Henson latest QB hopeful in NFL Europe
Henson latest QB hopeful in NFL Europe
Associated Press
Posted: 2 hours ago
BERLIN (AP) - Drew Henson didn't need to be talked into playing in NFL Europe by Dallas owner Jerry Jones - not considering some of the league's success stories.
The former Michigan standout spent three years struggling with curves in the New York Yankees farm system, then returned to football and has been on the bench for two seasons with the Cowboys, for whom he has thrown only 18 passes, all in one 2004 start.
"It popped up in a conversation. It didn't take any coaxing for me to do it," Henson said. "I think less and less people see this as a demotion. You see guys that have taken the opportunity to run with it and improve things."
Henson, allocated to the Duesseldorf Rhein Fire, is the best known among several quarterbacks trying to impress in NFL Europe, which starts its 10-game schedule Saturday.
That includes Rhein Fire teammate Timmy Chang, who broke several NCAA records in Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense, and Kliff Kingsbury of Texas Tech and Brock Berlin of Miami.
"This league is fantastic for quarterbacks. I think the owners think so, too - that is a big part of what they are doing here," Rhein Fire head coach Jim Tomsula said.
NFL Europe is entering its 14th season and has produced 27 quarterbacks who have started games in the NFL. The poster boys are Super Bowl quarterbacks Jake Delhomme, Kurt Warner and Brad Johnson.
NFL owners are apparently pleased with the developmental league's record at grooming players, along with officials and other staff. They have committed to five more years of operation after threatening for years to shut it down because of the costs.
NFL Europe's cause wasn't hurt by the six teams setting attendance records last season, averaging 18,965 per game. That was done by with a fifth team in Germany, the European hotbed for the sport, with the Hamburg Sea Devils replacing the Scottish Claymores.
The emphasis is on developing NFL material. In addition to the quarterbacks, former NFL Europe players like guard Brian Waters and defensive tackle and La'Roi Glover have become Pro Bowlers.
Henson hasn't been a day-to-day starter for five years and just wants to play games again. At 26, he feels his NFL career is right on track.
"Jerry Jones has been very positive with me," Henson said. "There is an adjustment period that everyone goes through. I believe in myself, always have."
Henson will share time with Chang under the NFL Europe system, which provides playing time for both quarterbacks on a roster.
Chang will have to adapt to an NFL-style offense. In the run-and-shoot at Hawaii, he set NCAA records of 17,072 yards and 117 touchdowns. He may also have to prove a 6-footer is big enough for the NFL.
Chang said he talked to Kurt Warner about NFL Europe.
"Kurt told me it was great experience, you get the practice," he said. "You get the live bullets."
Associated Press
Posted: 2 hours ago
BERLIN (AP) - Drew Henson didn't need to be talked into playing in NFL Europe by Dallas owner Jerry Jones - not considering some of the league's success stories.
The former Michigan standout spent three years struggling with curves in the New York Yankees farm system, then returned to football and has been on the bench for two seasons with the Cowboys, for whom he has thrown only 18 passes, all in one 2004 start.
"It popped up in a conversation. It didn't take any coaxing for me to do it," Henson said. "I think less and less people see this as a demotion. You see guys that have taken the opportunity to run with it and improve things."
Henson, allocated to the Duesseldorf Rhein Fire, is the best known among several quarterbacks trying to impress in NFL Europe, which starts its 10-game schedule Saturday.
That includes Rhein Fire teammate Timmy Chang, who broke several NCAA records in Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense, and Kliff Kingsbury of Texas Tech and Brock Berlin of Miami.
"This league is fantastic for quarterbacks. I think the owners think so, too - that is a big part of what they are doing here," Rhein Fire head coach Jim Tomsula said.
NFL Europe is entering its 14th season and has produced 27 quarterbacks who have started games in the NFL. The poster boys are Super Bowl quarterbacks Jake Delhomme, Kurt Warner and Brad Johnson.
NFL owners are apparently pleased with the developmental league's record at grooming players, along with officials and other staff. They have committed to five more years of operation after threatening for years to shut it down because of the costs.
NFL Europe's cause wasn't hurt by the six teams setting attendance records last season, averaging 18,965 per game. That was done by with a fifth team in Germany, the European hotbed for the sport, with the Hamburg Sea Devils replacing the Scottish Claymores.
The emphasis is on developing NFL material. In addition to the quarterbacks, former NFL Europe players like guard Brian Waters and defensive tackle and La'Roi Glover have become Pro Bowlers.
Henson hasn't been a day-to-day starter for five years and just wants to play games again. At 26, he feels his NFL career is right on track.
"Jerry Jones has been very positive with me," Henson said. "There is an adjustment period that everyone goes through. I believe in myself, always have."
Henson will share time with Chang under the NFL Europe system, which provides playing time for both quarterbacks on a roster.
Chang will have to adapt to an NFL-style offense. In the run-and-shoot at Hawaii, he set NCAA records of 17,072 yards and 117 touchdowns. He may also have to prove a 6-footer is big enough for the NFL.
Chang said he talked to Kurt Warner about NFL Europe.
"Kurt told me it was great experience, you get the practice," he said. "You get the live bullets."
posted by The Gryphon at 9:28 PM
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