LONG BEACH MERMEN [GM RIZZ]

[Talon]

 

Yeah, they came callin' I hit em with that Mike Jones! Back then hoes didnt want it, now I'm hot, they all on it.

[GM Yount]

"HAD A FEELING THAT WOULD BE YOUR ANSWER BUT ITS GREAT TO HEAR THAT CONFIRMED

LISTEN MAN I DONT WANT TO DISTRACT YOU TOO MUCH FROM PREPPING FOR A BIG GAME

BUT WHEN YOUVE GOT A SEC YOU MIGHT WANNA HIT UP MISTER HARRIS TO LET HIM KNOW WHAT TEAM CAME TO YOU AND TRIED TO GO BEHIND HIS BACK

HES HAD YOUR BACK SO I THINK HE MIGHT WANT TO KNOW WHO IT WAS THAT WASNT RESPECTING HIS POSITION AS YOUR REP

THAT PARTS UP TO YOU BUT SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

ILL LET YOU GET BACK TO PREPPING FOR THE DANIEL IM ABOUT TO HEAD BACK TO BE WITH THE TEAM NOW"

[Talon]

 

Ayo, bet.  See ya boss lady.

[GM Yount]

"SEE YOU DANIEL"



*GM BIG DOG finally arrives back with the team and drops her luggage exhausted in front of Coach Woods*

"HEY COACH ITS THE BIG DOG

I TRIED THATS ALL I CAN SAY

I PITCHED A LOT I STUCK AROUND AFTER THE GM REP WAS GONE I HAD MY SIGNATURE ON THE AGREEMENT TO STOP THE POACHING

NOT GONNA PRETEND I WAS PERFECT BUT I TRIED AND WHILE IM SORRY I WASNT ABLE TO NIP THIS DISTRACTION IN THE BUD AND IM FRICKIN EXHAUSTED IM READY TO TALK OUR GAME WITH VANCOUVER NOW AND IF YOUVE NOTICED ANYTHING YOU THINK WE SHOULD IMPLEMENT TO GIVE US THE BEST CHANCE OF ENDING THIS SKID"

[Talon]

 

You did all you could, now we have to focus back on football.  We have to protect the ball, period.

[GM Yount]

"THERES NOTHING WE CAN DRILL EXTRA THAT FOCUSES ON BALL SECURITY RIGHT

IF THATS CORRECT I NOTICED ENCAR HAD A HUGE FIRST QUARTER AND THEN STARTED HAVING ISSUES

DO YOU THINK FATIGUE COULDVE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIS PLAY GETTING SLOPPIER AS THE GAME WENT ON AND IF SO IS IT MAYBE WORTH LOOKING AT OUR PERCENTAGES AT LEAST UNTIL I GET THE NEXT CHANCE TO MINICAMP HIS CONDITIONING"

[Talon]

Encarnacion has solid endurance, it's not perfect but he's not one to get gassed that early, but yeah we could build him up a little by working his conditioning when possible.

[GM Yount]

"OKAY SO NOTHING AS FAR AS PERCENTAGES RIGHT NOW TO WORRY ABOUT

JUST GOT A QUESTION OR TWO ABOUT OUR DEPTH

WHATS THE PROGRESS REPORT ON JACK MACHO MANLEY

I KNOW HES DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT ARCHETYPE OF PLAYER THAN PINA TRAITS WISE BUT HOW CLOSE ARE THOSE TWO RIGHT NOW AND WITH JACKS WORK ETHIC DO YOU THINK HE COULD EVER SURPASS HIM"

[Talon]

My biggest concern with Jack is that despite his great work ethic nad drive, he lacks a lot of the athletic tools to be a real threat as a starter.  He is more of a meat and potatoes grinder who is a valuable special teamer and sub.

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT COOL

IM PROBABLY OVERTHINKING THAT SITUATION ANYWAYS JUST GOTTA BE HAPPY WITH WHAT PINA IS RATHER THAN WHAT HE ISNT GIVEN HOW STRONG OUR PASS COVERAGE HAS BEEN

LAST QUESTION BEFORE I LOCK IN I PROMISE

THIS IS KIND OF A TWO PRONGED ONE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR LINEBACKER POSITION WITH THE YOUNG GUYS

OBVIOUSLY CHOI HAS PLAYED VERY WELL THIS YEAR BUT IM WONDERING DO YOU THINK HE HAS A CEILING WHERE HE COULD STILL HIT EVEN GREATER HEIGHTS IF WE EXTEND HIM LONG TERM AND KEEP INVESTING IN HIM

