Chapter 16

I made sure Heather had her ticket, parking pass and good directions to the Coliseum before I headed over to the Rams training facility. Our team gathered at our training facility and rode buses south to the stadium closer to game time.

Mark Shaeffer checked on me as we prepared for our big contest. “You know, we have got to hit a few big passes to loosen up the 49ers defense today.”

“I agree,” I responded. “Make sure you put the ball high and, on the side, away from Aaron Morano. I have a couple inches on Aaron but he’s my equal in speed.” I stared Mark in the eye. “I will knock down anything that comes my way if Aaron gets his hands on it. Don’t be gun shy about throwing my way. The 49ers will single Aaron on me and use the spare safety to double Clay, Tyler or Mike. Know that I will fight for the ball anytime it comes my way.”

“I know you will, Andrew,” Mark said. He headed across the locker room to fire up our offensive line. Everything depended on them giving Mark time to make his throws. I checked on Jay Nicholson. Not surprisingly, he had his nose buried in the playbook, studying our game plan.

“You ready if we need you?” I asked.

“As ready as I can be,” Jay responded. “I am one play away from running the offense. I understand my role.”

“You be ready,” I said. “Hopefully we don’t need you but be prepared, just in case.”

Coach Tolbert rallied the team for a short talk about the game and our team’s goals. We loaded up on the buses and headed downtown for the contest.

I spotted Heather sitting in the wives and girlfriends’ section when we went out to warmup just before the game started. I gave her a wave. Both Mark and Jay asked me to help them warm up their arms with some deep balls. I obliged both.

The game started slow. We had an excellent defensive line, anchored by Howie Long’s son, Chris. Darrin Newton, LaVonn Dixon and Leroy Williams filled out our line. They weren’t all-pro like Chris, but they were damned good. Our coaches had preached all week that our pass rush needed to maintain lane discipline at all times, to pen Jerrold MacGee into the backfield so he couldn’t escape and burn us with long runs.

The 49ers, who accepted the kickoff, went three plays and punted the ball back to us.

I lined up on our 40 yard line to accept the punt. The 49er’s punter boomed the ball. I dropped back a few yards, drifting to my left, and caught the ball. I spotted Ryan Maguire, who was assigned to block the 49er’s gunner on the left side, get tangled with the gunner. Both flopped to the ground. I sprinted forward; angling left immediately. My blockers had spotted the opening too and tried to wall off the 49ers cover guys. I had to break through a cluster of three or four guys near the 35 yard line. They weren’t prepared for me as I burst through their cluster. I juked right then left, passing the desperation tackle attempt by the 49er’s kicker. I turned on the jets and flew down the field for the end zone. Chris Cobb, Tyler O’Donnell and Zack Ponce escorted me the final thirty yards into the end zone.

66,000 Rams fans roared their approval at my play. I held the ball aloft to acknowledge their thanks before I was swamped by teammates congratulating me on the touchdown. We trotted off the field to our sidelines.

“That’s how’s it’s done, Andrew!” Coach Croft shouted as we high-fived. “Good work!” Turning his attention immediately to the next play, he called out, “One Point! One Point! Extra point team take the field!” Our reliable, eleventh year kicker, Mark Briggs, nailed the extra point to give our team a 7-0 lead with 13:42 remaining in the first quarter.

The 49ers managed to make one first down before our defense stopped them. The 49ers covered better on my next punt return. I got us the ball at our 36 yard line. The 49ers defensive line was nearly the equal of our line. They kept Marcus Waldron, our tailback, corralled. Navarro Bowman and Jermaine Coleman, their all-pro inside linebackers flowed to the ball and stopped Marcus before he could make many yards.

To no one’s surprise, Aaron Morano covered me one on one. This gave the 49ers an extra man to help with either Clay Wicks, our tight end, Mike Wemberly, the wide receiver opposite me, or even Tyler O’Donnell, who frequently played the slot.

Coaches tried to establish our running game early, leaving us with third and long too often. We punted the ball back to them. The first and second quarters turned into a defensive duel. Neither team could establish any rhythm on offense. Aaron kept me from catching anything deeper than six to nine yards. I ran some deep routes, but Mark Schaeffer always dumped off the ball shallow to someone else when I went deep.

