Remember Tomorrow - A TCY/FOF Dynasty

[Cap Ologist]

Well, that will either work or I'll find myself out of a job.

[JeeberD]

Don't forget about the salad! Everyone knows that as long as you come in the restaurant you can eat all the salad you want...no matter if you order an entree or not!

[Cap Ologist]

I'm not much of a salad eater. Mrs. Ologist is though, so she usually eats salad while I work on the breadsticks.

[Franklinnoble]

2031 - Postseason

Michael Ryan had a solid year for a rookie QB, leading the Scorpions to a 12-4 record, and another divisional title.

Some passing stats of note:

  Player              Pos Team  GP GS Att  Cmp  Pct   Yards Avg   Lg  TD   Int  Sck  Yards Rating    
Gayle, German         QB  JAX   16 16 504  337  66.8  4602  9.13  84  30   10    31   207   107.4 
Utley, Nelson         QB  SFO   16 16 536  348  64.9  4678  8.72  74  39   13    46   293   106.6
Nissen, Bernard       QB  NJY   16 16 575  372  64.6  4603  8.00  61  30   9     44   287   100.1 
**Ryan, Michael       QB  ARI   16 16 482  291  60.3  3329  6.90  44  20   16    20   138   81.1 

So, it was a good season for former Scorpions QBs as well.


Other noteable stats:

Front Office Football 2004
Rushing Statistics
   
  Player              Pos Team  GP GS Att  Yards Avg   Lg  TD  
Jenkins, Wayne        RB  CLE   16 16 476  1949  4.09  60  12     
**Stiehl, Wade        RB  ARI   16 16 348  1879  5.39  80  13  

Looks like that trade for Stiehl worked out.

Receiving Statistics
  Player              Pos Team  GP GS Targ Ctch Yards Avg   YAC   Lg   TD  
Butts, Brian          WR  OAK   15 15 175  82   1143  13.9  211   48   8
Thomas, Avery         WR  SDO   16 16 125  77   1412  18.3  284   74   14     
**Travers, Tyrus      WR  ARI   16 16 104  61   818   13.4  105   40   6      
Mack, JeebieD         TE  MIN   16 16 102  61   983   16.1  258   65   9

Defensive Statistics
  Player              Pos Team  GP GS Tckl Asst Sack Blkd Hurr  
Gunner, Bill          S   BUF   16 16 105  45   2.5  2    1      
Gunner, Brad          OLB HOU   16 16 85   26   2.5  0    1      
Mighty, Al, Jr.       DE  SEA   16 16 43   22   7.5  7    12     
Thomas, Dennis        CB  NJY   16 16 74   27   0.0  0    1      
Hass, Samuel          ILB SFO   16 16 78   32   1.5  1    1      

Robbie Rodriguez only started 7 games, and had 30 tackles.  Sterling Ice only played in three games, and had 3 tackles.

Pass Coverage Statistics   
  Player              Pos Team  GP GS Ints IRYd TD   Defn Cght PPly PDPct 
Thomas, Dennis        CB  NJY   16 16 7    74   1    15   51   640   20.2   
**Yost, Stephen       S   ARI   16 16 4    30   0    18   34   553   20.9   
Gunner, Brad          OLB HOU   16 16 2    6    0    15   54   575   19.2   
Gunner, Bill          S   BUF   16 16 2    2    0    8    44   517   18.9   

The Scorpions had a first-round bye.

In the second round, they hosted the Green Bay Packers, and narrowly escaped, by a score of 30-27.

Fortunately for Arizona, the Carolina Panthers had upset the top-seeded New York Giants, so the conference title game would also be at home. Unfortunately for Arizona, the Panthers proved why they had been able to upset the Giants, and the Scorpions title defense ended with a 20-24 loss to Carolina. The Panthers defense proved formidable, holding Ryan to 167 yards passing, and Stiehl to just 81 yards rushing.

Carolina lost the Super Bowl to New England by a score of 31-20.

Ryan was named offensive rookie of the year. Bill Gunner was defensive ROY.

[Franklinnoble]

I don't think I can trade for Mack, at least not yet. His contract includes about $3 million per year in pro-rated bonus money, and I doubt the AI will eat that.

