Dominate the Super Bowl

Rookie Training Camp began.

On the first day, they grouped players by position, quarterbacks with quarterbacks, running backs with running backs, and so on, and then carried out the basic tests.

After the grouping, the position allocation of this year's rookies became clear at a glance.

The position with the most players was Cornerback, with a total of forty players; followed by linemen, thirty-six players; and then Defensive Ends, who were the fourth most numerous with twenty-nine players; it's no wonder everyone said it was a year dominated by defense. Not to mention the quality, the quantity alone was overwhelmingly superior.

As for running backs, there were also twenty-nine players—

The competition was extremely fierce, unbelievably intense.

Imagine, among these twenty-nine running backs, there might only be one or two positions available in the first round, and the second round might have only two to three positions as well. The rest of the players had to squeeze into the third round or might even go undrafted, making the extent of competition beyond imagination.

After entering their groups, the players received their jersey numbers within the groups; McCaffrey got number twenty-two, Li Wei got twenty-three. Could this be considered a coincidence?

In the morning, the group of running backs first underwent basic physical parameter testing, then proceeded with the Cybex test—

This was a professional assessment designed to evaluate the players' flexibility and joint mobility, particularly crucial for assessing those with injuries or a history of injuries; the coaching staff and evaluators paid close attention to the data from this test.

This was followed by an injury assessment, which complemented the Cybex test.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

If the Cybex test examined the current state after injuries, then the injury assessment was about evaluating the history of injuries, the recovery status, and the potential risk of future injuries.

NFL teams took the injury conditions of the players they were interested in very seriously; no team wanted to sign a player who was either prone to injuries or was a liability due to constant injuries.

Especially the running backs.

Basically, the running back position was full of confrontations; it was akin to competing by burning one's body, making injury almost inevitable. Now, with running backs being at a disadvantage in the League, any team looking to choose or sign a running back had to consider even more factors.

Li Wei once again stood under the spotlight.

From a factual analysis, having been a mixed martial arts fighter, Li Wei's body likely had both visible and hidden injuries, leaving potential problems; the past season he had surprisingly carried the banner for Crimson Tide Storm's offense throughout the season, facing football's impacts for the first time, and becoming the targeted player by all NCAA teams.

Naturally, both the Cybex test and the injury assessment needed to be handled with care.

Who knew, beneath a seemingly glorious exterior, was he riddled with countless injuries?

However—

Surprise!

Brand received Li Wei's test data first.

In the Rookie Training Camp, there were no secrets, everything was open and transparent; the NFL even sold the broadcasting rights, allowing the entire nation to watch in real time, from teams to scouts, to interested fans who all could see the happenings of the camp, including all the test data.

The difference was, Brand was on-site at Lucas Oil Stadium, he could slightly gain a half step, first to see the results of the test.

"Healthy, completely healthy."

Brand's confirmation made Harbaugh exclaim in surprise on the other end of the phone.

Of course, Brand himself was almost the same, reviewing the test report again.

"Injury resistance score: eighty-eight."

"I'm not sure, I need to adjust the data, but if I remember correctly, he was the top running back tested so far today."

Over the phone came the sound of Harbaugh clenching his fist in cheer, "I'll head to Indianapolis, I'm catching the afternoon flight and will be there soon."

As the call ended, Brand noticed a chubby figure slowly moving nearby, with plump white cheeks like freshly baked buns. Without even turning his head, he could see the soft chin wobbling in the corner of his eye and instinctively turned to look.

"Coach Reed."

The man was none other than the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Reed.

Reed, with his kindly eyes and constant gentle smile, had a small mustache that fluttered on his chubby cheeks like butterfly wings.

Harbaugh was a disciple of Reed.

In 1998, Harbaugh received his first NFL job in his professional career, going to the Philadelphia Eagles to serve as a coach in the Special Duty Group after coaching in the NCAA.

However, just one season later, as Harbaugh was still adjusting to professional leagues and had not yet fully found his footing, Ray Rhodes, the coach who hired him, lost his job, and the prospects for Harbaugh's career were initially unclear.

Unexpectedly, the new head coach of the Eagles, Reed, who took over in Philadelphia, gave them a chance to reapply and retained four coaches, including Harbaugh.

From then on, Harbaugh learned under Reed for a full nine years until 2008, when he became the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

That year, Harbaugh was not the first choice for Baltimore because he lacked experience as an Offensive or Defensive Coordinator, and he had not even been a head coach in college leagues; despite being forty-six, he was still a relatively inexperienced rookie coach.

But, with recommendations from Andy Reed and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Harbaugh still got the job.

Even though they evolved from mentor to competitors, Reed and Harbaugh remained on good terms.

As Harbaugh's most trusted scout, Brand also knew Reed.

"Hey, Joshua, good morning." Reed took a seat one spot over, slowly and gently beginning to exhale, like Baymax from "Big Hero 6".

Brand flashed a smile, "Great timing, I just spoke with John on the phone, he's planning to come over tomorrow."

Reed pulled out a packet of candies from his pocket, held them in both hands against his chest, and leisurely began to unwrap them, "So, have you discovered anything interesting here?"

Friends are friends, business is business.

Brand naturally wouldn't easily divulge the Baltimore Ravens' draft strategies, but there was no need to hide overly; being too deliberate could easily give away too much. Just then, it was the running backs' turn to appear up front, and Brand casually remarked, "This year's batch of running backs seems quite interesting."

Reed chuckled softly, "Oh, really? Can you elaborate?"

Brand wasn't taken in, "Coach Reed, you have Jamaal Charles, a top-tier running back in the league. Why are you interested in running backs? Wait, is Charles's injury that serious that he might not play next season?"

Reed could immediately detect the probing in Brand's words but kept his composure, speaking slowly, "No need to be so anxious, I was just asking casually. Who's after the running backs, the quarterback group?"

Brand felt a twinge of suspicion; the Kansas City Chiefs weren't lacking quarterbacks, and moreover, this year was not strong for quarterbacks. What was Reed playing at with this smoke bomb?

Here, Brand and Reed were each trying to outmaneuver the other.

However, this scene caught the eye of Revis, not far away, holding a freshly prepared test report from Li Wei; he temporarily couldn't address it, and couldn't help but speculate:

What sort of deal were the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs making? Were they planning to trade draft positions?