THE OTHER PART WOULD BE IN THE CASE WHERE EITHER WE HAVE AN INJURY AT THE POSITION KNOCK ON WOOD OR WERE NOT ABLE TO WORK OUT A LONG TERM DETAIL WITH LEON WHETHER YOU THINK STUCKEY OR J MAC HAS MORE OF THE WORK ETHIC AND DRIVE THAT WOULD MAKE THEM WORTH GIVING THE EXTRA DEVELOPMENT TO SINCE OBVIOUSLY THERES ONLY SO MUCH TRAINING TIME TO GO AROUND

SORRY IF THATS TOO MANY TALKING POINTS AT ONCE"

[Talon]

Leon has a high ceiling, I think he's a real diamond in the rough.   As far as the other two go, JMac has the athleticism but a lower ceiling and Stuckey has a good ceiling but I dont htink he has the athletic gifts to reach that ceiling...

[GM Yount]

"THANKS GLAD TO KNOW MY PRIDE OVER LEON WASNT GIVING ME BLINDERS

LETS GET BACK TO PLAYING WINNING BALL"

LOCK IN

[GM Yount]

1. Discuss your game and the results this week.  What stood out?  [if you were on bye, skip]

'VANCOUVER PLAYED A GOOD GAME DEFENSIVELY AGAINST US BUT OUR DEFENSE WAS EVEN BETTER DOMINATING IN THE FRONT SEVEN AND BREAKING UP PASSES LIKE CRAZY

WE MADE THEM STRUGGLE IN THE PASS GAME AND THE RUN GAME

OBVIOUSLY WED LIKE TO BE MORE EXPLOSIVE ON OFFENSE BUT WE ALSO DIDNT MAKE ANY BACKBREAKING MISTAKES AND DID WHAT WE HAD TO IN ORDER TO RETAIN POSSESSION AND MAKE SURE WE WON

GREAT BOUNCE BACK BY THE LADS BUT ITS ONLY GONNA GET TOUGHER FROM HERE"

2. What is your take on the PFL/HIFL war?

"I THINK THERES BEEN WRONGDOING ON BOTH SIDES AND SOME EGOS ON BOTH SIDES LEADING TO THIS

I KNOW THIS MIGHT GET ME ON THE GM SHIT LIST BUT I THINK ITS GOOD TO HAVE TWO LEAGUES PLUS THE IFAF

I WANT THE HIFL TO CONTINUE TO BEING THE PREMIER LEAGUE BUT LIKE I THINK IVE SAID BEFORE IF NOT MAYBE I IMAGINED SAYING IT IN MY HEAD I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH ANYONE WANTING TO RESPOND TO WAR WITH WAR BECAUSE I MEAN ITS GOOD FOR THE PLAYERS TO HAVE MORE OPTIONS TO WORK AND HONE THEIR CRAFT RIGHT

IF WERE PAST THE POINT OF NO RETURN IT IS WHAT IT IS BUT I THINK ITS DISINGENUOUS TO ASK PLAYERS FOR LOYALTY IF WERE GOING TO SHAME THEM FOR EXPLORING THEIR OPTIONS OR TRY TO GUILT THEM INTO STAYING ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ALL DAMN KNOW THIS IS A BUSINESS AND WE AS GMS MAKE PLENTY OF TRADES AND OTHER ROSTER MOVES

AND I THINK THE MORE WE TRY TO FORCE SOME SENSE OF TRIBALISM ONTO THE PLAYERS THE MORE ITS GOING TO MAKE THEM UNHAPPY AND WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE INADVERTENTLY STRENGTHENING THE COMPETITION

OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO GET SOME KIND OF MEASURES IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE CONTRACTS ON BOTH SIDES STOP GETTING TORN UP BUT THATS MY TAKE ON IT"

3. Where you pro-Gates treaty or anti-Gates treaty, and why?

"LISTEN THE BIG DOGS IDEAS IN THE SUMMIT WERE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY AS I SAID IN AT THE CONFERENCE WERE THAT WE NEEDED TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND THAT WE VOTED IN OUR GM REP FOR A REASON

I TRIED TO CONVEY THIS SENTIMENT AND OTHERS OBVIOUSLY DIDNT AGREE

MAYBE I COULD HAVE BEEN MORE PERSUASIVE BUT YES I WAS FOR GETTING THIS RESOLVED

IM DISAPPOINTED IN GM GATES WALKING AWAY SO CLOSE TO THE FINISH LINE BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND HIS FRUSTRATION AND ITS HARD TO PUT MYSELF IN HIS SHOES

