[MIJB#19]

Jerry Aubrey, From All IHOF Selection To Backup Tight End?
It was late December 2004. RayCo, Tennessee walked out for the all important IHOF football game that should help the Raiders reach the playoffs. The opposition were the worst team in the league, the Maassluis Merchantmen.
After the first half, Rodger Mowery and Brian Hartsock had already clinched the victory, leading their men to a 24-0 halftime lead. The third quarter just started with a kickoff resulting in a touchback.
First-and-ten at the Maassluis 20-yard line. Center Tom Schwartz snaps the ball. Quarterback Justin McDavid catches. McDavid looks around. The #81 is open. McDavid launches the ball. #81 catches. He runs past his defender. He breakes a few tackles. He scores! Jerry Aubrey brings the Merchantmen closer in the game.
Jerry Aubrey, tight end, a 33-year old football player, scored on an 80-yard reception for a touchdown. The guy immediatly gives a high five to the #86, who is up for the next play.
Kickoff to Maassluis. Car Coles kicks. The RayCo returner walks towards the 30-yard line. He's tackled byte #49. He fumbles! #86 recovers the fumble at the RayCo 28-yard line! Jim Reiser gives the Merchantmen possession!
Jim Reiser, tight end, a guy with potential to be a playmaking receiver. He set up a drive in which the earlier mention Aubrey had a key run block on third down and scores his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard pass.
That day, Jerry Aubrey improved his statistics enough to earn All IHOF honors. Owners league wide complained and called North Plainfield Plague's Brenden Drumm the better player, yet the award giving people recognized Aubrey's blocking skills and big play receiving over Drumm's consistency.
Eight months later, the discussion has started, Aubrey is aging and his backup has improved. Jim Reiser had a tremendous pre-season with 8 receptions for 105 yards and 1 touchdown. Additionally, the Reiser jersey's are selling like candy, the 24 year-old tight end has the repuatation of he most loyal person in the universe.
It was early September 2005. The Maassluis Merchantmen pay their first game of the season at home and just recently announced that rookie quarterback Leonard Lyon is the new leader. However, the last player on offense entering the field before Lyon is announced is the only All IHOF first team selection: Jerry Aubrey.
The experts are shocked, people saw how Aubrey was McDavid's favourite target, yet Leonard Lyon did well with Reiser in the lineup. Lyon with Aubrey, could that work? The answer was no, Aubrey has 2 catches for 4 yards and the fans silently asked for a return of Fumblin' Justin, the Lyon wasn't ready.
Next game, McDavid replaces the injured Lyon and the Merchantmen face their strongest opponent of the regular season. Jerry Aubrey is targeted 14 times and grabs a total of 6 balls for 43 yards. Signs of declining skills are visible, but as long as McDavid is playing, Aubrey will be a main target.
Head coach Rodney van der Woude is just happy having both: "What's wrong with having a proven star and a young hot prospect sharing time? You're gonna miss one of them when he gets injured." McDavid said: "We have the best performing tight end in the league. Jerry blocks, he catches and gains yards. He does all there is to be done on offense."
Jim Reiser on the situation: "Sure I want to play, a lot. But when you're backing up such a talented person, I should be proud. My days will come the next years". General manager M.IJ.B.: "We opted to trade one of the players, but lack of interested kept both around. Now we are just happy to have a great receiver with outstanding depth at such an undervalued position."
The Merchantmen management hoped that Aubrey would become some sort of mentor towards Reiser, yet the rivalry for the starting job seems to avoid it. Maybe the team should try to design an offense better suited to play with both tight ends. But as long as they don't, the discussion will remain.
Aubrey is still healthy enough to block, catch and run. Reiser's potential as a better blocker, better catcher and better runner. Lyon to Reiser, a play called in the future. But today, McDavid to Aubrey is the guanrentee for a first down.