review2003

First chance that the fans got to see their 2003 Claymores was the Fan Day at Hampden, a big crowd turned up to see the players introduced , they looked relaxed and ready for the season ahead, a season that was to bring great joy....memorable games...but in the end.....heartbreak

Game one and a visit from the current World Bowl winner Berlin, a veritable offensive slugfest with the Claymores taking control in the second hald and steamrollering the Thunder, every Claymores fan went home with anticipation, but memories of the great start last year were at the back of everyones mind. GAME REPORT

Frankfurt came a calling next and left Hampden sneaking a win in a game the Claymores really should have won, interceptions and sill mistakes hurt the Scots and with a two game road trip to Germany looming Coach D was looking a bit worried
GAME REPORT

Next up was a trip to the Aufshalke Arena to gace old rivals the Rhine Fire. Fire dominated the game and the Claymores slipped to a 1-2 record, the alarm bells were ringing as the two QB system was falling apart GAME REPORT

Berlin welcomed the Claymores in a must win situation for both teams. A superb performance by the Claymores offence equaled the record to 2-2 and gave renewed hope to the Claymores fans who made the trip GAME REPORT

Rain lashed down on Hampden as the Dragons came to town. A dissapointing performance by the Claymores handed the Dragons a win althought a spirited fightback left it too little, too late GAME REPORT

The Claymores travelled to Frankfurt in a game that was going to define the season...Leadingcomfortably at the break the gameplan went to pieces and Frankfurt clawed it back taking it to and winning in overtime. After 6 games, 4 had been lost , and the season looked doomed already GAME REPORT

Another day of rain at Hampden but the Claymores put in one of their best performances ever as they shut out Rhine Fire with a convincing victory, there was a glimmer of hope on the horizon GAME REPORT

The game in the Amsterdam ArenA was crucial, whoever lost it would be out of the WorldBowl race and the Scots hung tough fending off an Admirals revival to win and even their record GAME REPORT

Barcelona had been the early pace setters in the season but were falling apart, the Claymores extracted revenge for the Hampden defeat and set up crucial games next week to decide who would play in the World Bowl GAME REPORT

By the time the Claymores stepped onto Hampden they knew their fate had been sealed, wins for Galaxy and Fire the previous evening had sent them to the WorldBowl but in another rainfest the Claymores made franchise history by winning their fourth game on the trot GAME REPORT

So it wasnt to be, perhaps the best offense he Claymores have ever had and arguably the best ever in the NFLE had came up short, lots of high points and lots of low points, here is my review of the 2003 Claymores

Craig Nall is a star in the making, he made good decisions and really led the team. Shane Stafford did his bit but was hit by the interception bug early on in the season

Ken Simonton desevedly won the NFLE offensive MVP. The guy could do it all, superb runner and a threat out of the backfield. He was ably assisted by Maaurice Hicks who gave a good change of pace and had a lot of big plays during the season. Mike Malan at fullback was a revelation. Great blocker and a good pair of hands

Great as a group, giving the QB legitinmate targets every down, Minardi made the big plays on third down all season long and McCready was great but faded as teams double teamed him

These guys were the enigmas of the team, they couldnt hold on to anything at the start of the season but improved rapidly towards the end. Rod Trafford was a good blocker who opened holes for the RB's

Undersized and under rated. A superb line this year who opened holes and kept the QB's upright. Anchored by the impressive Scukanec these guys were stars of the team

Tomsulas boys were up for every game,Michael Landry was the standout here but he was ably assisted by Lockhart and Bingham. They created havoc in opposition backfields.

As a group they were dependable but too often their open field tackling let them down, poor zone play also was a downfall but Jens Pettersson from Sweden was a real find here

Shredded early on in the season but got better game by game. Carter shut down one half of the field while the safetys, although not in the hard hitting style, gave good run support

Not too specialIm afraid... Too many botched snaps, too many botched kick attempts let this group down. Rob missed his firs ever extra point because of a poor snap and hold and Holmes the allocated kicker just didnt have the leg. Stemke's punts were one bright spot as was the play of Blenman on coverage









