Under Center: The NFL In The New Millennium
- Thread starter Calcaterra
- Start date
The Eagles' punishment is being formulated, but it is looking like it could be severe.
The Steelers are getting blowback, but they're overshadowed by the Eagles. Like I said before, Mel Blount took the lead on trying to talk down Steeler Nation and his immediate reaction to the events helped the Steelers organization avoid some criticism.
Chapter Fifteen, Part Thirty: Leinart's Final Bow, Somethings Gotta Give, Phenalties, & Big Changes
November 30, 2015: Matt Leinart announces his retirement from football at the age of 32. A former Heisman Trophy winner with the USC Trojans, Leinart went onto be drafted with the #9 overall pick in the 2006 draft, to the Detroit Lions. His early career would be derailed by extremely poor rookie play, and an infamous interview on Sports Center, before he was suspended for the first half of the 2007 NFL season due to PED and drug usage. Leinart would be benched at the end of the season, after going 1-6 at the helm, in favor of Brian Griese, who started in his absence and went 5-4 as the starter. Leinart would be suspended, again, by the NFL for half a season after being arrested, drunk, outside of Detroit bar in July 2008. He would be released by the Lions the following offseason, and sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with whom he would have an amazing season culminating in a CFL playoff berth, although the team would be defeated in the first round. Leinart returned to the NFL, this time using what was supposed to be an all-natural work out based on Olympic techniques, and signed with the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 offseason. He would be a stable leader in the Saints organization until November 2012, when allegations surfaced that the heavily indebted Leinart would gamble on his own games, allegations proven true soon afterward. Leinart would be released by the Saints and would be indefinitely banned from playing in the NFL. Leinart faced minimal jail time and heavy fines, before declaring bankruptcy and eventually working his way into the FFL, where he signed with the Denver Diggers and put up inconsistent numbers, relying on brilliant hot streaks to keep his job. Leinart says that he plans on retiring at such a young age because his future prospects in the sport look bleak, and he hopes instead to find another career path for the rest of his life.
December 4, 2015: It is leaked that the B1G has attempted to contact certain major college football programs with the intent of becoming a super conference, which is to be called the Big 16 (BI6). Currently, despite the name, the B1G (the stylized written version of the official and spoken word name “Big Ten”), contains twelve universities:
Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Penn State
Rutgers
Illinois
Iowa
Minnesota
Northwestern
Purdue
Wisconsin
The conference has been said to have already begun meetings with Nebraska and Notre Dame, while it has talked to many more, including Oklahoma, Texas, Army, Navy, and UCF. There are, of course, rumors regarding Rutgers, who have been said to be looking for a way out of the conference, as their tenure, which began in 2008, has been called “disastrous” for it’s on-field results, which have fed into Rutgers having one of the lowest revenues in the conference annually.
December 7, 2015: It is announced that the Philadelphia Eagles have been penalized their first- and third-round draft picks in 2016, along with their fifth-round draft pick in 2017, as a result of Red Sunday. In addition, the remaining Eagles home games will be played in Motorola Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, also the home of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
December 10, 2015: Nebraska, Notre Dame, and UCF confirm that they have, in fact, taken meetings with the Big Ten, while Texas and Navy confirm that they will be taking meetings with the conference by the end of December. Soon after, it is leaked that the Big Twelve is also looking to expand, and would further look into the concept if the Big Ten is able to seriously pursue Texas.
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events, and don't be afraid to DM me about any ideas or thoughts you have regarding the timeline. Thanks for reading.
December 4, 2015: It is leaked that the B1G has attempted to contact certain major college football programs with the intent of becoming a super conference, which is to be called the Big 16 (BI6). Currently, despite the name, the B1G (the stylized written version of the official and spoken word name “Big Ten”), contains twelve universities:
Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Penn State
Rutgers
Illinois
Iowa
Minnesota
Northwestern
Purdue
Wisconsin
The conference has been said to have already begun meetings with Nebraska and Notre Dame, while it has talked to many more, including Oklahoma, Texas, Army, Navy, and UCF. There are, of course, rumors regarding Rutgers, who have been said to be looking for a way out of the conference, as their tenure, which began in 2008, has been called “disastrous” for it’s on-field results, which have fed into Rutgers having one of the lowest revenues in the conference annually.
December 7, 2015: It is announced that the Philadelphia Eagles have been penalized their first- and third-round draft picks in 2016, along with their fifth-round draft pick in 2017, as a result of Red Sunday. In addition, the remaining Eagles home games will be played in Motorola Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, also the home of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
December 10, 2015: Nebraska, Notre Dame, and UCF confirm that they have, in fact, taken meetings with the Big Ten, while Texas and Navy confirm that they will be taking meetings with the conference by the end of December. Soon after, it is leaked that the Big Twelve is also looking to expand, and would further look into the concept if the Big Ten is able to seriously pursue Texas.
