NFLE Week 9

[Box_O_Rocks]

Tom Malone's first punt went 48 yards, but he out-kicked his coverage by about 10 yds - Berlin's PR only got 8 yds, but he was hesitant in his running, a Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, or Wes Welker would have made more of that play, not to mention what a Devin Hester could have done with an opening like that.
- Rhein's second and third punts were taken by the Kicker, Fitzpatrick out of Notre Dame, who showed some nice versatility.
- Malone's second kick is listed as a 39 yarder, but he got his leg into it with the ball landing on the out of bounds stripe at the back of the end zone, call it a 49 yarder with no apparent effort at pooching it towards the sideline. He ticked off the color guy who was grumbling about nobody using the "angle kick" anymore.
- Malone's third kick was another 32 yd effort, not especially good but he came close to out kicking his abysmal coverage unit who miraculously stopped the PR after a 5 yd gain.
- With Fitzpatrick taking two punts in this game, I'm wondering if Malone is nursing a nagging injury (a new one, not the college one he's been rehabbing so long)?
- Malone's week nine saw 3 kicks averaging 39.7 yds and 1 touchback.
- On the season through week 9: Tom is averaging 40.1 yds/punt with a net average of 32.8, those put him last in the league. He has 3 touchbacks and only 5 punts downed inside the 20.

Danny Baugher's first kick, was a 32 yd pooch punt taken at the Berlin 10 with only a 2 yd return. It was a snap to the QB who tossed it back to Danny for his pooch which was taken just inside the numbers so he got some good direction on his kick which helped his coverage unit hold the return to 2 yds.
- His second punt came in the third quarter, the ball hit inside the 10 and went into the end zone. I'm not sure if his Gunners saw the ball at all, the Berlin PR was at the 10 signaling fair catch and it looked like the Gunners just pulled up and coasted, still the kick had no backspin so it would have been a tough one to down. 53 yds, but a touchback for a net of 33.
- Baugher's third punt had the play-by-play man excited, calling Baugher NFLE's best punter and "a weapon" for the Rhein Fire. Standing on his own 11, Baugher put the ball outside the numbers at the Berlin 28, the PR couldn't get over there to get under it. The ball rolled another 10 yds to go out of bounds at the Berlin 18. Net 56 yds.
- Baugher took kick #4 off his shoelaces and still got off a 51 yd boot that was taken at the Berlin 13, unfortunately the gunner missed his tackle and none of the other coverage guys were there to back him up, so the net was 42 yds after a 9 yd return. Then the Ref tacked on 10 yds for defensive holding, at least that doesn't go against Danny.
- His final kick on the day hit at the Berlin 6 yd line and bounced past the Gunners into the end zone. Both Gunners were in position, but they just don't seem to be good at picking the ball out of the air. Again there was no backspin on the ball, which is puzzling after the nice backspin on his kicks earlier in the season. A 39 yd. kick with a touchback - given there was 1:40 left in the game with his team in the lead, that touchback was still a good play forcing Berlin to go 80 yds to win the game.
- For week 9: Danny averaged 46.2 yds/punt, he had two touchbacks and two kicks downed inside the 20.
- On the season through week 9: Danny is averaging 43 yds/punt with a net avg. of 37.4, that ranks him as #1 in the league. He has 4 touchbacks and 12 punts downed inside the 20 with one block. He's #3 in punts inside the 20.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Reiss on NFLE
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/06/nfl_europa.html

June 13, 2007
NFL Europa
By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff

The NFL Europa season is winding down, with the championship game scheduled for June 23. One week of regular-season action is left on the schedule, and Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne are tied atop the standings at 6-3.

Here is a look at the three players allocated by the Patriots:

Danny Baugher (Rhein) ranks first among the league's six punters, with a 42.5 avg. and 37.6 net. His strong showing sets up what projects to be a spirited training camp competition with veteran Josh Miller.

Tom Malone (Berlin) ranks sixth among the league's six punters, with a 40.1 avg. and 32.1 net.

Brian Barthelmes (Amsterdam) has started all eight weeks, playing mostly center, and a little bit at guard. He will attempt to carry that momentum into training camp, where he will likely be competing for a roster spot against the likes of Russ Hochstein, Billy Yates and Gene Mruczkowski.

 

[Carpentier]

I could be wrong but being send to the NFLE isn't a good sign for your Patriots career. I don't think there are any NFLE players on the roster.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I could be wrong but being send to the NFLE isn't a good sign for your Patriots career. I don't think there are any NFLE players on the roster.

Spann.

.....

