Chapter 567: Disaster leads to trouble in the east
Noisy.
The defending champion Kansas Chiefs grabbed the spotlight on the first day of voluntary spring training camp and deservedly stole the spotlight.
On the one hand, because of Hunter's outspoken and explosive remarks, the running backs were on the opposite side of the team and the league, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
On the other hand, Levi's response was overwhelming, but while supporting Bell, he wisely threw all the controversy and confusion at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Obviously, Levi is also putting pressure on the Pittsburgh Steelers, but more subtly and more subtly——
Praise and kill.
A conspiracy to push the Pittsburgh Steelers to the forefront with praise and affirmation. They wholeheartedly believe that Tomlin can make the right decision. On the surface, everything goes along with the Pittsburgh Steelers' own official response, but the hidden bones are the bones that put the Pittsburgh Steelers in the spotlight. People are roasted on the fire.
"Believe in the Pittsburgh Steelers." That innocent expression made the Pittsburgh Steelers' mouth twitch and he could only smile.
and.
The real brilliance of Levi is that he did not simply pit the quarterback against the running back, nor did he prepare to pit the running back against other players who were also competing for salary. On the contrary, he secured alliances for the running back, allowing him to Players unite to fight for their interests,
Inadvertently and subtly, Levi reminded that it's not just running backs who are marginalized and stigmatized these days, but also safeties and linebackers.
Behind the league's single-minded pursuit of commercial interests, the team's offensive and defensive tactics have undergone tremendous changes due to rule changes, so that the status and value of players in different positions on the court have passively changed, and then face different difficulties. This is a situation that everyone is facing. situation that needs to be faced.
Today is Bell, what about tomorrow?
Today it’s running back, what about next?
Who can guarantee that he will not be the next one to be ignored, harmed and optimized?
At least now, safeties and linebackers are starting to feel the crisis.
Levi, on the other hand, planted a seed and waited quietly for it to take root and sprout. Then, even if it was just some inclination of opinion or change of attitude, it might become the driving force for the running back to change the situation.
At this moment, they need to unite all possible forces——
Players and players are truly partners on the same side.
It seems that he just wrote the letter lightly, but in fact he has a hidden edge to control the overall situation.
At that time, while at St. Joseph's, Vicky was once again impressed, savoring the profound meaning of Levi's words, and reacted immediately:
Perhaps, the problem at hand is that Hunter has poked a big hole; but Hunter is so straightforward that there is no need to worry. Levi's response has diverted attention. The media will not catch the Kansas Chief, but Pittsburgh. The steel man was roasted on the fire.
The same will be true for future salary negotiations. Hunter who is reckless will be easier to solve, but Levi who is strategizing will be a thorny problem.
Perhaps, in the eyes of some, the team needs to be wary of Levi.
However, Veitch disagrees.
Because Levi is proving his worth, not only in the stadium, but also in the locker room and outside the stadium. As a leader, as a symbol, as a flag, the potential he has shown is being tapped bit by bit, and he is becoming the Kansas Chief. key factors in transformation.
This is also the reason why Reed believed Levi could achieve greatness.
If Levi can maintain this momentum, continue to prove himself, and grow into a banner for the Kansas City Chiefs; then Veach will not mind using a history-breaking contract to retain the core of the Kansas City Chiefs' dynasty.
You need to take a long-term view.
At that point, it’s a win-win situation.
To be honest, Veach not only has no headaches, but also has some expectations - there are thirty-two teams in the league, each team is looking for its own cornerstone quarterback, and expects the cornerstone quarterback to grow into a team leader. By fundamentally changing the team's situation, it will not only have the ability to compete for the Super Bowl championship, but also grow into a long-term competitive team.
Cornerstone quarterback? Next, it depends on whether Mahomes can meet expectations.
Team leader? There is a strong candidate right in front of you.
Veach can't help but gear up and look forward to the new season, the performance of Levi and Mahomes, and how high Levi can grow.
Now, public opinion on social networks is overwhelmingly behind Levi and supporting Bell, which also proves the judgment of Vicky and the reporters on the scene.
Although Hunter's words caused controversy, and although there are still differences in the discussion about running back salary in the industry, overall, Levi's words still played a positive role, allowing fans to cheer for Bell, not just Pittsburgh Steelers fans, but other fans. The masses also joined in.
Pittsburgh Steelers, the pressure is on.
but.
Things cannot be settled overnight. The tug-of-war negotiations between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bell will still take some time, and the waves are still going on.
A small exception is that Levi's popularity has once again increased. After finishing second in the regular season MVP voting and Super Bowl MVP, the young rookie running back has received more and more recognition, no longer just because of his Asian identity. A rookie who has gained the league's special attention.
Just last month, Forbes released the 2017 NFL player income rankings.
Among them, Levi ranked among the top five.
Not only is he the only rookie in the top 10, he's also the only running back in the top 10 -- the other nine are all quarterbacks.
Imagine that Levi's rookie salary is only eight million US dollars per year, but he has surpassed all the veterans in the league and the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in his own class, and has risen to this list at a rocket rate. What is the reason?
Endorsement.
According to Forbes' estimates, although Levi's has not released detailed figures for each endorsement contract, they believe that Levi's endorsement fees have easily exceeded 30 million US dollars; and, this offseason, there are still a series of contracts under negotiation .
His Asian identity, his rookie experience, and his Super Bowl championship ring all make Levi's worth continue to rise, and it can't stop at all. Now you can see sponsors constantly waving checks in the hope of attracting Levi's attention. , scrambling to deliver the check to their doorstep.
In terms of endorsements alone, Levi has surpassed Brady, Brees, Watt and other players, becoming the current number one in the league, far ahead.
Finally, on the Forbes list, this scene appeared.
No. 1, Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks quarterback.
Second place, Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.
Third place, Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints quarterback.
Fourth place, Tom Brady, New England Patriots quarterback.
Fifth place, Levi, Kansas Chiefs running back.
Sixth place, Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers quarterback.
The painting style is a little bit strange, and you can see an "extraordinary" one at a glance.
In other words, this is enough to make Levi a thorn in the side of others, and there should be many envious, jealous and hateful eyes; however, the reality is slightly different.
Levi is getting rid of the label of Asian and the influence of Goodell's official recommendation, and has a real place of his own in the league.
(End of chapter)