This is a typical coach's office. There are all kinds of messy documents stacked on the desk. There is a whiteboard filled with tactics on the wall near the door. In the diagonal corner, there is an old desktop computer and There is a TV set, and the video tapes piled up next to it are full and shaky. That should be the corner where the opponent's game videos are analyzed.
"Sit down." Rick walked around the back of the desk and extended his hand to signal, "If you are worried about sweat staining the seat, I believe the school is very willing to replace it with a brand-new seat for the Rose Bowl champion. "
Rick usually has a straight face, not even many expressions, let alone humorous jokes. Lu Ke couldn't help but be stunned for such an unusual joke, and for the rare moment he didn't answer the question - first Kevin, then Rick, this morning was indeed a bit unusual.
Faced with such a reaction, Rick didn't care, smiled slightly, and continued, "You are a senior this year, right? Have you made a decision now? Participate in the draft? Or seek breakthroughs in other areas?"
"Yes, I have decided. I want to give it a try." Lu Ke's words were plain, but his tone was extremely firm. The understatement of expression revealed the strength of his heart.
This time, Rick was stunned for a moment and laughed dumbly, "Then this would be the best." The words in his heart disappeared. He opened the drawer next to him, took out an envelope, and handed it to Lu Ke , "I was still worried just now. If you give up, will this letter be in vain?"
Lu Ke didn't know why, so he took the envelope and saw the words "Letter of Recommendation" written on the outside. He raised his head and looked at Rick in confusion. Rick gestured with his eyes to let him open it. After getting permission, Lu Ke Then he opened the unsealed envelope, took out the letter inside, and started reading.
This is a letter of recommendation from UCLA head coach Rick Neuheise, officially recommending Lu Ke to participate in the rookie training camp.
The official league of rugby is the International Football League, abbreviated in English as NFL (National-Football-League). It has a total of thirty-two teams, and there are two federations: the American Football Confederation (AFC) and the National Football Confederation (NFC). , each league is composed of four divisions, east, west, north and south, with four teams in each division.
This league is not only the first of the four major professional leagues in North America, but also the largest professional football league in the world. The commercial revenue, audience and market influence of league games make this the most powerful professional sports league in North America. The annual finals are called the Super Bowl, with viewership numbers easily exceeding 100 million, and are nicknamed by domestic media as the "U.S. Spring Festival Gala".
Just like the most familiar NBA draft in China, the NFL also has a draft every year. This is the best way for rookie players from all over the world to show themselves and enter the professional league. Before the official draft, the league will also hold a rookie training camp to bring the rookies together for four days of display and testing. Scouts will make further evaluations and judgments and provide each team with selections.
However, there are thousands of rookies every year, but not everyone can enter the league. The draft lasts for seven rounds, and about 250 rookies will be selected; the rest are all undrafted rookies, and among them, only one player will enter the league. Naturally, rookie training camp cannot accommodate all draft members.
Generally speaking, before the official rookie training camp, the league will issue a series of invitations based on relevant information such as scout reports, on-field performance, and recommendations from professionals, inviting rookies to gather together and participate in in-state training camps in various states. After passing the selection, about 330 rookies were finally selected and went to Indianapolis to participate in training camp——
There, not only senior scouts, but also executives, coaches, and team doctors from the 32 teams will be present.
For Lu Ke, in four years of college, he only participated in one game, plus two minutes, and the scouts did not have any information about him at all. Even if the scouts paid attention, all the data in the first three years were the same. Blank, he is like a monkey jumping out of the cracks in the rocks, and is "unknown" to everyone.
Therefore, although he decided to participate in the draft, his future was dark. Not to mention the rookie training camp, you may not even be able to participate in the in-state selection.
But now, the problem is solved like this. The recommendation letter in his hand comes from Rick, which is enough to become a stepping stone for the state selection and open the door to his draft path!
This gift is really too precious and too heavy. Lu Ke couldn't help but raise his head, his eyes filled with surprise, "Coach!"
Lu Ke and the coach have never had a chance to communicate. Compared to Rick, he is more familiar with Anthony. Before the Rose Bowl, the coaching staff chose Kevin as the starting quarterback. Lu Ke thought...
There was no need for words to explain, a look was enough to explain everything. There was a look of understanding in Rick's eyes. However, he did not explain. He just said lightly, "There is still a gap in the strength of the team. Among this year's lineup , the only ones who have the ability to participate in the draft are Logan, Rahim and you. Logan and Rahim basically have no problem. I think maybe you need a chance to show yourself to everyone, just like you did in the last two It’s the same performance in every game.”
