Guts vs Glory

by Jason B. Osoff

  The second exhibition game was a home game. For that game, we were allowed to enjoy the previous night to ourselves, and only had to meet up with the team on game day. As we walked out of our home locker room on game day, I was hit with a mix of emotions. I was back on the same field where we had won a state championship for East Whitaker four years ago. It was exciting to be back, but this time, I was wearing the silver and gold of the Michigan Knights. The stadium wasn’t as full, and the atmosphere wasn’t as charged as our championship game, but I was still fired up because I would be playing on the field that I wanted to make my home for the next several years.

  During that game, I received even less playing time than I had the week before because the starters were given the entire first half to play. The coaches wanted to make sure they had the right athletes as starters, and wanted to see their progress from the previous game. That gave the backups only two quarters to play. With the shorter time, I was only called in for the 4th quarter. For the second game in a row, I was able to successfully protect my quarterback.

  After being impressed with my play in the first two games, the offensive line coach wanted to see how I did playing against defensive starters during the third game. He watched as I held up the defender every time in our previous exhibition games, but wanted to see if that was due to my personal strength, or just the weakness of my opponents. After a few plays, he realized that it was a mixture of both. I was able to stop the starting defender a few times, but not nearly as much as I was able to stop the third-stringers. The starter was a lot stronger than the third-stringers I was used to playing against during the previous games, but no stronger than my opponent in practice. Even in practice, though, I still wasn't at the point where I was stopping him every time.

  The fourth game was much like the first two. I was able to stop the defender every time after being placed back onto the third-string team and was again able to play an entire half. Finally, after four weeks of practices, games, and celebrity status, it was time to see if I made the cut. Once again, I wasn't worried about the others getting cut on the team; only the ones in our offensive line group. Since the team would only need to cut 15 total players in the first round, our offensive line coach only had to cut one of us. It was obvious who his choice would be; he was the only one who couldn't adjust to the life of a professional football player.

  We were presented with our second round of cuts a few days later. Because they were cutting another 22 players, our offensive line coach had to cut four of us. That time, I didn't survive the cut. I was disappointed, but I had also expected the news. Anyway, my goal wasn't to make it to the regular team; my goal was to make it to the practice squad. After getting cut, I joined the 21 other players who got cut that day in a separate conference room. None of us knew who would be getting a second chance to make the team, or who’s dreams would soon be crushed. After a few minutes of waiting patiently in a room full of upset, anxious, scared, and nervous football players, the head coach walked into the room. He explained that only eight of us would be able to come back the next day, while everyone else would have to wait another year to try again. As hoped for, I made it to the practice squad.

  Chapter 84

  Practices during the regular season were no longer held at the local college. Instead, they were located at the Knights’ official training facility. The facility provided everything needed to run practices. There were numerous small meeting rooms for positional groups, two large meeting rooms for the entire team, a cafeteria just for the players and staff, a state-of-the-art weight lifting room, a separate room with cardio machines surrounded by an indoor track, and an indoor playing field so practices could be held no matter what the weather was. The practice days were shorter than the days at training camp, but more intense. Right at the beginning, the eight of us on the practice squad were pulled together and briefed on our new roles.

  We would be an important part of the team, without actually being on the team. Just like in college, we weren't allowed to attend any games with the team, and were used to help improve the regular team. However, there were numerous differences compared to college football. We would be working out every day with the regular roster players. We would be part of the same workouts that they were a part of. During practices, we would be used in various ways and we wouldn't have set positions. The practice squad wasn't just used to help the regular roster guys; it was also a way to develop younger players while stashing away guys to be used later in the season. Unfortunately, we would only be able to play on the practice squad for two years. And sadly, in those two years, we could be released at any point. The good news was that we would be making more than $6,000 a week. Although it seemed like a lot of money, we would only be paid during the season.

  The coach then gave us more definitive roles. Four of us would be linemen. We would either be used as defenders to help with the offensive line, or as offenders to help with the defensive line. Two guys in the group were used as both running backs and middle linebackers. On offense, they would be the ones running the ball. While on defense, they would stand about five yards behind the defensive line and would tackle anyone coming at them. The last two guys would be used as wide receivers and defensive backs. While on offense, they would catch the ball. While on defense, they would stand 10 yards behind the middle linebackers, or 15 yards behind the defensive linemen, and would defend against wide receivers that went out for longer passing plays.

  After that quick meeting, we joined the rest of the team on the indoor practice field. My group of linemen was asked to help out the defensive line. Just like in previous practices, we stood on the line of scrimmage and blocked the defenders from getting by us. It was fun because we were able to hit other people, while staying in our small groups. In college, we had only been allowed to go full-contact when working as a full team. After an hour of working with the defenders, we were sent to join the offensive line. It was now our goal to get past the offensive line at any cost. For me, it would be the first time playing as a defender in four years.

