Rivers rewarded for leading comeback victory
Published on June 1, 2004 under National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release
BERLIN Thunder backup quarterback DAVID RIVERS has been named NFL Europe Offensive Player of Week 9 for his efforts in leading his team to a come-from-behind victory against the Scottish Claymores.
Rivers entered the game with 3:04 remaining in the first half and with the Thunder trailing the hometown Claymores 13-0. The former Amsterdam Admirals (2003) quarterback promptly led Berlin on a 63-yard scoring march, which he capped himself by finding the end zone on a 4-yard run.
By the end of the game, which Berlin won 27-19 to improve to a league-best 8-1 on the season, Rivers had completed 18 of 24 passes for 202 yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 127.4.
Thunder head coach RICK LANTZ said: "David Rivers did a good job for us when he came into the game. I wanted to give him extra playing time this week because I feel we have true depth at the quarterback position."
Seeing limited playing time behind regular starter ROHAN DAVEY this season, Rivers has completed 42 of 59 attempts for 403 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions for a QB rating of 112.5.
Defensive Player of the Week honors went to Frankfurt Galaxy linebacker DUSTIN COHEN, who recorded a team-high 13 tackles during a 20-14 overtime defeat of the Rhein Fire. The second-year free agent also added an interception for 45 yards, knocked down a pass and forced a fumble.
Through nine games this season, Cohen ranks second on the Galaxy defense with 50 tackles, 1 sack, 3 forced fumbles and 2 pass defenses. He has added a team-leading 9 tackles on special teams.
Cologne Centurions wide receiver ALBERT JOHNSON (Houston Texans) was named Special Teams Player of Week 9 after he returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown against the Amsterdam Admirals.
Johnson - who also boasts NFL experience with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets - leads NFL Europe with 11 punt returns for 146 yards (13.3 average) and 1 touchdown. His season figures also include 11 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown, and 14 kickoff returns for 307 yards (21.9 average).
McCready - who became the first Brit to win a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2001 New England Patriots - was named National Player of the Week for the fourth time this season, tying the record for most awards in a season (Rhein Fire K MANFRED BURGSMÃLLER won four Player of the Week prizes in 1997).
The sure-handed, London-born wide receiver caught 11 passes for 52 yards during the Claymores' loss to Berlin. McCready leads NFL Europe with 58 receptions for 466 yards and 1 touchdown this season and is bidding to become the first national player in league history to lead a major statistical category outside of kicking. He leads his nearest rivals (Rhein Fire receivers WILLIE QUINNIE (Atlanta Falcons) and ADAM HERZING (San Francisco 49ers) by 12 receptions heading into the final week of the regular season.
McCready's other Player of the Week awards came in Weeks 1, 7 and 8.
McCready said: "It is nice to feel like you are contributing to the team as a wide receiver but I would gladly trade some of those receptions for a few more wins. This has been a frustrating season for us as a team but I have shown I can stay healthy and make a lot of catches. That has been good for me in terms of getting back into the NFL."
National Football League Europa Stories from June 1, 2004
- Rivers rewarded for leading comeback victory - NFLE
- World Bowl foes meet in regular season finale - NFLE
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