Pace-setting Fire host Sea Devils
April 4, 2006 - National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release
THE 2006 NFL Europe League season continues this weekend with the pace-setting Rhein Fire (3-0) playing host to the Hamburg Sea Devils (0-2-1) - the only team yet to record a victory this season.
The Fire will look to open a season 4-0 for the first time since 1998, when they went on to win the World Bowl.
The top versus bottom clash is one of three crucial games being played on Saturday April 8 as the race to reach Yello Strom World Bowl XIV in Düsseldorf heats up.
The action features a re-match of last year's title game as the Amsterdam Admirals (2-1) visit a Berlin Thunder (1-1-1) team that has not won in its last two outings.
Also going head to head in Week 4 will be the Cologne Centurions (1-2) and Frankfurt Galaxy (1-2). Both clubs go into the meeting at Commerzbank Arena knowing a win will put them at .500 and right in the middle of the pack contending for NFL Europe League glory this spring.
WEEK FOUR SCHEDULE
SATURDAY APRIL 8
Amsterdam Admirals at Berlin Thunder
Olympiastadion, Berlin, 6:00 p.m.
Hamburg Sea Devils at Rhein Fire
LTU arena, Düsseldorf, 7:00 p.m.
Cologne Centurions at Frankfurt Galaxy
Commerzbank Arena, Frankfurt, 7:00 p.m.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - WEEK 3
OFFENSIVE - GIBRAN HAMDAN - QB, Amsterdam
Completed 12 of 15 passes for 189 yards and 3 TDs
Compiled perfect 158.3 quarterback rating
DEFENSIVE - DAVID BERGERON - LB, Cologne
11 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
SPECIAL TEAMS - GABE LINDSTROM - P, Cologne
Averaged 49.3 yards on 6 punts with a long of 63 and
2 placed inside the opponent's 20-yard line
NATIONAL - CHRISTIAN MOHR - DE, Berlin
Recorded 7 tackles and half a sack
NEWS AND NOTES NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 2
COVER STORY (continued)
The Week 4 action kicks off in Berlin with a repeat of last year's World Bowl as the hometown Thunder plays host to the defending champion Admirals.
Amsterdam has won two games in a row since losing to the Thunder on the season's opening night and head coach BART ANDRUS says: "We played well last week and that was the most complete game we have played to date. We did a good job in all three phases and I was very pleased with the overall performance."
Thunder head coach RICK LANTZ was pleased with his team's fightback in Hamburg last weekend and feels that kind of effort will bode well for the remainder of the year, stating: "I felt at the end of the first half that we had a chance to come back and we did. I'm proud of my kids and we're looking forward to giving the other teams on our schedule a good go the rest of the way."
The Rhein Fire has raced out of the starting blocks with three straight wins and has not been forced to rely solely on one or two star players. That is something which pleases head coach JIM TOMSULA, who says: "The players, coaches and the entire organization have adopted the team concept. Everybody is working together and everyone understands that it's not about me, but it's about the team."
After seeing his Sea Devils blow a 17-point lead against Berlin en route to only the second tie in NFLEL history last week, Hamburg head coach JACK BICKNELL was left pondering what might have been.
He says: "That was a game we could have and should have won. It's better than losing but not a heck of a lot better, especially when you had chances to win. It was a very frustrating night. If we had won that game we really would have been back in the hunt. I know what a win would have meant to us, but a tie? I probably won't know what that means until we get down to Week 7 or 8."
The Centurions will look to halt a two-game losing streak when they travel to Frankfurt and head coach DAVID DUGGAN says: "I am proud of the way we played against the Rhein Fire because they have a good football team. I told our guys that this is a long season. They were upbeat in the locker room following the game and they will be ready to go back to work on Tuesday."
Galaxy head coach MIKE JONES saw his team follow an impressive win over Hamburg with a frustrating loss in Amsterdam, prompting him to say: "They beat us in all three phases. They had too many big plays on offense and we didn't tackle well. Against Hamburg we did a good job of forcing three and outs but we found it hard to stop Amsterdam. Our offensive line got whupped by their defensive line and we gave up too many good returns on special teams. We need to go back and look at the tape and then move on."
Perfect start has Fire dreaming of World Bowl in own stadium
WITH three weeks of the 2006 season completed, the Rhein Fire is sitting pretty on top of the NFL Europe League standings with a 3-0 record.
If the NFL Europe League record book is an accurate indicator, starting a season with three straight wins usually results in a World Bowl berth.
Prior to this year, 14 teams have made 3-0 starts to a season and 12 of those clubs have made the most of a strong beginning by going on to reach World Bowl.
Only the 2002 Frankfurt Galaxy and last year's Cologne Centurions have failed to reach the championship game after opening with a 3-0 record. Both clubs missed out on the title game with 6-4 records.
Here is a look at how teams starting a season 3-0 have fared from 1991-2005:
Year Team Fared
2005 Cologne 6-4, missed World Bowl - streak to 3-0
2004 Berlin 9-1, won World Bowl - streak to 5-0
2004 Frankfurt 7-3, lost World Bowl - streak to 3-0
2003 Frankfurt 6-4, won World Bowl - streak to 3-0
2002 Frankfurt 6-4, missed World Bowl - streak to 4-0
2001 Barcelona 8-2, lost World Bowl - streak to 4-0
1999 Barcelona 7-3, lost World Bowl - streak to 3-0
1998 Rhein 7-3, won World Bowl - streak to 6-0
1996 Scotland 7-3, won World Bowl - streak to 3-0
1996 Frankfurt 6-4, lost World Bowl - streak to 4-0
1995 Amsterdam 9-1, lost World Bowl - streak to 7-0
1992 Sacramento 8-2, won World Bowl - streak to 3-0
1991 London 9-1, won World Bowl - streak to 9-0
1991 Barcelona 8-2, lost World Bowl - streak to 4-0
Before the Fire players contemplate a World Bowl appearance in their own LTU arena, they should listen to the words of head coach JIM TOMSULA, who warns: "It's only three games. We need to make sure that we can handle success because there are plenty of things on that field that we're not doing right. The idea of the team has gotten us to this point and we need to preserve that."
By contrast, the Hamburg Sea Devils have yet to win a game in 2006, losing to the Cologne Centurions and Frankfurt Galaxy before tying with the Berlin Thunder last weekend.
But Thunder head coach RICK LANTZ feels his most recent opponents still have a good shot at reaching Yello Strom World Bowl XIV in May.
He says: "Everybody has a chance to get to the World Bowl. Right now we are only in the third week of the season. Berlin went 0-3 once (in 2002) and won the World Bowl so that is no different for Hamburg now. I think they are a good football team."
NEWS AND NOTES NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 3
Thunder and Sea Devils play
in second tie in NFLEL history
Legendary Green Bay Packers head coach VINCE LOMBARDI once said that a tie was "like kissing your sister."
In other words, it was not an entirely pleasant experience.
While Hamburg head coach JACK BICKNELL would agree with those sentiments following Saturday's 17-17 tie, Thunder head coach RICK LANTZ was in a more upbeat mood after the game.
After seeing his team come from 17 points down, force overtime with a trick play in the game's dying seconds and then dodge a bullet when Hamburg squandered a chance to score a touchdown in overtime, Lantz said: "I felt at the end of the first half we had a chance to come back. It was an interesting game. Sometimes you get lucky and obviously there were times when we got lucky."
