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*Alternate Reality, vol 1 - 37thchamber - 12-21-2017
Aaaaaand we're back on Earth-616 with our hero, Alt1. Last chapter, we left Alt1 facing free agency, after his rookie contract expired without extension in Miami.
After a protracted free agency -- in which Delacour was shown little interest; teams were reluctant to commit to signing him due to those lingering injury concerns -- Alt1 finally put pen to paper on a two year deal in New York, ostensibly to replace Odell Beckham Jr.
Things started brilliantly for Alt1 with the Towers (the New York Giants proxy in NSFL '19) as he set a franchise record in his first competitive game for his new team. Three touchdowns at home against Philadelphia on opening week in the 2023 season had the media questioning the wisdom of letting him walk, and fans falling swiftly in love with their new star wideout. The following week, an offensive player of the game award added to the love-in.
Concerns resurfaced in week four, when Alt1 was listed as questionable with a stiff neck, but ultimately suited up and put in another solid performance. Later that year, Delacour would set two more franchise records; longest catch (72 yards) in week eight, and receiving yards (138) in week nine. The former of these would also be a personal best. The season would end with the Towers narrowly missing the playoffs, but the change of scenery seemed to have a rejuvenating effect on his career, seeing his productivity approach his career best again (1,157 yards on the season). As the second and final year of his contract began, Delacour knew he needed another strong year to guarantee employment beyond 2024.
As it turned out, Fortuna did not smile upon the Lafayette native. Twice he would miss time in 2024 due to injury, and ended up playing just ten games that season, as New York huffed and puffed their way to a 9-7 record, and a wildcard playoff berth. They went 1-5 without their lightning quick receiver, who returned in time to play a pivotal role in their final game of the regular season -- 113 yards, a touchdown and offensive player of the game in the win that clinched playoffs for New York -- which perhaps underlined how important he was to the team's efforts. This was only the second playoff appearance of Delacour's career to date, and started well, as he picked up another offensive player of the game award in the 24-23 wildcard win over Detroit. Sadly, New York would lose in the divisional round -- still Alt1's best progress -- to Arizona, but this seemed to be enough to convince the front office to extend him.
The off-season before the 2025 season saw Alt1 contact some specialists and switch up his training to try and alleviate the fears regarding recurring injury. He would show up to pre-season looking sharper than ever before, despite entering his thirties. In the first five weeks of the season, Delacour racked up four touchdowns and an average of over 100 yards per game. He was rewarded with four offensive player of the game awards in this time, and media outlets went nuts. "Delacour finally realising his potential", "Maybe Delacour isn't a bust after all", and "Delacour an early front-runner for offensive player of the year" were all headlines seen before Thanksgiving in 2025.
Two more offensive player of the game awards would come that season, as well as several records. A 39 yard kickoff return, 130 receiving yards, a 71 yard reception; all franchise playoff records. 65 receptions, 15 touchdowns, 1,449 yards on the season, longest catch of 79 yards; all personal bests. The last two being franchise records, too. Despite his excellent performance in the playoffs, the Towers got absolutely shredded by Atlanta. The only consolation for Alt1 following the 52-27 blowout was being named to his first pro bowl.
This improvement continued into 2026, where Delacour set another personal best in terms of production, picking up 1,576 yards on the season from 75 receptions (two personal records). The Towers went one and done in the playoffs again -- this time falling 23-20 to Minnesota despite Alt1's 125 yard, 1 TD game. Another pro bowl appearance followed, though. Notably, Delacour didn't miss a game for the second consecutive season -- though there was a scare as he left the wildcard game early with blurred vision -- putting paid to the injury concerns that had plagued his career to this point.
2027 was another contract year for Alt1, so he needed to maintain his lofty level of performance -- despite many suggesting he'd be sliding into age-related decline at this point -- and he did not disappoint.No more records set, but three offensive player of the game awards, alongside his 1,461 receiving yards (on 64 catches) earned him another pro bowl spot. The Towers missed the playoffs, but couldn't afford to lose their leading receiver, locking him up for three more years; meaning it's likely Alt1 will be remaining in New York for the rest of his career.
In the fourth and final chapter, we'll see out the end of Alt1's career, and see if he can win a ring, or reach the Hall of Fame.
(855 words)
GRADED
*Alternate Reality, vol 1 - White Cornerback - 12-21-2017
Love this! A few seasons ago I had an idea similar to this and seeing how well you've wrote this up I might pursue this.
*Alternate Reality, vol 1 - 37thchamber - 12-22-2017
(12-22-2017, 02:10 AM)Dermot Wrote:Love this! A few seasons ago I had an idea similar to this and seeing how well you've wrote this up I might pursue this.Still planning to run your QB career btw, lol. Was gonna do it last night but I fell asleep waiting for the final part of Alt1's career to sim. Might still get that in as an add-on for chapter four.
But yeah, it's pretty cool to just watch everything happen. Especially when it's absolutely crazy. In this alternate reality, Andy Dalton ends up becoming Steelers QB, and wins playoff games for example.