World Bowl rematch kicks off 13th season

March 29, 2005 - National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release

THE long wait is over and the NFL Europe League is ready to roar back into action with its 13th season kicking off on April 2.

And history will be made in the opening week of the new campaign as Saturday’s clash between the defending champion Berlin Thunder and the Frankfurt Galaxy marks the first time ever that a season has begun with a re-match of the previous year’s World Bowl.

Also in Week 1, the Hamburg Sea Devils will take to the field for the first time when they visit the Cologne Centurions.

The final action on Saturday night sees the Amsterdam Admirals begin their bid for glory in 2005 by playing host to the Rhein Fire.

With a grueling training camp in Tampa Bay, Florida, completed, it is time for the talking to stop and the battle for a championship to begin.

The road to Yello Strom World Bowl XIII in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Saturday June 11 begins in earnest this weekend. Who will emerge as championship material? Only time will tell.

WEEK ONE SCHEDULE

SATURDAY APRIL 2

Frankfurt Galaxy at Berlin Thunder

Olympic Stadium, Berlin, 6:00 p.m.

Hamburg Sea Devils at Cologne Centurions

RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, 6:00 p.m.

Rhein Fire at Amsterdam Admirals

Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, 7:00 p.m.

2004 AWARD WINNERS

(Players of the Week to appear in this section during 2005 season)

OFFENSIVE MVP · ROHAN DAVEY · QB, Berlin

Completed 61.2 % of passes for 1,676 yards, 19 TDs and 6 interceptions for 105.6 QB rating (led league)

DEFENSIVE MVP · COREY JACKSON · DE, Frankfurt

26 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 4 passes defended

COACH OF THE YEAR · RICK LANTZ · Berlin

Tied single season record set by 1991 London Monarchs and 1995 Amsterdam Admirals (9-1). Guided club to third World Bowl win in four years.

Coaches focused on opening weekend following training camp warm-up in Florida

AFTER spending three weeks turning a group of total strangers into a team during preseason training camp in Tampa Bay, Florida, the six NFL Europe League head coaches are busy putting the finishing touches to their preparations ahead of this weekend’s opening night action.

Despite being hit with several storms and even a couple of tornado warnings during their spell in Florida, no significant practice time was lost and all six teams feel confident heading into the NFLEL’s 13th season.

Amsterdam Admirals head coach BART ANDRUS says: “Training camp was real good for us and we came out of it fairly healthy. We have a real attentive group and they have a real desire to do what we are asking them to do.

“We will continue to improve and take the next step forward, but I feel pretty good about where we are at right now.”

The Admirals are coming off a 5-5 season in 2004 and will be gunning for their first World Bowl victory in 2005.

Berlin Thunder’s RICK LANTZ won a World Bowl, tied the single-season mark for regular season victories (9, London Monarchs 1991 and Amsterdam Admirals 1995) and was named Coach of the Year in his first season as a head coach in NFL Europe.

Despite seeing Berlin win three of the last four World Bowls, Lantz is not about to rest on his laurels, as he explains: “I am really excited about the upcoming season and I’m expecting us to go into the first game ready to play.

“There is no reason for us to have any negatives this season. If we don’t win, we don’t have any alibis.”

The Cologne Centurions enter their second season in NFL Europe looking to build on an encouraging four-win campaign in 2004. They kick off their year by hosting NFL Europe’s new kids on the block, the Hamburg Sea Devils.

Head coach PETER VAAS states: “Our preseason went well. The thing you look for in training camp is improvement and we got that.

“We have a lot to work on but I am encouraged by the progress I have seen. I think the future is bright.”

Looking to go one stage further in 2005 will be the Frankfurt Galaxy, who lost in World Bowl XII to Berlin last June. The Galaxy and Thunder have both won a league-high three World Bowls (Frankfurt 1995, 1999, 2003/Berlin 2001, 2002, 2004) and will race to become the first team in league history to win four titles.

Galaxy head coach MIKE JONES is looking forward to his second season in Frankfurt and says: “We’ve got

a good mix on our roster and we looked strong in our last scrimmage. What has to happen now is that guys have to come into the season together as a family – a Galaxy family. Then we can play the kind of football we are looking to play.”

The man charged with bringing success to Hamburg is league veteran JACK BICKNELL, who has more wins (61) than any other coach in NFLEL history.

Bicknell coached the Barcelona Dragons from 1991-2003 and the Scottish Claymores in 2004.

The former Boston College head coach feels good about his club heading into the 2005 campaign, stating: “I think our offensive skill positions are very good. I’m optimistic we’re going to be a good team.

“We still have a lot of work to do but I’m happy with the group we have and I was happy with how training camp went.”

The 2005 campaign will be a memorable one for the Rhein Fire as they return to their spiritual home of Düsseldorf, Germany, after spending the past two seasons in Gelsenkirchen.

The Fire will be chasing a record-tying third title success (won championships in 1998 and 2000) when Yello Strom World Bowl XIII is held in Düsseldorf’s LTU arena on Saturday June 11.

Head coach PETE KUHARCHEK says: “Training camp went pretty good. It was very competitive with a lot of people fighting for positions. I was pleased with the effort our guys gave in camp.

“We have a good nucleus of a team to work with. We just have to make sure we put all of the odds and ends together and connect them to form the very best product on the field.”

NFLEL FACTS: Rush to succeed

NFL Europe has been kind to those who run the football in recent years as five of the last six League Offensive MVPs have played running back. Berlin Thunder quarterback ROHAN DAVEY won the award in 2004. In the five years prior to that, the winners were all running backs: 1999 – LAWRENCE PHILLIPS (Barcelona), 2000 – AARON STECKER (Scotland), 2001 – MIKE GREEN (Barcelona), 2002 – JAMAL ROBERTSON (Rhein) and 2003 – KEN SIMONTON (Scotland).

NFLEL FACTS: Close encounters

NFL Europe has traditionally thrown up close games and wild finishes. The 2004 campaign was a case in point as a record 23 of 30 regular season games were decided by one score (8 points or less). In the past 10 seasons since 1995, 172 of 300 regular season games (.573) have been decided by one score.

NEWS AND NOTES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 3

Big names among record number of allocated players looking to shine in NFL Europe

SOME of the NFL’s brightest young stars, as well as big-name players who will be familiar to football fans around the world, will be on display throughout the 2005 NFL Europe League season.

In another outstanding show of support for the NFL Europe League, the 32 NFL clubs allocated a record 271 players for the 2005 campaign.

Among a record 19 NFL quarterbacks assigned to NFL Europe are passers who have started in the National Football League in AKILI SMITH (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), DAVE RAGONE (Houston Texans) and KURT KITTNER (Chicago Bears).

Smith was selected third overall in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He started 17 games from 1999-2002, throwing for 2,212 yards and 5 touchdowns. Smith will become the highest-ever draft pick to play in NFL Europe when he takes his first snap as a member of the Frankfurt Galaxy.

Smith says: “The amount of players, in particular quarterbacks, who have been in NFL Europe and then come back to the NFL and had success is astonishing. I look at that and knowing how beautiful Europe is to visit, that inspired me to come to NFL Europe.

“A lot of people have not seen me play for over two years now, so this will be an opportunity for me to remind them what I can do. I plan on getting Frankfurt to a World Bowl. That’s why we’re here. Everything else is nice but this is a team that is used to success and the World Bowl is definitely in my plans.”

Ragone started two games for the Houston Texans as a rookie in 2003 and will spearhead the Berlin Thunder’s charge for a fourth World Bowl crown in the past five seasons.

The left-handed passer says: “It’s like I’m starting a new life. I feel almost reborn. This league is very competitive and I’ve got a chance to go out there on the football field and be a leader for the Berlin Thunder. I’m really excited.”

Kittner started four games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2003, throwing for 391 yards and 2 touchdowns in place of injured superstar Michael Vick.

Big-name performers competing for glory in Yello Strom World Bowl XIII in June are not just restricted to the quarterback position.

