"Got it," Bethany said as she settled down onto the bench, placing her hands onto the bar and getting a good grip on it.  She wasn't stupid about such things.  She might be a rather intense worker, but she liked to think she had a brain about such things.  She took a breath and then lifted the weight off the rack and proceeded to do ten repetitions with it, never really being in any danger of dropping the bar or hurting herself.  She actually has rather good form throughout the lift as well.

The woman sat up after the set and reached down to take a drink of water from her water bottle.  She figured she'd just have to prove herself again in this league.  She had to prove herself in all levels when she started, so this was no different.

  The other  linemen hooted and clapped, Miles nodded, Pretty good stuff there LAdy. You doin more reps?

  Smokey came in  and watched  the benching for a bit. None could  tell whether he watched her bench..or  just watched her...he went over to the  Bikes and set one up for his routine. Steele  says, Hey..Smokey? How many of those practice  kicks got blocked yesterday? Steele  was laughing Looking around  at some of the others, mostly DBAcks who filtered in.

 About  as many as the TD passes you threw...  Worth dropped his back by another machine, he was setting  up for pecs and shoulders, upperbody.

  C'omon man..just having  fun..he's just the Punter...

 Smokey  juststarted his  bike ride, het  set on as the program came up showing a mountain road.

 Man...you got  problems..you know that? That dude there is gonna have to pull us out of the crap you stick us in...Unless...they start Fillings...or Bronk..

  Steeles's voice  took on a bit of an edge, Bronk isn't  starting anytime soon....

 Worth settled into his machine  and started his work,Sure hope the hell not...we need him right where he wants to be...

"Thanks Miles, everyone," Bethany said with an easy smile to address both Miles and the round of applause she got from the rest of the linemen.  "Yeah, that was just my first work set, probably got another few sets in me.  Put a bit more on though, something around six or so reps worth for a set or two before we get to something around the two or four rep range," Bethany suggested to Miles.  She figured he'd put another fifty on total, but he might do more or less.  The woman did know a bit about training progression, as she had to in order to get to this level.

She did notice Smokey observing her work before Steele started in on him.  Of course, it seemed that some of the others were stepping in to shove Steele down.  The woman settled back down and waited for Miles to set the weight.  She'd have to ask the linemen a bit about Steele if she managed to win a few of them over this morning and get their opinion on him.

  Miles puts  another 25 on,Lets try this..25 now, go for more, quicker  reps..helps the  tone and the strenght...the kinda muscles you'll need is differant from us...give it a try see how it  feels, You don't like it, I 'll take of the 25 and  add 50...

  Bronk came down into the machine area, sweated up, Payne the Middle  Linebacker gave him a whack on the back, Hey!  You come to push some iron?

 Adam  smiled and shook his head,Naw..I'm a machine  man..building them up, not build them out. Besides...there's  no kiddie  benches her for me...

  The   Big Linebacker laughed, Kane  had  just entered  and  sat by the wall and watched the Oline and Beth work, waiting his turn  for  some benches.

  Fillings past them by and headed to the Bikes, Steel was halfhearted working on his, Smokey was going "uphill" on his , the punter's legs driving hard agains the resistance the machine was gibing him..

Beth nodded to the man.  She heard Adam come down, but didn't say anything to him yet.  She took a steadying breath, got a good grip on the bar, and started lifting.

She kept her form smooth throughout, but picked up the pace a little bit, the 340 pounds going up and down quickly for a weight of that size.  She got the first dozen up and took a quarter second pause before doing another six.  She gave another quarter second pause and squeezed out another 3 to bring the set total to 21 reps.  She racked the weight and sat up, taking a few heavy breaths from a difficult, but doable, work set.  "Can't say that particular method was one I was introduced to, increasing the weight and reps," the woman said easily, reaching down to wipe at her forehead with her sweat towel.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:21, Thu 02 Feb 2012.