MOSTLY BECAUSE IM A GIRL AND MY FEET ARE MUCH SMALLER

I WISH IT WOULDVE GONE THROUGH BUT OBVIOUSLY IT DIDNT AND THE SITUATION IS WHAT IT IS"

4. What was your opinion on the choices of GMs selected for the summit?

"I GOT GATES LOGIC FOR ALL THE PICKS EVEN IF SOME OF THEM DIDNT WORK OUT IN HINDSIGHT AND SOME OF THE POTENTIAL RED FLAGS CROPPED UP


I THINK NO MATTER THE PICKS WHEN YOU GET THAT MANY PEOPLE IN A ROOM THERE MIGHT BE SOME FRAYED TENSIONS AND DISSENT

IM JUST DISAPPOINTED WE COULDNT WORK IT OUT IN THE END SINCE I ENDED UP FEELING LIKE KIND OF AN IDIOT AS ONE OF THE LAST ONES LEFT IN THAT ROOM WONDERING WHAT WAS NEXT"

5. What do you think of GM Pancho being voted in as interim GM Rep? [GM PANCHO -- Answer as if you are asked "as GM rep how do you plan to address this PFL issue?]

"I VOTED FOR GM PANCHO

OBVIOUSLY I WANTED GM ELI ON THE BALLOT TO GIVE US MORE OPTIONS BUT I THOUGHT PANCHO AS THE INTERIM GM REP GAVE US THE BEST CHANCE OF RESOLVING THIS ISSUE IN THE MEANTIME

WELL SEE IF I WAS RIGHT OR NOT BUT I THINK HE KNOWS HES GOT A LOT RIDING ON GETTING THIS RESOLVED ESPECIALLY AFTER HOW HARD HIS OWN TEAM GOT HIT"

6. Discuss the news this week, anything that stood out, especially if it related to your team.

"I MEAN WITH A LOT OF THIS NEWS ABOUT THE PFL GOING BACK AFTER US ITS KIND OF A CASE OF WHAT DID YOU EXPECT

RIGHT

I SEE DANIEL JEAN HAS BEEN TARGETED FROM OUR TEAM

HES A KID I LIKE A LOT I ASKED FOR HIM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DEAL THAT GOT US RONNIE PAIGE FOR A REASON AND HES A GOOD GUY TO HAVE IN THE LOCKER ROOM TOO

BUT OBVIOUSLY IVE GOTTA SEE WHERE HIS HEAD IS AT AND MAKE A DECISION THATS BEST FOR BOTH PARTIES"

7. It is mid-season, who has been your teams MVP?  Who needs to step up and show you more in the final half of the season?

"GOTTA SAY ENCARNACION HAS PROBABLY BEEN OUR MVP EVEN THOUGH I COULD ALSO SAY OUR DEFENSE AS A WHOLE

I KNOW THERES SOME AREAS IN HIS GAME JOHN STILL WANTS TO CLEAN UP BUT THE GUYS BEEN A FRICKIN STUD IN THE BACKFIELD AND CONSISTENT GAME AFTER GAME

THIS MIGHT SEEM LIKE A BIT OF A COP OUT ANSWER BUT REALISTICALLY WHOS GONNA NEED TO STEP UP IS RICHARD ROUSE THROUGH NO FAULT OF HIS OWN JUST FOR THE FACT THAT HES A ROOKIE LEARNING ON THE JOB AT ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT POSITIONS

HES BEEN VERY DAMN GOOD FOR THE MOST PART WITH A COUPLE LEARNING HICCUPS BUT WEVE GOT A TOUGH SCHEDULE DOWN THE STRETCH WITH TOUGH EDGE RUSHERS WHO WILL LOOK TO PICK UP ON HIS TENDENCIES SO HE NEEDS TO JUST KEEP WORKING HARD AND KEEP IMPROVING HIS GAME LIKE I KNOW HE WILL BECAUSE WHEN OUR O LINE DOMINATES EVERYONE ON THE OFFENSE CAN DOMINATE

ITS NOT THAT WHAT HE SHOWED US THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON IS UNSATISFACTORY BUT SIMPLY HES STILL GOT A LOT OF GROWING TO DO IN HIS JOIURNEY AND IS IN A POSITION WHERE ITS URGENT THAT GROWTH SHOWS ITSELF IMMEDIATELY"