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events, and don't be afraid to DM me about any ideas or thoughts you have regarding the timeline. Thanks for reading.
I feel the Eagles being wacked like that will make it clear to fan bases don't go insane.
The punishment is meant to not only punish the fanbase but to set a precedent for teams to learn from, that being that, if you don't properly control crowds, you will pay dearly for it. While the Eagles fanbase is being absolutely trashed on the national stage, it is the lax policies instituted by management and stadium organizers that the NFL has come to blame for the disaster.
Rather
A Rather Frenzied Outside Sports Update Written By A Rather Ill Calcaterra, Who Considers Himself Rather Unfit To Write, But Fuck It. Rather.
So, other sports have been as insane as all hell here. The Knicks have become an Eastern Conference powerhouse, dominating their schedule behind likely MVP James Harden, likely Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard, and likely Teammate of the Year Klay Thompson, who have lifted the Manhattan Madness lineup into some truly historic company, garnering comparisons to the 90s Bulls and Showtime Lakers. (For those of you wondering, I'm not a Knicks fan, I'm a Rockets fan, which is why I love James Harden so much... he's such a great goddamn talent, one of the most purely efficient players of all time) The Lakers, on the other side, have continued their reign of terror over much of their opponents, running roughshod over most of who they face, led by LeBron James, who is considered the only competition James Harden has for the MVP award. LeBron has shown he still has "it", virtually assuring the Lakers a spot in the Conference Finals with his hand-picked team surrounding him, and perpetuating the comparisons between himself and Michael Jordan.
Baseball has been pretty rad, as the Yankees were swept by the Cardinals in the World Series, and are now under intense pressure for their free-agent tampering and huge expenditure. The MLB has created an inquiry, led by sportswriter and former Dodgers and Cardinals executive Bill James, into questions about how the MLB can solve it's parity issue, with a salary cap being the favored course of action among everyone except for rich clubs and the players' union. The "James Inquiry" has been well-publicized in both the sports world and mainstream media, and some in Congress have become interested in it, with talks over whether or not they should involve themselves in the matters of America's national pastime, much as they did during the steroid scandal.
In the Premier League, well, I'll just say "CHELSEA, CHELSEA, CHELSEA".
In hockey, I'm shit at this, so I'm just going to say that the Penguins, Kings, and Red Wings have done well.
Also, NBCSN has taken the spot of FS1 as a younger sports network competing with ESPN and doing a hell of a good job of it. With The Beat With Bob Costas, Gridiron Heights, and several shows focusing on talent acquired from ESPN, including the wildly successful The Herd With Colin Cowherd, and the most popular sports debate show on television, Pick Em' With Skip & Stephen A., NBCSN has become a household name, and has made itself one of the fastest-growing brands on American television.
So, other sports have been as insane as all hell here. The Knicks have become an Eastern Conference powerhouse, dominating their schedule behind likely MVP James Harden, likely Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard, and likely Teammate of the Year Klay Thompson, who have lifted the Manhattan Madness lineup into some truly historic company, garnering comparisons to the 90s Bulls and Showtime Lakers. (For those of you wondering, I'm not a Knicks fan, I'm a Rockets fan, which is why I love James Harden so much... he's such a great goddamn talent, one of the most purely efficient players of all time) The Lakers, on the other side, have continued their reign of terror over much of their opponents, running roughshod over most of who they face, led by LeBron James, who is considered the only competition James Harden has for the MVP award. LeBron has shown he still has "it", virtually assuring the Lakers a spot in the Conference Finals with his hand-picked team surrounding him, and perpetuating the comparisons between himself and Michael Jordan.
Baseball has been pretty rad, as the Yankees were swept by the Cardinals in the World Series, and are now under intense pressure for their free-agent tampering and huge expenditure. The MLB has created an inquiry, led by sportswriter and former Dodgers and Cardinals executive Bill James, into questions about how the MLB can solve it's parity issue, with a salary cap being the favored course of action among everyone except for rich clubs and the players' union. The "James Inquiry" has been well-publicized in both the sports world and mainstream media, and some in Congress have become interested in it, with talks over whether or not they should involve themselves in the matters of America's national pastime, much as they did during the steroid scandal.
In the Premier League, well, I'll just say "CHELSEA, CHELSEA, CHELSEA".
In hockey, I'm shit at this, so I'm just going to say that the Penguins, Kings, and Red Wings have done well.
Also, NBCSN has taken the spot of FS1 as a younger sports network competing with ESPN and doing a hell of a good job of it. With The Beat With Bob Costas, Gridiron Heights, and several shows focusing on talent acquired from ESPN, including the wildly successful The Herd With Colin Cowherd, and the most popular sports debate show on television, Pick Em' With Skip & Stephen A., NBCSN has become a household name, and has made itself one of the fastest-growing brands on American television.
