How two trades won a title.

Sometimes it is all about luck.
By "Jon Cole"

Off-Season 2096 (Houston, TX) - In 2088, Houston GM Patrick Sicher dismantled the team to the extent that they broke many records of futility. Futility lasted several years, but all that paid off this season as the Texans captured their first title in 57 years. It was a long wait and the rebuilding was tough on the fans, but Sicher knew he had a title in hand during his first draft. And two draft day trades in particular cemented that premonition.

Having just finished a somewhat unexpected 2-12, Houston held the first pick in the draft. Considering the quality of the draft class, Sicher decided this was the time to implode the team. Great players like QB Darby Perry and DB Tyler Rayam were sent packing and draft picks were accumulated. The consesus number one pick was HB Evan Green. Houston was in an enviable postion, take a superstar cornerstone running back, or trade him and get a slew of picks. Two draft day offers stood out, long time friend Joe Malloy was offering to pay 3 fourth round picks to move up from the 3rd slot while division rival Steve Harrison of the Chiefs was offering the #9 and the #14 pick. A tough choice, 1 potential stud at 3 and some late round talent or 2 riskier studs at 9 and 14.

The decision was not an easy one, but the prospect of getting a stud at 3 while adding the value in the late rounds was too tempting to pass up. With the number one pick, Malloy took Green and when Pittsburgh took G Chris Cunningham, Sicher saw an opportunity. He got on the hotline phone and asked Steve if he would still be interested in making the trade for the number 3 pick, where he could get HB Kenneth Massey. As the draft moderator prepared to announce that Houston was on the clock, Harrison took a gamble and pulled the trigger. Houston had passed on not one but two potential franchise running backs for 2 firsts and 3 fourths. It turned out to be the trades that won the 2095 Sundby Cup.

With the #9 pick, Houston selected QB Steve Milstead who this season surpassed 25,000 passing yards and 120 touchdowns. The number 14 pick was linebacker Doug Dosland who recorded 7 sacks this season and was an integral part of the leagues best defense. Of the 3 4th round picks, the 1st was LB Floyd Frank who busted out after some lackluster training camps. The next two picks were integral parts of the playoff run. WR1 Christian Byrd finished the post season with 30 catches, 316 yards and 1 touchdown and CB2 Vinny Yale, had 2 interceptions for 51 yards and 16 total tackles.

Houston passed on 2 stud halfbacks, then at 16 the reigning MVP Ernie Milstead was taken and his teammate Jamil Schaff went in the third. Then with the 1st pick in the third round, Houston took HB Chuck Langfield who has turned in 4 consecutive seasons with over 1200 yards capping it off with a 1700 yard season and a 100 yard game and a TD in the Super Bowl.

Ovarll the Texans draft that year was amazing, of the 16 guys selected in that draft, 14 are still key members of the team. Aside from the guys mentioned above, the roster includes the current T2, DT3, LB2, WR2, DE2, CB1, K1, FB1 and TE1.

And one final note, the two halfbacks the Texans shut down on their way to winning the title? New England's Evan Green and Kansas City's Kenneth Massey.

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