   Miles  Nodded, the Guys (m a few defenders now as  well)  Clapped and hooted some more. Yea...explosive training..You can bulk up the old  way if you want to, But  there is no way they are gonna put you in the trenches...so..you go for lean strong  tone, Muscles  than won't  bind as you reach and grab,  but can still hold on  to the ball with Guys  Like PAyne  hanging off the other end..

 A towel whapped  Miles in hte face As Payne  laughed, He's talkin' the truth now...but he shouldn't oughta be using  me as an example!

  the players LAughed  a bit,  bronk was trying not to laugh along  as he pushed the machine, Worth was  pushing the arm pads  quickly blowing out bursts of air like a sprinter..

 Steele watched  the player leifting or pushing machines, He put his towel around his neck( shades still on). And started to move  axcross the room to the  door..That's right..you guys pump them Muscles up...can't let The franschise get hurt now!  He grinned  as he peeked over  top to the glasses...Just as he made it to the Door Kane  stood up, the Big DT just smiled and said,No way, Steele..we wouldn't  want anything  to happen to....Bronk...

 Steele's smile vanished in a heartbeat as he stormed out the door, and turned to head to the pool. Some  snickers  and giggles were heard,...Yea...Thanks Kane...I'll be damn lucky to see a pass now... But the smile on his  face showed he appraicated the joke.

 Kane shook his head, Sims  ain't no dunny...If  Steele can't pull the  Trigger..you or  Fillings  will....

 Fillings  had his bike hooked up to Smokey's..he was trying hard ( without success) to catch Smokey on the hill climb. Hey  Man..That's  Sim's  call...they put me in...fine...they don't put  me in..fine..played this long  without starting, doesn't matter much to me...

 Worth was wiping himself  down and looked at Bronk..what a bout you Bronk? What if they Tab you, the man?

 Bronk stopped   in the middle of his last Push, the  arm pads almost slamming him against the back of the machine,..No secrect there..I want to catch..want to run the patterns...with Beth on the other side...should get alot of One on ones...Hope  down the middle..the backs  we have  are great for the offense we are running...but they throw me back there.. I'm doin what needs be done.... had to do it  my whole career..be kinda foolsih of me to think i'd  catch a break up here...the wild card is Collins...they bring  him in here..I'll be catching alot of balls..we all will...But Sims said..he isn't keep 4  guys who can throw...

  Miles nodde as he looked over to Beth,What do you think , Iron Maiden? Who do you want back there...

Bethany laughed along with the others at the joking around, and Miles got a nod.  "Makes sense.  I had to spend a long time working strictly on building the raw power and strength to get up here, so it's good to work a bit more on the functional side of the strength training".

She shook her head at Steele's storming out of the complex, but offered a smile at Miles' question. "I'm a rookie, you mean I get an opinion too?" she joked lightly, knowing full well that rookies were often told to be seen and not heard, so to speak.  "If you asked me a week ago?  I'd have said Steele.  We played in the Big Ten at the same time and he had a heck of an arm.  Always thought it'd be a treat catching from him instead of just trying to intercept his passes.  But now?  If he can't get his head on straight, I'm good with either of our other options or giving whoever they bring in a chance.  If they go with Fillings, then maybe they can bring someone else in to be the number two so Bronk can start at wideout".  She shrugged and laid back down to do another set.  "Or maybe Steele figures out where his head is at, straightens out, and all of this takes care of itself". She somehow doubted it though as she performed her next set of 21 reps, this time forcing herself to not take any pauses between any of the reps.

  Miles looks  at Beth and Bronk as they give thier  answers. He watches  Beth push  more Iron then Looks to her, then to  Bronk,....We are  all rookies on this team. The only differance, some of us  have worked  long  and hard...for nothing..oh...we got paid. But  we  got cut, got traded, or a few of us..were exiled here...Owners  didn't  care, have the  team didn't  care...put in time, got paid, maybe try to make a highlight or two on the sportscenter....Me? I have  5  years in..shoulda been to the Por Bowl twice..but  they don't  Take O Line from teams with less then 2 wins...

