Ben's smile widened.

"A night at home sounds good to me, but I need to visit the market. I can drop you off at home first. Anything in particular that you fancy?"

He led the way out to the parking lot, speculating about what might be good for dinner.

-> Ben & Lu-Ti to their home

 Heather smiled and replied," Chinese and a movie sounds amazing Megan. Lets head out, I have done enough film work for today." Heather gets up then said," Well lets hope the most deserving get the awards thats all I care about, lets see if they can do that. Good night Lu-Ti, Ben see you guys tomorrow and then like Lu-Ti said it gets crazy after that."

 Heather and Megan head to the lot to get into car and head home to relax and enjoy one last relaxing evening before the game.

  People were  showing up..the smell of breakfast foods  Coffee  and fruit ..

  Pricn e and branch  were there   early. Prince was reading over his  notes in his playbook, and sipping a coffee. Branch have  two  dippy eggs, with toast and bacon

Ben came in and made short work of a plate of bacon and eggs. He reckoned that once the season was over, he'd have to keep his level of exercise up and probably watch his diet. Would never do to get fat!

Drat! He'd forgotten to ask Lu-Ti if she agreed to them joining that country club. If they did, he could occupy himself learning to play tennis and golf. That would keep him active, and there was always swimming... Also stop him sitting around whilst she was working.

 <<<<<<<<<<<Adam- Mik from Complex

   the Pair  walked in, a few other Players  waved at them. a couple  players  still looked a bit  sleepy, but other wise  , in good shape.

 Adam  set huis things  down  by a window  table  , then went to get donuts  and a coffee...Mik was right behind him, deciding to get  the Blueberry Muffins that were made today.

 once they gathered their Goodies . they sat down, adam opened up his lap top to go over some of the  things they have already saw. to make sure they were recognizable , at a glance.

From the Townhouse--->

Wade arrived at the den, less hungry and more interested in talking football. He still went through the line to grab a muffin and some coffee, then sat at the usual table and waited for the other linebackers to arrive.

  Prince  and Branch where  already there ( see above) ..  Prince nibbling on a  doughnut  and reading through his notes,  , while Branch was eating  his eggs like it was his last meal.

 Cruz  and Sal came in...Harley , just behind them.  Payne was getting  food  with Worth as they talked over some of the defensive  calls.

.......................

 Adam  sat  pulling up    vides that when into step motion, as  Mik, 'half' paid attention.

 Babs  came in looking  around, as   The rest of the trainers  entered as a group. She looked  at Adam..Is Lindsey coming?  or Mindy?

 Mik said, Mins is  hanging   with  Lindsey and  Sage , before they go to the airport.. You can hang with us...?

Adam  Nodded   as he  chewed a  doughn nut with a  closed lipped smile. Babs  Sniled and went to get   her  food.

"Good morning, guys" Wade said to Prince and Branch as he sat with his muffin and coffee. "Are you ready for an intense day of practice? I was watching films all night. I feel like I've played the Sants a hundred times this season already."

 Prince nodded  as he motioned with his   donut  to  his playbook. . been going over   stuff. One thing  the  Saints, ot anyone esle  can count on? is the packages we use? I mean, either side of the ball, it doesn't matter who is in, or  what the down and distance, everyone  can do everything.. ..I mean? all of us have somehting we do better? Like  pass coverage, or  run stopping, buut  we can still be al around. I think some teams get confused, by our rotations.. they think we  are  sending in packages?  we are just sending in players.

 To morrow and Monday will be something..  Full pads.live practice ....

"Yeap. I'm looking forward to full pads. It'll be good to open up a little" Wade finished his muffin.

   Babs came   over and sat  down . She seemed very happy to be there.  Jenny dropped in next to here with a massive  coffee that semlled  like  Vanilia and an eclair.

  so?   Mindy is with Sage  and  Lindsey until they leave for the airport..I get to be the  'big girl" she  grinned.

 Babs  giggled as well. Well... As long as you don't get crazy oin those   Bayou guys, you'll be  fine.

  Tracy stopped over   and she  had..a look of  resignation on her face...Ok bronk..you win, between Sims  and  Lou and  30 some Dragons i shifted thigns  around.. Babs will have  over all controll of the 'tapers'  and sideline adjustemtns   for injuries and such... Eva  and i will over see  those  and  decide  who gets pulled and who doesn't , except  for the concussion docs who make that  call...

Babs  smiled, But Adam wouldn't even take that olive branch. I didn't win, the team won. Our players  will have the best care,before  we get on the field,,, The  rest won't change  much. Most of the people you ahve are good... you just can't play games  with their postions...

 what about You.... you get away with alot of stuff..

 Take a Poll? there might be...5...6  guys on this  team that may resetn me... the rest   back me   and support me....but i do excatly what i am suppsoed to do. I may, add a bit of 'effort' when it  comes to hitting people  i don't like...but its  still my job.

