The NFL Draft is a complex and thrilling affair, owing to the many player positions and the hard salary cap, which allows little room for adjustments. Although there are still four months until the Draft, and the race for NFL playoff spots is reaching its peak, attention has already shifted to Draft strategies. Beyond open tactics, there are schemes, traps, and all manner of hidden moves unfolding.
Rivera, being a savvy veteran, knew how to leverage Shula's previous experience with the Jacksonville Jaguars to gather intelligence for their draft strategy.
Similarly, Shula wasn't far behind in cunning, "Coach, at the Jaguars, GM Caldwell values marketability. So even if they're interested in Lance, it won't be purely due to his skill set. All we need to do is steer their attention towards Watson's appeal."
Rivera raised an eyebrow, "Deshaun Watson?"
Pausing for a moment, Rivera shook his head, "Rather than pushing for Watson, why not promote Lamar Jackson? He's got even more market value than Watson."
Shula pitched another idea, "If that's the case, shouldn't we boost Watson's Heisman campaign to prevent Caldwell from eyeing Lance because of the Heisman?"
Rivera shook his head once more, his expression turning contemplative, "We not only have to guard against outsiders but also keep an eye on the internal situation."
He left it at that.
But Shula understood instantly—
Carolina Panthers GM Dave Gettleman wasn't interested in drafting a running back.
Back in April, at the Draft, Rivera and Gettleman had fiercely disagreed—not only did they pass on selecting a running back in the first round, but they also missed out on Derrick Henry in the second.
The Panthers paid a heavy price for that decision this season.
Now, with the new Draft just around the corner, the question was: Would Gettleman heed Rivera's advice to select a running back this time?
If they wanted Gettleman to consider Lance seriously, the Heisman Trophy could be a crucial factor.
Thus, if the Panthers hoped to compete with the Jaguars at the Draft, they needed to bolster their leverage—
Like improving their draft pick position.
In the NFL Draft, a difference of even a single pick in the first round could mean millions of dollars in value.
Shula looked at Rivera, who remained composed yet resolute, and sighed softly, realizing Rivera's likely decision:
So be it.
With the season at its end and both mental and physical exhaustion reaching their peak, it made sense for the team to ease up in their final game, avoiding unnecessary risks and injuries while preparing for the next season. There was no need to harm a division rival at their own expense.
In the long run, this was a strategic calculation.
Meanwhile, all eyes remained on Lance.
From an overall standpoint, running backs faced growing challenges in both the NFL and NCAA. However, opinions varied between head coaches and general managers. No head coach, not even those in pass-heavy West Coast offenses, would outright deny the importance of a running back.
With Alabama claiming the Peach Bowl and advancing to the National Championship game, Lance capped off his first 2,000-yard season and came close to matching last year's Heisman winner, Derrick Henry. This put him squarely in the spotlight as the hot topic.
The reason? It was clear—
Derrick Henry's power and toughness were visible to the naked eye. His dominance and success were impressive, yet not entirely unexpected.
Lance, on the other hand, was different. From his appearance to his lack of experience and background, this rookie running back managed to achieve the same results but with a completely different impact.
Step by step, Lance was becoming the biggest surprise on the NCAA stage this year.
On the other side, Deshaun Watson couldn't stay silent any longer.
For Watson, this season had not been easy.
Last year, an inexperienced Watson was overshadowed by both Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey, finishing third in the Heisman voting.
This season, despite his improvements, Watson once again found himself overshadowed. In the first half, it was Jackson stealing the show; in the second half, it was Lance.
How did this feel?
It was like being the golden supporting character in a soap opera—always doing the hard work, taking hits, enduring drama, and receiving applause, yet never standing in the main spotlight. In the end, all that effort seemed to amount to nothing.
Moreover,
Adding insult to injury, the Clemson Tigers were dominant and top-tier throughout the season. They defeated their tough rivals and closely trailed Alabama's Crimson Tide, while Jackson's Louisville Cardinals fell off the radar, leaving Clemson among the top contenders.
But then—
They stumbled near the finish line, much like Louisville, as Watson experienced a nerve-wracking three minutes against unranked Pittsburgh University. Clemson lost at home, "43-42," failing to maintain their perfect season.
Despite the disappointment, Clemson's strong overall performance mitigated the damage, and they managed to regain their footing, securing the second spot in the NCAA rankings and advancing to the National Championship stage.
Even so, Watson couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
With both Jackson and Watson stumbling, these two Heisman contenders found themselves embarrassed, turning their frustrations towards Lance.
Jackson was out of the picture and had no chance to prove himself. But Watson still had an opportunity—one that he desperately wanted. His desire to prove himself was stronger and more intense than ever.
He needed to make his voice heard and prove his worth—
He was not just a supporting role.
If the NCAA season had only one true star in 2016, he was determined to be that star: Deshaun Watson.
He would defeat Lance. He would step on Lance's shoulders to claim victory. He would win the championship outright and make every doubting media outlet eat their words.
December 31st, 9 AM, the Peach Bowl kicked off first.
After watching Alabama dominate Washington and seeing Lance's continued stellar performance, Clemson's energy surged without needing any additional motivation from the coaches. The team was more united than ever.
At 3 PM, the Fiesta Bowl commenced at the Arizona Cardinals' home, University of Phoenix Stadium. Second-ranked Clemson faced third-ranked Ohio State University.
It was a clash of titans, head-to-head.
Both teams had identical 12-1 records and showcased top-tier talent, making this matchup a toss-up. Victory would come down to execution on the day, and both sides had a real shot.
But, unexpectedly—
Watson said, I beg to differ.
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Powerstones?
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