NFLE Season Preview

March 3, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release

THE Super Bowl celebrations have only just finished in Tampa Bay, Florida, but it's already time for the region to play host to some more football in the form of NFL Europe League training camp. With the start of the NFL Europe's eleventh season looming on the horizon, the six NFLEL teams will spend the month of March putting more than 360 professional football players – including more than 200 athletes from the NFL - through their paces across the Tampa Bay area.

The defending champion Berlin Thunder and their five rival clubs will practice and scrimmage against each other several times in camp as the fine-tuning intensifies ahead of the season kickoff on April 5-6.

Preparations for the season began with a mini-camp for national players from 14 countries around the world outside of North America, followed by a passing camp for quarterbacks, centers and offensive skill position players. The arrival of the rest of the players marked the beginning of full squad practices. During the course of a month in Florida - where temperatures are expected to be consistently in the 80s - head coaches will trim rosters from 61 to the 48 players who will accompany them to Europe when camp breaks at the end of the month.

Only those making the trip to Europe will be able to begin the pursuit for glory in World Bowl XI, which is being played in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 14.

AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS

HEAD COACH: Bart Andrus (3rd season. 8-12 record)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jeff Lewis (3rd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Larry Owens (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 42-38 (4-6 in 2002)

=== ADMIRALS PRESEASON NOTES ===

Admirals are coming off an injury-plagued season that saw them post 4-6 record for fourth year in a row... Club remains the only NFLEL team never to have won a World Bowl... Bidding for first World Bowl appearance since finishing 9-1 to reach championship game in inaugural 1995 season... Head coach BART ANDRUS has opted for NFLEL experience with 14 players on his roster having played in the league before... The Admirals will take two quarterbacks into camp... SHAUN HILL (Minnesota Vikings) will bring excitement and commitment to the Admirals, as he explained: "I'm an unbelievable competitor. I love to compete and deal with pressure. I have spoken to coach Andrus and we seem on the same level – I think we have an excellent chance of winning." While at Maryland, Hill led the Terrapins to their first Atlantic Coast Conference title in 16 years and the school finished the 2001 campaign ranked number 10 in the country. Andrus said: "Shaun fits the mould of a prototype NFL quarterback. He has good size and good mobility."... DAVID RIVERS (Atlanta Falcons) completes the QB lineup in Florida... Running back JOHNATHAN REESE (New York Jets) is the fifth-leading rusher in Ivy League history after gaining 3,321 yards and scoring 30 touchdowns at Columbia... Running back TELLIS REDMON (Seattle Seahawks) rushed for 2,535 yards and 15 scores in 35 games at Minnesota... 