Get your 2032 draft suggestions in now.

[Franklinnoble]

Last call for draft picks... I want to close the file this afternoon.

[MacroGuru]

Keli Tohara
FB
Hawaii

EDIT: Oh and he is 5'8 240 and runs a 4.48 40

[laffercurve]

If the draft file editor allows height editing:

T Ben Davidson Iowa is 6'-10"!! He's a TCY stud too.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by laffercurve

If the draft file editor allows height editing:

T Ben Davidson Iowa is 6'-10"!! He's a TCY stud too.

I can edit just about anything. What's he weigh?

[laffercurve]

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

I can edit just about anything. What's he weigh?

379 monstrous pounds.

[StanGunner]

re: Bill Gunner ROY!! yes!

[Franklinnoble]

Alright... guess I close up the draft file with these two.

I added a few of my own:

QB's Jeff George and Ryan Leaf - could be decent starters, but very volatile.
RB Bo Jackson - awesome, but highly injury prone.

[Franklinnoble]

2032 - Offseason - Part One

The Scorpions were in better cap shape this year, with about $10 million free. They did, however, have several key players in the last year of their deals, and would probably spend most of that money renewing their contracts.

Franklin decided that the passing game needed more weapons for Ryan to thrive, so he made a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, sending Barlup, this year's #29 pick, and next year's first round pick, to the Vikes, in exchange for TE JeebieD Mack.

(expensive sucker, I'll tell you that...)

The move gives the Scorpions a little more cap space, and, more importantly, bolsters the receiving corps for the young QB. Mack should also provide decent blocking on rushing plays.

[JeeberD]

I'm worth every single penny, Franky...


WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, UTEP

[Ragone]

Please get me outta oakland.. these 80 year olds wearing silver and black spiked shoulderpads scare me

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

I'm worth every single penny, Franky...


WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, UTEP

It's not the contract cost that bothers me, it's the amount I had to give up in picks and players to acquire him. Hopefully, he'll improve both the rushing and the passing game.

Draft is already closed, Higgins will have to wait until next year.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by Ragone

Please get me outta oakland.. these 80 year olds wearing silver and black spiked shoulderpads scare me

That will be difficult. Butts is a stud-boy up there... while he's not a fan favorite yet (the kiss of death for any trade), his contract has $7.4 million in bonus money for the next three years. And Oakland will want a king's ransom in players and picks for him.

I'd love to have another top-shelf receiver like that, but I don't think it's doable this year.

[Ragone]

Well i noticed oakland had another top 5 pick.. and picked another wr...

[JeeberD]

Bumpikins

[Franklinnoble]

Yeah, I know... been in training all week... update is overdue...

[JeeberD]

Whenever you've got time, bud...

[Franklinnoble]

Offseason 2032 - Part II

Franklin sat down at the conference table in the middle of the "War room" at Scorpions headquarters in Tempe. There were digital display panels on all the walls with draft prospects listed on them. Statistical information and game film could be accessed with the touch of a finger. This allowed the front office to analyze and compare every college player in this year's draft.

The meeting was joined by lead scout Brenden Babic and head coach Roosevelt Sharpe and his staff. The purpose was to make some final preparations for tomorrow's draft.

"Brenden, bring up the hot list." The hot list was comprised of the top prospects available in the draft. They were the players that were expected to make an immediate impact on any team that claimed them, and were considered worth trading for, if possible.

Babic punched the keypad in front of him, and the main display now presented the following list:

Bo Jackson - RB - Auburn: Exceptional talent. Only drawback is his work ethic - doesn't seem to care much for conditioning.

Ben Davidson - T - Iowa: Enormous behemoth of an offensive lineman.

Keli Tohara - FB - Hawaii: All-around offensive threat, blocking, rushing, and catching.

Jeff George - QB - Illinois: Rare talent, especially with long passes. Could be a bit of a head case.

Franklin spoke. "It's a short list, folks. And we don't have much to work with this year." The Scorpions had the #19 pick in the first round, and late picks in rounds 3 and 5.

"We need a good wide receiver, and we could use a tackle like Davidson, but there's no way he falls that far. We'll have to watch the late rounds and see if there is any hidden talent there." said coach Sharpe.

