Sims walked about the field, Clipboard in hand. Amota, His  Wife  and Son where at the ESPN shoot...Sims shook his head. Plenty of time  for such things..why do it now?

  He Called Ivan to gather  the Offensive  skill folk and begin to run some stretches...he had the O-line begin to set up thier own sleds

  A tall blackman walked to join the others  as Lewis layed out the day's plans. He looked at Darren,"Te name's Worth,,Byron Worth..Lst year i played Strong saftey...this is something differant...The Japs don't  want no losin' here..they clean house..don't even have the smae Janitors from the Jags...you want to stickaround...bust yer butt...they might let you stay for Summer Camp..."

  not to be lost on DArren, is Number 41's split upper  lip. butterflied to keep it together.

"Well, things happen man," Darren remarked to the old Strong Safety. "Besides, I doubt I'm much of a threat to you. Jacksonville didn't even remember they drafted me, Philadelphia sent me a contract offer, and Washington thought I was the 'Hot Dog Vendor to be Named Later.'" Darren slipped his helmet down over his head and shouted back at Worth, "Besides, I'll probably be the first one cut. Mr. Irrelevants don't tend to last too long."

Darren looked around and located the defensive coordinator. "Hey, I'm Darren Clark, Strong Safety. Can I get a playbook?" Darren asked after approaching the coach...

 "You got it kid, here ya go. We run a 3-4, heavy on run stopping with the front 7 so if you are the back man that means your our last effort at stopping big plays. Think your up it?"

 Nathan reached and grabbed a playbook. Handing to Darren he looked up, "Your going to need a new nick name if you plan on playing for this team, every member of this name matters and every member contributes."

Darren grabbed the playbook from the coach, flipped through it a bit, the replied, "Look coach, it's no badge of disrespect. I was picked last. That's all it means. I plan on turning it into a badge of honor. I want to be the next David Vobora." Darren flipped through the pages of the playbook, realizing he was going to need to put some real time in on this. Then, he turned back to the coach, saying "besides, I got a neat trophy and a week-long party for it. It would be disrespectful to drop the title now..."

Alexia led the cheerleading squad out of the tunnel and onto the side of the field.  As she exited the tunnel, the early morning sunlight hit them and despite the sunglasses she was wearing, Alexia squinted against it.  She raised a hand to cover her eyes and surveyed the field.  Several players were already on it, some huddled together in groups.  She recognized a few of the returning players and noted that there quite a few new faces as well.  She would make a note to introduce herself and her girls to the new players.  Help them to feel at home.  Though to be honest, they might not be around long enough to even begin to consider the team home.

Alexia led the cheerleaders over to a large empty patch on the sideline.  They were not dressed in their gameday outfits and Alexia had left their individual wardrobe choices up to them as long as all outfits were licensed Dragon apparel.  Alexia herself was wearing black sweatpants that clung to her legs and the curve of her rear.  Up top, she had on a Dragon green sports spandex top that was cut-off at the midriff.  Underneath, she wore a Dragon sports bra for when the day got even hotter.

Alexia herself had the task of cutting the squad down to the 24 member squad that would perform throughout the season.  Most of the girls from prior years that were loyal to her would make the cut.  Alexia planned on using the next few days to get to know the newbies and determine which ones would best fit under her command.  She prepared a few routines that she would be taking the girls through.  It was often quickly apparent which of the rookies could memorize dance moves and which ones were hopelessly lost.

The girls spread out and started to stretch.  Alexia stood in the front with her back to the players on the field.  Slowly, she reached down one leg and stretched her left hamstring.  Her long mane of black hair, which she had tied in a ponytail, flopped to one side.  She hoped some of the players on the field were getting a good look at the view she was presenting.  Alexia had dumped her last boyfriend a few weeks back in anticipation of the upcoming season.  She was looking to getting to know all the new players personally and hopefully making one of them her first round draft pick.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:30, Sun 16 May 2010.

Brutus goes over to the sidelines to talk to Coach Lewis."I need a playbook sir. Sorry I was late yesterday just the bus got in later than I expected."

He looks at Clark smiling."Strong Safety...then we should talk. Maybe find some O guys to run a scrimmage so we can show Coach Lewis what we can do. As for a new nickname. Play well enough and you could become Mr. Amazing."

