The position-specific skills test was coming to an end, but Lu Ke still hadn't figured out one thing: this was a rookie training camp, not a Bruins team practice. How could a scrimmage be triggered? And after it was triggered, how could he become the quarterback in the scrimmage? More importantly, the special mission didn't explain the details. If there wasn't a scrimmage, the system shouldn't have triggered the mission.
Lu Ke couldn't help but think back to what happened when the special mission was triggered.
"Everyone, listen up!" Joe's voice rang out. Geep, Carl, and several other coaches walked up with serious expressions. "We're going to hold a small scrimmage now. A seven-on-seven game, one offensive unit against one defensive unit. This isn't an official game, so we won't follow the ten-yard, four-down rule. Each unit will have ten downs to see how many yards they can advance and how each player performs on offense and defense."
Joe's words made the rookies look at each other, both excited and nervous. This sudden scrimmage could become their stage to shine, but it could also become a nightmare that ended their careers.
There was no training, no chemistry, no teamwork among the rookies. It was a complete free-for-all, a showdown based on their instincts, talent, and ability. The problem was that football is a sport that requires teamwork. In soccer, a player can have a magical solo run, and in basketball, a player can dominate by scoring against three defenders. But in football, it's impossible.
Amidst the buzzing of chatter, a flash of insight struck Lu Ke: the special mission was triggered after he completed the coaches' challenge to test the limit of his long pass! Did this mean that this impromptu scrimmage was likely related to him, and the coaches wanted to further test his passing ability?
Such a guess was a bit far-fetched. The rookie training camp had no shortage of rookies. How could the coaching staff suddenly add a scrimmage for a single rookie? But no matter what, Lu Ke knew this was not only another stage for him to prove himself but also a special mission waiting to be completed!
"If you have any questions, ask them directly. Don't whisper among yourselves!" Joe said loudly, looking around. He saw a rookie quarterback hesitate and raise his right hand. Joe raised his chin, giving a signal.
The rookie asked loudly, "What if we score a touchdown before the tenth down? For example, on the sixth or seventh down."
Joe looked back, and the other coaches all had playful smiles. They had just been guessing if a rookie quarterback would ask this question. It seemed there were quite a few arrogant quarterbacks this year. It's good to be young!
"Then that's a disgrace to the defensive players," Joe said with a chuckle, looking back at the defensive players waiting on the sideline. Offensive and defensive coaches always had a friendly rivalry. "And yes, it's allowed. If a quarterback can score a touchdown with a single pass, that's your ability. If that happens, the game ends immediately."
As soon as he finished speaking, the quarterbacks beamed with joy. The offensive unit had no chemistry, and neither did the defensive unit. The real way to shine was to seize an opportunity, find a gap, and land a fatal blow!
But Joe's next words immediately brought the fiery atmosphere to a freezing point. "Similarly, if your pass is intercepted by a defensive player, the game also ends immediately." This single sentence choked the quarterbacks, and the chatter and discussion instantly disappeared.
A long pass for a fatal blow also meant a sharp increase in the risk of an interception.
It was like a long ball in soccer. A high-flying ball meant an exposed target. The offensive and defensive players had an equal chance of getting to the ball. However, in soccer, even if an opponent gets the ball, you can steal it back at any time. And the soccer ball is passed to the opponent's half, so even if there's a mistake, the opponent can't immediately counterattack. But in football, if the opponent gets an interception, the possession ends immediately.
In this scrimmage, if a pass was intercepted on the first down, it would be a complete and utter embarrassment, and there would be no more chances. So, what should the quarterbacks do?
This was a contest between the offensive and defensive units, but it was also a contest between players in the same position, especially the quarterbacks!
Every one of the twenty-one quarterbacks had an eager look on their faces. Maybe in the professional league, they would need to learn slowly and close the gap against experienced veterans, but in the rookie training camp, it was essentially like an NCAA game. They were all eager to dominate and prove their abilities once again.
Undoubtedly, Cam Newton was the first choice among the quarterbacks. The Heisman Trophy winner's skills were given the most direct and powerful affirmation. The Heisman Trophy selection is not based on position; every player on the field is eligible. So the winner's skills and reputation are considered the highest in the NCAA.