Babic nodded. "It might be best to trade out completely and hope for better prospects next year. There's not a lot to choose from that will fix any immediate need for us."

"Is ther anyone worth taking with a late pick?" Franklin asked.

Coach Sharpe spoke. "George Morrison will probably be around late. Wide receiver from Minnesota. He's probably too short to make it, but he's a smart kid with decent hands."

Franklin looked over the scouting report on Morrison. He was, by most reports, only the 15th best receiver in the draft. "Alright. If he's around in the fifth round, we'll have a look at him. Unless anything crazy happens, I think we're going to trade the first and third rounders."

***

Draft day began, and the first round, up to the Scorpions pick, went as follows:

1. St. Louis - Jacskson, Bo, RB, Auburn
2. Oakland - Moore, Allan, CB, Presbyterian
3. Cincinnati - Davidson, Ben, T, Iowa
4. Houston - George, Jeff, QB, Illinois
5. Philadelphia - David, Miguel, RB, Fayetteville St.
6. Tennessee - Hubbard, Cristian, QB,
7. Buffalo - Copeland, Jerry, OLB, Morehead State
8. Tampa Bay - Pruitt, Dawson, T, South Dakota
9. Minnesota - Powers, Gage, DT, Brockport State
10. Dallas - Williamson, Kyle, G, Buena Vista
11. New York - Key, Ben, C, Juniata
12. Detroit - Craft, Jeffery, G, Union
13. Tennessee - Jefferson, Brennan, ILB, Morris Brown
14. Indianapolis - Pollard, Kareem, T, Colorado
15. Chicago - George, Marlon, QB, California - Davis
16. Denver - McConnell, Antony, RB, Tufts
17. Baltimore - Reynolds, Felipe, WR, Centre
18. Jacksonville - Soto, Cristopher, CB, Widener

Keli Tohara was easily worth the pick, but Arizona already had two very good FB's on the roster. Babic spoke up. "There's another guy out there now that might be worth a look."

"Who?" Franklin asked.

"Ryan Leaf."

"You've got to be kidding. He's a head-case. That's why he's still on the board."

"Well, we need a third QB. It might be worth a shot."

"No. I'm not paying first-round money to a #3 QB, even on speculation. We're making that trade with Cincinnati."

The Bengals had agreed to trade their first and second round picks next year for Arizona's first and third round picks this year. As long as Cincinnati didn't break out into a playoff team this year, it would be a good deal for the Scorpions.

By the fifth round, there was no great talent available that couldn't be had as an undrafted free agent, and the Scorpions traded their pick to Buffalo for their 5th round pick next year.

There were a few free agent signings after the draft, and then the Scorpions made preparations for training camp.

[Franklinnoble]

2032 - Postseason

The Scorpions finished 11-5, earning a division title and a first-round bye in the playoffs, thanks mostly to the continued development of QB Michael Ryan, who improved his rating to 95.0, passing for 29 TDs and 12 INTs.

Running back Wade "the man of" Stiehl had 1405 yards rushing and 14 TDs.

The consensus is that if Arizona had a few more solid offensive linemen, they would be almost unstoppable. They already boasted the #2 offense in the league.

The Scorpions hosted the Bears in the divisional round of the playoffs, and soundly beat them by a score of 41-17. In the conference title game, they hosted Seattle, and won 27-24 on a last minute touchdown reception by TE JeebieD Mack.

Arizona prepared for their second trip to the Super Bowl, this time against the San Diego Chargers. The Scorpions were listed as 6 point favorites.

[Franklinnoble]

Tempe, Arizona
January, 2033

Arizona State Sun Devils Head Coach Jake Plummer sat in his office with offensive coordinator Keith Poole.

"So, where do we want to play Churchill next year?" mused Plummer.

"Wherever we want him. The kid single-handedly won his high school team a state title out of nowhere. He was an option QB, and he played at linebacker as well. He can run, pass, catch, tackle... hell, he can even punt." Churchill was probably the best high school athlete in the country, but hadn't garnered as much attention as he should have out of high school, as he only played one year of football. Besides, he had been dead-set on going to Arizona State. The Devils had just lost the Holiday Bowl, and Plummer needed a good season from his team to keep his job. Churchill had red-shirted, but probably could have played.

