Post by r3dnek on Mar 4, 2008 23:19:40 GMT -5
Three coaches, twelve hopefuls.
Tyson didn’t know what to think when he got to the Jets training complex. All he could really do was drink in the moment. This wasn’t too hard because he hadn’t been drinking since the night before and felt quite parched.
The small indoor football complex was mainly used for practice during the regular season, but since they wouldn’t get any use out of it for the next month, it became the biggest exam room Tyson had ever been in.
“Alright guys, gather around here. My name is Graham O’Hare; I’m the scouting agent for the Jets. I spoke with most of you on the phone. Those other two guys are on the Jets coaching staff and they’ll be helping me out with the scouting and the drills for you guys. First, we’re going to start you off with the 40 yard dash. Then we’ll move to the 100 yard dash, take a few catching drills, and finish off with the cone and shuttle drills. This shouldn’t take much longer than an hour, so most of you can get back to your daily routine. Before we begin, you guys take some time to stretch and we’ll get you to do some warm-ups.”
During most of the warm-up exercises, Tyson took some time to scan his competition. He recognized one of the guys as a former NFL player. Scott Smalls; the guy spent most of his career out in Oakland, never really had a “magical” season. Made one Pro Bowl as an alternate. Ever since, he just kind of faded out. Tyson totally didn’t know this guy had retired until about a year after when somebody on Sportscenter mentioned his name as a retiree.
All these guys looked to be in way better shape than he was. Woods knew he was in decent shape. Lifting and hauling all that stuff for construction had been his weight training, and working in the sun eight hours a day had about the same effect of sitting in a sauna. But, Tyson didn’t care about how he looked. Looks only mattered with endorsements. They aren’t filming a movie, here. You can look the part, but the biggest question remained.
Can you run fast?
That question had yet to be answered. Woods knew that most of these guys were fresh out of college or they have played ball somewhere in the last year, maybe even within the last six months. He, however, had been out of the game for two years. Thinking of these facts continued to puzzle Tyson as to why they called him. Of all people, why him?
“Okay gentlemen, come on over here.”
Graham called everyone over to the goal line. He and one of his assistants held stopwatches in their hands. The other assistant held a video camera, obviously hoping to get this on film for the head coach.
“You guys are familiar with the 40 yard dash. It’ll be the same format as you saw at the scouting combine…”
Too bad Tyson didn’t go to the combine.
“Just get in a 3-point stance, hold that position for one full second, then go when you’re ready. The clock will start as soon as you guys move. Any questions?”
No one raised their hands.
“Good, I’ll start out by just calling you guys alphabetically.”
Woods knew he was going last, which made things a little easier. This way he could measure up the competition.
“Going in reverse order; Tyson Woods, you’re up first.”
Great
Tyson stood at the goal line, staring at the 40 yards that would potentially decide the rest of his life. Who knew that your life could be decided in less than five seconds? Well, hopefully less than five seconds. He hadn’t run in quite awhile. Nevertheless, he had to do it. Woods crouched into his 3-point stance and looked up at the other coach standing at the 40 yard line.
Alright, here we go. Your whole life right here. We go on three.
1
2
...3
GO!
Tyson didn’t know what to think when he got to the Jets training complex. All he could really do was drink in the moment. This wasn’t too hard because he hadn’t been drinking since the night before and felt quite parched.
The small indoor football complex was mainly used for practice during the regular season, but since they wouldn’t get any use out of it for the next month, it became the biggest exam room Tyson had ever been in.
“Alright guys, gather around here. My name is Graham O’Hare; I’m the scouting agent for the Jets. I spoke with most of you on the phone. Those other two guys are on the Jets coaching staff and they’ll be helping me out with the scouting and the drills for you guys. First, we’re going to start you off with the 40 yard dash. Then we’ll move to the 100 yard dash, take a few catching drills, and finish off with the cone and shuttle drills. This shouldn’t take much longer than an hour, so most of you can get back to your daily routine. Before we begin, you guys take some time to stretch and we’ll get you to do some warm-ups.”
During most of the warm-up exercises, Tyson took some time to scan his competition. He recognized one of the guys as a former NFL player. Scott Smalls; the guy spent most of his career out in Oakland, never really had a “magical” season. Made one Pro Bowl as an alternate. Ever since, he just kind of faded out. Tyson totally didn’t know this guy had retired until about a year after when somebody on Sportscenter mentioned his name as a retiree.
All these guys looked to be in way better shape than he was. Woods knew he was in decent shape. Lifting and hauling all that stuff for construction had been his weight training, and working in the sun eight hours a day had about the same effect of sitting in a sauna. But, Tyson didn’t care about how he looked. Looks only mattered with endorsements. They aren’t filming a movie, here. You can look the part, but the biggest question remained.
Can you run fast?
That question had yet to be answered. Woods knew that most of these guys were fresh out of college or they have played ball somewhere in the last year, maybe even within the last six months. He, however, had been out of the game for two years. Thinking of these facts continued to puzzle Tyson as to why they called him. Of all people, why him?
“Okay gentlemen, come on over here.”
Graham called everyone over to the goal line. He and one of his assistants held stopwatches in their hands. The other assistant held a video camera, obviously hoping to get this on film for the head coach.
“You guys are familiar with the 40 yard dash. It’ll be the same format as you saw at the scouting combine…”
Too bad Tyson didn’t go to the combine.
“Just get in a 3-point stance, hold that position for one full second, then go when you’re ready. The clock will start as soon as you guys move. Any questions?”
No one raised their hands.
“Good, I’ll start out by just calling you guys alphabetically.”
Woods knew he was going last, which made things a little easier. This way he could measure up the competition.
“Going in reverse order; Tyson Woods, you’re up first.”
Great
Tyson stood at the goal line, staring at the 40 yards that would potentially decide the rest of his life. Who knew that your life could be decided in less than five seconds? Well, hopefully less than five seconds. He hadn’t run in quite awhile. Nevertheless, he had to do it. Woods crouched into his 3-point stance and looked up at the other coach standing at the 40 yard line.
Alright, here we go. Your whole life right here. We go on three.
1
2
...3
GO!
