The Legend of Tommy Arth

by Tommy Brown
Published on April 15, 2005 under National Football League Europa (NFLE)
Hamburg Sea Devils


After criticizing Hamburg head coach Jack Bicknell for his lack of carries given to running back Larry Croom in a previous column, my email was almost taken offline by the response. Not about Croom not getting the ball, but by fans of third string Hamburg quarterback Tom Arth. Arth has received zero playing time this season for the Sea Devils and people have noticed.

Ed L. of Westlake, Ohio wrote:

There are a lot of Tom Arth fans across the country who know of his talent and ability to play. Why does he not receive more playing time?

Sue S. of Avon Lake, Ohio wrote:

How does [Coach Bicknell] justify not playing Tom Arth? Something seems to be amiss.

After further research I noticed every single email received about Tom Arth was from one of his fans in the western Cleveland suburbs. Arth was a prep star at Cleveland St. Ignatius high school and played college division III football at local John Carroll University. A smile was brought to my face when I realized that one of the emails I received was apparently from a relative of his. Nice try Uncle Ed!

Although Coach Jack Bicknell may not run the ball enough, his not playing Tom Arth may be justified. Casey Bramlet is just a better quarterback. Bramlet, allocated by the Bengals this season and a member of their regular season roster, had a distinguished college career at Wyoming. He also has played excellent this season for the Sea Devils, completing 66% of this passes, while having a 2 to 1 touchdown to interception number.

An argument can be made that Arth should be the first QB off the bench, as it is customary for two quarterbacks to play for each team every week in NFL Europe. Dinwiddie's play has been really poor. He has completed 34% of his passes, thrown an interception and no touchdowns. The upside of Dinwiddie is probably why Arth has not played at all this season. Ryan Dinwiddie, allocated by the Bears to NFL Europe this season, had extraordinary numbers as a quarterback at touchdown scoring juggernaut Boise State. Dinwiddie was an undrafted free agent in the Bears training camp, but he was cut before the season started. The Bears in resigned him late in December to their practice squad to add depth and provide another player they could send to Europe this summer. Boise State is one of the premier scoring teams in college football and a major step up from John Carroll University. Dinwiddie remains ahead of Arth on the depth chart only because of his college pedigree, because it certainly can't be because of play so far.

Tom Arth fans take heart, if Brian Dinwiddie continues to play poorly, one could expect to see Tommy Arth in a game very soon, if not this week.

Thanks to Tom Arth's friends and family for emailing about his situation. If it were up to me, he would play every week. Don't worry; he will get his chance this season for Hamburg, if not because of your grass roots email efforts, but because he deserves a chance.

Got an NFL Europe question for Tommy? Email him at tommy33624@yahoo.com.

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National Football League Europa Stories from April 15, 2005


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