AFC East assigned International Practice Squad players - but not Pats

[pats1]

Thought this was pretty strange:

http://www.nfl.com/international/story/10250560

International players join NFL practice squads

(July 9, 2007) -- Eleven of the best international football players from around the world will have an opportunity to make an impact on the NFL this season as part of the NFL International Development Practice Squad Program, the league announced.

The 11 players from five countries have earned positions on the practice-squad rosters of teams in the AFC East, AFC South and NFC North Divisions.

3 divisions means 12 teams, but there are only 11 players. For whatever reason, the Patriots are that last team.

This program began in 2004, and gives internationally-born players a chance to spend a year on an NFL team's practice squad. These players don't count against the practice squad limit (8), nor can they be promoted to the active roster, claimed by any team, or cut. There are a few divisions assigned each year:

2004:
NFC West:
49ers: Richard Yancy, DB, Germany
Cardinals: Rolando Cantu, OL, Mexico
Rams: Peter Heyer, OL, Germany
Seahawks: Christian Mohr, DL, Germany

2005:
AFC West:
Broncos: Patrice Majondo-Mwamba, DL, Republic of Congo/Belgium
Chargers: Richard Yancy, DB, Germany
Chiefs: Peter Heyer, OL, Germany
Raiders: Michael Quarshie, DL, Finland

NFC South:
Buccaneers: Claudius Osei, DB, Germany
Falcons: Klaus Alinen, TE, Finland
Panthers: Aden Durde, LB, United Kingdom
Saints: Anders Akerstrom, DL, Norway

2006:
AFC North:
Bengals: Daniel Watts, DL, United Kingdom
Browns: Ulrich Winkler, DL, Germany
Ravens: Samuel Gutekunst, OL, Germany
Steelers: Marvin Allen, WR, United Kingdom

NFC East:
Cowboys: Carl-Johan Björk, LB, Sweden
Eagles: Christian Mohr, DL, Germany
Giants: Claudius Osei, DB, Germany
Redskins: Philippe Gardent, LB, France

2007:
AFC East:
Bills: Daniel Watts, DL, United Kingdom
Dolphins: Marvin Allen, WR, United Kingdom
Jets: Iiro Luoto, WR/TE, Finland
Patriots: NONE

AFC South:
Colts: Ben Ishola, DL, Germany
Jaguars: Samuel Gutekunst, OL, Germany
Texans: Eduardo Castaneda, LB, Mexico
Titans: Ulrich Winkler, DL, Germany

NFC North:
Bears: Jermaine Allen, RB, United Kingdom
Lions: Salomon Solano, DL, Mexico
Packers: Carl-Johan Björk, LB, Sweden
Vikings: Seppo Evwaraye, OL, Finland

 

[patsgo]

Thought this was pretty strange:

http://www.nfl.com/international/story/10250560



3 divisions means 12 teams, but there are only 11 players. For whatever reason, the Patriots are that last team.

This program began in 2004, and gives internationally-born players a chance to spend a year on an NFL team's practice squad. These players don't count against the practice squad limit (8), nor can they be promoted to the active roster, claimed by any team, or cut. There are a few divisions assigned each year:

2004:
NFC West:
49ers: Richard Yancy, DB, Germany
Cardinals: Rolando Cantu, OL, Mexico
Rams: Peter Heyer, OL, Germany
Seahawks: Christian Mohr, DL, Germany

2005:
AFC West:
Broncos: Patrice Majondo-Mwamba, DL, Republic of Congo/Belgium
Chargers: Richard Yancy, DB, Germany
Chiefs: Peter Heyer, OL, Germany
Raiders: Michael Quarshie, DL, Finland

NFC South:
Buccaneers: Claudius Osei, DB, Germany
Falcons: Klaus Alinen, TE, Finland
Panthers: Aden Durde, LB, United Kingdom
Saints: Anders Akerstrom, DL, Norway

2006:
AFC North:
Bengals: Aden Durde, LB, United Kingdom
Browns: Ulrich Winkler, DL, Germany
Ravens: Samuel Gutekunst, OL, Germany
Steelers: Marvin Allen, WR, United Kingdom

NFC East:
Cowboys: Carl-Johan Bjork, LB, Sweden
Eagles: Christian Mohr, DL, Germany
Giants: Claudius Osei, DB, Germany
Redskins: Philippe Gardent, LB, France

2007:
AFC East:
Bills: Daniel Watts, DL, United Kingdom
Dolphins: Marvin Allen, WR, United Kingdom
Jets: Iiro Luoto, WR/TE, Finland
Patriots: NONE

AFC South:
Colts: Ben Ishola, DL, Germany
Jaguars: Samuel Gutekunst, OL, Germany
Texans: Eduardo Castaneda, LB, Mexico
Titans: Ulrich Winkler, DL, Germany

NFC North:
Bears: Jermaine Allen, RB, United Kingdom
Lions: Salomon Solano, DL, Mexico
Packers: Carl-Johan Bjork, LB, Sweden
Vikings: Seppo Evwaraye, OL, Finland

im not going to loose sleep over it

 

[FirstAndGoal]

It seems likely that they didn't want any.