Chapter Fifteen, Part Thirty-One: Heisman 2015, Clash Of Two Contenders, Total Wreckage, Wild Week, Panic Ensues, Sentimental Christmas, & A Clash Of Titans
December 13, 2015: RB Derrick Henry from #2 Miami of Florida wins the Heisman Trophy after a historic season that sees him lead college football in rushing yards (1,789) and rushing touchdowns (23). The two other finalists, Ezekiel Elliott of #1 Ohio State (1,466 RY, 12 TD) and Jared Goff of #8 USC (3,835 PY, 42 TD), garner small vote tallies when compared to Henry’s mammoth margin of victory.
December 14, 2015: The San Fransisco 49ers defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 28-13, as Alex Smith passes for 313 yards, two touchdowns, along with one rushing touchdown, while Kirk Cousins passes for a touchdown, 266 yards, and an interception. The win seals the first Wild Card spot for the 49ers, and puts a serious bump in the road for the Cowboys’ postseason hopes, as they were vying for the very same playoff spot, and now must compete with the scrappy, Michael Vick-led Buccaneers, who face an easy schedule for the rest of the season. The NFC West has already been clinched by the Rams, the East by the Giants, and the South by the Falcons.
December 16, 2015: The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Washington Wizards, 133-87, as LeBron James hits 55 points, 18 rebounds, and 20 assists, Chris Bosh hits 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists, and Joe Harris hits 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. The game showcases one of the most dominant victories in recent NBA history and is publicized not only for the Lakers’ overwhelming style of play, but also the abandonment of the game by the crowd, many of whom are caught on camera leaving after the first half. The television audience drops significantly over time, to the point that talks on social media about how much of a slugfest it is leads to people tuning back in.
December 20, 2015: The Dallas Cowboys defeat the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-7, as Kirk Cousins passes for three touchdowns and 368 yards, while Ryan Tannehill passes for no touchdowns, 277 yards, and two interceptions. With the victory, the Cowboys steal the second wild-card spot from the Buccaneers, who were upset earlier in the day by the lowly Carolina Panthers. The game, taking place in Motorola Stadium in Piscataway, is marked by the presence of preliminarily placed riot police meant to break up any altercations between the two hated rivals’ fanbases, although no widespread altercations occur.
December 21, 2015: Leaks from the James Inquiry show that the most popular solution at this early stage is to install a hard salary cap, with a grandfather clause for contracts that exceed a certain amount. Soon after the leak, it’s reported that many major teams have reached out to their stars and have attempted to start renegotiating their contracts.
December 24, 2015: The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Los Angeles Raiders, 41-35, as Matt Ryan passes for four touchdowns and 416 yards, while Aaron Rodgers passes for five touchdowns and 430 yards. In a freak occurrence, it lightly snows in Los Angeles before, and during, the game, leaving the field lightly dusted, and giving the stadium staff the excuse to play “Let it Snow” and “White Christmas” over the loudspeakers multiple times.
December 25, 2015: The New York Knicks defeat the Miami Heat, 124-113, in a rivalry showdown on Christmas Day. After the big win, Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni says that he believes that the Knicks “have made it clear that we’re really the class of the Eastern Conference and a top team in the NBA, and we have the talent that leads me to believe the sky’s the limit.”
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events, and don't be afraid to DM me about any ideas or thoughts you may have. Thanks for reading.
December 14, 2015: The San Fransisco 49ers defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 28-13, as Alex Smith passes for 313 yards, two touchdowns, along with one rushing touchdown, while Kirk Cousins passes for a touchdown, 266 yards, and an interception. The win seals the first Wild Card spot for the 49ers, and puts a serious bump in the road for the Cowboys’ postseason hopes, as they were vying for the very same playoff spot, and now must compete with the scrappy, Michael Vick-led Buccaneers, who face an easy schedule for the rest of the season. The NFC West has already been clinched by the Rams, the East by the Giants, and the South by the Falcons.
December 16, 2015: The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Washington Wizards, 133-87, as LeBron James hits 55 points, 18 rebounds, and 20 assists, Chris Bosh hits 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists, and Joe Harris hits 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. The game showcases one of the most dominant victories in recent NBA history and is publicized not only for the Lakers’ overwhelming style of play, but also the abandonment of the game by the crowd, many of whom are caught on camera leaving after the first half. The television audience drops significantly over time, to the point that talks on social media about how much of a slugfest it is leads to people tuning back in.
December 20, 2015: The Dallas Cowboys defeat the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-7, as Kirk Cousins passes for three touchdowns and 368 yards, while Ryan Tannehill passes for no touchdowns, 277 yards, and two interceptions. With the victory, the Cowboys steal the second wild-card spot from the Buccaneers, who were upset earlier in the day by the lowly Carolina Panthers. The game, taking place in Motorola Stadium in Piscataway, is marked by the presence of preliminarily placed riot police meant to break up any altercations between the two hated rivals’ fanbases, although no widespread altercations occur.