285-pound fullback WES OURS (Pittsburgh Steelers) played defensive line, guard and fullback at West Virginia and has spent time on the active rosters of the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans... Receiver JUSTIN SKAGGS (Washington Redskins) has spent the past two seasons with the Redskins, playing in one game in 2002 vs. Philadelphia... Free agent receiver MATTHEW HATCHETTE brings five seasons of NFL experience to the Admirals. Caught 45 passes for 684 yards and 4 touchdowns for Minnesota and New York Jets between 1997-2001... Receiver HILTON ALEXANDER (San Francisco 49ers) posted 22 100-yard receiving games in four years at Morris Brown University... Tight end RYAN COLLINS returns to the Admirals after being named to the 2002 All-NFLEL team. Collins caught 34 passes for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns last season... Tight end KIRK McMULLEN also returns after catching 3 passes for 34 yards in an injury-shortened 2001 campaign... Andrus is pleased with the offensive line he has assembled this season, as he explained: "Our quarterbacks will profit from an excellent offensive line. We were very pleased with the group after the allocation and draft – they looked very impressive on tape."... Guard MIKE COLLINS (Baltimore Ravens) was an All-ACC selection at Wake Forest, while tackle LAWRENCE SMITH (Baltimore Ravens) was twice an All-Ohio Valley selection at Tennessee State... Guard TOMMY MOODY (Carolina Panthers) switched to offense in his senior year at Florida after playing three seasons at defensive tackle... Free agent center CAREY CLAYTON has spent time on the regular season rosters of San Diego and Jacksonville... Guard ROB GATRELL returns for a second season in Amsterdam... Defensive end JONATHAN BROWN was named NFLEL Co-Defensive MVP in 2000 when he led the league with 10 sacks as a member of the Berlin Thunder... Defensive end SCOTT POSPISIL recorded 15 tackles and 4 sacks for the Admirals last season... Defensive end MIKE CECERE (Washington Redskins) recorded 4 sacks in the 2001 NFL preseason with the Jets before a shoulder injury ended his campaign... Defensive tackle MAURICE ANDERSON (Miami Dolphins) spent 16 games with Jets in 2000 and also has experience with New England Patriots... Admirals boast a pair of tackling machines at linebacker and a returning all-star... Linebacker JOSH HOTCHKISS (New York Giants) recorded 504 tackles in four seasons at Western State, while free agent PERNELL GRIFFIN is the Conference USA's all-time leading tackler after recording 460 takedowns at East Carolina... Linebacker DWAN EPPS earned All-NFLEL honors with Admirals in 2001 but had 2002 campaign shortened by injury. Has notched 56 tackles and 3 sacks in Admirals uniform... Cornerback TODD HOWARD (St. Louis Rams) knocked down a school record 41 passes in four seasons at Michigan and has learned DB skills from his cousin, Philadelphia Eagles safety Blaine Bishop... Safety GLENN SUMTER (Houston Texans) is a former high school quarterback who recorded 221 tackles and 13 interceptions in 31 games at Memphis... Kick return specialist JORDAN YOUNGER joins the Admirals after earning All-NFLEL honors with the Rhein Fire in 2001 and 2002... Dutch kicker SILVIO DILIBERTO returns for a seventh season with the Admirals.