 

[Pujo]

What's the advantage to the team if they can't promote them? An extra waterboy?

 

[dryheat44]

It's a strange enough program. Many of those players listed went to NCAA schools and were eligible to be drafted. In fact, I believe at minimum Ishola and Evwaraye were, so it's not like introducing the game to guys who play recreationally in other countries.

 

[Seymour93]

2004:
NFC West:
49ers: Richard Yancy, DB, Germany
AFC West:
Chargers: Richard Yancy, DB, Germany

AFC North:
Browns: Ulrich Winkler, DL, Germany
AFC South:
Titans: Ulrich Winkler, DL, Germany

NFC West:
Rams: Peter Heyer, OL, Germany
AFC West:
Chiefs: Peter Heyer, OL, Germany

NFC South
Panthers: Aden Durde, LB, United Kingdom
AFC North
Bengals: Aden Durde, LB, United Kingdom

AFC North
Steelers: Marvin Allen, WR, United Kingdom
AFC East
Dolphins: Marvin Allen, WR, United Kingdom

NFC West
Seahawks: Christian Mohr, DL, Germany
NFC East
Eagles: Christian Mohr, DL, Germany

NFC South
Buccaneers: Claudius Osei, DB, Germany
NFC East
Giants: Claudius Osei, DB, Germany

How can one player be on two teams at once?

 

[pats1]

It's a strange enough program. Many of those players listed went to NCAA schools and were eligible to be drafted. In fact, I believe at minimum Ishola and Evwaraye were, so it's not like introducing the game to guys who play recreationally in other countries.

Osei played for FSU, Majondo-Mwamba for Texas Tech, Quarshie for Columbia, and Akerstrom for Arkansas.

 

[pats1]

How can one player be on two teams at once?

Different years...

 

[Pujo]

How can one player be on two teams at once?

Different years.

 

[Seymour93]

Different years...

Missed that. :bricks:

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

2007:
AFC East:
Bills: Daniel Watts, DL, United Kingdom
Dolphins: Marvin Allen, WR, United Kingdom
Jets: Iiro Luoto, WR/TE, Finland
Patriots: NONE

AFC South:
Colts: Ben Ishola, DL, Germany - Typical Dungy DE, ears pinned back and headed for the QB
Jaguars: Samuel Gutekunst, OL, Germany - good run blocking RT
Texans: Eduardo Castaneda, LB, Mexico
Titans: Ulrich Winkler, DL, Germany

NFC North:
Bears: Jermaine Allen, RB, United Kingdom - Decent runner, could be a good #2 back in time
Lions: Salomon Solano, DL, Mexico
Packers: Carl-Johan Björk, LB, Sweden - The story is, last season Bill Parcells told the kid he could be a ten year player as a reserve LB/ST Ace
Vikings: Seppo Evwaraye, OL, Finland

I can see how the other teams who don't have the 9th PSquad player wouldn't want these kids promoted. What makes no sense is assigning them to the PS now, why not give them a chance to make the team before putting them on the PS? I'd think the other teams wouldn't kick too hard about a one player exemption for Training Camp/Pre-season. I guess this is a leftover from the NFLE season, now how do they manage this going forward?

 

[WhiZa]

So you have a babysit a player for a year for the small chance that player is worth a contract? Doesn't seem very beneficial for a team to participate in. Give the PS reps to someone who may play in a actual game.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

So you have a babysit a player for a year for the small chance that player is worth a contract? Doesn't seem very beneficial for a team to participate in. Give the PS reps to someone who may play in a actual game.

It's not intended to benefit the individual team, it's part of the effort Tags developed to market the NFL outside the U.S. I'm waiting to see what Goodell is going to do now that NFLE has been killed off - I'm sure all the season ticket holders here will be excited to fly to Berlin for the Pats first "home" game in Europe. Is Miami or NYG the "home" team in London this year?

 

[MetalBleachers]

Oh, man! I can't BELIEVE the Dolphins got Marvin Allen!

Maybe the NFL should stop worrying about international games and think more about 1) making NFL Network available to more markets, 2) making the NFL TV package available on cable as well as satellite dish and 3) putting an end to Thursday, Friday and Saturday games that aren't holidays.

why dilute the product by goofing with the schedule and adding players who otherwise wouldn't make the league?

 

[PatsFanInVa]

More than likely, BB said "if I can't have Carl-Johan Björk, just skip me."

KIDDING