Berlin tied the game in the waning moments following a hook and lateral play from German wide receiver CHRISTOPHER LIESS to running back LITTLE JOHN FLOWERS, which covered 50 yards to Hamburg's 9-yard line.
Lantz says: "We practice that play every week. It was not something that was drawn in the sand."
Hamburg looked set to score what could have been the game-winning points in overtime when running back MIKE JEMISON fumbled at Berlin's 5-yard line and the Thunder recovered.
"I'm sure he was tired but you just have to suck it up and make plays," Bicknell says. "That was very disappointing and it was a frustrating night."
The tie was only the second in NFLEL history (Birmingham Fire at London Monarchs, 1992) and there were some obvious similarities between the two games:
- Both games ended in a 17-17 scoreline
- Both games took place in April
- In both games, the visiting team had to overcome a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to force OT - Berlin in 2006 and Birmingham in 1992
- In both games, the team forcing overtime kicked the tying field goal with two seconds remaining in regulation
- In both games, the home team missed opportunities to win in overtime. Hamburg's Jemison fumbled at Berlin's 5-yard line on Saturday and in 1992 London's Phil Alexander missed a field goal, while cornerback Howard Feggins returned a late interception to the 1-yard line as time ran out
Sky's the limit for Fulton
THROUGH the opening three weeks of the 2006 NFL Europe League season, Amsterdam Admirals wide receiver SKYLER FULTON (Seattle Seahawks) has shown the big-play skills that could make him a record setter this spring.
In helping the Admirals to a 2-1 record, Fulton has caught 15 passes for 380 yards and 4 touchdowns. At his current pace, he would end the year with new NFLEL single season records for receiving yards, yards per catch and receiving touchdowns.
He is on pace to catch 50 passes for 1,266 yards (25.3 average) and 13 touchdowns. The single season record for receiving yardage is 1,023 set by Sean LaChapelle (Scotland, 1996) while the all-time mark for receiving touchdowns in a single season is 12, set by Eddie Brown (Sacramento, 1992), Kevin Drake (Rhein 2000) and Ruvell Martin (Amsterdam, 2005). The highest average per reception in a single season was 21.8 by LaChapelle in 1996.
Fulton has opened the year with three 100-yard receiving days and needs just one more - against Berlin this weekend - to tie the league record of four consecutive 100-yard games set by Amsterdam Admirals wide receiver Matthew Hatchette in Weeks 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the 2003 season.
Fulton is the first receiver in NFL Europe League history to open a season with three consecutive 100-yard receiving days (6-131 in Week 1, 5-105 in Week 2 and 4-144 in Week 3).
With two 100-yard receiving outings in the final seven games of 2006, Fulton will also tie the league record for 100-yard games in a single season with five, matching the achievements of Eddie Brown (Sacramento, 1992), Bobby Olive (Frankfurt, 1995) and Jeremaine Copeland (Barcelona, 2000).
Fulton has scored on touchdown receptions covering 65, 62, 54 and 29 yards this season. And he wrote his name in Amsterdam's record books during last weekend's defeat of Frankfurt by racking up 144 yards on 4 receptions, surpassing the mark of 136 set by Darryl Daniel against Frankfurt on May 28, 2000.
Admirals quarterback GIBRAN HAMDAN paid tribute to his Amsterdam and Seattle Seahawks teammate, saying: "Skyler and I have a good relationship and I think he is a great receiver."
Fulton adds: "Right now it's happening for me but a lot goes into making big plays come about. I'm confident that as the season goes on all our receivers are going to have big plays at one time or another."
The previous best to open a season was two 100-yard games in a row by Marcus Robinson, of the Rhein Fire in 1998 (5-102 vs Amsterdam in Week 1 and 7-135 at England in Week 2).
NEWS AND NOTES NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 4
Highest-scoring rivalry in NFLEL resumes in Berlin this weekend
THE scoreboard operators at Berlin's Olympic Stadium could be in for a busy night on Saturday when the hometown Thunder entertains the Amsterdam Admirals.
The two clubs boast the highest-scoring rivalry in NFL Europe among existing teams. In 15 previous meetings, the Admirals and Thunder have averaged 55.2 points per game and there has never been a contest where at least one of the teams failed to score 20 points.
In their first meeting this season, the two teams combined to score 62 points as Berlin held off a late Amsterdam rally to record a 33-29 win.
And in Week 9 of the 2003 campaign, the clubs combined to score a league record 94 points, as the Admirals ran out 51-43 winners.
Looking ahead to the upcoming meeting with Berlin, who his team defeated in last year's World Bowl, Admirals head coach BART ANDRUS says: "I'm not sure why we score a lot against each other, other than the fact that in the last game against them we did not tackle very well. That had more to do with the high score than anything but since then our guys have been tackling better.
"Our games with Berlin have always been entertaining, high scoring and competitive. Plus, when you have played a team in a World Bowl it always adds to the rivalry."
NFLEL FACTS: Just Perfect
In leading Amsterdam to a 38-20 win over Frankfurt, GIBRAN HAMDAN posted the âperfect' quarterback rating of 158.3 by completing 12 of 15 passes for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was the first QB to reach the 158.3 mark since CRAIG NALL (Scottish Claymores at Barcelona Dragons) did so on May 31, 2003, when he hit on 14 of 16 attempts for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns.
NFLEL FACTS: Passing for Six
Through the opening three weeks of NFLEL action, a total of 37 touchdowns have been scored, with most coming through the air. There have been 23 passing TDs, 11 rushing and 3 on returns and recoveries.
NFLEL FACTS: Cards on Top
A pair of Arizona Cardinals top two key statistical categories after three weeks of the season. QB JEFF OTIS (Frankfurt Galaxy) leads the way with a 100.2 passer rating, while ROGER ROBINSON (Frankfurt Galaxy) leads NFL Europe with 348 rushing yards.
Fire boasting history-making âD'
RHEIN Fire's dominant defense set another new mark during the club's 20-10 victory over Cologne in Week 3.
Although the Fire conceded a touchdown for the first time this season, they have still only given up 16 points through the opening three games of the year.
That is the lowest three-game total to begin a season in NFLEL history, surpassing the 19 points conceded by the Sacramento Surge in 1992.
The Fire also leads NFL Europe in total defense, rushing defense, pass defense and turnovers. At their current pace, the Fire would concede 53 points in 2006. The lowest points tally allowed in a single season was 104 by the 1992 Barcelona Dragons.
Centurions head coach DAVID DUGGAN saw his team struggle to run the ball last Sunday and paid tribute to the Fire defense, saying: "You have to give their defense credit. They are leading most categories defensively and they played like it. They deserve a lot of credit for the way they stopped us."
McCready moves into top two
ENGLISH wide receiver SCOTT McCREADY moved into second place on the all-time receptions chart last weekend by catching 3 passes for 19 yards during the Hamburg Sea Devils' tie with the Berlin Thunder.
In his fifth NFLEL season, McCready has now caught 154 passes - 98 behind all-time leader Mario Bailey - for 1,721 yards. Heading into this weekend's meeting with Rhein, he needs 35 yards to move into second place on the all-time list in receiving yards. He is already the leading national receiver in league history.
