Don't Get Chopped
The darkened room is filled with athletes, some young, some older, all wearing Black Knights colors. The large screen comes to life, but instead of a scene of the practice field, a single figure appears wearing street clothes, and holding a Black Knight's helmet in his hand.
"You think the judges on the Food Network series are brutal, but they're nothing compared to the London Black Knights GM. The woman known as, "Boss Lady" by her team or more affectionately, "Mama" when one of them is being scout or contrite for blown coverage, a dropped pass, a missed interception, or kick. She is warm, and her food is the fuel for the players, not just the "big men" on the offensive and defensive lines. There is a side to her that is ruthless that will get the player or draft pick that she wants, not quite at any cost. A word to the wise though when it comes to contract negotiations, if you want to leave this great franchise you'll do so on her terms not yours. Once you decide you're leaving she won't wait for that last chance to win you back, she'll trade your ass faster than you can say, "London".
Now, you may be wondering why I'm here on the film room's screen talking to each of you, but we'll get to that later. I have two groups of people I want to talk to, but first I'll apologize to the veterans because they've heard this all before. So, listen up young bucks, because the coaching staff will only play this once, and if you're not paying attention you'll miss out, not just here but in your future careers.
To the rookies I say good job, the scouting reports caught her eye, but now you must keep it, or better yet win her heart. Then in black and scarlet or not, she will remember to cheer for you, and there will be a place for you at dinner. You have four games to earn your spot, on the practice squad or active roster; depending on your talents and the team's needs. You have it easiest because if you show promise we'll keep you for a year or two to see how you develop and how you fit into the scheme.
To you guys who've spent a year or two on the practice squad, your place with this franchise is the most precarious as the final cut day approaches, or even heading into the off season as the organization's minds turn toward the draft, but we're a long way from that point. They drafted you, they kept you through last off season, and you've proven your metal on the field. Some of what happens next depends on what the staff has seen from you these past few years, but some of it depends on the veterans and this new crop of rookies that have come behind you. This is the cruel reality of the limitations of the practice squad there are only ten spots, and the team seeks talent based on its needs at the time of the draft. If those needs change you may find yourself on the active roster, or moving to a new city, and wearing different colors.
All you youngsters should listen to the team philosophy. If you're lucky enough to become a Black Knight, to stay one of the chessmen into your veteran years this organizations makes a promise to each of you. You will be a Black Knight until you retire from the league. It's not always the freshest faces who make the plays, though none is doubting your skills, your speed, your energy, or your hunger for the game. Sometimes it takes a wily veteran to make the play against the younger player. How does this effect you? They give you that same promise if you make the fifty-three-man roster because when age starts to creek up, as it does for all of us, they won't abandon you either. For now, if veterans like Lewan, Zietler, Keuchley, Orakpo, or Mack want to play the staff will let them. When they hang up their helmets for the last time they'll have a black chess knight outlines in red and white on the side.
What is all this talk about food? The chatter about burritos or potatoes on both sides of the ball? Let's break it down by position, shall we? Quarterback, use your legs, your arm, and most of all your head to move the ball. If a pass isn't there fake it and turn around there will be someone there who can get the yards you need. Receivers, and this means you tight ends, and even you running backs and full backs should take a listen. Run your routes, hold onto the ball, get into empty space, get those RAC yards, block when you're called upon to do so. Offensive lineman your job is simple, "protect yours and block theirs." That may be hard to execute when there's a strong blitz coming on fourth and inches. Yeah, it's fourth down, but unless it's a mile the offensive coordinator has lisence to go for it because he trusts you to make the space for your runners, and to give your quarterback the time he needs to make a throw.
Don't worry defense you haven't been forgotten. Defensive tackles you're the center of your line and you take on a lot of responsibility, a lot of blocks, but if you can hold up those opposing linemen and your brothers on defense can make a play, or you can slip through and make one yourself it's a good day. Defensive ends you know you want to go after the Quarterback but watch the runners out of the backfield they can be shifty. Sacks are important but so are tackles for loss. Linebackers you're the heart of the defense, listen to Luke he won't steer you wrong, and if he's not on the field listen to Heath, he's been at Luke's side since he was drafted, and he'll be quarterbacking your defense long after his mentor retires. Your jobs are more complex, and you must deal with a lot of blockers your defensive linemen haven't managed to swallow up. Do your best to shed those blockers and make plays as the situation requires. Make it home to the quarterback like Mack, snag interceptions if the ball comes your way, tackle that runner who slipped through that first layer, or stay on your receiver before he can break away on a big play. You secondary guys listen up, you're standing where some of the greats have stood, Darrelle Revis Erik Berry, Jason and Devin Mcorrdy to name a few of this team's retired heroes. Your current leaders are Jalen Ramsey, Adoree Jackson, J. T. Hale, and Zack Robertson learned from them. Yes, make a name for yourself with those interceptions, sacks, and safeties (yes, those two points are an expectation if you're in range) but don't forget the smaller plays. They don't fill up the stat sheet, but they can be the difference to being in field goal range and keeping the other team off the scoreboard, or even getting the ball back for a young quarterback who is having a rough day. This team is known for its complementary football, both sides of the ball play as a single unit. You are known as the #1 defense in the NFL, which should really be called the IFL or WFL at this point, but the name of the league isn't my point; hold that spot for as long and as hard as you can.
There are some of you sitting here today that won't be in this film room, or on this practice field once preseason is over. You need to go out there and earn your spots, execute like I've told you, and you'll go far no matter which of the thirty-two teams you end up with. I would know, I misfired a few times in my all-star game, and this defense got the ball back a lot in my rookie year, but I led the Knights to a Super Bowl that same year; I played for your ultimate rival the Dublin Celtic Tigers, and now your Super Bowl rival the Houston Oilers. This isn't about me, it's about each one of you. Go out there be agile, mobile, and hostile, don't get chopped.
I'm C. J. Romberg, and you are the Black Knights.
Oh and Murry? Don't get hurt!"
The screen fades to black amid applause and chuckles for the quarterback's last comment. A few people even patted the veteran running back on the shoulder. The head coach stood and called for the players to go out to practice, and they trooped out together with grins on their faces.
A/N: Happy anniversary my love. I remember writing this on a trip between our home and visiting my family. I didn't know who the speaker of the piece was until it was finally finished. It gave me a lot of pride to be able to put this up here today and share our Black Knights narrative with the fanfiction community.