time he does have I want him playing the game here in Dallas.”

“With all due respect sir, I don’t agree with your point of view.” Coach Campbell wasn’t about to be walked all over in front of his staff. “Favre has a few years left, but I don’t want him at the helm of this team. He can’t play well with others or with my coaching staff. He believe he knows better and that will cause nothing but drama on the sidelines we don’t need right now. We need to move on from all the drama that you brought me in to clean up, not create. So let me do my job and put together a Super Bowl team without any of that drama.”

Jerry looked at Campbell’s staff. “Why don’t you guys give us the room please?” The staff knew it wasn’t their choice to do it or not. They turned around and walked out not saying another word, even though they wanted to. Once the last one cleared the door way, Jerry’s son walked over and shut the door before returning to his father’s side.

“Yes you are right once again about why I brought you in, but you knew my reputation when you were interviewed for the head coaching job. Whatever I want I get!” Jerry voice started to get louder, but he wasn’t yelling. “And I want Brett Favre as the starting quarterback in our next game. I don’t care about the problems you have with him, fix them, but I want him is that understood?”

“I understand but again I don’t agree sir. I don’t want this guy causing….” Jerry stopped Campbell in mid-sentence. “Damn it Russ I guess I haven’t made myself clear on this matter, so let me try again. Before coming in here, I stopped in the locker room and asked Favre to see me in my office as soon as he gets dressed. His agent is already up there which means hopefully within the hour he will be signed to a contract as this team’s starting quarterback. Discussion on this matter is over and I don’t want to hear any more of it.”

“Well sir you’d better stand there and hear me out on this matter since I am your head coach and when this all goes wrong, and it will, the press will be blaming me, not you.” Jerry wasn’t used to being talked to in the manner Campbell was talking to him at that moment. “Brett isn’t the right fit for this team. You are blinded by what he has done with Green Bay and the Super Bowl rings on his hand. I’m not blinded by any of that. The guy just isn’t right and this is going to blow up.”

“It’s your job to make sure it doesn’t blow up.” Jerry spoke with frustration in his voice. “I’m paying you to keep order on my team and get it to a Super Bowl. Leave it to me on getting you the tools to make that happen. Stick to your job and I’ll stick to mine.”

“Exactly sir, we need to stick to our own jobs. In my contract I have complete decision making on who gets signed and who doesn’t. That was put in because I’m the one on the field coaching and seeing what you are not seeing up there in your owner’s box. Let me do my job and hire the players I feel best fits this team and where I want to take it.”

“You better sit down and reread your contract again because you are wrong as far as having the final say who gets a contract and who doesn’t.” Jerry had an evil grin on his face. “I have that say and no one else. You have the right to give your opinion on who gets to play in each game, but as far as contracts that’s all mine and no one else’s.”

Not meaning to Campbell chuckled as he leaned back in his seat. At that moment he realized that Jerry was right on everything he just said. “I’m sorry sir, you’re right I don’t have the final say on who gets a contract and who doesn’t, but you’re also right I have the final say who gets to go out there and play. If Brett shows that he won’t work with my way of coaching or the players on the offensive line, I’m going to bench him like any other player.

Let’s go up to your office and sign Brett Favre to a multimillion contract. Since I know he won’t change his ways, he is going to become the highest paid bench warmer in NFL history.” Campbell got up and started walking to the door. “The decision is yours, but knowing the facts and what I’m going to do the second he doesn’t do what every other member on this team has to do, I would rethink on forcing this down my throat like you are doing.”

Jerry didn’t like at all what he was being told, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it at that moment. Don’t get him wrong. He is going to get his high paid attorneys to look over Campbell’s contract to see if there is a loophole, but for now he has to take it. Reluctantly he smiled and walked out of the doors of Campbell’s office that he is holding open for him.

Meanwhile Jason and Patrick shared a taxi back to the hotel, not saying word to each other. They didn’t need to wait for tomorrow to find out who is going to get what. When Jerry walked into the locker room and asked Favre and only Favre to go up to his office, they knew he got the starting quarterback position. Even Favre knew because when he walked out, he shot the guys a look that only meant one thing, I won and you guys lost.

Not wanting to walk into the hotel room for a second day in a row in a bad mood, Jason pushed his anger down into the pit of his stomach and put on a smile as he walked through the doors of his and Thelma’s room. When Thelma walked out and greeted Jason, she saw through the fake smile, but decided not to call Jason on it. She knew him so well that when the time was right and he felt like talking, he would let it out and she will be there for him.

