Coaching boost for Claymores stars
THE YOUNG prospects battling for World Bowl glory in NFL Europe League in 2004 will have the chance to learn from the league's stars of the past as 12 former players will serve as intern coaches for the six NFLEL teams this spring
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Each team will also be allocated two training camp intern coaches, who will tutor players at NFLEL training camp in Tampa in March. Training camp intern coaches will be unveiled soon.
The Claymores were assigned former Kansas City Chiefs' offensive lineman Reggie McElroy last season and he was a big hit with Gene Dahlquist's squad for his experience, friendship and coaching skills.
This time around, the season-long intern coaches working with Claymores head coach Jack Bicknell and his staff will be Tim Lester and Tim Watson.
Former fullback Lester became known as 'The Bus Driver' during his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams (1992-1995), Pittsburgh Steelers (1995-1998) and Dallas Cowboys (1999), as he served as lead blocker for Jerome 'The Bus' Bettis for many years. Lester also acted as lead blocker for Emmitt Smith before retiring in 2000.
Watson played strong safety for the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles from 1993-1998. He played for the Barcelona Dragons in 1996 and served as a training camp intern coach for the Rhein Fire in 2003.
Nick Polk, Senior Director of Football Operations for the NFL Europe League, said: "We are very pleased with the talented young men we have lined up to compete in our NFL Europe Coaching Program this year. They reached the pinnacle of the game during their own careers and will have a lot of knowledge and expertise to pass on to the young players competing in NFL Europe this spring.
"Our program offers former NFL players a route into the coaching ranks and gives them an idea of what it takes to be a professional football coach. This program continues to go from strength to strength and should prove even more successful in the coming season."
Joining the Amsterdam Admirals coaching staff for this season are Willie Davis and Ron Heller. Both will coach on the offensive side of the ball. Davis played wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1990-1999 - serving as team captain for both clubs - and caught 286 passes for 4,503 yards and 33 touchdowns. Heller played offensive line for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins from 1984-1995.
The Berlin Thunder intern coaches will be former Pro Bowlers Pete Metzelaars and D'Marco Farr. Metzelaars played in 235 games (an NFL record for tight ends) and was named a Pro Bowl alternate three times. The all-star tight end played for the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions from 1982-1997. He caught 383 career passes for 3,686 yards and 29 touchdowns and played in four consecutive Super Bowls for the Bills. Farr played defensive tackle for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams from 1994-2001, earning Pro Bowl honours and winning a Super Bowl ring in 1999.
Joining former Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman Tom Nutten at NFL Europe's newest team - Cologne Centurions - is Robert Harris, who played defensive line for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants from 1992-1999.
Former Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Dwight Hollier will join the coaching staff of the reigning World Bowl champion Frankfurt Galaxy, coaching on the defensive side of the ball. Hollier played for Miami from 1992-1999 and the Colts in 2000-2001. Frankfurt's second season-long intern coach will be announced in the near future.
Pro Bowl tight end Ben Coates - who was named to the all-star game in Hawaii five years in a row - will be joined at the Rhein Fire by veteran linebacker James Harrell. Coates played for the New England Patriots from 1991-1999 and the Baltimore Ravens in 2000, catching 499 passes for 5,555 yards and 50 touchdowns, earning All-Pro honours. Harrell played for the Detroit Lions from 1979-1983 and again in 1985-1986. He also starred for the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League (USFL) from 1984-1985 and the Kansas City Chiefs in 1987.
12 Jan, 04 | 10:42 am