Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 557: 556 Team Building Ideas Chapter 557: 556 Team Building Ideas In the second round, a linebacker, a defensive end.

In the third round, a defensive tackle, a linebacker.

In the fourth round, a safety.

In the sixth round, a cornerback, a defensive tackle.

Additionally.

The fifth round pick was traded to the Cleveland Browns, acquiring an offensive tackle.

The seventh round pick was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, acquiring a cornerback.

This meant that, by the time the three-day 2018 draft had concluded, the Kansas City Chiefs had acquired eight defensive players and one offensive player.

The strategy was crystal clear.

At this time, the blueprint of the team structure crafted by Veach in collaboration with Reed was beginning to take shape.

The offensive group revolved around young players Mahomes and Li Wei, who though still not perfect, were beginning to establish a foundational ‘Triangular Attack’ system with the help of Hill and Kelsey.

Of course, a question remained, how capable was Mahomes?

Could he quickly adapt to the professional game’s pace and take over from Smith?

And did the Chiefs’ offensive system need adjustments?

But at least, Veach was creating his ideal system step by step according to his plans, so this year it was time to focus on revamping the defensive group.

Last season, the Chiefs’ secondary defense had disappointing performances, especially with the core defensive player Berry being put out for the season, which added insult to injury.

However, how to mend the defensive group was also a science, as no suitable secondary players were found in the draft, so they turned to trades for a cornerback; the draft itself focused more on revamping the defensive frontline.

No one would forget that the Chiefs had made a bloody path through the playoffs with staunch frontline defense in the Red Zone at critical moments.

Now, Veach was still attempting repairs, continuing to enhance the team.

Fortunately, the Chiefs did indeed face salary cap issues; but with Smith’s transfer, the crisis of this young team transformed into an opportunity, with off-season movements minimal yet precisely targeted.

Although the Chiefs maintained a low profile, industry professionals still noticed, continuing to highly praise the uniformed staff’s work for the second consecutive year.

“…clearly, they were prepared to defend the Super Bowl,”

As the draft concluded and the free market’s trade frenzy had calmed, there were some teams exulting and others fretting, anxiously gauging their situation while others eagerly anticipated the new season, and then—

Voluntary training camps began.

The off-season wasn’t over yet, extending to July for adjustments, but it was time for professional players to end their prolonged vacations and start warming up.

In theory, this was a voluntary training camp, respecting the athletes’ individual desires; moreover, the training involved was mostly for recovery and warm-up, with occasional tactical training on a small scale.

Not attending wouldn’t cause the coach to penalize players.

But generally, players tended to participate, not to curry favor with the coaching staff—

On one hand, the team used voluntary training camps to gauge the players’ physical condition, injuries, weight issues, etc., providing them sufficient time to adjust before the regular season started, which was in their own best interest.

On the other hand, offseason transfers and drafted rookies almost always attended, aiming to impress the coaching staff; players also needed to build rapport with these new teammates.

At least, Li Wei was not planning to miss it, and neither were Mahomes and Kelsey.

Finally, ending his training in Miami, Li Wei packed his bags to start his journey home.

Buzz, buzz, buzzing.

The phone began to vibrate violently, almost shattering the glass table.

Li Wei originally didn’t plan to pay attention to it, assuming they were used to it.

If Li Wei didn’t answer, it meant he was training; they should just leave a message, and he would reply after finishing his training, no matter who it was.

But unexpectedly, the phone kept vibrating tirelessly and rang a second time.

Could it be something urgent?

Li Wei glanced at the caller ID; it was an unfamiliar number.

Could it be a sales call?

“Hey, this is Li Wei.” Nevertheless, Li Wei answered.

“Oh.

Is this really your number?

I almost thought that Justin had given me the wrong one,” came a somewhat unfamiliar voice from the other end of the line.

There was a brief pause, and the caller seemed to know about Li Wei’s ‘quirk’ and conscientiously added an explanation.

“Darrelle Revis, cornerback.”

Li Wei was completely unprepared, “Sorry, I’m not looking to buy any insurance at the moment.”

To his surprise, Revis was caught off guard by Li Wei’s response, but this league veteran wasn’t easily deterred, “Maybe you should consider it, or your body might start protesting in a few years.”

Now it was Li Wei’s turn to be surprised, “Thanks for the advice, I’ll seriously consider it.”

He actually took the advice just like that?

Revis thought Li Wei would continue bantering, which made him somewhat uncomfortable and, slightly awkwardly, he changed the subject.

“I heard you’re in Miami, how is it going—are you partying hard this off-season?”

Thinking back to the intensity of Watt Training Camp.

Li Wei nodded, “Yes, it’s been crazy.

Really crazy.”

Revis misunderstood and burst into hearty laughter, teasing meaningfully, “Then you should stay a few more days.”

Li Wei didn’t bother to clarify, “The climate in Miami is really comfortable.

I can understand why God would make a waiting room for heaven here, but believe it or not, I’m kind of missing the cold in Kansas City.”

Revis was briefly stunned, “That’s because you consider Kansas City home.

No matter where we are, in the end, we always hope to go back home.”

Li Wei’s brows furrowed slightly; he faintly sensed something odd about Revis’s tone, a sort of indescribable melancholy.

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, “Darrelle, are you okay?

Are you planning your third return to the Jets?”

“Ha,” Revis laughed, “Hahaha, rookie, you are an interesting guy,” he paused, “and a smart one too.”

Revis didn’t know why he had wanted to make this call to Li Wei.

In the Kansas City Chiefs, he didn’t have friends.

Even in Houston, that wasn’t the case; he had been on the team for only two months, too short a time to make real friends.

And more ironically, when he made one of the most significant decisions of his career, he looked around and couldn’t find anyone in the whole league to share this news with.

He never thought of himself as greedy, even though fallout with teams always involved money, even though teammates, the league, and fans mocked him for being profit-driven, even though he never formed any attachment to any team, as they all revolved around money, even though more than once he had torn apart relationships over money and contracts, even if he was labeled a mercenary, he didn’t think he was wrong.

Friends?

Heh, what are those?

Can they pay rent or buy food?

But.

In the moment he was about to turn away and leave, Revis couldn’t escape feeling confused and desolate.

As he reminisced about Li Wei’s figure, he froze after dialing the number:

What should he say?