Jason and Thelma decided to spend the evening in, but when Patrick called and invited them out with him and his wife, they agreed. For the second time in less than four hours, Jason jumped into the shower to get ready to put on a show for Patrick, his wife and anyone else that they might run into. By the time he was ready, Thelma walked out dressed to paint the town.

“If I was straight Thelma, I would sweep you off your feet in a New York minute and never let you go.” Jason said as he walked over to Thelma to help her put on a necklace. “If I haven’t said it lately, let me say it now. Thank you for uprooting your life for me. I know that was a huge thing to ask and I promise you that I’ll never forget it. Or make you ever regret it.”

Thelma turned around and wrapped her arms around Jason’s hips. “There is no need to ever say thank you for this. Plus I will never regret the decision no matter what happens because I know what I got myself into.” She leaned in and kissed Jason on the cheek. “Let’s stop wasting time and go out there and show everyone what an awesome couple we make.”

Without objections, Jason took Thelma’s arm and walked her out. When they reached the elevator, they ran into Patrick and his wife. “Jason I would like you to meet my lovely wife Madalynn. She is the love of my life.” Jason shook her hand before introducing Thelma to them as his girlfriend of six years. “I wish you guys could have met our two boys, but they are back home in Arkansas with my parents. We didn’t want to bring them up until we knew what was going to happen and then getting our own place to live. There is no way we want them living in a hotel.”

All four of them laughed as they got onto the elevator. All the way down to the lobby and the ride to the restaurant, Patrick and his wife talked about their two young boys. The older of them was barely two, and the youngest was born just eight short months ago. As they went on about their kids, Jason and Thelma couldn’t help but think about having kids of their own. Of course not with each other, or at least Jason wasn’t thinking about having kids with Thelma.

When they stepped out of their taxi at the restaurant, they were greeted by several members of the press. Neither Jason nor Patrick answered any of the questions they were asked, but their worst nightmares were confirmed. It was leaked that Favre was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as their starter. The press wanted to know how they felt about that, but again neither commented.

Madalynn and Thelma knew what the press was asking them did bother them, but did everything they could to get their guy’s minds off the subject. It wasn’t hard. Before they knew it, they had talked straight through the meal and were already on dessert. Not once did the conversation go anywhere near the subject of Favre or the Cowboys.

When they had finally called it a night and got back to the hotel, it was after eleven. Before parting ways, Jason and Patrick made plans to meet in the lobby and share a taxi. After getting the time down for the morning they said goodnight and headed to their rooms. Jason and Thelma held hands all the way to sell that they were a couple, and there was no question in anyone’s mind that saw them that evening they were.

The next morning, Jason jumped out of bed before the alarm went off. Even though he knew he wasn’t going to get the starting quarterback position, he decided to not let it get him down. Over and over again he told himself he was still a very lucky person to be playing for the Cowboys in any capacity that wanted him to play. There was no need to be in the dumps for something that he can’t change. He gave it is all and the decision was made that he wasn’t ready.

As planned, he met Patrick in the lobby and headed out to grab a taxi. Just as the taxi pulled up to the curb, Favre walked up and asked if they didn’t mind if he joined them. They looked at each other and then back at Favre and shook their heads taking the high road. However, they quickly found out as the taxi pulled away from the curb that Favre wasn’t going to do the same thing.

“Now that the tryouts are over and I’ve been named starting quarterback for the Cowboys, you guys need to fall in line.” Looking at each other stunned at what they were hearing, neither Jason nor Patrick knew how to respond to what they just heard. “I know you two don’t know what positions you’re going to get, it’s clear to me that Jason will get second and Patrick you’ll get third string. All I need from you guys is for you to stay in the background, that’s all.”

“Well first let me say on behalf of Patrick and myself congratulations!” Jason extended his hand, but Favre didn’t take it. “The best player got the starting position, but that position doesn’t give you the right to tell neither me nor Patrick a thing. Only the coaches have that right. So if you don’t mind, I won’t be staying in the background. The minute you screw up, which you will because simply your time is up, Patrick and I will be there to pick up where you failed.”

Not only did Favre not expect that response from Jason, but it didn’t sit right at all with him as well. “You listen to me Jason! If you want to have any kind of future after I’m gone you’d better step back and come to terms with reality. You didn’t get the starting quarterback position I did, which gives me a podium to talk from. I can destroy you career before it even has a chance to get off the ground and you know I have the information to do it.”

