Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

[chestnutz6]

(Editors Note: I started one of these a while back called the Philly Liberty, but 1. got bored with it and 2. now I figured out how to post videos and pictures, so those will be coming. I play on all-pro using NJpapi's sliders with 6 minute accelerated clock. I'll be writing from the perspective of a reporter from the Charlotte Post for things such as week wrap ups and previews, and from the perspective of Jordan for game wrap ups and other things.)

Michael Jordan Announces his Interest in Buying a Football Team
The Charlotte Post

Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan announced today that he would be interested in buying the rights to an expansion team in the LFA (Legends Football Association). The league has been in existence for 14 years, and is looking for something to spice it up, to compete against the world-known NFL. The commissioner, David Jones, decided to grant an expansion team to the highest bidder.

Michael Jordan reportedly offered $150 million, a hefty amount for sure. We'll keep you tuned in.

[chestnutz6]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

I got it!

MJ here. After weeks of anticipation, David Jones finally called my house here in Charlotte.

"Hello?" I said.

"Michael, this is David. I'll just cut to the chase because I have a meeting in 5 minutes. Nobody came close to your bid for the team. Congratulations."

I was shocked. "Wow, thank you David. I don't know what to..."

"Then don't say anything. Just answer me this: What city are you thinking of?"

I had been thinking about the location of the team for a while. "Charlotte. Carolina needs another football team."

(voices in the backround)

"ALRIGHT ALRIGHT! Listen Michael, I've got to leave. You can tell me the details later."

I was shocked, ecstatic, overwhelmed, and tired. I needed to tell someone my plans for the team, so here we go...

Name: Charlotte Hornets (an homage to you know what)
Colors: Navy and yellow
Uniforms:

David had talked to me about this idea he had. To draw more attention to the league, he decided to hold a draft. Every player from every team would be in the pool of players, and depending on how teams finished in the past, they would get more players to choose. After choosing 11 players to lead their team, they would hold another draft for all the college kids who couldn't make it to the NFL.

I already had a few guys in mind...

[Brandon 2006]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

Very cool storyline with MJ buying the team and how the league teams are picked. Good luck to you in your season. I will be waiting for your update.

[chestnutz6]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

Jordan does well in Draft
The Charlotte Post

Michael Jordan entered the business of football on the right foot, starting with the LFA Draft last night. Here's how his picks went:

1st pick: ILB Dlck Butkus Reasoning: He's a beast in the middle, can lead our team, can stop the run, and defend the pass.
2nd pick: TE Shannon Sharpe Reasoning: One of the most underrated positions in the game, and he can get it done for us.
3rd pick: QB Randall Cunningham Reasoning: He was one of my favorite players when he was playing. He can bring in the crowds and is a very talented QB.
4th pick: DE Ed Too Tall Jones Reasoning: A monster up front who can sack the QB all day.
5th pick: CB Lem Barney Reasoning: A shutdown corner who we'll have to rely on in the passing game.
6th pick: HB Christian Okoye Reasoning: A bulldozer who doesn't need a line to block for him. He blocks for himself and gets those tough yards inside.
7th pick: DT William Perry Reasoning: He can stuff the run with his big body for our 3-4 defense.
8th pick: WR Rob Moore Reasoning: Another sure-catch guy for Randall to throw to.
9th pick: OLB Carl Banks Reasoning: He's a pass rusher on the outside who can pressure the QB along with Too Tall.
10th pick: G Randy Cross Reasoning: Need somebody to block Randall for us.
11th pick: K Jeff Jaeger Reasoning: You wait and see. I guarantee at least one game this year will come down to a field goal, and he'll be key. Every game matters.

So here's how Michael's overall team shapes up...

