NFL TEAMS ADD INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS TO PRACTICE SQUAD
The players selected for the program, which is now in its fourth
year, have all displayed outstanding potential and performance in NFL Europa,
including German defensive end BEN ISHOLA. The NFL Europa National
Defensive Player of the Year joins the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts
practice squad after helping the Hamburg Sea Devils to victory in World Bowl XV.
Five players – MARVIN ALLEN, CARL-JOHAN BJORK,
SAMUEL GUTEKUNST, DANIEL WATTS and ULRICH WINKLER –
participated in the program last year. One graduate of the initial class in
2004, Mexican guard ROLANDO CANTU, has already made his NFL debut, seeing
action in the Arizona Cardinals’ season-ending game against Indianapolis in
2005.
“The practice squad program was an excellent experience for me,”
Cantu says. “The exposure to the NFL environment and having an entire year with
a team really pushes you to perform at a high level.”
A closer look at the 11 international players heading to 2007
AFC East, AFC South and NFC North practice squads:
PLAYER/NFL TEAM/COUNTRY/BACKGROUND
RB Jermaine Allen/Chicago Bears/UK. Totaled 181 scrimmage yards
and scored three touchdowns for World Bowl champion Hamburg.
WR Marvin Allen/Miami Dolphins/UK. Caught 21 passes for 222
yards with one touchdown for Rhein.
LB Carl-Johan Bjork/Green Bay Packers/Sweden. Ranked second on
Amsterdam with 46 tackles and recorded one sack and two passes defensed.
LB Eduardo Castaneda/Houston Texans/Mexico. Recorded 10 tackles
and added five special teams tackles for Rhein.
OT Seppo Ewvaraye/Minnesota Vikings/Finland. Started seven games
for Cologne and helped Offensive
Co-MVP Derrick Ross/Kansas City Chiefs/US. Lead league in
rushing.
OT Samuel Gutekunst/Jacksonville Jaguars/Germany. Played in nine
games and helped Berlin lead league in rushing.
DE Ben Ishola/Indianapolis Colts/Germany. Named NFL Europa
National Defensive Player of the Year. Recorded 22 tackles, five sacks, one
forced fumble, one pass defensed and three special teams tackles for World Bowl
champion Hamburg.
WR Iiro Luoto/NY Jets/Finland. Caught five passes for 39 yards
for Rhein.
DT Salomon Solano/Detroit Lions/Mexico. Recorded 15 tackles, one
pass defensed and 0.5 sacks for Rhein.
DE Daniel Watts/Buffalo Bills/UK. Posted 10 tackles and one sack
for Amsterdam and Rhein.
DE Ulrich Winkler/Tennessee Titans/Germany. Recorded 20 tackles,
4.5 sacks and one pass defensed for Frankfurt.