Slowly Jerrold MacGee, the Niners QB, and his team got their act together. He sparked his offense when he slipped our defensive line’s containment four plays into an early second quarter drive and dashed for 34 yards. He threw a TD to Torrey Smith in the corner of the end zone on the eighth play of the drive.

Our team couldn’t respond in kind. I tried to get Mark to throw deep to challenge Aaron Morano, but he was satisfied dumping the ball off short. We were forced to punt the ball back to the 49ers after seven plays.

MacGee did it again on the second play of the next drive, a zone read play. Jordan White, a free agent we picked up from Green Bay last spring, was spelling Mike Keller at inside linebacker. Jordan misread the play, whiffed on the tackle and MacGee was gone. Joe Stewart, our free safety, dragged the QB down by the shoe strings after he gained thirty-two yards. The 49ers needed four more plays to stuff the ball into the end zone. We were now down 14-7 and none too happy about the deficit.

Our offense’s discombobulation continued. I was forced to abort the kick return when the ball flew through the end zone. Two running plays netted a single yard. Mark finally tried a deep ball too me, but much too high. I couldn’t have gotten the ball with a step ladder. It had to be ten feet off ground as it flew past Aaron and me. Thankfully Aaron had single coverage on me so no free safety was hovering deep to scoop up the ball for what could have been a sure interception. We punted the ball back to the 49ers.

On this drive they fed our defense a steady diet of Rick Williams, the talented fourth-year back from Oklahoma. The big back pushed us back past mid-field. Jerrold MacGee appeared to run another zone read to his right. Darian Newton, LaVonn Dixon and Mike Keller had the play diagnosed. They trapped MacGee in the backfield. He coolly looped the ball to Torrey Smith on the far sideline. It was actually a screen play. Torrey whizzed down the sideline behind his blocking. Barry Lee Smith and Joe Stewart pushed Smith out of bounds around our 5 yard line.

Our defense was upset. They repulsed two Rick Williams dives toward the end zone on first and second down, sending him into the backfield for a yard loss each play. Barry Lee Smith managed to use his fingertips to flick the ball away from Anquan Boldin in the corner of the end zone on third down. The 49ers made the 23 yard field goal on fourth down. Score: 17-7, 49er’s favor.

The 49ers deep kickoff forced me to accept a touchback in the end zone on the ensuing kickoff. Marcus Waldron tried an off-tackle run and then a sweep, gaining only three yards in two plays. Mark called for me to fake deep and then come-back for the ball. Aaron seemed to bite on the deep route. I stopped abruptly and came back a couple yards towards Mark as he drilled the ball into me.

To my shock, Aaron managed to recover and slip a hand between my hands, the ball and my body. I twisted my body away from Aaron’s arm as I struggled to bring the ball into my belly. By the time I fell and Aaron landed on top of me, I had sole possession of the ball – an eleven yard gain on third down and seven.

The next play Coach had me run deep, dragging half the secondary with me. We were in a “heavy” package, two tight ends, two receivers and a tailback. Marcus, our tailback, faked a dive up the middle. That was to attract the linebackers forward while Chris Cobb ran a curl behind them.

The 49ers’ right DT spoiled things for us. He swatted at the ball as Mark tossed it over the line to Chris on the curl. The ball bounded straight into Navarro Bowman’s lap. Navarro dashed around the end of the line and was convoyed to the end zone by a bevy of linebackers and defensive linemen. The 49ers kicked the point after. Score: 24-7, 49ers’ favor.

I finally got a returnable kickoff. I managed to wend my way out to our 38 yard line. We had two and a half minutes left in the half to get our act together. Mark calmed the huddle and we went to work. Short passes mixed with a few runs got us unstuck. We crossed the 50 yard line. Coach called for me to be the primary deep.

“Put it high and on the opposite shoulder from Aaron,” I asked Mark. “I promise I will track it down and catch it or make sure it is incomplete. It won’t be an interception.” Mark agreed unenthusiastically.

