Chapter 1

Tuesday, February 4, 2031 – Martin Residence, Pittsburgh, PA

The Martin family was seated around their dining room table for dinner when Kyle Martin’s phone tweeted the opening bars of “Stairway to Heaven.”

“Excuse me,” Kyle said politely as he stood and stepped into the open kitchen adjoining the dining area of their stylish, Fox Chapel area house.

“Thank you for calling, Mr. Lurie,” Kyle commented. “No, now is a fine time to call.” Everyone’s attention perked up. Kyle had finished his second interview with Jeffrey Lurie and the Philadelphia Eagles brain trust earlier that day before flying back to Pittsburgh.

“Mmmm ... hmm...” Kyle agreed as he listened to his phone. The rest of the family couldn’t hear Jeffrey Lurie’s side of the conversation.

“That is an excellent offer, sir,” Kyle said after listening. “I will consider it and get back to you in an hour or two. Your timing is great. My family is assembled right now and will discuss the possibilities immediately.”

Kyle listened for about fifteen seconds more before saying, “Thank you for the offer. I will get back to you shortly.” Kyle stepped back into the dining room sporting a huge grin on his face.

“Mr. Lurie offered you the job?” Penny, Kyle’s thirty-nine-year-old wife asked.

“He did,” Kyle confirmed. “A five-year contract to be the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.”

“Fantastic, Dad!” Danny, Kyle’s twelve-year-old son, commented as he exchanged high fives with his almost six-year-old brother Robbie.

“I guess we need to call a family meeting to discuss what we do next,” Kyle said. “You’re the oldest, David. What do you think the family should do?”

“It’s great you got offered the job,” David replied cautiously. He was the only one at the table that wasn’t smiling. “You deserve this. It’s just that ... well, the offer comes at a horrible time for me. I’m more than halfway through my junior year in high school. Are you and Mom going to drag me across the state and ruin my best high school years for this job? What about Arianna? I love her.”

“You’ve been dating her six weeks,” Jessie, his fourteen-year-old sister, interrupted. “You’re probably going to break up with her in a week or two anyway.”

“You’re not helping, Jessie,” Penny insisted. Jessie lost the smirk on her face when she saw the warning glare her mother gave her.

“I am not breaking up with Arianna [DeSalvo],” David insisted. “I love her too much. Dragging me to Philly would be totally unfair! I’m seventeen now. What if I lived with Zack and Leigh Ann [Hayes] while I finished high school? I’m sure they would take me in.”

“Whether they would take you in or not is beside the point,” Penny retorted. “We are a family. We’ve already suffered through four years of long separations. I will NOT have my oldest son living in Pittsburgh while the rest of family stays in Philly.”

“Your turn to share your thoughts, Jessie,” Kyle said.

“It’s funny,” Jessie responded. “I thought I would be more upset at losing my Pittsburgh friends. I guess your interviews last year made me realize that it was likely we would move soon. I am fine with going back to Landenberg. If we move to Philly, we are going to live in our Landenberg house, aren’t we?”

“Yes, we will,” Kyle said.

“I have friends here and I will miss them,” Jessie said, “ ... but I have Kaylie and Ann back in Landenberg, who I’ve known my whole life. It will be great to spend more time with those friends too. I’m in, Dad.”

“Danny?”

“This is a no-brainer, Dad,” Danny answered. “You deserve this promotion. I’ll find a good scout troop somewhere back there. Maybe I can go out for the JV football team next fall.” Danny paused for a moment. “They do have a good football team at this school district, don’t they?”

“They do,” Kyle answered. “The head coach, Jacob Meyer, is a Penn Stater and a friend of mine.”

“I’m sold,” Danny said enthusiastically. “How soon do we move?”

“Not before everyone gets a say,” Kyle said. “Robbie, what do you think of moving back to our Landenberg house and living there year-round?”

“La’denberg?” Robbie asked. “The one with the big creek in the back yard?”

“That one,” Penny agreed.

“I’m wit’ Danny,” Robbie said. “When do we move?”

“Honey, I guess you get the final chance to speak,” Kyle said.

“I knew this day was coming,” Penny answered. “I am sure they have plenty of sick cows and horses in Chester County, so I will be able to find work. Maybe I’ll put in an application at the New Bolton Center. They know me well there. I am delighted that the Eagles are giving you a chance to run your own team. You’ve earned this. I am also looking forward to moving back to Landenberg. It’s always felt like our home base, whether you were playing in Denver or coaching in Pittsburgh. I will be happy in Landenberg.”

