Chapter 1034: Fired Up

Bobby Wagner was slowly backpedaling with small steps.

After the snap, Wagner’s first defensive assignment was Marcus Lynch. When Marcus was in the defensive circle of his teammates on his left, he adjusted his balance and footwork, pretending to stay in place, but he was already ready to backpedal and assist at any time. The short and medium passing zones were his areas to cover.

The opposing quarterback was still observing. Wagner quickly turned his head and looked behind him. The entire backfield came into his sight. Marcus Lynch and Ted Ginn Jr. were blocking each other in the short and medium passing zones in the middle of the field, and Kam Chancellor was leaning toward his right.

Wagner, using his animal instincts, moved early and joined his teammates’ zone defense. This way, no matter which direction the opposing quarterback chose to pass, they could cut off all the routes in time. This would further compress the quarterback’s space and create an opportunity for a potential blitz.

However, Wagner’s backpedaling was not fast. He remained cautious and kept his eyes on the quarterback.

It was at this moment that Wagner noticed something unusual about the opposing quarterback. The alarm for the front-line defenders was sounded. His first reaction was to adjust his footwork, and like a tiger leaping out of its cage, he charged toward the quarterback’s direction. But he was a half-step too slow. The quarterback had already started and was running with the ball.

Damn it!

Wagner didn’t run straight at him. Instead, he adjusted his footwork and went on a small detour, planning to cut him off.

The biggest difference between a quarterback running with the ball and a running back is that a quarterback looks as fragile as a crystal doll. The impact and tackles from defenders can be fatal, and they are very prone to injury. So, quarterbacks will not confront defenders head-on. Instead, they will go around them and immediately fall to the ground when in danger.

Correspondingly, when defending a quarterback running with the ball, the linebackers’ movements and angles are more open. They don’t have to worry about a physical confrontation. What’s more, the Seattle Seahawks’ linebackers were already in a retro, brawny style, which gave them an even bigger advantage. Even a top-tier quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, who can run with the ball, couldn’t get an advantage.

On a side note, in the Wild Card game against the Washington Redskins, Robert Griffin III continued to play in the same style as he did in the regular season. The proportion of his own running with the ball still accounted for the majority of his read-option plays. But he had been bothered by a minor knee injury before, and he still didn’t slow down at all. As a result, the Seahawks’ defense directly "sent" Griffin off the field. I heard that his knee injury needed further examination.

Now, Wagner smelled a golden opportunity. After going on his small detour, he stared at number 14, gritting his teeth and tensing his muscles. If he had a chance to hit him hard, he would not let it pass. And then... "Here he comes!"

Wagner used two tiptoes to adjust his balance and rhythm. Because number 14’s running with the ball was very light, he gave up on trying to overtake him by force. Instead, he dove forward, like a flying squirrel gliding through the air. In mid-air, he aimed for number 14’s thigh and charged forward.

In football, because the impact of a tackle is so violent and powerful, a tackle below the knee can easily cause a serious injury. Generally, the waist is the most appropriate height. At the same time, the league’s official rules have strict regulations regarding the tackling position. Once a player commits a foul, it’s a severe penalty, just like pulling a helmet, as it’s a serious foul against sportsmanship.

Wagner didn’t care about that at all. The sound of rushing air rang in his ears. He was about to collide with the other player. Then, the red jersey suddenly accelerated a second time, exploding with great energy and taking a step toward the left sideline.

It was only a half-step, but it was enough to make them miss each other. Wagner then charged past him, but he couldn’t get a solid hit. His right arm only hit a tight and firm thigh muscle. Then, before Wagner could react, he was sent flying, flipped in the air, and fell awkwardly to the ground.

What the hell!

This was unbelievable!

Wagner felt as if the world was turning upside down. He only had time to quickly glimpse that the red figure was stumbling but still hadn’t fallen. He was still moving forward. This... this... Before the collision and fall had stopped, Wagner was already cursing.

"Can you believe it? Wow! Can you believe it!"

"Lu Ke completed a run with the ball! Again!"