December 21, 2015: Leaks from the James Inquiry show that the most popular solution at this early stage is to install a hard salary cap, with a grandfather clause for contracts that exceed a certain amount. Soon after the leak, it’s reported that many major teams have reached out to their stars and have attempted to start renegotiating their contracts.
December 24, 2015: The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Los Angeles Raiders, 41-35, as Matt Ryan passes for four touchdowns and 416 yards, while Aaron Rodgers passes for five touchdowns and 430 yards. In a freak occurrence, it lightly snows in Los Angeles before, and during, the game, leaving the field lightly dusted, and giving the stadium staff the excuse to play “Let it Snow” and “White Christmas” over the loudspeakers multiple times.
December 25, 2015: The New York Knicks defeat the Miami Heat, 124-113, in a rivalry showdown on Christmas Day. After the big win, Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni says that he believes that the Knicks “have made it clear that we’re really the class of the Eastern Conference and a top team in the NBA, and we have the talent that leads me to believe the sky’s the limit.”
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events, and don't be afraid to DM me about any ideas or thoughts you may have. Thanks for reading.
Chapter Fifteen, Part Thirty-Two: LeBron From Half, Cutler Closes, & The 2015-2016 NFL Playoffs
December 25, 2015: The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the San Antonio Spurs, 122-120, as LeBron James makes a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer from half-court. The shot, remembered as “LeBron From Half”, goes viral, and posters and T-shirts portraying James lobbing the throw sell out within hours.
December 27, 2015: The Green Bay Packers defeat the Detroit Lions, 49-10, as Jay Cutler passes for six touchdowns and 408 yards, while Lions QB Matt Schaub passes for one touchdown, 215 yards, and three interceptions.
January 9, 2016: In the first AFC Wild Card Game, the Los Angeles Raiders defeat the Tennessee Titans, 17-3, as Aaron Rodgers passes for two touchdowns and 316 yards, while Titans QB Josh McCown passes for two interceptions, 198 yards, and no touchdowns. The Raiders will go onto face the Dolphins in the Divisional round.
January 9, 2016: In the second AFC Wild Card Game, the Toronto Stallions defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 41-28, off of late-game heroics by Marcus Mariota, who passes for four touchdowns, 337 yards, and an interception. Of those four touchdowns, two were thrown late in the fourth quarter, and of those 337 yards, 126 were thrown late in the fourth. Steelers QB Derek Carr had seriously difficultly throwing downfield, throwing three interceptions attempting to go deep, against two touchdowns. The Stallions will go on to face the Broncos in the Divisional round.
January 10, 2016: In the first NFC Wild Card Game, the Dallas Cowboys defeat the Atlanta Falcons, 31-23, as Kirk Cousins passes for three touchdowns and 305 yards, while Andrew Luck passes for two touchdowns, 361 yards, and rushes for an additional touchdown. The Cowboys will go onto face the Rams in the Divisional round.
January 10, 2016: In the second NFC Wild Card Game, the Green Bay Packers defeat the San Fransisco 49ers, 38-14, as Jay Cutler passes for two touchdowns and 280 yards, while Alex Smith passes for a touchdown and 248 yards, fumbling once. The game is marked by blizzard-like conditions, causing extreme hardship for the warm-weather 49ers team, especially quarterback Alex Smith, who throws a personal season-high 19 incompletions. The Packers will go onto face the Giants in the Divisional round.
January 16, 2016: The Miami Dolphins defeat the Los Angeles Raiders, 21-10, as Russell Wilson passes for a touchdown and 301 yards while rushing for 44 yards and an additional touchdown. Aaron Rodgers passes for a touchdown and an interception, along with 284 yards. Steve Ballmer attends the game and is seen in a box with the Davis family, allegedly attempting to seal the deal on buying the Raiders. The Dolphins will go onto face the winner of Stallions-Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
January 16, 2016: The Green Bay Packers defeat the New York Giants, 35-34, as Jay Cutler passes for four touchdowns, two interceptions, and 437 yards. Drew Brees passes for two touchdowns and 240 yards, before leaving the game with an injury late in the second quarter. Brees’ backup, Mike Glennon, throws for 187 yards but mostly hands it off to Todd Gurley II, who rushes for two touchdowns and 186 yards in the game. The second half sees the Packers open up with methodical drive ending with Jay Cutler passing for a ten-yard touchdown, kicking off Green Bay’s comeback from a 17-3 deficit. During the fourth quarter, as the Packers complete their comeback, Mike Glennon is caught on camera saying the words “This fucking guy” in disgust while watching a celebrating Jay Cutler. Social media reacts by making the clip a gif and spreading it everywhere, and an accompanying meme spreads along with it, making Glennon something of a household name and inspiring a commercial for Gatorade featuring the two. The Packers will go onto face the winner of Rams-Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game.
January 17, 2016: The Toronto Stallions defeat the Denver Broncos, 14-7, as Marcus Mariota throws for a touchdown, two interceptions, and 257 yards, and Ben Roethlisberger passes for 102 yards before tearing his ACL in the first quarter, after rushing 12 yards for the Broncos’ only touchdown. Roethlisberger was ruled out by the end of the first quarter, and it was announced at the end of the third quarter that even if the Broncos win the game, they would be without Big Ben for the rest of the playoffs. The Stallions will face the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship Game.
January 17, 2016: The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 56-7, as Matt Ryan passes for five touchdowns and 495 yards, Adrian Peterson rushes for two touchdowns and 143 yards, and Richard Sherman snags two interceptions, including one pick-six. The blowout win gets so bad that Matt Ryan sits out the fourth quarter so he can rest for the NFC Championship Game, and Adrian Peterson soon joins him on the bench halfway through the final quarter. Kirk Cousins throws four interceptions, one touchdown, and 209 yards, in a performance that leads many to assume his job will be in jeopardy in the offseason, as Brock Osweiler, his backup, has routinely impressed in practices and is rumored to have become something of a pet project of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The Rams will face the Packers in the NFC Championship Game.
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events here, and don't be afraid to DM me about any ideas, thoughts, or other concerns you have about the TL. Thanks for reading.
December 27, 2015: The Green Bay Packers defeat the Detroit Lions, 49-10, as Jay Cutler passes for six touchdowns and 408 yards, while Lions QB Matt Schaub passes for one touchdown, 215 yards, and three interceptions.
January 9, 2016: In the first AFC Wild Card Game, the Los Angeles Raiders defeat the Tennessee Titans, 17-3, as Aaron Rodgers passes for two touchdowns and 316 yards, while Titans QB Josh McCown passes for two interceptions, 198 yards, and no touchdowns. The Raiders will go onto face the Dolphins in the Divisional round.
January 9, 2016: In the second AFC Wild Card Game, the Toronto Stallions defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 41-28, off of late-game heroics by Marcus Mariota, who passes for four touchdowns, 337 yards, and an interception. Of those four touchdowns, two were thrown late in the fourth quarter, and of those 337 yards, 126 were thrown late in the fourth. Steelers QB Derek Carr had seriously difficultly throwing downfield, throwing three interceptions attempting to go deep, against two touchdowns. The Stallions will go on to face the Broncos in the Divisional round.
January 10, 2016: In the first NFC Wild Card Game, the Dallas Cowboys defeat the Atlanta Falcons, 31-23, as Kirk Cousins passes for three touchdowns and 305 yards, while Andrew Luck passes for two touchdowns, 361 yards, and rushes for an additional touchdown. The Cowboys will go onto face the Rams in the Divisional round.
January 10, 2016: In the second NFC Wild Card Game, the Green Bay Packers defeat the San Fransisco 49ers, 38-14, as Jay Cutler passes for two touchdowns and 280 yards, while Alex Smith passes for a touchdown and 248 yards, fumbling once. The game is marked by blizzard-like conditions, causing extreme hardship for the warm-weather 49ers team, especially quarterback Alex Smith, who throws a personal season-high 19 incompletions. The Packers will go onto face the Giants in the Divisional round.
January 16, 2016: The Miami Dolphins defeat the Los Angeles Raiders, 21-10, as Russell Wilson passes for a touchdown and 301 yards while rushing for 44 yards and an additional touchdown. Aaron Rodgers passes for a touchdown and an interception, along with 284 yards. Steve Ballmer attends the game and is seen in a box with the Davis family, allegedly attempting to seal the deal on buying the Raiders. The Dolphins will go onto face the winner of Stallions-Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
January 16, 2016: The Green Bay Packers defeat the New York Giants, 35-34, as Jay Cutler passes for four touchdowns, two interceptions, and 437 yards. Drew Brees passes for two touchdowns and 240 yards, before leaving the game with an injury late in the second quarter. Brees’ backup, Mike Glennon, throws for 187 yards but mostly hands it off to Todd Gurley II, who rushes for two touchdowns and 186 yards in the game. The second half sees the Packers open up with methodical drive ending with Jay Cutler passing for a ten-yard touchdown, kicking off Green Bay’s comeback from a 17-3 deficit. During the fourth quarter, as the Packers complete their comeback, Mike Glennon is caught on camera saying the words “This fucking guy” in disgust while watching a celebrating Jay Cutler. Social media reacts by making the clip a gif and spreading it everywhere, and an accompanying meme spreads along with it, making Glennon something of a household name and inspiring a commercial for Gatorade featuring the two. The Packers will go onto face the winner of Rams-Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game.
