Henson's Game Recap...
Hamdan leads Admirals to the top
April 15, 2006
NFL Europe
Rhein Fire 31, Amsterdam Admirals 35
Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Attendance: 12,683
Quarterback Gibran Hamdan threw for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Amsterdam Admirals to victory over the previously undefeated Rhein Fire in a thrilling contest during which both teams showed they have the credentials to reach Yello Strom World Bowl XIV in May.
Hamdan threw the game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Skyler Fulton (Seattle Seahawks) from 42 yards out with just over six minutes remaining in the contest.
Dallas Cowboys-allocated quarterback Drew Henson was also in outstanding form for the Rhein Fire, throwing for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he was intercepted by safety Cory Peoples (Philadelphia Eagles) with 1:16 remaining to end any hopes of a late comeback by Rhein.
Both teams now have 4-1 records at the halfway point of the 2006 season and meet again next weekend in Düsseldorf.
It took the Admirals just two plays and less than a minute to penetrate the toughest defense in NFL Europe as Hamdan, of the Seattle Seahawks, connected with wide receiver Chad Lucas (Green Bay Packers) for a 33-yard gain, before hooking up with Fulton for a 33-yard touchdown strike.
Both play-action passes from the Seattle Seahawks-allocated quarterback landed right on the money and the Admirals had an early 7-0 lead following Ryan Killeen’s extra point.
Things got worse for the visitors on their first drive of the contest as Henson was sacked on third down by defensive tackle Jeremy Caudill. Following the hit from behind, Henson fumbled and Admirals defensive lineman Tony Brown recovered at Rhein’s 20-yard line.
Hamdan took full advantage of the turnover, hitting Fulton for a 19-yard gain before handing off to Larry Croom (San Diego Chargers), who forced his way into the end zone from a yard out to give the home club a 14-0 lead.
Rather than retreat into a shell following such an opening to the game, the Fire produced a strong response with Henson showing NFL class by connecting on 5 passes for 53 yards on a 10-play, 71-yard march that culminated with a 16-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Chris Samp (Carolina Panthers).
The Admirals continued to have their way with the Fire defense as Hamdan threw a 20-yard pass to tight end Tory Humphrey (Green Bay Packers) and wide receiver Vincent Butler, also of the Packers, gained 13 yards on a reverse. But finally, Rhein stiffened defensively with a key sack coming from defensive end Derrick Strong.
Killeen attempted a 44-yard field goal for the Admirals but it drifted wide right, leaving Amsterdam ahead by seven after one quarter of play.
Reggie Robertson, of the Oakland Raiders, entered the game for Amsterdam in the second period and his pass intended for Japanese wide receiver was picked off by Fire cornerback Ronyell Whitaker, who raced 30 yards down the right sideline for the game-tying score.
The frantic rate of scoring continued on Amsterdam’s next drive as Robertson hit Lucas for a 22-yard touchdown. For Lucas, who made a tremendous leaping catch in the end zone, it marked his seventh score in the past three weeks. The score was set up by a 23-yard reception by Kino****a and a 13-yard run by Diamond Ferri (Atlanta Falcons).
Wide receiver Brandon Middleton (St. Louis Rams) returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the Admirals 35-yard line, but the Fire, slowed by a Fredrick Jackson fumbled which they recovered, could not put the outstanding field position to good use and were forced to punt, with Travis Dorsch landing the football at Amsterdam’s 2-yard line.
Running out of the shadow of his goalposts, Croom found space in the Fire defense but was hit hard by Whitaker and fumbled. Linebacker Tyson Smith recovered for Rhein at Amsterdam’s 17-yard line.
Drew Henson was outstanding for most of the game, but threw a late interception. (waynepaulo.com)
The Fire again failed to make the most of the outstanding field position with Timmy Chang (Philadelphia Eagles) conceding a crucial third down sack to defensive end Earl Cochran. Ola Kimrin (Miami Dolphins) made sure the turnover produced some points, converting a 33-yard field goal to pull the visitors to within four.