"Well, think it over. We need to make a decision before we start mini-camp."

So, where should Calvin Churchill play? Go vote in the poll! http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/f...ad.php?t=35301

[Franklinnoble]

Lawrence, Kansas
Super Bowl Sunday

Memorial Stadium, like most major college football stadiums, had undergone major renovations during the last 20 years. It boasted a sophisticated heated playing surface, and a retractable canopy that could be deployed in the event of bad weather.

The forecast for today was 43 degrees and sunny - ideal football weather. Franklin stood on the sidelines and watched the teams warm up. The Chargers starting QB was T.J. Delgado, a solid starter that was well suited for the west-coast offense that San Diego ran, and a player that had initially been drafted in the fifth round by the Scorpions in 2026.

Franklin turned to Coach Sharpe. "Wonder why we ever let him go. He looks pretty good."

Sharpe shrugged. "Before my time boss. He was pretty low on the depth chart at the time, and only played in a few games over the two years he was here. He bounced around a bit before he caught on for the Chargers."

"So, what do you think? Can we beat these guys?"

"Boss, on paper, we ought to smoke 'em. But, you know how it is. There's no telling until we get things started."

Franklin nodded. "Well, good luck. I'll see you after the game."

Franklin returned to the suite to watch the game. It was closer than expected. Delgado had a career game, completing 31 of 39 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns. But it wasn't enough for the Chargers, who got nowhere rushing against the Scorpions, and couldn't match the 347 passing yards of game MVP Michael Ryan and the 133 rushing yards of Wade Stiehl.

The Scorpions captured their second Super Bowl title by a score of 37-34.

[Franklinnoble]

Ok.. get your draft suggestions in for 2033.

I already have Jeebs - WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, UTEP

Don't forget to vote in the Calvin Churchill poll...

[MacroGuru]

Lets see

Dave Smith
SS
University of Memphis

[illinifan999]

AJ Shields
QB, Norfolk State University

[sterlingice]

Bill Whittimore, QB Kansas

SI

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

2032 - Postseason
In the conference title game, they hosted Seattle, and won 27-24 on a last minute touchdown reception by TE JeebieD Mack.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!

Hey now... no strongarm tactics, or you'll be a free-agent punter by this time next season.

[JeeberD]

Don't steal the putti, Franky...

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Don't steal the putti, Franky...

It's "shoplift the pooty."

Time for a remedial viewing of Jerry Maguire.

Hey, at least the girlfriend might go for it.

[JeeberD]

Meh...I thought about looking up the exact quote but I got lazy...

[JeeberD]

bumpsters

[Franklinnoble]

Working on the draft file now. I need to beef up some more of the talent... I'm a little worried that the draft classes have been thin, especially at the less glamorous positions.

It could be that the player file generator I used to start the league created too many good players... but what I'm seeing is that, aside from the guys we're adding manually, the original players from that file are much better than the draft generated players. So, not a lot of young guys are making it in the league.

[Franklinnoble]

Crap.

It's been a week or so since I opened this game. I must have screwed up and jumped ahead to the free agency period before saving last.

No draft import this year. So, I'll save your picks for next season.

Sorry about that...

[Franklinnoble]

Tempe, Arizona
March, 2033


The golden age of the Scorpions was in grave danger. The salary cap was becoming more difficult to fit under every year, and this off-season would probably demand some cuts. Several players were in the final years of their contracts, and not all could be re-signed. Others would have to go to make room for rookies - sadly, a single aging veteran could be moved out of the way for two or three younger players, and Arizona needed the added depth.

MLB Wilbert McElrath was the biggest victim. McElrath was a 9th year veteran from San Jose State. He had been a relatively obscure journeyman before arriving in Arizona in 2030. He didn't start that year, but in 31 and 32, he recorded over 100 tackles, and had found his place in the heart of a very good defense. But now he wanted big money to re-negotiate, and he was no longer a luxury the Scorpions could afford.

Arizona traded him to Detroit, along with their first round pick in next year's draft, and 2nd, 4th, and 5th round picks in this draft, in exchange for third year veteran MLB Robbie Rodriguez from UTEP. Rodriguez had started in 15 games last year and had 86 tackles. More importantly, he had three years left on his contract at a very manageable salary.

