GRETZ: On The World Stage (NFL Europe)

Megbert · 05-26-2006, 09:28 AM

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GRETZ: On The World Stage
May 26, 2006, 4:55:12 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

Hopefully you’ve followed on this web site the diary of Chiefs offensive tackle Will Svitek as he’s gone through the spring playing in NFL Europe for the Frankfurt Galaxy. He’ll finish up his season across the pond Saturday night by playing in the World Bowl XIV championship game in Dusseldorf, Germany against the Amsterdam Admirals.

It’s been a big spring for Svitek. One thing that you won’t read in his weekly entries from Germany is analysis of how he’s played. That comes from the folks at Arrowhead Stadium and they are thrilled with how he’s performed starting all 10 games at left tackle. Svitek has been a dominant player for the Galaxy.

That’s a good sign for any player who spends the spring playing in Europe. If a player goes over there and struggles against the NFL Europe competition, his return to the NFL will be a short one. If a player goes to Europe and holds his own, then he’s unlikely to make any type of lasting impression in the big league.

But if he goes there and clearly is superior in his performance, then there’s the chance his talent is deep enough to win a lasting place in the NFL. Svitek did that this spring.

Brian Waters did that as well. Waters has become such a dominant player in the Chiefs offensive line that many forget that he went to NFL Europe and learned how to play center back in 2000. The Chiefs sent him there after signing him as a free agent. Waters had failed to make the roster as an undrafted rookie tight end with the Dallas Cowboys.

Waters has become a Pro Bowl guard, considered one of the best blockers in the NFL. Now, will Svitek become another Waters? That’s a stretch at this point, but remember that the sixth-round draft choice last year out of Stanford had largely played defense in his last years of college. The Chiefs viewed him as an offensive lineman and thought he could make the transition because of his athletic ability, intelligence and mental makeup.

Last year he made the 53-man roster largely on promise. With the Galaxy, he’s taken the first tentative steps to fulfilling that promise. That’s what NFL Europe is all about.

“NFLE continues to serve as a training ground for our players and coaches,” said Carl Peterson, who has been a big supporter of the spring league since its formation and serves on the NFL Europe management committee. “It’s another opportunity to not only grow our game internationally, but it helps players grow. We’ve seen that in the past with our team, with guys like Brian Waters, Dante Hall, Mike Maslowski and others.”

This year, former Chiefs players like Maslowski, Tim Grunhard and J.J. Smith served as assistant coaches. Tracy Simien spent time working in NFL Europe and he’s now found a job in the NFL, as an assistant defensive line coach for the Houston Texans.

Another Chiefs player who had a nice spring in NFL Europe was linebacker Kris Griffin. He made the 53-man roster last year the hard way: as an undrafted rookie free agent out of a Division II school (Indiana University of Pennsylvania.) His spring with the Hamburg Sea Devils gave him the opportunity he badly needed: a chance to play. He finished third on the team in tackles with 41, with one interception and one sack. It was a good step forward for Griffin.

Also in the World Bowl is cornerback Justin Perkins, who was with the Chiefs in training camp last year as a rookie free agent and re-signed with the team back in January. With the Amsterdam Admirals, Perkins was a starter at right corner and he finished with 39 tackles and two interceptions, one that he returned 70 yards for a touchdown.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Seems to me that the Chiefs have had good luck with players they send to the NFL Europe.

Didn't know the former Chiefs were over there as assistant coaches.

05-26-2006, 09:28 AM	Topic Starter
Megbert New and shiny. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: KC KS Casino cash: $9270260	GRETZ: On The World Stage (NFL Europe) Link GRETZ: On The World Stage May 26, 2006, 4:55:12 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ Hopefully you’ve followed on this web site the diary of Chiefs offensive tackle Will Svitek as he’s gone through the spring playing in NFL Europe for the Frankfurt Galaxy. He’ll finish up his season across the pond Saturday night by playing in the World Bowl XIV championship game in Dusseldorf, Germany against the Amsterdam Admirals. It’s been a big spring for Svitek. One thing that you won’t read in his weekly entries from Germany is analysis of how he’s played. That comes from the folks at Arrowhead Stadium and they are thrilled with how he’s performed starting all 10 games at left tackle. Svitek has been a dominant player for the Galaxy. That’s a good sign for any player who spends the spring playing in Europe. If a player goes over there and struggles against the NFL Europe competition, his return to the NFL will be a short one. If a player goes to Europe and holds his own, then he’s unlikely to make any type of lasting impression in the big league. But if he goes there and clearly is superior in his performance, then there’s the chance his talent is deep enough to win a lasting place in the NFL. Svitek did that this spring. Brian Waters did that as well. Waters has become such a dominant player in the Chiefs offensive line that many forget that he went to NFL Europe and learned how to play center back in 2000. The Chiefs sent him there after signing him as a free agent. Waters had failed to make the roster as an undrafted rookie tight end with the Dallas Cowboys. Waters has become a Pro Bowl guard, considered one of the best blockers in the NFL. Now, will Svitek become another Waters? That’s a stretch at this point, but remember that the sixth-round draft choice last year out of Stanford had largely played defense in his last years of college. The Chiefs viewed him as an offensive lineman and thought he could make the transition because of his athletic ability, intelligence and mental makeup. Last year he made the 53-man roster largely on promise. With the Galaxy, he’s taken the first tentative steps to fulfilling that promise. That’s what NFL Europe is all about. “NFLE continues to serve as a training ground for our players and coaches,” said Carl Peterson, who has been a big supporter of the spring league since its formation and serves on the NFL Europe management committee. “It’s another opportunity to not only grow our game internationally, but it helps players grow. We’ve seen that in the past with our team, with guys like Brian Waters, Dante Hall, Mike Maslowski and others.” This year, former Chiefs players like Maslowski, Tim Grunhard and J.J. Smith served as assistant coaches. Tracy Simien spent time working in NFL Europe and he’s now found a job in the NFL, as an assistant defensive line coach for the Houston Texans. Another Chiefs player who had a nice spring in NFL Europe was linebacker Kris Griffin. He made the 53-man roster last year the hard way: as an undrafted rookie free agent out of a Division II school (Indiana University of Pennsylvania.) His spring with the Hamburg Sea Devils gave him the opportunity he badly needed: a chance to play. He finished third on the team in tackles with 41, with one interception and one sack. It was a good step forward for Griffin. Also in the World Bowl is cornerback Justin Perkins, who was with the Chiefs in training camp last year as a rookie free agent and re-signed with the team back in January. With the Amsterdam Admirals, Perkins was a starter at right corner and he finished with 39 tackles and two interceptions, one that he returned 70 yards for a touchdown. The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs. Seems to me that the Chiefs have had good luck with players they send to the NFL Europe. Didn't know the former Chiefs were over there as assistant coaches.
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