I raced down field at the snap. Aaron followed me stride for stride, covering me on the inside position (i.e. on my field side rather than sideline side). I checked back for the ball about twenty yards downfield. I hoped to hell Mark threw the ball accurately. I spotted the ball – high and flying towards my outside or sideline shoulder.

I slowed slightly and jumped for the ball. Aaron jumped simultaneously. I caught the ball with the tips of my fingers, just out of Aaron’s reach. I pulled the ball to my body while Aaron jostled me, trying to knock the ball loose. I landed. Aaron tackled me immediately. I moved the ball up to the 49ers’ 22 yard line.

Coach went for everything on the next play, flooding the end zone with receivers. No one came open. To the crowd’s, the 49ers and our own team’s surprise, Mark Shaeffer, exploiting the open space in the center of the field abandoned by the 49er’s pass rush, trotted downfield. He picked up nine yards. Our team needed four more plays, but we pushed the ball into the end zone before the half ran out. Score: 24-14, 49ers favor.

The last second score encouraged my team. We would get the ball to start the second half. Our coaches reviewed a few tweaks to our game plan. Coach Moore preached that whoever was single covered had to make the play. He was staring straight at me as he said it. Message received. I knew I had to beat one of the best cornerbacks in the league a few more times if I expected my team to win.

I took a touchback to the start the second half. Coach Davis, our offensive coordinator called a great series on our drive. We are cast as a run-first team. Coach Davis called for play action passes when we were supposed to run. He hit them with a screen when they blitzed us. On the sixth play of the drive, I was to test the 49ers deep.

I did a stutter step fifteen yards downfield when Mark pump faked. Aaron bit hard on the fake, which wasn’t totally surprising. I had been breaking off routes and coming back for the ball all afternoon. I sprinted downfield, gaining a yard and a half space between me and Aaron – which is nearly wide open by Aaron Morano coverage standards.

I checked back for the ball as I dashed downfield. I found it finally – high and sailing towards the middle of the field. I redirected my route, but I didn’t have enough speed to catch the badly overthrown ball. This was the story of our team since Dylan Harris broke his hand three weeks earlier. Mark did not have the accuracy to complete balls deep consistently.

Coach Davis was undaunted. The very next play, second down and ten yards to go, he called for a deep pass again. I was to go on a flag route. Tyler O’Donnell was going for the post. To my surprise, the 49ers free safety lined up a little deeper than normal and in the middle of the field. Up to now, he lined up deep on the half of the field away from me. Maybe Aaron was going to get help keeping me in check.

Tyler and I dashed downfield at the snap. I made my move and gained a half a step on Aaron. He shadowed me to the outside. Now I knew. The free safety was available to help against me. Mark had better place the ball carefully if he threw to me. I looked back for the ball about twenty yards downfield. It was flying for Tyler, who beat the slot back easily. Thankfully Mark managed to deliver the ball to Tyler accurately.

I ran downfield to block the free safety, so he wouldn’t catch Tyler. I knocked both of us to the ground. Aaron Morano tried to vault us as he ran after Tyler. He got tangled in the pile of bodies and went down too. The three of watched from the ground as Tyler dashed into the end zone, untouched.

I hopped up and raced downfield to congratulate my protégé. “Great job, Tyler!” I exclaimed as I hugged my teammate.

“I’m glad you pulled the free safety away,” Tyler replied. “I can beat this guy one-on-one.” I escorted my buddy off the field. Mark Briggs made the PAT. Score: 24-21 49er’s favor. We were squarely in this game again.

Our TD energized our defense. They stonewalled the 49ers, giving up two yards on three plays. I picked up an easy dozen yards on the punt return, giving us possession on our 48 yard line. We managed to bull ahead 11 yards for a first down on three plays. The next play Coach Davis went deep. Tyler and I both ran deep again. The deep safety covered Tyler’s middle route, leaving me one-on-one with Aaron. I cut towards the sideline fifteen yards down. Aaron nearly tripped as he reacted. I sprinted downfield, opening an eight to ten foot gap between Aaron and me. I was wide open by Morano standards.

I looked back towards Mark to track the ball. He was under pressure and gave the ball heave. My heart sank as I watched the lazy floater come down at least five yards short of me, but right to were Aaron was. I reversed course and became a defensive back. I tried to pry and knock the ball loose as Aaron caught it. Thankfully I took him to the ground before he could gain any interception return yards. The 49ers took possession of the ball at their 16 yard line.