“Let’s do a show of hands,” Kyle said. “Those in favor?” Everyone’s hand went up except David’s. “Opposed?” David bravely raised his hand in opposition, despite of his family’s near unanimous approval.

“I’m sorry this chance for me to head coach has complicated your life, David,” Kyle said. “Opportunities like this don’t come along every day. You have to seize them when they come.”

“If you and Arianna are truly in love, you will find a way,” Penny added. “Your Dad and I dated and fell in love in high school. We couldn’t handle the separation and split up. Love found a way in spite of the obstacles. You’ll text Arianna after the move and can stay in touch. College isn’t far away. You can apply to the same schools and be together again.”

“Yeah, I guess,” David responded. “It just sucks for me.” Penny allowed the vulgarity to slide. Normally she demanded proper language at the dinner table.

“It does,” Kyle agreed. “Deal with it, David. Our family does things together and it looks like we are Philadelphia bound. Let’s enjoy our dessert now. I think all of us are going to have a lot to do after dinner.”

Most of the Martin family talked excitedly about the prospects for the move. David brooded at the unfairness of the move coming now. Nothing would brighten his mood that evening.

Kyle started on his calls after dinner. The first call was to Jeffrey Lurie, the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, to formally accept the head coaching job. They agreed to a 1:00 PM news conference in Philly to announce the selection the following day. Kyle’s second call was to his now-former boss, Zack Hayes.

“You’re taking the job, Kyle?” Zack asked directly as he answered his phone.

“I am,” Kyle agreed.

“This promotion is well deserved, Kyle,” Zack said. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss working with you,” Kyle agreed. “The past six seasons have been great. I have learned so much from you. I am anxious to see how I do when I am on my own.”

“You will do great, I know it,” Zack responded. “I already spoke with the Rooneys. We will permit you to take one assistant coach with you when you head east. Any idea who you will want?” Zack laughed hard. “Like there is any question.”

“Ed Fritz, of course,” Kyle answered.

“Ed will make a good offensive coordinator for you,” Zack said. “How about defense?”

“I was planning to ask Coach C[zarwinski],” Kyle said.

“Bob [Burton] said he’s slowly going out of his mind in retirement,” Zack said. “C will be easy to convince. Phyllis will be the hard case.”

“I agree,” Kyle responded. “I hope C has made enough of a pest of himself in retirement that Phyllis will allow me to have him just to get him out of her hair.”

“Good luck, buddy,” Zack said. “I had it easy when I became head coach. I only had a couple slots to fill in the staff. You have a whole staff to cobble together from scratch. I’ll get out of your way. I am sure you have a lot of phone calls to make tonight.”

“I do,” Kyle said. “Thanks for everything, Zack.”

Kyle punched the buttons for the next call on his call sheet. “What’s up, Kyle?” Ed Fritz answered into his phone.

“How would you and Rosa feel about a change of location?” Kyle asked. “Say, eastern Pennsylvania?”

“The Eagles hired you?” Ed asked. “Hot damn! Congratulations.”

“They did,” Kyle said. “I want you to be my offensive coordinator.”

“Did you clear this with the Steelers yet?” Ed asked.

“I talked with Zack,” Kyle answered. “The Steelers are allowing me to recruit one assistant coach. I want you.”

“I’m with you, Kyle” Ed said. “Just one thing. Would you mind if I stayed as QB coach instead? I love working with the QBs and I am not sure if I paid my dues enough to be a coordinator yet. I’ve only done two years as an NFL coach.”

“If you would prefer that, I am OK with it,” Kyle said, with mild disappointment. Kyle always felt Ed didn’t give himself enough credit as a football coach.

“Who are you going to go after for OC?” Ed asked.

“If not you, then Ryan Reynolds,” Kyle answered. “Do you know him?”

“We’ve met before, though I don’t know him well,” Ed replied.

“Ryan taught me Penn State’s offense,” Kyle explained. “Ryan and I worked together closely at Penn State for two years. He was on the Broncos staff near the end of my time with them.”

“I heard about that arrangement,” Ed said. “The league wouldn’t let the Broncos make you their official receiver player/coach, so they used Reynolds as the off-the-field receivers coach while you were the on-the-field coach.”

“It worked pretty well,” Kyle said.

