Thunder pair rewarded for Week 2 showing
April 13, 2004 - National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release
TWO Berlin Thunder stars who produced offensive fireworks in Amsterdam at the weekend have scooped NFL Europe League Player of the Week honours.
Quarterback ROHAN DAVEY (New England Patriots) was named Offensive Player of Week 2 after he posted a passer rating of 132.6 during Berlin's 28-17 defeat of the hometown Admirals. Davey - a Super Bowl winner with New England during the 2003 NFL season - completed 12 of 18 attempts for 164 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Through the opening two weeks of the 2004 season, Davey is the top-ranked quarterback in NFL Europe with a passer rating of 110.2 and has helped the Thunder get off to a 2-0 start for the first time in team history.
On the receiving end of Davey's touchdown strikes in Week 2 was German wide receiver JÖRG HECKENBACH, who earned National Player of the Week recognition after grabbing touchdown receptions of 52 and 43 yards.
Davey said: "I have complete confidence in all my receivers. Heckenbach came into my reads on both occasions, made great plays and took them to the end zone. Since we came to NFL Europe, he has really impressed me and when a guy works that hard you try to get him the football."
Heckenbach, who spent the summer of 2003 in training camp with the Green Bay Packers, added: "It was a tremendous night. It doesn't often happen that a national player has two catches for two long touchdowns. It shows our quarterback trusts me to make those kind of plays. We came away with a win, too, so I can't really ask for more."
Rhein Fire safety ABDUAL HOWARD earned the Defensive Player of the Week gong for his outstanding display during his team's 31-3 defeat of the Scottish Claymores.
Howard turned the game completely in Rhein's favour in the third quarter when he ran back a Nate Hybl interception 79 yards for a touchdown. The second-year safety also registered 3 tackles, knocked down 1 pass and forced a fumble.
Fire head coach PETE KUHARCHEK said: "The interception return for a touchdown by Abdual Howard was a key play in the contest and really put the game in our hands."
Howard, who scored on a 93-yard interception return against the Claymores in a Week 3 meeting last season, added: "It seems I always do well against Scotland. They are a tough group so I am just happy we got the win."
Special Teams Player of the Week honours went to Frankfurt Galaxy wide receiver JERMAINE LEWIS (Houston Texans) who blocked a punt and recovered the loose football in the end zone during his team's 20-10 defeat of the Cologne Centurions in Week 2.
The score came at a crucial time in the contest, giving the visiting Galaxy a 14-3 lead early in the fourth quarter. Lewis also added 1 special teams tackle as Frankfurt improved to 2-0 on the season.
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National Football League Europa Stories from April 13, 2004
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