All-time receptions leaders in NFLEL history
Player/Team Receptions
Mario Bailey (Frank 95-00) 252
Scott McCready (Sco 02-04, Ham 05) 154
Demetrius Davis (Bar 91-92, 95-96) 151
Judd Garrett (Lon 91-92) 126
Michael Titley (Orl 92, Lon 95-97) 124
All-time receiving yards leaders in NFLEL history
Player/Team Rec Yards
Mario Bailey (Frank 95-00) 3,805
Demetrius Davis (Bar 91-92, 95-96) 1,755
Scott McCready (Sco 02-04, Ham 05) 1,721
Yo Murphy (Sco 96-97, 99) 1,614
Tyree Davis (Bar 95, 97) 1,593
Sea Devils head coach JACK BICKNELL says: "Scott has been a good receiver ever since he came into this league. He is one of the best guys I've ever been around. He is a tremendous leader by example - he just keeps his mouth shut and plays."
TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 5
AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS (2-1)Head Coach: Bart Andrus (25-28 in NFLEL,Plus 1-0 in World Bowl)Colours: Orange and blue
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: John Allen (3rd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Richard Kent/Rex Norris (1st season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 59-54
MEDIA CONTACT: Perry Hendriks
Phone: 31-20-465-0550
Fax: 31-20-465-0555
E-mail: hendriksp@admirals.nl
Internet: www.admirals.nl
LAST GAME: Won 38-20 vs. Frankfurt (4/1/06)
OFFENSE: 29 pts/game; 343.66 yds/game (rank 1); 100 yds rush/game (rank 5); 243.66 yds pass/game (rank 1)
Passing: Gibran Hamdan, 644 yds
Rushing: Diamond Ferri, 145 yds
Receiving: Skyler Fulton, 15 rec, 380 yds
DEFENSE: 22.66 pts/game; 356 yds/game (rank 5); 130.3 rush yds/game (rank 5); 225.66 pass yds/game (rank 5)
Sacks: Claude Harriott, 2.0
Interceptions: Tony Brown, 1
- THIS WEEK: at BERLIN THUNDER -
Head coach BART ANDRUS likes the potential of his team following back-to-back wins over Cologne and Frankfurt, stating: "This is a different team to last year and we're finding out what this group does well. We are starting to see what that is. This team has gotten better each week. As long as we keep that up we can become as good as last year."... QB GIBRAN HAMDAN (Seattle Seahawks) leads NFL Europe in passing yards and passing TDs (see table) and ranks second with a 99.1 passer rating. Was named NFL Europe Offensive Player of the Week for compiling a perfect QB rating of 158.3 vs Frankfurt. Needs 193 passing yards to reach 2,000 for his NFLEL career... QB REGGIE ROBERTSON (Oakland Raiders) completed only 1 of his 6 attempts last week but it was good for a 62-yard touchdown. Has thrown for 101 yards and 1 score on the season... RB LARRY CROOM (San Diego Chargers) was held to a season-low rushing total last week (see table). Ranks eighth in NFLEL in rushing yards with 133 on 37 carries... RB DIAMOND FERRI (Atlanta Falcons) leads the Admirals with 145 rushing yards after carrying 17 times for 99 yards and a TD last week. Added 1 catch for 7 yards... WR CRAIG BRAGG (Chicago Bears) caught 4 passes for 58 yards last week and has 7 for 123 in 2006... WR SKYLER FULTON (Seattle Seahawks) leads NFL Europe in receptions and receiving yards (see table) after posting his third 100-yard game in as many contests last week. Became first receiver in NFLEL history to open a season with three 100-yard games in a row... WR CHAD LUCAS (Green Bay Packers) caught 2 passes for 26 yards and 2 touchdowns last week. Has 5 for 85 and 2 scores on the year... WR VINCENT BUTLER (Green Bay Packers) has 3 receptions for 27 yards this season... Japanese WR NORIAKI KINOSHITA caught a 7-yard pass last week and ran back 2 kickoffs for 60 yards. Has 3 receptions for 68 yards on the year and has averaged 24.2 yards on 6 kickoff returns... TE
TORY HUMPHREY (Green Bay Packers) caught a 9-yard pass last week and has 5 for 41 on the year.... DE EARL COCHRAN recorded 4 tackles and knocked down a pass last week. Has 14 stops this season... DE CLAUDE HARRIOTT leads the Admirals with 2 sacks after adding 1 among 4 tackles last week... DT TONY BROWN (Carolina Panthers) recorded 2 tackles, 1 interception and 2 pass defenses last week. Has also blocked a FG this season... LB DERRICK BALLARD (Atlanta Falcons) recorded 3 tackles last week and has 11 and 1 forced fumble on the season... LB NICK HANNAH (Indianapolis Colts) recorded 1 tackle and 3 special teams stops last week... Swedish LB CARL-JOHAN BJÃRK registered 7 tackles and 1 forced fumble last week and ranks second on the team with 18 this season... CB JUSTIN PERKINS (Kansas City Chiefs) recorded 4 tackles last week and has made 14 this season... CB ABRAHAM ELIMIMIAN (Chicago Bears) registered 6 tackles last week... S ATARI BIGBY (Green Bay Packers) made 2 tackles and knocked down 1 pass last week. Has 16 stops to rank third on team... S COREY PEOPLES (Philadelphia Eagles) leads the Admirals defense with 21 tackles after registering a team-high 8 tackles last week ... K RYAN KILLEEN (Seattle Seahawks) converted a 42-yard field goal against Frankfurt. Has yet to miss a kick this season (3/3 FG, 10/10 PAT) and has scored 19 points... P GLENN PAKULAK (Oakland Raiders) ranks second in NFL Europe with an average of 41.0 yards on a league-low 8 punts.
