Bramlet - NFL Europe

[R-U-D-I]

Fast start

Casey Bramlet's success in the NFL Europe League is a big reason why the Bengals didn't draft a quarterback.

Bramlet was named the NFLEL's Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday for his performance in Hamburg's 30-10 victory over Frankfurt. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 264 yards, including a 26-yard TD strike.

Through four weeks, Bramlet has thrown for a league-leading 801 yards and four TDs, and owns a league-high 97.0 passer rating.

[BengalsOwn]

Does this mean our third string QB is better than Cleveland's first string Trent Dilfer?

[HoosierCat]

Does this mean our third string QB is better than Cleveland's first string Trent Dilfer?

Could be. All I know is that every TD he throws moves Kitna one step closer to the door.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Does this mean our third string QB is better than Cleveland's first string Trent Dilfer?

Could be. All I know is that every TD he throws moves Kitna one step closer to the door.

Don't count on that. Better to have THREE good QBs than 2, and 2 good QBs than none (see Cleveland).

Kitna is here because of his cerebral game, not his on the field game. If another player PLAYS better than him, it doesn't mean he will lose his job. He's there in large part to help Carson (and Casey) mature and learn.

He's also the kind of guy who, if relegated to the #3 spot, will give up money to stay in Cincinnati.

[schweinhart]

Kitna is here because of his cerebral game, not his on the field game.

Yeah, I noticed that vs. Buffalo

[chrishcovga]

Kitna is here because of his cerebral game, not his on the field game.

Yeah, I noticed that vs. Buffalo

[Marvin's Maniax]

During the Draft Bramletts team played Akilis team Akili threw 2 int and fumbled one away (old Bengals) Bramlett threw a touch down and lead his team on three scoring drives in the first half ( New Bengals) Thank god we have turned the page and are an NFL team again

[DontPushMe]

This kinda reminds me of last year, when we got a skip hicks update every week. Only difference here is Bramlet actually has a realistic chance to making the 53 man roster, unlike Skip Hicks. (even though some fans liked to think he could make it)

[joseph]

Are those games ever on TV, and what team is Bramlett playing for? I wouldn't mind watching Bram play a little. He was a pretty exciting player last preseason.

[HoosierCat]

Only difference here is Bramlet actually has a realistic chance to making the 53 man roster

"Realistic chance?" Barring some horrible injury in NFLE, he's a lock. He'll be No. 3 behind Kit -- just like last year -- and will move up to No. 2 when the Bengals show Jon the door after next season.

[membengal]

Only difference here is Bramlet actually has a realistic chance to making the 53 man roster

"Realistic chance?" Barring some horrible injury in NFLE, he's a lock. He'll be No. 3 behind Kit -- just like last year -- and will move up to No. 2 when the Bengals show Jon the door after next season.

Not only that, but we should be absolutely rooting for him to continue to go off in Europe and make a name for himself. The more enticing he is in glimpses, the more of a chance that some team might come calling someday with a rather optimistic draft pick for him.

Crazy thought? Well, if you had told me three years ago that AJ Feely would get traded for a number two, I would have thought you insane.

Nothing but good news in Bramlet doing well. Strengthens the Bengals in the short term, and possibly gives them a valuable commodity longer term...

[TJJackson]

I've always liked Bramlet - very good leadership qualities and solidly productive in College - since I saw him in the preseason last year.

I think it's absolutely a GREAT move by the Bengals to get him some playing time in this fashion, as Kitna won't be an option forever, and you never know when you need an experienced, confident backup.

I hope they send him to Europe every year until Kitna is no longer under contract, at which point he'll get more snaps and preseason/mop-up playing time as the number 2 guy.

[HoosierCat]

I hope they send him to Europe every year until Kitna is no longer under contract, at which point he'll get more snaps and preseason/mop-up playing time as the number 2 guy.

Unless they extend him again, Kitna's contract is up after this season. Only way I see that happening is if some bad injury happens to Palmer. NBT is right that Kit might choose to hang around at a reduced rate, tho personally I doubt it.

