Frankfurt Galaxy Game Notes

April 30, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE)
Frankfurt Galaxy News Release


No rivalry in NFL Europe is as fiercely contested as Frankfurt Galaxy and Rhein Fire. The contest is annually draws the largest crowd in the league. Last season's final Galaxy-Fire meeting in the Waldstadion pulled an NFLE record 58, 527. Over the years, this bitter regional battle has averaged over 39,000 fans per game.

The Galaxy arrive in Dusseldorf still smarting from a painful 20-16 loss at Amsterdam last weekend. Frankfurt is looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season as well as deal a blow to Rhein's World Bowl aspirations. The Fire fell 11-3 to F.C. Barcelona in Week Three, dropping their record to 2-2.

The game will feature two of the best defenses in NFL Europe. Rhein heads the list, allowing only 266.7 yards per game. Frankfurt sits third with 280.4 but is second in the league with a turnover ratio of +4. Rhein is currently fifth in the league in that category, owning a ratio of -4. Rhein's powerful run game will be sorely tested by Frankfurt's run defense, tops in the league at 75.3 ypg.

LAST WEEK'S GALAXY ACTION

Frankfurt's dreams of the first perfect season in NFLE history were dashed last week as the Galaxy fell 20-16 at the hands of the Amsterdam Admirals. The historically raucous Amsterdam ArenA crowd played a role, forcing Frankfurt to waste timeouts throughout the game. The lost timeouts were costly as the Galaxy found itself with none remaining during a late drive to win the game. Unable to stop the clock, Frankfurt was forced to attempt their second 50+ yard field goal of the game, which fell just off target. A sloppy game marred by penalties, 9 for 139 yards, it did have some bright spots. WR-Robert Baker shone as a receiver, punt returner and kick returner, racking up 171 total yards for the game. WR-Marc Soumah scored his first touchdown of the season, earning Week Five National Player of the Week honors for his effort.

MEET THE OFFENSE

The Galaxy offensive unit is headed by offensive coordinator Dwain Painter. In his third year with the team, Painter has established one of the most balanced offensive philosophies in NFL Europe. The Galaxy regularly employ two-back formations, a rarity in the league. But Painter will also utilize three and four wide receivers in his formations, giving quarterback James Brown ample targets down the field. Brown's numbers have improved each game, culmiating in a 16-25, 262 yard performance and 112.4 QB rating against Amsterdam. Joining him in the backfield are Jonas Lewis and Corey McIntyre (NFL/Eagles). Lewis currently leads the league with 5 touchdowns, all on the ground and is second in the league with 319 rushing yards. The receiving corps. consists of Robert Baker (NFL/Dolphins), Marc Lester (NFL/Ravens) and Galaxy veterans Brian McDonald and Marc Soumah. Lester and Soumah have the only Galaxy receiving touchdowns this season, with one apiece. Rounding out the offense are the hogs up front, led by Galaxy veteran Mike Clare (NFL/Patriots). The rest of the offensive line includes David Pruce, Kendrick Rogers (NFL/Cardinals), Michael "Mookie" Moore (NFL/Broncos) and Joe Jackson.

MEET THE DEFENSE

After four weeks, the defense ranks No. 3 in the league and No. 1 against the run. Defensive coordinator Bob Valesente has brought in players who love to create chaos. Among the best of those players is DE-Joey Evans (NFL/Seahawks), who claimed NFLE Defensive Player of the Week in Week One and leads the league in sacks with 5. Joining him on the defensive line is Seattle teammate Luis Almanzar (NFL/Seahawks), Buck Gurley (NFL/Buccaneers) and German national Daniel Benetka. The linebacking unit is centered by Fred Jones, while Idris Price (NFL/Buccaneers) and Galaxy vet Jody Littleton man the outside. The defensive backfield also has its share of quality players, with the return of Galaxy mainstays Chris Cummings and Rashidi Barnes. FSCalvin Spears and CB-Kalvin Pearson (NFL/Browns) round out the secondary. Barnes and Spears are tied for the league lead with 2 INTs apiece.