  It wasn`t quite like riding a bike, but it didn't take long for me to feel comfortable at the defensive end spot. I knew where to stand and I knew how to attack once the ball was snapped; what I forgot about was how to successfully get past the guy on the other side. Once I stood up, I got knocked back down. That fall brought a couple of thoughts to my mind, as I lied there peacefully. First of all, the last time I went against an offensive lineman was in high school. Although it was in the state championship game, it was nowhere near the elite level I was currently at. Second of all, I would have to remember to put my hands out and expect the lineman to be there, otherwise he would continue to dominate me. I would have to prepare for him and make a plan to get around him, just like I did as a Hornet. My strength would have to be my biggest weapon once again. Finally, I would have to get back up. Just like in training camp, I would have to get up no matter how many times I fell down. I didn't expect myself to get past the guy much, but I did expect myself to get back up every time. And with that, I was ready for the next hit.

  The rest of the practice was a struggle, but I didn't let it bother me. I knew I could get kicked off the practice squad at any time, but I also knew that the practice squad was used to develop new talent and the coaches were more interested in personal growth than failure. I would have to use the squad as an opportunity to get back into my defensive shape. I knew I wouldn't make the roster right away, but I also knew I only had two years to get there. After practice, we spent an hour in the weight room.

  Chapter 85

  With the first day of regular-season practice out of the way, we had three more practice days left until the first game of the season. The second day was spent in our linemen group. Again, the offense worked separate from the defense, but we were able to work with both groups. I was more than comfortable as a center, and I was starting to get more comfortable as a defensive end. Even though I didn't get past the offensive tackle very often, I remind
ed myself that I was no longer on the college scout team.

  When I was on the scout team, it was our job to make our starters better football players. We would have to be perfect for them to get better at their position. If we did well, they did well. If we did poorly, we were off the team. As a professional practice squad member, however, there was less pressure. The guys on the regular roster would use other guys from the regular roster to practice on. We were more or less tackling dummies for the rest of the team. So even though I wasn’t quite at my full potential as a defensive end, I didn't have to worry about my spot on the team because the offensive tackle would still be able to improve later in the week against the starting defensive end. I just had to make sure that I was constantly improving.

  By the third day of that week, we had a different assignment. While the team was working in a big group, the eight of us blocked against each other on the line of scrimmage so that the kickers and punters could practice kicking during real-game situations. The task was easy because we didn't hit hard. The special teams coach simply wanted the kickers to work on kicking while feeling the pressure of the defenders coming at them. It got monotonous after two hours, but it gave us something different to do as members of the Michigan Knights.

  The team ran a scrimmage at the end of the week. There was a scorekeeper controlling the scoreboard, as well as the game clock. It was just like our spring game at USM, as players were hitting each other as hard as they could, . Even the quarterback was getting hit during the scrimmage. The coaches allowed him to get hit because they would rather have him get hit during practice and learn, than to get hit during a game and lose. With the scrimmage going on, the eight of us were left to be spectators. Basically, we were allowed to watch the Knights play a game without paying for admission.

  After two days off, it was game day again. Unlike our pre-season games, we had to watch the game from home. With the extra day off, I was able to utilize our home gym. While working out, I was able to watch my new team play. It was cool seeing all of the familiar faces. When the game was over, the Knights had triumphed. It was the first time in five years that they were able to win their first game of the season. The victory could've been due to Mike’s 2 touchdowns and 200 yards of rushing, but I gave all of the credit to the linemen; somebody had to.

  Chapter 86

  After the first game of the season, the practice schedule changed a bit. Because the game was on Sunday, we were given Monday off, allowing the team some time to recover. The first two days of practice that week would be spent reviewing game film in small groups, then working on correcting errors committed during the game. The third day was a walk-through day with the first half being spent in small groups, while the second half was a full team session. On Friday, the team ran through another exhibition-type scrimmage. The team would have only one more day off before game day. If the game was an away game, the day before and the day after the game were used as travel days.

  As members of the practice squad, we were allowed to watch game film in any group of our choosing. It allowed us to better ourselves on the practice squad while progressing as players trying to make the regular team. I chose to watch film with the defensive line because, not only did I need to spend most of my time working on defense, but I had also re-kindled my passion for the position.

  In our Tuesday and Wednesday practice sessions, our group continued to help the offensive and defensive lines. We conducted the same drills as usual, but ran them more effectively as we were becoming stronger players. On Thursday, we assisted with the walk-throughs in both the big and small groups. But on Friday, we again watched from the sidelines. The schedule remained constant for the rest of the season, while our group of eight remained intact. None of us were kicked off the team during the season, but none of us were called up either. As players got injured, they were replaced by one of us during practices. By Sunday, however, our team had usually traded players with other teams to replace the injured player.