The Scorpions biggest needs were at G, DE, and WR. They could also use a "shut-down" CB, but couldn't afford one. With enough renegotiation to afford the draft picks they had, there would be no room for early free agency.

At pick #13, there's a tough decision to make. The offensive guard that the Scorpions expected to draft is still there, but unexpectedly, so is WR Dale Long, a bonafide deep threat that could really put a spark in the passing game. There's no way both guys wait until round two - and Arizona decides to draft Long, in hopes of patching the offensive line through other means.

In round two, the Scorpions select CB Colin Lawson from Purdue, and in round three, they select G Charlie Haskins from Temple. They trade the remainder of their picks to Tennessee for their fourth rounder next season.

[JeeberD]

Robbie!!!

Excellent...soon the Scorpions will be filled with nothing but Miners...

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Robbie!!!

Excellent...soon the Scorpions will be filled with nothing but Miners...

Got lucky with that one... although as soon as his contract is up, it will be very difficult to keep him.

[Franklinnoble]

Tempe, Arizona
September, 2033

Franklin was reviewing ticket sales figures in his office when John walked in.

"Bloody ingrates. Fresh off our second Super Bowl win in three years, and we only sell 36,600 season tickets." Franklin muttered.

"Well, you did raise prices quite a bit." John offered.

"Whatever. Our prices were the lowest in the league. Right now, they're only 16th - right in the middle, and very fair for a good team in a good stadium. We're losing too much money."

"Give them time. Folks around here aren't quite used to having a good professional football team."

"Yeah, you're right. Listen, you're going to have to watch things while I'm up north."

"I expected as much. This is going to be a busy season. You sure you can pull this off?"

"Sure I'm sure." Franklin put down the computer and started towards the door. "I've got to get changed. Give me a call if anything comes up."

***

Calvin Churchill lived in a modest one-bedroom apartment just off the Arizona State Campus. His phone rang as he was packing his bags for Camp Tontozona, the Sun Devils training camp.

"Hello?"

"Is this Calvin Churchill?" a female voice inquired.

"Yes. Who's this?"

"This is Debbie Bolles, with the Arizona State Press. I'm covering the Devils football team this year, and I wonder if I could ask you a few questions."

"How'd you get this number?" Calvin kept to himself, and no more than a handful of people had his phone number.

"I'm sorry... I have a few contacts in the Athletic Department. I hope you don't mind."

"No, it's OK. Just try to keep it to yourself. Anyhow, I'm getting ready to leave for camp - I can only take a minute."

"That's fine, I just wanted to see if you had any comment on Coach Plummer's decision to play you at running back this year. Are you disappointed that you won't be quarterbacking the team?"

"Not at all. I'm happy to play wherever I can help the team the most."

"What about the rumors that you might also be considered at middle linebacker?"

"Well, I played both ways in high school. If the team needs me there, I think I can manage it."

"Speaking of high school, I was doing some research; lots of people remember you at Mountain Pointe, but I can't find anyone at El Dorado High School in California that knows who you are. Even some of the teachers you had have no memory of you. Were you really that anonymous?"

"Well, uh, I've always been kind of quiet. I was a late bloomer, and wasn't really cut out for sports when I was younger. When I moved to Phoenix, I decided to give football a try, and it worked out for me. I'm sure if I hadn't played, nobody would remember me. Anyhow, I've got to get going."

"OK, well, maybe we can talk again after training camp. Thanks for your time."

Calvin hung up, and shrugged. He figured the questions about his past would come sooner or later, but he wasn't too worried about it. You couldn't investigate what wasn't there.

[mhass]

[Eerie organ music]

[Franklinnoble]

Bonus points if you can figure out who Debbie Bolles is...

[mhass]

Debra LaFave's bastard child with me. Obviously.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by mhass

Debra LaFave's bastard child with me. Obviously.

Possibly. But that's really not what I had in mind.

[Franklinnoble]

Glendale, Arizona
2033 Regular Season
Week 13

The Scorpions were hosting New Orleans at the Googleplex when disaster struck in the third quarter.

Arizona could clinch a playoff spot today, as they remained the only undefeated team in the league, at 11-0. They were ahead of the Saints by a score of 21-0 when quarterback Michael Ryan was sacked for a loss of 11 yards, and his ACL.