Cam raised his chin, looking at Lu Ke with a scornful and playful gaze. The glint in his eyes was like a cat that had a mouse firmly in its grasp, not in a hurry to end the mouse's life, but slowly, happily toying with it, letting go and then catching it again, enjoying the process of the mouse's struggle.
"You're done for."
That was the meaning in Cam's eyes, and Lu Ke knew it perfectly well. But he wasn't afraid. He sneered and raised an eyebrow, as if to say, "Bring it on. We'll see who wins." That provocative look made Cam clench his fists.
After looking away, Lu Ke's heart began to beat faster. Not giving in in a show of force was one thing, but the reality was another.
Lu Ke knew his own limits. Everyone who participated in the rookie training camp was an outstanding and talented player in the NCAA. Of these, more than 250 players would officially enter the league, and then they would be officially divided into professional and non-professional, or rather, professional and amateur. The gap between them was so big it needed no further explanation.
So, the difficulty of this scrimmage, these ten downs, was far greater than the game against USC and the Rose Bowl. Moreover, the special mission had restrictive requirements that needed to be completed, which meant that any carelessness or slackness would be the end of him.
In just a moment, a new voice came from Joe. "Carl, why don't you start first?" This scrimmage was a one-on-one match between the offensive and defensive coaches. The coaches wouldn't directly guide the tactics, but it was a challenge to their eye for player combinations.
Carl Smith, the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks, stepped forward, looked around, and said loudly, "Cam Newton." A chorus of boos and ridicule came from the other coaches and scouts behind him. Choosing Cam was the easiest decision, with no technical skill involved.
Carl didn't care and shouted to the Carolina Panthers' quarterbacks coach, "Jealous!" This caused a burst of laughter.
After seeing Carl's pick, Joe crossed his arms over his chest. "Picking one by one like in a draft. Why don't we just rush forward and pick them like it's a flea market?" His teasing words kept the laughter going. He then continued, "Then I'll pick first. I'm sure you won't have any objections. Lu Ke."
...Who?
Lu Ke! Countless eyes were cast toward Joe. The first pick was Cam, and the second was Lu Ke. Was this a mock draft? If it was, Joe's choice was enough to make everyone's jaw drop. But Joe shrugged indifferently. "I told you, you won't have any objections." Without explaining his reason for the choice, Joe just calmly waved his hand. "Come on, kid. Let's go pick the offensive line and the receiving unit."
One was the top favorite for the first overall pick, while the other was a name heard for the first time in the rookie training camp. Cam and Lu Ke were truly worlds apart, but in this scrimmage, unintentionally, they once again became the focus of attention. What's more, the quarterbacks coach who chose Lu Ke was Joe Lombardi of the New Orleans Saints, one of the top quarterback coaches in the league. Could it be that this Chinese quarterback really had some potential worth uncovering?
Not just the coaches and scouts, but even the other quarterbacks cast curious glances. Even if this wasn't a real draft, Joe's choice was still thought-provoking.
Lu Ke suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and jogged to catch up with Joe. Countless pairs of eyes, filled with heat, were cast upon him, gradually falling behind him until they became silent.
Joe didn't talk to Lu Ke about anything. He just walked silently across the field to the other half and began to pick the receiving players.
The seven-on-seven game was a passing drill for quarterbacks. The offensive unit included one quarterback, three offensive linemen (one center, one left guard, one right guard), two wide receivers, and one tight end. Compared to a full eleven-man unit, the offensive line was missing two tackles and the running back. In simple terms, it was a pure passing-tactics drill.
Of course, the test was also more rigorous for the offensive and defensive linemen. At the same time, the confrontation between the receivers and defensive players was also more direct. Every position was a severe test.
However, among this year's rookies, there were only six centers, and the number of tackles and guards was uneven. The number of cornerbacks far exceeded the other positions. So, when picking the offensive unit, the position of each player could be slightly different, which was an even more rigorous test for the coaches' eye.
In the end, Joe quickly finished picking his seven players!
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