F.C. BARCELONA DRAGONS

HEAD COACH: Jack Bicknell (11th season. 54-46 record)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Vince Martino (4th season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dan Daniel (2nd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 54-46 (2-8 in 2002)

=== DRAGONS PRESEASON NOTES ===

Dragons are looking to bounce back after disappointing 2002 campaign saw them record just two victories and concede a league-record 311 points... Head coach JACK BICKNELL returns for an eleventh season with the Dragons and is keen to add to his league-leading 54 career victories in NFL Europe. Bicknell said: "I am as excited as ever about the new season and feel confident we will put a much better team on the field in 2003. Last season was a disappointment for all involved but that is history now and we have moved on and look forward to a successful campaign."... The Dragons could well enjoy a memorable season in 2003 – they reached World Bowls in 1991, 1997, 1999 and 2001 (odd-numbered years), but posted a combined 21-29 record in even-numbered years (1992, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002)... Barcelona will take three quarterbacks to camp... SETH BURFORD (San Diego Chargers) spent the 2002 NFL season on the Chargers' 53-man roster after being selected in the seventh round of the 2002 Draft. Burford is a big, strong quarterback who stands 6-foot-3, weighs in at 241 pounds and can bench press 405 pounds. The all-time leading passer at Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo is out to make a big impression in Spain this spring, as he explained: "I'm very excited to play for the Dragons and think NFL Europe is a very good place to develop my skills as a quarterback."... CHRIS FINLEN (New Orleans Saints) will compete for the starting role in Barcelona, along with free agent KYLE McCANN, who has been in training camp with the New York Jets. McCann took part in national player mini camp in Tampa... Running back DAMEON HUNTER (Baltimore Ravens) is a power runner who has been compared to former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler Jamal Anderson... Running back JEFF CHANEY (Atlanta Falcons) won a national championship at Florida State in 1999, scoring 10 touchdowns during his time with the Seminoles... Running back ZAIN GILMORE is a native of Tampa and attended Robinson High School, where he was named Florida's Mr Football... Wide receiver T.C. TAYLOR (New England Patriots) brings all-round skills to the Dragons after Dragons after playing quarterback and receiver at Jackson State University. Taylor threw for 1,154 yards and 11 touchdowns, rushed for 695 yards and 8 scores, and added 1,793 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns... Wide receiver ZEK PARKER (Arizona Cardinals) is record holder at Louisville with 103 kickoff returns for 2,588 yards... Wide receiver PETE REBSTOCK (Kansas City Chiefs) caught 131 passes for 2,009 yards and 13 touchdowns at Colorado State, while fellow wideout KERWIN COOK (New Orleans Saints) has famous family ties as the cousin of former Super Bowl-winning QB and current Grambling head coach Doug Williams... Wide receiver SEAN MOREY (Philadelphia Eagles) returns for a third season with the Dragons. Morey caught 37 passes at receiver in 2000 before playing defensive back in 2001, recording 39 tackles, 1 interception and 3 blocked kicks... Tight end MATT CERCONE (Jacksonville Jaguars) played for the Dragons in 2000, catching 6 passes for 44 yards and 1 touchdown... Tight end RYAN PRINCE (Oakland Raiders) earned All-American honors at Weber State... Center TROY ANDREW (Miami Dolphins) played in eight games for the Dolphins in 2001... Guard MELVIN PAIGE (New Orleans Saints) was a four-year starter at South Carolina and led the team in 2001 with 77 knockdown/key blocks... Guard SHANE GRICE (Chicago Bears) was a key member of a Mississippi offensive line that allowed just 7 sacks in his senior year... Tackle AKIL SMITH (Washington Redskins) twice earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a two-year starter at Clemson... Barcelona heads into 2003 campaign looking to upgrade a defense that ranked last in the league a year ago... Defensive end KEVIN ALDRIDGE (Tennessee Titans) recorded 228 tackles and 10.5 sacks at Southern Methodist University... Defensive tackle JABARI ISSA brings NFL experience to the Dragons. Issa played 25 games for the Arizona Cardinals in 2000-2001 (starting 5 times) and recorded 39 tackles and 1 sack... Defensive tackle JERRY JOHNSON won a national championship as a three-year starter at Florida State and played nine games for the Denver Broncos in 2001... Aptly-named linebacker DWAYNE LEVELS (Cincinnati Bengals) averaged more than 6 tackles per game in 44 contests at Oklahoma State, while fellow Bengals linebacker TITO RODRIGUEZ once recorded 23 tackles in a game against Arkansas while at Central Florida... Safety JAMES LEWIS (Detroit Lions) didn't miss a game in 49 contests at Miami and boasts NFL experience with the Indianapolis Colts... Cornerback ANTUAN SIMMONS battled back from a kidney tumor to be a starter at USC and blocked 6 kicks and intercepted 9 passes during his college career... French safety SAMYR HAMOUDI has led the Dragons in interceptions in each of the past three NFLEL seasons and has 9 career picks – a record among national players... Veteran kicker and former F.C. Barcelona Dragons goalkeeper JESUS ANGOY returns to the club as the all-time leading points scorer in NFLEL history (309 points).

BERLIN THUNDER

HEAD COACH: Peter Vaas (4th season. 16-14 record)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bob Bicknell (4th season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: David Duggan (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 19-21 (6-4 in 2002)

