Chapter 565 Differences of Opinion
“We still need a leader…”
To be precise, Levi and Hunter have the same position, but their emphasis is slightly different:
It requires the running backs to form a group and unite closely to subvert the league's prejudiced views with their performance on the field. It also requires leaders to stand up and shout out to stand in the front and fight against the team and the league.
Only in this way can the running back's disadvantaged position in modern football, which is dominated by passing offenses, be changed, and even the composition of offensive tactics can be changed.
Both are indispensable.
The difference is that Levi believes that we need to build momentum first and rely on the power of the group to create a situation, and then push the leader to speak out; while Hunter believes that time will not wait for me, and we should seize the opportunity now to support Bell and put pressure on the team.
To a certain extent, both men are right, they just have different strategies.
Levi paid attention to communicating with Hunter, but Hunter seemed particularly impatient.
"Now."
"Now!"
Because he was too excited, his voice was a little loud. Hunter quickly glanced around, then lowered his voice quickly, closed the distance, and spoke faster and faster like a machine gun.
"We need to support Bale, we need to rally behind Bale. We need to take our chances."
"The league doesn't pay attention to running backs at all. For the sake of ratings, they have been advocating passing the ball and completely abolishing the ground attack of football. They just hope that the game will become more and more gorgeous and continue to advocate the status of the quarterback, not to mention running. Even the defensive team was completely ignored."
"In the football world, winning on defense is called an ugly win; in the rugby world, the league doesn't bother to mention the defense at all."
"Running back?"
"It doesn't exist."
"This offseason, people are paying attention to Smith, Cousins, and Rodgers, but what about the news focusing on Bell? They are all calling him greedy. God, he just doesn't want to be labeled with the franchise tag for the second consecutive year. Pittsburgh is simply Use him like a dog, give him all the dirty work, but give him a bone."
"No one cares, understand?"
"No one!"
"If we don't speak up for him, he'll be left alone to face attacks from the entire league."
"We have enemies on all sides now. The team will not support us. Players in other positions who need to compete with us for the salary cap will not support us. Those high-ranking quarterbacks will not speak for us. We only have each other. ”
"Bell needs us. We need to stand up to those devils in Pittsburgh."
"You enjoyed those lights and the applause, now it's time to repay the favor."
Snap.
Hunter dropped a bunch of words indifferently, without giving Levi time to respond. He distanced himself and turned around to leave.
Levi:......
To a large extent, Hunter is right. Although those words are a bit harsh and extreme, they are indeed true——
The running back is indeed isolated, and the situation is getting worse bit by bit.
For leagues and teams that put profits first, they will not be comrades of running backs.
But there is one thing. Targeting the league and the team will not solve the problem, because the team is the employer who finally writes the salary and the check——
There is no problem in offending the Pittsburgh Steelers, there are 31 other teams in the league; but indiscriminately attacking the league and team owners will only push the running backs into the predicament of alienation.
Anyone can vent their anger mindlessly like Hunter did; but this will not help Bell and other running backs gain substantial benefits.
Just look at Cousins. This is an example of doing big things in silence.
Levi hopes to communicate with Hunter, and the running backs need to unite all their efforts. In fact, Levi can understand Hunter. There is a reason why he is so anxious and urgent. Hunter also made a stunning debut last season. Even though Levi turned out to be brilliant, Hunter still received a lot of praise from professionals and fans. Praise, which means hope -
The hope of securing a big contract.
Whether he stays in Kansas City or moves on to another player, Hunter will be able to secure a promising contract for himself.
Here, there is a difference between Levi and Hunter, not only because they are contenders on the same team, but also because they are in different draft rounds.
As mentioned before, the difference in draft rounds can be directly reflected in contracts.
One is annual salary.
The second is security deposit.
First-round picks are often called "golden boys" because their contracts are often fully guaranteed with a few exceptions; but starting from the second round, the guaranteed part of the contract is significantly different.
Take second-round rookies as an example. Their contract guarantees gradually decrease from 50% in the first year to only 25% in the fourth year. There are a bunch of performance clauses in the contract. If you don't pay attention to the salary, you may be Exploitation.
Moreover, the number of third-round rookies and fourth-round rookies will gradually decrease from now on.
It is precisely because of this that teams can often lay off these second-round picks and beyond in the third and fourth years without worrying about the impact of the salary cap; but the first-round pick's contract is fully guaranteed, occupying There is a salary cap, so teams often need to be cautious when making decisions.
In this year's draft, Lamar Jackson was selected at the buzzer by the Baltimore Ravens with the 32nd overall pick in the first round. You can imagine the turmoil in his heart.
Levi was a first-round pick.
Hunter was a third-round pick.
In other words, the risks faced by two people in the future are completely different.
Even though it is only his second year, Hunter has already begun to become restless. He needs to plan for himself. The second and third years are the key points.
Therefore, Levi can understand Hunter's anxiety.
but--
The communication could not be completed. Hunter just put down his thoughts and output them. He turned around and left without paying attention to Levi's opinions.
Levi looked a little helpless.
Thinking about it from another angle, it’s okay for Hunter to do things according to Hunter’s method, and Levi to do things according to Levi’s method, otherwise no one will be able to convince anyone.
really.
At the end of the first day of training camp, a crowd of reporters gathered outside the training base of the University of Missouri in the small town of St. Joseph.
The players were slightly surprised, and Houston also made a rare joke, "It seems that the defending champions are indeed treated differently."
Amidst the roar of laughter, the reporters couldn't wait to call out the names of Hunter and Levi. Some of the quickest responders immediately understood what was going on.
Hunter looked back at Levi deeply, and then walked towards reporters with his head held high; Mahomes and Kelsey all looked at Levi with confusion, but now is not the best time to explain. opportunity.
Hunter, full fire, no reservations——
Not only criticized the league for stigmatizing running backs, but also accused the team of not paying enough attention to running backs. Top running backs like Gurley and Bell need to beg for a contract worth only half of Cousins. This is a shame and everyone needs to face up to this farce.
Radical, sharp, bold, crazy.
As Hunter said, he took a chance.
(End of chapter)