 Mik grinned, wehad a talk like  this   in Hamilton from the BS Lion's   DC? he found  out, just how much  Hoser got into 'doing his  job"

 She looked around the table..jenny gave   tracy  a big smile  and the head trainer walked away shaking her head.

  Sims, Fry and Cal entered by the lower  door.. Hebner  and  others  were a few yards  behind   him.   Sims    waved or  nodded  to the players  who Noticed him. he Saw   Adam  talking as he watched  film, still making notes in his notebook.

 More things?

 No Coach? Just picking out the  Deep  stuff,  if they cover me, ben and the others  will eat.. if they ignore me..well... I'll have alot of   fun.

Sims  chuckled. ..Good Job,,keep at it...

as the coaches filed  past each adding their own  'hellos' or Nodded/waves.

  Babs, smiled at  Adam Coach  Sims  really likes you?

  Mik snorted  and whacked Adam's back.

  Adam, was jostled  and chuckled,he puts up with me.. I do alot of stuff  that brings 'unwanted focus' on the team.. the difference is? I own it..and i deal with it....wait until next week.. , should be a good time...well..for  Dragons.


 Dragonettes  were on the filed ,doing thier   field  routines..they would do their sideline stuff ,they would do after lunch , while the team  went through their  workouts.

Ben listened to the chatter as he sipped some coffee. Everything felt slightly unreal. Last year he'd been a senior, juggling academic work with football, preparing for final examinations and the Combine so intensely that the two almost fused in his mind. Now here he was, an NFL player a few days away from a Super Bowl appearance and with a wonderful girl shortly to become his wife.

  Lu-Ti came into the   Den,, from the VIP  room.. she  stopped at  Ben and  said...we just  recived  wortd  on how we are to conduct oursleves   for the  NFL award, watch party   tonight. Caoch Sims is  going to  mention it  in the meeting. I have to go to out  airport , to pick things up...  I should be back  around the end of practice..

 A security guard   entered from the lower  doors and  waited   , Lu-Ti gave Ben a Kiss and  hurried towards the  door, and the pair left.

 shortly afterwards,   The coaches   made their procession from the VIP  Room toweards the lower  doors and too the meetings.

 players and such to meetings>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

---->>>> From Townhouses

 Heather got a quick breakfast and coffee and then headed for the meetings.


---->>>>> To meetings

"Take care, beloved," said Ben returning the kiss.

He wasn't sure how much he relished the idea of the awards evening at all, let alone having directions on how to 'conduct himself' but he'd listen and take it aboard. Part of the territory, he supposed. After all, he still was new at this game of being a professional footballer. So new that those words gave him a secret thrill!

He got a fresh coffee and headed off to the meetings rooms.

 <<<<<<<<<<<<  from the meetings

  The players  entered...grabbing  their food and sitting down.  Adam  had his  lap top out...Mindy came in surprising  Mik and sat down...which? Babs Saw Mindy and hurried to sit on the other side  of Mindy.

   the other players were talking  about the game.

from where he has been (all over) ---->>


Bronko had his mind on a great night, but knew it was time to focus.  He knew his job, and the changes that were needed to be his best against the Saints.  He forced himself to think his way through the defensive sets in his mind, knowing he would tweak them out on the practice field.  He was good at his job and knew what to bring to the game.

Ben came in, wondering how sitting in meetings left him so hungry. He selected a cheeseburger, fries, and slaw, and went over to the window tables to eat.

One thing players Noticed  where some   workers who looked disgruntled  a they sat near two  massive  TV  screens  that  leaned against the walls.The  Foreman was having an angry chat with   Yuto and Yuto was not giving one inch.

 ...... you have  much time to  set these  Screens  for tonight. If you run into over time, we will pat you for that. The important thing is our  players and support people eating lunch with out being distrubed... if you would like, You and your  people  may  eat lunch as well, on us. No matter what you choose  to do.. there will be no work on the  Screens  until...  he looked at his   Cell phone for the time,46 more minutes!

 The foreman threw up  his hands  and  Nodded  then called the  6 workers together , pointed to the food lines   and  they began  to  walk over to get in line.

..................

 Stalls Plopped  down  on the other side of Babs, she  smiled at him,he turned to Adam.....so? what's the  big thing for attacking the   Saints ?

 Adam  ate   and pointed to his lap top.the wideouts  attack the corners.. leaving the  two safeties to have to double Ben...but they'll find out they can't  double him with out us  tearing up the outside?..so..The safeties  will either be moved a bit wider, or they'll take turns  doubling  one of us as well as Ben, then our  Running backs   will have a great day... you have to be aware, of the  hits you take..when you have the ball, and it looks like they have you, lower your pads and drive into  the nearest on, protect the football. This isn't going to be a pretty game, it  won't be a 'classic  chess match". Wask  isn't in the same  League with  Sims..Wask is playing 'candyland' , while Sims plays chess.

 he holds up one  finger for peole  to undesatnd  as he says...But one thing they can do..is hurt us. Don't let them take  that 2nd  shot on you..... and deliver the pain every chance you get...these guys are playing for a Big Pay check...playing for that Ring..and playing  for  bigger contracts. they aren't goign to care if you career is ended...and you should feel the same way

  Babs  give her head a  shake, Mindy  sat back her  eyes drifted  as she  was trying to remember something.