“I am in if Reynolds wants me,” Ed said.

“You are in because I want you,” Kyle responded. “Ryan’s job comes with you as QB coach. That is my choice. One more thing. I’d like to you to fly into Philly with me tomorrow morning.”

“You’re the boss,” Ed said. “What airlines are we flying?”

“Penny is lining up a charter for us tonight,” Kyle explained. “One of us will call back with the flight time later. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“See you then,” Ed agreed. Kyle was already moving down his call list, looking for the next number.

“Hello, Ryan Reynolds,” the voice said when someone answered Kyle’s ring.

“Hey, Ryan, It’s Kyle Martin,” Kyle said.

“Kyle! It’s great to hear from you,” Ryan exclaimed. “It’s been too long. Are the rumors around the league true?”

“They are, if the rumor you are referring to is me becoming the head coach in Philly.”

“Congratulations, man,” Ryan said. “That is wonderful news.”

“We worked together well in the past,” Kyle said. “How would you like to be my offensive coordinator in Philly?”

“I’d like that,” Ryan responded.

“There is one string attached to this offer,” Kyle cautioned. “Ed Fritz comes along as our QB coach.”

“Ed? No problem,” Ryan said. “He has an excellent reputation around the league. Are you and Ed planning to use the Steelers fast break offense in Philly?”

“If the personnel fit,” Kyle answered. “Or if we find new personnel that will fit the offense.”

“Count me in,” Ryan said. “I’d love to see how this system works from the inside. It was a thing of beauty at the Super Bowl last weekend.”

“Yes, and we still lost,” Kyle said. “Can the Vikings free you up enough so you can fly down to Philly tomorrow morning? I want to have some of my key staff on hand when I do the press conference accepting the head coach job.”

“I will call and see what I can do, Kyle,” Ryan said. “Thanks again for the offer.”

Kyle took a few minutes to settle and prepare himself for the next call. Kyle dialed the number and waited a few rings until someone answered.

“Hello?” a woman said.

“Could I speak with Mr. Czarwinski, please?” Kyle asked.

“Whom shall I say is calling?” the woman asked.

“Kyle Martin,” Kyle stated. He waited a minute until the coach got to the phone.

“Kyle! Kyle Martin,” Coach Czarwinski stated. “How are you doing?”

“I am fine, sir,” Kyle replied.

“Congratulations on being named to the Hall of Fame, Kyle,” Coach said. “It is a well-deserved honor.”

“Thank you,” Kyle said.

“What can an old, retired coach do for you today?” Coach C asked. “You want to pick my brain for defensive philosophy some more so you can destroy the other half of the league’s defenses?”

“Actually, I want to hire your brain,” Kyle said. “I became the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles about an hour ago. I want to hire the best defensive coordinator I can find. He will be assistant head coach and have carte blanche on defense. Whatever he... [snicker] ... you want.”

“Wow!” Coach C commented. “I don’t know what Phyllis is going to say. I can’t commit to working five or ten years for you. I am sixty-six and not ready for long wars anymore.”

“I am not looking for a long commitment,” Kyle said. “I want to bring in Jeremy North as linebackers coach and heir apparent to the defensive coordinator’s job.”

“Damned fine linebacker when he was with the Bears,” Coach C commented. “He has done good work with the linebackers at Notre Dame and this past year as their DC.”

“I agree,” Kyle said. “Is he ready to take over an NFL defense yet? I would love to have you tutoring him and sharing your wisdom with him for a couple years before I find out if he’s ready. Can your wife spare you for a couple more seasons?”

“A two-year commitment?” Coach C asked. “You’ll owe Phyllis big time if I accept this. Who do you see for assistant coaches?”

“You and Jeremy can pick who you think will be best,” Kyle said. “I want young guys who can teach and are out to prove to the NFL they are ready for their jobs. They provide the energy and enthusiasm while you provide the wisdom and point them all in the right direction.”

“That is a good plan, Kyle,” Coach C said. “Can I discuss it with my wife and get back to you tomorrow or the next day?”

“Two days? Sure,” Kyle agreed. “Can I go ahead and work on recruiting Jeremy North in the meantime?”

“I don’t see why not,” Coach C said. “He seems like the linchpin holding all this together.”

“You’re the linchpin for me,” Kyle said. “You are the one who will build me a great defense. Jeremy is just one of the workers, albeit one of the key workers to help you get there.”

“I will discuss all this with my sweetie,” Coach C said. “Hopefully she will let this old fart out to have fun for a couple more seasons.”

“I look forward to hearing from you,” Kyle said.

Later in the evening while Kyle was packing a suitcase for his trip, David popped into the master bedroom.

“Dad, I thought about one more thing with this move,” David started. “What happens with my swimming? I have a great shot at making districts and maybe even states. Is it fair to me if this move takes all that away?”

“That is a fair question,” Kyle allowed. “I suppose you would be willing to stay with Zack and Leigh Ann until swim season is over, if it were necessary.”

“It would solve my problem neatly,” David said.

“I will run interference for you with your mother IF you show us you can’t make district or states when we move.”

“Does this this ... uh ... school even have a swim team?” Davis asked.

“Avon Grove High School,” Kyle answered. “Research the school and find out if they have a swim team. We also need to find out how mid-season transfers work. I don’t know the PIAA rules on that. You can talk to your swim coach tomorrow.”

“Thanks for listening, Dad,” David said. “This gives me a little hope.”

David returned about ten minutes later as Kyle was finishing his packing. “Avon Grove has a swim team. They aren’t ranked as high as Fox Chapel is, but they do have a team.”

“Talk to your coach tomorrow about transferring,” Kyle said. “Your mother and I will consider your request depending on how transfers work and whether you would be able to participate in districts and states.”

Kyle left home early in the morning for the Northeast Pittsburgh Airport. Kyle parked near the terminal. Ed Fritz had arrived a couple minutes earlier. The two walked over to the terminal and met their pilot for the charter jet taking them to Philly. The pair spent the hour or so of the flight talking about who they would recruit to fill the coaching spots for the team. Their charter flight put them down in Philly at a little after 9:30 AM.

Kyle and Ed gathered up their luggage and took a shuttle over to the rental car agency. Kyle picked up a rental car for them to use for the duration of their visit to Philly. They circled the airport and parked in the cell phone lot until Ryan Reynolds’ commercial flight came in. They picked Ryan up in front of the United baggage claim.

Kyle headed north, staying on the entrance ramp rather than merging into traffic on I-95.

“Shouldn’t you be getting on I-95?” Ed asked.

“No, Penrose Avenue is more direct and quicker,” Kyle said. “I just follow it up to Pattison, hang a right and go down the block to NovaCare Complex. Easy-peasy.” Kyle turned and smiled to Ryan. “I student taught in Philly for five months. I know my way around the city.”

“That will be handy,” Ryan said. “Do you know any of the hotels? Where is the best place for us to stay tonight?”

“I thought we could stay at my house in Landenberg while we are in town,” Kyle replied. “Ed can have Davey’s room. You can take Jessie’s. We’ll stay there for the duration of our stay. No sense spending good money on a hotel when I have a comfortable house within commuting distance of the office.”

“You’re the boss, Kyle,” Ryan agreed. He laughed. “That will take a little getting used to.” Ryan had been Kyle’s position coach and boss when Kyle finished up playing with the Broncos. Less than ten minutes later Kyle pulled the car into the parking lot in front of the Eagles NovaCare Complex. They walked inside the team complex.

“Hello,” Kyle said cheerily. “Kyle Martin, Ed Fritz and Ryan Reynolds to see Mr. Lurie or Mr. Vincent. I am not certain who I am to meet with first.”

“Welcome aboard, Mr. Martin,” the receptionist said. “Actually, both of them are waiting for you in Mr. Lurie’s office.”

“Up the steps, down the hallway, last office on the right?” Kyle asked.

“That’s correct, Coach,” the receptionist said. “You have a good memory.”

“Thank you,” Kyle said before leading the threesome upstairs and back to the Eagles owner’s office. Kyle knocked at the door before entering.

“Kyle! It’s good to see you,” Troy Vincent, team president, said as he shook hands with Kyle. Mr. Lurie, the seventy-nine-year-old owner of the Eagles, rose slowly from his desk to greet his new head coach.

“I would like to introduce both of you to a pair of my prospective coaches,” Kyle said. “This is Ryan Reynolds, who I asked to be offensive coordinator. This is Ed Fritz, who will serve as my quarterbacks coach.”

Troy and Mr. Lurie exchanged greetings with Ed and Ryan. “I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds in getting started at recruiting a staff.”

“No, that is a good thing,” Troy said. “As long as you aren’t handing out contracts.”