Patrick looked at Favre and then at Jason with a confused look on his face. “What you have is lies that were told to you from a player that was cut in tryouts. Without anything more than his word, no one will believe you. In fact, if you go out there and breathe a word of it, you will not only be doing damage to me. You will damage your own legacy. There’s no doubt in my mind that you don’t want the last thing people remember of you is how much hate you have in your heart.”

There was no more time for Favre to respond to what Jason had said. At that moment they pulled up to the training facility and the taxi driver was wishing them luck. Not saying another word to each other, they got out of the taxi and walked to the building. When they reached the doors, Jason and Patrick stood back to get distance from them and Favre.

“Patrick I know you were lost in that conversation back there.” Patrick didn’t say a word, but Jason knew by the look on his face that he was right. “I thought since you hung out with Orton and the others you heard what Orton was saying about me.” Still Jason was getting a blank look back from Patrick. “Anyway, Orton was saying things that he had no firsthand knowledge of. He just wanted to be mean and it looks like Brett has picked up where he left off.”

“I think I know what you are talking about and I don’t care if what Orton said is true or not about you.” Patrick whispered as they started their way to the locker room. “You can play the game better than anyone I have ever seen. That includes college and the NFL. Whatever happens off the field I don’t care as long as it doesn’t affect the team.”

With that they had to drop the subject. They reached the locker room and didn’t want any of the guys to know what they were talking about. Putting on smiles, they walked in and over to their lockers to suit up. As they got dressed for practice, several of their fellow teammates made a point to stop and tell them that the decision that was made about the quarterback position was wrong and they didn’t support it. Both of them thanked their fellow teammates and left it at that.

It didn’t take either of the two long to get suited up for practice. They spent more time talking to their fellow teammates when they came around than they did getting ready for practice. Just as Jason shut his locker door and was about to kneel down to tie his shoes, Coach Campbell walked in and called him out to the weight room. Not wanting to delay practice, Jason quickly made his way to the weight room, almost tripping on his untied shoes laces.

“Jason please close the door.” Campbell spoke in a low voice. “As promised the decisions have been made on where each of you are going to go in the lineup. Even though there were things in the background at work that sent the decisions in a different way than I wanted them to, the decisions are final.” Campbell didn’t break eye contact once from Jason.

“You are a great quarterback and if you give this program a chance you will have a future here as our starter. There is no doubt in my mind that you are the one that is going to bring this team back to its glory days, not the one that has been slated to be the starter. But for now you have to take a back seat to Favre and be his backup quarterback. In two years you are his heir apparent unless something happens beforehand that changes those plans.”

Jason didn’t know what to say. He was disappointed that he didn’t get the starting position, but he knew when he saw Favre and Manning that there was no way he was going to get it. The best he could hope for is second string and as Campbell just finished saying the heir apparent of the one that was chosen. He got what he knew was going to unfold from the first day of tryouts.

“I know you gave it your all out there on the field these last three days. Hell you saves our asses from the fire in our last game and got us a W. If you follow me and do as I ask, you will take the reins of this team. That I promise you. Even though as I said you are going to be Favre’s back up, you won’t be kept off the field. You are still on special teams as our first string extra point and three point kicker. So you will get playing time each week, just not in the position you want.”

“Sir I’m happy wherever you put me, I truly am.” Jason said with a real smile on his face. “Ever since I could remember I wanted to play for this team. I worked hard in high school and when the colleges came calling, I chose the one I felt I could do the most good. Plus I needed to be close to home to help out my family. Anyway, I’m grateful that I’m here and will play whatever position and as many positions you ask me without complaining.”

“I wish I had a team full of players like you Jason.” Campbell smiled as he patted Jason on the shoulders. “Most of them come to me like you, but the moment they sign on that dotted line they become prima donnas. More interested on getting a shoe deal, commercials or a Campbell soup contract than they are playing football. The game I came up in is a thing of the past.”

Campbell walked around Jason and opened the door. “After practice today you and I are going to go up to the owner’s office for you to sign a contract.” Campbell poked his head out of the weight room to call Patrick over. “In the meantime go out there and show us that we made the wrong decision on who we selected as our starting quarterback.”

