Before the room could make up their mind, the phone designated as the trade line rang again. Nathan picked up the call himself, already imagining who was on the other end, and he was right. "Scott? Nathan Stewart. Let's talk terms, as you know, I don't have much time."
The room held its breath as Nathan negotiated. Xavier couldn't hear the other side of the conversation, but he watched his grandfather's expression—calm, measured, giving nothing away. "Wayne Chrebet and our 2001 first-rounder," Nathan said into the phone. "In exchange for Willie McGinest and your 2001 first, that was the deal an hour ago, but Cleveland just passed me an interesting offer you're gonna have to sweeten the pot."
Cursing was heard from the other end, but Nathan remained calm with an easy smile as if he was discussing his favourite car brand with a friend. "Wait a second, I have to take another call. Ring me with your answer before the five-minute mark; otherwise, the deal is off the table." With that, he hung up the call and picked up the other phone, ringing their representative at the draft venue.
The call was answered after the first ring. "John Abraham is our man, but I need you to call Brian's agent loudly and then act disappointed with the results." Mark, one of the few staff Nathan had brought with him from LA, understood the assignment immediately.
The soft-spoken man offered an Oscar-worthy performance as his voice somehow travelled to the point that the ESPN broadcast that was aimed his way picked up his every action and expression. One only here, Gordon Smith, whom all knew as the Brian agent; after that, he reverted to his soft-spoken nature, with only his varying expressions visible.
At the exact 5-minute mark, the phone rang again, and Nathan picked it up with much fuss. "You have a deal," was all that was heard before the lien ended. The staff responsible quickly faxed the paperwork to the league, and on the screen, Mark made a disappointed expression before tossing the envelope aside and picking up a new one.
With two minutes to go, Commissioner Trueman received two envelopes with the Tigers' log. He opened it with practised ease, pausing a moment before double-checking with Mark at the side of the stage. The latter gave him a double thumbs up, and Truman read the envelope.
Before we announce Baltimore's selection, we have a trade to report. The New York Tigers have traded wide receiver Wayne Chrebet and their 2001 first-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for linebacker Willie McGinest, New England's 2001 first-round pick, and New England's 2001 third-round pick."
The ESPN analysts immediately pounced. "Wow," Mel Kiper said, his voice rising. "The Tigers just made a massive bet. They're essentially gambling that New England will struggle next year under Romeo Crennel while betting on their own success. That's... bold."
"It's also stupid," Jaws countered. "Chrebet's thirty and in his prime, plus he gets a QB who is also in his prime. I don't see New England imploding with Crennel's defence and these offensive weapons."
On Stage, Trueman opened the next envelope. "With the thirteenth pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, the New York Tigers select John Abraham, linebacker, University of South Carolina."
Even with the draft announcement, Nathan didn't relax as he watched how the next few picks would unfold. And as expected, it took longer than the previous, with the Packers making a last-minute selection of Bubba Franks, tight end out of Miami. When it was Denver's turn, their phone lines rang, and Neal Dahlen, their GM, was on the line.
"Nathan, what do you know?"
A lot of things, son, I'm almost 70, you're gonna have to be more specific."
"Don't give me that. What's wrong with Brian Urlacher? Their camp keeps saying he's fine."
"Then I guess he's the problem? even if he's not with Denver's medical facility, it shouldn't be too much of a problem"
"Aha, I knew it. Just tell me what's up with Brian?"
"He's an intelligent player with loads of upside potential."
The rest of the room watched in fascination as the Old man, whom they assumed was here to watch over Xavier, expertly toyed with Dahlen. Everything he said about Brian was true, as they hadn't found anything wrong with the player, but the longer he said so, the more agitated the man on the other end became.
"Sigh, you want to draft Deltha O'Neal but are worried how it will make you look right?" Nathan finally said, interrupting the rant after the five-minute mark. "I'll make you a deal then, as you know my grandson wants to make the Tigers must-see TV and controversy like Brian is just the thing he needs."
The room turned incredulous as all eyes turned to Xavier, who wanted to crawl under his desk at that very moment. "What do you want him to do so he's fine then?"
