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Admirals Look for First Win at Home

April 23, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE)
Amsterdam Admirals News Release


The Admirals hope to end Frankfurt's three game winning streak this week and put an end to their two game slump. After starting the season with a road win against Rhein, the Admirals stumbled in back-to-back losses to Barcelona.

In the third week of the season, Amsterdam returns home with the goal of getting their second win of the season, against a Frankfurt team that has yet to lose a game. When presented with the upcoming undefeated opponent, Head Coach Bart Andrus is less concerned about their record and more worried about the way the Admirals have been playing themselves.

"What we need to do is take care of us," said Andrus. "Most of the things that I see are things that we're in control of. That's going to be our emphasis - to get control of the things that we can take care of."

Andrus feels that the team is improving in certain areas offensively, he admits they still have a lot of work to do.

"We showed that we have the ability to move the football," Andrus revealed. "We just have to get more consistent doing it."

He credits some of their problems to getting penalties at crucial moments and not coming down with the big play.

Although the Admirals prime concern is getting their game under control, they are up against a formidable opponent that has proved that they are in charge of their games this season. Frankfurt has shown in their first three games that they can manage the game and dominate the clock. They lead the league in time of possession (33:52 average) and in rushing attempts (116).

LAST WEEK: FRUSTRATING LOSS IN BARCELONA After a disappointing loss at home against the Dragons, the Admirals were determined to go to Barcelona and serve the Dragons a taste of their own medicine. But the Admirals could not turn their desires into a reality on the field. The Dragons scored a touchdown on their first possession (Sean Morey 25-yard TD reception from Seth Burford) and the Admirals were never able to gain a lead.

The defense held the Dragons scoreless for the rest of the first quarter and the Admirals offense had difficulty getting things started. On the offense's opening drive, things were moving along nicely on the ground and through the air. Then, on the Barcelona 28-yard line, quarterback Shaun Hill fumbled the ball and Barcelona recovered.

In the second quarter, quarterback David Rivers drove the Admirals down the field for their first score of the day, connecting with wide receiver Justin Skaggs for a 22-yard touchdown. On the next offensive drive, Rivers was sacked, injuring his knee and taking him out of the game. Shaun Hill re-entered the game and drove the offense, setting up for a last second field goal by National Kicker Silvio Diliberto.

The second half of the game saw the Admirals slip farther behind. The last attempt to get back in the game resulted in putting it out of their reach. On a Silvio Diliberto onside kick with just over two minutes remaining, Barcelona recovered, and returned it for a touchdown, making the score 35-17.

Although it was a losing effort, the Admirals showed signs that they can move the ball effectively. Amsterdam showed a passing attack that enabled many different players to get their hands on the ball. Ten different receivers had receptions, showing the versatility of the offense.

One receiver who had a solid game was former Barcelona wide out, National from Mexico, Carlos Rosado. Rosado had four catches for 71 yards, giving him an average of 17.8 yards per catch. His strong performance against his former team earned him recognition this week as the league's National Player of the Week.

TEAM NOTES

· After QB David Rivers was placed on Injured Reserve, the Admirals acquired QB David Priestley from the Scottish Claymores. Priestley has been practicing with Amsterdam all week;

· OG Mike Collins makes his first trip to Amsterdam this week after returning to the active roster from Injured Reserve. Collins was put on Injured Reserve just before the last scrimmage during trainingcamp in Tampa Bay, Florida;

· After spending just over a week on the Admirals practice squad, CB Larry Austin was picked up by the Barcelona Dragons for their active roster.

· Amsterdam added to their practice squad by picking up LB Pernell Griffin who spent training camp with the Admirals.

PROFILE

CARLOS ROSADO: CHANGING SIDES NATIONAL WIDE RECEIVER SHOWS OFF IN BARCELONA

After spending five seasons with the F.C. Barcelona Dragons, National wide receiver from Mexico, Carlos Rosado joins the Amsterdam Admirals this season as their offensive National starter. He went up against his former team these past two weeks and showed them that they lost a true competitor.

In his first three weeks as an Admiral, Rosado has recorded seven catches for 115 yards, giving him the best average on the team with 16.4 yards per catch. In addition to his impressive statistics, the honors are already starting to roll in. Last week, he was named the league's National Player of the Week for his performance against his former team. But Rosado is not interested in personal achievements. He is interested in returning to the World Bowl with a new team, but with one little difference.

"My first goal for this year is to go to the World Bowl and win it," Rosado stated. "I've already lost two World Bowls and so that's my priority goal." Rosado saw many ups and downs in Barcelona as the team went back and forth year-to-year between the top of the league and the bottom.

Rosado was surprised to find out that he would be moving teams, but was excited about the opportunity.

"After National camp, the coaches told me that they need to move one Mexican from Barcelona," explained Rosado. "And they said ‘You're the guy' so I said "Okay. If it's the best opportunity to play more, then I'll take it'."

In addition to moving himself, Rosado also moved his wife Elizabeth and young son Diego. They joined him in Barcelona and they followed him to Amsterdam. But it took a little while for the Rosado family to warm up to Amsterdam, or perhaps it was the other way around.

"When she first got here, the weather was very cold and she was kind of depressed because of the weather," said Rosado. "But she likes the city and the weather has changed, gotten hotter, so now she can take my son out."

The change of city has been good for Rosado's playing experience, but he also enjoys the change of scenery. He has been to Amsterdam many times for road trips, but this is his first time really getting to know the Dutch culture.

"I feel good because it's a different culture," Rosado revealed. "Spanish culture is similar to Mexican culture so I'm learning a different culture and a different language and I love to do that."

While learning about a new city, Rosado continues to make strides on the field. He is using the players around him to improve himself as a player and it is showing on the football field.

"I've had the experience to watch the players from Barcelona," Rosado explained. And I learned from there. Now I'm learning from Matthew Hatchette, being an NFL player. I try to work hard and be on the field after practice and before practice to do some extra stuff."

Rosado's passion for the game extends beyond his work in NFL Europe. In the offseason he works as a coach while he continues to prepare himself for the upcoming football season. And he is not planning on stopping anytime soon.

"I would like to play forever, but sometimes it's time to retire," Rosado asserted. "My body is still in good shape and I have the opportunity to come here and my kid can come here, so I will continue to take it."

As long as Rosado continues to perform the way he has, he should have no worries about sticking around. With his work ethic and his team attitude, it makes no difference which team he is on, he will be successful.

INJURY REPORT

OUT: TE Taman Bryant (knee) (IR), QB David Rivers (knee) (IR)

DOUBTFUL:

QUESTIONABLE:

PROBABLE: DE Maurice Anderson (wrist), CB Fred Booker (shin), CB Troy Grant (hamstring), TE Kirk McMullen (calf), S Glenn Sumter (hamstring), LB Terrell Washington (elbow), LB Shinzo Yamada (hamstring), CB Jordan Younger (quad)

TELEVISION

Saturday's contest will be broadcast in the United States on DirectTV on delay at 1pm EST. In the broadcast booth with play-by-play announcer NICK HALLING is former San Francisco 49ers and current Detroit Lions offensive lineman RAY BROWN.



National Football League Europa Stories from April 23, 2003


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.

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