Chapter 17
Fin
Vee left for Maker’s Mark early this morning for her weekly meeting with Coach Tilson.
Her earlier-than-usual waking caused me to also head out early.
The first team film meeting wasn’t for another hour.
After dropping my things in the locker room, I went straight to the medical facility.
Lacy said the shoulder needed a week of stabilization.
Last night around midnight was the end of one week. I was ready to throw the sling away.
“Fin,” Lacy said, “I wasn’t expecting you until later.”
I flashed her a smile. “I came in early just to see you. Last night was the official end of my one-week immobilization. I came here first because I promised Vee I wouldn’t stop wearing it without your approval.”
Lacy’s cheeks rose in a smile. “At least you listen to one person.”
“She can be bossy.”
“I guess that’s why she’s the boss.”
“Sling,” I reminded her. “Let’s get this done.”
“I’m sorry. It doesn’t work like that. You don’t go from 24/7 immobilization to full range of motion. Let’s get a new MRI. Then come back after lunch and we’ll figure out a plan.”
“Does that plan include me practicing?”
My heart dropped as she shook her head.
“Not yet,” Lacy replied.
“We play the Bills on Saturday at four thirty.”
“The game will go on with or without you.”
Just because she was right didn’t mean I liked it. I most definitely wasn’t pleased. Inhaling, I felt my nostrils flare. “Let’s do the scan. I need to get to films.”
Coach Tilson was already speaking when I entered the large film room. My Saturday-night prediction of our next opponent was wrong. In a stunning upset, the Buffalo Bills, a sixth seed, upset the Jaguars, who were a third seed and the only team that handed us a loss.
The Bills’ sixth seed made them the lowest seed in the AFC to advance. Their prize was to play the No. 1 seed—us. It would be the first matchup between our two teams of the season. We officially had six days to learn everything there was to learn about the Buffalo Bills.
“Welcome, Graham,” Tilson said. “Still wearing the sling.”
I took the seat beside Troy. “Trainer just took an MRI. We’ll all know more later today.”
“Okay, gentlemen,” Tilson went on, “as I was saying, the Bills run a dynamic pro-style spread offense and an attacking 3-4 defense. Today, we’re going to break down last night’s game between the Bills and Jags.
For the next five days and up until kickoff, I want you to live the Buffalo Bills, sleep the Bills, and eat the Bills.
On Saturday with the whole world watching, I want you to spit out the Buffalo Bills. ”
“Yes, Coach,” came from everyone listening.
“Let’s get started.”
While most of the wild-card games were nail biters, Bills vs Jaguars was not. The Bills didn’t just win; they defeated the Jags handily. The Bills knew every weakness in the Jags’ offense and defense and capitalized on each one.
Pratt showcased their offense. They often line up with six offensive linemen and use pre-snap motion, causing their opponents to jump early. They call high-efficiency checkdowns, designed screens, and underneath routes.
Brown showcased their defense. While they primarily play zone-heavy defense, two-deep safety shell, they will mix in man-to-man concepts, depending on the down, distance, and specific matchups.
By the time we were released for lunch, my head was swimming. Hell, I’d been pulling up video of the Chiefs since Saturday night. The Bills weren’t on my radar until I woke up this morning and heard the final score of the Sunday night game.
Balancing my tray, I cursed the damn sling.
“Need help?” Marcel Pickett asked.
“Probably, but I’m too stubborn.”
“It’s good to know your faults.”
I scoffed. “Not a fault, a virtue.”
“If you say so.”
I set my tray down at a table with Dennison, Jackson, Lewis, and Spencer who were already seated.
“How’s your knee?” I asked Kylon Lewis.
“Wearing a brace. They say tomorrow I’ll be limited at practice.”
“Hell,” I said, “I’d take limited. I’m seeing way too much of the elliptical bike and treadmill these days. However, I’m a fan of hydrotherapy.”
“Just like a spa,” Matt Spencer teased. “Just think how many muscles you’re building in your legs.”