QB GIBRAN HAMDAN (Seattle Seahawks), GAME-BY-GAME
Att Comp Yds TD Int
Wk 1: vs Ber 25 14 246 1 2
Wk 2: at Col 22 9 209 1 1
Wk 3: vs Fra 15 12 189 3 0
TOTAL 62 35 644* 5* 3
RB LARRY CROOM (Chicago Bears), GAME-BY-GAME
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: vs Ber 9 34 1 1 5 0
Wk 2: at Col 15 82 0 0 0 0
Wk 3: vs Fra 13 17 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 37 133 1 1 5 0
WR SKYLER FULTON (Seattle Seahawks), GAME-BY-GAME
Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: vs Ber 6 131 1
Wk 2: at Col 5 105 1
Wk 3: vs Fra 4 144 2
TOTAL 15 380* 4*
* Leads NFL Europe
TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 6
BERLIN THUNDER (1-1-1)Head Coach: Rick Lantz (17-5-1 in NFLEL, plus 1-1 in World Bowl)Colours: Black, green and gold
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Don Eck (3rd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Charles âYogi' Jones (1st season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 39-33-1
MEDIA CONTACT: Maik Matischak
Phone: 49-30-300-644-00
Fax: 49-30-300-644-77
E-mail: maik.matischak@berlin-thunder.de
Internet: www.berlin-thunder.de
LAST GAME: Tied 17-17 at Hamburg (4/1/06)
OFFENSE: 16.66 pts/game; 315.66 yds/game (rank 3); 88.66 rush yds/game (rank 6); 227 pass yds/game (rank 2)
Passing: Lang Campbell, 514 yds
Rushing: Marty Johnson, 138 yds
Receiving: Lance Moore, 12 rec, 207 yds
DEFENSE: 22.66 pts/game; 329 yds/game (rank 4); 103.3 rush yds/game (rank 2); 225.66 pass yds/game (rank 5)
Sacks: Andre Torrey, Kevin Carberry, Elton Patterson, 1.0
Interceptions: Anthony Floyd, Robert Redd, 1
- THIS WEEK: vs AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS -
Head coach RICK LANTZ was glad to see his team end its scoring drought in time to force a tie in Hamburg last weekend, saying: "We went six quarters in a row without scoring and that's not something we have had problems with in the past. We have been a pretty high-scoring team."... QB LANG CAMPBELL (Cleveland Browns) threw for his highest yardage total of the season last week (see table). Ranks fifth in NFLEL with a 67.2 passer rating... QB B.J. SYMONS (Chicago Bears) hit on 4 of 12 passes for 60 yards last week and added 5 runs for 15 yards and a touchdown. Has thrown for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns this term... RB LITTLE JOHN FLOWERS racked up a season-high in receiving yardage last week (see table) including a 38-yard advance of a lateral in the game's dying seconds to force overtime... RB MARTY JOHNSON leads the Thunder with 138 rushing yards after gaining 42 yards on 9 carries last week. Also added 2 receptions for 15 yards, giving him 4 for 15 on the year... WR LANCE MOORE (New Orleans Saints) was held to a season-low in receptions last week (see table) but his lone catch was good for 68 yards to set up a TD. Ranks sixth in NFLEL in receptions and second in receiving yards... WR KERON HENRY (San Diego Chargers) caught 2 passes for 15 yards last week and has 6 for 74 on the season... WR RICH MUSINSKI (New England Patriots) caught 2 passes for 30 yards last week. Has reeled in 9 receptions for 109 yards and 1 TD this season... WR C.J. JONES caught 1 pass for 44 yards last week and ran back 1 kickoff for 19 yards and 2 punts for 39 yards... Mexican WR ALEJANDRO GAMEZ caught 2 passes for 16 yards in Hamburg... German WR CHRISTOPHER LIESS caught a 12-yard pass last week and lateraled to Flowers to set up Berlin's game-tying FG... TE JASON RANDALL (Atlanta Falcons) has 5 receptions for 50 yards in 2006 after adding a 1-yard catch last week... TE BEN MOA caught his first touchdown pass of the season last week from 2 yards out... DE ELTON PATTERSON (Jacksonville Jaguars) recorded 1 tackle, 1 sack and 1 pass defense in last week's tie with the Sea Devils. Has 3 tackles and 1 sack on the season... German DE CHRISTIAN MOHR registered 7 tackles and half a sack in Hamburg to win National Player of the Week honors. Has notched
13 tackles this season to rank fourth on the defense... DT JASON DAVIS (Houston Texans) recorded 2 tackles, half a sack and 1 pass defense last week... LB ANDRE TORREY (Houston Texans) ranks second on the team with 22 tackles after adding 7 last week. Has also recorded 1 sack... LB JERMAINE TAYLOR (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) leads Berlin with 24 stops through three games after adding 6 and 2 pass defenses last week... Free agent LB QUENTIN SWAIN registered 5 tackles last week but also committed 2 unnecessary roughness penalties for 30 yards. Has 13 tackles on the season... Mexican LB JONATHAN HURTADO registered 2 tackles and 1 special teams stop last week... CB ROBERT REDD (Atlanta Falcons) ranks second in NFLEL with a 24.9 kickoff return average. Ran back 2 kickoffs for 69 yards with a long of 48 last week and added 4 punt returns for 34 yards, giving him a season average of 8.0 to rank second in that department in NFLEL... CB DUVOL THOMPSON (Baltimore Ravens) recorded 3 tackles and recovered a fumble in his own end zone in overtime last week... CB ANTWAUN ROGERS (Denver Broncos) recorded 5 tackles and knocked down 2 passes last week... S ANTHONY FLOYD (Houston Texans) registered 8 tackles and 1 pass defense last week to take his season tally to 16... S JAMAAL BRIMMER (New York Giants) recorded 4 tackles last week to give him 8 on the year... German S OLIVER FLEMMING made 1 tackle on defense and added 3 stops and 1 forced fumble on special teams last week... K XAVIER BEITIA (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) missed from 52 yards but was good from 27 with two seconds remaining to send last week's game into overtime. Has scored 14 points this season (3/4 FG, 5/5 PAT)... P BRIAN SIMNJANOVSKI (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) ranks fourth among NFLEL punters with an average of 38.2 on 15 kicks.
QB LANG CAMPBELL (Cleveland Browns), GAME-BY-GAME
Att Comp Yds TD Int
Wk 1: at Ams 26 16 139 1 0
Wk 2: vs Rhe 26 14 156 0 2
Wk 3: at Ham 27 13 219 1 1
TOTAL 79* 43* 514 2 3
RB LITTLE JOHN FLOWERS, GAME-BY-GAME
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: at Ams 17 60 1 1` 13 0
Wk 2: vs Rhe 5 13 0 2 6 0
Wk 3: at Ham 12 28 0 3 69 0
TOTAL 34 101 1 6 88 0
WR LANCE MOORE (New Orleans Saints), GAME-BY-GAME
Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: at Ams 5 44 1
Wk 2: vs Rhe 6 95 0
Wk 3: at Ham 1 68 0
TOTAL 12 207 1
* Leads NFL Europe
TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 7
COLOGNE CENTURIONS (1-2)Head Coach: David Duggan (1-2 in NFLEL)Colours: Black, red and white
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Scott Milanovich (1st season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: John Lyons (1st season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 11-12
MEDIA CONTACT: Karsten Meier
Phone: 49-221-271-430
Fax: 49-221-271-43299
E-mail: Karsten.meier@cologne-centurions.de
Internet: www.cologne-centurions.de
LAST GAME: Lost 10-20 vs. Rhein (4/2/06)
OFFENSE: 13 pts/game; 291.3 yds/game (rank 5); 132 rush yds/game (rank 2); 159.3 pass yds/game (rank 5)
Passing: Shane Boyd, 334 yds
Rushing: Fred Russell, 189 yds
Receiving: Jamall Broussard, 13 rec, 132 yds
DEFENSE: 16.7 pts/game; 288.3 yds/game (rank 2); 121 rush yds/game (rank 4); 167.3 pass yds/game (rank 2)
Sacks: Four players, 1.0
Interceptions: Thomas Houchin, David Bergeron, 2
- THIS WEEK: at FRANKFURT GALAXY-
Centurions head coach DAVID DUGGAN is thinking positively after a second straight loss last week. "Our guys played hard and did not quit. They were upbeat in the locker room following the game and ready to go to work on Tuesday."... QB KLIFF KINGSBURY (New York Jets) has started all three games this season, but saw only first-quarter action last week (see table)... QB SHANE BOYD (Pittsburgh Steelers) saw extended playing time last week (see table), adding 33 rushing yards on 7 attempts to his passing numbers. Has rushed for 65 yards on 13 carries in total... RB FRED RUSSELL (St. Louis Rams) ranks fourth in the NFLEL in rushing (see table)... RB ALEX HAYNES (Carolina Panthers) has 121 rushing yards this season after 10 yards on 3 carries last week... WR JAMALL BROUSSARD (Cincinnati Bengals) ranks joint-third in NFLEL in receptions (see table)... WR REGGIE NEWHOUSE caught 5 passes for 57 yards last week. Had 9 catches for 67 yards in two games vs Frankfurt in 2004... WR BRIAN BRATTON (Baltimore Ravens) caught 5 passes for 78 yards last week, including his second TD of the season. He is the only Cologne receiver with a TD catch... German TE WERNER HIPPLER has played in a league record 90 games. Caught 1 pass for 9 yards last week for a career record 89 catches for 917 yards and 3 touchdowns. Faces a Frankfurt team with which he won three World Bowl rings (1995, 1999, 2003)... Japanese WR MICHIHIRO OGAWA caught 1 pass for 11 yards last week, his first of the year... DT EDDIE FREEMAN (Kansas City Chiefs) recorded 5 tackles last week and has 12 for the season... LB DAVID BERGERON (Carolina Panthers) posted 11 tackles and an interception last week to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors. Is joint league leader with 2 interceptions and is second on team with 16 tackles... French LB PHILIPPE GARDENT leads the Centurions with 25 tackles after posting 7 more last week... CB LANCE FRAZIER (Seattle Seahawks) posted 7 tackles last week and has 13 stops for the season...