Amsterdam was forced to punt on its next drive – following Strong’s second sack of the afternoon - and the Fire moved back into scoring range as Jackson returned the kick 56 yards to the Admirals’ 20-yard line. After runs by Jamaal Branch and Jackson moved the ball to the 6-yard line, Jacque Lewis (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) darted through Amsterdam’s defense to score and send the Fire into the break with a 24-21 lead that would have seemed improbable three minutes into the contest.
The Admirals moved back into the lead with 4:19 remaining in the third period as Hamdan threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Humphrey, who broke a couple of tackles before forcing his way into the Fire end zone.
Hamdan set up the touchdown with completions of 13 yards to wide receiver Craig Bragg and 7 yards to Fulton. He also picked up a crucial first down on a scramble before sliding to the turf, only to be hit by Fire linebacker Terrence Robinson, adding another 15 yards to the play. After limping back to the huddle, Hamdan shook off the hit by connecting with Humphrey to give Amsterdam a 28-24 lead.
The Fire responded with Lewis charging into Admirals' territory but a holding penalty brought the play back and Rhein was forced to punt the ball back to Amsterdam, who also stalled offensively for one of the few times in the game.
With Henson looking masterful under center, the Fire marched back downfield to re-take the lead. The former NFL starter hit tight end Aaron Halterman for 23 yards and Samp for an additional 24. And on a key third down play at Amsterdam’s 13-yard line, Henson and Samp hooked up again for the score.
After catching a quick slant pass, Samp bounced off the attempted tackle of safety Atari Bigby (Green Bay Packers) and dived past the challenge of cornerback Justin Perkins (Kansas City Chiefs) to score his second touchdown of the game, giving Rhein a 31-28 lead.
The Admirals, however, were far from finished and moved back in front with 6:20 remaining as Hamdan lofted a 42-yard scoring pass to the streaking Fulton, who went over 100 yards receiving for the fourth time this season with the reception (6-113). That score was made to stand up as Peoples came up with the game-clinching interception at his own 35-yard line.
April 15, 2006
NFL Europe
Rhein Fire 31, Amsterdam Admirals 35
Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Attendance: 12,683
Quarterback Gibran Hamdan threw for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Amsterdam Admirals to victory over the previously undefeated Rhein Fire in a thrilling contest during which both teams showed they have the credentials to reach Yello Strom World Bowl XIV in May.
Hamdan threw the game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Skyler Fulton (Seattle Seahawks) from 42 yards out with just over six minutes remaining in the contest.
Dallas Cowboys-allocated quarterback Drew Henson was also in outstanding form for the Rhein Fire, throwing for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he was intercepted by safety Cory Peoples (Philadelphia Eagles) with 1:16 remaining to end any hopes of a late comeback by Rhein.
Both teams now have 4-1 records at the halfway point of the 2006 season and meet again next weekend in Düsseldorf.
It took the Admirals just two plays and less than a minute to penetrate the toughest defense in NFL Europe as Hamdan, of the Seattle Seahawks, connected with wide receiver Chad Lucas (Green Bay Packers) for a 33-yard gain, before hooking up with Fulton for a 33-yard touchdown strike.
Both play-action passes from the Seattle Seahawks-allocated quarterback landed right on the money and the Admirals had an early 7-0 lead following Ryan Killeen’s extra point.
Things got worse for the visitors on their first drive of the contest as Henson was sacked on third down by defensive tackle Jeremy Caudill. Following the hit from behind, Henson fumbled and Admirals defensive lineman Tony Brown recovered at Rhein’s 20-yard line.
Hamdan took full advantage of the turnover, hitting Fulton for a 19-yard gain before handing off to Larry Croom (San Diego Chargers), who forced his way into the end zone from a yard out to give the home club a 14-0 lead.
Rather than retreat into a shell following such an opening to the game, the Fire produced a strong response with Henson showing NFL class by connecting on 5 passes for 53 yards on a 10-play, 71-yard march that culminated with a 16-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Chris Samp (Carolina Panthers).
