章節 173: The Price of Commitment
Hubble admired Lance and truly believed Lance had what it took to make a mark in the league. The Ravens could benefit from having a player like him, but they had to consider the reality: what price were they willing to pay for a running back?
Though Hubble didn't like it, he had to act with the resolve of a head coach—
It would make more sense to spend their draft capital on several defensive players to continue building Baltimore's defensive core, rather than use it all for a single running back.
Of course, if Lance were still available when it was Baltimore's turn to pick, Hubble wouldn't hesitate to use their first-round selection on him.
Lance was certainly worthy of a first-round pick.
Hubble and team manager Ozzie Newsome were aligned on this. Yet, while logic dictated one thing, emotions were another, and Hubble couldn't help but rewatch Lance's game footage, perhaps as one last indulgence.
Then came a knock, and the office door opened.
"Coach, Andy Reid is on line three."
Hubble and Newsome exchanged a look, and Newsome's first thought was, "Is he calling about a trade?"
"If that were the case, Brett would've called you," Hubble countered.
Brett Veach, Kansas City's general manager, typically handled trade discussions. It was unusual for a head coach like Reid to make the call.
Hubble picked up the receiver, pressed line three, and said, "Hey, Coach, good morning."
"Ha! Good morning, John—quite a busy morning," Reid's familiar, hearty laugh filled the line.
Hubble made small talk, then asked, "What's the occasion for the call, Coach?"
Reid got straight to the point, "John, what do you think of Lance?"
"Pardon?" Hubble was taken aback.
Reid chuckled, "I can hear that reaction. I'm not asking about scouting reports or combine stats. I know your scouts watched the Crimson Tide all season. What's Lance like off the field?"
Hubble's mind started racing—
The Chiefs' top running back, Jamaal Charles, was released in late February, signing with the Denver Broncos when free agency opened. Clearly, the Chiefs had a void to fill at running back.
Hubble tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, sighing, "What makes you so sure we're not planning to pick him?"
Reid chuckled again, "So you'd take him if he's available?"
Hubble laughed, "Coach, if I share intel, what do I get in return?"
Reid answered, "Intel for intel. I know you're scouting cornerbacks and linebackers, and my advice is to look closely at Conley. Think it over carefully."
Ohio State's Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley had been highly touted as the top two cornerbacks in the draft, but Reid's suggestion implied a potential concern with Conley.
Hubble frowned slightly. Reid wasn't one to give empty advice. Without hesitation, Hubble replied, "Lance is phenomenal. We've seen his raw talent and skill. But off the field, he's disciplined, relentless in training, and has been a core presence for the team. He's respected across all class years—from freshmen to juniors."
"Oh, and for Lance's twenty-first birthday, the whole Bryant-Denny Stadium celebrated with him."
In other words, Lance was a natural team leader.
That was as much as Hubble was willing to share. Whether Reid believed him or adjusted his draft strategy was up to him.
When the call ended, Hubble turned to Newsome, "Conley might have issues."
Newsome paused, "Damn."
Conley had been their top pick after they decided not to pursue Lance.
Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Missouri—
Reid put down the phone, deep in thought. The Chiefs had kept their draft strategy well under wraps, and few knew their actual plan—
To draft a quarterback.
The Chiefs' starting quarterback was Alex Smith, the first overall pick of the 2005 draft, who'd been with Kansas City since 2012 after being traded from San Francisco.
Smith was an above-average quarterback—solid, dependable, but without the elite edge. He consistently delivered top-tier performances, but he had his limits. Now 32, Smith's growth potential was limited, and Reid knew it was time to look ahead.
Even though this draft was considered weak for quarterbacks, waiting for next year could mean overpaying in a highly competitive market. Reid would rather start developing a rookie now.
To avoid tipping their hand, the Chiefs hadn't interviewed any quarterbacks at rookie camp, but they had quietly been observing all potential candidates.
In watching film of Watson, however, Reid had taken note of Lance.
A running back, yes, but not just any running back—Lance had the drive, discipline, and leadership of a game-changer.
Originally, Reid had intended to study Watson's championship game footage, but he found himself increasingly captivated by Lance's performance.
Reid knew all too well how devalued the running back position was in the NFL. Though the value of backs was experiencing a slight uptick this year, thanks to the top three draft candidates and the league's media push, running backs still weren't typically worth a first-round investment.
In theory, it made sense to avoid this year's hype and resist overpaying for a running back.
But knowing all this, Reid still couldn't let go of the thought of Lance.
After hanging up, Reid once again replayed the game footage. Even when Veach entered the room, Reid remained focused on the screen.
"Coach, the war room is ready."
One glance at the screen, and Veach sighed.
In Kansas City, Veach held the final say in drafts and trades, but he respected Reid's perspective and valued their collaboration in building a winning team.
Veach thought they'd finalized their draft plan, yet Reid still seemed torn. Veach, reluctant but firm, reminded him, "Coach, we're not the Browns or Jaguars. We can't afford a gamble on a running back."
"We need a quarterback. We need a successor for Alex. We can't wait for next year and end up like Denver, unprepared. We have to make a move now."
Reid didn't respond. Arms folded, he replayed the same clip over and over.
Veach pressed, "Coach…"
Reid interrupted, "What if we're talking about a once-in-a-decade star?"
Veach couldn't believe his ears. "What?"
Reid repeated, "Once-in-a-decade."
Veach took a deep breath, "Even Adrian Peterson wasn't worth that risk."
Reid shook his head lightly. "I'm talking about a player better than Peterson—a Barry Sanders. A leader who changes the game."
Veach was floored, staring at Reid in shock: ???
Unfazed, Reid added, "I'm serious. If you don't believe me, watch for yourself."
He pointed to the screen, replaying the film once more.
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Powerstones?
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