The Browns were all over NFL Europe last weekend, with some excellent defensive
performance by three players for the Frankfurt Galaxy providing the weekend's
highlight for Browns fans.
Amsterdam Admirals
DT JOHN NIX: The Admirals were humbled in their opener, losing 34-11 to
Frankfurt, and Nix's level of play was an indicator of the weak effort. Nix
started at defensive tackle, but got negative reviews from fans in the Bernie's
Insiders forums who watched the game on the NFL Network. Nix was in on one
tackle, stopping RB Skip Hicks for a two-yard loss.
Berlin Thunder
WR RICHARD ALSTON: Wasn't much of a presence for the Thunder. Made a fair
catch on one punt, returned a kickoff for 13 yards, and that was about it. He
did get in a bit at WR and was the target for one pass, which fell incomplete.
Cologne Centurions
K DEREK SCHOREJS: Made the only field goal he attempted on the day, a
36-yarder versus Rhein. Schorejs also handled kickoff duties, but doesn't seem
the be the answer to the team's short kick-offs, booting the ball a Dawson-esque
average of 56 yards, i.e., his average kick landed around the 14. After a
safety, Schorejs did pound a free kick 79 yards.
DE FELIPE CLAYBROOKS: Did solid work again the Rhein Fire, recording four
tackles (one for a loss), and one pass defensed. Claybrooks also forced a key
fourth quarter fumble.
Frankfurt Galaxy
The Galaxy stomped all over Amsterdam in their home opener, a game which was
enlivened by several solid performances by Browns defenders starting for
Frankfurt.
DE COREY JACKSON: Did well starting at defensive end for Frankfurt, recording
five tackles (one for a loss) with two sacks (-4 yards). He single-handedly
stuffed an Amsterdam series, trapping RB Jason Anderson behind the line of
scrimmage for a one-yard loss on second down, and then sacking QB Cliff Stoerner
for a three-yard loss on third down. Jackson also made a big play in the fourth
quarter, when he tracked down Admiral QB David Priestley for a sack, forcing a
fumble recovered by the Galaxy.
S RICKY SHARPE: Sharpe started at free safety, and looked good in his first game
in NFL Europe. Sharpe recorded four tackles on the day, two passes defensed and
one interception accompanied by a 23 yard return to the Admiral 45.
LB MASON UNCK: Started at middle linebacker and, like Sharpe, also hauled in an
interception. In addition to the pick, Unck pulled down four solo tackles and
one assisted tackle, defensed a pass, and made a special teams tackle.
Rhein Fire
OT CHUCK KLABO: Klabo started at left tackle for the Fire. As a whole, the
Fire offensive line allowed only one sack on the day, but paved the way for a
mediocre 83 yards rushing by the team.
RB JOFFREY REYNOLDS: Reynolds carried 15 times for 58 yards and added one
reception for 14 yards. Reynolds was kept out of the end zone, and his longest
carry of the day was for twelve yards.
Scottish Claymores
QB NATE HYBL: Was solid in his starting role for the Claymores against
Berlin. Completed 17 of 24 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown despite being
sacked three times, fumbling once, and being spelled frequently by QB Curt Anes.
Hybl ended the day with no interceptions and a 100.5 passing rating. He also
scrambled for five yards on three attempts. Hybl was very accurate in the short
passing game. The fumble was a key gaffe, coming in the fourth quarter with the
Claymores on the 50 and driving for a potential go-ahead TD.
On a related note, NFL Europe's web site tossed up an "Ask Nate" email
Q-and-A opportunity last week, which doesn't appear closed for questions quite
yet.
Click here to go there if you want to fire off a query to the Browns backup
QB.
DT CEDRIC SCOTT: Recorded two solo tackles and an assist, plus one pass
defensed against Berlin. Two of the tackles, however, came at the end of the
game with Berlin running out the clock.