8. The trade deadline is fast approaching, what should fans expect from your office?

"UH PROBABLY NOT A LOT WEVE ALREADY MADE SOME SPLASH ADDITIONS

OBVIOUSLY THE PFL POACHING SOMEONE OR A BAD INJURY COULD CHANGE THAT FOR US BUT IDEALLY THE PRIORITY WOULD BE DEVELOPING AND BUILDING CHEMISTRY WITH WHO WE HAVE UNLESS SOMETHING UNEXPECTED COMES ACROSS OUR TABLE"

9.  Discuss this weeks game (if you have one)

"WERE HOSTING MICHIGAN THIS WEEK WHO HAVE BEEN A MUCH IMPROVED TEAM

THEYRE HONESTLY A DAMN GOOD SQUAD DESPITE ANY DRAMA AROUND THEM

BUT WE KNOW HOW GOOD WERE CAPABLE OF BEING WE AND ANOTHER TEAM BEING GOOD JUST MEANS WE HAVE TO SHOW WERE BETTER

ITS A HOME GAME AND TIME TO SHOW OUR QUALITY AND FOR MERMEN NATION TO SPREAD THAT OCEAN MADNESS"



"ARIEL DANIEL JEAN PLEASE"



"HI DANIEL ITS THE BIG DOG

JUST GONNA BE REAL WITH MY TALK WITH YOU

WE AS THE MERMEN HAVE LITERALLY ZERO DOLLARS IN CAP SPACE FOR THIS YEAR

AND I KNOW WITH YOU BEING WIDE RECEIVER THREE ON A TEAM THAT RUNS A DECENT AMOUNT OF HEAVY PERSONNEL YOUR USAGE IS VARYING FROM GAME TO GAME

I ALSO KNOW THERE WAS THE SITUATION WHERE YOU HAPPENED TO HAVE THE SAME NUMBER THAT COACH ZOG DID SO IF THAT RETIREMENT OF IT SLASH CHANGE IN THINGS MADE YOU FEEL DISRESPECTED THATS ON ME

SO JUST LET ME KNOW WHERE YOUR HEAD IS AT

WED LOVE TO KEEP YOU AROUND AS A PIECE OF US MAKING A RUN AT GETTING THE MERMEN BACK TO GREATNESS AND ID THINK THAT IN ITSELF WOULD MAKE YOU AN EVEN MORE VALUABLE COMMODITY COME THE OFFSEASON BUT I ALSO DONT WANT TO RESTRICT YOU FROM DOING WHAT YOU GOTTA DO

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THINGS ID AT LEAST TALK IT THROUGH WITH YOUR AGENT MISTER ROSENHAUS TO FIGURE OUT WHATS BEST FOR YOU AND IF YOURE STILL ON BOARD HERE IN LONG BEACH WELL THEN ID BE HAPPY I RAMBLED ON FOR NO REASON"

[Talon]

 

Honestly boss, I look at it like this.  Money isn't a driving force for me.  The biggest thing to me is being in a big city, playing for a prestigious club, and having a GM who is loyal to me.

[GM Yount]

"COOL COOL THATS GREAT TO HEAR

ILL LET YOU GET BACK TO WORK NOW BUT ILL REMEMBER THAT AND MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THIS RELATIONSHIP GOING WHEN IT COMES TIME TO WORK OUT YOUR NEW DEAL"



"ARIEL COACH WOODS PLEASE"



"WELL COACH THAT WAS A MUCH BETTER PERFORMANCE

CLOSE GAME BUT WE DIDNT MAKE ANY DUMB MISTAKES SO THATS GOOD TO SHOW THAT KIND OF POISE ON THE ROAD

OBVIOUSLY LUCE IS A BIG LOSS IN THE LIKELIHOOD HE CANT GO THIS WEEK

SEEMS LIKE DURR PLAYED WELL IN RELIEF FOR HIM BUT I GUESS MY QUESTION IS FOR THIS GAME WHAT YOU THINK WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO LINE THE GUARDS UP

OBVIOUSLY DURR HAS MUCH BETTER PASS BLOCKING FOOTWORK THAN SAPP BUT SAPP IS WAY STRONGER THAN HIM SO IM NOT SURE IF TECHNIQUE OR STRENGTH TO NOT GET OVERPOWERED WOULD BE MORE IMPORTANT AT LEFT GUARD"

[Talon]

 

Durr has worked hard and earned the chance to start with Luce hurt, his strength isn't great but he's still more prepared than Sheridan, in my opinion. 