January 17, 2016: The Toronto Stallions defeat the Denver Broncos, 14-7, as Marcus Mariota throws for a touchdown, two interceptions, and 257 yards, and Ben Roethlisberger passes for 102 yards before tearing his ACL in the first quarter, after rushing 12 yards for the Broncos’ only touchdown. Roethlisberger was ruled out by the end of the first quarter, and it was announced at the end of the third quarter that even if the Broncos win the game, they would be without Big Ben for the rest of the playoffs. The Stallions will face the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship Game.
January 17, 2016: The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 56-7, as Matt Ryan passes for five touchdowns and 495 yards, Adrian Peterson rushes for two touchdowns and 143 yards, and Richard Sherman snags two interceptions, including one pick-six. The blowout win gets so bad that Matt Ryan sits out the fourth quarter so he can rest for the NFC Championship Game, and Adrian Peterson soon joins him on the bench halfway through the final quarter. Kirk Cousins throws four interceptions, one touchdown, and 209 yards, in a performance that leads many to assume his job will be in jeopardy in the offseason, as Brock Osweiler, his backup, has routinely impressed in practices and is rumored to have become something of a pet project of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The Rams will face the Packers in the NFC Championship Game.
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events here, and don't be afraid to DM me about any ideas, thoughts, or other concerns you have about the TL. Thanks for reading.
So now that the NFL season is coming to an end, it's time to address the new franchises that will enter the league in the 2016 season, the London Monarchs and the Mexico City Aztecs (formerly the Diablos, who dropped the name after they were approved to play in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City). The Monarchs, owned by the Duke of Westminster, the richest man in the United Kingdom, play in Wembley Stadium, while the Aztecs, who play in Estadio Azteca, are owned by a conglomerate led by media mogul Emilio Azcarraga, with significant stakes in the operation held by the local government and Mexico's richest man, Carlos Slim. Do you guys have any ideas as to what other details should be included, and who I should have fill what positions? Thanks.
Pretty much, I think the league would need realignment to help out with the two new teams.
1. Block games. London's team is going to play four straight home games, four straight road games, four straight home games, four straight road games, or some combination of that for their season. It sucks for the players, but it's generally accepted by the NFL and the media that it will be worth it due to lucrative endorsement deals (they are representing a whole nation that's really four nations at once) that the players can sign. London is seen as the better overall free-agent destination, due to the shared language, lower crime rate, and London's status as a cultural mecca.
2. Yes. London is in the AFC East and Mexico City is in the NFC South. True realignment will occur in 2018, when two additional teams are welcomed in, Montreal and Portland, Oregon, bringing the total amount of teams to 36.
Chapter Fifteen, Part Thirty-Three: Hunt, Halas, & Harbaugh
January 24, 2016: The Toronto Stallions defeat the Miami Dolphins, 24-20, as Marcus Mariota passes for a touchdown, 250 yards, and an interception, while Russell Wilson passes for two touchdowns and 314 yards. The turning point of the game is considered to be a Dolphins missed PAT in the third quarter, which put the Dolphins up only 13-7, and allowed for the Stallions to take a convincing 17-13 lead by the end of the third. The Dolphins failed to take back the lead for the rest of the game, and, in the play after the fourth quarter two-minute warning, rookie Melvin Gordon fumbled away Miami’s chance at a Super Bowl berth. The Stallions will advance to their sixth appearance in the Super Bowl as a franchise, their second appearance in the city of Toronto. They will face the winner of the NFC Championship Game, either the Rams or the Packers, in Super Bowl 50, held in the site of the first Super Bowl, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
January 24, 2016: The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Green Bay Packers, 30-28, as Matt Ryan passes for three touchdowns, 327 yards, and an interception, while Jay Cutler throws for four touchdowns, 310 yards, and two interceptions. The game comes down to the wire, and is won when Pete Carroll (coaching with his job on the line, after previously betting on his getting to Super Bowl 50) calls an elaborate trick play in the last minute of the game that involves two laterals, one from Richard Sherman (playing WR) out of a wildcat formation to RB Adrian Peterson, who passes it laterally (just behind the line of scrimmage) to Matt Ryan, who proceeds to launch it downfield for a 45 yard touchdown to Julio Jones. The Rams advance to Super Bowl 50, where they will play in their former home, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, making it virtually certain that they’ll be greeted by a very favorable crowd, nullifying the effect of the neutral field. They will be attempting to both secure the job of their coach, Pete Carroll and repeat as Super Bowl champions, a feat not accomplished since the New York Giants in 2011/2012.