 Nathan pulled a playbook out and handed it to Tibbs, "After practice I want to talk to you in my office." As Nathan let the playbook go he turned a called over to Payne and Wall. Just letting Tibbs know he wanted to see him should give him something to ponder while he practiced. Maybe some pressure would make him crack down...or maybe he would just crack, this way Nathan knew ahead of time.


"Payne, Wall, I want you with Tibbs and Clark let see something guys"

Hell yeah. I could do Mr. Amazing, Darren remarked to Brutus as he kept flipping through the playbook. So where are you from?  What's your story, man? How'd you get here?

Alexia led the squad through various warm-up stretches, including a yoga program that she had created (yoga instructor being one of her former professions before joining the Dragons).  Some of her veteran cheerers know the program by heart and were able to make their way through it without instruction.  Alexia would wander through the ranks and help out some of the newbies with some of the poses and their postures.  She knew that for someone unused to yoga that they would at first find the whole thing rather easy, but be sore as hell tomorrow.  As she led them through the program, Alexia observed their interactions.  There was easy conversation between some of the cheerleaders, with the older ones getting to know the rookies.  

Most of the rookies were Japanese girls whose families had followed the Amota’s over from Japan.  She had been told in no uncertain terms to keep as many of them as possible on the squad.  Alexia had at first been quite upset at this request as in her second year of being the head cheerleader, she had grown accustomed to shaping the squad as she saw fit.  However, she quickly saw that the Japanese girls were extremely loyal and obdedient, two qualities she prized in her followers most of all.  They were also quick learners and Alexia thought she would be able to make them an integral part of her squad.  She had already identified two individuals, Nika and Shira (identical twin sisters) as the two most loyal and ruthless of the imports and had told them in private that she would be relying heavily on them to help her maintain order among the other girls.  She knew that they would do whatever she requested of them and delighted in the power she was developing.  The addition of the Japanese girls also gave the squad an exotic flair unlike any other team’s squad in the NFL.  In public, the Japanese girls often came across as quiet and reserved, but Alexia had been frankly surprised at some of the things she had seen the girls do in private.

There were currently 20 of them in the squad with room for 4 more should any more recruits be identified.  An open call for additional cheerleaders was currently posted in local media and on the Internet and cuts would have to be made should more than 24 girls try out.  Mr. Amota had told her that he wanted the Dragonettes to be the premier cheerleading squad in the NFL and Alexia had every intention of delivering on that wish.

 

   Walking towards the others  a tall ( 6' 4") black fellow with a number 99 on his  jersey The name's  Tyrone...last year was on the Bucs..never got  much playin time..hopin that changes here....

Brutus looks at Darren then at the Coach thinking about what he said. So it was already happening. After practice come see him. Come get your red tag in person more like. He heard it before...but he wouldn't give in. He would prove he deserved a chance.

"How I got here is a long story that started five years ago with a man wanting to go to Texas to play for the Longhorns. Instead some old friends set me up and I went behind bars for those five years instead. When I got out I went to these camps of other teams and with Oakland proved I should be playing...but it's the same old. No one wants to give me a chance. The difference between me and a guy like Pacman or Vick is I did my time without excuses. I could say it was all their fault and I'm innocent but in the end...it was my ass in that car and I deserved what I got. What people can't realize is....that I don't want to ever go back. I work hard to stay away from that joint and I work harder not to ruin my chances. So what about you?"

Brutus doesn't say anything in anger and the question is asked the same way Darren asked his."Just hope nobody messes up on purpose making me look bad. It's been known to happen."

Then he spots the guy who told him what time camp was yesterday. The same jerk who lied to him. No wonder...seems he played defense as well. Well buddy the Dragons only needed two starting CBs and one was going to be Brutus.

  Adam stowed his Dragon Karate suit in his  duffle to take back to his  apartment. he was  quickly dressed with uniform pants, T-shirt   with his pads over top and his practice jersey. He noted, that during the night, Some  of the players had a Dragon decal on thier helmets...orthers  Just had Forest green helmets with adhesive tape and thier name on...he smiles  just a bit..Sims was using everything in his aresenel to get players motivated.

  Jogging out to Mid  field, he noted the Dragonettes, he saw the D-folks  working  with Nathen watching them...Sims  and Amota were on the portable stand, Nilie there as well with a Dragon's  sunvisor on..Yuto was talking to Press folks  and  the few hundred fans that won a raffle to be at the practice

  Steele was not  far behind him, he  carried a football, spinning it  around on his hand, he noted the cheerleaders  as well..and stopped at Midfiled next to Adam.

  The small widereciever shook his jead,Look at them..you think they would be loosening up or something...

  La Roi  and  a few others  where standing about  holding helmets  and talking, only Stalls and Patrick who was another smallish Reciever were tossing the ball around...Sims  and Amota were watching.

  Adam shook his head, Get loose Supe....we'll see who wants to play... He put on his helmet and Steele did like wise, and they began to through back and forth...Adam's passes  hissed in to Steele's hands as they played a game of football cheicken. to see who would drop the first one.

where did you learn tyo throw  like that?  Steele chuckled.

  Adam Grinned.I was the 3rd team OB  for  both my college and Highschool team..Played one half In BC against Edmonton too...  he winks,I am undeafeted..3 and 0 in Highschool...4 and 0 in collge..and i am taking credit  for the BC win too!

 Steele  chuckles,well...lets  just see if you can catch them here so we both have a job...

 Marcus walked out in his pads on his shoulders, Nike's on his feet and a Stetson hat on his head. Making his way over to the bench he pulled his helmet out of the bag and set it on the end. Looking around he smiled at how many people had shown up. It's nice to see some real players.. Taking his hat off and setting on top of his bag he placed his helmet on his head and strapped it. Looking over his shoulder he noticed #99 Antonio Diego headed down the bench line.

 "He amigo, Nice hat! Say Cowboy you going to rope us a few tackles..." Diego laughed a bit as he got closer. When he was within reach He leaned down to grab Marcus' hat. In quick unexpected moment Marcus lashed out and grabbed his hand bending it back at the wrist.

"Don't touch my hat fat boy! It's to early in the morning for me to be stringin' up swine for the slaughter so what do you say we just let this one go."

 Coach Lewis called out from the other end of the bench. "Come on boys, play nice. Remember we are on the same team here. Diego if you want to put your hands on something make it a ball carrier. Payne, don't hurt my back-ups!"

"Sorry about that, boy, I'd hate to hurt your hand...then how would you bring the rest of us water."

 Marcus let Diego's wrist go and turned jogging out to the end-zone to meet up with a few other defensive players already stretching. Why must they always go for the hat. Just once I'd like to find some guys that didn't get hung up on the roughneck part of my life and see the football talent.

Mik made his way onto the field after he was suited and booted for action, he held his helmet in one hand as he jogged out onto the field and wandered over to where the other offensive players were gathering.

"Think that lady was sweet on you there Adam, you may have to watch your back with that one eh" he gave a wink and smiled as he pulled his helmet on. Then he started stretching out his muscles and gave the crowd a brief glance, he normally didn't even remember they were there but he scanned the crowd for a moment to see which press-people would show before switching back into game-mode and blocking out everyone watching.

  Adam  chuckles,she  wanted a story...one  i won't  tell..she can go to Yuto if  she wishes to dig that deep..right now? I  am  Dragon...and  that's  all that matters...eh?

Jo steps out of the locker room having dressed already. It didn't feel right to her that the two girls were forced to change elsewhere. They were members of the team and to her that meant being with the team at all times. She looks into the stands seeing her wife and kids and her dad wearing his old K.C. jersey. Not bad dad...see he still likes his old team.

As Jo steps across the field she sees some reporters and a few photographers snap her picture then she notes one player that she recognized. It was the reason she wasn't sure of coming to camp to face. Steele...the QB she beat in her senior year when he played with Ohio State. Well they can't always be perfect.

She looks around then notes where the offense is and goes over looking up at Coach Sims and Mr. Amoto."Excuse me...but I'm here to try out for Quarterback. Though I was drafted by Kansas City they let me go cause they don't want girls on the team. Thought you might at least give me a tryout."

As Alexia strolled through her squad, helping some of the girls with the stretches, she kept an eyes on the players arriving on the field.  Alexia had been upset that a lot of the old players from the Jaguars had been let go.  She had dated a fair number of them and been friends with others.  Using Facebook and other means, she had been able to keep in touch with some of them, especially the ones she knew liked to keep a girl or two on the side for when married life became too boring.  Ultimately, she had been grateful that she too hadn’t been let go when the new regime came in.  She knew she just as easily could have been out on the streets with the old Jaguar players, trying to catch on as a cheerleader with another team.  It would have killed her to lose her senior position on the squad.  Like the city of Jacksonville itself, she was also grudgingly caught up in the excitement of the new team.  It was a fresh start, both for the team and for her as head cheerleader.

