NFLE camp returns to Tampa Bay

by NFLE Press Release
January 23, 2002 - National Football League Europa (NFLE)

Preseason training camp will return to the Tampa Bay area of Florida as six teams prepare for the NFL Europe League's tenth season.

With more than 350 players battling for places on opening day rosters, the action on the practice fields is sure to be intense and exciting when training camp kicks off on March 6.

Practice venues for all six NFLEL teams have been unveiled, as well as details of combined workouts and game-condition scrimmages set to take place under the blazing Florida sun. Welcoming a return to the Tampa Bay area, DOUG QUINN, Senior Vice-President of NFL International, said: "We are very excited to be holding our training camp in Tampa Bay for the second year in a row.

"We have an outstanding relationship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the local high schools and city officials. The facilities in the area are of the highest standard and the people we work with in Tampa Bay are great."

Fans visiting training camp in Tampa Bay will be able to witness the intensity and pressure surrounding a professional football camp at close quarters. All practices and workouts are open to the public. Fans will also be able to follow future stars of the NFL as they battle to make an impression in Florida. A total of 229 players were allocated to NFL Europe by NFL teams in 2001.

The Amsterdam Admirals will work out at One Buc Place in Tampa - practice venue of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Barcelona Dragons will practice at Clearwater High School, while the defending World Bowl champion Berlin Thunder will begin their quest for back-to-back titles at Boca Ciega High School in St. Petersburg.

The Frankfurt Galaxy will practice at the University of Tampa for a second straight preseason, while the Rhein Fire return to Plant High School in Tampa. The Scottish Claymores will practice at Skyway Park.

The training camp action begins on Wednesday March 6 with a passing camp for quarterbacks and offensive skill position players. Full squad practices begin on Tuesday March 12 following the arrival of offensive linemen and defensive players.

The first combined workouts take place at sites to be arranged on Saturday March 16. Combined workouts will also take place at the 31st Street Complex in St. Petersburg on Wednesday March 20 and Wednesday March 27.

Game-condition scrimmages will be held at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Buccaneers, on Saturday March 23. The first roster cuts of training camp will be made later that day. The second game-condition scrimmages will be held at the University of Tampa on Saturday March 30. The second set of cuts will take place later that day as 48-man regular season rosters are finalised.

The six teams will depart for Europe in early April with the 2002 season kicking off on Saturday April 13.

Quinn added: "Having the Tampa Bay area as our training camp base gives our teams the best possible chance to prepare for our tenth NFL Europe League season. All six teams should be well prepared and ready to put on a great show for the fans in Europe. "It will also be an exciting time for football fans in the Tampa Bay area as they will have the opportunity to watch high-quality players in action."

Prior to the arrival of the NFL-allocated players and American free agents, a mini-camp will be held in the Tampa Bay area for national players from Europe, Mexico and Japan. A total of 60 national players will participate in the camp from Monday February 25 to Monday March 4. The top 48 players will then be assigned to the six NFL Europe League teams.

NFL Europe League Training Camp 2002 Schedule

February 25-March 4 - Mini-camp for national players.
March 4 - Quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and centers report to camp.
March 6 - Passing camp begins for offensive skill position players and centers.
March 9 - Remaining offensive linemen, punters, kickers and defensive players report to camp.
March 11-13 - Kicking camp for kickers and punters at Skyway Park.
March 12 - First full squad practices.
March 16 - Combined workouts
March 20 - Combined workouts at 31st Street Complex, St. Petersburg.
March 23 - Game-condition scrimmages at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa.
March 23 - First roster cutdowns (to 52 players).
March 27 - Combined workouts at 31st Street Complex, St. Petersburg.
March 30 - Game-condition scrimmages at University of Tampa.
March 30 - Final roster cutdowns (to 48 players).
April 1-2 - Teams depart for Europe.

National Football League Europa Stories from January 23, 2002

• NFLE camp returns to Tampa Bay - OSC Original by NFLE Press Release

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