DT BRYAN SAVE posted 5 tackles last week and had his first sack of the season... S RAYMOND VENTRONE (New England Patriots) had 4 tackles last week for 14 on the season... S KEVIN CURTIS (Houston Texans) made 5 tackles last week and has 15 for the season... CB MARK ESTELLE (Houston Texans) leads the team with 5 passes defended... K TIM DUNCAN (Oakland Raiders) made his only FG attempt last week, from 49 yards, and is now 3 of 8 on the season... P GABE LINDSTROM (Seattle Seahawks) averaged 49.3 yards on 6 punts last week to earn Special Teams Player of the Week honors and now leads the league with a 42.7-yard average.
QB KLIFF KINGSBURY (New York Jets), GAME-BY-GAME
Att Comp Yds TD Int
Wk 1: at Ham 16 9 75 1 1
Wk 2: vs Ams 12 6 70 0 0
Wk 3: vs Rhein 5 2 9 0 0
TOTAL 33 17 154 1 1
QB SHANE BOYD (Pittsburgh Steelers), GAME-BY-GAME
Att Comp Yds TD Int
Wk 1: at Ham 9 5 29 0 1
Wk 2: vs Ams 15 9 142 0 0
Wk 3: vs Rhein 23 14 163 1 1
TOTAL 47 28 334 1 2
RB FRED RUSSELL (St. Louis Rams), GAME-BY-GAME
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: at Ham 22 85 0 2 6 0
Wk 2: vs Ams 19 69 0 2 43 0
WK 3: vs Rhein 12 35 0 1 5 0
TOTAL 53 189 0 5 54 0
WR JAMALL BROUSSARD (Cincinnati Bengals), GAME-BY-GAME
Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: at Ham 4 31 0
Wk 2: vs Ams 6 89 0
Wk 3: vs Rhein 3 12 0
TOTAL 13 132 0
TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 8
FRANKFURT GALAXY (1-2)Head Coach: Mike Jones (11-12) in NFLEL, plus 0-1 in World Bowl.Colours: Purple, orange, red and white
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Whitey Jordan (2nd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ed O'Neil (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 69-64
MEDIA CONTACT: Joachim Haas
Phone: 49-69-978-2790
Fax: 49-69-978-279099
E-mail: joachim.haas@frankfurt-galaxy.
Internet: www.frankfurt-galaxy.de
LAST GAME: Lost 20-38 at Amsterdam (4/1/06)
OFFENSE: 19 pts/game; 330 yds/game (rank 2); 145 rush yds/game (rank 1); 185 pass yds/game (rank 3)
Passing: Jeff Otis, 341 yds
Rushing: Roger Robinson, 348 yds
Receiving: Walter Young, 16 rec, 175 yards
DEFENSE: 20.66 pts/game; 298.3 yds/game (rank 3); 109 rush yds/game (rank 3); 189.3 pass yds/game (rank 3)
Sacks: Jerome Nichols, 2.0
Interceptions: None
- THIS WEEK: vs COLOGNE CENTURIONS -
Head coach MIKE JONES felt the reason for his team's loss in Amsterdam last week was simple, stating: "Their defense just played better than our offense and they made plays on offense and we did not. We found it hard to stop them."... QB JEFF OTIS (Arizona Cardinals) leads NFL Europe with a passer rating of 100.2 after throwing a season-high 29 passes last week (see table).... QB CRAIG OCHS (Buffalo Bills) has completed 12 of 15 passes for 125 yards, with 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions for a 123.6 rating... QB BRYSON SPINNER (San Francisco 49ers) completed 5 of 9 passes for 59 yards with 1 interception last week. Has thrown for 93 yards this season and added 40 rushing yards... RB ROGER ROBINSON (Arizona Cardinals) was held under 100 yards for the first time this season last week (see table). Leads NFL Europe with 348 rushing yards and ranks second in total yards from scrimmage with 378 (348 rushing, 30 receiving)... RB J.R. NIKLOS has carried 12 times for 12 yards this season and added 4 catches for 32 yards... WR AARON HOSACK (Minnesota Vikings) has scored a touchdown in each of his last two games after catching 5 passes for 61 yards and a TD in Amsterdam. Has 11 receptions for 141 yards this season... WR ADAM HERZING (Pittsburgh Steelers) caught 2 passes for 44 yards last week and added 4 kickoff returns for 89 yards and 2 punt returns for 58 yards with a long of 45. Leads NFLEL with a 16.2 punt return average... WR WALTER YOUNG (Pittsburgh Steelers) leads NFL Europe in receptions (see table) after registering a season-high in catches last week... English WR MARVIN ALLEN caught his first 2 passes of the season last week for 3 yards... TE KEITH WILLIS (Seattle Seahawks) caught 2 passes for 37 yards last week and has 4 for 80 this season... TE SEAN McHUGH (Detroit Lions) has 3 receptions for 19 yards and 1 touchdown this season... DE JUSTIN BROWN (Indianapolis Colts) recorded 4 tackles last week and also has 1 sack on the season... DE JOSH COOPER recorded 2 tackles last weekend and has notched 8 on the
season... DT JEROME NICHOLS (Green Bay Packers) leads the team with the 2 sacks he posted in Week 1 and has recorded 6 tackles... German DE ULRICH WINKLER recorded 2 tackles and 1 special teams stop last week and has 4 on the season... LB JARED NEWBERRY (Tennessee Titans) recorded 4 tackles last week and has 13 on the season to rank fourth on the team... LB TRAVIS HARRIS leads the Galaxy with 17 tackles after adding 4 last week... LB MATT SINCLAIR (Miami Dolphins) recorded 1 tackle in Week 3 and also knocked down 1 pass. Has 12 tackles and 1 sack in 2006... CB LENNY WILLIAMS (Dallas Cowboys) made 4 tackles and broke up 1 pass last week. Has 11 tackles and has defended a team-high 4 passes this season... CB BILL ALFORD ranks second on the Galaxy defense with 16 tackles after adding 4 in Amsterdam... S DeMARIO WILLIAMS led Frankfurt with 8 tackles last week and has 14 to rank third on the team this season... S ROB LEE (Buffalo Bills) made 4 tackles last week to take his season total to 8... K DAVID KIMBALL (Oakland Raiders) kicked field goals covering 25 and 31 yards last week. Has converted 5 of 7 field goals and 6 of 6 PATs this season for 21 points, placing him second among NFLEL kickers.