=== THUNDER PRESEASON NOTES ===

Thunder will go in search of Three-Peat in 2003 having secured World Bowl victories over Barcelona in 2001 and Rhein in 2002... Club started 0-3 last season before finishing strongly to secure second straight title with 26-20 victory over Fire in Düsseldorf... Head coach PETER VAAS is anxious to start his fourth year in charge of the Thunder, as he explained: "It is great that the season is finally about to start. I'm very positive about the players we have on our team this year and we have a good chance to be successful again."... Berlin will take three quarterbacks into camp... Quarterback HENRY BURRIS (Chicago Bears) played in six NFL games for the Bears in 2002, starting the season finale against Tampa Bay. He ended the year having thrown for 207 yards and 3 touchdowns, and rushing for 104 yards. Spent 2001 season with Green Bay, after throwing for 5,259 yards and 34 touchdowns in four-year Canadian Football League career (1997-2001). Burris said: "I'm very excited about going to NFL Europe. I want to win a championship and keep Berlin's winning tradition going."... Quarterback ZAK KUSTOK (Green Bay Packers) saw action in the 2002 preseason for the Miami Dolphins. Threw for 6,822 yards and 42 touchdowns at Northwestern University and added 1,294 rushing yards and 22 scores... Free agent Quarterback PHIL STAMBAUGH returns to NFL Europe after throwing for 1,166 yards and 2 touchdowns as a member of the 2001 Rhein Fire... Running Back SEDRICK IRVIN (Miami Dolphins) rushed for 182 yards and 4 touchdowns in first two seasons with Detroit Lions (1999-2000) before missing 2001 campaign with a knee injury. Added 33 catches for 323 yards and recorded 8 special teams tackles... Running back DAVID ALLEN (Jacksonville Jaguars) boasts NFL experience with San Francisco and Minnesota. Returned 7 punts for touchdowns at Kansas State and is only player in college football history to return punts for touchdowns in three straight games and to twice return punts for touchdowns in back-to-back contests... Wide receiver PIERRE BROWN (Detroit Lions) is a deep threat who averaged 19.3 yards per catch at Wayne State... Wide receiver EUGENE BAKER (Carolina Panthers) was a fifth round draft pick of Atlanta in 1999 and spent two seasons with Falcons, catching 7 passes for 118 yards... Wide receiver KIRK ROGERS (Kansas City Chiefs) was a Division III record-setter at Hardin Simmons University, where he caught 199 passes for 4,117 yards and 50 touchdowns... Wide receiver ELIJAH THURMON (Chicago Bears) was born in Heidelberg, Germany... Tight end BRYAN FLETCHER (Chicago Bears) was a sixth round pick of the Bears in the 2002 NFL Draft... Tight end CHAD HAYES (Tennessee Titans) earned All-Atlantic 10 honors while serving as a team captain at Maine... Guard BILL FERRARIO (Green Bay Packers) was a fourth round draft pick in 2001 and played in all 16 regular season games for Pack in 2002, as well as playoff contest vs. Atlanta at Lambeau Field... Tackles JOSH WARNER (Chicago Bears) and FREDDIE MOORE return to Berlin after winning World Bowl rings in 2002... Guard/Tackle ALONZO CUNNINGHAM (San Francisco 49ers) started 37 games at Iowa, while 6-foot-8 tackle CHRIS SMITH (New York Jets) is a former college tight end who blocked 6 kicks on special teams at Cal-Davis... Defensive end ROSHAUN MATTHEWS (Chicago Bears) will spearhead Berlin's pass-rush after earning League MVP honors with 9.5 sacks as an Amsterdam Admiral in 2001... Defensive end SETEMA GALI has NFL experience with San Diego and New England and recorded 19 sacks in three seasons at Brigham Young University... Defensive end REGGIE GRIMES played in eight games for New England in 2000... Linebacker JOSH SYMONETTE (Miami Dolphins) played in three NFL games for the Washington Redskins in 2000, recording 2 tackles... Linebacker JAMAL WHITE (Oakland Raiders) recorded 111 tackles in 41 games at Kentucky... Linebacker CHAZ MURPHY (Detroit Lions) also boasts NFL experience with the Washington Redskins... Safety SHAWN BYRDSONG (New Orleans Saints) played in the opening two games of the 2002 NFL season for the Baltimore Ravens... Safety CLINT FINLEY (Kansas City Chiefs) played in one regular season game for the Chiefs in 2002 (vs. Oakland) and made 1 tackle. Played in 41 games at Nebraska, recording 91 tackles and 4 interceptions... German safety LELAN BRICKUS won three Player of the Week awards in succession to conclude the 2002 regular season and ended the year with 22 tackles and 3 interceptions for 142 yards. Ran a 4.4 40-yard dash at this year's National Player tryouts in Frankfurt, Germany... Cornerback TRAVIS COLEMAN (Chicago Bears) played in seven regular season games in 2002, recording 3 tackles... Cornerback JEFF HARRIS (Denver Broncos) was a seventh round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2000. Played in 39 games (22 starts) at Georgia and recorded 136 tackles and 6 interceptions... Thunder defense also features players with the nicknames ‘Bodybags' (linebacker SHANNON WADLEY) and ‘Lethal' (defensive lineman L'QUINCY PRYOR)... German kicker AXEL KRUSE returns for a fifth season and is the Thunder's all-time leading points scorer with 123.