Mark Shaeffer met me at the sideline. “My bad, Andrew,” Marks said. “You fake Morano out of his jock strap and I throw that dying duck of a pass. That was going to be a touchdown for sure. I was hurried and threw off balance. I’ll make it up to you next series.”

“We will get them next time,” I agreed. I was pissed at Mark for the poor throw but what good would it do to dwell in it? I needed Mark comfortable throwing the deep ball if I was going to carry my weight on the team.

Neither offense could gain advantage through the rest of the third quarter. It became a battle of field position and we were getting the better starting position. We were still behind 21-24 as the fourth quarter began. It was the fourth play of the drive, first and 10 at our 38 yard line. I was going deep but Aaron had me wrapped up tight. Mark tried to get the ball to Clay Wicks, who ran a crossing route over the middle. Navarro Bowman knocked the ball away.

I turned back to find our offensive line huddling around Mark, who was lying face down on the field. A pair of 49ers were hopping up from taking Mark down. Our lineman had words with the two 49ers. The refs stepped into the scrum to cool everyone’s tempers. I found out why our linemen were mad when I saw the replay on the big screen. The 49er’s left defensive end had blindsided Mark in the back, helmet first. The trainers took three or four minutes to help Mark to the sidelines.

The fifteen yard unnecessary roughness penalty moved the ball down to the 49er’s 47 yard line. Jay Nicholson grabbed his helmet and tossed the ball a bit to warm up his arm. He trotted out to the field to join our huddle. Jay called the play. Nearly every face displayed surprise when he announced the play. Our normally conservative coach was going for broke.

Normally a backup quarterback is given an easy play or two before he is asked to do much, especially pass deep. Cold off the bench, Coach Tolbert expected Jay to complete the same pass play that Mark had thrown an interception with in the third quarter.

“Give me three seconds, line, and I can get this done,” Jay declared. He looked me in the eye. “You get the ball, Andy, if you’re one-on-one with Aaron. Climb up his back. Do what you gotta do. Get the damn ball!”

“Whatever it takes, Jay,” I agreed.

“ON ONE ... BREAK!” Jay snapped. We clapped and then lined up for the play. Jay called, “Blue 52 ... Blue 52...” Clay trotted across the formation and took his spot beside our left tackle. That left Tyler O’Donnell in the slot and me on the outside. We watched the free safety shift a few yards to his right, away from me. It was the same defense we saw last time. I would be one-on-one with Aaron.

Aaron eyeballed the formation. “HUT!” I sidestepped right as Aaron went to chuck me at the line of scrimmage. I slipped by and ran downfield. Aaron backpedaled, swiveled his hips and then ran with me. The free safety was heading for Tyler, so I was alone with Aaron.

At fifteen yards deep, I cut like I was breaking for an out route. Aaron slowed but didn’t overplay my move as much this time. I turned and sprinted down field, having maybe a foot or two separation from Aaron. Five more yards downfield, I turned to look for the ball. It was flying my way at high speed, right for my outside shoulder, perfectly placed. Aaron had no shot at the ball. I leaped and stretched, snagging the ball by my fingertips. I felt Aaron pawing at my back.

I spun away from Aaron as soon as my feet touched the ground, ripping his hands off my jersey. I sprinted for the end zone as fast I could fly. No one touched me before I scored a touchdown.

“Good play, Andy,” Aaron called from a couple yards back when I stopped running. “Damn good play.” I didn’t get to answer my friend as my teammates raced down and surrounded me to celebrate our go-ahead score. Mark Briggs kicked the PAT. Score 28-24, Rams.

I carried the ball over to the sidelines. “You want this?” I asked Jay as I tossed the ball to him.

“Really?” Jay asked.

“How many first touchdown balls do you expect to throw in the NFL?”

‘I guess one,” Jay agreed, displaying a goofy grin. “You were brilliant, man. Every bit as good as Kyle.”

“High praise,” I said.

“I mean it,” Jay insisted.

“How is Mark?” I asked. We checked. Mark greeted Jay and me with a grin.