Offense
QB: Randall Cunningham - Silver
RB: Christian Okoye - Bronze
FB: Thomas Drake
WR: Rob Moore - Bronze
WR: Erik Jensen
TE: Shannon Sharpe - Gold
LT: Tam Staley
LG: Kevin Robinson
C: Kristopher Hayes
RG: Randy Cross - Bronze
RT: Altroy Pederson

Defense
(Left) DE: Curtis Little
DT: William "Fridge" Perry - Bronze
(Right) DE: Ed "Too Tall" Jones - Silver
LOLB: Carl Banks - Bronze
LILB: Dlck Butkus - Gold
RILB: Pete Carroll
ROLB: Stephen Brady
CB: Lem Barney - Silver
CB: Jessie Graham
FS: Chad Russell
SS: Brandon Martinez

Special Teams
KR: Lem Barney
PR: Lem Barney
K: Jeff Jaeger - Bronze
P: Johnny Lindstrom

GENERICS
QB: Pocket passer
RB: Finesse
WR: Deep threat
OL: Pass block
DL: Pass rush
LB: Run support
CB/S: Coverage



Game updates will come tomorrow.

[superjames1992]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

Looks like owning a share of the Charlotte Bobcats is not enough for MJ, he wants to own a football team too! Good luck on your season.

[Brandon 2006]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

Nice looking team. You should be able to hold of opposing offenses pretty well.

[chestnutz6]

Week 1 Preview

Week 1 Preview
The Charlotte Post

For their opening game, the expansion Charlotte Hornets will play the weak Detroit Firebirds in Detroit.

The Firebirds finished last season in the bottom of the LFA, and as a result didn't get many draft picks. With their picks, they got RB Chris Warren, two silver offensive linemen, and QB Lynn Dickey.

Not much power on the defensive end either, with only three bronze legends (two OLB and a FS).

Key Matchups
QB Lynn Dickey vs. CB Lem Barney
RB Chris Warren vs. DT William Perry and DE Too Tall Jones
TE Billy Joe Dupree vs. ILB **** Butkus
OLB John Anderson and Brad Van Pelt vs. Shannon Sharpe

Prediction: Firedbirds - 10, Hornets - 27

[chestnutz6]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

Week 1: (0-0) Charlotte Hornets @ (0-0) lDetroit Firebirds

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Michael here, writing on my laptop from the press box. I'm ready for this game to start! All this thinking and sleepless nights amount to this: opening day. Could I be more excited? I think not.


We force a quick three and out to start the first quarter. A great job by our defense against the pass on that possession. On our second play, Cunningham stares down Sharpe the entire way and throws it right into the hands of the opposing LB for an interception at midfield. Not the way I would have liked our offense to start out.

On 3rd and 5 for them, Lynn Dickey has all day to throw, but his pass is tipped by SS Hugh Blake, tipped again by Bacon, again by Bacon, until Blake finally comes down with it and returns it to the Detroit 35. What a series of events!

Unfortunately we had to settle for a 24 yard FG by Jeff Jaeger. On 1st down from Detroit's 40, Dickey tried his luck again, passing to the single covered Carter. Unfortunately for him, he was covered by Lem Barney, who leaped into the air to pick off the underthrown pass. Reminds me of my jumping days...
At the end of the quarter, the score was 3-0 in our favor, but we were forced to punt after being stopped on 4th and 2.

In the second quarter, our D started off well, forcing a 3 and out again. Our offense looked sharp as we drove down the field with ease. Shannon Sharpe run an out route, and Cunningham threw him the ball as he was wide open. He walked into the endzone and went to bed on the football. After forcing a punt, we had :30 seconds to go to work from our own 19 yard line. On 3rd down, Sharpe caught a big pass in the middle, followed by another big catch by Sharpe down to the 40. Another 5 yard catch later, and Jaeger had a chance to extend the lead. The 51 yard attempt went straight through, and could have been made from 55. 13-0 at the half.


On 3rd and 10 to start the third quarter, Randall Cunningham threw a bullet to the wide open Rob Moore, who ran the extra yards all the way down to the 9 yard line. Another wide open Rob Moore would bobble a catch in the endzone with nobody around. Shannon Sharpe caught the ball on the 1 yard line on 3rd and goal, but was stopped just shy. I called in to tell them I wanted them to go for it. Backup RB Johnathan Pittman rammed it up the middle, and just got the ball over the line to make it 20-0. Coach Williams of Detroit decided to challenge, and won the challenge! No touchdown for us.