[TJJackson]

Well, at some point, Kitna will go and Bramlet will step up as #2. I could see this as possible by the end of this year.....more likely next. So optimally, I see the Bengals extending Kitna with any money they have left over this year for one more year, after which Bramlet is your number 2.

I guess there is a remote possibiity of Kitna sticking around as a 3, bu I think at this point you want to start developing a newb again.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Well, at some point, Kitna will go and Bramlet will step up as #2. I could see this as possible by the end of this year.....more likely next. So optimally, I see the Bengals extending Kitna with any money they have left over this year for one more year, after which Bramlet is your number 2.

I guess there is a remote possibiity of Kitna sticking around as a 3, bu I think at this point you want to start developing a newb again.

Possibly, but don't be surprised if Kitna signs a new contract at league minimum for a vet of his experience so that he doesn't have to move or look for a job outside football.

[schweinhart]

Well, at some point, Kitna will go and Bramlet will step up as #2.  I could see this as possible by the end of this year.....more likely next.  So optimally, I see the Bengals extending Kitna with any money they have left over this year for one more year, after which Bramlet is your number 2.

I guess there is a remote possibiity of Kitna sticking around as a 3, bu I think at this point you want to start developing a newb again.

Possibly, but don't be surprised if Kitna signs a new contract at league minimum for a vet of his experience so that he doesn't have to move or look for a job outside football.

After watching Bramlet again, he should already be CP's back-up. If CP should go down again like last year, I'd rather see Bramlet take over than Kitna at this point. Bramlet throws rope on the money when he needs to and has outstanding touch on passes that call for it. Plus, his decision making and composure are solid and his play-action fakes and roll out abilities aren't too shabby.

Kitna for another year as the 3rd stringer would still be worth the price IMO just in case the wheels fall off.

[jjakq27]

Midseason props for Bramlet. He has the highest QB percentage (94.6) in the league. Akili is nowhere to be seen.

http://www.nfleurope.com/stats/leaders

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8440538

Europass: Midseason awards handed out

By Mike Carlson

Special to NFL.com

(May 3, 2005) -- With the season halfway done, patterns are still difficult to distinguish in NFL Europe.

The ebb and flow has already seen both Amsterdam and Cologne look like contenders, before the Berlin Thunder, unsurprisingly, took over sole possession of the league lead last week. They stand at 4-1, with the above two teams and Hamburg all a game behind at 3-2. Frankfurt helped its cause with a thrilling 23-20 home win over arch-rival Rhein, who generally plays tough in Frankfurt. The Galaxy stand at 2-3, which keeps them in the chase.

BIGGEST SURPRISE AWARD

This has to go to Rhein, which was considered by many to be the preseason favorite. The team is already out of the race at 0-5. If you're looking for reasons, perhaps a minus-7 turnover ratio and standing next-to-last in both total offense and defense provide some clues. The traditional smothering defense depends on creating more turnovers than its offense gives up, and despite the league's leading rusher in Joe Smith, the Fire haven't really been able to control the ball as much as they had hoped.

OTHER SHOE DROPS SOON AWARD

If Rhein's 0-5 start is the biggest surprise, the least surprising thing has been Berlin's rise to the top. But the Thunder share the award with Hamburg, which sits at 3-2.

EARTHWIND MORELAND MEMORIAL TROPHY

Hamburg defensive back Marcell Allmond is tied for the league lead in interceptions with three and wins the award for the player with the best name derived from rock and roll, though I can't figure out if Allmond is named after the Marcels or Marc Almond.

Berlin's defense ranks No. 1 against the pass, but only fifth against the run. The team's sole loss came when Frankfurt's Ahmaad Galloway shredded the Thunder for 131 yards. Think Frankfurt will find running as easy next time they meet? Meanwhile, Hamburg's rushing defense leads the league, but the Sea Devils are last in pass defense by a wide margin. Jack Bicknell's best teams have always featured bend-but-don't-break defenses, but that's a formula easier said than done. And a shaky secondary that seemed a potential problem back in camp could still pose additional worries. If you're wondering how Hamburg can survive the league's worst passing defense, it has forced 16 turnovers already, surrendered only four and is plus-12 after five games.