QB JEFF OTIS (Arizona Cardinals), GAME-BY-GAME
Att Comp Yds TD Int
Wk 1: at Rhein 8 4 19 0 0
Wk 2: vs Ham 14 9 134 2 0
Wk 3: at Ams 29 18 188 1 0
TOTAL 51 31 341 3 0
RB ROGER ROBINSON (Arizona Cardinals), GAME-BY-GAME
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: at Rhein 26 103 0 1 0 0
Wk 2: vs Ham 23 150 1 3 26 0
Wk 3: at Ams 14 95 1 2 4 0
TOTAL 63* 348* 2* 6 30 0
WR WALTER YOUNG (Pittsburgh Stelers), GAME-BY-GAME
Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: at Rhein 1 4 0
Wk 2: vs Ham 7 79 1
Wk 3: at Ams 8 92 0
TOTAL 16 175 1
* Leads NFL Europe
TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 9
HAMBURG SEA DEVILS (0-2-1)Head Coach: Jack Bicknell (66-66-1 in NFLEL, 2-5 in post-season)Colours: Dark blue, teal, red
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Vince Martino (2nd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dan Daniel (2nd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 5-7-1
MEDIA CONTACT: Thomas Bothstede
Phone: 49-407-525-590
Fax: 49-407-525-5959
E-mail: pr@hamburg-seadevils.de
Internet: www.hamburg-seadevils.de
LAST GAME: Tied 17-17 vs Berlin (4/1/06)
OFFENSE: 13.66 pts/game; 265 yds/game (rank 6); 110.3 rush yds/game (rank 4); 154.66 pass yds/game (rank 6)
Passing: Brock Berlin, 321 yds
Rushing: Mike Jemison, 210 yds
Receiving: Scott McCready, Mike Jemison 13 rec, Richard Smith, 152 yds
DEFENSE: 20.66 pts/game; 359.66 yds/game (rank 6); 147.3 rush yds/game (rank 6); 212.3 pass yds/game (rank 4)
Sacks: Keyonta Marshall, Rayshun Reed, 1
Interceptions: Shawn Mayer, Vontez Duff, Willie Amos, 1
- THIS WEEK: at RHEIN FIRE -
Even though his team is still chasing its first win of the year, veteran head coach JACK BICKNELL is not ready to make any drastic changes to his line-up, insisting: "Brock Berlin is our number one quarterback and I have faith in him. I'm not ready to make any changes at the quarterback position. Brock did a great job leading us downfield in overtime and we put the ball on the ground."... QB BROCK BERLIN (Miami Dolphins) has started all three games this year (see table) but was held to a season low in passing yardage last week. Has a QB rating of 55.1 on the year... QB JAMES KILIAN (Kansas City Chiefs) led the Sea Devils to 17 second quarter points last week and ended the game having completed 10 of 15 passes for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns. Added 47 rushing yards on 6 carries. Has thrown for 165 yards and 2 scores while compiling a rating of 75.0 this season... RB MIKE JEMISON (Pittsburgh Steelers) leads the team in rushing and ranks second overall in NFL Europe (see table). Recorded season bests in rushing yards and catches last week but lost a crucial fumble in the Berlin end zone in overtime... RB JIMMY DIXON (Seattle Seahawks) has carried 13 times for 51 yards this season... English WR SCOTT McCREADY caught 3 passes for 19 yards last week to take sole possession of second place in the all-time receptions chart with 154. His 1,721 receiving yards rank first among nationals and third overall. Needs 35 more yards to surpass former Barcelona Dragons tight end Demetrius Davis (1,755 yards) for second overall... WR RICKY BRYANT caught 2 passes for 8 yards last week and has 3 for 14 on the year ... WR RICHARD SMITH (Washington Redskins) has TDs in each of the first three games after catching 5 passes for 63 yards and a score last week ... TE WESLEY DUKE (Denver Broncos) reeled in a 26-yard TD reception last week... TE KORI DICKERSON (Detroit Lions) caught 3 passes for 14 yards last weekend and has 5 receptions for 21 yards on the year... DE SCOTT SCHARFF
(San Francisco 49ers) has 6 tackles in 2006... DE IVORY McCOY has made 1 tackle this season and batted down a pass... German DT BASTIAN LANO recorded 4 tackles last week, giving him a total of 6 this season... DT KEYONTA MARSHALL (Philadelphia Eagles) posted 4 tackles last week and ranks joint-second on the team with 13 tackles and 1 sack... LB KRIS GRIFFIN (Kansas City Chiefs) leads the Sea Devils with 15 tackles after adding 4 stops and 2 passes defended last week... English LB ADEN DURDE made 2 tackles as a starter last week and has 11 for the season... LB SCOTT GENORD ranks second on the defense with 13 tackles after adding 2 last week. Recorded 3 special teams tackles against Berlin... LB RUSSELL RABE (New Orleans Saints) recorded 3 tackles last week and recovered a fumble... CB ERIC HILL (Indianapolis Colts) made 2 tackles last week... CB WILLIE AMOS (Chicago Bears) led Hamburg's defensive effort last weekend with 5 tackles, 1 interception and 3 passes defended... CB RAYSHUN REED made 5 tackles and knocked down 2 passes last week... S SHAWN MAYER (Cleveland Browns) earned All-NFLEL honors with Hamburg in 2005. Made 5 tackles and forced a fumble last week, giving him 12 tackles on the season... S JASON SHIVERS (NY Giants) recorded 4 tackles, 2 special teams stops and 1 pass defense last week. Has 13 tackles on defense this term... German S CLAUDIUS OSEI recorded 4 tackles last week and has 13 this season... K TYLER JONES (Washington Redskins) converted a 21-yard field goal and 2 PATs last week, taking his season total to 11 points (2/2 FG, 5/5 PAT).... P ADAM ANDERSON (Detroit Lions) punted 11 times last week for a 38.7 average. Ranks third in NFLEL with a 40.2 average from a league-high 20 punts.