“Just verbal commitments,” I replied.

“Ryan and Ed, I’ll have an admin take you on a tour of NovaCare’s facilities,” Troy suggested. “Mr. Lurie and I need to have a few minutes in private with Kyle to discuss some matters.”

Mr. Lurie, Troy Vincent and Kyle spent about fifteen minutes discussing the final details of Kyle’s contract. They reviewed how contracts would be arranged for the assistant coaches. This filled the time until the scheduled 1:00 PM press conference to introduce Kyle to the public.

Troy Vincent led the way down to the press room, followed by Kyle and Mr. Lurie. Mr. Lurie, at nearly eighty, was slowing down. He left the day-to-day running of the Eagles to Troy Vincent. He did a state-of-the-Eagles talk just before training camp began and another at the end of the season otherwise, he stayed in the background and allowed the younger generation to be the face of the Eagles organization.

Troy strode to the podium followed by Kyle. Mr. Lurie stopped by the door to watch the proceedings. Flashes popped in his eyes as Kyle scanned the crowd of reporters, photographers and cameramen. He could just make out Ryan and Ed standing at the rear of the room behind the press corps.

“Thank you all for coming,” Troy announced, sporting a big grin. “Today is a great day for the Eagles organization and Eagles fans. All the rumors you’ve asked me about for the past three weeks were true. We had the candidate we wanted since his first interview with us back in wild card week. Unfortunately, we couldn’t finalize the deal until after Super Bowl. Yesterday, Kyle D. Martin agreed to a five-year contract to serve as the head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. It took us a while, but we got our man. I will turn things over to Kyle. I am sure you guys have a few questions for him.” Troy gave Kyle a wink as they exchanged positions at the podium.

“Wow!” Kyle said as he gazed across the crowd in the press room. “It is an honor to stand up in front of you today. I want to thank Troy and Mr. Lurie for having faith in me and giving me this opportunity.

“As the son of a life-long Eagles fan and as a boyhood fan of the Eagles, it is such an honor to coach this team. Given my background, I already understand the expectations of the Eagles organization and fans. We need to win a Super Bowl. Nothing less will do. For those of you who watched the game on Sunday, you know I understand better than most how elusive a Super Bowl win is. I pledge to do everything in my power to get our team into the Super Bowl and to win the game. Fourteen years is too long and Philly is way past due for another parade from City Hall down Broad Street to the stadium to celebrate an Eagles championship.

“I am sure all of you may have a few questions. Forgive me today if I point. I will learn your names in time,” Kyle said. He pointed to a reporter in front.

“Kyle, do you see this season as a rebuilding season, a retooling season or a drive for the playoff season?” the reporter asked.

Kyle sighed. “I wish I could promise we will have a great record this coming season, but I don’t know,” Kyle explained. “The team went 7-10 three seasons ago. It was 5-12 two seasons ago. Last season the team went 3-14. To an outsider, it looks like the team made poor personnel decisions, has a poor attitude and has forgotten how to win. My coaching staff and I will examine last season closely to identify who has the talent and the will to be winners. The rest will be let go. I guess you would call this a rebuilding season.

“I would love to promise our fans we will win right away, but the realist in me knows that will be difficult. I have always had winning seasons in football – high school, college and pros as both a player and a coach. I suspect I may need to learn some humility next season. Next question?”

Kyle pointed to another reporter near the front. “Are you going to install the Steelers fast break offense here?”

“In some form,” Kyle replied. “It won’t look exactly the same, at least not until I get some players in who can make that offense work.”

Kyle pointed to a nicely dressed lady in the second row.

“You’re from the Philly region, Kyle,” the lady asked. “Pat’s or Geno’s?” She was asking which Philly steak sandwich shop he preferred. The two shops were opposite each other on Passyunk Avenue and were huge rivals.

Kyle laughed before answering. “You’re going to get me trouble with my wife. The answer to Pat’s or Geno’s is yes. I love them both. My wife would have me neutered if she caught me having very many of their delicious sandwiches. She has no desire to become a widow at forty years old because I had a heart attack.”

“Have you started selecting your coaching staff?” another reporter asked.

“I have,” Kyle answered. “You can see some of the results along the back wall.” He squinted in the TV lights as he pointed towards Ryan Reynolds and Ed Fritz. “Ryan Reynolds has agreed to be the offensive coordinator. Ryan comes here from a stint as tight ends coach with the Vikings. Before that he served as offensive coordinator for the Raiders, and with various teams as a wide receiver or tight end coach, including two years as my wide receivers coach when I played with the Broncos.