After getting the ball out of their endzone, Detroit ran a passing play from the 11. Lynn Dickey was pressured by the blitzing FS Willie Bacon, and was sacked in the endzone to make the score 15-0. Sharpe was again the main target on the next possession for us, with 3 catches, and a 3 yard touchdown. The end of the third quarter left the Firebirds driving in our territory, and the score 22-0.


Dickey was sacked two straight times to start the fourth quarter, as they faced a 3rd and 22. No dice for them. They decide to go for it, and our team was completely shocked, as they dropped a quick pass for the 1st down. On the next play Dickey passed it to his right to R.W. Givens, who waltzed in for a TD.

We made it clear we were intent on keeping the score the way it was, as we kept handing off to our bulldozer Okoye deep into Detroit territory. Jaeger knocked through a short field goal.

With nothing left to do, on 4th and 21 with time winding down, Lem Barney got his second interception in Firebird territory. As Okoye was running down the clock, he broke a few loose to get it down to the 1, where he shattered 2 or 3 tackles en route to the endzone. That made the final score 32-7.



Key Player Stats:
Lynn Dickey: 6-16, 67 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Cunningham: 18-33, 260 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Shannon Sharpe (PotG): 12 rec, 144 yards, 2 TD, 1 drop
Rob Moore: 5 rec, 113 yards, 1 drop
Lem Barney: 5 tackles
Carl Banks: 3 tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack
5 sacks for us
Jaeger: 3-3 FG (24, 51, 35)

Scoring Summary:
1st: 24 yard FG Jeff Jaeger...3-0
2nd: Cunningham pass to Sharpe for 9 yards (Jaeger)...10-0
51 yard FG Jeff Jaeger...13-0
3rd: Sack Willie Bacon for safety...15-0
Cunningham pass to Sharpe for 3 yards (Jaeger)...22-0
4th: Dickey pass to R.W. Givens for 12 yards (Schorejs)...22-7
35 yard FG Jeff Jaeger...25-7
Okoye run for 1 yard (Jaeger)...32-7



So what ya'll think? Too long?

I originally taped the halftime and postgame shows and was going to post them, but for some reason youtube says they're too long, which sucks. I'll do it for next week.

[chestnutz6]

Week 2 Preview

Charlotte to Open at Home Against Boston
The Charlotte Post

After last week's great victory, the city of Charlotte will finally get to see a football team. 70,000+ will gather at Van Dyne Stadium to watch the Hornets take on the 0-1 Minutemen.

Boston is led by DE Deacon Jones (5 tkl, 1 ast, 1 sack) and RB Marcus Allen (21 att, 114 yards). They're stacked on the defensive end, as Jones will get help from FS Cliff Harris (10 tkl, 5 ast) and ILB Joe Schmidt (8 tkl, 1 sack).

The QB for the Minutemen will be Bobby Hebert, who has done well this season with 224 yards on 20-29 passing and a TD in their opening game loss to Washington.

Key Matchups
DE Deacon Jones vs. RB Christian Okoye
FS Cliff Harris vs. QB Randall Cunningham
TE Shannon Sharpe vs. Boston LB
Special Teams

Prediction
We here at the Charlotte Post see special teams playing a big factor in this game. Jeff Jaeger was 3-3 last game, and Shernard Christie was 2-2 for Boston. It sure will be a defensive battle, and the kickers could decide it.
Boston - 13, Charlotte - 16

[chestnutz6]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

(0-1) Boston Minutemen @ (1-0) Charlotte Hornets
September 16, 2007

Offense starts out slow, how would they do later?

Marcus Allen took the second play from scrimmage on a toss, and took it to the house for over 70 yards, as the Minutemen started the 1st quarter off with a bang.

After a drive that only featured one running play, we were faced with 3rd and 9 inside the redzone. Play action, and Rob Moore was left uncovered as he caught the ball while falling into the endzone. 7-7 halfway through the first.

We came up with a big stop on 3rd and 4, forcing Boston to punt. The first would end with our team driving near midfield, tied 7-7.

