It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

[Chyli]

So, this will be my next idea/project. I’ll still be doing the PAC-12 Project, but I always wanted a change of pace from the franchise. I’ll be playing the role of Sebastian Tucker (after two of the best kickers from my generation). I’ll be posting from his point of view, with ‘diary like’ entries about how he feels/felt about the draft, high moments, low moments, etc.

There will also be game highlights, as I will be super-sim until I actually get him good enough to be in the game lol.

Platform: PS 2
Quarter Length: 15 minutes
Skill Level: All-Madden
Injuries: On
Pre-Existing Injuries: On
Game Fatigue: On
Random Weather: On

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

SEASON STANDINGS RECAP:

Year 2010: Saints 9-7 (No Playoffs, 7th overall)

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

AWARDS RECAP:

2010: None

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

SUPER BOWL RECAP

Year 2010: Jaguars 17 — 49ers 10
Year 2011:

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

Reserved for Sebastian’s season by season stats

Year 2010: No Games Played (N/A)
Year 2011: (preseason) 5/8 FG — 8/9 XP
Year 2011: (regular season)

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

(Feel free to post, if I forgot something then meh)

The time was 3:15am on April 23rd, 2010. Sebastian sat up in his hotel bed, and reached for his pen and paper. He began to write, whatever spilled out from brain to paper...

Today is day 2 of the NFL draft. I can’t sleep, nerves and anxiousness keep me from sleeping. Will today be the day my dream is realized, that a tall and lanky kid out of the University of Washington gets his name called. My senior year wasn’t great, missed 5 extra points as well as 5 or 6 field goals that may haunt me since one cost us the Apple Cup against our rivals. I missed my entire junior year with a broken leg. I have to believe I myself, in my talent that got me to this point.

Fast forward 12 hours...

Sebastian was sitting at home, hanging out with friends and family when his phone rang, it was Sean Payton You wanna be a Saint young man?

Roger Goodell stepped up to the podium as he made the call that would change Sebastian’s life forever With the 32nd pick of the third round, the New Orleans Saints select Sebastian Tucker from the University of Washington

Sebastian cried as he knew his dream was coming true, he looked to the screen to see Todd McShay and Chris Berman talking about him. Talking about his senior year stats, how he projected into the Saints system, how they felt about the pick overall. It was all surreal, like a dream. His momma give him a big hug, he knew it was real at that point.

The coming weeks was a whirlwind of emotions and information thrown at him. He had to hire an agent...but who would take some third round rookie on as a client. He then found Bob Plunkett, who didn’t mind taking a flier on Sebastian. Sebastian like Plunket, he was kinda goofy, but he just knew that he would be a good influence on him. He may be a poor negotiator and getting endorsement deals, but Sebastian needed someone to guide him more than anything else.

A day or two after he was selected by the Saints, Bob had emailed him. “Hey kid, I got you, your first ever NFL contact. They played hardball, but I did the best I could. You got a 2year deal worth $660K total. They’ll give you $20K as a bonus, guaranteed money. Way to go kid”

Now that an agent was hired, he was thrust into training camp with the real footballers. He managed to hold his own, but he was staring up at Garret Hartley the incumbent kicker, who was younger and more talented then him. He took advantage of every practice he could, to get better at his craft.

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

Sebastian survived training camp, and improved a little bit each day, with each rep he took. He also survived the preseason cuts, and was still a Saint at the end. He took the time to write in his journal.

Preseason starts tomorrow and I just can’t seem to crack the depth chart. I’m even behind the punter Moorman as the backup kicker, I’m third string. Am I gonna make it, can I even make the starting squad. I’ve got to have faith in myself, in my talent. I’ll keep working hard, showing the Saints staff my mettle and worth.

The first regular season game was at home, on Thursday Night Football versus the Vikings on September 9th. The Saints lost by a score of 28-9. The Vikings knocked out Drew Brees after a single pass attempt. He didn’t return to the game, due to concussion protocol. Chase Daniels struggled as he was picked off twice by Cedric Griffin. The Vikings ran for over 200 yards as Toby Gethart ran for a pair of touchdowns and AP got a touchdown as well.

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

Sebastian was called into the head coaches office and the two had a conversation. Coach Payton conveyed what he wanted to see out of the young man over the course of the football year. He felt the goals weren’t anything out of reach, and he said the first goal will set up all the rest.

The goals set forth before him were:
Attend 32 practices
Kick 2 extra points
Kick 1 field goal

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

Sebastian wrote in his journal after the heartbreaking loss on Monday Night Football on September 20th...