JARRETT PAYTON (Tennessee Titans), son of the late NFL legend and Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, will hope to guide the Amsterdam Admirals to a first World Bowl appearance in team history after shining at the running back position during preseason training in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Payton, who starred at the University of Miami before entering the professional ranks, says: “I have worked very hard since I discovered I was going to be in NFL Europe because I take this very seriously as a chance to get my NFL career on the road.

“I want to break the single-season rushing record – which means going over 1,051 yards. I have always been taught to shoot for the stars, and that’s what I’m doing as far as my personal ambitions for the season.

“The biggest goal of them all though is to get this team to a World Bowl. Not many of us have won a championship at any level. To be able to win a championship with a bunch of guys who don’t really know each other but are just coming together – that would be special.”

Fellow running back LARRY CROOM (Arizona Cardinals) started one game in place of the legendary Emmitt Smith in 2004 and ended his rookie campaign with the Cards having rushed for 76 yards on 29 carries. He added 2 receptions for 16 yards and ran back 16 kickoffs for 314 yards.

Croom, of the Hamburg Sea Devils, says: “I talked to coach Dennis Green and he said it would be a good idea to come to Europe, not only for the experience I would get as a player, but also to see the world.

“I welcome the chance to play football and to see some stuff I never saw before. I said yes on the spot.”

Also suiting up for the Sea Devils in 2005 will be former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback ERIC CROUCH.

Crouch was named college football’s best player in 2001 as he threw for 1,510 yards and rushed for 1,115 yards at Nebraska. He set an NCAA record with 59 rushing touchdowns during his college career but is switching to defense in NFL Europe and will line up at safety.

He becomes the third Heisman Trophy winner to play in NFL Europe, following in the footsteps of quarterbacks GINO TORRETTA (Rhein Fire 1995) and ANDRE WARE (Berlin Thunder 1999).

Crouch says: “My goal is to help the Sea Devils win a World Bowl in their first season. I’m a competitor and I want to win every single game this year. I hope we mesh together as a team and play well.”

NFLEL FACTS: History maker

When the 2005 season kicks off, JACK BICKNELL will become the first head coach in league history to take charge of three different teams. Prior to leading the Hamburg Sea Devils in 2005, Bicknell coached the Scottish Claymores in 2004 and the Barcelona Dragons from 1991-2003. Only two other men have served as head coaches of more than one NFLEL team during their careers – PETER VAAS (Berlin 2000-03/Cologne 2004) and GALEN HALL (Orlando 1992/Rhein 1995-2000).

NEWS AND NOTES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 4

Looking Back: Opening Day

records through the years

TEAM

Most points: 62, Scotland vs Berlin, 2003.

Most points in one game (combined): 93, Berlin 31 at Scotland 62, 2003.

Fewest points: 0, Barcelona at Frankfurt, 1992.

Fewest points in one game (combined): 12, Raleigh-Durham 3 at Sacramento 9, 1991.

Biggest margin of victory: 31, Scotland 62 vs Berlin 31, 2003.

Smallest margin of victory: 1, six times (last time: Rhein 26 vs. Cologne 25, 2004.

INDIVIDUAL

Most yards rushing: 159, Lawrence Phillips, Barcelona vs Amsterdam, 1999.

Most rushing attempts: 28, Tony Vinson, London at Frankfurt, 1997.

Most TDs rushing: 4, Ken Simonton, Scotland vs Berlin, 2003.

Longest TD run: 93 yards, Maurice Hicks, Scotland vs Berlin, 2003.

Most yards passing: 420, Kelly Holcomb, Barcelona vs Amsterdam, 1996.

Most pass attempts: 50, Brad Johnson, London at Frankfurt, 1995.

Most pass completions: 29, Brad Johnson, London at Frankfurt, 1995.

Most TDs passing: 5, Kerwin Bell, Orlando vs San Antonio, 1991.

Longest TD pass: 97 yards, Stan Gelbaugh to Jon Horton, London at Frankfurt, 1991.

Most times intercepted: 4, Reggie Slack, NY/NJ at London, 1992; Steve Matthews, Scotland at London, 1996.

Most pass receptions: 10, Kenny Bell, Birmingham vs Montreal, 1991.

Most receiving yards: 196, Dialleo Burks, Rhein at Scotland, 1999.

Most TDs receiving: 3, Byron Williams, Orlando vs San Antonio, 1991; Kevin Drake, Rhein vs Barcelona, 2000.

Most Interceptions: 3, Ron Carpenter, Amsterdam vs Barcelona, 1995; Jack Kellogg, Frankfurt vs London, 1995; Mike Maslowski, Barcelona vs Amsterdam, 1999.

All-time Opening Day records of NFLEL teams

Home Away Total

Amsterdam 2-1 1-6 3-7

Berlin 1-2 0-3 1-5

Cologne 0-0 0-1 0-1

Frankfurt 5-1 4-2 9-3

Hamburg 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rhein 4-3 1-2 5-5

McCready and Hippler eye all-time records heading into 2005

TWO of NFL Europe’s leading national players will be looking to write their names in the record books during the 2005 season.

Hamburg Sea Devils English wide receiver SCOTT McCREADY and Cologne Centurions German tight end WERNER HIPPLER are eyeing career marks owned by former Scottish Claymores wide receiver Scott Couper.

McCready, who led NFL Europe with 59 catches in 2004, has compiled career figures of 104 receptions for 1,119 yards and 6 touchdowns while playing for the Claymores from 2002-2004. Couper, the all-time leading national receiver, ended his career with 107 catches for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns.

That means McCready needs 4 receptions, 39 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns to become the leading national receiver in NFLEL history.

McCready says: “To say I never think about that would be a lie, but I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. If I concentrate on practice and the games, the records will take care of themselves and everything will work out. I was pleased to lead the NFL Europe League in receptions last season but we were also 2-8 so it wasn’t much fun. I would trade a bunch of those receptions for a winning record or a World Bowl ring. Hopefully I can do both this year.”

Hippler has played in 78 career regular season games and if he suits up for all 10 Cologne Centurions contests in 2005 he will surpass the all-time record of 87 set by Couper between 1995 and 2004.

Hippler is set to tie the record in Week 9 and break it in Week 10.

Hippler says: “It would be exciting to break the record. I love NFL Europe as it gives a lot of nationals and non-Americans the chance to play professional American football. I am ready to play and to win my fourth World Bowl ring would be nice this season.”

Sea Devils aim for fast start

THE Hamburg Sea Devils will be out to buck an historical trend when they face the Cologne Centurions in Week 1 – no expansion team joining NFL Europe has won on opening weekend.

The Ohio Glory in 1992 (9-13 at Orlando), Berlin Thunder in 1999 (20-21 at Frankfurt) and Cologne Centurions in 2004 (25-26 at Rhein) all lost their first games in club history.

Sea Devils head coach JACK BICKNELL says: “It is important to start well. The better your start, the better the opportunity you have. We aim to start off well and our goal is to win the World Bowl.”

NEWS AND NOTES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 5

Winning start can lead to glory but opening plays deceptive

PICTURE the scene. Your favorite team trots onto the field to begin a new NFL Europe League season. They line up, snap the football and the running back either gets stuffed for no gain or a loss, or the quarterback throws incomplete.

You put your head in your hands, groan and prepare for a long year of misery and suffering.

But, according to recent trends, you should be celebrating. Such failure on your team’s opening play of the year could equate to World Bowl success in June.

In the last six seasons, the eventual World Bowl champion has either opened with an incomplete pass (4 times) or an unsuccessful running play (2 times).

