Scottish Claymores quarterback Craig Nall has been named Offensive Player of the Week following his 300-yard passing display against the Amsterdam Admirals in Week 8.
The remaining three Players of Week 8 participated in the Rhein Fire-Berlin Thunder game - Fire defensive end Jesse Warren, Thunder kicker J.R. Jenkins and Fire German defensive lineman Bastian Lano.
Nall, of the Green Bay Packers, became the first Claymores quarterback since Dameyune Craig on June 13, 1999, to throw for 300 yards in a game when he completed 22 of 31 attempts for 313 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. That performance saw Nall post a 135.6 quarterback rating and helped Scotland stay in the World Bowl hunt with a 31-20 road victory over the Admirals.
Claymores head coach Gene Dahlquist said: "Craig raised the bar for himself with that performance against the Admirals on Saturday night."
Warren was named Defensive Player of the Week after he recorded 2 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery for a touchdown during Rhein's 28-21 defeat of the Berlin Thunder.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound end scored the game's opening touchdown when he dived on a Phil Stambaugh fumble in the end zone for an early 7-0 lead. Warren has recorded 11 tackles and 3 sacks since joining the Fire in mid-season.
Jenkins, of the Baltimore Ravens, was named NFL Europe's top special teams performer after he kicked his second four-point field goal of the season. After landing a 50-yarder in Week 7 against the F.C. Barcelona Dragons, he nailed a 52-yard kick against Rhein on Sunday and later added a 45-yard field goal.
Lano continued his amazing recovery from a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2002 campaign by recording 2 sacks for 18 yards against the Thunder. The home-grown star now leads the Fire with 6.5 sacks this season, ranking second in the league behind Berlin's Lamanzer Williams (8.0), and has two Player of the Week awards to his name.
Lano is challenging to become the first national player in league history to end a season leading one of the major statistical categories. Following his outstanding performances on the field this year, Lano is also aiming to crack an NFL roster in the near future.
"I really want to make it to an NFL training camp this summer," Lano explained. "I have spent the past four years learning and becoming a better player and I see that time as being similar to a college career in the United States - I now feel I am ready to take a shot at the NFL.
"I was sad not to play for the Fire last year because I was in even better condition than I am now. But I am putting everything I lost and missed out on last season into this year. Hopefully, that will result in the Fire winning World Bowl."
NFL Europe League Players Of The Week
Offensive - Craig Nall QB Scottish Claymores
Defensive - Jesse Warren DE Rhein Fire
Special Teams - J.R. Jenkins K Berlin Thunder
National - Bastian Lano DE Rhein Fire