After a pass interference call on the first play of the second quarter, we had the ball in Minutemen territory. When it looked like we were about to score, Cliff Harris stepped in front of Rob Moore to intercept it at the goalline. He brought it out to the 25. They only gained 3 yards on the drive though, and punted it away.

A 23 yard punt return by Lem Barney, breaking 3 tackles along the way, gave us great field position at Boston's 40. Nothing doing for us on the drive though. At least a few yards would have given Jaeger a chance to kick the field goal, but the Minutemen stepped up. Lindstrom punted the ball inside the Boston 5 yard line, giving the Minutemen a hard road ahead.

That punt turned out to be the play of the half, as a questionable call by Boston (a toss play) left Marcus Allen catching it behind the goalline, where he was swallowed up by our blitz for a safety.

On the second play of our drive though, Cunningham through right into the hands of Joe Schmidt.

On BOSTON'S second play, Bobby Hebert thought he had Lem Barney beat on the fly pattern, put Barney made his third interception in 2 games, by leaping up and grabbing it out of the air, returning it near midfield inside the two minute warning. Following a great sideline catch by Rob Moore and a pass interference call in the redzone, we had 1st and goal from the 4 with :30 left. Christian Okoye pounded it inside for the quick score off the counter. A sack ended the half with us leading, 16-7.

Lem Barney had another great return to midfield to start the third quarter. With the ball on the 14 yard line, Cunningham was pressured to the outside and should have thrown it away. Instead he threw it right into the arms of who else but Cliff Harris in the endzone.

Again, on their second play from scrimmage Hebert threw it into TRIPLE COVERAGE to Troy Drayton. CB James Hakim came up with the underthrown pass (in what some called the play of the week), had some blockers, and outran everyone to the endzone to make the score 23-7. Hey, if our offense can't do it, our defense will!

From midfield, Cunningham dropped back to pass (after a 3 and out) and saw Shannon Sharpe open in the middle of the field. Cliff Harris came swooping down and positioned himself right in front of Sharpe. The ball tipped off of Harris' hand and into the hands of Sharpe, who jogged into the endzone to make the score 30-7. The Minutemen pupnt on their next possession.

We looked to run out the clock to start the 4th quarter. Following a punt, the Minutemen offense took the field and their passing game looked very efficient, converting on a 4th down that would eventually lead to a touchdown catch by the TE for about 7 yards.

We took some time off the clock, and Jaeger knocked an easy field goal to make the score 33-14 with under 2 minutes to go.

With all of the defensive subs in the game, the Minutemen were driving late, and close to the redzone. Our D was in zone coverage, except for CB Jessie Graham, who was covering Marcus Allen outside. Graham jumped the pass and returned it 79 yards for the touchdown.

On the last play of the game, Marc Hand caught a big 50+ yard catch and outran our defense to the endzone, making the final score 40-21.

Key Players
Cunningham: 16-26, 233 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Sharpe (PotG): 7 rec, 139 yards, 1 TD
Rob Moore: 6 rec, 78 yards
Marcus Allen: 8 rec, 69 yards, 58 yards rushing, 1 rushing TD
Blake: 5 tkl, 1 ast, 1 sack, 1 PD
Deacon Jones: 4 tkl, 1 ast, 1 sack

Scoring Summary
1st: Marcus Allen run for 64 yards (Christie)...0-7
Cunningham pass to Rob Moore for 12 yards (Jaeger)...7-7
2nd: Hakim/Blake tackle Allen for loss of 4, safety...9-7
Christian Okoye run for 4 yards (Jaeger)...16-7
3rd: Hebert pass intercepted by James Hakim, returned for 39 yards (Jaeger)...23-7
Cunningham pass to Shannon Sharpe for 45 yards (Jaeger)...30-7
4th: Hebert pass to Kevin Morton for 6 yards (Christie)...30-14
34 yard FG by Jeff Jaeger...33-14
Bobby Hebert pass intercepted by Jessie Graham, returned for 79 yards (Jaeger)...40-14.
Hebert pass to Marc Hand for 56 yards (Christie)...40-21

So not exactly a low scoring, special teams affair game, right? Well, Lem Barney DID average 30 yards a kick return, and Cliff Harris averaged 27. Barney also averaged nearly 10 yards a punt return. AND Jeff Jaeger scored 8 points for us. Still, the star of the show was Shannon Sharpe yet again. Our offense had me worried in the first half, but in the second half we showed our dominance.