Here are the opening offensive plays from scrimmage of the last six World Bowl champions:

Year-Team 1st Offensive Play of Season

2004 – Berlin Ray Jackson 0-yard run

2003 – Frankfurt James Brown incomplete pass

2002 – Berlin Todd Husak incomplete pass

2001 – Berlin Jonathan Quinn incomplete pass

2000 – Rhein Ontiwain Carter -4-yard run

1999 – Frankfurt Jake Delhomme incomplete pass

While making a slow start on your first possession is not that harmful (5 of the last 7 World Bowl champions had their opening drive of the season end either with a punt, lost fumble or turnover on downs), winning your opening game in a 10-week season is vitally important.

Of the previous 12 World Bowl winners, only the Berlin Thunder teams of 2001 and 2002 have opened the year with losses and gone on to win the championship game.

Here is a look at how World Bowl winners fared in Week 1

Year- Team Week 1 Mid-Season Record

2004 – Berlin W 5-0

2003 – Frankfurt W 3-2

2002 – Berlin L 2-3

2001 – Berlin L 3-2

2000 – Rhein W 4-1

1999 – Frankfurt W 3-2

1998 – Rhein W 5-0

1997 – Barcelona W 4-1

1996 – Scotland W 4-1

1995 – Frankfurt W 2-3

1992 – Sacramento W 3-2

1991 – London W 5-0

Amsterdam Admirals head coach BART ANDRUS says: “It is real important for us to start quickly. We want to build on the momentum from training camp and carry it over to the season.”

NFLEL Tiebreaker Procedures

If two or more clubs finish with identical won-lost-tied percentage, the following steps will be taken until a winner is determined:

Two Clubs

1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs)

2. Best points differential in games between tied teams

3. Best points differential in all games

4. Best net touchdowns in games between tied teams

5. Best net touchdowns in all games

6. Coin toss

Three or more clubs

1. Head to head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the tied teams)

2. Best points differential in games between tied teams

3. Best points differential in all games

4. Best net touchdowns in games between tied teams

5. Best net touchdowns in all games

6. Coin toss

NOTE

If clubs remain tied after third or other clubs have been eliminated from or have won a multi-team tiebreaker, the tiebreaker reverts to Step 1.

EXAMPLES

In a three-way tie for first place, Team A has a 3-1 record against other tied teams, Team B has a 2-2 record, Team C has a 1-3 record. Team A advances, Team C is eliminated, therefore World Bowl is Team A vs Team B.

In a four-way tie for first place, Team A has a 4-2 record against other tied teams, Team B has a 3-3 record, Team C has a 3-3 record, Team D has a 2-4 record. Team A advances to World Bowl, Team D is eliminated and Teams B and C revert to Step 1 of the two-team tiebreaker.

NFLEL FACTS:Happy returns

In three of four seasons under the guidance of head coach PETE KUHARCHEK, the Rhein Fire has either tied for the league lead or led NFLEL in total touchdowns by return or recovery (2001, 2003, 2004). The Fire scored a league-leading 4 touchdowns on returns in 2004 (3 kickoff returns; 1 interception).

NFLEL FACTS: On the ground

The Frankfurt Galaxy have had success running the football in recent years, leading NFLEL in rushing touchdowns in 2003 (12) and 2004 (13). By contrast, the Berlin Thunder – winners have three of the past four World Bowls – have never led the league in rushing attempts and yards.

NEWS AND NOTES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 6

Opposing offensive styles on display in Week 1 showdown

WHEN the Amsterdam Admirals play host to the Rhein Fire in Week 1, NFL Europe League fans will see two teams with distinctly different approaches to moving the football.

While the Admirals traditionally air it out, the Fire have long been advocates of pounding away at a defense with a rushing attack.

In the past 10 seasons, Amsterdam has led NFL Europe in net passing yards three times (1996, 1998, 2003).

During the same time period, the Fire has led the league in rushing on four occasions (1997, 1998, 1999, 2002).

The Admirals have finished in the top three in passing yards in six of the last 10 seasons, while the Fire have been among the top three running teams in seven of the last 10 years.

Both clubs have only once ranked last in the league – Amsterdam in net passing yards in 1997 and the Fire in rushing yards in 1995.

Admirals head coach BART ANDRUS says: “We like to throw the ball but we also like to do whatever helps you move the chains.

“You are only as good in the running game as your backs and we definitely have the best one-two punch in terms of backs since I have been here.

“We don’t go into a season saying we’re going to throw it this many times or anything like that. What I am concerned about is how we move the chains. If we are moving the chains by throwing it, then we will throw it.”

Fire head coach PETE KUHARCHEK adds: “We have taken pride in our running game over the years. It has always been the strongest part of our whole football team. We attribute last year’s losing record to the fact that we couldn’t run the ball well.

“We look pretty good at running back with JOE SMITH and DAHRRAN DIEDRICK. We feel good because our offensive line has the potential to be a heck of a line. We are going to try to be physical.”

Andrus says: “We know the Fire like to run the football and they have had some pretty good running backs in the past. But we don’t know what kind of team they are right now.”

Andrus and Kuharchek also know each other very well from their time serving as assistant coaches at the Rhein Fire.

Andrus admits: “Pete and I have been friends for a very long time. We won a World Bowl together in 2000 and among the head coaches in the league he is probably my closest friend. We know each other real well and our games have always been tight and hard fought. I don’t anticipate anything other than that again.”

How NFLEL teams are built

Here is how NFL Europe League rosters are built:

AMERICAN PLAYERS

36 Active roster players

2 Active NFLEL players (eligible to play in games)

2 Inactive NFLEL Practice Squad players (ineligible to play in games)

NATIONAL PLAYERS

8 Active roster players. Three teams will carry an additional national player during the 2004 season and these players will be listed as Active NFLEL players.

TOTAL ROSTER SIZE

48 (46 Active, 2 Inactive / 40 American, 8 National)

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. After selecting the team's 36 active American players at the end of training camp, teams, in consultation with the league office, selected two additional players to be part of the active roster. These players are designated as Active NFLEL players.

2. Teams, in consultation with the league office, have also designated two players to become part of the NFLEL Practice Squad.

3. Regardless of which team roster the players are on, all Active NFLEL players and all NFLEL Practice Squad players are the 'property' of the league office.

4. In the case of injuries etc., teams can request that an NFLEL Practice Squad player or an Active NFLEL player is reassigned from the roster of another team. A decision will be made by the NFLEL personnel department in consultation with the relevant teams. Competitive balance remains the most important factor in such decisions. Wherever possible, NFLEL Practice Squad players will be reassigned before Active NFLEL players.

NFLEL regular season rosters will indicate those players who are Active NFLEL players and members of the NFLEL Practice Squad.

NFLEL FACTS: Scoring success

In their past three World Bowl-winning seasons, the Berlin Thunder have led NFL Europe in scoring (270 in 2001, 231 in 2002 and 289 in 2004. Scoring remains one of the biggest indicators of success in NFLEL history. All but two World Bowl winners (Rhein 1998 and Scotland 1996) led the league in either touchdowns rushing or passing. Last season’s champions Berlin led the league in passing touchdowns with 24.

NEWS AND NOTES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 7

Record-chasing Thunder prove there’s no place like home

THE defending World Bowl champion Berlin Thunder will look to maintain their impressive home form when they face the Frankfurt Galaxy on Saturday April 2.

Berlin has won six consecutive games at Olympic Stadium, dating back to a Week 10 defeat of Frankfurt on June 7, 2003.

The Thunder went undefeated at home in 2004 and stand just three wins away from tying the all-time mark held by the Amsterdam Admirals.

Here is a look at the teams with the longest winning streaks at home in NFLEL history:

Consecutive Wins Team/Years

9 Amsterdam 1995-1996

7 Rhein 2001-2002

6 Rhein 1999-2000

Berlin 2003-Current

Thunder head coach RICK LANTZ, who is 5-0 at home, says: “We have great fans and we enjoy playing well in front of them. It feels very good to be back in Berlin.”

Fantasy Football returns at NFLEurope.com this season

NFLEurope.com – the official internet site of the NFL Europe League – will be offering fans around the world yet another reason to follow the 2005 season with the return of FANTASY NFL EUROPE.

