Chapter 954: 953 Touching Stone into Gold

Barry Sanders, a legend, a master, a GOAT.

And now, Li Wei has obtained the training model of Sanders, giving him the opportunity to continue learning directly from this legendary running back through the system.

This is an honor.

Some might wonder, where exactly does Sanders’ greatness lie?

The answer is: all-around excellence.

Sanders’ physique is highly unique. He stands at just 5 feet 7 inches (173 cm), remarkably short among football players and almost lacking any field of vision; yet he weighs 200 pounds (91 kg), a tower of steel and muscle, while still maintaining agility.

Speed, direction changes, strength, resilience, observation, judgment, adaptability on the field.

He can do it all.

Previously, Li Wei had received the training model of Tomlinson. This running back’s versatility lay in his ability to run, catch, and throw, creating a brand-new style, and the league has since widely adopted running backs like Tomlinson. Aside from Li Wei, McCaffrey is also one of the standouts in this category.

Sanders, however, is slightly different. His all-encompassing skill set lies in one thing — taking the fundamental responsibilities of the running back position and pushing them to the extreme.

He can bulldoze straight ahead like Lynch, dodge continuously like Peterson, or find gaps amidst tight defenses like Bell.

Put simply, when people marvel at how explosively a running back advanced on a given play, Sanders could not only do it all but do it even better.

Today’s younger generation of running backs may each have their own preferences, but no one is unfamiliar with the legendary status and unmatched ability of Sanders.

In fact, Bell’s signature “pause, scan, and push through” technique evolved from lessons he learned while imitating his idol, Barry Sanders.

Since his initial introduction to football, Li Wei has experienced various training models, exploring his style during learning and testing. Last offseason, he achieved a boost through the Lynch and Tomlinson training models, which were then validated throughout the season.

To outsiders, it might seem like Li Wei has already reached his peak, as though he cannot get any stronger.

However, Coach Burns doesn’t see it this way. He believes Li Wei still has untapped potential and can continue improving.

Before the offseason began, Coach Burns had told Li Wei to take the opportunity to study Barry Sanders’ game footage. He believed Li Wei could develop into a well-rounded running back, combining Tomlinson’s versatility across positions with Sanders’ mastery of the running back role at its highest level.

Perhaps Li Wei could touch a brand-new peak and usher in a new era for running backs.

Now, the timing is perfect.

Li Wei doesn’t need to watch Sanders’ footage, because he can delve into Sanders’ entire gameplay directly through the system’s training model.

If there’s any reward that can rival the 75% reduced injury risk card, then an S-tier Barry Sanders training model surely qualifies.

So, as the offseason began, Li Wei had been eagerly anticipating his return to the training field, looking forward to following in Sanders’ footsteps.

A while ago, amidst his busy schedule, Li Wei had already dipped his toes into Sanders’ playing style via the system’s training model —

Impact.

To be honest, Li Wei is no longer a rookie. After three seasons of grinding and practicing, including studying the game footage of various running backs, he has gained a deep understanding of running back styles, types, and how they perform against defensive groups. He wouldn’t call himself an expert, but he’s certainly seen a lot.

Yet within Sanders’ training model, Li Wei still felt his own insignificance.

His shortcomings, his weaknesses, his flaws — they all surfaced one by one. He thought he had already stood at the peak, only to look up and realize:

There’s always someone greater.

The clearest and most immediate realization lay in Sanders’ understanding of the game.

First, his understanding of himself.

A player must have a profound awareness of their own body and condition. Even the elite cannot maintain high-intensity performance throughout an entire game. Fluctuations in form, physical reactions, energy distribution, lapses in focus — all these factors can lead to deviations in running results.

This wasn’t as apparent in the early part of Sanders’ career, but it became increasingly evident later on. Why could Sanders maintain peak performance year after year for a decade? Why could he sustain his efficiency in running despite declining physical attributes and inevitable injuries?

Understanding oneself is the first step.

Second, his understanding of defensive strategies.

This is something Li Wei has also persistently worked on, even attending defensive group meetings to examine offensive strategies from a defender’s perspective.

Sanders was the same. He remained constantly focused, always observing tactical shifts and developments among defensive groups, adapting on the fly.

This perfectly aligns with the essence of football: a turn-based battle of wits.

The duel and confrontation between offense and defense are always fluid. Sanders wasn’t a god; he couldn’t demolish defenses with every run or every advance. The opposing defensive group would continually adjust and improve, and naturally, Sanders constantly kept up with the game’s evolving dynamics.

There is a stereotype that running backs are just brute forces of muscle power, barreling ahead with the ball. But the truth is far from that. A running back who understands route running is entirely different from one who doesn’t. A running back who can read defenses is worlds apart from one who cannot. When a running back begins to think, it heralds a return to the very essence of football —

It’s more than just collisions.

So, what does this prove?

It proves that the game doesn’t start when the clock does.

Before stepping onto the field, a player’s training regimen, their tactical mastery, and their analysis of the opposition all signify that the battle has already begun.

When spectators see players shine on the field, the sweat and effort behind those fleeting moments far exceed the time spent on the game clock.

For Sanders to dominate the running back position in the league for a decade, the work and sacrifice he put in far surpass the stats on paper.

Undoubtedly, for Li Wei, this marks another shock to his system. Entering the world of football for three years, he’d only occasionally heard of Sanders, but never grasped the significance of his existence — until now, as a new door opens before him.

When running backs look up to Sanders, they see not just talent and capability but also his understanding and interpretation of the running back position, his perspective on the chess match between offense and defense. All of this proves that the pinnacle of the running back position has yet to be reached.

At the same time, Sanders’ legacy serves as a powerful rebuttal to the notion that “running backs are just disposable commodities.” His career is more legendary and brilliant than any other running back’s, maintaining exceptional performance over a decade. Even age could not diminish his brilliance–

So why, in reality, have running backs gradually been relegated to disposable roles?