Henson leads Fire to comfortable win
Henson leads Fire to comfortable win
March 25, 2006
NFL Europe
Rhein Fire 22, Berlin Thunder 0
Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany
Attendance: 13,105
Drew Henson was sharp throughout the Fire's victory in Berlin. (waynepaulo.com)
The Rhein Fire scored a touchdown in each half and Swedish kicker Ola Kimrin added three field goals as Jim Tomsula’s club opened a season 2-0 for the first time since 2003 with a clinical display in the German capital.
Dallas Cowboys-allocated quarterback Drew Henson showed his NFL pedigree under center for the Fire, hitting on 17 of 24 passes for 171 yards and 1 touchdown. He compiled a quarterback rating of 104.7.
He was well supported as seven different receivers caught passes for the Fire, led by Chris Samp, of the Carolina Panthers, who had 6 receptions for 68 yards as Rhein controlled the contest from start to finish.
The Thunder were undone by five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumbles) as they were shut out for the first time since a 29-0 home loss at the hands of the Fire in Week 8 of the 1999 campaign.
Rhein looked confident on their opening drive as Henson drilled a 20-yard strike to Samp before hitting Fredrick Jackson on a short screen pass which the weaving running back turned into a 33-yard gain.
But as Rhein moved within touching distance of the end zone, Berlin’s defense stiffened, dropping running back Jacque Lewis for a 2-yard loss before forcing Henson into short passes to Samp and Jackson. On fourth down, Swedish kicker Ola Kimrin successfully converted a 27-yard field goal to give the visitors an early lead.
After Berlin went three and out, the Fire embarked on another scoring drive as Henson continued to complete short passes, connecting with Samp for 10 yards, wide receiver Kendrick Starling for 8 and French fullback Laurent Marceline and tight end Aaron Halterman for 7 yards apiece.
But for the second time in the opening period, the Fire could not find the end zone, settling for Kimrin’s 30-yard field goal and a 6-0 advantage.
After a sluggish first quarter, the Thunder found some offensive rhythm with Brian Wrobel under center in the second period. The Green Bay Packers allocate completed a 23-yard pass to tight end Jason Randall but a key drop on third down by wide receiver Keron Henry brought on the special teams unit.
But rather than kick the ball away from the Fire 34-yard line – or try the four-point field goal off a slick surface – Berlin rolled the dice as Marty Johnson ran up the middle on a fake punt. Needing to gain 7 yards, the free agent rusher was dropped by Fire defensive end Walter Curry after picking up just 3 yards.
The Fire took full advantage of the turnover on downs as Timmy Chang completed four passes for 37 yards before Lewis raced around left end to score on a 12-yard touchdown run. Fellow rusher Jackson also produced a big play on the scoring march, ripping off a 14-yard run to help Rhein open up a 13-0 lead as the teams headed for the locker room at the half.
Berlin looked more cohesive coming out of the break as Johnson gained 14 yards on 4 carries and Lang Campbell completed passes of 15 yards to wide receiver Lance Moore and 23 yards to tight end Ben Moa.
But on a play-action pass deep in Fire territory, Campbell rolled right but his throw into the end zone intended for Moore was picked off by Rhein cornerback Therrian Fontenot, snuffing out what would have been a morale-boosting start to the second half for the Thunder.
Lang Campbell threw two costly interceptions for the Thunder. (waynepaulo.com)
Berlin’s next drive also ended in a turnover as Campbell fumbled the snap from center Joel Rodriguez and linebacker Guy Tuell recovered near midfield for the Fire. But Rhein gifted the football back to the Thunder as tight end Andy Stokes caught a pass from Henson before fumbling at the Berlin 10-yard line, where German safety Oliver Flemming – who unleashed the big hit to knock the ball loose - made the recovery.
The Thunder could not take advantage of the turnover as Campbell – looking for wide receiver C.J. Jones down the right sideline – was intercepted by Fontenot for the second time in three possessions, this time at the Berlin 31-yard line.
With Henson sensing an opportunity to put the game beyond the Thunder, the Fire took full advantage of Berlin’s third turnover in as many possessions. After hitting Samp for a 13-yard gain, Henson rolled to his left and, under pressure from the Berlin defenders, fired across the field to hit diving wide receiver Zuriel Smith for a 3-yard score. The two-point conversion failed as Henson’s pass was incomplete but Rhein still held a healthy 19-0 lead.
Berlin continued to self destruct as Robert Redd fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Fire defensive back Gabriel Helms recovered at the Thunder 24-yard line. And while they couldn’t get into the end zone, the Fire did add another three points courtesy of Kimrin’s 24-yard field goal.