QB BROCK BERLIN (Miami Dolphins), GAME-BY-GAME
Att Comp Yds TD Int
Wk 1: vs Col 25 10 129 1 3
Wk 2: at Fra 27 16 122 1 0
Wk 3: vs Ber 22 12 70 0 0
TOTAL 74 38 321 2 3
RB MIKE JEMISON (Pittsburgh Steelers), GAME-BY-GAME
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: vs Col 18 80 0 3 32 0
Wk 2: at Fra 12 42 0 4 30 0
Wk 3: vs Ber 26 88 0 6 35 0
TOTAL 56 210 0 13 97 0
WR SCOTT McCREADY, GAME-BY-GAME
Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: vs Col 2 14 0
Wk 2: at Fra 8 95 0
Wk 3: vs Ber 3 19 0
TOTAL 13 128 0
TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 10
RHEIN FIRE (3-0)Head Coach: Jim Tomsula (3-0 in NFLEL)Colours: Burgundy, black and white
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Steve Logan (1st season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Adrian White (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 61-52
MEDIA CONTACT: Markus Müller
Phone: 49-211-478-730
Fax: 49-211-478-7329
E-mail: markus.mueller@rhein-fire.de
Internet: www.rhein-fire.de
LAST GAME: Won 20-10 at Cologne (4/2/06)
OFFENSE: 17.3 pts/game; 307 yds/game (rank 4); 123 rush yds/game (rank 3); 184 pass yds/game (rank 4)
Passing: Drew Henson, 394 yds
Rushing: Fredrick Jackson, 207 yds
Receiving: Chris Samp, 11 rec, 117 yds
DEFENSE: 5.33 pts/game; 221.3 yds/game (rank 1); 88 rush yds/game (rank 1); 133.3 pass yds/game (rank 1)
Sacks: Mitch Meeuwsen, Derrick Strong, Zach Ville, 1.0
Interceptions: Therrian Fontenot, 2
- THIS WEEK: vs HAMBURG SEA DEVILS -
Fire head coach JIM TOMSULA sees the unbeaten start to the season as a team effort. "The whole organization is a team - and I am not just saying that because it sounds nice. We are working together and everyone understands about the team. The next question is: how will we handle some success. There are still some things that we need to do better"... QB DREW HENSON (Dallas Cowboys) has started all three games this season (see table)... QB TIMMY CHANG (Philadelphia Eagles) completed 1 of 3 passes for 3 yards last week and has thrown for 133 yards this season... RB JACQUE LEWIS (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) rushed for 51 yards on 13 carries last week and ranks second on the team with 148 yards... RB FREDRICK JACKSON (Buffalo Bills) leads the Fire in rushing (see table) and ranks third in the NFLEL. Second on team in receptions... French FB LAURENT MARCELINE has caught 4 passes this season... WR CHRIS SAMP (Carolina Panthers) leads the team in receptions and receiving yards (see table). Also has thrown a TD pass... WR ZURIEL SMITH (New England Patriots) caught 4 passes for 46 yards last week, doubling his season catch total. Ranks third in NFLEL with 6.9-yard punt return average... WR KENDRICK STARLING (Houston Texans) caught 2 passes for 55 yards and his first TD of the year last week... Mexican WR JUAN WONG has 2 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown this season, all in Week 1... TE AARON HALTERMAN (Houston Texans) Caught his sixth pass of the year last week... DE DERRICK STRONG has one of the Fire's 3 sacks on the season... DT ZACH VILLE (Kansas City Chiefs) recorded 2 tackles last week and has 1 sack for the season... LB
TERRENCE ROBINSON is in his third season with the Rhein Fire. Posted 5 tackles last week and ranks second on the team with 14. Also recovered a fumble last week... LB TYSON SMITH (New York Giants) posted 4 tackles and had a fumble recovery last week... LB GUY TUELL made 5 tackles last week... CB THERRIAN FONTENOT (Green Bay Packers) posted 3 tackles last week and leads the team with 2 interceptions... CB RONYELL WHITAKER posted 3 tackles in Week 3... German S RICHARD YANCY is in his seventh season in NFL Europe, fifth with the Fire. Leads the team with 17 tackles after posting 4 last week... S SIDDEEQ SHABAZZ (Miami Dolphins) recorded 2 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery last week... Swedish K OLA KIMRIN (Miami Dolphins) is in his fourth NFLEL season (Frankfurt 2001-02, Cologne 2004). Connected on all 2 of 3 FG attempts last week and leads NFLEL kickers with 22 points. His next point will be his 150th career point in NFLEL.
QB DREW HENSON (Dallas Cowboys), GAME-BY-GAME
Att Comp Yds TD Int
Wk 1: vs Fra 9 5 58 0 0
Wk 2: at Ber 24 17 171 1 0
Wk 3: at Col 28 14 165 1 1
TOTAL 83 36 394 2 1
RB FREDRICK JACKSON (Buffalo Bills), GAME-BY-GAME
Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: vs Fra 12 48 0 4 40 0
Wk 2: at Ber 16 63 0 4 56 0
Wk 3: at Col 27 96 1 2 13 0
TOTAL 55 207 1 10 109 0
WR CHRIS SAMP (Carolina Panthers), GAME-BY-GAME
Rec Yds TD
Wk 1: vs Fra 1 16 0
Wk 2: at Ber 6 68 0
Wk 3: at Col 4 33 0
TOTAL 11 117 0
THIS WEEK'S MATCHUPS NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 11
AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS (2-1)
at BERLIN THUNDER (1-1-1)
Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday April 8, 6:00 p.m.
SERIES NOTES
Overall: Berlin leads 10-5 (Amsterdam leads 1-0 in World Bowls)
At Berlin: Berlin leads 6-1
At Amsterdam: Series tied 4-4
Streak: Berlin 3
This season: Berlin 33 at Amsterdam 29 (Week 1)
TELEVISION
US: DELAY/ NFL Network (12 noon ET, Sunday April 9)
GERMANY/NETHERLANDS: DELAY/NASN (9:30 p.m. CET, Tuesday April 11)
Play-by-play announcer BOB WISCHUSEN calls the action from Berlin alongside former Barcelona Dragons and Minnesota Vikings quarterback JAY WALKER.
COACHES
BART ANDRUS is the reigning NFL Europe League Coach of the Year. Is in his sixth season in charge of the Admirals. Won a World Bowl ring as a member of the Rhein Fire coaching staff in 2000. Served as quarterbacks coach of the Tennessee Titans in 1999, helping Steve McNair lead the club to a berth in Super Bowl XXXIV... RICK LANTZ needs one more win to break a tie for eighth place on the all-time victories chart, having drawn level with Dick Curl (Frankfurt 1998-2000) with 17 in Week 1. Has never lost two regular season games in a row during his NFLEL career, which began in 2004.
GAME NOTES
The highest-scoring rivalry among existing NFL Europe teams (55.2 points per game) resumes this weekend with both clubs having enjoyed differing fortunes since they met in Week 1... After defeating the Admirals in Amsterdam, Berlin has failed to win either of its last two games, losing at home to Rhein before tying with Hamburg on the road... Amsterdam lost its season opener on home soil but has bounced back with wins over Cologne and Frankfurt... Both clubs have produced more plays covering 20+ yards than any other teams in the league with 12 apiece. Amsterdam's 12 plays have come on 7 rushes and 5 passes, while Berlin's dozen have all come on passing plays... The Admirals boast the number one attack in NFL Europe, leading the league in points scored (87), total yards (1,031), passing yards (731), total touchdowns (11), passing touchdowns (6) and yards per completion (17.93). Amsterdam also leads the league with 6.7 yards per offensive play... The Admirals have relied largely on the pass for their yardage this season with passing plays accounting for 70.9 percent of their offensive totals... When they do run the football, the Admirals have had success, ranking second in NFLEL with an average of 4.1 yards per carry... Berlin has run 200 offensive plays this season - second-most in the league. The Thunder ranks third in total offense but has the league's sixth-ranked rushing attack, averaging 88.6 yards per outing. Berlin's passing attack is ranked second with 227 yards per game... The Thunder is the least penalized team in NFL Europe, drawing 15 flags in three games... The Admirals lead the league in third down efficiency, converting 13 of 31 attempts for a 41.9 percent success rate... Berlin has averaged a league-low 3.4 yards per rush but will look to test an Amsterdam defense allowing an NFLEL-high 4.3 yards per carry... Berlin's quarterbacks have thrown a league-high 4 interceptions. Amsterdam's defense has come up with 1 interception in the opening three games. In the last meeting between the teams, QB LANG CAMPBELL (Cleveland Browns) guided Berlin to a 20-0 lead en route to a 33-29 victory and earned Player of the Week honors. Fellow QB B.J. SYMONS (Chicago Bears) threw 2 touchdown passes.
HAMBURG SEA DEVILS (0-2-1)
at RHEIN FIRE (3-0)
LTU arena, Düsseldorf, Saturday April 8, 7:00 p.m.
