GRETZ: On The World Stage (NFL Europe)

[Megbert]

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.

[Chiefaholic]

Nice read...

[keg in kc]

I remember when folks thought Waters was going to be a bust because we had 27 QB exchange fumbles that first time he started at center against the Raiders back in '01. Snoop Minnis' one shining moment, that game was. And Warfield returned a noodlearm pick for a TD. Ahh, the good ol' days. Cough.

[Bob Dole]

Keep ****ing doubting Kris Griffin.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Keep ****ing doubting Kris Griffin.

I will, thank you.

The games I watched, I was highly unimpressed.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by milkman

I will, thank you.

The games I watched, I was highly unimpressed.

He has an uphill climb to make the team this time around. I didn't see any Europe games, but this Will kid seems to be getting a lot of buzz lately.

How did he do, in your opinion?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

He has an uphill climb to make the team this time around. I didn't see any Europe games, but this Will kid seems to be getting a lot of buzz lately.

How did he do, in your opinion?

He was pretty damn good.

He was pretty dominating, especially in run blocking.

Only got beaten a couple of time outright in pass blocking that I saw.

He did have a tendency to quit before the play was over, thinking he had handled his guy, which led to a couple of sacks by his man.

Nothing that can't be fixed.

He really does show a lot of promise.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by milkman

He was pretty damn good.

He was pretty dominating, especially in run blocking.

Only got beaten a couple of time outright in pass blocking that I saw.

He did have a tendency to quit before the play was over, thinking he had handled his guy, which led to a couple of sacks by his man.

Nothing that can't be fixed.

He really does show a lot of promise.

Wow good to hear! Thanks.

[BigChiefFan]

This is good news. I sure hope this carries over to the NFL level. Svitek has made the most of his opportunity and I hope he becomes the diamond in the rough for us.

[StcChief]

Would like to see both Svitek,Griffin do well with Chiefs.
NFLE seems to be paying off all the way around.

[htismaqe]

Baldinger and Grunny have been saying he's gonna start at RT, he's that good...

[Hydrae]

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.

I didn't realize that Maz had given up on his career as a player. Given some of the health issues though, it is not a big surprise.

Simien is coaching D-Line? That seems odd to me, he was a linebacker when he played here.

[dj56dt58]

I was also impressed with what I saw of Perkins. He *could* potentially compete with Battle, Walls, Hodge, and the others for that starting corner spot if we don't sign Law. He has good size, speed, and instincts. I would like to see him get a shot, that's for sure. It's not like we have any proven talent at that 2nd corner spot if we don't sign Law anyways

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

I was also impressed with what I saw of Perkins. He *could* potentially compete with Battle, Walls, Hodge, and the others for that starting corner spot if we don't sign Law. He has good size, speed, and instincts. I would like to see him get a shot, that's for sure. It's not like we have any proven talent at that 2nd corner spot if we don't sign Law anyways

2nd CB spot?

Oh hell no. If he makes the squad, he's going in as a special teams grunt and nothing more than that. If he's our #2 corner we may as well lose all of our games right now and draft someone good at #1 next year