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Brian Barthelmes started at C again (I wouldn't have known that if the play-by-play hadn't mentioned it when talking about Brian anchoring the OL - NFL Network was carrying the TX/LA High School All-Star game and it ran into the middle of the first Qtr). Brian is up to his old tricks, it's barely 3 minutes into the 2nd Qtr and the second series I've seen, and already he has been involved in a couple extracurricular exchanges with unhappy defenders.
- Brian was replaced by the second string C for Amsterdam's fourth Offensive series. The reserve LT was also in the game so this looks like a planned shuffle.
- Brian was back at C to start the second half.
- Brian got called for holding late in the 4th Qtr, he actually tackled the guy, which didn't prevent Olsen the idiot from getting sacked by the DE beating the LT. I couldn't see what happened since the broadcast crew was busy talking about the standings for the World Bowl and had a graphic up blocking any view of the game. They took the graphic down just in time to see Brian tackling a Cologne player.
- Have I mentioned that Olsen sucks? Now I see why Baltimore wanted Troy Smith.

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

What about Jeff Rhoel? Haha.

 

[AirForcePatFan]

I've been watching RB Decori Birmingham... He was a grade below me in high school and became a friend of the family and a role model to my younger brother... He was orginally drafted by the Patriots but they released him after training camp... We grew up in a small town of Atlanta, Texas ( population 6,000) and he's a great character guy, and good RB(at least back at home, I don't watch college, but my brother says he did pretty good), so I would like to see him succeed... Unlike Derrick Blaylock(use to be Jets RB) he's a jerk and rude in high school, I can just imagine what he's like now, one grade ahead of me growing up and hasn't done much in his Pro football career... I'm glad to see the Pats players doing well over there...

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

What about Jeff Rhoel? Haha.

What about him?

 

[Pats726]

I've been watching RB Decori Birmingham... He was a grade below me in high school and became a friend of the family and a role model to my younger brother... He was orginally drafted by the Patriots but they released him after training camp... We grew up in a small town of Atlanta, Texas ( population 6,000) and he's a great character guy, and good RB(at least back at home, I don't watch college, but my brother says he did pretty good), so I would like to see him succeed... Unlike Derrick Blaylock(use to be Jets RB) he's a jerk and rude in high school, I can just imagine what he's like now, one grade ahead of me growing up and hasn't done much in his Pro football career... I'm glad to see the Pats players doing well over there...

Actually he was a UDFA signed by the Pats...from what I understand, he's been injured in college and thus had a hard time staying with the team..he was cut prior to TC 05...then I think was picked up by the Jets....I saw him as well..looked quite good...

 

[psychoPat]

....
Danny Baugher's first kick, was a 32 yd pooch punt taken at the Berlin 10 with only a 2 yd return. It was a snap to the QB who tossed it back to Danny for his pooch which was taken just inside the numbers so he got some good direction on his kick which helped his coverage unit hold the return to 2 yds.
- His second punt came in the third quarter, the ball hit inside the 10 and went into the end zone. I'm not sure if his Gunners saw the ball at all, the Berlin PR was at the 10 signaling fair catch and it looked like the Gunners just pulled up and coasted, still the kick had no backspin so it would have been a tough one to down. 53 yds, but a touchback for a net of 33.
- Baugher's third punt had the play-by-play man excited, calling Baugher NFLE's best punter and "a weapon" for the Rhein Fire. Standing on his own 11, Baugher put the ball outside the numbers at the Berlin 28, the PR couldn't get over there to get under it. The ball rolled another 10 yds to go out of bounds at the Berlin 18. Net 56 yds.
- Baugher took kick #4 off his shoelaces and still got off a 51 yd boot that was taken at the Berlin 13, unfortunately the gunner missed his tackle and none of the other coverage guys were there to back him up, so the net was 42 yds after a 9 yd return. Then the Ref tacked on 10 yds for defensive holding, at least that doesn't go against Danny.
- His final kick on the day hit at the Berlin 6 yd line and bounced past the Gunners into the end zone. Both Gunners were in position, but they just don't seem to be good at picking the ball out of the air. Again there was no backspin on the ball, which is puzzling after the nice backspin on his kicks earlier in the season. A 39 yd. kick with a touchback - given there was 1:40 left in the game with his team in the lead, that touchback was still a good play forcing Berlin to go 80 yds to win the game.
- For week 9: Danny averaged 46.2 yds/punt, he had two touchbacks and two kicks downed inside the 20.
- On the season through week 9: Danny is averaging 43 yds/punt with a net avg. of 37.4, that ranks him as #1 in the league. He has 4 touchbacks and 12 punts downed inside the 20 with one block. He's #3 in punts inside the 20.

Nothing in there to cloud psychSwami's crystal ball
which has been showing
Danny Baugher punting against the Jets come September.

 

[AirForcePatFan]

Actually he was a UDFA signed by the Pats...from what I understand, he's been injured in college and thus had a hard time staying with the team..he was cut prior to TC 05...then I think was picked up by the Jets....I saw him as well..looked quite good...