				First chance that the fans got to see their 2003 Claymores was the Fan Day at Hampden, a big crowd turned up to see the players introduced , they looked relaxed and ready for the season ahead, a season that was to bring great joy....memorable games...but in the end.....heartbreak Game one and a visit from the current World Bowl winner Berlin, a veritable offensive slugfest with the Claymores taking control in the second hald and steamrollering the Thunder, every Claymores fan went home with anticipation, but memories of the great start last year were at the back of everyones mind. GAME REPORT Frankfurt came a calling next and left Hampden sneaking a win in a game the Claymores really should have won, interceptions and sill mistakes hurt the Scots and with a two game road trip to Germany looming Coach D was looking a bit worried GAME REPORT Next up was a trip to the Aufshalke Arena to gace old rivals the Rhine Fire. Fire dominated the game and the Claymores slipped to a 1-2 record, the alarm bells were ringing as the two QB system was falling apart GAME REPORT Berlin welcomed the Claymores in a must win situation for both teams. A superb performance by the Claymores offence equaled the record to 2-2 and gave renewed hope to the Claymores fans who made the trip GAME REPORT Rain lashed down on Hampden as the Dragons came to town. A dissapointing performance by the Claymores handed the Dragons a win althought a spirited fightback left it too little, too late GAME REPORT The Claymores travelled to Frankfurt in a game that was going to define the season...Leadingcomfortably at the break the gameplan went to pieces and Frankfurt clawed it back taking it to and winning in overtime. After 6 games, 4 had been lost , and the season looked doomed already GAME REPORT Another day of rain at Hampden but the Claymores put in one of their best performances ever as they shut out Rhine Fire with a convincing victory, there was a glimmer of hope on the horizon GAME REPORT The game in the Amsterdam ArenA was crucial, whoever lost it would be out of the WorldBowl race and the Scots hung tough fending off an Admirals revival to win and even their record GAME REPORT Barcelona had been the early pace setters in the season but were falling apart, the Claymores extracted revenge for the Hampden defeat and set up crucial games next week to decide who would play in the World Bowl GAME REPORT By the time the Claymores stepped onto Hampden they knew their fate had been sealed, wins for Galaxy and Fire the previous evening had sent them to the WorldBowl but in another rainfest the Claymores made franchise history by winning their fourth game on the trot GAME REPORT So it wasnt to be, perhaps the best offense he Claymores have ever had and arguably the best ever in the NFLE had came up short, lots of high points and lots of low points, here is my review of the 2003 Claymores QUARTERBACK Craig Nall is a star in the making, he made good decisions and really led the team. Shane Stafford did his bit but was hit by the interception bug early on in the season Grade B+ RUNNING BACK Ken Simonton desevedly won the NFLE offensive MVP. The guy could do it all, superb runner and a threat out of the backfield. He was ably assisted by Maaurice Hicks who gave a good change of pace and had a lot of big plays during the season. Mike Malan at fullback was a revelation. Great blocker and a good pair of hands Grade A WIDE RECEIVERS Great as a group, giving the QB legitinmate targets every down, Minardi made the big plays on third down all season long and McCready was great but faded as teams double teamed him Grade B TIGHT ENDS These guys were the enigmas of the team, they couldnt hold on to anything at the start of the season but improved rapidly towards the end. Rod Trafford was a good blocker who opened holes for the RB's Grade D O LINE Undersized and under rated. A superb line this year who opened holes and kept the QB's upright. Anchored by the impressive Scukanec these guys were stars of the team Grade A D LINE Tomsulas boys were up for every game,Michael Landry was the standout here but he was ably assisted by Lockhart and Bingham. They created havoc in opposition backfields. Grade C+ LINEBACKERS As a group they were dependable but too often their open field tackling let them down, poor zone play also was a downfall but Jens Pettersson from Sweden was a real find here Grade C DEFENSIVE BACKS Shredded early on in the season but got better game by game. Carter shut down one half of the field while the safetys, although not in the hard hitting style, gave good run support Grade D+ SPECIAL TEAMS Not too specialIm afraid... Too many botched snaps, too many botched kick attempts let this group down. Rob missed his firs ever extra point because of a poor snap and hold and Holmes the allocated kicker just didnt have the leg. Stemke's punts were one bright spot as was the play of Blenman on coverage Grade D
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