FLASHBACK: JUNE 8, 2002

It was a night for records when the Galaxy and the Fire met last. The largest crowd in NFL Europe history gathered to witness the lowest-scoring game in league history. 58,527 packed the Waldstadion, eager to see the next installment of NFL Europe's fiercest rivalry. What they witnessed was a defensive battle as Rhein took a 3-0 victory and a World Bowl X berth home with them. The attendance total smashed the old record by over 5,000 fans.

Neither offense could move the ball throughout the game, as the defenses traded big plays. The teams combined for 20 punts, another NFL Europe league record. Rhein K-Manfred Burgsmuller knocked through a 21-yard field goal in the second quarter to provide the deciding points. Frankfurt's Ola Kimrin had his opportunity to tie the game, but his 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked. Neither team came within sight of the end zone again in the game.

In the first meeting of 2002, the Fire took a 24-20 decision from the Galaxy May 11 in front of 41,109 fans at Rheinstadion. The normally staunch Galaxy run defense had no answer for Fire RB-Jamal Robertson, who torched them for 188 yards and touchdown runs of 50, 90 and 20 yards. Galaxy RB-Curtis Alexander was knocked out of the game by a stomach virus, leaving only QB-Joe Hamilton as an offensive playmaker. Hamilton did his part, recording 1 touchdown on the ground and finding WR-Brian McDonald in the end zone for another. A last-second interception by Rhein sealed the loss. Frankfurt head coach Doug Graber has not beaten the Fire in his NFL Europe career, posting an 0-4 record against the German rival.

MEET THE COACHES

DOUG GRABER

Doug Graber became the fourth head coach in Frankfurt Galaxy history on September 18, 2000, taking the torch from Dick Curl. In his first season at the helm, Graber's team suffered through a 3-7 record. The squad entered 2002 much improved. With lessons learned, the team jumped out to a league-best 4-1 record.

Unfortunately, the team was decimated by injuries and limped to 6-4 finish. In his third season, Graber is looking for continued growth, improvement and success. The goal in 2003 is the World Bowl, and a 2-0 start is a move in the right direction.

Two games into the 2003 season, Graber's record sits at 11-11. He is 1-3 to the two-time World Bowl champions.

Graber was the head coach at Rutgers University from 1990 to 1995, after serving two years as head of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. The 1998 Bucs posted the best rushing defense in the NFL. Graber also made a mark while defensive backs coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1983 to ‘86. His secondary during those four years recorded an NFL record 120 interceptions. He was head coach at Montana State University in 1982 after spending three years as defensive coordinator at Wisconsin. Graber began his coaching career at St. Francis Cahrini High School, where he was head coach from 1967-68. The school was unbeaten in those two years and won two championships.

Graber, a native of Detroit, MI., is married to Brenda and has two sons, Joe and Jerome. the Grabers currently reside in Tampa, FL., where he hosts a weekly NFL television show and does color commentary of Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason football.

PETE KUHARCHEK

Coach Pete Kuharchek enters his third season as head coach after leading the Fire to a 7-3 mark in 2002 and a World Bowl appearance. Coach Kuharchek was promoted to head coach in 2000 after five seasons as Fire defensive coordinator.

Under Kuharchek, the Fire's defense ranked No. 1 overall in NFL Europe in 1999 and No. 1 against the run in 1996, ‘98 and ‘99.

As a player, Kuharchek started at linebacker for two years at George Washington University and a further two years at the University of Tampa. He also began his coaching career at the University of Tampa, serving as linebackers coach in 1970.

From 1972-75, Kuharchek was defensive coordinator at Tampa Catholic High School before returning to the college ranks as a defensive assistant at the University of Kentucky in 1976. He served for two years as defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire before stints at Holy Cross (defensive assistant) and East Tennessee State University (defensive coordinator).

His first venture into pro football came in the USFL, where he served as linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Bandits from 1983-85. He was defensive coordinator at Memphis State University from 1986-89 and spent a year with the CFL's British Columbia Lions.

In 1992, his first season in the NFLEL, Kuharchek's Orlando Thunder were beaten in the World Bowl by the Sacramento Surge. From 1993- 95 he returned to UTEP before teaming up with Galen Hall and the Fire in 1996. Kuharchek won World Bowl rings with the Fire in 1998 and 2000. He has led Rhein to a record four consecutive winning seasons.



National Football League Europa Stories from April 30, 2003


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