February 1, 2016: Jim Harbaugh is named as the new Head Coach of the Calgary Cardinals. The former quarterback resigned from his previous position as the Head Coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, in which he appeared in three national championships and won one, in June due to disagreements with the administration and what he perceived as a too hands-on management strategy from them. He was previously the Head Coach of the Duke Blue Devils from 2005-2007 and was in various other coaching positions from his retirement as a player until 2005. Harbaugh is considered the organization's last try to remain somewhat relevant before it would have to enter a full rebuild, with one paper saying that “Jim Harbaugh could influence one franchise more than any single head coach has in years. It’s up to him to make or break this team.” Harbaugh’s brother, John Harbaugh, is the head coach of the division rival San Fransisco 49ers, and a renowned NFL Head Coach known as a guru on matters related to the offense and the special teams unit.
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events, and please DM me about any of your thoughts, opinions, or ideas related to this TL. Thanks for reading.
January 24, 2016: The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Green Bay Packers, 30-28, as Matt Ryan passes for three touchdowns, 327 yards, and an interception, while Jay Cutler throws for four touchdowns, 310 yards, and two interceptions. The game comes down to the wire, and is won when Pete Carroll (coaching with his job on the line, after previously betting on his getting to Super Bowl 50) calls an elaborate trick play in the last minute of the game that involves two laterals, one from Richard Sherman (playing WR) out of a wildcat formation to RB Adrian Peterson, who passes it laterally (just behind the line of scrimmage) to Matt Ryan, who proceeds to launch it downfield for a 45 yard touchdown to Julio Jones. The Rams advance to Super Bowl 50, where they will play in their former home, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, making it virtually certain that they’ll be greeted by a very favorable crowd, nullifying the effect of the neutral field. They will be attempting to both secure the job of their coach, Pete Carroll and repeat as Super Bowl champions, a feat not accomplished since the New York Giants in 2011/2012.
February 1, 2016: Jim Harbaugh is named as the new Head Coach of the Calgary Cardinals. The former quarterback resigned from his previous position as the Head Coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, in which he appeared in three national championships and won one, in June due to disagreements with the administration and what he perceived as a too hands-on management strategy from them. He was previously the Head Coach of the Duke Blue Devils from 2005-2007 and was in various other coaching positions from his retirement as a player until 2005. Harbaugh is considered the organization's last try to remain somewhat relevant before it would have to enter a full rebuild, with one paper saying that “Jim Harbaugh could influence one franchise more than any single head coach has in years. It’s up to him to make or break this team.” Harbaugh’s brother, John Harbaugh, is the head coach of the division rival San Fransisco 49ers, and a renowned NFL Head Coach known as a guru on matters related to the offense and the special teams unit.
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events, and please DM me about any of your thoughts, opinions, or ideas related to this TL. Thanks for reading.
OMG, The Rams are Hosting the 50th Super Bowl at their Former Home when they played their home games from 1946 to 1979 in which they take on Toronto?, It will be exciting to see what happens if the Rams will win the Super Bowl at the Coliseum.
The Coliseum is woefully inadequate OTL as the Rams temp home, I don't see how the league would've deviated from OTL and held Super Bowl 50 there unless some major changes had been made to the stadium ITTL.
Also, since 50 is being held in the Rams home market I imagine the league will implement their "host team makes it to the SB" contingency plan and force the Rams to use hotels and a neutral practice facility.
Also, since 50 is being held in the Rams home market I imagine the league will implement their "host team makes it to the SB" contingency plan and force the Rams to use hotels and a neutral practice facility.
1. Continued dominance by USC and the move of the Rams (back) to LA in the late 2000s, as well as a very serious plan to bring the Olympics to LA in 2016 fed into a massive "rehabilitation" of the Coliseum (basically a renovation in all but name, they needed to find a way for the people at the U.S. National Historic Landmark list to approve wide-reaching changes to the structure), that took place in varying phases from 2010-2012. It still isn't the best venue, but it was good enough for the NFL to fully pull the nostalgia trigger and "bring it home".
2. Yup. They're staying in hotels and using neutral facilities, although that doesn't change the fact that the Rams have a massive advantage with the local fans and media.
Chapter Fifteen, Part Thirty-Four: Lead-Up To The Lombardi, 2015-2016 NFL Honors, Super Bowl 50, & 2015 In Sports
February 6, 2016: A Gridiron Heights special “Gridiron Heights: Lead-Up To The Lombardi” comes out, covering the run-up to the Super Bowl, notably following an anxious Pete Carroll, a sick (diagnosed with the stomach flu after the NFC Championship Game) Matt Ryan, and the characteristically brash, confident Richard Sherman. It draws great ratings on NBCSN, and acts as a great lead-in to the NFL Award Ceremony.