FRANKFURT GALAXY

HEAD COACH: Doug Graber (3rd season. 9-11 record)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dwain Painter (3rd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bob Valesente (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 52-48 (6-4 in 2002)

=== GALAXY PRESEASON NOTES ===

Galaxy will be keen to get off to another fast start in 2003, but will hope to maintain their form this time around after faltering down the stretch last season... Frankfurt opened the 2002 campaign with four straight wins but two losses to end the year saw them miss out on a World Bowl berth... Head coach DOUG GRABER returns for a third season with Frankfurt and will oversee training camp proceedings in Tampa, where he served as defensive coordinator of the Buccaneers from 1987-1989... Frankfurt will take three quarterbacks into training camp... Quarterback QUINN GRAY (Jacksonville Jaguars) is a strong-armed passer who threw for 7,368 yards and 57 touchdowns at Florida A& M. Gray says: "This is a great opportunity to get playing time and experience. I'm looking forward to the season."... Quarterback WES PATE (Seattle Seahawks) was a seventh round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2002 after he threw for 6,207 yards and 51 touchdowns at Stephen F. Austin University... Quarterback KEVIN THOMPSON played for the Galaxy in 2001, throwing for 577 yards and 2 touchdowns... Commenting on his quarterbacks, Graber said: "I am happy with the quarterbacks we have this season. Obviously, I know Kevin from 2001 and I scouted Quinn Gray personally and saw him play in some NFL preseason games. He is big and strong and has the ability to make people miss in the pocket. I also expect a lot from Wes Pate."... Running back ROBERT GILLESPIE (Washington Redskins) has big-game experience having played in the Orange Bowl in 1999 and 2002, and the Citrus Bowl in 2000 while at Florida. Graber says: "Robert is an exciting player with great speed. He is a home run hitter who has the ability to rip off long runs."... Running back JONAS LEWIS played 10 games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2000, rushing once for 6 yards, returning 9 kickoffs for 168 yards and adding 14 special teams tackles. Played one game in 2001... Fullback COREY McINTYRE (Philadelphia Eagles) played in 44 games as defensive end/linebacker at West Virginia... Wide receiver ROBERT BAKER (Miami Dolphins) has spent time with Miami in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Caught game-winning 43-yard Hail Mary pass from Mike Quinn (Rhein 1998) in preseason game vs. Tampa in 2001... Wide receiver NATE TURNER (New Orleans Saints) was an All-Mountain West Conference selection at University of Nevada-Las Vegas after catching 66 passes for 947 yards as a senior in 2000... Wide receiver MARC LESTER was one of the most dangerous offensive players