Ryan was done for the season. The Scorpions won the game 24-6, and improved to 12-0, but the bigger concern was for the team's chances in the playoffs. Franklin met with coach Sharpe after the game.

"Well, I guess it's up to Cohn." Jackie Cohn was a 7th year veteran from Oregon State, drafted by the Scorpions in the third round in 2027. He was a decent quarterback, but had been a career backup.

Coach Sharpe nodded. "He looked a little rusty today, but that's to be expected. He's been around a while, and knows the offense as well as anyone else on the team."

"We're already in the playoffs - the question is, can we still win when we get there?"

Sharpe shrugged. "We've got plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. This isn't the end of the world. We've got a pretty soft schedule the rest of the way. Cohn will have four games to get up to speed, and we'll probably still earn a bye, giving us a few more weeks work. I like our chances."

***

Coach Sharpe was right to be optimistic. Cohn kept the Scorpions perfect season intact, while posting a respectable QB rating of 96.9. Arizona would enjoy a first round bye, and home field advantage in the playoffs.

[Franklinnoble]

Los Angeles
Memorial Coliseum
Super Bowl Sunday
February, 2034


Ron Welch sat in front of his computer in the press box at the Coliseum, sipping a cup of coffee and researching Caribbean travel packages online. It was early, and the pre-game wouldn't even start for several hours, but he liked finding a good spot before the crowd arrived. He hardly noticed the young woman who walked up and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, is this seat here taken?"

Ron looked up. "No, go ahead."

"Thanks." The woman set down her purse and laptop. "You're Ron Welch, aren't you?"

"Yep."

She extended her hand. "I'm Debbie Bolles. Arizona State Press. I love your work."

"Thanks. State Press, huh? I didn't realize they sent a reporter out here."

"They don't, usually. But a, uh, friend of mine is on the Sun Devils football team, and I guess the Scorpions owner is a big fan and all, and he made some calls, and, well, here I am."

"Who's your friend?"

"Calvin Churchill."

Ron grinned. "No wonder you're the only reporter he talks to."

Debbie seemed affronted. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ron shook his head. "No offense. You're just very pretty, and I've been trying to get an interview with him for months."

"Oh. Well, Calvin likes to keep to himself."

"So I've noticed. So, Mr. Brown is a fan of his?"

"Mr. Brown is a big fan of the Sun Devils. He gives a lot of money to the program."

Ron nodded. "That I know. Did Calvin come out here with you?"

"No, I wish he had, but he said he had some schoolwork to catch up on."

"Do you believe that?"

Debbie smiled. "No. But he's a little odd that way. I haven't quite figured him out yet."

"Not the jealous type, are you?"

"What makes you think..." Debbie blushed. "Well, anyway, I'm sure it's not another woman he's fooling around with. Calvin has absolutely NO social life. All his teammates say he just shows up for class, practice, and games, and that he works hard and does what's best for the team, but they can never get him to go to parties or anything like that. Any time I call him, he's usually at home, in the library, having coffee, whatever."

"Sounds kind of boring."

"You'd think. But he's actually a very interesting guy, and a lot smarter than most jocks I know. He's just quiet. And he's got secrets. I don't know what they are, but I suppose he has a troubled past or something - he never wants to talk about it."

Ron changed the subject. "So, who do you like today?"

"Miami."

"Miami!?! You're not buying into all that 'ghosts of 1972' business, are you?"

"Hey, they've got awesome receivers. And our secondary is our only weakness. It could happen."

Ron chuckled. "They'd be dangerous if they had a decent quarterback, but even our backup is better than Andy Berry." Berry had actually put up decent numbers, but they weren't as good as Cohn's, and nowhere near those of Ryan. Still, the media was eating up the fact that the first team to make it to the Super Bowl undefeated was playing the last team to do so. If anything, it put more pressure on the Dolphins.

"Well, I'm not too impressed with Jackie Cohn. He had a soft schedule in the regular season, and they barely beat Tampa Bay and Philadelphia at home." That much was true - both games had been decided by 5 points or less, and the Scorpions offense wasn't the same since Ryan had gone down to injury.