Not needing to be told their meeting was over, Jason thanked Coach Campbell and walked out, running into Patrick at the doorway. They nodded to each other as they passed, but didn’t say anything. Once he got to his locker, he tied his shoe laces and grabbed the rest of his gear before running down the long tunnel to join the rest of his team.

Shortly after he joined the team that there were already stretching, Patrick, Coach Campbell and the rest of his staff walked out. Patrick took the spot next to Jason and joined in. Before he could fully stretch out, Campbell blew his whistle and asked them to take a knee. Even though everyone knew what their coach was going to say, they took a knee and quietened down to hear him.

“I’m not going to waste the time we need to be practicing on something you all already have heard, figured out or been told already.” Campbell waved Favre over. “With a lot of going back and forth the decision has been made that Favre here is going to be our new starting quarterback.” No one showed any emotion. “So let’s make him feel welcome and show him the ropes.”

Little by little one player at a time congratulated Favre. In time everyone was on their feet patting Favre on the shoulder pads welcoming him on board. Even Jason and Patrick joined in, surprising Favre. Once everyone had their turn to congratulate their new starting quarterback, they again took a knee to see what else Campbell was going to say.

“And there shouldn’t be any doubt who is going to be backing up Favre.” Campbell looked around for Jason and Patrick. It took him a few seconds to spot them, but once he did, he waved them to join him. “Jason here is going to be our second string quarterback as well playing on the first string special teams squad as our extra point and three point kicker. Patrick is going to be backing him and Favre up as the third string quarterback. So welcome them also on board when you have a chance. For now we need to get back to….”

Campbell wasn’t able to complete what he was about to say. Everyone jumped to their feet and made their way to Jason and Patrick welcoming them on board. Not only many of the coaching staff were surprised on how quickly they jumped to their feet, Favre was too. Not wanting to be left out in the cold, he swallowed his anger and joined the others welcoming Jason and Patrick.

“Okay, okay enough with the love affair gentlemen!” Campbell had to yell in order to get the attention of his team. “We have also brought from the practice squad a few players to find out if they can guard our quarterback a lot better than the four that are currently doing the job. They will be rotated in and out of the offensive line to see how they fit in. So defense I know I don’t need to tell you what to do for us to find out if they can play Cowboy’s football.”

All the defensive players jumped up at once and started chanting. No one really could make out what they were saying, but if it was to scare those that they were chanting at, it did the job. The players that were called up from the practice tried to keep eye contact with those players chanting, but each of them were caught breaking contact. Either they looked down at the ground or each other. After almost five minutes of the chanting, the defensive line stopped and took a knee.

Not wanting to lose any more time they could be using for practice that they needed, Campbell ordered his players to pick up where they left off when he walked out on the field. Together the team stretched and did running drills for the next hour before breaking off into their units. Jason didn’t know where he was supposed to go at first, but after a few minutes of standing there, Coach Jackson, the special teams coach called him over. Patrick joined the second string line.

The rest of practice Jason stayed with the special teams learning everything he could about how they did things. Not once was he called over to take a snap with the offense, neither did Patrick. Unlike Jason, Patrick didn’t get on the field again. He stayed on the sidelines watching, trying to learn what he could be seeing and asking questions to those that were standing around him.

When practice was over, the entire team came together and did cool down stretches and running before heading to the locker room. Jason was so used to the rules that were put in place for him to follow when he was in college, he didn’t shower with the guys. He quickly got out of his practice uniform and got into his street clothes and headed out the door.

No one really noticed Jason had done that, at least almost everyone. Besides the only friend he has on the team noticing, Coach Campbell noticed as well. He normally doesn’t go into the locker room after practice unless he needed to talk with one of the players, and that day he needed to speak with Jason and Patrick. He needed to make sure they knew to go to his office after they got done getting dressed, not the owners office. The only one he found was Patrick.

A little worried that Jason might have gone up to Jerry’s office, he went looking for him after telling Patrick what he went in to tell them. The first place he went to was Jerry’s office, but didn’t see Jason anywhere. He thought that maybe he already went in, but rethought that. Knowing the owner the way he does, there is no way Jason would have been invited in that quickly. Jerry likes to keep people waiting in order to make them think that he is always a busy man.

Realizing that, Campbell started his way back to his office wondering where Jason had gone off to. Certain that he wasn’t meeting with the owner, there was only one other place that Jason would be. On his way back to the hotel. Angry with that thought, Campbell started walking faster, almost at a sprint. When he got to his office and was about to tell his secretary to get Jason back, he saw him through the windows of the conference room sitting in the stadium seats looking at the field.

