NFL Europe League stars find end zone in preseason
Published on August 23, 2004 under National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release
FOUR NFL Europe League veterans scored touchdowns for their respective NFL teams during preseason action over the weekend as the countdown to the 2004 NFL season kickoff on September 9 continued across the United States.
Running back IAN SMART (Scotland 2004) scored twice for the New York Jets, tight end BRYAN FLETCHER (Berlin 2003-04) found the end zone for the Indianapolis Colts in the same game, while wide receivers MATTHEW HATCHETTE (Amsterdam 2003) and REGGIE NEWHOUSE (Cologne 2004) caught scoring passes for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals respectively.
Smart scored on a 1-yard run and a 59-yard punt return as the Jets recorded a 31-7 victory over the Colts. The shifty Claymores rusher returned a total of 5 punts for 114 yards. Fletcher caught 3 passes for 26 yards and scored Indianapolis' only touchdown of the game on a 3-yard pass from Peyton Manning.
Hatchette scored on a 48-yard pass from fellow NFLEL veteran QUINN GRAY (Frankfurt 2003) as the Jaguars ran out 14-6 winners over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gray connected on 4 of 7 passes for 76 yards and that touchdown. Wide receiver JIMMY REDMOND (Frankfurt 2002) caught 2 passes for 20 yards, while defensive lineman DEVONE CLAYBROOKS (Rhein 2002) led the Bucs defensively with 4 tackles. Linebacker DUSTIN COHEN (Frankfurt 2003-04) chipped in with 3 stops.
Newhouse caught 2 passes for 44 yards and scored on a 29-yard pass from rookie John Navarre as Arizona fell to a 38-13 defeat at the hands of the San Diego Chargers.
Europeans continue to play key roles for their respective NFL teams as kickers ROB HART (England 1998/Scotland 1999-2004) and OLA KIMRIN (Frankfurt 2001-02/Cologne 2004) maintained their perfect records this summer.
Kimrin kicked a 26-yard field goal as the Washington Redskins inflicted a 17-0 shut out on the Miami Dolphins, while Hart converted an extra point during the New Orleans Saints' 19-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers. J.T. O'SULLIVAN (Frankfurt 2003) had another strong showing at quarterback for the Saints, completing seven passes for 132 yards and a 70-yard touchdown.
English wide receiver SCOTT McCREADY (Scotland 2002-04) caught 2 passes for 26 yards as the Carolina Panthers recorded a 27-20 victory over the New York Giants. McCready now has four receptions to his name in two preseason games. Quarterback JAKE DELHOMME (Amsterdam 1998/Frankfurt 1999) looked sharp for the Panthers, completing 11 of 13 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. The Giants were led defensively by DE RADELL LOCKHART (Scotland 2002-03/Frankfurt 2004), who notched 3 tackles and 2 sacks.
German defensive end CONSTANTIN RITZMANN - a former star of the Team Europe junior all-star squad - made 2 tackles during the Buffalo Bills' 16-15 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Here is a look at how other NFL Europe League veterans in NFL preseason action fared over the weekend:
Baltimore Ravens 17 Philadelphia Eagles 26
RB ERIC McCOO (Berlin 2004) led the Eagles with 55 rushing yards on 18 attempts and added 3 receptions for 19 yards. WR SEAN MOREY (Barcelona 2000-01 & 2003) caught 1 pass for 17 yards, while LB KEITH ADAMS (Berlin 2002) led the defensive effort with 3 tackles. DT KELLY GREGG (Rhein 2001) recorded 5 tackles for the Ravens.
San Francisco 49ers 13 Chicago Bears 20
QB JONATHAN QUINN (Berlin 2001) completed 8 of 12 attempts for 74 yards and WR AHMAD MERRITT (Berlin 2001) returned a kickoff 34 yards as the Bears edged past the 49ers in Chicago. CB TODD McMILLON (Frankfurt 2001) recorded 2 tackles for Chicago. RB JAMAL ROBERTSON (Rhein 2002) led the 49ers in rushing with 36 yards on 7 carries and added 4 receptions for 5 yards. Fellow RB MAURICE HICKS (Scotland 2003-04) rushed for 34 yards on 8 attempts. WR ADAM HERZING (Rhein 2004) caught a 15-yard pass and German defensive back RICHARD YANCY (Berlin 2000-01/Rhein 2002-04) made a cameo appearance on offense for San Francisco and caught a 3-yard pass.
Detroit Lions 10 Cleveland Browns 17
QB KELLY HOLCOMB (Barcelona 1996) completed 4 of 6 attempts for 31 yards for the victorious Browns, while WR RICHARD ALSTON (Berlin 2004) added an 11-yard catch and a 30-yard kickoff return. LB MASON UNCK (Frankfurt 2004) registered 2 tackles and a sack for Cleveland, while DE FELIPE CLAYBROOKS (Cologne 2004) added 2 stops. RB AVON COBOURNE (Cologne 2004) led Detroit's ground game with 28 yards on 7 carries and added 3 receptions for 20 yards. All-NFLEL S ABDUAL HOWARD (Rhein 2003-04) registered 2 tackles.
Minnesota Vikings 24 Atlanta Falcons 27
Wide receivers BRIAN FINNERAN (Barcelona 1999) and WILLIE QUINNIE (Rhein 2004) made contributions as the Falcons won at home against the Vikings. Finneran grabbed 3 passes for 36 yards, while Quinnie reeled in an 18-yard reception. QB SHAUN HILL (Amsterdam 2003) saw playing time under center for the Vikings, completing 7 of 17 passes for 93 yards. WR BEN NELSON (Cologne 2004) caught 2 passes for 34 yards.
New England Patriots 3 Cincinnati Bengals 31
QB JON KITNA (Barcelona 1997) completed 3 of 7 passes for 55 yards for the victorious Bengals, while RB HERBERT GOODMAN (Scotland 2002) rushed 3 times for 10 yards. QB ROHAN DAVEY (Berlin 2004) completed 10 of 24 passes for 86 yards for New England, while fellow World Bowl winner, WR CHAS GESSNER (Berlin 2004), caught 3 passes for 17 yards. K ADAM VINATIERI (Amsterdam 1996) landed a 25-yard field goal for the Patriots.
Dallas Cowboys 21 Oakland Raiders 20
Newly-signed Cowboy MATT BRYANT (Frankfurt 2002) kicked 2 of 2 field goals with a long of 29 yards as Dallas squeaked past the Silver and Black. DT LA'ROI GLOVER (Barcelona 1997) registered 1 tackle for the Cowboys.
Other NFL Preseason Week 2 Scores
Houston Texans 3 Pittsburgh Steelers 38; Denver Broncos 19 Seattle Seahawks 3.
National Football League Europa Stories from August 23, 2004
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