[GM Yount]

"RIGHT SORRY MY QUESTION WAS MORE WHETHER WE KEEP DURR ON THE LEFT SIDE OR MOVE HIM TO THE RIGHT AND SLIDE BOB SAPP OVER THERE"

[Talon]

I wouldn't screw up the chemistry on the right side, just let Durr start over Luce if he's needed.

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT COOL

THIS IS MORE OF A BIG PICTURE QUESTION BUT YOUVE BEEN PERSONALLY COACHING HIM UP FOR HALF A YEAR AND STATISTICALLY HES BEEN A DYNAMO BUT GIVEN IVE GOT THE GUY ON A PLAYER OPTION WHATS YOUR THOUGHTS ON HUSSEY RIGHT NOW

IF I REMEMBER RIGHT THE BOOK ON HIM WAS HE WAS RIDICULOUSLY STRONG AND REALLY AGILE BUT HAD BELOW AVERAGE SPEED AND NEEDED WORK ON HIS TACKLING

OBVIOUSLY SINCE THEN IVE TRIED TO HELP HIS SPEED SOME HES GOTTEN MORE GAME REPS AND YOUVE BEEN COACHING HIM UP

WHATS HE LOOKING LIKE RIGHT NOW TO YOU AS A PLAYER DOES HIS PERFORMANCE THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR LOOK LIKE SOMETHING THAT PROJECTS FORWARD"

[Talon]

He is hard for me to project. His work ethic still concerns me and it hinders his growth.

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT ILL BE HAPPY IF HE KEEPS UP HIS PLAY FOR US BUT MAYBE FIND SOMEONE WITH A STRONGER WORK ETHIC FOR YOU TO MENTOR THE BACK HALF OF THE SEASON

IS CALABRESE A HARD ENOUGH WORKER TO BE WORTH YOUR TIME"

[Talon]

 

Absolutely. He's a workaholic, like me.

[GM Yount]

"COOL THE BIG DOG WILL NOTE THAT IN THE LOCK IN THEN

JUST TO CIRCLE BACK TO A CONVO LAST WEEK I SHOULD HAVE ASKED IT THEN BUT MY MIND WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE

WHAT ARE THE AREAS LEON NEEDS TO FOCUS ON TO MAKE SURE HE HITS THAT NEXT LEVEL YOU THINK HES GOT IN HIM

I ASSUME STRENGTH IS ONE OF THEM BUT ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD REALLY UNLOCK HIS GAME"

[Talon]

 

The more tackling and agility improvement he makes the better.

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT COOL IM GONNA CHECK IN WITH JEAN TO SEE IF WE NEED TO REPLACE HIM"



"ARIEL DANIEL JEAN PLEASE"



""HI DANIEL ITS THE BIG DOG

NOW THAT YOUVE HAD SOME TIME TO THINK HOPING TO SEE YOUR ANSWER IF YOURE READY TO STICK AROUND BROTHER

I FEEL LIKE LONG BEACH IS A PLACE THAT CAN GIVE YOU THE THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT BUT WITHOUT BEING TOO MUCH OF A DICK AND PRESSURING FOR A CHOICE THE TEAM NEEDS TO KNOW IF YOURE STILL ON THIS TRAIN SO WE CAN START PREPARING FOR MICHIGAN BROTHER"

[Talon]

 

I've decided to stay. Hopefully it's the right call.

[GM Yount]

"GREAT TO HEAR LETS GO WIN SOME MORE GAMES MAN

ILL LET YOU GET BACK TO WORK"



"ARIEL CAN I SEE TRINIDAD BOLES NEXT"



"THE BIG BAD TRINIDADDY

WHATS UP ITS THE BIG DOG

I WANTED TO MEET YOU FACE TO FACE BECAUSE IVE BEEN HEARING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOUR WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO IMPROVE

HOWS THE ADJUSTMENT TO GETTING MORE GAME TIME BEEN AS WEVE BEEN WORKING YOU INTO THE LINEUP"

[Talon]

I've loved every minute of my time here in Long Beach.  The freedom, being freed from the heavy handed overlords at the Military Academy, FREE to express myself and to be the real Trinidad!   It's perfection!