The competition begins in Week 2, allowing fans the chance to evaluate the players on opening weekend. Fans will be invited to select their very own NFLEL all-star squad consisting of a quarterback, running back, two wide receivers, tight end, team defense, kicker and offensive national player, within a salary cap of $18m.

Trades and player transactions can be made throughout the season and the lucky fan who ends the year with the highest-scoring team will be on their way to the 2006 Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

Fans should visit www.nfleurope.com/fantasy to register for the game.

NFLEurope.com will also provide comprehensive gameday coverage – including game reports within seconds of the final gun - throughout the 2005 campaign, as well as statistics, player diaries, news and features, and the latest team rosters, depth charts and injury reports.

Former NFL players learning

the ropes as NFLEL coaches

NFL Europe League players will have the opportunity to learn from some NFL stars of the past during the 2005 season as the NFL EUROPE COACHING PROGRAM enters its third season.

Under the scheme organized by NFL Player Development in New York and the NFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION, 12 former players will serve as intern coaches for the six NFLEL teams this spring.

Among those participating in the program are former Pro Bowlers CRIS DISHMAN and E.J. JUNIOR, Super Bowl winners in ALVIN HARPER and KURT GOUVEIA, and former NFL Europe League stars such as ANTONIO BANKS, JAMES ROOTHS and CHRIS WARD.

Harper, who won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys (1992, 1993), is looking forward to a taste of life as a professional football coach and admits things are a little different when you are a player.

He explains: “I had to get used to being on the other side of the fence and going to meetings. When the players get the chance to go home and go to sleep after practice, the coaches meet and go over game plans and new plays. You are always meeting and watching films, so you don’t ever get a chance to rest.”

2005 Coaching Interns

Amsterdam – Antonio Banks, Robert Hunt; Berlin – Cris Dishman, Kurt Gouveia; Cologne – Jay Hagood, Chris Ward; Frankfurt – James Rooths, Alex Van Pelt; Hamburg – Joe Bowden, Marvin Marshall; Rhein – Alvin Harper, E.J. Junior.

NFLEL FACTS:Odds and ends

· A total of 11 countries outside of North America will be represented by players on the six NFL Europe League rosters in 2005. The countries are: Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Turkey and United Kingdom.

· In their first season in 2004, the Cologne Centurions led the league in pass completions (158) and completion percentage (63.2). Such achievements are not rare under Centurions head coach PETER VAAS, who previously guided Berlin quarterbacks to league highs in pass completions in 2002 (238) and completion percentage in 2002 (59.1) and 2003 (63.3).

· Home teams went 19-11 in 2004. The only weekend when all three road teams came out on top was in Week 9 when Cologne, Rhein and Scotland were victorious.

TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 8

AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS (0-0)Head Coach: Bart Andrus (17-23 in NFLEL)Colours: Orange and blue

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: John Allen (2nd season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Darryl Sims (2nd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 51-49 (5-5 in 2004)

MEDIA CONTACT: Perry Hendriks

Phone: 31-20-465-0550

Fax: 31-20-465-0555

E-mail: hendriksp@admirals.nl

Internet: www.admirals.nl

LAST GAME: Won 22-12 vs Rhein (6/6/04)

OFFENSE: 2004 – 17.3 pts/game; 316.6 yds/game (rank 2); 91.5 yds rush/game (rank 6); 225.1 yds pass/game (rank 2)

Passing: 2004 – Clint Stoerner, 1,788 yds

Rushing: 2004 – Chris Downs, 511 yds

Receiving: 2004 – Chris Taylor, 42 rec, Chris Horn, 593 yds

DEFENSE: 2004 – 19.1 pts/game; 336.3 yds/game (rank 6); 130.8 rush yds/game (rank 6); 205.5 pass yds/game (rank 5)

Sacks: 2004 – Charles Alston, 5.0

Interceptions: 2004 – Todd Howard, 2

· THIS WEEK: vs RHEIN FIRE ·

Fifth-year head coach BART ANDRUS leads the Admirals into the 2005 season on the back of a strong training camp showing in Tampa Bay, Florida. He says: “When we got off that plane it began a new phase for our team but we want to build on the momentum we created during training camp.”… QB GIBRAN HAMDAN (Seattle Seahawks) has been named Amsterdam’s starting quarterback. He played for the Admirals in 2004, throwing for 607 yards and 3 touchdowns… QB KURT KITTNER (Chicago Bears) started four regular season games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2003… Andrus likes his running back duo of JARRETT PAYTON (Tennessee Titans) and JONATHAN SMITH (Kansas City Chiefs), stating: “We definitely have the best one-two punch in terms of running backs since I have been here and you are only as good in the running game as your backs.”… Payton is the son of the late Chicago Bears Hall of Fame rusher Walter Payton. Smith is a versatile back who rushed for 1,245 yards and 15 touchdowns in 25 games at Washington State… French RB SANDINO OCTOBRE returns for a third season in NFL Europe… Amsterdam will open the season with two of their three starting wide receiver spots filled by former quarterbacks in JOHN BOOTH (Kansas City Chiefs) and ATAVEUS CASH (New York Giants). Booth threw for 4,250 yards and 42 touchdowns and added 3,037 rushing yards and 35 scores at Mid-America Nazarene, while Cash played 30 games at quarterback at Howard University, throwing for 2,634 yards and 16 touchdowns… WR RUVELL MARTIN (San Diego Chargers) earned All-Conference honors at Saginaw Valley State… WR CARLOS PEREZ (Philadelphia Eagles) caught 106 passes for 1,313 yards and 11 touchdowns during college career at Florida… TE TONY DONALD (Seattle Seahawks) returns for a second season in Amsterdam after earning All-NFLEL honors in 2004. Caught 32 passes for 382 yards and 4 touchdowns in first season as an Admiral… TE MIKE GOMEZ (Buffalo Bills) is a former long-snapper from Illinois who impressed with his receiving skills during training camp… DE JOSH

MALLARD (Indianapolis Colts) was a seventh round draft pick of the Colts in 2002. Played in 13 games as a rookie and recorded 1 sack and 3 fumble recoveries… DE OMARI HAND (Jacksonville Jaguars) saw regular season action as a member of the San Diego Chargers in 2003. Recorded 2 tackles in a game against the Oakland Raiders… DE CLINT MITCHELL returns for a second season with the Admirals after recording 24 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 2004… DT NORMAN HEUER (Philadelphia Eagles) also has NFL experience with the Washington Redskins… DT JEREMY CAUDILL earned first-team All-SEC honors during an outstanding college career at Kentucky and also has NFL experience with the Indianapolis Colts… LB DERRICK BALLARD (Chicago Bears) recorded more than 300 tackles during college career at Memphis… LB JOHN GARRETT (Green Bay Packers) earned All-Big 12 honors at Baylor… LB GREG CAROTHERS was a team captain and three-year starter at the strong safety and linebacker positions during college career at Washington… LB JUSTIN SMITH (Carolina Panthers) was on the Panthers’ 53-man squad during their run to Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003… Dutch LB SHURENDY CONCETION will make his NFLEL debut this weekend… CB JEFF SANCHEZ (Detroit Lions) returns for a second season in Amsterdam after having his 2004 campaign cut short due to a thumb injury sustained in Week 1 loss to Frankfurt… CB B.J. TUCKER (Seattle Seahawks) was a sixth round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. Starred for the football and track teams at Wisconsin… Dutch CB AMILCAR GROT makes his NFLEL debut after a strong preseason showing in Florida. Former member of the Team Europe junior all-star squad… S SCOTT CONNOT (Kansas City Chiefs) played in two regular season games for the Chiefs in 2004 and recorded 1 special teams stop… S RON ISRAEL (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the younger brother of former NFL defensive back Steve Israel, who will call NFL Europe League games for DirecTV in 2005, including Amsterdam’s Week 2 meeting with Frankfurt… S SAM MASSEY (Tennessee Titans) was acquired in a preseason trade with the Berlin Thunder… S NORMAN LEJEUNE (Tennessee Titans) played safety, cornerback and linebacker in college at Louisiana State… K CHRIS SNYDER (Houston Texans) kicked a 50-yard field goal during 2004 NFL preseason action with the Detroit Lions. Earned All-Big Sky and All-American honors at Montana in 2003… P RYAN DUTTON (Seattle Seahawks) was a four-year starter at Minnesota State who has training camp experience with the New York Jets (2002) and Cleveland Browns (2004). Comes from a sporting family. Grandfather, George, was a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, uncle, Roger, played outfielder for the New York Yankees and uncle, Tom, played in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns.

TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 9

BERLIN THUNDER (0-0)Head Coach: Rick Lantz (9-1 in NFLEL, plus 1-0 in World Bowl)Colours: Black, green and gold

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Don Eck (2nd season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jim Tomsula (2nd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 31-29 (9-1 in 2004)

MEDIA CONTACT: Maik Matischak

Phone: 49-30-300-644-00

Fax: 49-30-300-644-77

E-mail: maik.matischak@berlin-thunder.de

Internet: www.berlin-thunder.de

LAST GAME: Won 30-24 vs Frankfurt, World Bowl XII (6/12/04)

OFFENSE: 2004 – 28.9 pts/game; 337.3 yds/game (rank 1); 109.7 rush yds/game (rank 2); 227.6 pass yds/game (rank 1)

Passing: - 2004 – Rohan Davey, 1,676 yds

Rushing: 2004 – Eric McCoo, 669 yds

Receiving: 2004 – Chas Gessner, 38 rec, 566 yds

DEFENSE: 2004 – 19.5 pts/game; 311.1 yds/game (rank 5); 82.1 rush yds/game (rank 1); 229 pass yds/game (rank 6)

Sacks: 2004 – Corey Smith, 7.5

Interceptions: 2004 – Keith Davis, James Thornton, 4

· THIS WEEK: vs FRANKFURT GALAXY ·

Reigning Coach of the Year RICK LANTZ oversees the Thunder’s World Bowl defense after leading the club to a record-tying 9-1 regular season mark in 2004 before defeating this weekend’s opponents – Frankfurt Galaxy - in the championship game. Lantz says: “Everybody is in a positive mood and we have a great team spirit. We have settled in Berlin and it feels good to be back.”… QB DAVE RAGONE (Houston Texans) was selected in the third round of the 2003 Draft and started two games as a rookie. Was a three-year starter at Louisville and was voted Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year three seasons in a row… QB CHRIS FINLEN (New Orleans Saints) was acquired via a preseason trade with the Amsterdam Admirals. Played for the Barcelona Dragons in 2003 and threw for 197 yards and 4 touchdowns… QB BRET ENGEMANN (Oakland Raiders) returns for a second season in NFL Europe after spending time with Frankfurt and Rhein in 2004… RB LITTLE JOHN FLOWERS (New York Jets) spent the 2003 NFL season on the Jets’ practice squad. Is named after the character from Robin Hood… RB CAL MURRAY (San Diego Chargers) rushed for a team-high 1,030 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior at Miami of Ohio in 2003… British RB NEIL BAXTER was a professional rugby player for the Leicester Tigers in England before switching to American football. Has never played a game of American football at any level before joining the Thunder… FB BRIAN JOHNSON (San Francisco 49ers) is a 260-pound former defensive tackle making a switch to offense in NFL Europe… WR AARON BOONE (Carolina Panthers) played for the Thunder in 2004 and caught 13 passes for 221 yards and 4 touchdowns… WR MICHAEL JENNINGS (New York Giants) will make his NFLEL debut in 2005 after previous training camp stints with the Scottish Claymores in 2003 and Berlin Thunder in 2004… WR TERRENCE STUBBS (New York Jets) played in four preseason games for the Jets in 2004 and caught 4 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown… Mexican WR HUGO LIRA returned a kickoff a World Bowl record 64 yards vs. Berlin in 2004 while playing for the Frankfurt Galaxy… TE BEN MOA (Miami Dolphins) can also play the fullback position if needed… DE DeANGELO LLOYD played for Frankfurt

in 2002 and recorded 30 tackles and 4.5 sacks… DE GREG TAPLIN was a three-year starter at Michigan State who recorded 129 tackles and 13 sacks… German DE CHRISTIAN MOHR (Seattle Seahawks) returns for a second campaign with the Thunder after spending the entire 2004 NFL season on Seattle’s practice squad… DE ISAAC HILTON (Carolina Panthers) was a seventh round draft choice of the New York Giants in 2004. Started 32 games in college at Hampton, recording 205 tackles and 24 sacks… DT CHARLES HILL (Carolina Panthers) was a third round draft choice of the Houston Texans in 2002. Played in 16 games as a rookie and recorded 3 tackles and 3 special teams stops… DT REGGIE RHODES earned All-Conference honors during his college career at Valdosta State… LB JAMAL BROOKS (Cleveland Browns) returns to NFL Europe having played for the Scottish Claymores in 2001. Best NFL season came with the Dallas Cowboys in 2001 when he recorded 21 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 21 special teams takedowns… LB RICH SCANLON (Kansas City Chiefs) saw action in two regular season games with KC in 2004… LB WINSTON TAYLOR (Miami Dolphins) recorded 248 tackles during college career split between Illinois and Eastern Illinois… LB MICHAEL BROWN (Atlanta Falcons) spent part of the 2005 season on the 53-man roster of the Washington Redskins… CB MICHAEL HARDEN (Seattle Seahawks) spent the entire 2004 campaign on the Seahawks’ practice squad before being elevated to the regular roster for the playoff loss to St. Louis… CB WILLIE FORD (Indianapolis Colts) played for the Thunder in 2004 and recorded 34 tackles, 3 interceptions and 8 passes defended… CB JAMES THORNTON led Berlin with 4 interceptions in 2004… CB JERMAINE MAYS (Indianapolis Colts) recorded 2 interceptions for Berlin in 2004… S ADRIAN MAYES (Arizona Cardinals) played linebacker and safety in college at Louisiana State and excelled on special teams with 40 tackles… S DARYL DIXON (Indianapolis Colts) played in three bowl games during college career at Florida and recorded 218 tackles and 7 interceptions… Russian S SERGEY IVANOV makes his NFLEL debut against Frankfurt… K KEVIN MILLER (Seattle Seahawks) scored a school-record 287 points during college career at East Carolina… P BRIAN SIMNJANOVSKI (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is the cousin of USA soccer international and current Crystal Palace star Jovan Kirovski, who played in the Champions League for Borussia Dortmund in 1996.

TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 10

COLOGNE CENTURIONS (0-0)Head Coach: Peter Vaas (23-27 inNFLEL, plus 2-0 in World Bowl)Colours: Black, red and white

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bob Bicknell (2nd season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: David Duggan (2nd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 4-6

MEDIA CONTACT: Karsten Meier

Phone: 49-221-271-430

Fax: 49-221-271-43299

E-mail: Karsten.meier@cologne-centurions.de

Internet: www.cologne-centurions.de

LAST GAME: Won 28-20 at Scotland (6/5/04)

OFFENSE: 2004 – 19.1 pts/game; 316.6 yds/game (rank 3); 105.3 rush yds/game (rank 3); 211.3 pass yds/game (rank 3)

Passing: - 2004 – Ryan Van Dyke, 2,003 yds

Rushing: 2004 – Avon Cobourne, 570 yds

Receiving: 2004–Reggie Newhouse, 39 rec, Carl Morris 530yds

DEFENSE: 2004 – 20.1 pts/game; 264.7 yds/game (rank 1); 100.4 rush yds/game (rank 3); 164.3 pass yds/game (rank 1)

