Thunder Look to Get a Win at Home Against the Admirals

April 30, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE)
Berlin Thunder News Release


The two time defending World Bowl champion Berlin Thunder (0-4) get their first look at the Amsterdam Admirals (2-2) this Sunday, May 4th at Berlin's historic Olympic Stadium. The Thunder are aiming to get one in the win column and continue their dominance against the Admirals, a series they lead all-time 6-2. Amsterdam took down the undefeated Frankfurt Galaxy last week while the Thunder were tripped up by the Scottish Claymores.

TELEVISION COVERAGE:

Sunday's contest will be broadcast in the United States on Direct TV at 10:00am EST. The play-by-play will be handled by the experienced Ari Wolfe, with color commentary coming from veteran NFL defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield. Kick-off at Olympic Stadium is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. local Berlin time. THIS WEEKEND'S FOX TEAM

ARI WOLFE: This will be Wolfe's second straight season serving as a television play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports coverage of NFL Europe. Wolfe returns for his sixth season to the Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League. Wolfe will have split duty this season as the television and radio play-by-play announcer. In addition to his work during the games, Wolfe will also serve as co-host and producer of "Birds Blitz", a weekly variety radio show on ESPN 950 AM. In addition to his radio work over the past five seasons, Wolfe has filled in as the Firebirds TV play-by-play announcer for games on Fox Sports Net and the WB4. During basketball season, Wolfe has served as a play-by-play announcer for Indiana University Men's Basketball on the Indiana Radio Network. Wolfe has also served as the play-by-play announcer for the men's and women's basketball programs at the College of Saint Rose (Albany, NY), a perennial powerhouse in Division II. During the summer of 1999, Wolfe served as the play-by-play announcer for the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs of the Northern League. As a student at USC, Wolfe did both play-by-play and color commentary for the Trojan's basketball, football, and baseball teams on KSCR (104.7 FM) in Los Angeles. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, now living in Indiana, Wolfe graduated from Emory University in 1994 and received his M.A. in Broadcast Journalism from USC in 1997.

DANA STUBBLEFIELD: The 32-year old Stubblefield has played in 146 league contests in 10 pro seasons - seven with the San Francisco 49ers and three with the Washington Redskins. He signed with the Oakland Raiders during the off-season. His career totals include 331 tackles, 53.5 sacks and two interceptions. Stubblefield spent the past two seasons as a starter on the defensive line for the 49ers after re-signing with San Francisco as a free agent in 2001. He posted 43 tackles and three sacks for the 49ers in 2002. The 6-2, 290-pound Stubblefield led the 49ers in sacks in 1993 with 10.5 to be honored as the league's top defensive rookie. In his NFL debut against Pittsburgh, Stubblefield recorded five tackles and two sacks, the first of three multi-sack games in his first NFL season. Stubblefield earned the first of three Pro Bowl berths the following season after again leading the 49ers in sacks with 8.5. He followed up that stellar 1994 season with yet another in 1995 to make the Pro Bowl for the second straight season. In 1997, Stubblefield was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to his third Pro Bowl after recording a career-high 15 sacks along with 65 tackles for the 49ers.

Stubblefield was one of the most sought-after free agents in the off-season and signed with the Redskins and played for Washington for the following three seasons. He returned to the 49ers in 2001 and played for San Francisco through last season. Stubblefield was an All-American at Kansas and was selected MVP of the Aloha Bowl as a senior.

THE SERIES

With Berlin starting off their 2002 run at another title with a 28-9 victory in Amsterdam the last time the two teams matched up, the Thunder now hold a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series.

Berlin's Largest Margin of Victory: 32; 42-10 (May 8, 1999) in Amsterdam
Amsterdam's Largest Margin of Victory: 5; 24-19 (April 20, 2002) in Berlin
Most Recent Tie: There has never been a tie
Current Winning Streak: 1; Thunder, (May 3, 2002 - Present)

LAST TIME VS. AMSTERDAM

In his first game since being activated off the NFL Europe League practice squad, running back Anthony White led the Berlin Thunder to their first win of the 2002 campaign. White rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown and added 5 catches for 89 yards, while Berlin's defense sacked Admirals quarterback Kevin Daft six times and held Amsterdam without any offensive points.