in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference during his college career at Morgan State... Wide receiver FRANK CUTOLO scored 16 receiving touchdowns at Eastern Illinois and added 4 punt return touchdowns and 1 kickoff return for a score... Tight end KORI DICKERSON (Philadelphia Eagles) moved from linebacker to TE in his senior year at USC and caught 25 passes for 334 yards and 2 touchdowns... Tight end JOSH WHITMAN played in four games with the San Diego Chargers in 2001, starting one contest... Tight end BOBBY COLLINS (Atlanta Falcons) was a fourth round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1999. Played in 26 games from 1999-2000, starting six times and catching 15 passes for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns... Center/Guard ZACK QUACCIA (San Diego Chargers) was a three-year starter at Stanford and his cousin is F.C. Barcelona Dragons and San Diego Chargers quarterback Seth Burford... Guard MICHAEL MOORE (Atlanta Falcons) was a fourth round pick of the Washington Redskins in 2000. Played in five games in 2000. Registered 179 knockdown/key blocks as a senior at Troy State... Guard PETE CAMPION (Seattle Seahawks) was a seventh round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2002. Was a three-year starter at North Dakota State and did not allow a sack in his final two seasons... Tackle KENDRICK ROGERS (Arizona Cardinals) started 34 straight games at Alabama A&M and did not allow a sack in his final two years in college... Guard MIKE CLARE returns after starring for the Galaxy in 2002... Defensive end BRYAN RAY was protected by the Galaxy, for whom he recorded 11 tackles and 1 sack in 2002... Defensive tackle ENNIS DAVIS played for the F.C. Barcelona Dragons last season and recorded 28 tackles and 1 sack... Linebacker NATE MORROW (Tennessee Titans) recorded 234 tackles and 11.5 sacks as a three-year starter at Vanderbilt... Linebacker IDRIS PRICE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) made 157 tackles and added 7.5 sacks in two years at New Haven University. Also spent time with the New York Jets... Linebacker FRED JONES earned All-Big 12 honors at Colorado and played in 31 games for the Buffalo Bills in 2000-2001, recording 9 tackles and 1.5 sacks... Linebacker DUSTIN COHEN played four games for the St. Louis Rams in 2001... Safety CHRIS YOUNG (Denver Broncos) was taken in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL draft by Denver after he started 35 straight games at Georgia Tech, recording 219 tackles and 4 interceptions... Safety RASHIDI BARNES returns to the Galaxy for a second season. Led Frankfurt's top-ranked defense in 2002 with 58 tackles, 4 pass defenses and 1 forced fumble... Veteran defensive back CHRIS CUMMINGS returns for a fourth season in NFL Europe (Berlin 2000-01/Frankfurt 2002)... Kicker RALF KLEINMANN returns to Galaxy after spending past two seasons in retirement. Has 234 career points.