The appearance of a female from the locker room area clad in practice pads caused Alexia to pause.  She had heard that the team had drafted a female kicker, which she had initially supposed was a publicity move.  This woman looked different than the pictures she had seen and Alexia guessed from her jersey number that she was slated to play somewhere on the offense.  Had the Dragons signed two females to play? Alexia could see how a female could play kicker, but this girl looked like she might get snapped in half if she had to take an actual hit.  The thought of her girls on the sidelines having to compete with the male fan’s attentions with a female position player on the field caused Alexia to frown slightly.  She would have to keep an eye on this one to see if she would cause any problems.

  Sims  Looks at her for a moment, The  to Mr  Amota who eyed the woman as if she had two heads... Mrs Amota ( NiLie)..who looked more like his  daughter...smiled,It seems...Bart-san..that your Team has  given hope to all those  who might not get a chance to play elsewhere...thus...we have a chance to be thier hope...and all teams need hope...

  Sims nodded  just a bit...there  were more then a few Camaras going off...sneaky reporters edged, ever  closer to try to catch  something that would be headline  worthy... well ...Little Lady...You go over there by that guy with  the 19 on his shirt...the guy tossing him the ball is out  number one...so far...You work  with them for now...see what you got...I have never turned  away  anyone with guts...to walk out here without an invite says something...You stay out of  contact until  Young  Mr   Amota gets you  your contract...if you sign it..you can take part in the scrimmage this after noon...We are keeping  Three QBs...your are the 4th right now....oh...and...if you come back after lunch..make  sure you are wearing  Dragon's gear...Minicamp or no? we aren't advertising  for other teams......

  The was a grunt of satisfaction  from  Mr. Amot as he said something in Japanese, Mrs, Amota said,My Husband  said to show your best...that you cannot be any worse the  the quaterbacks the Cowboys have..."

   Yuto came  running over his tie  flapping in the iwnd behind him, a Metal clipboard/box  with him..Father? he asked

  Older Amota  pointed to Jo. And Sims  said...without a condesending smile,Quarterback

 Yuto let out  a  breath as he ran his hand through his hair  as he sized her up, he opened the  Clipboard box, he flicked through some  diffrant colored  folders  and pulled out one  that had  Quaterbacks on it...He looked at Jo  as he  showed her the sheet,This is  standard Dragon contract...based on position..You get this  much for signing... he points to the number,Your  Incentives are listed...both indivadual  and Team...so it  is easy for you to keep track  of as the season goes on...if..you have  an agent and would  rather he/she look over it, that is fine..but you cannot take part in contact practices  until one is signed...

Jo looks at the contract then signs it without hesitation."Don't care about money just playing and showing those teams that wouldn't give me a shot what I can do. You need to ask someone how I play ask Steele. I was the one who led the Bulldogs to victory over him last year. If I recall we were the only team to beat Ohio State."

After signing the contract she goes to where she was told looking at number 19 and the others. She carefully picks up a pigskin letting it meet her fingers as she feels the texture of it. She looks at the guys wondering which were receivers."Someone want to go long so I can show the coaches what I have to offer. And when I say long I mean it."

One of the receivers looks at her then she smiles. It was good to see a familiar face."Woody boy it's great to see the Dogs represented." It was weird seeing him here though. Just hope he could catch the ball. He goes long knowing just when to make the cut then Jo lets it sail normally she could get it further but she didn't want to show off still the ball carries the sixty yards right to Woody he makes a catch for it but ends up dropping it in the end. She smiles then wonders what his chances were for making the team. As he runs back he smiles at her.

"Shouldn't have ate popcorn this morning I guess. Too bad I can't catch often...but not because of you Jo you always put the ball where it's suppose to be."

Jo smiles at him then looks again at her father. He looked pissed but she just winks at him to let him know it wasn't Woody's fault. Well...in a way...he just wasn't a starter. Or second string either for that matter. And he wasn't use to playing at this level. She knew by lunch...he wouldn't return. It was just a gut instinct."So what happened to your film aspirations?"

Woody laughs flashing that woodchuck teethy grin that earned him his nickname."You think I came here to play. I got someone watching me for a sort of Bad News Bears meets football type of deal. They say I'm a natural for it."

Jo laughs then pats him on the back."Good luck on that Woody."<Pink>

Then Jo looks at Steele knowing he was the number one prospect.<Pink>"We meet again Steele. This time though won't be for an undefeated season for Ohio State. This time it will be to see who will be on the Dragons and who will be starting."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Thu 20 May 2010.

