-Six Days Later, Cyclones Practice Field-

"One at a time please." Coach Dungy requested as multiple reporters where trying to ask him multiple questions at once. "You in the front, what's your question?" Paul asked a reporter in the front row.

"Coach Dungy, even though you said Grant would be the starting quarterback when he's fully recovered from his minor injury, with how good chance played in the win against Cleveland, are your reconsidering your initial statements?" the reporter asked Coach Dungy.

"We are not going to open that door again. As much as you all want us to throw Grant to the wolves, we are committed to him being the starter once he's returned from injury, end of discussion." Paul answered with a firm tone of voice, which silenced any future questions about Grant Tanners status with the team moving forward. A different reporter raised his hand, and Paul quickly pointed at him, allowing him to speak up.

"Coach, your defense has allowed only two touchdowns the entire season over the first three games you've played, and in one case, held the high scoring Redhawks out of the end-zone. Put simply: can your defense compete with a Carolina offense that is not only the highest scoring team in Division 3, but is also out scoring more points than some teams in the upper divisions?" the reporter asked.

"I'll let the defense speak for themselves come Sunday." Paul answered quickly. That answer seemed to satisfy most reporters as Paul pointed at a different reporter for a question.

"Mr. Dungy, your team is off to a 3-0 start which is the best start in this new, as well as the old franchises history, this Sunday you play a Carolina team that's not just also 3-0, but has blown out their first three opponents. They've scored over 30 points in every game, and allowed no more than 17 points per game. If your defense can at least slow down the Copperheads, will that give your offense a chance to possibly match them blow for blow?" the reporter questioned.

"We'd like this game to be a chess match between their offense, and our defense. But if it does turn into a high scoring game, I strongly believe me can trade and even counter every punch the Copperheads throw at us." Coach Dungy answered in a tone that indicated he was convinced of the abilities of his team. "Follow up question." the same reporter asked before Paul could point to a different reporter. "The Blitz League Network is hyping up this game as a potential prelude to the future of Division 3, most notably the looming Division 3 Championship game. We all know you hate to look ahead coach, but could there be some truth to those assessments?" the reporter asked.

"Like you said, I don't want to look to far ahead. But whoever wins this game goes to 4-0, and only needs one more win to clinch a spot in the Division 3 Championship. Whoever wins is in good shape, whoever loses will still have their shot with three games left to play after this one. It's always hard for a season to come down to week 7, but the best teams can deal with the pressure of that, and I believe we're one of those teams that plays well under pressure." Paul answered firmly as he pointed at another reporter.

"Coach your team finished a Division 3 worst 1-6 last season, with a young but hard hitting defense, but the leagues worst offense. This season though, things have turned around for your young team in every aspect. Your 3-0 after three games, your offense is ranked 3rd in Division 3, and your defense is ranked 1st. Has the turnaround on offense allowed your defense to play better?"

"Like we said earlier in the season: it's very easy to have division in the locker room when one side of the ball if playing very well and the other is not. But like all good teams, we learned from the mistakes of last season, and improved upon issues on both sides of the ball that needed to be addressed. As you all can see, Robert and Amos are playing well together from their respective linebacker positions, Nate Lewis stepped up in limiting Henry Cho to only two catches last week. And Carter is proving to be a valued special teams ace, in addition to all the passes he's catching on crucial downs. Need I also mention how Avery Ferguson is currently not just in the discussion for the Division 3 MVP race, but also for League Player Of The Year." Paul finished, and it was obvious to all the reporters that he had a vert valid point, for Avery was putting up numbers like Denver's Tyler Neal, or Minnesota's Tony Forbes back in his prime.

"Coach can you guarantee a win for the city of San Diego?" a reporter asked without being called upon. Coach Dungy thought about the question for a second before laughing gently.

"All I can say on behalf of myself and the Cyclones organization, is that this team will always play hard, and that will hopefully translate to multiple more wins this season, and moving forward. One last question... you right there." Paul said as he prepared to take his last question.

"Coach, there are multiple rumors that your owner, Marty Rains, has been contacted by many potential new Owners regarding possible league expansions of new teams all around the country. The league has already announced that a Congressmen in Louisiana is considering leaving Congress and forming a new team in New Orleans. Is your owner really giving advice to possible new owners?" the reporter asked quickly. Paul thought for a moment before answering.

"I cannot speak for Mr. Rains.." Paul answered simply as he left the podium and headed back over to some of his players.

To Be Continued...