Sacks: 2004 – Felipe Claybrooks, 11.0

Interceptions: 2004 – Bobby Brooks, 2

· THIS WEEK: vs HAMBURG SEA DEVILS ·

The Centurions kick off their second season by playing host to NFL Europe’s newest franchise – the Hamburg Sea Devils… After winning four games in 2004, Cologne – led by head coach PETER VAAS – are looking to mount a World Bowl challenge in the coming months… Vaas says: “We have got better and better as the preseason has gone on. I am very encouraged by the progress I have seen.”… QB CHRIS LEWIS (Arizona Cardinals) ranks among the top 10 passers in Stanford history, throwing for 4,346 yards and 31 touchdowns in 19 starts… QB KEVIN THOMPSON (Buffalo Bills) played for the Frankfurt Galaxy in 2001 and threw for 577 yards and 2 touchdowns… Japanese QB KENTARO NAMIKI returns for a second season in Cologne after completing 5 of 6 passes for 38 yards in 2004… RB KORY CHAPMAN (New England Patriots) rushed for 1,326 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior at Jacksonville State in 2003, averaging 107.1 yards per game… RB KEYLON KINCADE (Dallas Cowboys) was a three-year starter in college at Southern Methodist, where he gained 2,559 yards and scored 11 rushing touchdowns in his final two seasons (2002 & 2003)… Belgian RB LOLIKI BONGO-WANGA played college football at Texas Tech… WR CARL MORRIS (San Diego Chargers) played for the Centurions in 2004 and caught 35 passes for 530 yards and 4 touchdowns… WR C.J. JONES (Cleveland Browns) has spent time on Cleveland’s active roster. His cousin is Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl wideout Anquan Boldin… WR ROMBY BRYANT (Atlanta Falcons) was a two-year starter at Tulsa, catching 96 passes for 1,341 yards and 15 touchdowns… WR JAMIN ELLIOTT (Chicago Bears) has played in three NFL games for the Bears and New England Patriots in 2002 & 2003. Won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots during the 2003 season as a member of the team’s practice squad when they beat the Carolina Panthers in Houston… TE DAN CURLEY (Carolina Panthers) was a fifth round draft choice of the St. Louis Rams in 2003. Played in one NFL game against the San Francisco

49ers in 2003… TE HART TURNER was in training camp with the Rhein Fire before being re-assigned to the Centurions… German TE WERNER HIPPLER has played in 78 NFLEL games. If he plays in all 10 regular season games in 2005, he will break the league record of 87 set by former Scottish Claymores wide receiver Scott Couper… DE ERIC POWELL returns for a second season in Cologne after recording 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2004… DE MATT WALTERS (Miami Dolphins) was a fifth round draft choice of the New York Jets in 2003. Played in 11 games as a rookie, recording 10 tackles and 1 fumble recovery… DE OMAR NAZEL won a national championship during college career at Southern California… DT DELBERT COWSETTE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) has played in 32 NFL games for Washington, recording 28 tackles and 2 sacks. Was a seventh round draft choice of the Redskins in 2000… LB BOBBY BROOKS returns to Cologne after earning All-NFLEL honors while leading the team with 54 tackles in 2004. Played in 36 NFL games with the Oakland Raiders… LB JOSEPH TUIPALA (Washington Redskins) played for the Barcelona Dragons in 2000. Recorded 17 tackles in two seasons with Jacksonville Jaguars (2001-02)… LB ANTHONY DUNN (Houston Texans) spent most of the 2003 season on practice squad of Tennessee Titans and played in two games, recording 1 tackle against the New York Jets… LB DAVE MORETTI (Houston Texans) has NFL experience with Oakland, Cleveland and Green Bay and recorded 220 tackles as a two-year starter at Oregon… CB JAMAINE WINBORNE (Baltimore Ravens) started his final 27 games at Virginia and recorded 168 tackles and 5 interceptions… CB KEVIN HOUSE (Seattle Seahawks) played 15 games for the San Diego Chargers in 2003 and recorded 8 special teams tackles. Knocked down 4 passes in a game vs Detroit… CB MARCUS FLOYD (Carolina Panthers) recorded 22 tackles and 7 pass defenses with the Centurions in 2004… S KALVIN PEARSON (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) played for Frankfurt in 2003 and recorded 37 tackles and 1 quarterback sack… K JIMMY KIBBLE was an All-Big East selection three years in a row (1997-1999) during college career at Virginia Tech… P CODY SCATES (Houston Texans) excelled as a punter and kickoff specialist a Texas A&M and record 20 special teams tackles.

TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 11

FRANKFURT GALAXY (0-0)Head Coach: Mike Jones (7-3) in NFLEL, plus 0-1 in World Bowl.Colours: Purple, orange, red and white

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Whitey Jordan (1st season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ed O’Neil (2nd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 65-55 (7-3 in 2004)

MEDIA CONTACT: Joachim Haas

Phone: 49-69-978-2790

Fax: 49-69-978-279099

E-mail: joachim.haas@frankfurt-galaxy.

Internet: www.frankfurt-galaxy.de

LAST GAME: Lost 24-30 vs Berlin, World Bowl XII (6/12/04)

OFFENSE: 2004 – 21.2 pts/game; 314 yds/game (rank 4); 132.1 rush yds/game (rank 1); 181.9 pass yds/game (rank 5)

Passing: 2004 – J.T. O’Sullivan, 1,527 yds

Rushing: 2004 – Skip Hicks, 661 yds

Receiving: 2004 – Drew Haddad, 28 rec, 455 yds

DEFENSE: 2004 – 19.2 pts/game; 310.5 yds/game (rank 4); 106.6 rush yds/game (rank 4); 203.9 pass yds/game (rank 4)

Sacks: 2004 – Corey Jackson, 9.5

Interceptions: 2004 – Mason Unck, 3

· THIS WEEK: at BERLIN THUNDER ·

The Galaxy will be aiming for a record third consecutive World Bowl appearance in 2005, having won the title game in 2003 before losing to the Berlin Thunder at the final hurdle in 2004… Head coach MIKE JONES has spent the past month evaluating his team and says: “Our offensive line is pretty good and I like our linebacking corps and secondary on the defensive side of the ball. I think we have a pretty good mix.”… QB AKILI SMITH (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is the highest-ever draft pick to play in NFL Europe having been selected third overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1999. Has played in 22 NFL games (17 starts) and has thrown for 2,212 yards and 5 touchdowns… QB B.J. SYMONS (Houston Texans) was a seventh round draft choice in 2004 following a record-setting college career at Texas Tech. Threw for 5,833 yards and 52 touchdowns as a senior in 2003, earning All-American and All-Big 12 honors while guiding an offense that set 23 NCAA records… QB KEVIN EAKIN (New York Jets) was a two-year starter and All-Patriot League selection at Fordham, throwing for 6,112 yards and 45 touchdowns… RB AHMAAD GALLOWAY (San Diego Chargers) played for the Scottish Claymores in 2004, rushing for 141 yards and 1 touchdown… RB J.R. NIKLOS (Oakland Raiders) has been on the active rosters of the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks… German FB MARTIN LATKA returns for a second season with the Galaxy… WR SAM SIMMONS (Pittsburgh Steelers) was a fifth round draft choice of the Miami Dolphins in 2002. Was on Miami’s practice squad as a rookie before playing in 11 games in 2003. Returned 3 kickoffs for 64 yards, added 8 punt returns for 100 yards and 1 special teams tackle… WR JAMAL JONES (Green Bay Packers) is one of only three receivers at North Carolina A&T to catch 100+ passes as he reeled in 103 catches for 1,275 yards and 8 touchdowns… WR SAM BREEDEN (Green Bay Packers) is the nephew of former Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Louis Breeden… British WR MARVIN ALLEN makes his NFLEL debut vs. Berlin after starring for the Team Europe all-star squad as a junior player…TE MARK ANELLI (Atlanta