“And they’re letting you lift with the right arm,” Troy Dennison said. He lifted an eyebrow. “Or were you going against doctor’s orders last time we did weights.”
I speared a large piece of salmon from my high-protein salad. “Right arm is good. That’s why I want to practice and play.”
“We can beat the Bills,” Troy said. “We just all need to do exactly what Coach said. They’re going to find the Bills’ weaknesses and we’re going to take advantage of them.”
Jamir Bennett sat in the last chair at our table. “You all see the roast beef up there? Damn, it’s tender.”
The conversation went around the table, talking about the protein choices. The topic soon turned to the forbidden foods, ones that we will be able to indulge in a little after the season. While there were foods I sometimes craved, I found it was easier to maintain a diet than to change it.
I looked across the table at Matt, our center, and thought of Patrick last weekend. “I saw my old center from Green Bay over the weekend. I bet he’s dropped eighty pounds.”
Matt looked up from his plate. “It takes work to maintain this weight, especially with burning so many calories every day.”
“We appreciate you,” Troy said.
I agreed.
“I saw Miss Maeve this morning,” Troy said.
He had my attention. I also saw her this morning as nude as the day she was born, within a steamy shower. “She has early meetings each Monday with Coach Tilson.”
“Really?” Jamir asked. “Valid. At my old team, there wasn’t as much cooperation between the owners and coaching staff.”
“Mr. Hubbard,” Josh Jackson said, “he used to have those meetings too. I thought it was pretty cool.”
“It is,” I said. “The coach asked Vee to carry on the tradition.” I turned to Josh. “How did you know about the meetings?”
“I like to get here early. Sometimes I’ll work out or soak in a tub, depending on my muscles. I’d see them walking around the complex.”
“Walking around?”
“Yeah, like Coach was filling Mr. Hubbard in on shit.” He shrugged. “Sometimes they’d laugh and joke. I thought it was fire.”
I finished my lunch and sat back. “I’m going to head to the training facility before position meeting.” I looked at Josh and Troy. “If I’m late, let Coach Pratt know.”
“Sure thing.”
The training facility was nearly as empty as it was early this morning. I went to Lacy Reynolds’ office and knocked on the doorjamb. She looked up from her lunch.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.”
Lacy shook her head as she wiped her lips with a napkin. “Come in.” She motioned to the chair opposite her desk. “I was just reviewing your scan.”
“And I’m cleared to play.”
“And you’re not on injury reserve,” she said. “Luckily, you had minimal tissue damage. No tears. I think we mentioned that last week.”
I shook my head. “I don’t remember.”
“Well, it’s a good thing. Having no tears doesn’t mean there was no damage. You have ligament sprains. The ligaments that reinforce the shoulder-joint capsule are overstretched. There is also stretching of the axillary nerve. That can cause a feeling of numbness. Have you noticed that?”
“No,” I replied honestly. “When I take off the sling, like, to shower, the arm is stiff.”
Lacy nodded. “That’s primarily from the immobilization. What we need to do now is slowly reacclimate the shoulder joint and arm to moving. That means, starting this afternoon, you can remove the sling.” She furrowed her brow. “That doesn’t mean you go back to full use. Is that clear?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll help you take it off. After this afternoon’s meetings wrap up, come back and I’ll help you put it back on. I’ll also go through strengthening exercises.”
“What’s my status?” I asked.
“For the next two days, no contact practice. Tomorrow, come in and do the strengthening exercises with the trainers.”
“Can I lift with Dennison and Jackson tomorrow?”
Lacy sighed. “Right arm only. That left shoulder isn’t ready for weights.”
“Next Saturday?”
“We’ll decide by the deadline.”
I stood. “Thanks, Lacy. You know, it would be easier if you just went ahead and said I was likely to play Saturday.”
Her lips curled into a smile. “Where’s the fun of anticipation in that?” She stood. “Let me help you with the sling.”