February 6, 2016: Jay Cutler of the Green Bay Packers wins the NFL MVP Award (1) and the Joe Montana Award (1), after throwing a league-leading 45 touchdowns and 4,650 yards, along with 16 interceptions. Cutler is also named Comeback Player of the Year, after his knee injury the previous season that took him out after Week 5. The MVP race, widely seen as being between Cutler, Andrew Luck, and Matt Ryan, is one of the most intense in years, with Luck leading the league in passing yards (4,812), Ryan leading the league in passer rating (112.7), and Cutler leading the league in touchdowns (45).
February 7, 2016: The Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl 50, defeating the Toronto Stallions, 31-27. Matt Ryan passes for two touchdowns and 304 yards, while Toronto QB Marcus Mariota passes for two touchdowns, 267 yards, and two interceptions. Richard Sherman is named Super Bowl MVP after catching two interceptions, including one pick six, and four pass deflections. The hometown crowd gives the Rams momentum heading into the fourth quarter, when they were losing, 27-17. Richard Sherman helps seal that momentum with a pick six caught when Mariota was trying to pass at the goal line, running back 87 yards to the end zone. Matt Ryan, powering through sickness and heavy fatigue, is able to complete the comeback by passing for a 24 yard touchdown, in the face of the daunting Stallions pass rush, to a double-covered Julio Jones. After the game, Pete Carroll heavily celebrates, and is focused on extensively in the media, with many publicly congratulating the three-time college football national champion and now two-time Super Bowl champion for completing his bold guarantee that he would win Super Bowl 50 or quit his job, with celebrity well wishers including Magic Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Ellen DeGeneres, Jack Nicholson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Corden, and the President of the United States, Barack Obama.
2015 In Sports:
Super Bowl: Los Angeles Rams def. Toronto Stallions
World Series: St. Louis Cardinals def. New York Yankees in 4
NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers def. Atlanta Hawks in 5
College Football: #1 Ohio State Buckeyes def. #2 Miami Hurricanes in the Kingdome (disputed), #9 Boise State def. #6 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl (disputed)*
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events, and please DM me about any thoughts, ideas, or general musings related to the timeline. Thanks for reading.
*The undefeated Boise State Broncos, left out by the College Football Playoff, claimed the National Title after winning the Orange Bowl against #6 Notre Dame, conflicting with the also undefeated #1 Ohio State Buckeyes' claim through the College Football Playoff
February 6, 2016: Jay Cutler of the Green Bay Packers wins the NFL MVP Award (1) and the Joe Montana Award (1), after throwing a league-leading 45 touchdowns and 4,650 yards, along with 16 interceptions. Cutler is also named Comeback Player of the Year, after his knee injury the previous season that took him out after Week 5. The MVP race, widely seen as being between Cutler, Andrew Luck, and Matt Ryan, is one of the most intense in years, with Luck leading the league in passing yards (4,812), Ryan leading the league in passer rating (112.7), and Cutler leading the league in touchdowns (45).
February 7, 2016: The Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl 50, defeating the Toronto Stallions, 31-27. Matt Ryan passes for two touchdowns and 304 yards, while Toronto QB Marcus Mariota passes for two touchdowns, 267 yards, and two interceptions. Richard Sherman is named Super Bowl MVP after catching two interceptions, including one pick six, and four pass deflections. The hometown crowd gives the Rams momentum heading into the fourth quarter, when they were losing, 27-17. Richard Sherman helps seal that momentum with a pick six caught when Mariota was trying to pass at the goal line, running back 87 yards to the end zone. Matt Ryan, powering through sickness and heavy fatigue, is able to complete the comeback by passing for a 24 yard touchdown, in the face of the daunting Stallions pass rush, to a double-covered Julio Jones. After the game, Pete Carroll heavily celebrates, and is focused on extensively in the media, with many publicly congratulating the three-time college football national champion and now two-time Super Bowl champion for completing his bold guarantee that he would win Super Bowl 50 or quit his job, with celebrity well wishers including Magic Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Ellen DeGeneres, Jack Nicholson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Corden, and the President of the United States, Barack Obama.
2015 In Sports:
Super Bowl: Los Angeles Rams def. Toronto Stallions
World Series: St. Louis Cardinals def. New York Yankees in 4
NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers def. Atlanta Hawks in 5
College Football: #1 Ohio State Buckeyes def. #2 Miami Hurricanes in the Kingdome (disputed), #9 Boise State def. #6 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl (disputed)*
As always, feel free to comment on the latest events, and please DM me about any thoughts, ideas, or general musings related to the timeline. Thanks for reading.
*The undefeated Boise State Broncos, left out by the College Football Playoff, claimed the National Title after winning the Orange Bowl against #6 Notre Dame, conflicting with the also undefeated #1 Ohio State Buckeyes' claim through the College Football Playoff
To The Los Angeles Rams winning the Super Bowl 50 at the LA Memorial Coliseum in which the Rams played here until 1979....