Crouch will play in Germany
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Former Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch, who last month accepted an offer from the Kansas City Chiefs, has been allocated to NFL Europe and will play for Hamburg, the team announced Monday.
The Sea Devils, beginning their first season in NFL Europe, are coached by Jack Bicknell, a 13-year veteran of the league.
Crouch, the 2001 Heisman Trophy winner, will focus on playing safety, although Bicknell told the team's Web site on NFLEurope.com that Crouch could be used at quarterback for trick plays or goal line plays.
"He has proven himself to be the best player in the nation at any position," said Bicknell, who coached quarterback Doug Flutie at Boston College.
"He is tough, quick. This league allows players to prove how good they are, to prove that the NFL needs them. Each of the 13 years I have coached in NFL Europe, I look forward to helping kids to achieve what they can in the NFL."
Crouch was drafted out of college by the St. Louis Rams as a receiver but wasn't happy at the position and announced his retirement before his rookie season began.
Crouch made a comeback attempt with the Green Bay Packers but announced his retirement again in July of 2003 after an attempt to make the squad as a backup quarterback.
He rejoined the Packers last March as a safety when Green Bay reinstated him from the reserve/retired list, but the Packers released him in July.
Crouch, who'd also visited the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, hasn't played since the 2002 preseason with the Rams.
"So you can imagine I am just excited to go out and compete," Crouch told the Web site. "This is a great opportunity for me to get onto the field.
"I am a very competitive guy, and I want to win games over there. I just can't wait to meet the players and coaches who we are going to win with."
Hamburg has four quarterbacks on its roster — Tom Arth, Chris Finlen, Casey Bramlet and Ryan Dinwiddie.
— Brian Rosenthal
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