[GM Yount]

"WHILE THE BIG DOG APPRECIATES OUR SERVICE ACADEMIES I APPRECIATE MORE YOU BEING FREE TO BE YOUR BEST SELF

I IMAGINE WITH THEIR STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING REQUIREMENTS THERE YOU FEEL LIKE A BRAND NEW PLAYER NOW

THE CALIFORNIA LIFESTYLE ISNT FOR EVERYONE BUT GLAD TO HEAR ITS TREATED YOU WELL BECAUSE ITS A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE

ITS JUST LIKE THAT SONG GOES

LOVIN CALIFORNIA LIVING LEFT COAST TIME

I DONT NEED TO WARN YA THE BABES OUT HERE ARE SO FINE

SHIRTS OFF SHADES ON SMASHMOUTH ON THE STEREO

ROCKIN WITH THE TOP DOWN IS HELLA RAD NOW HERE WE GO ...

AHEM ANYWAYS WHERE WAS I

RIGHT SINCE YOU SEEM TO BE ENJOYING IT SO MUCH ILL SEE IF I CAN GET TOGETHER WITH AMBER DURING OUR BYE NEXT WEEK AND WORK OUT SOMETHING TO KEEP YOU AROUND HERE LONG TERM

IN THE MEANTIME YOU BEING YOU HAS DEFINITELY BEEN CATCHING THE BIG DOGS ATTENTION SO KEEP IT UP AND EXPRESS YOURSELF ALL OVER SOME QUARTERBACKS FACES AND BACKSIDES"

[Talon]

They will all learn to fear their Trinidaddy.

[GM Yount]

"HELL YEAH BROTHER

ILL LET YOU GET BACK TO DOING YOUR THING"



"ARIEL IF YOU CAN LET COACH WOODS KNOW ILL HAVE MY LOCK IN INFO READY SHORTLY I JUST NEED TO DOT MY TS AND CROSS MY IS"

*She pauses as she glances at the most recent players on the trade block to hit the wire*

"WOW I DIDNT THINK GETTING SHUT DOWN BY OUR SECONDARY WAS SOMETHING TO BE THAT DEMORALIZED ABOUT BUT TO EACH THEIR OWN"

[GM Yount]

"ALRIGHT LETS NOT LET UP

EVERY GAME COUNTS

MERMEN COUNTRY LETS SWIM"

INDIVIDUAL TRAINING CHANGES

Shift Coach Woods from Coaching CB Paul Hussey to Coaching SS Philip Calabrese

DEPTH CHART NOTES

If Charles Luce cannot play, put Wade Durr at LG and have Michael Sheridan be the primary backup at both G spots. If Luce can play, no changes to the lineup.

LOCK IN

[GM Yount]

*GM BIG DOG greets the media over Zoom from her makeshift office set up in Mumbai, that has all her important work-related possessions, including all her files. She also has her Executive of the Year plackard in the background & the following certificate hanging on the wall:*

"THE BIG DOG IS VERY PLEASED WITH HOW OUR TEAM LOOKED THIS PAST GAME ESPECIALLY SINCE OUR RUN GAME WASNT AS DOMINANT AS IT HAD BEEN IN OTHER WEEKS

OBVIOUSLY IT WASNT THE SMOOTHEST START TO THE GAME BUT THEN THINGS STARTED CLICKING AND THE LADS DID THEIR THING

OUR DEFENSE HAD A HELL OF A PERFORMANCE AND SHOWED WHAT THEYRE ALL ABOUT

RONNIE PAIGE GETTING BANGED UP SUCKS HE SHOWED HOW GOOD HE IS THAT GAME WITH WHAT HE DID TO LENNY MAC BUT HOPEFULLY THE BYE CAME AT A GOOD TIME FOR BOTH HIM AND DANNER

T LAW BOUNCED BACK WELL FROM A COUPLE EARLY HARD HITS AND FUMBLES AND SHOWED HOW THE WORK HES DOING WITH DOCTOR RINKU HAS HELPED HIM LOAD UP SOME MORE OCTANE INTO THE SHOWTIME EXPRESS

PROPS TO THE ATHLETE THE DOC AND TO COACH WOODS FOR POINTING HIM MY WAY

CALLING HIM UP WAS REALLY A NO BRAINER TO EXPLORE ANY OPTION TO GET THE QUARTERBACK AND LEADER OF OUR TEAM BACK TO A PLACE PHYSICALLY WHERE HE CAN BE HIMSELF AGAIN AND SO FAR ITS PAYING DIVIDENDS

IN LESS GREAT NEWS OBVIOUSLY THERE HASNT BEEN A RESOLUTION TO THE PFL VERSUS HIFL PROBLEMS BUT HOPEFULLY THAT CAN GET SOLVED THIS WEEK AND THE FANS AND PLAYERS AND EXECUTIVES OF BOTH LEAGUES CAN GET BACK TO FOCUSING ON THE GAME

ITS CLEARLY NOT BEEN A GREAT LOOK ALL AROUND

THEY SAY PRESSURE MAKES DIAMONDS BUT PRESSURE ALSO MAKES SOME PEOPLE MAKE DONKEY BRAINED DECISIONS AS WEVE SEEN

ITS A BYE WEEK FOR US SO THE BIG DOG WILL BE CONDUCTING BUSINESS ABROAD SO I CAN KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON T LAWS TREATMENT 

TRUST THOUGH THAT ILL BE CONDUCTING PLENTY OF BUSINESS THIS WEEK"



"RINKU THANK YOU FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY"

[Talon]

My Sweet Lotus, as we say here in India, mera ghar aapaka hee ghar hai.  My home is your home. 

Make yourself comfortable, I made sure to have the fastest wi-fi for your business endeavors, and any foot you wish, text me and I will have my aid deliver it as if his life depended on it.

You are a devee, and you will be treated as such.

I must go now, Trevor and I have much to do in very little time.   

[GM Yount]

"THANK YOU"



"RINKUS ASSISTANT CAN YOU PATCH ME THROUGH TO DREW LEVENTHAL PLEASE"



"HI DREW ITS THE BIG DOG

HAD A COUPLE DEALS I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WITH YOU

FIRST OFF I WANTED TO OFFER A LONG TERM DEAL TO JARED MILLER TO STAY HERE IN LONG BEACH BEFORE I LOOKED AT HIS FOURTH YEAR OPTION BEAR WITH ME THE DETAILS ARE A BIT THICK AND INCENTIVE LADEN BUT IM TRYING TO REFLECT THE POTENTIAL HES JUST STARTED TAPPING INTO THIS YEAR AND THE ROOM HE HAS TO GROW

ITS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE FOURTH YEAR OPTION VALUE TO START WITH A LOT OF ROOM TO INCREASE THE VALUE IF HE HITS THAT SUPERSTAR LEVEL PRODUCTION

4 years $11MM $1MM BP

His contract value (breakdown at team's discretion) will rise for the subsequent amounts the remaining years on the contract for his first time hitting the following incentives– the incentive for the numerical milestone, not cumulatively counting lower totals in the same season. Incentives hit in S16 before the contract kicks in will still apply (example if he has 8 sacks and 10 TFL in S16, the contract would kick in at $13.5MM per for 4 years)

8 sacks- $1MM
12 sacks- $2MM
16 sacks- $2.5MM

10 TFL- $500K
15 TFL- $1MM
20 TFL- $1.5MM

If he hits either of the high (16 or 20) number incentives for a second time before the final year of his contract he can either choose to add an additional $2MM to his number for the remainder of the deal or exercise a PO to opt out at the end of the season. If it happens in the final year of his deal he can choose either a $2MM offseason roster bonus or to add a FG year to his contract for the franchise tag value for DT (rounded up to the 10th decimal place; ie 21.76812MM to 21.8MM if a non-round number) salary/bonus breakdown at team's discretion.

APOLOGIES AGAIN I KNOW THATS A THICK PDF I SENT YOUR WAY"

[Talon]

 

Almost didn't answer this coming from a weird country code, Big Dog.  Using a fancy VPN or something? ... nevermind.

Anyways, looking over your deal, I think that's something we can shake on.  its a little heavy in the lingo as far as cramming it onto a team sheet, but yeah. Consider it signed.

[GM Yount]

"ILL TRY TO CONDENSE IT A BIT WHEN I LEAGUE OFFICE IT

ANWAYS IM HERE IN MUMBAI WITH YOUR CLIENT T LAW JUST SO I CAN BE IN THE VICINITY WHEN HES UNDERGOING THE MORE EXTENSIVE TREATMENT

SPEAKING OF HIM AND YOUR CLIENTS THOUGH WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK ON THE GUY PROTECTING HIS BLIND SIDE MATT NEILL

I KNOW WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING THATD RIP UP THE LAST YEAR OF HIS DEAL YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT WAITING FOR FREE AGENCY BUT WANTED TO GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT SINCE WEVE HAD A GOOD THING GOING THIS YEAR