"It looked like the Legion of Boom had the secondary defense completely covered. Lu Ke couldn’t find many passing opportunities, so he made a quick decision to run with the ball. From the timing of his decision to the layout of his route, it was perfect! Lu Ke accurately found that small opening and ran out with his own two feet!"

"Facing Bobby Wagner’s determined tackle, Lu Ke instantly burst out with a second burst of speed, narrowly avoiding the powerful hit. He then stumbled and continued to move forward for about five more yards before he voluntarily ran out of bounds due to Brandon Browner’s return to defense. Beautiful! That was truly beautiful!"

"Lu Ke ran for a total of 15 yards with his feet. Not only did he successfully get a first down, but they are now on the opponent’s 15-yard line. The end zone is right in front of them!"

"Oh my God! The San Francisco 49ers’ offense has been spectacular since the start!"

Lu Ke voluntarily ran out of bounds. First, to avoid a head-on collision with Browner. Second, because he had already gotten the first down, there was no need to be greedy. Third, his feet were already stumbling, and he had no more energy left.

The entire run was relatively easy. After adapting and adjusting for the past two weeks, Lu Ke had more advantages when running with the ball. Even the second burst of speed was within his control. It was a bit risky, but overall, it was still within his plan.

Continue to attack the Seattle Seahawks’ running defense!

Lu Ke wanted to show a head-on stance, a stance that he would break through the running defense even if it meant a mutual destruction. Then, based on the Seahawks’ defense’s reaction, he would change his offensive plan. This game was definitely a battle of wits and calculation. They would see who could get the upper hand and who would have the last laugh.

After running out of bounds, Lu Ke jumped lightly in place a few times to relax his limbs and muscles. It wasn’t nervousness, but excitement. The game had just started, and Lu Ke was already in his best form. He was even a bit too excited, so his control was not as refined and accurate. He made a move that was beyond imagination in a moment of impulse.

Based on his usual style, Lu Ke would never take such a risk when facing Wagner’s charge. If it were a long pass, Lu Ke would be willing to take a risk. But running with the ball was not his strong suit, nor was it his style of play. But... with a hot head, he chose to accelerate a second time instead of running out of bounds.

According to the system, Lu Ke’s current state was 95%. This was the most direct reflection.

When facing the Seattle Seahawks, Lu Ke was never short on motivation.

Lu Ke lightly tossed the football to the referee, and with a relaxed and light step, he went back onto the field. He called his offensive teammates over, as if the run he had just made was meaningless. He focused completely on the next play, once again making a play call, and then the San Francisco 49ers’ offense quickly lined up.

When this offense gets into a fast tempo, it’s deadly for any defense. The Seattle Seahawks were no exception.

"Attack!"

Unlike the previous two times, Lu Ke, who was in the "I" formation, suddenly started a complex and confusing snap count. The real snap count hadn’t even been released yet when the referee’s whistle blew.

A yellow flag was thrown.

The Seahawks’ number 51, rookie defensive end Bruce Irvin, had an offside. They were penalized five yards, and the San Francisco 49ers were now in the red zone, 10 yards away from the end zone.

Even though it was just an offside penalty, you could feel that the Seahawks’ defense was increasing in intensity. This didn’t mean they were getting anxious. It meant that their desire to apply pressure was rising, and the tension was growing. For Lu Ke, this was a positive sign.

"Attack!"

After lining up again, Lu Ke retreated three steps and stood in the shotgun formation. He still chose a complex and confusing snap count, but this time there were no fouls. Lu Ke had no problem announcing the snap.

When Lu Ke had the ball in his hands, he almost adjusted his feet in place, and with a quick motion, he passed the ball. The quick pass was like lightning, and the defenders could only react by instinct. They couldn’t make a strategic judgment. All the defenders on the front and secondary lines immediately stuck to their assigned players.

Who was the target?

It wasn’t that the defenders were careless and forgot to observe the pass’s trajectory. It was that the quick-throw play didn’t give them time to observe. They could only immediately cover all four of their assigned players.

And then, Marcus Lynch appeared.

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