 So?  when i ask..I want to know..there are still a few guys on this  team that shouldn't be here...My Boys  and me? We  want some one who gives a damn, out on the field...

 Once more  his eyes looked from Bronk to Beth.

  Bronk Chuckled,..Played in  the CFL one year..played in the Damn Japanese Industrial league...At least you guys  were here...Drafted, most   of you..I'm here to play...and..I'll win the damn game by myself  if i have to... The wideouts words were hard, but  no malice in them, He looked at the Center with a level gaze.

  Miles was quiet for  a Moment. Kane  stepped over behind  Bronk, Worth got off his  machine, wiping the sweat of his neck and  arms... Payne sat down on the bench next to Beth He looked up at Miles. Miles Clapped Beth on the back, Looked at Bronk and said,..I Think we got  a couple or winners here... he grinned  and  the other O Line added  some 'hell yas'...

  Bronk  nods, You got  more then  that... Ben...Lucas...Mik..they'er all here to play...

Lucas had finished up a light meal, enough that he wouldn't be hungry until after practice.  He changed into a pair of swim trunks to take a couple of laps in the pool to warm up some of the muscles that he hadn't used in quite some time.  Once he'd finished he went to the locker room to rinse the chlorine out and then changed into practice gear, and headed out to the field to see who was already there and waiting for practice to begin.  If any one was there, he'd toss the ball back and forth for a bit.

The flight had been long, but the cab ride over seemed to take forever.  She watched out the window at the unfamiliar city.  She was very quiet, and found herself irritated by the driver's incessant jabbering, half of which made no sense to her in the first place.  Finally, she arrived at the complex.  She climbed out as the driver retrieved her few bags, and paid the man.  She slung a bag over each shoulder, and picked up the last.

She moved up to the entrance, took a breath, and entered.  She moved toward the front desk and said in a heavy accent, "Um... hello.  I am called Tali Raisel.  I was invited here, but am not knowing where I am to go first."  Tali set her bag down in order to pull out her Israeli passport to show to the person behind the desk.

  The  fellow looked up from the desk,you a Dragonette?  Miss Celeste didn't say anything about another cheerleader coming over?...Um..Miss?  Who sent the Invite?  he looked at her  passport.

  The  Older man tilted his head,..you came a long  way Girlie?..hope its  worth the trip!

   A Younger looking Japanese fellow  was  walking across the filed with a Briefcase. The  Guard   pointed towards him,That's  Young  Mr. Amota..he is the GM, and owns   The Rising Son...that there is the team's hangout...I can flag him down if you want?
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:51, Mon 05 Nov 2012.

With some of the defensive line having went into the lockerroom to shower and dress since it was just a mock practice.  Him and one of the others on the defensive line were goofing off and he was being shown the ropes of some of the plays that he wasn't quite certain of.

Tali quickly shook her head as she was asked if she was going to be a cheerleader, and before she could answer the guard asked about her long trip.  She was feeling the lag from it, but smiled wearily and nodded.  She said, "I am called Tali Raisel, I was contacted by Mr. Fry.  I am here for... for to try out for kicker position."  She looked toward the man she was directed toward and nodded.  She said, "I finished a very long and unexpected flight.  I am not sure where I am supposed to be going, or for who I am to be meeting."  She looked away from the GM and back at the guard.

  Yuto bows  slightly and says,..come with me..Coach fry is in the film room now, the Caoches just left my office... he motions to the guard,..leave your bags here, Mac will watch them...

Tali awkwardly returned the bow to Mr. Amato, not really knowing what manner of protocol was called for with him.  She looked at "Mac", offered a smile, and joined Yuto's side as she was led toward the film room.  She said, "I appreciate your help Mr. Amato."  Tali paid attention to her surroundings as they moved through the complex, looking at the various pictures and plaques as she moved with a silent grace.