Cornerback Ahmad Hawkins opened the scoring when he intercepted Daft and raced 37 yards to the end zone. Todd Husak stretched the lead to 14-0 when he fired a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ramondo North. Amsterdam's response was immediate as Rafael Cooper fielded a kickoff at his own 8-yard line and took it 92 yards into the end zone. Berlin refused to let Amsterdam's touchdown sway the game's momentum as Husak hit a diving Phil McGeoghan for a 13-yard touchdown pass.

After the Admirals went three and out, the Thunder embarked on another scoring drive that began in the third quarter at Berlin's 46-yard line and ended early in the fourth period on White's 1-yard dive into the end zone. Amsterdam picked up a fourth quarter safety, but it was little more than a consolation score.

A THUNDER VICTORY WOULD...

- Improve Peter Vaas's career coaching record to 17-18 in the regular season and to 5-2 against the Admirals.

- Improve the franchise overall record to 22-25.

- Give the Thunder their first victory at Berlin's historic Olympic Stadium.

HEAD COACHES

PETER VAAS: Peter Vaas completed his third season in 2002 as head coach of the Berlin Thunder by leading his squad to the team's season best-tying record at 6-4 and their second consecutive World Bowl title. Vaas finished his fifth year of coaching in NFL Europe, having joined the league in 1998 as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach for the Barcelona Dragons. In 1999 as offensive assistant he helped the Dragons to a league best 7-3 record and a World Bowl berth. Under his guidance running back Lawrence Phillips rushed for 1,021 yards and 14 touchdowns and was named the league's Offensive MVP. Vaas began his coaching career in 1974 as an assistant at Allegheny College and from 1979-85 worked as offensive coordinator at the University of New Hampshire. In 1986, Vaas returned to Allegheny as their head coach, guiding a team that had not posted a winning record in seven years to two North Coast Athletic Conference championships. In his second season he led the Gators to an undefeated 9-0-1 regular season record. Vaas went on to become running backs and then quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame. There he coached players such as Rick Mirer, Jerome Bettis, and Ricky Watters, all of who became top-flight NFL players. He was head coach at Holy Cross from 1992 to 1995 before becoming the offensive coordinator for the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League. Peter Vaas is married to Rosann and they have two daughters, Katelyn and Kelly and reside in Hampton, New Hampshire.

BART ANDRUS: Bart Andrus enters his second year as head coach with the Admirals after leading Amsterdam to a 4-6 record in 2001. He spent the 2000 NFL Europe season as offensive coordinator for the Rhein Fire. The Fire offense topped the league in total yards gained and total points scored that year. Prior to his appointment with the Fire, Andrus spent three seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Oilers-Titans as offensive assistant from 1997-98 and as the quarterbacks coach in 1999. Andrus is credited for over 10 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, including one season as the head coach at Rocky Mountain College. He received the 1996 NAIA Coach of the Year Award for his efforts in restructuring a struggling program that had not won a game in 4 years. At the helm of Rocky Mountain, Andrus ended the season at 6-4 with his offense ranking first in the nation. Prior to his stint at Rocky Mountain, Andrus filled the role as the offensive coordinator at three different institutions: Southern Utah University ('93-'95), Montana State ('90-'91) and Humboldt State ('86-'89). Rounding out his career, Andrus served as a graduate assistant at Brigham Young University in 1984 after a three year position as the head coach at St. Patrick High School in Vallejo, CA. Andrus is a graduate of the University of Montana where he played quarterback for four years (1978-81). He was born in Los Angeles, California, March 30, 1958. Andrus and his wife, Karen, are the proud parents of a daughter Brooke (13) and a son Travis (10).