March 25, 2006
NFL Europe
Rhein Fire 22, Berlin Thunder 0
Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany
Attendance: 13,105
Drew Henson was sharp throughout the Fire's victory in Berlin. (waynepaulo.com)
The Rhein Fire scored a touchdown in each half and Swedish kicker Ola Kimrin added three field goals as Jim Tomsula’s club opened a season 2-0 for the first time since 2003 with a clinical display in the German capital.
Dallas Cowboys-allocated quarterback Drew Henson showed his NFL pedigree under center for the Fire, hitting on 17 of 24 passes for 171 yards and 1 touchdown. He compiled a quarterback rating of 104.7.
He was well supported as seven different receivers caught passes for the Fire, led by Chris Samp, of the Carolina Panthers, who had 6 receptions for 68 yards as Rhein controlled the contest from start to finish.
The Thunder were undone by five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumbles) as they were shut out for the first time since a 29-0 home loss at the hands of the Fire in Week 8 of the 1999 campaign.
Rhein looked confident on their opening drive as Henson drilled a 20-yard strike to Samp before hitting Fredrick Jackson on a short screen pass which the weaving running back turned into a 33-yard gain.
But as Rhein moved within touching distance of the end zone, Berlin’s defense stiffened, dropping running back Jacque Lewis for a 2-yard loss before forcing Henson into short passes to Samp and Jackson. On fourth down, Swedish kicker Ola Kimrin successfully converted a 27-yard field goal to give the visitors an early lead.
After Berlin went three and out, the Fire embarked on another scoring drive as Henson continued to complete short passes, connecting with Samp for 10 yards, wide receiver Kendrick Starling for 8 and French fullback Laurent Marceline and tight end Aaron Halterman for 7 yards apiece.
But for the second time in the opening period, the Fire could not find the end zone, settling for Kimrin’s 30-yard field goal and a 6-0 advantage.
After a sluggish first quarter, the Thunder found some offensive rhythm with Brian Wrobel under center in the second period. The Green Bay Packers allocate completed a 23-yard pass to tight end Jason Randall but a key drop on third down by wide receiver Keron Henry brought on the special teams unit.
But rather than kick the ball away from the Fire 34-yard line – or try the four-point field goal off a slick surface – Berlin rolled the dice as Marty Johnson ran up the middle on a fake punt. Needing to gain 7 yards, the free agent rusher was dropped by Fire defensive end Walter Curry after picking up just 3 yards.
The Fire took full advantage of the turnover on downs as Timmy Chang completed four passes for 37 yards before Lewis raced around left end to score on a 12-yard touchdown run. Fellow rusher Jackson also produced a big play on the scoring march, ripping off a 14-yard run to help Rhein open up a 13-0 lead as the teams headed for the locker room at the half.
Berlin looked more cohesive coming out of the break as Johnson gained 14 yards on 4 carries and Lang Campbell completed passes of 15 yards to wide receiver Lance Moore and 23 yards to tight end Ben Moa.
But on a play-action pass deep in Fire territory, Campbell rolled right but his throw into the end zone intended for Moore was picked off by Rhein cornerback Therrian Fontenot, snuffing out what would have been a morale-boosting start to the second half for the Thunder.
Lang Campbell threw two costly interceptions for the Thunder. (waynepaulo.com)
Berlin’s next drive also ended in a turnover as Campbell fumbled the snap from center Joel Rodriguez and linebacker Guy Tuell recovered near midfield for the Fire. But Rhein gifted the football back to the Thunder as tight end Andy Stokes caught a pass from Henson before fumbling at the Berlin 10-yard line, where German safety Oliver Flemming – who unleashed the big hit to knock the ball loose - made the recovery.
The Thunder could not take advantage of the turnover as Campbell – looking for wide receiver C.J. Jones down the right sideline – was intercepted by Fontenot for the second time in three possessions, this time at the Berlin 31-yard line.
With Henson sensing an opportunity to put the game beyond the Thunder, the Fire took full advantage of Berlin’s third turnover in as many possessions. After hitting Samp for a 13-yard gain, Henson rolled to his left and, under pressure from the Berlin defenders, fired across the field to hit diving wide receiver Zuriel Smith for a 3-yard score. The two-point conversion failed as Henson’s pass was incomplete but Rhein still held a healthy 19-0 lead.
Berlin continued to self destruct as Robert Redd fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Fire defensive back Gabriel Helms recovered at the Thunder 24-yard line. And while they couldn’t get into the end zone, the Fire did add another three points courtesy of Kimrin’s 24-yard field goal.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:35 PM
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