  As  Yuto Moved forward, he was loosening his tie, he POinted to the  tunnel entrance  under the scoreboard, the Board that seemed to be held up by Two Giant Dragons.

 ..This is the entrance to the Locker room from the filed side..there  are Doubles  Doors on the  outdie, under the Stadium itself, but we only use those on game day.  ...they walked  down the  tunnels, well lit, and  carpeted  with  a cross between Turf and rug..soft, yet not needing  too much care...further down the Tunnel a Man was riding a go-cart that had a Vaccum attached to it.


  This branch here..Takes you to the  Cheerleader's  Lcokers, there  is a  smaller  lcoker room, halfway that is labeled for  Female Players...at one point we had  2..A quarterback, whom we had to waive as injured...and  another Kicker..she was  a 3rd round pick for us...but..it seemed her heart was not with the team. Currently? We have a freeagent kicker on the  Team...You and he  will Vie for the kicking job this week...By staturday, one of you will be  our Kicker...One will be on the freeagent market....

 ,,our  Current holder is Smokey, he's our Punter as well....the only other three people on the squad that have holdign expericance is   Our Staring QB, Duke  Fillings...Our  3rd  string QB...James  Steele  and our starting WR/Second  team QB  , Adam Bronk...If you are not happy with Smokey's  holds..you will need to approach one of the last two...Caoch Sims isn't going to have Duke holding for Placements.

  Opening  a pair of  large Glass doors  that  had a Huge  dragon Decal on, Tali could  see  differant Offcies..all had the Coache's  names on..at this point there was one one in his office, he  was watching special teams play of Cowboy games.....Coach Fry? Our Newest Kciker has  arrived.... Miss Raisel? This  is coach Fry..

  The Balding man, in his late 40s or so stoof up, putting down theleague pad that he was making notes on,he offered a hand to Tali,well..Welcome to the  Dragon's  Lair...There isn't  anyone left in the  place that  could work you out..so be here are 5:00AM tomorrow, that's when  some of the  early birds get in. see if  we can get one  to hold for you.. I'll take you down to your Lockers and   get the wquipment guy to fit youn up with some stuff...


 ..I am heading back out..I will show her to  the lockers, so you may continue your film study, Please to call ahead?

 Fry looked very happy he didn't have to leave his   films,..Well Thank You Mr Amota...right away... he pciked up  the  phine, punched a few numbers,..Hey?..Fry here..Young Mr. Amota  is bringing   a New LAdy Kicker  down to her  lcokers?..get stuff to suit her up,, so she's ready to go...ok..thanks....

 ..He's on the way.....

 Thank you, Coach Fry,  Have you seen anything yet on the  Films?

 Fry Nodded, we move some guys around  on the front row....Let Bronk return  kickoffs?..we  could light them up....they cut the fastest guy they had...if they put in who i think they will....we're Gonna have  seams to run in..

  Yuto chuckled  in a friendly way,..The trick..Coach Fry...will be to have Coach Sims allow Adam's use on the kickreturns....

  Yeh...dammit..i know....  his voice  faded  as he began to run the films  again..stoppign and rewinding the dics..and putting it into slow motion.


.....As they left the  Office Yuto said,..our staff...is very..how you say....over  achieving...and they expect such, from our players....

  They reacehed the Locker  room, an Older  fellow  with a Greek Fisherman's cap on  and a white Dragon's  Teeshirt greeted them, with him was a woman dressed in the same outfit, save she wore a Dragon's baseball cap.

   Hiya  LAdy....I'm Mel Cones..This is  my assistant. Lika  Pall. Now..first off..what Number you want?  I would stay away from 2..the last lady Kicker had it...you don't want them thinking of her? Lets see..there is  3...6...7...if you want a single number..or....10..11...12..12...14...15..16..17..18...if you want a double  number?