FROM COACH VAAS

(his take on the team's situation right now)

"The things that we are doing have worked for us in the past, and right now they are not working the way that we would like at this point. There are teams that have been 5-5 and there are teams that have gone 6-4 that have qualified for the World Bowl and have won the World Bowl. Certainly from a mathematical standpoint we are not eliminated, but is the mountain a steep one to climb? Sure is, but that is the challenge we face."

(on the keys to the game)

"I think the keys are simple and remain constant week in and week out. We simply need to play better. We are not causing enough turnovers on defense and need to improve offensively as well, but I still believe we can get the job done. It's just a matter of going out and coming away with a victory. Amsterdam is a solid team and this contest will be a tough one for us, just like every game in this league."

QUICK STATS

Offensive Game Averages: 19.75 pts, 316.75 total yds, 91.25 rushing yds, 225.5 passing yds.
Passing Leader: Stambaugh (551 yards)
Rushing Leader: Allen (193 yards)
Receiving Leader: Irvin (19 rec. 202 yds.)
Defensive Game Averages: 39.5 pts, 439.25 total yds, 230.75 rushing yds, 208.5 passing yds.
Sack Leader: Grimes (2)
Interceptions Leaders: T.Coleman (1), White (1), Harris (1).

THUNDER OFFENSIVE NOTES

-Quarterbacks Henry Burris (Chicago Bears) and Phil Stambaugh will split time this season, Coach Vaas decided following a closely contested battle throughout training camp.

-Both Burris and Stambaugh looked impressive in Tampa and were therefore rewarded with leading the team every other quarter. Burris will play during the first and third quarters and Stambaugh will get the nod for the second and fourth periods.

-Stambaugh is the league's third-rated passer with a rating of 82.9 and trails only Nall (93.9) from Scotland and Burford (85.2) from Barcelona in that category.

-Running backs Sedrick Irvin (Miami Dolphins) and David Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars) provide the ground game with an effective variety of styles. Irvin is a power runner that can get the team those much-needed extra yards and is elusive in the open field. Allen uses his quickness to make opposing defenders miss and has great breakaway speed, as he displayed with his two touchdowns last weekend.

-Irvin, a former Michigan State star, is second in the league in receptions with 19 catches for 202 yards through four games. He is also the ninth leading rusher with 133 yards on 31 carries.

-Allen is the runaway league leader in combined net yards gained with a total of 805 yards. The speedster from Kansas State is sixth in rushing with 193 yards on 31 carries. He has scored three touchdowns and is the only player in the league to do so three different ways (one rushing, one receiving, and one on a kickoff return).

-Center Josh Warner (Chicago Bears) and tackle Freddie Moore return for their second seasons with the Thunder and help anchor one of the biggest offensive lines that the organization has had in its five years of existence.

-German national wide receiver Jörg Heckenbach is in his seventh year in the league, fifth with the Thunder. He finished with 12 catches for 205 yards in 2002, including a 66-yard reception and started off the 2003 campaign with two touchdowns in the first two games.

THUNDER DEFENSIVE NOTES

- Free agent acquisition Salem Simon has stood out at defensive tackle throughout the first few weeks together with his new teammates. The 6-3, 273 pounder from Northwestern plays a key role for a defensive line that has already suffered several injuries. -Defensive end Teto Simpson, in his second year in NFL Europe, has brought an array of energy to the Thunder defense since joining the team from Amsterdam during Week 1. Simpson spent time with the Barcelona Dragons in 2001 and played his college ball at the University of North Carolina. He has totaled 16 tackles and has a forced a fumble through the first four games for Berlin. -Cornerbacks Tim Carter and Foad Ajdir, and safety Lelan Brickus are returning to the Thunder defense for the 2003 season. Brickus, a German national in his fourth season with Berlin, was named NFL Europe National Player of the Week in week 8 for his performance against Scotland last season.

-Defensive back Travis Coleman (Chicago Bears) has been one of the bright spots for Berlin. He picked off a pass thrown by Claymore quarterback Shane Stafford and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown in Week 1 and is sixth on the team with 20 tackles. He is also fourth in the league in kickoff return average with an average of 23.9 yards per return.