  When I wasn't practicing, I was at home. I spent the time either working out, or working with Christine on the plans for the wedding. She loved her job as a teacher, and was making good money at it. She had nights and weekends off, which allowed us to spend more time together. We especially loved our Sundays because, after a nice breakfast prepared by his personal chef, we would watch Mike play.

  Not all of Mike’s games were like his first, but he did manage to rush for over 1,000 yards that season. He also averaged almost one touchdown per game. His averages weren't all-star status, but they certainly justified his starting role. He was, however, disappointed in his performance during the season and felt responsible for the Knights not making it to the playoffs.

  Even though the Knights missed the playoffs by only 2 games that season, they still had a better record than the previous year. After a long season of 16 regular season games, I would call it a successful season overall. I became even more comfortable at defense and wanted to play the following season more than ever.

  Chapter 87

  While I was earning it, $6,000 a week seemed like a lot of money. Once the season was over, though, I had no income. Fortunately, we were living with Mike at no cost. Unfortunately, we had a wedding, a honeymoon, and a future home of our own to pay for. I saved my money as I earned it on the team, but it wasn't enough to cover everything. We decided that with the money Christine was bringing in, I would only have to work a short-term job to make up for our additional income needs.

  I had a degree in business, but didn't worry about using it right away as I only needed a temporary job until the season started back up. At the suggestion of many of the guys on the team, I decided to apply for a job as a security guard. During my interview, the employer was excited about my size, and knew it would be an asset. He wasn't too happy that I would be leaving at the end of June, but understood when I told him why. The job wasn't a glory job, but it paid enough during those six months to supplement our income. I especially made my co-workers happy, who were able to brag that they were making $10 an hour alongside a real Michigan Knight.

  Mike, however, used the off-season to recover. He had many friends from the team to hang out with, but never had an serious girlfriends. He told us that he didn't want to get into a big relationship because most girls seemed to only be attracted his money, not him. He did, however, offer to give us some of his money to help with our plans, but we told him sharing his house with us had been more than enough.

  Finally, on May 18th, our wedding day came. With Mike at my side, and Christine’s sister at hers, we were officially married per the state of Michigan. After a wonderful ceremony, we had a fun reception, celebrating with our family and close friends. I wanted to invite the whole team, but I knew I couldn't afford the food bill. At the end of a long party, we jumped into the car and were off on our honeymoon.

  My boss was kind enough to give me a week off from work. We decided to make the most of that time and took a long road trip. With money tight, we couldn't afford a fancy trip, so we were happy just to spend the time together in the car on a 2-day trip to the Atlantic Ocean. Seeing the ocean was amazing. As we stared into the large body of water, we realized just how small we were compared to the rest of the world. A month later, I finished my career as a security guard. At the end of June, I turned in my badge and turned up the intensity; it was time to get back to work.

  Chapter 88

  Training camp was much easier the second time around. Not only was I prepared for those two weeks, but I was also in better shape. The two weeks seemed to fly by as I already knew what to expect, and the pressure of making the team wasn’t as intense as it had been the previous season. I knew that all I had to do was keep up with the rest of the guys and let my play during the exhibition games determine my status on the team. Just like with the previous season, I used the two hours of hitting after lunch as my opportunity to show off my experience as an offensive lineman.

  In those practices after lunch, I was having a lot more
success against the guys on the team. I could feel myself getting stronger, and I was no longer intimidated by my competition. I continued to stick with the offensive line because I was still more comfortable as a center than I was as a defensive end. Even though I loved the defense, I had to stick with what I was the most comfortable with. I made it clear just how comfortable I was, too. During training camp, I gave the defender a good fight every time the ball was snapped.

  Although my performance on the offensive line was improving, I still didn’t get off the third-string team. I had a year of experience under my belt and was stronger, but my practice opponents had also gotten stronger and gained more experience as well. To make matters worse, the team picked more offensive linemen during the Selection Showcase during the off-season, which gave me even more competition.

  During the four exhibition games, I fought even harder than I did in practice. As a third-stringer, I was allowed to play as much as I had the previous season. Again, I was playing against other third-stringers, so my level of success seemed phenomenal. After those four exhibition games were over, we were called in for our group meeting to discuss the cuts.

  While waiting for the results to come in, I briefly reflected on my progress during the pre-season. I was defiantly getting stronger and felt more comfortable playing at the professional level. I went through all of the exhibition games without letting the defender beat me on the line, but I didn’t get very many matches against the defense. I did have a year of experience, however, I spent that previous season on the practice squad and didn’t get the experience of playing against real opponents during real games. After reflecting, I came to the conclusion that I would no doubt end up spending another season on the practice squad.