"I honestly don't know. His camp told me he's fine. But I'm not worried if he's not. Would my grandson dare to fire me if I made a mistake?" Silence once again lingered in the room with no one speaking a word. "Here is what I'm offering: we trade Brian at 15th for Deltha O'Neal at 18th. The salary cut should help you, right?"
There was a pause for another moment before an answer came. "C'mon, can't you sweeten the deal?"
"Sorry, best I can do otherwise my Head coach will rip my head off. You know how scary Belichick can be." Again, all heads turned to the coach, who was in the middle of sipping his cup of tea. "He's practically glaring holes in me for even suggesting this deal, but you know, gotta please the boss even if he is my grandson."
~~~
"With the 15th pick of the NFL draft, the Denver Broncos select Brian Urlacher, Linebacker out of New Mexico." The announcement came as a shock to all those watching, as no one seemed to want to get near the player. Dahlen at the Denver HQ received plenty of calls, but he ignored them, just happy that the league had passed the deal.
They weren't announcing the deal right away, as if seemingly deciding to milk this controversy to the end. Pick 16 - San Francisco 49ers: Julian Peterson, LB, Michigan State. The Oakland Raiders filed their Kicker needs with the 17th pick, picking up Sebastian Janikowski from Florida State.
The Tigers' 18th pick was made quickly as Truemman was handed two envelopes as if it had just happened. "There has been A trade: The Denver Broncos traded their 15th pick, Brian Urlacher, to the Tigers for their 18th pick." The announcement came as a shock, but Trueman did not wait for the spectators to wrap their heads around it as he continued.
"With the 18th pick of the NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select Deltha O'Neal, Defensive Back from California," he announced, prompting the young man to rise from his seat with a bright smile as his wait finally ended.
The reaction inside the arena was instant chaos. Boos. Cheers. Confusion. Pure, unfiltered disbelief. Brian Urlacher — the most talked-about tumble of the first round — stood frozen on the Green Room carpet, halfway through removing the Broncos cap the staffer had just handed him, when the second announcement hit the speakers.
The Denver Broncos have traded Brian Urlacher to the New York Tigers… His agent, Gordon Smith, muttered a stunned, "What the—" before slapping a polite congratulatory smile onto his face. Urlacher wasn't smiling. He wasn't frowning either. He just looked… bewildered. Like someone had switched the script mid-sentence.
The ESPN panel went feral. "WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Mel Kiper practically shouted, his hands flailing.
Jaworski stared wide-eyed. " I-I don't understand. Nobody wanted him at 12. Suddenly, the Tigers trade UP for him? After passing on him themselves? WHAT is going on?"
Berman laughed into his microphone. "Folks… I don't know if this is genius or madness, but whatever the Tigers are doing… the entire league is paying attention."
~~~
The next few selections rolled by:
Pick 19 - Seattle Seahawks: Shaun Alexander, RB, Alabama
"There goes our running back," Weis said, vindicated.
Pick 20 - Detroit Lions: Stockar McDougle, OT, Texas
Pick 21 - Kansas City Chiefs: Sylvester Morris, WR, Jackson State
Pick 22 - Seattle Seahawks (via trade with Denver): Chris McIntosh, OT, Wisconsin
Xavier watched the names fall, the board thinning. They were at pick twenty-three now. Carolina was on the clock, then San Francisco at twenty-four, Minnesota at twenty-five, Buffalo at twenty-six, and then...
"Twenty-seven," Nathan said quietly. "Our last shot in the first round. We're taking Julian Peterson, Outside Linebacker from Michigan. To complete that defensive core."
The room had been debating this for days. Offensive line? Wide receiver? Secondary? Another defensive player? "He would pair well with Urlacher," Rex agreed, already imagining how he would mould them.
There wasn't much debate about that choice, as everyone seemed to realise that the defence would be the focus. It really should have been a no-brainer, given who the head coach was, but some had thought their young owner might move erratically. "With the twenty-seventh pick in the 2000 NFL Draft," Trueman announced, "the New York Tigers select…Julian Peterson — Outside Linebacker — Michigan State."
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To Be Continued...