Falcons) ) was a sixth round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers in 2002 and played in two games as a rookie… TE BROCK EDWARDS spent time on the San Diego Chargers’ practice squad during the 2004 NFL season… DE SEANTE WILLIAMS (Green Bay Packers) played at three different colleges – Jacksonville State, Southern Mississippi and Coffeyville Community College in Kansas… DE DERRICK CRAWFORD (Cincinnati Bengals) was one of the top pass-rushing ends in Division III football in 2003, leading the Lone Star Conference with 8.5 sacks while at Texas A&M Commerce… German DE DANIEL BENETKA returns for a fifth season in NFL Europe after starting three games for the Galaxy in 2004, recording 17 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble… DT CEDRIC HILLIARD (Baltimore Ravens) also has NFL experience with the Dallas Cowboys and played 35 games at Notre Dame… DT AHMAD CHILDRESS (New York Giants) is a 330-pound run-stuffer who was selected first overall in the NFL Allocated Player Draft by Hamburg before being re-assigned to Frankfurt… LB HOWARD HODGES (San Diego Chargers) earned All-Big Ten honors at Iowa and ended his college career with 142 tackles and 20 sacks… LB KELLEN BRANTLEY (Buffalo Bills) started 40 straight games at Wake Forest, recording 254 tackles, 6 sacks and 5 interceptions… LB KEVIN DeRONDE (Dallas Cowboys) played for Berlin in 2004 and Barcelona in 2003… Frankfurt’s secondary boasts a pair of players who have scored NFL touchdowns in CB LAMONT BRIGHTFUL (New York Giants) and S WOODROW DANTZLER (Dallas Cowboys). Brightful played in 28 NFL games for Baltimore in 2002-2003, returning 63 kickoffs for 1,417 yards (long 75) and 60 punts for 592 yards, scoring on a club record 95-yard return. Dantzler played in five games for Dallas in 2002, scoring on an 84-yard kickoff return while racking up 602 yards on 27 runbacks… CB JAMES BETHEA (Washington Redskins) also boasts NFL experience with the Oakland Raiders… S RAYMOND PERRYMAN (Jacksonville Jaguars) returns for a second season in NFL Europe after recording 43 tackles, 2 interceptions, 7 passes defended and 1 forced fumble with the Amsterdam Admirals in 2002… S JANSSEN PATTON (Pittsburgh Steelers) started 40 games at Bowling Green and ranks third in MAC history with 18 career interceptions… K OWEN POCHMAN (Buffalo Bills) played in six games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2003, connecting on 8 of 15 field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards. Added 9 of 10 extra points… P MIKE BARR (Pittsburgh Steelers) played for the Galaxy in 2004, leading NFL Europe in net yards per punt (34.6).

TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 12

HAMBURG SEA DEVILS (0-0)Head Coach: Jack Bicknell (61-59 in NFLEL, 2-5 in post-season)Colours: Dark blue, teal, red

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Vince Martino (1st season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dan Daniel (1st season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 0-0

MEDIA CONTACT: Thomas Bothstede

Phone: 49-407-525-590

Fax: 49-407-525-5959

E-mail: pr@hamburg-seadevils.de

Internet: www.hamburg-seadevils.de

· THIS WEEK: at COLOGNE CENTURIONS ·

The Sea Devils begin life in the NFL Europe League with a trip to a team that made its debut in 2004 – the Cologne Centurions. Veteran head coach JACK BICKNELL leads Hamburg’s World Bowl challenge and says: “We have finalized our preparations for the season and are now focusing on Cologne. We have looked at Cologne game tapes. The head coach is my former assistant, the offensive coordinator is my son so we know some things about them and the Centurions have a talented team. But I like my team and we’re right where we need to be in order to be excellent and have the goal to win it all.”… QB CASEY BRAMLET (Cincinnati Bengals) started three years at Wyoming and set school records for completions (767), passing yards (9,684) and touchdowns (56). Also rushed for 14 touchdowns. Was a seventh round draft choice of the Bengals in 2004… QB RYAN DINWIDDIE (Chicago Bears) was a three-year starter at Boise State and led one of the most explosive attacks in college football. Threw for 9,819 yards and 82 touchdowns. Was named Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 and twice earned All-WAC honors… QB TOM ARTH (Indianapolis Colts) played for the Scottish Claymores in 2004, starting one game in Week 9… RB LARRY CROOM (Arizona Cardinals) played in six games for the Cardinals in 2004, starting once. Rushed for 76 yards on 29 carries, added 2 catches for 16 yards and returned 16 kickoffs for 314 yards… RB ZACK ABRON (Chicago Bears) is the all-time rushing leader at Missouri, where he gained 3,198 yards and scored 42 touchdowns. Earned All-Big 12 second-team honors in 2003… British WR SCOTT McCREADY led NFL Europe with 59 receptions in 2004. Needs 4 receptions, 39 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns to become the all-time leading national receiver, surpassing former Scottish Claymores legend Scott Couper… WR DEREK McCOY (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) caught 134 passes for 2,038 yards and 20 touchdowns in final three years as a starter at Colorado… WR RICKY BRYANT (New England Patriots) spent parts of the 2004 NFL campaign on the practice squad of the New England Patriots… WR TERRANCE METCALF (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) won All-Conference honors at South Carolina State and is the son of former NFL standout and three-time Pro Bowler Terry Metcalf and younger brother of former Cleveland Browns do-it-all star Eric Metcalf… WR CHRIS COLLINS (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the all-time leading receiver in Ole Miss history, reeling in 198 passes for 2,621 yards and 24 touchdowns… TE BOBBY BLIZZARD (Arizona Cardinals) spent the 2004 season on Arizona’s practice squad after catching 78 passes as a two-year starter at North Carolina… DE IVORY McCOY played for the Scottish Claymores in 2004 and recorded 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks… DE KEVIN EMANUEL (Seattle Seahawks) was a four-year starter at Florida State and team MVP in 2003. His cousin is former NFL

wide receiver Bert Emanuel… DE AARON HUNT (Denver Broncos) was a sixth round draft choice of the Broncos in 2003… DE ANTONIO SMITH (Arizona Cardinals) was a two-year starter at Oklahoma State and earned an All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2003… DT TIM McGILL (New York Jets) was a four-year starter at Connecticut and has training camp experience with Atlanta and Cleveland… German DT BASTIAN LANO returns for a fourth season in NFL Europe after playing for the Rhein Fire in 2000, 2001 and 2003. Has 9.5 career sacks… LB MARQUIS SMITH (Oakland Raiders) brings a wealth of NFL experience to the Sea Devils. Played in 46 games, starting 20, for the Cleveland Browns from 1999-2001 and recorded 139 tackles, 1 sack and 6 pass defenses. Played 32 of those games at the safety position before switching to linebacker in 2001. His cousin is Frankfurt Galaxy quarterback Akili Smith… LB NICK McNEIL (Green Bay Packers) was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection at Western Carolina… LB SCOTT GENORD (Detroit Lions) earned All-Mission Conference honors at Fullerton Junior College. Excelled on special teams where he blocked 4 kicks (2 punts, 2 field goals)… British LB ADEN DURDE returns for a third season in NFL Europe after playing for the Scottish Claymores in 2003 and 2004… CB RUFUS BROWN (Washington Redskins) started for three seasons at Florida State… CB MARCELL ALLMOND (Jacksonville Jaguars) was a two-year starter at USC who converted from wide receiver early in his college career… S ERIC CROUCH (Kansas City Chiefs) won the Heisman Trophy as an explosive quarterback at Nebraska in 2001 but is attempting an NFL comeback at the safety position. Was picked in the third round of the 2002 draft by the St. Louis Rams… S SHAWN MAYER (Atlanta Falcons) played in 12 games for the New England Patriots as a rookie in 2003, including Super Bowl XXXVIII win over Carolina and recorded 2 tackles on defense and 15 special teams stops… K TODD FRANCE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) played for the Rhein Fire in 2003, converting 4 of 8 field goal attempts… P B.J. SANDER (Green Bay Packers) was a third round draft choice of the Packers in 2004 following an outstanding college career at Ohio State.

TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 13

RHEIN FIRE (0-0)Head Coach: Pete Kuharchek (21-19 in NFLEL, 0-2 in World Bowls)Colours: Burgundy, black and white

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Scott Milanovich (1st season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Adrian White (2nd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 55-45 (3-7 in 2004)

MEDIA CONTACT: Markus Müller

Phone: 49-211-478-730

Fax: 49-211-478-7329

E-mail: markus.mueller@rhein-fire.de

Internet: www.rhein-fire.de

LAST GAME: Lost 12-22 at Amsterdam, (6/6/04)

OFFENSE: 2004 – 16.1 pts/game; 280.1 yds/game (rank 5); 92 rush yds/game (rank 5); 188.1 pass yds/game (rank 4)

Passing: 2004 – Chad Hutchinson, 1,356 yds

Rushing: 2004 – Joffrey Reynolds, 405 yds

Receiving: 2004 – Adam Herzing, 49 rec, 656 yds

DEFENSE: 2004 – 17.8 pts/game; 284 yds/game (rank 2); 83.5 rush yds/game (rank 2); 200.5 pass yds/game (rank 3)

Sacks: 2004 – David Nugent, 6.0

Interceptions: 2004 – Abdual Howard, 5

· THIS WEEK: at AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS ·

The Rhein Fire will return to Düsseldorf for the 2005 campaign having spent the past two seasons in Gelsenkirchen. Head coach PETE KUHARCHEK says: “We are excited about being back in Düsseldorf and playing in our brand new stadium. That is real big for us.”… The Fire will play their home games at the LTU arena – site of Yello Strom World Bowl XIII on Saturday June 11… QB ANDY HALL (Philadelphia Eagles) was a sixth round draft choice of the Eagles in 2004 and spent the entire season on the club’s practice squad. Earned All-American honors during an outstanding college career at Delaware… QB SCOTT McBRIEN (Green Bay Packers) was on Green Bay’s practice squad in 2004 after throwing for 2,672 yards and 19 touchdowns in 13 starts as a senior at Maryland… RB DAHRRAN DIEDRICK (Washington Redskins) was on Washington’s active roster for the final game of the 2004 season vs. Minn. Was on Green Bay’s practice squad in 2003. Earned All-Big 12 honors at Nebraska… RB JOE SMITH (Tennessee Titans) was on the Jacksonville Jaguars active roster for one game in 2003 and on Tampa Bay’s practice squad in 2004. Earned All-WAC honors as a senior at Louisiana Tech… WR JERIS McINTYRE (Kansas City Chiefs) was a sixth round draft choice in 2004 and spent the past NFL season on the Chiefs’ practice squad… WR CEDRIC JAMES (New England Patriots) spent 2004 on New England’s practice squad. Played one game for Dallas in 2003 and five for Minnesota in 2002, where he ran back 10 kickoffs for 228 yards and caught 1 pass. Was a fourth round draft choice of the Vikings in 2001… WR GLENN MARTINEZ (Detroit Lions) earned All-Conference honors at Saginaw Valley State. Led the conference with 113 receiving yards per game as a senior in 2003… TE JASON RADER started 22 of 25 games at Marshall… TE DANNY YOUNG (San Diego Chargers) is a long-snapping specialist who began training camp with the Amsterdam Admirals… DE GREG SCOTT (Cincinnati Bengals) was a seventh round draft choice of the Washington Redskins in 2002. Played in three regular season games for Washington

in 2002 and one for the Bengals in 2004… DE DEMETRIOS WALKER (Kansas City Chiefs) earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors at Middle Tennessee State… DE SEAN GUTHRIE recorded 19 tackles and 4 sacks for the Fire in 2004… DT EDDIE FREEMAN (Carolina Panthers) was a second round draft choice of Kansas City in 2002. Played 20 games for the Chiefs in 2002-03 and recorded 39 tackles and 4 sacks… LB TONY GILBERT (Jacksonville Jaguars) played in 16 games for the Jaguars in 2004, recording 5 tackles. Appeared in eight games in 2003 and made 3 stops… LB EDWARD THOMAS (Oakland Raiders) has played in 24 NFL games with San Francisco and Jacksonville from 2000-02, starting four times and recording 45 tackles and 14 special teams takedowns… LB TRAVIS CARROLL played six games for New Orleans in 2002 and four times for Houston in 2003, recording 12 tackles and 3 special teams stops… LB TERRENCE ROBINSON (Seattle Seahawks) played for the Fire in 2004 and notched 24 tackles… CB BLUE ADAMS (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was a seventh round draft choice of Detroit in 2003. Played in eight games for Jacksonville in 2003 and made 3 tackles… S CLARENCE LEBLANC scored on an NFLEL record 3 interception returns for the Fire in 2001… S KEYON NASH (Oakland Raiders) played in two games for the Silver and Black in 2004. Was a sixth round draft pick in 2002… S RICHARD YANCY returns to the Fire having spent the entire 2004 NFL season on the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers. Recorded 28 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 1 pass defense in 2004… K NICHOLAS SETTA (Chicago Bears) kicked 46 career field goals at Notre Dame – second all-time to John Carney, of the New Orleans Saints… P TRAVIS DORSCH (Minnesota Vikings) was a fourth round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002. Punted 5 times in the NFL for a 32.4-yard average.

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUPS NFL Europe 2005, Week 1 - Page 14

FRANKFURT GALAXY (0-0)

at BERLIN THUNDER (0-0)

Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Saturday April 2, 6:00 p.m.

SERIES NOTES

Overall: Tied 6-6 (Berlin leads 1-0 postseason)

At Berlin: Berlin leads 4-2

At Frankfurt: Frankfurt leads 4-2

Streak: Berlin 3

Last season: Berlin 31 at Frankfurt 27; Frankfurt 0 at Berlin 41.

TELEVISION

GERMANY: LIVE/Premiere Sport 2.

US: LIVE/ DIrecTV (11:00 a.m. ET)

Play-by-play announcer KEVIN SLATEN is joined in the booth by former NFL defensive back STEVE ISRAEL.

COACHES

Matchup of men who reached World Bowl in their rookie seasons as NFLEL head coaches… Berlin’s RICK LANTZ was named NFLEL Coach of the Year in 2004 after leading Thunder to record-equalling 9-1 regular season record. Currently shares top spot in all-time winning percentage among NFLEL head coaches (.900, tied with Larry Kennan, London Monarchs, 1991)…. MIKE JONES became the youngest head coach to lead his team out at World Bowl last year at age of 44. Led Galaxy to a 7-3 record. Went to four World Bowls as a member of the Rhein Fire coaching staff in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003, winning rings in 1998 and 2000… Lantz has 3-0 record against Jones, including postseason.

GAME NOTES

First time an NFLEL season has kicked off with rematch of last year’s World Bowl… This will be third straight game – and fourth in five games – that teams have faced off after meeting in Weeks 8, 10 and World Bowl last season. Berlin won all three of those games… Thunder emerged as 31-27 winners in Week 8 in a game hailed as one of the best in recent NFLEL history as QB ROHAN DAVEY threw 4 TD passes for Berlin…. When teams met in Berlin in Week 10, Thunder achieved record win in franchise history, 41-0, ERIC McCOO rushing for 122 yards. WR AARON BOONE, who returns this season, had 2 TD receptions… In World Bowl, McCoo rushed for a record 167 yards to lead Berlin to a 30-24 victory… Berlin has won three straight regular season games against Frankfurt and four overall, including postseason… Both teams coming off franchise-best regular seasons (Berlin 9-1 and Galaxy 7-3, tying 1992 and 1998 marks)… Thunder is 1-5 all-time in NFLEL opening week, their only win being last year’s victory against Scotland… Frankfurt has more opening week wins than any team in league history (9-3)… Frankfurt is 9-0 in first three weeks of the past three seasons, having opened the last t

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