Free Web NovelChapter 2: Some Explanations and Clarifications
I know that for many of you, American football is still a relatively unfamiliar sport, and there are bound to be many things you don’t quite understand. That’s why, throughout the Chapters, I’ve actually tried to explain things repeatedly, hoping you could get a better grasp of it. But it seems a formal explanation is still needed.
American football is not soccer or basketball; they are different sports. So please, stop asking questions like, "Why can the NBA do this, but the NFL can’t?" Because... well, it really can’t!
First, regarding the physical attributes of a quarterback. It’s true that in any competitive sport, physical conditioning is crucial, and this is especially true for American football. However, the quarterback is a unique position.
A quarterback has five players on the Offense Line in front of them to immediately block the opponent’s rush and hits. By reading the defense and executing plays, a quarterback can create a stable pocket for themselves, which means they won’t absorb too many hits. Comparatively, among all positions in American football, the physical attributes of a quarterback are average, or even below average. A quarterback’s true job, when it comes down to it, is to pass the ball. They must lead the team forward with their minds.
So, are physical attributes important? Yes, but for a quarterback, brains and technique are even more important. It’s a matter of priorities. There are countless players with outstanding physical gifts and incredible conditioning, yet many of them are low-round picks in the draft, and it’s not uncommon for them to go undrafted entirely.
Second, regarding the draft. Scouts work for three to four years and teams work for a full year just to prepare for a single draft, collecting all possible data. When evaluating a player—especially a potential first-round pick—the amount of information is so vast it feels like you couldn’t get through it in three days and three nights. They need to consider every single aspect before finally making their choice.
As for the Rookie Training Camp, it’s true that there are players who perform exceptionally well, even breaking individual records. They will attract attention, but at most, it might only shift their draft round. No team is going to completely overhaul its draft strategy because of one player’s amazing performance at a training camp. All the prior scouting information is what’s truly important.
So, why did I write about Bambi’s Rookie Training Camp? Because it’s a gradual process. Otherwise, a player who just pops out of nowhere would have to take a path like Kurt Warner’s: go play in Europe or Australia for a few years to prove himself before he could enter the Alliance.
In Volume Two, I didn’t describe the draft in detail due to length constraints. In future Chapters, if I get the chance, I can write about the draft more thoroughly.
Next, on the issue of trying out to select a backup. The NFL doesn’t have things like ten-day contracts, but teams can indeed cut players at any time. The point is, even if they could sign someone short-term, the San Francisco 49ers should have chosen Carson Palmer, not Bambi, for reasons I’ve already explained in the Chapters.
In American football, every player has a very specific role, and their duties are clearly defined. With the exception of a very, very small number of special tactical situations, players almost never change their positions. The offense is the offense, and the Defense Team is the Defense Team; everyone has their own job.
In soccer and basketball, with the exception of the goalkeeper in soccer, players in other positions can cover for one another. If you’re forced to play without someone in a certain position, other players can fill in, or you can just leave the spot empty, and the game can still go on. But that’s not the case in American football. If you’re missing a single piece, the game basically grinds to a halt.
This is especially true for the quarterback position. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
The San Francisco 49ers could just randomly pick any quarterback, but the consequences would be more than the team could bear. The logical choice would have been Carson Palmer. The only reason the coach hesitated was because he wanted to choose Bambi.
As for why they couldn’t just sign two quarterbacks, it’s because of the rules. An American football team is only allowed a 53-man roster. Considering the large number of players needed for the offense, the Defense Team, and special teams, very, very few teams will carry four quarterbacks. The NBA has minor leagues where players who can’t get game time can go to develop their skills, but the NFL does not. If they fail to land a job, many football players just switch careers and go play baseball.
Finally, regarding the Asian market for American football.
American football has no fertile ground in Asia. In the European market, at least you have rugby being widely promoted, which makes it relatively easier for American football to gain entry. But Asia is a barren, virgin territory with virtually no grassroots foundation. It’s like trying to promote table tennis in the United States—it’s fraught with difficulties and uncertainties.
At the end of the day, American football is different from soccer and basketball. Soccer and basketball already have mature markets in Asia, and using an Asian player to break into the market is a familiar playbook. But with American football, people don’t understand the field positions, the scoring rules, or even whether you’re supposed to kick the ball or throw it. Under these circumstances, the splash a player of Chinese Descent can make is incredibly limited.
In 2007, the NFL tried to promote American football in Asia by organizing the China Bowl, a game to be played in China. But it was ultimately canceled, which is the best proof of this. In the novel’s 2011 timeline, the situation is still the same.
To summarize, American football is indeed full of unique circumstances. Please remember, it is not soccer, and it is not basketball. Please don’t try to apply the logic of one to the other.
All this time, I haven’t written a separate author’s note to explain things because I’ve already tried my best to explain them within the story itself. The content above can actually all be found in the text; if you, my dear readers, read carefully, you can find the answers. But many of you keep applying the logic from other sports and misunderstanding things, which is why I was forced to write this note. In the end, I want to thank all of you for your continued support, but... American football is not soccer or basketball.
