Running back Leonard Henry of the Miami Dolphins, defensive end Corey Jackson of the Cleveland Browns and kick returners Rober Freeman of the Houston Texans and Shockmain Davis of the Green Bay Packers are the NFL Europe League Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the first week of the season (April 3-4), the league announced Tuesday.
Henry gained a total of 174 yards and scored two touchdowns in Week 1, leading the Frankfurt Galaxy to a 34-11 victory over the visiting Amsterdam Admirals on Saturday. The Dolphins running back carried the ball 19 times for 114 yards with touchdown runs of eight and 24 yards.
"Leonard Henry ran very well both inside and outside," said Galaxy head coach Mike Jones. "We got a great deal out of him against the Admirals and we feel very good about our running game right now."
Miami's seventh-round draft pick in 2002, Henry added three receptions for 60 yards, including a 29-yard reception that led to a Galaxy touchdown on the same possession.
Jackson, also a member of the Galaxy, recorded five tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in Frankfurt's victory. In his NFL Europe debut, the Browns' defensive end was part of a unit that recorded a league-high four sacks, intercepted four passes and forced seven turnovers as Frankfurt held Amsterdam to just one offensive touchdown.
On Sunday, cornerback Freeman returned the opening kickoff of Rhein's 26-25 home victory over the Cologne Centurions 93 yards for a touchdown. Less than four minutes later, wide receiver Davis returned a kickoff an identical 93 yards for a Rhein score to earn a share of special teams honors with his teammate.
Freeman, allocated by the Texans, returned two kickoffs for 111 yards and made three tackles from his cornerback position. The Packers' Davis added two receptions for 39 yards.
The special teams efforts of Freeman and Davis helped the Fire set league single-game records for kickoff return touchdowns (2) and return yards (289).
Scottish Claymores wide receiver Scott Mc Cready earned National Player of the Week honors for his 11-catch performance on Sunday, a record for a national player. McCready, a member of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVI team, gained 67 yards and scored a four-yard touchdown in Scotland's 20-14 loss to the Berlin Thunder.
2004 NFL EUROPE LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Week 1
Offense: RB L. Henry (Mia)
Defense: DE C. Jackson (Cle)
Special Teams: CB R. Freeman (Hou), WR S. Davis (GB)
National: WR S. McCready, Scott