Wow...just wow. I figured we had that game in hand, we hung 43 on San Francisco’s defense. Brees threw for almost 250 yards and 2 touchdowns. Pierre Thomas ran for a freakish 220 yards...damn. I can’t believe we lost in overtime, on a punt return. We’re 0-2 now, but I’ve got to focus on upcoming practice, getting better so I can help my team and not just be on the damned sidelines.

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

It was the night of September 26th, 2010 a hair past midnight. Sebastian was just falling to sleep after he wrote in his journal for one of his biggest moments...

We did it! I finally got to experience my first win as part of an NFL team! We beat the rival Atlanta Falcons in the Superdome in front of thousands of raucous and rowdy fans! The defense was swarming the quarterback, and dragged him down an insane 13 times! I hope Matt Ryan is okay, even if the teams are rivals he’s still a person...right. I sure hope my teammates don’t find this!?

Anyways, Bobby McCray got 3 sacks. Tony Hargrove got 2 sacks and a forced fumble. It was sweet to get the 31-14 victory. It’s only up from here!

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

The calendar turned to the month of October, as the Saints were 1-2 early on in the season. Sebastian, was working hard at the practices held during the week, as well as game plans. He could tell he was getting better, his leg strength was improving. His kicks were longer, but he still struggled with his accuracy on kicks longer than 40-yard.

We took a few minutes to jot down his thoughts...

The Saints are 1-2, and we are in the bottom of the NFC South race. Our next opponent is against the Carolina Panthers who are leading the division with a 3-0 record. We’ve got Brees, Shockley, Bush, Thomas. If we win this game, we can gain some ground.

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

We jumped out to an early lead, and scored 17 points in the first quarter. Reggie Bush was an electric jolt by scoring ok a punt return. We let them back in the game over the next two quarters, as we went into the locker room with a 24-14 lead.

Carolina made a game of it during the fourth as they trailed 31-21. They tied the game with 6:46 left in the game as Steve Smith caught the game tying score. We pulled off the victory as Brees led us to victory, as the man ahead of me on the depth chart, got the game winning 30-yard field goal with :04 left in the game.

We now have 2 win, both against our division rivals. We are finding our groove, hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.

Sebastian wrote, thrilled to see his team win, even if he hasn’t seen the actual field of play in the regular season. It was a big win on October 3rd, it drew them one game closer to Carolina who was handed their first loss of the season, as New Orleans was now 2-2.

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

It was Monday the 18th, on day after the Saints took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sebastian took time to write in his journal since there were no practices going on today...

We improved to 4-2 on the year and are tied for 2nd place in the NFC South with Atlanta. Carolina is in 1st with a 4-1 record, but were are right there. The only bad thing, Drew Brees suffered an ankle injury last game as he was sacked. Chase Daniels will now man the helm next week versus the Browns after he finished out the second half this game. This game versus Tampa was close. We won 17-13, and Sedrick Ellis made the play of the game. Ellis broke through the double team and put a big hit on Josh Johnson, causing a fumble. He gathered it up and ran it back for the touchdown to put us up 14-0, and we kept them off the board on the final minutes to secure the win.

My buddy Dex, told me he watched the game, and hoped I’d see the field soon. It was nice to hear from him. The weekly grind of the practicing and game plan sessions are becoming part of the norm at least, compared to the beginning of things, until next week...

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

Tests came back on Brees’ ankle and it looks like he will be out for the next 8-10 weeks. A big blow to our team, he’s a leader in the locker room. It was a convincing win versus the now 0-7 Browns, it feels good to have a complete game like that. Chase Daniel threw a pair of interceptions on the day, but tossed a trio of touchdown passes, two of them to Marques Colton. I know that not all the games will be that convincing in our favor, but it’s a nice thought right?

Devery Henderson got the game ball for offense, as he caught 7 of 11 targets for 141 yards.

Jonathan Vilma got the game ball for his defensive dominance: 15 tackles (5 for loss)

Mom emailed me, said she missed me and wondered when I was gonna make it home. She teased me with her steak and garlic mashed potatoes...that sounds really good right now

[Chyli]

Re: It Splits The Uprights...The story of kicker Sebastian Tucker (superstar M11 PS2)

It was Halloween and New Orleans had finished playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Superdome. Sebastian had showered and went home to his apartment on the bayou...

The voodoo wasn’t enough to pull out the win tonight. Pittsburgh doubled us up, 20-10. Our defense played well, forced 4 interceptions from “Big Ben”, but our offense got going too little too late. We dropped to 5-3 on the year, hopefully we can right the ship next week versus the Panthers. If we win, we will have the same record, and possibly the division lead.