Not saying a word, Campbell made his way out and sat down next to Jason. “You know something coach?” Jason looked at Campbell with a serious expression. “I’m more at home on the field playing football than I’m anywhere else. Every day I wake up in fear that this day is the day this game I love so much is going to be taken away from me. I’m going to be told that I can’t play anymore because of….” Jason’s voice trailed off.

“Look son I’m going to say something that I can get into a lot of trouble telling you. If you ever repeat what I about to say to anyone, I will deny it and you and I are going to have a different relationship than we have now.” Campbell matched Jason’s serious look. “A relationship that no one wants to have because it’s a career ending one.”

Jason nodded his head. “The owner and I went to blows yesterday on who should be the starting quarterback. I want true talent in that position, which you have, not an over the hill quarterback that might have a couple of good years still left in him. I want a player that I can mold that will be here long after I leave this organization winning Super Bowl after Super Bowl.

Don’t get me wrong, I want to win now, but not at this high expense we are paying. Favre on paper looks like the quarterback we are looking for, but just for two, maybe three years. Unlike the owner, I think about the future and who fits better. You are the one I fought for to be our starting quarterback. I lost that fight for now, but as I told you this morning trust me, listen to me, learn everything you can from me and my coaches and you will take over after Favre leaves.”

Once again Jason was lost for words. “On another subject which I think is haunting you right now that we need to talk about.” The expression on Jason’s face changed from serious to nervous. “I will never ask you what happened to you in college. That is none of my business. What is my business is what I already know about you and that you can play this game in your sleep.

With that said, I’m afraid whatever happened to you in college is eating you alive. The little I have been able to put together through my conversations with your former coaches, it’s bad. So bad they don’t want to let me know anything about it. That tells me whatever it is it’s so bad that they can’t talk about it or it will destroy their program.

That doesn’t mean Jason you have to keep it inside. If you don’t have a friend here on the team you can trust, or at home you can trust, a family member, loved one, one of my coaches or myself you can trust to talk to about what happened, find someone. Don’t hold whatever it is in or it will destroy you. The little I have gotten to know you, you’re too good a person for that to happen to.”

Coach Campbell got up and extended his hand to help Jason up. “Let’s head to my office to get Patrick so we can go up to the owner’s office.” Jason for the first time smiled at the coach since they started talking. “Oh one more thing! I don’t know what rules were in effect at your college about showering after practice, but here all my players shower. Please in the future will you shower with the others before heading out?”

Jason agreed with the coach, but knew if the coach ever found out why he had to follow special rules, he would change his thinking on the matter. No only change his thinking, but enforce the same rules that he had to follow when he was in college, if not more. However, for now he is going to do what he is told in order not to raise any flags with anyone on and off the team.

Nothing else was said about what they were talking about once they left the stadium. When they got to Campbell’s office, they found Patrick sitting there waiting. Since it was getting late, Campbell didn’t bother to go into his office to drop off his clipboard. Instead he asked his secretary to do it for him as he waved Patrick and Jason to follow him.

As they made their way to Jerry’s office, Campbell explained to them what they were walking into. He didn’t like them walking into the owner’s office without an agent when the owner will have his team of lawyers sitting there throwing legal mumble jumble at them, but had no other choice. At least he thought he didn’t have no other choice until he ran into an agent that he has grown to respect and trust making his way out of the building.

“Hey Spencer how are you?” Spencer is a new agent in his mid-thirties who hasn’t yet signed a big name in football. However, the clients he does have had nothing but good praise for him. He fights to get his clients everything they deserve in contract negations. The exact person Jason and Patrick needs right now since they are about to sign their first NFL contract.

“Doing well, how about you Russ?” Campbell laughed as he responded with same o same. “I understand you guys have settled in a starting quarterback.” Campbell nodded his head. “Everyone knew that Favre and Manning were trying out, but we all thought after what we saw in your last game that you were going to go with youth and model a new quarterback for decades of playing, not just a couple of years. What happen there?”

“Internal politics, what else.” Spencer understood exactly what Campbell was hinting at. “Just like everyone out there was thinking where I was going to go, but my hands were tied in what direction to take the team.” Campbell ever so slightly looked towards Jerry’s office. “Anyways that isn’t the reason I stopped you. I first wanted to introduce Jason and Patrick to you.” Spencer couldn’t believe he was meeting the future of the Cowboys, at least that is what everyone is saying about Jason. With a big grin on his face, he shook hands with Jason and Patrick.