RHEIN FIRE

HEAD COACH: Pete Kuharchek (3rd season. 12-8 record)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Jones (2nd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ed O'Neil (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 46-34 (7-3 in 2002)

=== FIRE PRESEASON NOTES ===

Fire will be keen to go one stage further than in 2002, when they finished with a league-best 7-3 record but were defeated in World Bowl X by Berlin... Will begin life in a new home in 2003 – the state-of-the art, 63,000-seat Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen – home of German soccer club F.C. Schalke 04... Head coach PETE KUHARCHEK returns for a third season in charge of the club and his ninth in NFL Europe. Was voted into the University of Tampa's Sports Hall of Fame this past off-season... Fire will take three quarterbacks into training camp... NICK ROLOVICH (Denver Broncos) was a two-year starter at University of Hawaii, throwing for 4,176 yards and 40 touchdowns. Ended college career with three straight 500-yard passing games, throwing for 1,548 yards and 20 touchdowns... Free agent quarterback CHRIS GREISEN boasts extensive NFL experience having spent three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (1999-2001). Completed 7 of 16 passes for 69 yards and 1 touchdown in NFL regular season action... Quarterback MIKE WATKINS was in training camp with Barcelona last year and has spent time with the NFL's Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins... Running back AUTRY DENSON (Detroit Lions) rushed for 206 yards and caught 18 passes for 133 yards as a member of the Miami Dolphins in 2000-01. Commenting on the acquisition of Denson, Kuharchek said: "He has good moves and you can put him right up there with Kenny Bynum, Derrick Clark and Jamal Robertson. We're a run-oriented team and we're going to get him the ball 25 times a game."... Running back FRANK MOREAU played in 11 games for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2000, rushing for 179 yards and 4 touchdowns on 67 carries. Played for Jacksonville Jaguars in 2001 and rushed for 27 yards and 1 touchdown... Running back LEW THOMAS was an All-Sun Belt Conference selection and team MVP as a senior at Vanderbilt... Wide receiver CHARLIE ADAMS (Denver Broncos) started 40 games at Hofstra University and caught 159 passes for 2,649 yards and 26 touchdowns. Spent 2002 season on Denver's practice squad... Wide receiver LAVELL BOYD (Houston Texans) spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Fury (Arena Football League) before joining the Texans... Wide receiver SHAWN MILLS (Green Bay Packers) played one game for the Atlanta Falcons in 2001... Wide receiver KENDALL NEWSON was selected in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL draft by Jacksonville after catching 238 passes as a four-year starter at Middle Tennessee State... Tight end DWAYNE BLAKELY (Kansas City Chiefs) started 33 games at Missouri and served as team captain as a senior. Caught 79 passes for 868 yards and 12 touchdowns... Tight end CHAD MUSTARD (Cleveland Browns) started 13 games (10 at WR, 3 at G) in 2002 for the Omaha Beef of the National Indoor Football League... Center DUSTIN KEITH (Dallas Cowboys) returns to the Fire after being allocated by Dallas. Started all 10 regular season games and World Bowl X in 2002... Center LUKE BUTKUS (San Diego Chargers) was a three-year starter at Illinois and anchored a line that allowed just 1.3 sacks per game in 2001. Is the nephew of former Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus... Guard PAT CRUMMEY (New York Giants) was named to five All-American teams after his final season at Youngstown State... German tackle PATRICK VENZKE returns to the Fire as a national player in 2003. Earned All-NFL Europe League honors after being allocated by Jacksonville last season... Free agent defensive end GILLIS WILSON was a fifth round NFL draft pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2000, playing in five games and recording 0.5 sacks. Also suited up for New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals... Defensive end DEVON FINN (Denver Broncos) also has NFL experience with Miami. Started final three seasons at Illinois State and recorded 151 tackles and 13.5 sacks... Defensive tackle JOSH McKIBBEN (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) started 33 of 44 games at Central Florida and notched 256 tackles, 34 stops for losses and 13 sacks... German defensive tackle BASTIAN LANO returns to the Fire after missing the entire 2002 campaign with a knee injury suffered in training camp... Linebacker COURTNEY LEDYARD (New England Patriots) played in four games for the New York Jets in 2000, recording 1 tackle. Started 34 games at Michigan State and recorded 173 tackles and 12 sacks... Linebacker HAROLD ROBERTSON (Kansas City Chiefs) played in 36 games at Texas A&M, recording 75 tackles and 2 sacks... Cornerback TIERRE SAMS (Cincinnati Bengals) runs a 4.34 40-yard dash... Cornerback TEDDY GAINES (Chicago Bears) was a seventh round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2002... Cornerback TONY LUKINS (Oakland Raiders) returned two interceptions and two kickoffs for touchdowns as a senior at New Mexico State... Safety GREG BROWN returns to the Fire after starting all 10 games and World Bowl X in 2002... Former F.C. Schalke 04 soccer player INGO ANDERBRÜGGE is the Fire's new national kicker having replaced retired cult hero Manfred Burgsmüller.

SCOTTISH CLAYMORES

HEAD COACH: Gene Dahlquist (3rd season. 9-11 record)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Deal (3rd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ray Woodard (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 35-45 (5-5 in 2002)