FOUR YEARS TWENTY ONE POINT FIVE MILLION WITH THREE MIL IN BONUS WITH A PLAYER OPTION BEFORE YEAR THREE TO SEE IF HE WANTS TO PICK UP THE LAST TWO YEARS OF THE CONTRACT OR EITHER LOOK FOR ONE MORE BAG OR FOR A SPOT HE CAN GET A RING IF FOR WHATEVER REASON THINGS ARENT CONTINUING TO PROGRESS THE WAY WE ANTICIPATE HERE"

[GM Yount]

"ALSO THAT WOULD BE STARTING NEXT YEAR SORRY FORGOT TO SAY THAT"

[Talon]

 

Now that is a deal we can't turn down.  We'll take it.

[GM Yount]

"EXCELLENT GLAD TO HAVE BOTH GUYS BACK ON BOARD

GOOD DOING BUSINESS"



"AMBER MOLINA PLEASE"



"HI AMBER ITS THE BIG DOG

YOUR CLIENT TRINIDAD BOLES HAS REALLY BEEN MAKING A POSITIVE IMPRESSION ON US AS AN UDFA AND WAS LOOKING TO TRY TO GET AN EXTENSION DONE WITH HIM EARLY SINCE HE SEEMS HAPPY HERE IN LONG BEACH

SOMETHING LIKE FOUR YEARS FOUR MILLION PER STARTING NEXT SEASON"

[Talon]

 

He wants security, so make it 6 years  and you have a deal.

[GM Yount]

"DEAL

ALSO WANTED TO TEST THE WATERS ON A RONNIE PAIGE EXTENSION

THREE YEARS AT EIGHT MIL OR SO WAS GONNA BE MY OFFER"

[Talon]

 

With Ronnie, I'm looking for $13MM right now.

[GM Yount]

"ILL HAVE TO CIRCLE BACK ON THAT IN THE OFFSEASON WHEN IVE GOT A BETTER IDEA WHAT OUR CORNER ROOM LOOKS LIKE

THE BIG DOG WILL HIT YOU UP AGAIN ABOUT RONNIE DURING THE EARLY NEGOTIATIONG PERIOD

GLAD WE COULD GET TRIN SIGNED"



"JAMES T CRAIN PLEASE"


"
HI MISTER CONTRACT NEGOTIATOR ITS THE BIG DOG

WANTED TO TOUCH BASE ON WHAT ITLL TAKE TO KEEP LEON CHOI HERE IN LONG BEACH

WAS GONNA START OUT OFFERING A FIVE YEAR DEAL FOR SIX MIL PER STARTING NEXT YEAR:

[Talon]

 

Little lady, Leon is a happy camper at Camp Merman, but he's proving himself as a dynamic and versatile player.  Right now I'd rather do a 5/11 deal. I know its a monster jump in pay, but I see him as a budding super star.

[GM Yount]

"HMM

THE BIG DOGS NOT TOTALLY OPPOSED TO THAT BUT FOR THE SAKE OF BEING ABLE TO TELL MY GOATS IM TOUGH TO NEGOTIATE WITH

ANY WAY WE COULD DO NINE POINT FIVE PER BUT MAKE IT FULLY GUARANTEED AS A CONCESSION FOR NOT HITTING THAT ELEVEN NUMBER"

[Talon]

 

Its 5/11 now, or we can try again when other parties can help us determine the market.

[GM Yount]

"FIVE FOR ELEVEN NOW

EXACTLY AS THE BIG DOG WANTED

GOOD DOING BUSINESS"

[Talon]

 

Consider yourself.... NEGOTIATED.

[GM Yount]

"I FEEL HOW HARD I GOT NEGOTIATED DEEP IN MY LOINS"



"STEVE ROSENHAUS PLEASE"



"HI STEVE ITS THE BIG DOG

YOUR CLIENT DANIEL JEAN WAS TALKING TO ME ABOUT HIS FUTURE LAST WEEK AND HE SEEMS LIKE A BIT OF A DIFFERENT CAT WHICH I MEAN IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE AS FAR AS HIS PRIORITIES GO

I KNOW WE COULD WAIT UNTIL RESTRICTED FREE AGENCY NEGOTIATION BUT ID LIKE TO AT LEAST GAUGE AN IDEA OF WHAT YOU AND HIM LOOKING FOR IN HIS NEXT CONTRACT SO I HAVE THE BALL ROLLING ON IF I CAN MAKE SOMETHING WORK"