[chestnutz6]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

For some reason photobucket won't load the videos, and I'd rather not post on youtube so I won't cram the search results. Anybody know any good alternate sites to upload to? I've tried a few sites but they take forever (like dailymotion).

Anyways, here's the videos. The second part to the halftime show is missing because the video didn't work for some reason.

Halftime vid 1
http://www.dailymotion.com/chestnutz...lftime-s_sport

Post game vid 1

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T-I0IlFk4Yw

Post game vid 2

http://youtube.com/watch?v=v3cnvXcbmvo

[chestnutz6]

Week 3 preview

Hornets set to continue winning ways against Philly
The Charlotte Post

Michael Jordan and his Hornets have been waiting for this game since the begining of the season. Philadelphia is a very good team, despite their 1-1 record. They lost by 9 to Washington last week and handily beat Pittsburgh.

The Charlotte defense will have their hands full with Warren Moon (134 rating, 83% completion, 7 TD, 1 INT) and Tra Thomas (267 yards on 52 carries, 2 rec. TD) in the backfield for the Americans. Moon has Irving Fryar (6 for 100 and 2 TD) and TE Jackie Smith (14 for 92 and 1 TD) at his disposal.

While the defense isn't as talented as the offense, they still have some respectable players. Greg Lloyd (25 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Jessie Tuggle (15 tackles) anchor the linebacking corps, and Eugene Robinson (13 tackles, 12 assists) helps out in the secondary.

Look for the Hornets to stray away from the run this week, with two great OLB. With only one legend in the secondary, Randall Cunningham will have to pass his way into a win for Charlotte.

Key Matchups
TE Shannon Sharpe vs. Philly LB
RB Christian Okoye vs. DT Marty Lyons
QB Warren Moon vs. CB Lem Barney
RB Tra Thomas vs. ILB Dlck Butkus

Prediction
We think Philly will score a load of points. But we also think Charlotte will score a load of points. Who scores more? Hornets, 38-27.

[chestnutz6]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

(1-1) Philadelphia Americans @ (2-0) Charlotte Hornets
September 23, 2007

Could we stop Thurman? A miracle in the making?

To start the first quarter, we got the ball. Okoye broke a big, 30+ yard run on the first play of the game. We couldn't get much going after that though, and Jaeger nailed one through the uprights from 37.

2 plays later, and the score was 7-3 after Thomas broke a big run to the outside with some great blocking.

After a punt for us, we downed it at the 1 yard line. And wouldn't ya know it? Thurman Thomas ran it 99 yards for the touchdown. Unbelievable.

On our next possession, we made a gutsy call. On 4th and 3 near midfield, Cunningham threw an out route to Sharpe, who caught it with a defender in his face for the first down. That ended the first quarter, with the score 14-3.

The following play to start the second quarter, a 10 yard pass to Rob Moore, combined with a late hit put us at Philly's 35. On 2nd down, the FB was wide open with nobody near him, and he could have walked into the endzone, but dropped it. Luckily, on 3rd and 10 Shannon Sharpe came up big after Cunningham bought some time, as they hooked up for a 16 yard touchdown.

After some big runs by Thurman Thomas, it seemed we would finally stop them on 3rd and 5 from midfield. Moon dropped back, and saw 8 guys in coverage. He threw it right to ILB Flugence, who tipped it 3 TIMES, then Willie Bacon tipped it, until it ended up into the hands of the man who's always at the right place at the right time, Hakim.