=== CLAYMORES PRESEASON NOTES ===

Claymores will have extra incentive to shoot for glory in 2003 as World Bowl XI will be played at Glasgow's Hampden Park on June 14... Head coach Gene Dahlquist returns for third season in charge and says: "I'm very pleased with the quality players we have assembled for the Claymores this season."... Scotland will take four quarterbacks into camp... Quarterback SHANE STAFFORD (New England Patriots) was in camp with the Claymores in 2002 after impressing during national player camp in Tampa. Played for Tampa Bay Storm in Arena Football League in 2001 and 2002, throwing for 2,934 yards and 53 touchdowns... Quarterback CRAIG NALL (Green Bay Packers) was a fifth round draft pick in 2002 and spent the season as Green Bay's third quarterback... Quarterback JAMES BROWN returns to the Claymores after starting the season finale at Barcelona in 2002. Threw for 364 yards and 1 touchdown, and added 84 rushing yards in a reserve role... Quarterback DAVID PRIESTLEY threw for 4,553 yards at the University of Pittsburgh... Running back KENNETH SIMONTON (Buffalo Bills) brings impressive credentials to the Claymores after rushing for a school record 5,044 yards at Oregon State. Also set school marks for points (366) and 100-yard games (26). Played in 44 games and scored 59 rushing touchdowns. Second-leading rusher in Pac-10 history behind USC Heisman Trophy winner Charles White... Running back MAURICE HICKS (Chicago Bears) is the all-time leading rusher at North Carolina A&T, gaining 2,812 yards in just two seasons... Running back MIKE MALAN (New England Patriots) is the fifth-leading rusher in Ivy League history, gaining a school record 3,266 yards in 29 games at Brown... English wide receiver SCOTT McCREADY (New England Patriots) returns to the United Kingdom for a second season with the Claymores. Led team with 22 catches for 310 yards and 2 touchdowns a year ago. Became first British player to win a Super Bowl ring while with the Patriots in 2002... Wide receiver EDELL SHEPHERD (Chicago Bears) enjoyed a record-breaking senior year at San Jose State, catching 83 passes for 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns... Wide receiver TODD ELSTROM (Tampa Buccaneers) comes from the same school (Washington) as Berlin Thunder 2002 star and World Bowl X MVP Dane Looker. Caught 95 passes for 1,422 yards and 9 touchdowns at Washington... Veteran wide receiver SCOTT COUPER returns to the Claymores after spending the 2002 campaign in retirement... Holds records for national players in receptions (94), receiving yards (1,002) and receiving touchdowns (11). Has played in 67 regular season games – second all-time behind Claymores teammate ROWELLE BLENMAN, who has appeared in a league-record 75 games... Tight end RASHOD KENT (Houston Texans) was a college basketball star at Rutgers and has not played football since his freshman year in high school... Tight end NATE BANDY (Tennessee Titans) missed a season of football at Tennessee-Chattanooga due to a car accident but fought back to catch 37 passes for 435 yards as a senior... National tight end JEFF NICOLSON switched from professional rugby with Watsonians in Scotland to the gridiron and will make his Claymores debut this season... Center KENNY SANDLIN (Minnesota Vikings) started 35 straight games at Arkansas, where he also served as team captain... Guard JAMES BROYLES (St. Louis Rams) played in the final four games of the 2002 NFL season for the Rams... Guard DAVID COSTA (Pittsburgh Steelers) played in 14 regular season games and one playoff contest with the San Francisco 49ers in 2001. Started 41 games at Wisconsin and in each of his four seasons the team produced a 1,000-yard rusher... Defensive end TRAMAINE BINGHAM (Kansas City Chiefs) is an ordained minister who recorded 246 tackles and 32 sacks at Ouachita Baptist University... Defensive end RADELL LOCKHART returns to the Claymores after recording 18 tackles and 3 forced fumbles in 2002, but was held without a sack... Defensive tackle NATE BOLLING (Baltimore Ravens) was on Baltimore's practice squad in 2002. Ranked second on the team with 3 sacks in 4 preseason games... Linebacker ISAAC KEYS (Green Bay Packers) played defensive end in college at Morehouse and recorded 20 sacks in his final two years... Linebacker JERMAINE PETTY (Green Bay Packers) recorded 140 tackles and earned All-American honors at Arkansas in 2001... Linebacker DARNELL ROBINSON averaged 8 tackles per game in 11 outings as a senior at Oregon State... Linebacker CHRIS BALL wants to be a dentist when he finishes playing football and is the nephew of former London Monarchs offensive lineman Theo Adams... Returning veteran JAMES ROOTHS (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) brings experience to the secondary... Cornerback DYSHOD CARTER (New England Patriots) started 44 games at Kansas State, recording 140 tackles, 13 interceptions (1 for TD) and 51 pass defenses... Cornerback DEVERON HARPER played in 24 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2000-01, recording 22 tackles... English kicker ROB HART returns for a sixth NFLEL season and is coming off a perfect year in which he kicked 10 of 10 field goals and all 20 PATs. Has kicked a league record 121 PATs and has never missed a conversion in his five-year career.

National Football League Europa Stories from March 3, 2003

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