  Well...i mean..lots of  teams tried to hurt you guys?, they didn't pan out well? Babs  said.

 Adma  sipped his drink,The did  well enough? one of the lady  kicker's  career  was ended...Ben was hobbled for a week and a half... Wills still isn't  right.. and  Duke  went down with the Ribs... I don't care what any of the   Dumbasses out there  say..Duke's one of the toughest guys  on the team... You ever  try to throw  the ball with a broken rib?, stand there and Take a shot , while you throw that ball and have  300-600 lbs of Defense  land on you? Yeah, Dukes  as tough , or tougher , then any one we have..Look at Heather..bastard  almost ended her  career.

 I think i am going to research  some  things  of the Saints..see who is the  worst at  'late hits'  or Injury  hits ..

 Shouldn't  be too hard , Right?  just watch the hold defense... when they played running teams  the   backers  and D-line   did most of the cheap shots... passing   teams the Backers  and the DBs  did  the  dirty work... and  they all, made sure they hit the OB... never worried  about  15 yard  laundry ..15 yards  is  a small price to play , to remove   a Starter  a  QB, or...if that starter  doesn't have the guys...make him  hurry his  passes , or twist to take the hit, and  ruin the throwing motion

 Babs shakes her head again, and says,well..they haven't played the Dragons  yet...

Stalls grins...... I wish we  could be  in their   film rooms, and listen to  how they tell their guys 'this is all we have to do  to beat them." he laughs.

 Mik was   quiet, he was , half-watching, Adams  screen as   Adam  had four  windows  up  that was 'step motioning' blitz packages  for 3rd  downs.

 ...we... mates? This is a whole 'nother  animal, ain't it? This is fer everything we play the game for...ta be the Champion... to 'rule over  the football world until this time next year, when  2 teams fight to be the boss again... won;'t be  nothin' to bring in a third  stringer, have him take out some ones  knees and he gets  tossed, be like Hoser playing chess,,  he'd sacrifice  his  big pieces  just to take out  your big pieces , and he wins.....now? we have enough  people on our  team that  we might get by with one or two of those.. I look fer some  bad  stuff to happen.

  Mindy looked at  Adam..Adam just nodded in agreement.
......................

 The Backers   talked  about the  O-Line. Payne was straight up, lecturing.alright....  now, since we got everyone together... when y9ou get a chance.. I don't want you to watch the plays on your next film study..i want you to watch the O-line and how they block.... they were called  17 times this  year for Chop blocks....5 of those  sent   the  DL or LB to the side lines... two of them ended the season for those men.... But? we can't be 'defensive  about it'  , like , slow  down your  rush or anything. You have  to   be  harder, more punishing  then they are,, and don't be afraid to club a helmet, face  mask or  come up under  their  face  mask ... the best way to  keep dogs away  from your legs  is to hurt them, so they decide  they don't want to bite you..but ..I'm tellin' you now.. they see you slow  down, or back off..they'll come harder at you..

  Megan came in, she looked tired... she sat with   Heather, listening to the chatter.got?  Amy is worse then Lu-Ti!.. i have to admit though.. they have the scoreboard on so we can see our routines. We look like the Rockettes  when we're all on the same page..... How did your   meeting go?
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:19, Yesterday.

  They  ate talked  and  Adam leaned back and  rubbed his eyes.These guys  suck? if they would have been in the AFC  they might have  won 3  games, depending on which division they were in ...

 Babs  asked Adam...when are you going  down to get taped.

 About   15 minutes?  Why?

watch this....  Babs Stood  up, and called down to the trainers  table..Tape Line!... down in the  locker   room in  5 Minutes...  she   gave Stalls a pat o9 the back  and grinned at  Adam  as she  left to the locker  room.

 Mindy   goggled..wow? another country heard from!.

Adam was chuckling..you don't know how  good that feels. when you get  to slap someone back..

Adam started to pack up his  gear.

Ben finished his meal, cleared the table, and headed on down to the locker room, eager to get out onto the field.

   Adam watched , he saw some f the Guys  looking at his  table, he sighed,alright, everyone is afraid to be first..Lets get this show on the road...

he stood up, Mik and stalls  with him,  as soon as he started to the lower  doors, other  teammates  stood  to  follow  suit.

Makes ya  feel like one of them cavalry officers , don't it..

Adam snorted , saying dryly,More liie a Judas  goat , leading them into the slaughter house..

Adam to Lockers>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Bronko felt refreshed and focused.  It was time to get ready.

---->> Locker room