Sheppard Hiring Pays Dividends

Former HB Great Loses Job as Player, Finds Job as Coach
By "Gary Gray"

Regular Season 2128 (Washington, DC) - Round 1 of waivers ended, and Tommy Sheppard's agent sent him a text message: 'U r pikd nxt rnd, grntee'

His agent was fired by the end of the day. As each team filled its roster, Tommy's heart sank deeper into his stomach. In 2126, he was the league's fifth-best rusher on a Panthers playoff team. The next year, Tommy's salary deflated from $15 million to a mere $1 million before he was traded to the Vikings in exchange for a measly third round pick. With Alec Smith locked in at halfback, the Vikings converted Sheppard to one of the league's premier fullbacks. But he was in a scheme that allowed him only 66 carries the entire season.

Surprising the league, general manager Lou Lombardo cut Sheppard in a last second decision to squeeze under the 2128 salary cap. Despite all this demeaning roster activity that seemed to have no reflection on the star's playing ability, Tommy kept his head up. He looked at each transition as an opportunity to achieve his elusive dream of winning just one more championship. The unforgiving waiver wire was Tommy's last chance at fulfilling his dream - until Week 2 of the 2128 season reignited his hopes.

The first time Tommy glimpsed the trophy was in year 2117, when Houston's QB Michael Fortin lofted it high in the air following a championship game that featured Tommy on the bench of the losing team for all four quarters. In 2121, Sheppard was the star of a Chicago Bears offense that yielded the second-highest point total that year. But his quest was an utter failure when the Chiefs stifled Chicago's offense, holding them to a mere 3 points in a Sundby Cup blowout. In 2122, the Washington Redskins pilfered the Panthers' roster through free agency, stealing the star halfback away from the cash-strapped Chicago team.

Following a dismal 1-13 season, Sheppard demanded a trade away from the Redskins. Management obliged and worked a deal to send Sheppard to the Panthers in a package exchange for Alec Smith (who was later dealt to Minnesota). That trade resulted in Tommy's first championship ring as the Panthers eeked a win over the Ravens in 2123. Despite fielding consistently good teams, the Panthers were never able to reach the big game again. That franchise decided to allow Tommy another shot at a title and dealt him to Minnesota in 2127. And we all know what Mr. Lombardo did to Sheppard's career.

Meanwhile, Redskins management scoured its roster just hours before the cut deadline. AGM Ben Breeden had a tough decision - cut one of his $1 prospects in hopes that a star would find his way to the waiver wire, or stand pat. He made the wrong decision, not knowing that Sheppard would be available. When the waiver list was published, Breeden - who had maintained a pleasant friendship with his former player - immediately phoned Sheppard and expressed his surprise. 'Tommy, we're shocked that you're not on a team. If we had room under the cap, I guarantee you'd be on our roster. But don't worry - a contender will definitely pick you up. They'd be crazy not to!'

Wrong again. The last waiver selection by Dallas confirmed Tommy's fate. He was done. Retirement was his only option.

And then Redskin's halfback Dean Dawson struggled in weeks 1 and 2. In two games, Dawson compiled a meager 109 yards on 36 carries with 0 touchdowns. His lack of production spurred the franchise to make an immediate change. They fired the current running back coach and hired Sheppard to light a fire under Dawson. The results were immediate; three straight 100-yard games placed Dawson at #5 on the league rushing list by the end of Week 5. Breeden couldn't be more pleased to have Sheppard on his staff, 'This guy has head coach written all over him. He's always been an intelligent player and he's been able to channel that into becoming a skilled coach. Just a great motivator, he really has a knack for pushing players to their limits. I think he could be the missing piece on this team. We need some leadership, and Tommy provides it. I hope we can win him at least one more ring.'

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