“The second coach I secured is Ed Fritz, who will coach quarterbacks. Over the years many people have asked me how I got so good at catching passes. The answer – practice, practice, practice and more practice. I’ve been catching balls since I was seven or eight. Who was slinging them to me? Ed was. He has been an excellent QB at every level of football. I think he is a better coach than he was a player. I am delighted he agreed to come here to Philly to help me return the Eagles to their proper glory.”

Kyle continued answering questions from the media for over an hour before one of the Eagles press assistants called an end to the conference. Ryan and Ed went with Jeff Lurie’s son, Julian, after the press conference. Julian was the VP for Football Operations for the team. Julian worked out coaching contracts with Ryan and Ed, so they could be shipped off to their agents for final review before signature. Troy took Kyle on a grand tour of the NovaCare complex.

Kyle took Ryan and Ed out to Chickie’s & Pete’s, a restaurant long popular with Phillies and Eagles players and coaches. It was located a couple blocks from NovaCare. Kyle, Ryan and Ed headed for Landenberg after dinner. They grabbed a case of imported beer to enjoy back home as they relaxed and brainstormed their next moves.

David met Arianna DeSalvo at her locker before school started on Wednesday morning. “Hey honey, how are you?” David asked as he gave her hug.

“Good, Davey,” Arianna replied before giving Dave a quick peck on the cheek.

“I have horrible news,” David said.

“Your dad got the job in Philly?” Arianna asked.

“He did,” David confirmed. David and Arianna had talked about the possibility a couple weeks ago when David’s dad flew to Philly to be interviewed.

“That sucks,” Arianna said. “How soon are you moving?”

“I have no idea,” David answered. “I hope you will stay with me until I have to go.”

“You know I will,” Arianna promised.

David made a point of arriving at his sixth period math class early. Mr. Allen Radokovic, the teacher, was also his swim coach.

“Do you have a couple minutes to talk, Coach?” David asked politely.

“Of course,” Mr. Radokovic answered. “I knew you’d be coming. Congratulate your dad for me. This is a well-deserved promotion for him.”

“I’ll tell him that,” David agreed.

“When is your family moving?” Mr. Radokovic asked. “I am guessing you want to know how in-season transfers work with the PIAA.”

“We’re not sure when we are moving yet, but it will be soon,” David answered. “How do in-season transfers work?”

“The key thing with the transfer is that it cannot be done to gain athletic advantage for you,” Mr. Radokovic explained. “That shouldn’t be a problem for you since your whole family is moving in response to your dad getting a new job elsewhere in the state. Your new principal will have to prepare a form stating that your transfer isn’t athletically motivated, but that is it. You will be good to go with your new team.” Mr. Radokovic got a concerned look on his face. “Your new school does have a swim team, doesn’t it?”

“They do,” David answered.

“Good,” Mr. Radokovic said. “I will get a set of all your swim meet results together for your new coach. Do you expect to be available for our meet on Monday against Allderdice?”

“I expect to be,” David promised.

Kyle, Ryan and Ed spent the day on Thursday in conference with the Eagles scouting staff. Julian Lurie led the meetings. Kyle came away impressed with the owner’s son’s knowledge of scouting and managing a football franchise. It was nice to find Julian was going to be more than a pretty face with his name on the door.

The group spent the morning dissecting the Eagles roster. There were a few encouraging signs, but not many. Kyle listened and decided that about half a dozen of these players deserved a spot on an NFL roster. The remainder were expendable.

The afternoon focused on the talent available through the draft. The scouts went through the potential draftees, position group by position group. The quarterback group looked particularly unappealing. That was unfortunate since the Eagles desperately needed a new quarterback.

Kyle was curious as the scouts went through the wide receiver group. Where would his nephew, Noah Martin stand in this group? Noah and his twin brother Connor were graduating from Penn State this spring. The Eagles scouts had Noah rated as a possible sixth round pick. He had a good career at Penn State but not a world class career. His brother, Connor, a cornerback, rated lower. He was rated as a possible seventh round pick with a fair possibility he would go undrafted.

Kyle was given an urgent phone message during a break in the afternoon session. He returned the call immediately.

“Hello?”

“Kyle Martin here,” Kyle said to the voice he recognized immediately.