With the NFL Scouting Combine now complete, the search for top young talent shifts from Indianapolis to Tampa, as the NFL Europe League begins training camp under the Florida sunshine in preparation for the 2004 season.
The football world will turn its attention to Tampa and the 229 NFL allocated players hoping to make their mark in Europe before returning to their NFL teams. Included in this group is Dallas Cowboys quarterback Chad Hutchinson, who seeks to win the starting job with the Rhein Fire.
"The quarterback position is one of the most difficult in this business, and that's why NFL Europe is so crucial," says Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, who spent 1998 (Amsterdam Admirals) and 1999 (Frankfurt Galaxy) abroad. "You get young players to play in game situations, and you don't get that in practice. My time in Europe was a huge factor in my development."
A look at key dates on the NFL Europe League 2004 calendar:
February 27
NFL Europe League Administrative Meetings in Tampa
Player arrivals and orientation: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, centers
February 29
Player arrivals and orientation: offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, kickers, punters
March 1-2
Passing camp
March 2-4
Kicking camp
March 3
First full-squad practices
March 9-10
Officials arrive
March 10
Combined practices at 31st Street Complex, St. Petersburg
March 11-13
Officiating clinic
March 12
Practice with the Pros Youth Clinic at Raymond James Stadium
International Media Reception at Raymond James Stadium
March 13
Game-condition scrimmages at Raymond James Stadium
March 17
Combined Practices at 31st Street Complex, St. Petersburg
March 20
Final game-condition scrimmages at 31st Street Complex, St. Petersburg
Final roster cutdown to 47 players
March 21
Claiming deadline
March 21-25
Teams depart for Europe
April 3
NFL Europe League seasons begins
June 12
World Bowl XII at Gelsenkirchen, Germany