Kat noticed that the locker room had been expanded a little when she got in, and shrugged. She had no idea if the other woman, women?, was a cheerleader, or, more excitingly, another player? Kat grinned, either way, she'd keep to herself for now, focus on keeping her job. Kat stretched out a bit, then put on her hip, thigh, and knee pads, forgoing the upper body pads and helmet for now. Instead, Kat put on a sports bra and then, short sleeved UnderArmour that was Dragon's colored. She'd ordered it after draft day, and brought it with her. It was a bit snug, but not enough to constrict breathing, and that was all Kat cared about.  Kat carried her upper body pads and helmet over her shoulder and made her way down to the field...

~~~

Kat hit the field to see things in full swing. As the only kicker on the team, she assumed they'd bring in a punter, though she could handle that too, if they wanted her to. Kat took a deep breath and began a full on stretch. She wanted to be loose and ready to go.

That's when she glanced over and saw a female, in pads, approaching Superman. Huh, well, she'd figured out who she was sharing a locker room with. Kat continued stretching for a bit, before heading over to the sideline to warm up by kicking some footballs into the net...

  Coach Nevers  comes up to the small group of  Quaterbacks  and  wideouts who were actually warming up,"Alright  Lady...That looked pretty Good...see if you can hit this  one..."  his  huge hand hits Adam in the chest and Adam frowns as he rubs  the padsGo Long...Right  down the Cheerleader's  sideline..they are less liekly to set out  in front of you.."


  Adam  grins  as he puts on his helmet, Steele  stands  there  spinning  a the ball around on his palm

  Stalls, the TE yells, "..C'mon Adam..see what she has in that  arm.."

  Adam  grins  as he takes his  2 point stand  and looks in,who knows  Henrey..she might be trying to see who can  catch... he turns to a tall Black  man who has been holding his helmet the whole time,Guess that leaves you out...

  The Black man snaps back,Screw yuerself  Midget...

  Bronk yells down to Kat as she walks out onto the FieldHEY KAT! LET ME KNOW  WHEN I GET TOO CLOSE TO THE WALL!"

 Looking  back to  Jo he says,On your  Hut.... I am going  full out...we are on our 40...we have 80 yards  to the wall..."

  When she says Hut, he  explodes out of his stance, his head  snaps around when he reaches the  other 40 Running past the Cheerleaders..Walls  and Ivan whoop whhooooooooooieeeee!

  Steele  smiles  smugly as he waits to see  this new player toss

  Sims  and Amota  have  come over  as Yuto files  away the contract...the fans who are there, are in the endzone Adam is running to are all shouting...the  enterprising fellow in the booth  has the  Bigscreen running...

Jo watches Adam go then goes through her motions. She drops back waiting as he approaches the wall. A little further...a little further then she tosses the pass. It sails high but it does have the distance of a seventy-five yarder. Hopefully Adam can catch it as she tosses it she notes the familiar pain she has gotten use to in her ribs. It hurts but she manages through the pain.

Jo watches the ball sail down the line hoping that this one will be a completion. If not...she might as well pack her bags cause this ain't the Raiders. No one would keep a gun for an arm if they couldn't complete passes. With Woody it was understandable...he just didn't have the best. But now...she would find out if she had what it took to make it on the pro level. And with this guys size he probably wouldn't tank it to make her look bad cause in the end it would also reflect him.

Jo watches seeing that the pass is on the money and praying that it will also be a completion. Come on Adam just do what you'll be getting paid to do.

  th  small wideout sprints down the sidelines a big grin come to his lips as he tracks the ball..one more gear..not  much faster..but  just  a tad..his eywes were lost in the ball....

  Close to th Endzone, some of the Dragon's helpers were putting out Powerade containers...right in line  were  Adam and the ball would meet..the kids did not even seem aware of  what was going on......

Kat was at the wall Adam told her to warn him about. She had stood up now, watching the Quarterback competition get into full swing. She nodded as Adam made the adjustments.

Then, Kat noticed the kids setting up the hydration tables. It didn't take her long to figure out a collision might be imminent.

Kat found herself sprinting towards the kids.

"Move! Now!"

Kat's plan was simple, the kids would move, and Adam would slow down, or she would tackle him before he could hit the kids, and potentially hurt himself on the table, it would just depend on what happened now.

If she had to hit him, well, chances were, it was going to hurt. She didn't have the full pads on like Bronk did.

Freaking kids...