On 3rd down, in one of the most amazing plays of the season, Cunningham gunned it downfield to Rob Moore. The ball was tipped by Eugene Robinson twice, until it finally looked like it'd hit the ground. Out of nowhere, Shanon SHarpe comes up and makes the shoestring catch, and outruns everyone to the endzone to give us the lead with only seconds remaining! (I had a chance to score again with a few seconds left as Thurman Thomas got decked on a catch and fumbled it, but I forgot I had to press the Y button to pick it up so they recovered it). Score at the half is 17-14.

Our strategy from the beginning was working fairly well. We wanted to get up as soon as possible, so that they'd have to rely on the pass rather than run it with Thomas. So far Thomas has been deadly, so in the third we needed to get things going on offense.

Thurman Thomas. Again. 40 yards. Need I say more? 21-17.

We punt. Come up with a huge stop starting with 2nd and inches, then 3rd and 1 to keep ourselves in the game because everyone in the stadium knew they would have scored again.
Of course, Lem Barney gets wrecked by two defenders and fumbles. Philly recovers and returns it all the way. 28-17.

Now we needed to score. We have to go for it on 4th and 3 late in the third quarter to stay alive. I press the wrong fkn button and I SLIDE with Cunningham. Great. They have the ball deep in our territory, and a horrible call on our part. Their FB takes the handoff, stiffarms our safety, and scores.

After some good passing plays to start the 4th quarter, we go for it on 4th down on the edge of the redzone. Pittman runs it up the middle for the first. A few plays later, again on 4th and goal from the 1, Okoye runs it up the gut to cut the deficit to 11 with three minutes left. We don't get the onside kick. We stop them and they punt it with 2:00left and down the punt at the 4.

Was a comeback brewing? With a minute and a half left, Shannon Sharpe caught a bullet and took it to the house for 41 yards, breaking a key tackle along the way to finish a 96 yard drive in :30 seconds. We had to go for 2, down 35-30. Shannon Sharpe caught a one handed pass in the endzone!!! It all came down to the onside kick...
They recover. How anti-climatic.

Final: 35-32.

Key Players
Cunningham: 17-35, 274 yards, 3 TD
Thurman Thomas: 10 att, 218 yards, 3 TD
Christian Okoye: 13 att, 83 yards, 1 TD
Shannon Sharpe: 11 rec, 188 yards, 3 TD

[chestnutz6]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

Okay here are the highlights for week 3...

Halftime part 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=A-9ehU8HOTc

Postgame part 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=g4g7jJbDkiY

2 point conversion: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OzLbZ7idoR4


Okay this is really making me mad. Halftime parts 2 and 3 failed, as did postgame part 1 and 3. This is just stupid. Does anybody know a good place to upload my videos and I can chain them all together in one video? Photobucket won't work for these videos for some reason (which is weird cause they worked for a video before).

I just won't do the highlight show until I figure this out...

----------------------------------------------------------

Week 4 Preview

Can the Hornets bounce back?
The Charlotte Post

After a rough game last week against Philadelphia, Charlotte will try to get back on track against the Miami Cyclones. The Cyclones are 1-2, with a win last week against Detroit.

The star of the Cyclones is Mr. OJ Simpson (290 yards, 1 TD, 23 rec for 153 yards and 2 TD). Neil O'Donnel (84% complete, 791 yards, 6 TD) will QB Miami, and he's done exceptionally well this year so far. As well as Simpson, he'll throw to Alvin Harper (22 for 184) and Mark Carrier (14 for 299 and 4 TD).

On the defensive side of the ball, Jack Lambert will man the ILB position and has been a force this year, with 25 tackles, 14 assists, and 2.5 sacks. FS Deron Cherry has 34 tackles and 6 assists.

Key Matchups
TE Shannon Sharpe (tied for LFA reception lead with 30 and TD with 6, and well ahead in yards with 471) vs. ILB Jack Lambert
RB OJ Simpson vs. Hornet front 7

Prediction
We predict a medium scoring game, with Miami pulling out a close victory thanks to OJ. 20-17

[Brandon 2006]

Re: Charlotte Hornets (APF 2k8)

Very tight and exciting game. Thomas wrecked your defense pretty bad, but Okoye had some big runs for you.