152 players allocated to NFL Europe
Posted: Monday February 22, 1999 05:57 PM
| |
Former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig was allocated by the Carolina Panthers to the Scottish Claymores. Erik Perel/Allsport |
NEW YORK (CNN/SI) -- Fifteen promising quarterbacks are among a record 152 players allocated by NFL teams to play in NFL Europe this summer.
The quarterbacks hope to follow the lead of Washington's Brad Johnson, Seattle's Jon Kitna and Philadelphia's Doug Pederson -- three former NFL Europe players who will be opening-day starters in the NFL next season.
One of the most promising quarterbacks is Mike Cherry, allocated by the N.Y. Giants to the defending NFL Europe champions, the Rhein Fire of Dusseldorf, Germany. He'll compete with Chris Dittoe of the Detroit Lions for the starting job.
"I think this experience will really help me because it allows you to be on the field," said Cherry, who has thrown just one NFL pass in two seasons in New York. "Take a look at players who have played in Europe -- Jon Kitna and Brad Johnson are prime examples of people who had success in Europe and are now in the prime positions to run NFL teams here in the States. I hope I can follow in those same footsteps."
Twenty-nine teams allocated players -- all but Cincinnati and Cleveland -- with the Saints sending a league-high 12 players overseas.
One of the biggest names among the group is former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig, allocated by the Carolina Panthers to the Scottis Claymores. He'll compete for the starting nod there with another former college star, Penn State grad Mike McQueary, allocated by the Oakland Raiders.
Former Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware, attempting a comeback with Oakland, was allocated to the Berlin Thunder, which is playing in its first season in NFL Europe. Ware will be competing with another University of Houston grad, Chuck Clements, allocated by the Denver Broncos, as well as former Cal star Dave Barr, allocated by the New York Jets.
The New Orleans Saints allocated Jake Delhomme, who played for the Amsterdam Admirals last season, to the Frankfurt Galaxy, where he'll compete with Ronnie McAda of the Green Bay Packers and Oakland's Pat Barnes, a former fourth-round pick.
The Miami Dolphins, who played Damon Huard some last season after sending him to Europe last summer, hope for the same success with Dan Gonzalez, who was allocated to the Admirals.
"We weren't sure about Damon -- we sent him to Europe and I thought it helped him tremendously," Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson said. "After getting the experience in Frankfurt, he came back and was a shining star in our preseason, which earned him the No. 2 spot. We'll be watching Dan closely and hope he makes an impact in Amsterdam."
Gonzalez will compete with Mike Cawley of the Buffalo Bills for the Admirals' starting job.
The Barcelona Dragons will have Todd Bouman of the Minnesota Vikings, Jim Murphy of the New England Patriots and Jim Kubiak of the Indianapolis Colts competing for starting honors.
Players will train in Orlando before heading overseas for the 1999 season, which begins on April 17 and culminates with World Bowl '99 in Dusseldorf on June 27.
| 