“Nice work you two,” Mark said. “You can have a seat on the bench again, Jason. I don’t have a concussion.”

“It’s your team,” Jay said. “I am glad I could do my part.”

The defensive struggle continued, without scoring. Our defense took confidence from the lead they were defending. The 49er’s offense got increasingly desperate to score. Our offense played conservative, burning time off the clock with running plays and keeping the 49ers pinned deep on their side of the field. Our offense got the ball with 3:34 left in the game. We ran all the time off the clock, never letting the 49ers have a chance at a comeback.

I bumped into Aaron Morano at midfield after the game ended. “God, I am getting too old for this shit!” Aaron snapped as he saw me. He wasn’t mad. He was smiling when he said it. “First I have to play Kyle in the Super Bowl. Then the damn Broncos show up on the 2014 schedule. I should have gotten a break after that, but no ... your team has to draft you. Now I see a Martin twice a year, three times if we both do well in the playoffs. What did I do to deserve this fate?”

“Manage to live the dream of about a million kids across the country?” I replied.

“I guess that is the right perspective,” Aaron agreed. “Damn, you are just as tough to cover as your brother.”

“Nobody covers me tighter than you do,” I responded. “Give Tania and Junior kisses for me.” Junior is Aaron’s son, Aaron, Junior.

“You give your boys kisses from their Uncle Aaron too,” Aaron said. “I’ll see you in ‘Frisco on ... uh ... when is our next game?”

“January 1,” I said.

“See you there,” Aaron said before wandering off to converse with other of Aaron’s teammates. I headed inside to clean up and change. I knew I would be in demand at the post-game press conference since I scored the winning TD. I gave Heather a call before I headed to the press room.

“Where are you at?” I asked when Heather answered the phone.

“I am somewhere inside the stadium with Beth Harris,” Heather said. “I ended sitting with her to watch the game. I see a bunch of what looks like reporters and cameramen in a big room near us.”

“I like Beth,” I responded. “I am glad you hooked up with her. Hang out where you are. I am on my way to the press room.”

“Beth suggested that you and I could join her and Dylan for dinner,” Heather said. “What do you think?”

“That would be excellent,” I said. “I’ll see you in a few.” I stopped by Dylan’s locker. “Looks like your wife and my girlfriend cooked up a plan for us to take them out to dinner tonight.”

“Cool!” Dylan answered, smiling. “`Highest draft pick gets the bill?” The Bills picked Dylan with the tenth pick in the first round. I was picked fifth in the 2015 first round pick.

“I think biggest contract should get the tab,” I responded. I was still on my rookie contract. Dylan hit his first payday last season when the Rams reworked his contract after he was traded from Buffalo.

“How about we each cover our own bill?” Dylan answered.

“That works,” I agreed. “I have to pop-in to the press conference. Walk over with me. We can meet Beth and Heather there.”

“That’s a plan, Andrew,” Dylan agreed. I relayed our plans to the girls. I went up to the front of the room to await my turn to be questioned. Dylan hung out by the back wall, trying to be inconspicuous. That was Dylan’s way – team first. None of the rah-rah, look-at-me from him.

Coach Tolbert answered most of the questions. Mark Shaeffer and I each answered a couple. The media asked that Jay Nicholson attend the conference since he threw the go-ahead touchdown.

“Any trouble connecting with Andrew Martin on the throw?” a local Fox reporter asked Jay. “You’ve only played with the scout team until two weeks ago. How did you manage to get your timing down?”

“I’ve been throwing that pass to one of the Martin brothers since I was a freshman in college,” Jay answered.

“Are you comparing Andrew’s capabilities to his All-Pro brother, Kyle?” the reporter asked next.

“That is exactly what I am saying,” Jay said. “Andy is every bit his brother’s equal in size, talent, leaping ability and speed. Andy will tell you he’s got a half inch in height on Kyle.” Jay laughed. “Kyle will say he has a half an inch on Andy. All I know is both can out-leap just about any other receiver. I wouldn’t have thrown that pass today to anyone other than Kyle or Andy. Aaron Morano is an All-Pro too and one of the best cornerbacks in the country.”