SERIES NOTES
Overall: Series tied 1-1
At Rhein: Rhein leads 1-0
At Hamburg: Hamburg leads 1-0
Streak: Rhein 1
Last Season: Rhein 24 at Hamburg 31; Hamburg 19 at Rhein 24
TELEVISION
US: LIVE/ NFL Network (1:00 p.m. ET, Saturday April 8)
GERMANY/NETHERLANDS: LIVE/NASN (7:00 p.m. CET, Sat April 8)
British play-by-play announcer NICK HALLING is joined by former Atlanta Falcons cornerback RAY BUCHANAN.
COACHES
JACK BICKNELL is in his 14th season in NFL Europe and will be keen to add to his league-leading regular season victory total of 66. Has one World Bowl ring in his collection having led the Barcelona Dragons to glory in 1997... JIM TOMSULA has become just the fifth first-year coach in NFLEL history to begin a career with three straight wins. Spent the previous two seasons as defensive coordinator of the Berlin Thunder and won a World Bowl ring in 2004. Served as defensive line coach at the Scottish Claymores from 1999-2003 and made his NFLEL coaching debut with the England Monarchs in 1998.
GAME NOTES
The Rhein Fire will be full of confidence when they welcome the Sea Devils to LTU arena. The Fire has opened a season 3-0 for the first time since 1998 when the club went on to win World Bowl... Rhein has won its last five games in a row dating back to Week 9 of the 2005 campaign... The Fire has already matched its win total of each of the previous two seasons... Rhein has allowed a league-low 16 points and 1 touchdown in the opening three games of the year. That point total is the lowest in league history through three games, beating the old mark of 19 set by the 1992 Sacramento Surge... The Fire also leads the league in total defense (221.3 per game), rushing defense (88 per game), pass defense (133.3 per game) and turnovers (11: 4 interceptions, 7 fumbles)... The Sea Devils head to Düsseldorf looking for their first win of the season after opening with two losses and a tie... Hamburg ranks sixth in NFL Europe in total offense (265 yards per game) and total defense (359.66 yards per game)... The Fire leads NFL Europe with a +7 turnover ratio (11 takeaways to 4 giveaways)... Hamburg has produced the fewest plays covering 20+ yards this season with 5 (1 rush, 4 passes)... Rhein quarterbacks have been intercepted a league-low 1 time this season... Hamburg quarterbacks have thrown a league-leading 4 interceptions and have been sacked an NFLEL-high 4 times... Rhein Fire leads NFL Europe with an average time of possession of 35:47... Hamburg is one of only two teams not to miss a field goal this season, converting 2/2 FGs... Rhein leads the league with an average of 26.3 yards per kickoff return... Rhein ranks second in NFLEL with a 36.4 percent success rate on third down (16 of 44)... Defensively, the Fire leads NFL Europe having limited opponents to a 22.6 conversion rate on third downs (7 of 31)... Rhein has forced a league-high 11 fumbles this season... Hamburg has committed 23 penalties this season - the second-highest total in NFL Europe. Rhein has been flagged 22 times... Rhein has rushed the football more times than any other team this season (108) but their average per carry (3.4) is a league low.
THIS WEEK'S MATCHUPS / WEEK THREE RECAP NFL Europe 2006, Week 4 - Page 12
COLOGNE CENTURIONS (1-2)
at FRANKFURT GALAXY (1-2)
Commerzbank Arena, Saturday April 8, 7:00 p.m.
SERIES NOTES
Overall: Series tied 2-2
At Frankfurt: Series tied 1-1
At Cologne: Series tied 1-1
Streak: Cologne 2
Last season: Frankfurt 14 at Cologne 23; Cologne 20 at Frankfurt 17
TELEVISION
US: DELAY/NFL Network (8:00 p.m. ET, Saturday April 8)
Play-by-play announcer PAUL BURMEISTER is joined in the broadcast booth by former University of Miami and Cleveland Browns head coach BUTCH DAVIS.
COACHES
DAVID DUGGAN spent the past two years as Cologne's defensive coordinator. His unit led NFL Europe in total defense in each of the last two seasons. Served as defensive coordinator of Berlin from 2001 to 2003, during which time he won two World Bowl rings... MIKE JONES led Frankfurt to a World Bowl berth in 2004. Served as a member of the Rhein Fire coaching staff from 1995-2000 and again in 2002-2003, winning World Bowls in 1998 and 2000. Played wide receiver in the NFL for the Minnesota (1983-1985) and New Orleans (1986-1987 and 1989).
GAME NOTES
The Galaxy will look to put their second-ranked offense to good use against a Centurions team which also ranks second in NFL Europe in total defense... Frankfurt leads the league in rushing yards per game (145) and yards per carry (5.0)... Frankfurt ranks third in NFL Europe in plays covering 20+ yards with 11 (3 rushes, 8 passes)... The Galaxy's quarterbacks have completed a league-high 58.4 percent of their throws, while Cologne's defense has held opposing passers to a league-low 40.9 completion percentage... Cologne's quarterbacks rank second in NFLEL with a 56.3 percent completion rate... The Centurions have been the least successful offense in terms of third down efficiency through three games, converting 11 of 38 attempts for a 28.9 success rate... Cologne has rushed the football 101 times - the second-highest figure in NFLEL. They rank second with 132 rushing yards per game... The Centurions have intercepted a league-high 6 passes this season... Frankfurt quarterbacks have yet to throw an interception this year... Frankfurt's defense jointly leads the league with 4 quarterback sacks. Cologne has given up a league-high 4 sacks... The Galaxy has not won two games in a row since Weeks 6 and 7 of the 2004 campaign, the last time they went to World Bowl... Frankfurt (2002) and Cologne (2005) are the only two teams in NFLEL history to open a season 3-0 and miss out on a World Bowl berth... Cologne leads NFL Europe in fewest fumbles (3). Frankfurt's defense has forced the fewest fumbles in the league (2) and has yet to recover an opponent's fumble... Cologne ranks second in NFLEL with a +6 turnover ratio (11 takeaways, 5 giveaways), while Frankfurt ranks fifth in that department with a -4 ratio (0 takeaways, 4 giveaways)... Frankfurt is averaging 10.75 yards per pass completion - fifth in NFL Europe. Cologne is allowing opponents to gain a league-high 14.28 yards per completion this season... Cologne is averaging 29:35 in time of possession per game, rating them fifth in the NFLEL... Cologne won both meetings between the teams in 2005, while Frankfurt won the first two clashes in 2004, leaving the all-time series tied.
- WEEK THREE RECAP -
Berlin Thunder 17, Hamburg Sea Devils 17 (OT)
(AOL Arena, Hamburg. Attendance: 15,837)
James Kilian (Ham) 110 pass yds, 2 TD, 47 rush yds
Mike Jemison (Ham) 88 rush yds, 6 rec, 35 yds
Lang Campbell (Ber) 219 pass yds, 1 TD
Kevin Carberry (Ber) 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PD
Frankfurt Galaxy 20, Amsterdam Admirals 38
(Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam. Attendance: 9,917)
Gibran Hamdan (Ams) 189 pass yds, 3 TD
Skyler Fulton (Ams) 4 rec, 144 yds, 2 TD
Diamond Ferri (Ams) 99 rush yds, 1 TD
Roger Robinson (Fra) 95 rush yds, 1 TD
Rhein Fire 20, Cologne Centurions 10
(RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne. Attendance: 16,961)
Drew Henson (Rhe) 165 pass yds, 1 TD
Fredrick Jackson (Rhe) 109 total yds, 1 TD
Shane Boyd (Col) 163 pass yds, 1 TD
David Bergeron (Col) 11 tackles, 1 interception
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National Football League Europa Stories from April 4, 2006
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