Ron nodded. "Well, it should be a good game either way. Personally, I think Wade Stiehl is going to run all over these guys."

***

Ron was right.

Wade Stiehl had 32 carries for 204 yards and three touchdowns.

The Scorpions repeated as Super Bowl Champions, defeating the Miami Dolphins 35-21 to become the first team to go undefeated in sixty years.

[Franklinnoble]

Cooktown, Australia
February, 2034


The global economic and political landscape had changed drastically in the last thirty years. The United States of America was still the world's chief superpower, but it was no longer alone in that regard. China had a substantial military, as did Russia.

The United Nations no longer existed. It had become largely irrelevant, and was eventually dissolved. The Western Hemisphere was almost an entirely self-contained economy, with the emerging nations in South America doing brisk trade with the United States. Canada's socialist government had fell into ruin, and the country was relegated to almost third-world status - a place, like Mexico, for America to get cheap labor and cheap manufacturing.

Europe still did business with the west, as did most of the middle east, but Asia, Africa, and Australia, along with the Pacific Islands, had formed an almost entirely separate global economy. Political relations between the East and West were as frayed as they had been during the Cold War, only now, there was little chance of the East failing economically. India, China, and Japan all were stable, and didn't need the West to prop them up.

Trade between the East and West was still done, but almost on an "under the table" basis. Shipping was common between the East and countries like Mexico and Canada, but there were no formal trade agreements in place, and the U.S. did not officially do business with eastern nations.

Australia had nearly reverted to its status as a penal colony. Geographically and politically disconnected from the west, it was a haven for organized criminals and those who just wanted to disappear from polite society.

There was no more wretched hive of scum and villany than Cooktown, Australia. With almost no presence of law enforcement, Cooktown was known as a clearing house for drugs, weapons, and illegal contraband of every variety. It was also home to former U.S. Navy Captain Ardent Enthusiast.

[Franklinnoble]

***


Cooktown, Australia
February, 2034


As recently as 2030, Ardent Enthusiast was a bonafide hero in the U.S. Navy. There had been a series of skirmishes in the Indian Ocean between India and the United States, and while it hadn't escalated into full-scale war, it produced legendary naval battles.

India had been conducting acts of piracy against trade vessels from Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and the United States had intervened. The Indian navy proved more formidable than expected, and several Indian submarines had successfully sunk or crippled four U.S. ships, including an aircraft carrier.

Ardent had been a Lt. Commander on the USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship, when she was struck at night by torpedoes from an Indian submarine. With the ship crippled and taking on water, most of her compliment of helicopters were deployed to hunt for the sub while awaiting reinforcements. Ardent was on the flight deck when a missile from an Indian MiG struck the bridge, killing most of the ranking officers. Ardent took command, and directed the crew to respond with surface to air missiles to dispatch the enemy MiGs.

Knowing that reinforcements were still hours away, and that he still had a crew of over 2,000 men that he was responsible for, Ardent made the bold decision to fire a cruise missile at the Indian airbase that was sure to send more warplanes in his direction. The missile carried a low-yield nuclear warhead, and leveled the airbase, and everything for three miles in each direction.

That provoked the rest of the Indian navy, and, more importantly, the submarines that had been hunting the US warships. With American aircraft now on full alert, and the Indian communications scrambled with the loss of their largest base in the region, the submarines were compelled to surface for new orders. They were methodically sunk, two of them by helicopters from the Iwo Jima.

It was an international incident that had almost sent the U.S. to full-scale war, but the Indians had been punched square in the nose, and wanted no more of the United States. Their pirate operations were suspended. Ardent was promoted to Captain, one of the youngest in Naval history, and the Iwo Jima limped to Kuwait for repairs.

Eight months later, Ardent's career in the Navy was over. He had been arrested while on shore leave in Saudi Arabia for beating a Saudi prince half to death. Some say it was over a woman, but few people know for sure. Ardent had been dishonorably discharged, and the case files were sealed. He knew nothing outside of life in the Navy, and briefly found work as a captain for a merchant vessel in the Phillipines, but his employer had gone bankrupt, leaving him stranded in Cooktown. That was two years ago.

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[Poli]

I always tell people they wouldn't like me when I'm angry.