The Admirals continued to have their way with the Fire defense as Hamdan threw a 20-yard pass to tight end Tory Humphrey (Green Bay Packers) and wide receiver Vincent Butler, also of the Packers, gained 13 yards on a reverse. But finally, Rhein stiffened defensively with a key sack coming from defensive end Derrick Strong.
Killeen attempted a 44-yard field goal for the Admirals but it drifted wide right, leaving Amsterdam ahead by seven after one quarter of play.
Reggie Robertson, of the Oakland Raiders, entered the game for Amsterdam in the second period and his pass intended for Japanese wide receiver was picked off by Fire cornerback Ronyell Whitaker, who raced 30 yards down the right sideline for the game-tying score.
The frantic rate of scoring continued on Amsterdam’s next drive as Robertson hit Lucas for a 22-yard touchdown. For Lucas, who made a tremendous leaping catch in the end zone, it marked his seventh score in the past three weeks. The score was set up by a 23-yard reception by Kino****a and a 13-yard run by Diamond Ferri (Atlanta Falcons).
Wide receiver Brandon Middleton (St. Louis Rams) returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the Admirals 35-yard line, but the Fire, slowed by a Fredrick Jackson fumbled which they recovered, could not put the outstanding field position to good use and were forced to punt, with Travis Dorsch landing the football at Amsterdam’s 2-yard line.
Running out of the shadow of his goalposts, Croom found space in the Fire defense but was hit hard by Whitaker and fumbled. Linebacker Tyson Smith recovered for Rhein at Amsterdam’s 17-yard line.
Drew Henson was outstanding for most of the game, but threw a late interception. (waynepaulo.com)
The Fire again failed to make the most of the outstanding field position with Timmy Chang (Philadelphia Eagles) conceding a crucial third down sack to defensive end Earl Cochran. Ola Kimrin (Miami Dolphins) made sure the turnover produced some points, converting a 33-yard field goal to pull the visitors to within four.
Amsterdam was forced to punt on its next drive – following Strong’s second sack of the afternoon - and the Fire moved back into scoring range as Jackson returned the kick 56 yards to the Admirals’ 20-yard line. After runs by Jamaal Branch and Jackson moved the ball to the 6-yard line, Jacque Lewis (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) darted through Amsterdam’s defense to score and send the Fire into the break with a 24-21 lead that would have seemed improbable three minutes into the contest.
The Admirals moved back into the lead with 4:19 remaining in the third period as Hamdan threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Humphrey, who broke a couple of tackles before forcing his way into the Fire end zone.
Hamdan set up the touchdown with completions of 13 yards to wide receiver Craig Bragg and 7 yards to Fulton. He also picked up a crucial first down on a scramble before sliding to the turf, only to be hit by Fire linebacker Terrence Robinson, adding another 15 yards to the play. After limping back to the huddle, Hamdan shook off the hit by connecting with Humphrey to give Amsterdam a 28-24 lead.
The Fire responded with Lewis charging into Admirals' territory but a holding penalty brought the play back and Rhein was forced to punt the ball back to Amsterdam, who also stalled offensively for one of the few times in the game.
With Henson looking masterful under center, the Fire marched back downfield to re-take the lead. The former NFL starter hit tight end Aaron Halterman for 23 yards and Samp for an additional 24. And on a key third down play at Amsterdam’s 13-yard line, Henson and Samp hooked up again for the score.
After catching a quick slant pass, Samp bounced off the attempted tackle of safety Atari Bigby (Green Bay Packers) and dived past the challenge of cornerback Justin Perkins (Kansas City Chiefs) to score his second touchdown of the game, giving Rhein a 31-28 lead.
The Admirals, however, were far from finished and moved back in front with 6:20 remaining as Hamdan lofted a 42-yard scoring pass to the streaking Fulton, who went over 100 yards receiving for the fourth time this season with the reception (6-113). That score was made to stand up as Peoples came up with the game-clinching interception at his own 35-yard line.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:18 PM
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