Oh ok... For some reason I thought the Pats took him in the 7th round... I remember reading off the Pats website they released him and someone else at the same time, thinking back, I just assumed it was after TC... I remember being really disappointed because he was such a great RB in high school but obviously high school is so much different than the NFL.... Anyhow, San Fran picked him up at one point, as well as the Jets... After the Jets, he came back home(with a wife and baby) and I thought he was done, and then I turn on the TV(stays on NFLN) and I hear the announcers say Decori Birmingham, and I'm thinking did they just say Decori... Rewind the DVR and their they are showing him on the sidelines talking good things about him... I was so thrilled, I actually watched the rest of the game....(Haven't been able to get into NFL "Europa") Frankfurt has him doing punt returns as well as RB duties and he looked pretty good, although he muffed a punt but recovered it...

 

[Pats726]

Oh ok... For some reason I thought the Pats took him in the 7th round... I remember reading off the Pats website they released him and someone else at the same time, thinking back, I just assumed it was after TC... I remember being really disappointed because he was such a great RB in high school but obviously high school is so much different than the NFL.... Anyhow, San Fran picked him up at one point, as well as the Jets... After the Jets, he came back home(with a wife and baby) and I thought he was done, and then I turn on the TV(stays on NFLN) and I hear the announcers say Decori Birmingham, and I'm thinking did they just say Decori... Rewind the DVR and their they are showing him on the sidelines talking good things about him... I was so thrilled, I actually watched the rest of the game....(Haven't been able to get into NFL "Europa") Frankfurt has him doing punt returns as well as RB duties and he looked pretty good, although he muffed a punt but recovered it...

I think they just had too many players even pre-TC...but I liked all I heard about him..NOW?? NY Giants have him and he's playing in the World Bowl...Good luck to him..

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

NFLE Week 10

Week 10: Danny Baugher's first kick was a beauty taken by the PR one yard outside the numbers at the Hamburg 11. Unfortunately, the Gunners got themselves blocked out of the play, which allowed the PR to scoot upfield for 13 yds. 48 yd punt, net of 35.
Baugher's second punt was another beauty, taken by the PR one yd inside the numbers at the Hamburg 5. This time the Gunners won the battle and were right there to corral the PR who made a bad decision to field it at the 5, 1 yd return. 54 yd punt, net of 53.
Baugher's third punt came with him standing just inside the Rhein 5, another good one, he put the ball outside the numbers where the PR declined to field it with the Gunners on top of the situation. The ball rolled about 15 yds before it was downed. No return again. 52 yd net.
Baugher's fourth punt was not up to the standard of his first three. He kicked this one into the middle of the field. Whether by design or a mental error on his part, it gave Hamburg an assist, which they used, rambling 20 yds behind good blocking on the Gunners and the follow on coverage. A 40 yd punt with a net of 20 - Baugher was in on the tackle.
Baugher's fifth punt had better direction and good height, hitting just inside the numbers, but didn't spend much time in the air. It had the benefit of forcing the PR to let it go, which allowed it to roll down inside the 20 for a net of 47 with no return.
His sixth kick was another beauty. Kicking from the 50 he went high and short dropping the ball in the middle of his coverage unit. It hit on the hash-marks at the Hamburg 8 where it rolled to the 1 before being downed. No backspin, but no bounce either, it acted like a squash ball, more dead than alive. Net of 31.
For his seventh and final punt, Danny booted a high deep one starting from inside his 5. The ball was fair caught about three yds outside the hash-marks - this was either a coach's decision or a bad call by the PR since Danny out-kicked the Gunners who also were well blocked. A 47 yd punt, no return.
For week 10: Baugher averaged 46 yds/punt on 7 punts, no touchbacks and 3 downed inside the 20. As he went longer in the game and kicked more, his directional kicks drifted more towards the middle, not knowing what his coaches wanted from him I can't say if that was a problem or an adjustment to counter the Hamburg return team's adjustments.

NFL.com still hasn't updated the stats for the entire season, they usually don't get it done before midweek. I expect Danny to remain #1 in punting and net average, and #3 for kicks down inside the 20. Now he and Josh can leg it out.

NFLE Free Agent RB Charles Anthony (Tennessee State, 5'11" 207) is going to be in someone's camp this summer. He was obtainedby Rhein off Frankfurt's roster as an injury replacement. According to the play-by-play man he is the leading rusher for both Frankfurt and Rhein. He is nice and shifty out of the backfield, shows good power running inside, a willingness to punish defenders, and very nice hands/route running. The fact that he leads on two NFLE teams speaks well for his adaptability, I would not mind seeing him in the Pats' camp, he's got a leg up on the two rookies if they bring him in.