NFL Europe League teams ready to hit the field for first full practice in Tampa Bay

Published on March 2, 2004 under National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release

ARE you ready for some football? The serious business of NFL Europe League training camp starts tomorrow (Wednesday March 3) when teams take the field for their first full squad practice.

All six teams are preparing for the NFLEL's twelfth season in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, with last week's four-day camp for national players having been followed by a two-day passing camp for quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and tight ends.

"This is when the real football begins," said NICK POLK, NFLEL Senior Director of Football Operations. "Once the defensive players and offensive linemen join their teams for practice, the hitting starts and the intensity level rises. These guys have a very tough, but exciting, three weeks ahead of them and it is fun to watch."

Under clear skies, all teams reported a productive opening to passing camp, with Amsterdam Admirals offensive coordinator JOHN ALLEN saying: "Practice went well. The tempo was good and the receiver group ran around really well. It gave us a chance to do some evaluating on what we have and it looks good so far.

"We have got a lot of speed at the tight end and receiver position, and the guys in the backfield look fluid and smooth. Our quarterbacks came out with enthusiasm and ready to work. For a first day the excitement and enthusiasm was there - we just have to move forward every day with the same enthusiasm and this will be a good camp."

At the Berlin Thunder, quarterback DAVID RIVERS noted: "We had a great practice for our first day together. Everyone was playing with a lot of intensity and displayed solid execution. We were trying to get a feeling of the routes, the speed and timing of our receivers and deciding which plays we liked the most."

Tuesday saw the opening of NFLEL kicking camp, where 32 kickers and punters will work out for three days before being assigned to teams. Head coaches of the camp are KEVIN ODEA, special teams coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals, and MATT ROCK, kicking coach of the University of Central Florida.

The group includes a mixture of NFL-allocated players and nationals. The Scottish Claymores' English kicker ROB HART will be looking for a good camp as he goes into the season needing 13 points to overtake former Barcelona Dragon JESUS ANGOY's total of 329 points to become the NFLEL's all-time leading points scorer. Among the NFL players, Denver Broncos punter HAYDEN EPSTEIN has scored 28 NFL points as a kicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings.

Teams will practice at the following venues and times:

AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS

Lakewood High School, 1400 54th Avenue South, St.Petersburg

8:30 - 10.15; 11:00 - 12:30.

BERLIN THUNDER

Jefferson High School, 4401, W. Cypress Street, Tampa

8:30 - 10.15; 11:00 - 12.30.

COLOGNE CENTURIONS

Boca Ciega High School, 924 58th Street South, Gulfport

8:30 - 10:15; 11:00 - 12:30

FRANKFURT GALAXY

University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd

8:30 - 10:15; 11:00 - 12:30

RHEIN FIRE

Clearwater High School, 540 S. Hercules Ave, Clearwater

8:40 - 10:45; 3:40 - 5:40

SCOTTISH CLAYMORES

Dunedin High School, 1651 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin

8:30 - 12:15

Teams will take part in combined in workouts and scrimmages on March 10, 13, 17 and 20. All scrimmage days will be at the 31st Street Complex in St. Petersburg, except for March 13, which will be at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa.

National Football League Europa Stories from March 2, 2004

• NFL players participate in NFL Europe League internships - NFLE
• NFL Europe League teams ready to hit the field for first full practice in Tampa Bay - NFLE

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