“And I wanted to ask you for a favor! Neither of these two believe it or not don’t have an agent to represent them. They are about to walk into Mr. Jones office and sign their contract and I don’t like the idea of them going in without representation. Even though I could do it, I can’t since I’m the head coach of this team. So I was wondering if you could take them on as clients for this one signing. I’m sure afterwards you guys can work something out that pays your for your time.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice. I would be honored to represent these two and I will do this one for free.” Jason and Patrick were stunned. They were not sure they heard Spencer right until he repeated it again. “That way you guys can see I will fight for everything you deserve and should get. If afterwards you want to go with someone else, fine. But if you like how I went in there and fought for you and want to hire me, I will take you on and represent you the same way on every contract negation you will have in your careers.”

Without a second thought, both of them accepted the deal and shook on it to make it Texas legal. Now knowing that both of his new players were represented, Campbell breathed a little easier when they started making their way to the owner’s office. When they got there, Jerry’s secretary had them wait for a few minutes before informing Campbell, Spencer and Jason that they could go in. Patrick was the only one that had to stay back because his contract negation couldn’t be done with Jason’s.

Jerry didn’t see that Jason was represented since he hadn’t looked up from his desk when he greeted them, but his lawyers did. When he did finally give them the time of day, the smile on his face faded away quickly, but came back, at least almost all of the smile that is. He was forcing it because he didn’t want them to know that he was caught off guard.

“Good afternoon Jason!” Jerry extended his hand as he looked over to Spencer. “And good afternoon again Mr. Alan. I had no idea you were representing Jason here on his contract negations today. You didn’t mention it when we talked just, what…” Jerry looked as his watch. “An hour ago, maybe a little more. If you would have told me, I would have called your client up.”

“Thanks, but I didn’t want to put you out of your way or interrupt Coach Campbell’s practice either.” Spencer spoke in a soothing voice as he sat next to Jason at the round conference table. Jerry sat across with his attorneys and Campbell in-between the two groups. “I know how important it is that we are ready to play our next game. Every minute of practice will get us there.”

“That’s very true!” Jerry smiled as he took the file one of his attorney’s was holding out. “Well Jason let me first say congratulations on your performance during tryouts. You made the cut and Coach Campbell here wants you as his second string quarterback.” Jerry spoke as he read the top sheet of the contract. “Since you will probably not get much playing time, if any at all with Favre as our starter, we decided to keep you as well in the position that you were brought in to fill originally. So not only will you be this team’s second string quarterback, but as well its first string extra point and three point kicker.”

“Excuse me Mr. Jones, I’m sorry for interrupting you, but before we go any further can I please see the contract you are about to offer my client.” Jerry not only didn’t like being interrupted, but he didn’t like be asked for the contract in the matter in which Spencer asked for it. Having nothing to hide, he slid the copy that Jason would sign across the table. “Thank you sir!”

Spencer leaned across the table and picked up the contract. The first couple of pages didn’t sit too well with him, but since Jason was new to the NFL he would swallow it, but then when he got to the third page, he was stunned. At first he thought that he had read it wrong, so he read it again, and a third time to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him.

Laying down the contract, he leaned over to Jason and whispered to him to follow his lead before looking over to Jerry and his lawyers. “Mr. Jones I understand that Jason here is an untested player and has no experience at all in the NFL.” Spencer started to form a grin as looked around the table scratching his head. “Well I just said a lie about my client and for that Jason I’m sorry.” Spencer looked at his client with a sincere look. “You do have experience in the NFL. It isn’t much, but you picked up the ball in the game Washington VS the Cowboys. The Cowboys were down by twenty one points when you were sent out. Not only did you pick up the ball without question, but with your help this team won its first game of the season. That shows to me he can play.”

“Mr. Alan no one here will argue that Mr. Engelmann here did an outstanding job in the game you are talking about. However, that is just one game. No one knows how Mr. Engelmann will play when he has played several games in a row. Plays in the games against a team that is a lot better than the Washington Redskins. He is an untested player in that arena.” The head attorney for the Dallas Cowboys tried to keep his composure, but couldn’t.