BIGGEST WOODEN SHOE STEP FORWARD

This goes to Amsterdam, who stands at 3-2 and whose offense has been built around the one-two running attack of Jonathan Smith (second in the league and averaging 5.2 yards per carry) and Jarrett Payton (fourth, averaging 5.9 per carry). The Admirals have the league's top-ranked offense, but also the second-ranked defense.

GO FIGURE AWARD

Cologne, which feels it might be 4-1 if Kevin Thompson hadn't been hurt. But the Centurions equally could be 2-3 if their stadium clock simply went tick tock. Dave Duggan's defense has lived up to his preseason confidence, and Bob Bicknell has coaxed a lot of gutsy performances from a patchwork O-line.

GO FIGURE AGAIN AWARD

Also goes to Cologne, which stands 3-2 despite a minus-9 turnover ratio -- worst in the league.

HOARDING TWEENERS TROPHY

This has to go to the San Diego Chargers. They've drafted guys like Josh Norman, Ryan Krause, Antonio Gates, and this year, Vincent Jackson. So it's no surprise they liked Ruvell Martin, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound wideout who's caught five touchdown passes already. But what will they do with him when he gets back to San Diego?

SMURF STOCKPILE SHIELD

Similarly, the Patriots win this honor as wideouts Cedric James (21 catches, 341 yards, three TDs) and Ricky Bryant (14 catches, 199 yards, four TDs) have combined for seven scores this season. Both of them look like the Deion Branch, Troy Brown and David Patten-type receivers the Pats have been so successful with.

EX-PATRIOTS PASS-CATCHER AWARD

How could this not go to Scott McCready, Hamburg's English-born receiver who led the league in catches last year? The former Patriots practice-squadder leads NFL Europe again with 29 catches for 380 yards and has a 13.1 yards-per-catch average, which shows he's getting the ball further downfield this season. What doesn't show up in the stats is the fact that McCready played hurt last week, and he's also a terrific special-teamer.

LONELY GUY AWARD

To the line judge in Cologne's Week 1 win over Hamburg -- a guy who's still waiting to tell us how much time was actually left in the game when it ended.

KURT WARNER AWARD

Dave Ragone is neck-and-neck with Hamburg's Casey Bramlett as the league's top quarterback. He's thrown seven touchdowns, exactly the same number Bramlett and his second-quarter sub Ryan Dinwiddie have combined for.

Hamburg spreads the ball around to a deep group of talented receivers, including tight end Bobby Blizzard, Terrance Metcalf, Bryant, McCready and Chris Collins, who was a bright spot in camp and is still waiting for his chance. Like the season itself, this one should go right down to the wire.

[BengalsOwn]

Kitna is here because of his cerebral game, not his on the field game.

Yeah, I noticed that vs. Buffalo

That's funny, I noticed the opposite when he lead us to a 2-1 record to end the season.

Not many backup QB's can say they would lead their team to a 2-1 record.

[schweinhart]

Kitna's greatest asset is his nerve. 2-1 at the end of the season, while true, comes courtesy of a short field on a Keiwan punt return and one of the best Bengal catches ever by Housh on a 4th down near the end of the Giants game, plus the Bengals defense facing the like of Koy Detmer and Reno Mahe instead of Donovam McNabb and Brian Westbrook in the season finale.

Kitna does produce drives, like he did vs. the Pats to keep Bengals in the game but he also does the ill-advised, like the Pats pick in the end zone to drive the nail 3/4 of the way into the coffin of both the game and playoff hopes.

I thought the Bengals would beat the Bills w/ Kitna and it started out that way w/ a TD drive before the wheels fell off for Kitna and everyone else.

But Kitna had a helluva season in 2003, only to come up short in last fourth of it w/ lots of help from Brat and some seriously effed up playcalling.

I hope Kitna sticks but I'd like to see a back-up to CP who can show the same kind of nerve as Kitna while having the passing skills that are a just a notch below CP, particularly in vertical game. Casey Bramlet has looked the part so far vs. obviously lesser comp. It'll be interesting to watch him play again on Saturday :player: