TE Tory Humphrey celebrates his touchdown vs. the Rhein Fire.
Week 5 of the NFL Europe season saw a game between the league's two premier teams, a closely contested game in Hamburg, and a Monday night game that marked a NFL-E milestone.
The much-hyped contest between the Amsterdam Admirals (4-1-0) and Rhein Fire (4-1-0) did not disappoint, as the Admirals ended the Fire's undefeated season with a 35-31 victory at Amsterdam Arena on Saturday. Two Packers, receiver Chad Lucas and tight end Tory Humphrey, each caught a touchdown for Amsterdam. Skyer Fulton led the team with two touchdown receptions. Rhein receiver Chris Samp, who spent part of last preseason with Green Bay, caught two touchdowns, including a 14-yard score in the fourth quarter to give the Fire a 31-28 lead.
Later in the fourth, Fulton made a 42-yard touchdown reception and Amsterdam went ahead, 35-31. On the subsequent drive, Admirals safety Cory Peoples intercepted a Drew Henson pass to secure the win. In an odd scheduling quirk, the two teams will again face off this week, this time in Rhein.
Also on Saturday, the Hamburg Sea Devils (0-4-1) remained winless after a close 17-13 defeat against the Frankfurt Galaxy (3-2-0). Galaxy reserve running backs J.R. Niklos and Butchie Wallace combined for 139 yards in absence of league-leading runner Roger Robinson, who missed the game with a concussion.
Sea Devils kicker Tyler Jones kicked through a 32-yard attempt to give Hamburg a 13-10 lead at the start of fourth third quarter. After the teams traded defensive stops, Frankfurt regained possession; Galaxy quarterback Craig Ochs would finish the drive with a 2-yard touchdown throw to wideout Aaron Hosack for a 17-13 advantage. On the following kickoff, Sea Devils kick returner Nate Curry lost a fumble and the Galaxy ran out the final four minutes for the win.
In the first Monday night game in NFL history, the Berlin Thunder (2-2-1) triumphed 24-13 over the Cologne Centurions (1-4-0). Cleveland Browns-allocated QB Lang Cambell completed 11 of 18 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
Berlin had 17 unanswered points a just a few minutes into the third quarter, before Cologne put up 13 straight points over the final quarter-and-a-half. Mexican receiver Alejandro Gamez had a 49-yard touchdown that sealed the win, finishing with a game-high 74 receiving yards on three catches. Centurions quarterback Shane Boyd ran for 98 yards - the most ever by an NFLEL signal caller - but also threw two interceptions.
Packers in NFL-E
S Atari Bigby (Amsterdam Admirals) - With five starts at free safety, is second on the team with 31 tackles (18 solo), adding three passes defensed.
WR Vince Butler (Amsterdam Admirals) – As a reserve WR, has made four catches for 42 yards and one rush for 13 yards.
CB Therrian Fontenot (Rhein Fire) – Has started four games at left cornerback and is credited with 10 solo tackles and two interceptions among six passes defensed. Was dubbed Defensive Player of the Week for Week 2 after a two-interception performance in a 22-0 shutout of Berlin.
TE Tory Humphrey (Amsterdam Admirals) – Has started all five contests at tight end, catching 10 passes for 104 yards and one TD.
WR Chad Lucas (Amsterdam Admirals) – Has started all five games at wide receiver. Leads NFL-E in touchdown with seven; is second on the team in receptions with 14 for 265 yards. Was awarded Offensive Player of the Week for Week 4 after catching a league-record four touchdowns in a 38-31 victory over the Berlin Thunder. He finished the game with six catches for 120 yards.
DT Jerome Nichols (Frankfurt Galaxy) – In five starts at left defensive tackle, has made 14 tackles (13 solo), including three sacks.
C Pete Traynor (Rhein Fire) – Has started all five games at center.
QB Brian Wrobel (Berlin Thunder) – Serving as backup, has completed 12 of 29 passes for 134 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, for a passer rating of 52.9.
Week 5 Results
Amsterdam 35, Rhein 31
Berlin 24, Cologne 13
Frankfurt 17, Hamburg 13
Week 6 Schedule (all games on NFL Network)
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Berlin at Frankfurt, 12:00 PM (CT), Live
Amsterdam at Rhein, 7:00 PM (CT), Tape Delay
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Hamburg at Cologne, 9:00 AM (CT), Live