- Jamal White (26), Clint Finley (23), Tim Carter (22), Byron Thweatt (22), and Ryan Wingrove (21) lead the team in tackles through four games.

THUNDER SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

-Kickoff and punt returned David Allen garnered NFL Europe Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his performance against Scotland last week. He totaled 129 yards on four returns, including a 74-yard scamper down the sideline for a touchdown. Allen is also second in the league in punt return average (8.8 yds/return).

-Kicker Axel Kruse looks to extend his consecutive PAT streak to 85.

-Steve Cheek (New York Giants) is third in the league in punting. He was impressive throughout training camp and has done a solid job throughout the first four games of the season. He's punted 13 times, totaling 530 yards with an average of 40.8 yards per boot.

ADDITIONAL THUNDER JOTTINGS

-Quarterback Henry Burris (Chicago Bears) threw for 111 yards and 1 touchdown last week and ranks second on the team in passing yards.

-Quarterback Phil Stambaugh was held under 100 yards passing for the first time last week but still leads the team in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns.

-Running Back Sedrick Irvin (Miami Dolphins) leads the team in yards from scrimmage. Rushed for 11 yards and caught 2 passes for 28 yards last week.

-Running back David Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars) rushed for 69 yards last week and returned 4 kickoffs for 129 yards, including 74-yard touchdown to earn Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Also added 28 yards and 1 touchdown on 2 catches.

-Wide receiver Elijah Thurmon (Chicago Bears), born in Heidelberg, Germany, has 11 catches on the year.

-National wide receiver Jorg Heckenbach caught 2 passes for 22 yards last week. Has 6 career receptions for 62 yards vs. Admirals, including 3 for 36 in 2002.

-Receiver Sean Scott (Philadelphia Eagles) caught 1 pass for 9 yards last week.

-Tight end Bryan Fletcher (Chicago Bears) was held without a catch last week but has 6 for 48 yards this season.

-Tight end Chad Hayes (Tennessee Titans) caught 2 passes last week for 22 yards and has 7 for 85 yards and 1 touchdown on the year.

-Defensive end Reggie Grimes recorded 3 tackles and his second sack of the season last week.

-Defensive end Teto Simpson recorded 3 tackles last week. Faces familiar players in Week 5 as was in training camp with Admirals before being reassigned to Berlin.

-Defensive end Ryan Wingrove recorded 7 tackles and 1 sack last week and ranks fifth on defense with 21 stops this season.

-Linebacker Jamal White (Oakland Raiders) leads the Thunder with 26 tackles this season after adding 9 tackles, 1 sack and 1 pass defense vs. Claymores.

-Linebacker Chris Ball made 4 tackles against his old team last week.

-Linebacker Byron Thweatt had 8 tackles last week and ranks fourth on team with 22 tackles for the season.

-Linebacker Chaz Murphy (Detroit Lions) recorded 6 tackles last week.

-Cornerback Travis Coleman (Chicago Bears) recorded 2 tackles last week.

-Defensive back Tim Carter made 3 tackles last week. In two games vs. Admirals in 2002, recorded 7 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defense.

-Safety Clint Finley recorded a team-high 10 tackles last weekend.

-German kicker Axel Kruse is in his fifth season and is the Thunder's all-time leading scorer with 139 points, after adding a 26-yard field goal and 2 PATs last week. His 84 straight PATs is the second longest streak in NFLEL history. Kicked 1 field goal and 1 PAT vs. Admirals last season.

THE INJURIES CONTINUE TO PILE UP FOR THE DEFENSE

Cornerback Jeff Harris (hand) became the fifth Thunder defensive player through four games to be put on injured reserve and sent to Birmingham, Alabama for rehabilitation. He joins linebackers Joe Wesley (wrist), Josh Symonette (shoulder) and Phillipe Gardent (foot), as well as defensive end Roshaun Matthews (knee).



National Football League Europa Stories from April 30, 2003


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