“Once again gentlemen with all due respect, this contract is a slap in the face to any player that is getting started in the NFL. You are asking my client to sign a six year deal that will only pay him sixty five thousand a year, without a signing bonus or any other kind of bonus for that matter. To top that all off, you are asking him to play in two positions. Now come on, let’s get real here. You thought you were going to get away with this because he was going to come in here alone.”

“You are completely off base Mr. Alan and I will ask you to treat us with a lot more respect than you are.” Now the head attorney wasn’t even trying not to show his dislike. “Your client has just graduated from college and wasn’t even in the draft. He is very lucky that he was picked up by this team in the first place to be one of its kickers. Now he has been given another opportunity to play in the backup quarterback position on the most talked about team in the NFL. You need to not only stop your complaining over there, but as well tell your client to accept the contract as is.”

Spencer laughed, making the head attorney even angrier. “No sir that I will not do. I fight for all my clients no matter if they are new to the NFL or has been playing for decades. You need to come down from that pedestal you’re on and put real numbers on the table. There is no way I will tell my client to sign a contract that doesn’t pay him for what he is worth.”

“Pedestal, pedestal, you don’t know what the hell you are talking about. Before you sit there and demand things from us, sit with your client and ask him about what happened in College. Since no one is talking about it tells me that it’s a media nightmare. To cost alone to defend him is going to be in the millions and we are willing to take that on. So accept what you are being given here because no other team will go anywhere near you client with a shady background like he has.”

Not liking the way he is being talked to, Spencer pushed the contract across the table as he got up from his seat. “Mr. Jones I thought we came in here to sign a real contract, not to toss rumors and lies back and forth at each other. You’re an honest man. A man that knows what is happening here is wrong. My client deserves a lot more than you are willing to offer him. He also deserves not be looked at and treated like dirt the way your attorneys are treating him without knowing the truth on what happened in his past. You need to really look at getting better council than you’re getting right now. When you’re ready to do what’s right for my client, we will be back.”

Jason had no idea what was going on, but followed Spencer’s lead. When he pulled out his chair for him to get up, he did just that. “Hold on just a minute gentlemen let’s all settle down and sit back down and come to some kind of agreement.” Coach Campbell jumped in for the first time.

“Coach Campbell I respect you and I know we’ll work a lot more in the future together, but just look at Mr. Jones and his attorneys.” Campbell looked over at his boss and saw exactly what Spencer wanted him to see. “They are not willing to budge on this offer. They think they have my client by the short hairs, and let me be the first to say they are wrong.

Ever since your last game, all the sport’s channels are talking about is my client when the Cowboys come up in conversation. Heck they not talking about Favre being signed as your starter like you guys probably wish they do. No they are talking about my client’s performance in the tryouts instead. That is free press gentlemen. Press that every owner in the NFL is watching. I promise you the minute word gets out that contract negations fell apart, my phone will be ringing off the hook with offers for my client to be a starter, not a backup.”

Looking straight at the Cowboys head attorney. “So sir you are wrong that no other team will touch my client. They will be stepping over each other to sign my client the minute they find out that he is a free agent. When it is all said and done I will have gotten him a contract that will make him the highest paid player in the NFL. That’s how good he is and you guys know that. So if you don’t want to see him on the other side of the field taking your Super Bowl championships away, get real on his contract before you call us back in here.”

Not waiting for response from anyone, Spencer guided Jason out of Jerry’s office. When the door closed behind them, Coach Campbell looked over at the owner and his attorneys madder than he has ever been. He couldn’t believe what just unfolded before him. He couldn’t believe that his boss didn’t even try to keep Jason on the team.

“Mr. Jones I have bit my tongue and accepted everything you have asked me to do. We have argued about it, but at the end I have done what you have asked of me. But if you let this player walk and he signs on another team, kiss any Super Bowls goodbye for the next ten or so years. Whatever team gets him will be winning those Super Bowls, not us.”

“Come on Coach Campbell that kid isn’t that good. We have Favre….” Coach Campbell slammed his fist on the table causing the attorney to stop talking. “If you know what’s best for you, you’d better not say another word. We have Favre! You don’t have the slightest idea of what you are talking about, so keep your mouth shut whenever you’re around me.” Campbell got up and started walking over to the door. “Oh that man you are calling a kid is that good. He took an unknown college to three Rose Bowls in a row and won. Now that he is no longer there, the team has lost every game so far this season and doesn’t look like they are going to get any better.”