Tali listened attentively to Yuto as she walked along, glancing in the directions he was directing her attention toward.  As they reached the coach's offices, she turned her full attention to the conversation at hand.  Tali smiled and nodded as Mr. Fry ordered her to show up on the field at 5:00 AM, and was fairly happy to hear it truth be told.  She would be able to sleep for a little while at least.  Tali listened to the banter between the coach and GM, and then raised her hand in a small departing wave as she followed Yuto for equipment.

Tali nodded to Mel and Lika, and then frowned when he asked her about what number she might be interested in wearing.  She said, "I think I would like 14.  Not sure if you know, but I wore 14 for the Cardinals.  Rarely failed me there.  Stay with tradition yes?"  She offered a dazzling smile.

  Well then...14 it is... He nodded to Lika   who  moved out of the room and  down the  hall through  a set of big metal doors, that lead intop the bowels of the stadium.

  now?..Facemasks?  The guy you'er  kickign against wears the single bar...not  a good chocie. the lady here before you had a  2  bar..Smokey, wears a two bar with a bar coming down the middle..heck..you can have a full cage if ya want....  he ehfted  a Helmet in a gesture  to ask her to try it on , sans  facemask.

  Yuto smiled,..You are  in good hands, Miss  Raisel....you want to have  a place to  relax...just down the road is  My Nightclub, The Rising Son....one half  Ressteraunt, other havlf  nightclub...Locals go there..but it  is   the Dragon's  home away from home....when you are done here..Mel will have a cab take you across the lot to the townhouses, Your Number  is 28..i believe.... welcome to Jacksonville...  he bowed  and  left.

 While  Mel fussed over the helmet, he said,..Good Man, Young Mr Yuto..Played  football..he knows the game..played up In PA Mellon U...he  and  one of  our WRs.... They say teams need good players...but in all my years  of  slogging  equipment around?....If you have good  front Office folks..you get good  players..and you week out the jerks....so..I'm thinking  we're doing alright...now..More air in the back? or not?

  as they head through the complex towards the cars,..I'm gonna head to the townhouses, and relax a bit, before going to the  party. Don't know how long  we will be there... I'll Give Cel a call as well..in case she has to go ahead of me, or , whatever is in store for them.

I can officially say, I am...beat, Lucas said even after he stepped out of the showers with damp shorts on and a t shirt.  His mess of hair dripping down onto his shirt.

  Duke chuckled  as he looked at the fullback,..well son? You'er not  done yet..still have that party to go to...

He gave a jovial chuckle.  I can only imagine, he said to the other player.  So what is up for tonight?

He looked between Adam and Ben.  Guys night out or am I a fifth wheel?

Ricky had already gotten dressed quickly in the locker room just barely overhearing a big deal at the owner's night club.  He figured he'd have to make an appearance so would be taking some of his work with him. He'd find a dark corner for his laptop and aircard to see what the deal was with the nightclub.  If nothing else, he'd get something to eat and head back to the apartment.

  Adam looked at Lucas,..I'm not certain what the Dragonettes have to do tonight. They may be playing Hostesses or  something..I won't Know  until I call Cel. But you been there before..eat, drink..dance... Try  not to be near Steele when the reporters are around..normal stuff...


 Miles was headed out the door,  see you guys  at the Club.....wish it was Sunday already... the  center looked like he was ready to play as he  walked by.

 Sloan was a little behind him and shook his head with a grin,  There's  3 old Jags on this  Team, Payne, Worth and Miles....They  seem to have a touchy spot  for the Cowboys...

 Adam waved  to Lucas,..I'm headed to the townhouses..you want a ride? if not..let me know if you need  one to the club?  Then he added as he followed  Sloan,well..I'm from PA...we are born hating Cowboys upthere....

"I'm a Dragon. Anyone else are just the guys at the other end of the field. As an army brat, I just watched whatever 'ball was on!" Ben trooped out with the others, grinning at Miles's comment.

"I'd rather play than party..."