Gone are the days when the Ivy League schools dominated the NCAA football field. Now it is the time when Ohio State University, University of Southern California, Auburn University, University of Alabama, University of Florida, and Louisiana State University jointly rule.
Even USC, where Reggie Bush was formally found guilty last year in an investigation into accepting bribes from sports agents ahead of the 2006 draft, which led to the NCAA fining USC heavily, is now After a setback, they lost to UCLA this year, entering a dark period after the Trojans' decade of glory.
Although the Bruins won this year's Rose Bowl, they were not even among the top eight in the national rankings. Their overall strength was completely blown away by a number of state universities, and they fell behind in every aspect from offense to defense to special teams.
As Rick said, the Bruins only have two draft-worthy players on the team: offensive tight end Logan Newman and defensive linebacker Raheem Moore. However, neither of these two people can reach the level of a first-round pick. As for whether they are a second-round pick or a third-round pick, it depends on their performance in the rookie training camp; if you are not careful, it is possible that the draft rounds will continue to decline. possible.
As for Lu Ke, Rick couldn't make an accurate judgment.
From a purely physical and technical perspective, Lu Ke still has too many shortcomings. Not to mention the draft, even the average level of undrafted rookies is quite poor; but from the perspective of game temperament, Lu Ke has shown top level, regardless of Whether it is a judgment at a critical moment or a decision in a crisis, he can often perform exceptionally in his decisive attacks. His skills of long passing, short passing, footwork and dodge are all eye-catching.
Yes, he's still not good enough; yes, he led the Bruins to the Rose Bowl. It's a paradox that even Rick can't explain.
The head coach of every school is qualified to recommend players, especially the head coach of the Rose Bowl winner. Rick has considered and hesitated. Running back Marcus Lynch, defensive tackle David Carter and others are among his considerations.
After careful consideration, Rick chose Lu Ke. Because Lu Ke has more uncertainties and needs more opportunities for self-expression. His letter of recommendation is enough for the players to enter the in-state selection, but it is still not enough for the rookie training camp. For Marcus and David, they basically have no problem in the in-state training camp and can rely on their own strength. Selected.
After weighing the balance, Lu Ke stood out. Rick knew it was a risk and a gamble. But what about the substitutions at the Rose Bowl?
"Thank you!" A thousand words finally turned into the simplest sentence of thanks, Lu Ke said.
Rick could see the vitality and passion in those eyes. The love and madness in his bones made Rick feel excited. He knew that he had made the right choice. "You won the last two minutes of the game, and at least I could win you a chance to show yourself."
Without too much politeness, Rick stood up and patted Lu Ke on the shoulder, "I look forward to the day when I see you in the professional arena."
"Thank you." Lu Ke said again. It seemed that at this moment, no words could compare to this simple phrase. He turned around and was about to leave, and then heard Rick's voice coming from behind him, "Recommendation letter" , it’s best for me to keep it. I need to send it to the association.”
"Oh!" Lu Ke suddenly realized it, turned around and handed the letter to Rick, and said with a smile, "Then, I will go to train first. Today's training mission has not been completed yet."
It was a day filled with joy and sorrow.
The joy is that he took the first step on the road to the draft; the Bruins won the Rose Bowl, and today is the first time for everyone to celebrate in a sober state; after a season of ups and downs, they can finally win. Started to rest.
Sadly, the moment of farewell has arrived. The senior students hugged each other and said goodbye. After graduation, they will embark on different paths in life. It is unknown whether they will see each other again in the future.
"Have you heard?" Logan could hardly hide the gossip on his face. He walked quickly to Lu Ke, bumped Lu Ke with his shoulder, and said with a wink, "Kevin Price decided not to participate in the draft. "
Lu Ke opened his mouth slightly, which was unexpected but reasonable. Quarterbacks, the league is lacking quarterbacks every year, but the league is also eliminating quarterbacks every year. It is more difficult to make a career in this position than any other position. Even if Kevin participated in the draft, he would probably be an undrafted rookie.
Now, Lu Ke finally understood the reason why Kevin came to the training ground this morning. Farewell, Kevin also welcomed his farewell.
Looking at the green training ground in front of him, Lu Ke couldn't help but feel a little reluctant in his joyful mood.