With that, Campbell walked out, leaving Jerry with his attorneys sitting in their seats confused on what just happened. They thought they had Jason and now they not only are about to lose a backup quarterback that is as good as Campbell says he is, but a kicker as well. Jerry came to that realization yesterday when he saw Jason throwing that one hundred yard pass.

TO BE CONTINUED…………………

WRITER’S CORNER:

{Welcome one and all to a new chapter in the sage of ‘Praying for a Hail Mary’. Before I go into the summation of this chapter, let me get rid of all the legal mumble jumble I have to do by using real names of people in my story. This story is purely fictional and does not imply anything about the sexuality of the featured people. I also like to note that The Dallas Cowboys and any other team I write about in this story is a copyright and trademark of NFL and its affiliates.

Well I don’t know about you guys, but this chapter was filled with a lot of action and suspense. A lot of things unfolded in this chapter. Things that many of you guessed right at, Benji, LOL and things that came out of left field. There are plots finally being unveiled and there are plots that we have no idea what is going on in them. Only your return to this saga in the future will get you guys the answers you are seeking.

With that said, let me start summing this chapter up so I can get it over to my editors. It started out on the final day of tryouts. All of us already knew who was going to get the starter position, but we all had hoped that Campbell would have gotten Jerry to change his mind. That didn’t happen, Favre is the starter, Jason second string and Patrick third, or is all that going to change. By the ending of this chapter it looks like it will.

We got to see all three players get a chance to play with the first string offense. Each of them had a different type of playing mode. Favre was old school, and who could blame him. None of the Cowboys liked how he was, but accepted that he was the starter when it was announced. Jason and Patrick play the game almost the same. I think they make a better team than Favre and them.

Besides learning about who was going to get what position, we got to know a little more about Patrick. He is not only married, but he as two sons. Also in this chapter we found out that he doesn’t care about the rumors going around about Jason. All he cares about is if Jason can play the game, not his personal life. I’m liking this guy more and more.

Now Favre is being written out in this story as a jerk. With what I have seen on television he seems to be the opposite. So to those Favre fans please accept my apologies. Just like in any story there has to be a bad guy and right now that bad guy is Favre. He was a great player and there is no doubt that he will always be remembered as such.

With that said let’s get back to the chapter. Just like Patrick as each chapter is written I’m liking Thelma more and more. I think no matter what happens in the future, Jason and her are going to stay very close, like brother and sister. She is willing to do anything for him to get his dream. Those kind of friends are few and far between.

The ending was it a huge surprise to you all? I came up with it as I was writing this chapter and man I laughed and got angry as I wrote it out. If the owner doesn’t get his head out of his ass soon, he is going to lose Jason to another team. I agree with Campbell if that happens, there will not be taking home any Super Bowls any time soon. What do you guys think about that? Is Jason that good? Or is it too soon to say?

Well this summation wasn’t as short and sweet as my last ones, but a lot happened in this chapter and I just couldn’t stop talking about it. I have big plans for this story, so come on back and keep reading this saga. You will not regret it, I promise. And if I forgot anything in my summation that needed to be mentioned I know my Editor Trevor will pick up on it and write it out in his editor’s corner below. Thanks again for giving this new story a chance.

There is going to be a lot developing in the chapters to come. Stick around and keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}

EDITOR’S CORNER:

Well a cliff hanger I never thought for one minute that was going to happen. Jacob sure pulls some odd turn arounds out of the hat sometimes.

The try-outs were fairly predictable I thought and the final three chosen were more than likely the right ones except I can’t see Favre doing as well as he thinks he will. I certainly don’t expect him to get eh support from his team mates like Jason or Patrick would.

Coach Campbell is proving to be a good friend to Jason and I hope that bond between them remains because between them they can take the Cowboys to the super bowl and win.

Thelma too certainly knows how to put on an act when she is out with Jason and that will certainly help to stop the rumors. Mind you I hope the time will come when Jason does find love in his life, but imagine the trauma and drama which will occur when that does happen.

I did suggest to Jacob that he includes a glossary of terms that are used the game because if you don’t follow football closely you can get a bit lost when he uses phrases like shot gun and hail Mary. Finally before you all write and comment that one hundred throw which Jason achieved as to the best our knowledge never ever been done, but remember this is a work of fiction.

Please let us know what think about this story and indeed all of Jacob’s great yarns.

Hugs Trevor