Davey is a international phenomenon!!

Discussion in 'The Tiger's Den' started by TigerStagg, Apr 27, 2004.

  1. TigerStagg

    TigerStagg Founding Member

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    Davey is an international phenomenon!!

    The man with the golden arm

    By Michael Preston
    Special to NFL.com

    NFL Network

    NFL Network

    Analysis, opinions, features and more!
    (April 26, 2004) -- Only four weeks into the 2004 season, quarterback Rohan Davey is being touted as possibly the best ever to have played in NFL Europe.

    The New England Patriots' No. 3 signal-caller is passing up a storm for the unbeaten Berlin Thunder, leading them to a 4-0 start for the first time in franchise history.

    The Berlin newspapers have christened him "Gold-Arm" and "Dynamit-Davey." And it's not just the media who are excited by his potential. Those who live and breathe NFL Europe and have witnessed the nurturing of more than a decade's worth of quarterback talent overseas are also singing Davey's praises.

    "He is a very gifted guy in terms of his ability and especially physically," said Doug Flutie's former Boston College head coach Jack Bicknell, who is now at the helm of the Scottish Claymores. "He has big, strong arms, he's aggressive, and when he tucks the ball and runs he's a formidable opponent. He reminds me of Daunte Culpepper in size and ability."


    Rohan Davey is making headlines in Berlin.

    Bicknell, who nurtured NFL passers Jon Kitna and Kelly Holcomb with the Barcelona Dragons and has faced every successful quarterback during NFL Europe's 11-year existence, added: "He's certainly up there among the best quarterbacks we've ever seen play over here. If he gets the opportunity to play in the NFL he's sure to prosper."

    Davey orchestrated a composed fourth-quarter comeback drive last weekend to record a 14-10 victory against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Chad Hutchinson and the Rhein Fire. During a nine-play, 78-yard possession he completed a key 45-yard pass on third-and-long to move the ball to within a yard of the end zone and set up the winning touchdown. The Patriots-allocated quarterback suffered two uncharacteristic interceptions during the close victory, but held his nerve with the game on the line.

    "Rohan is just outstanding," Thunder head coach Rick Lantz said. "He hits the big passes but also makes all the other throws along the way. He is the complete package at quarterback and is always in command. If he continues to play this way, we will keep winning."

    In three stunning opening games, Davey completed 39 of 59 pass attempts for 549 yards, six touchdowns and only one interception. Not even his illustrious predecessors in Europe -- among them Kurt Warner, Jake Delhomme and Brad Johnson -- can match such a lightning start to a season.

    Davey twice has been named the league's offensive player of the week, and his dominant 127.9 passer rating was the best in league history after three games, surpassing Warner (105.7), Kitna (93.2) and the lesser-known Pat Barnes (118.3).


    This Berlin headline reads: 'Dynamite-Davey Lets The Thunder-Boys Cheer'

    A third-stringer behind two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady in England but a hero in Berlin, Davey is quick to credit others within the Thunder organization for his success.

    "It's a combination of having a good position coach in Steve Logan, a good offensive coordinator in Don Eck and good players around me," he insisted. "Then from my point of view, I have taken the opportunities to play football, watch film and get better as a player."

    History suggests Davey and the Thunder will reach the World Bowl XII if their winning streak is extended to five games when the Amsterdam Admirals visit Berlin's Olympic Stadium on May 1. Every team to open 5-0 (the 1998 Rhein Fire, 1995 Amsterdam Admirals and 1991 London Monarchs) has progressed to the championship game. Only the Admirals failed to win the title.

    "From the beginning of camp we've wanted to win the World Bowl championship, and now we think we're in a position to do that," Davey said.
     
  2. GMoney2600

    GMoney2600 Founding Member

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    I couldn't be happier for Davey. After his senior year, I felt he was the best pure passer to come out of LSU.
     
  3. TigerFan101

    TigerFan101 Founding Member

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    ....I love it :D :grin:
     
  4. LSU4Life

    LSU4Life Founding Member

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    Geaux Reaux!
     
  5. SeN-SaTioN

    SeN-SaTioN Founding Member

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    Why didn't he start over Booty when he was at LSU? Was it a seniority thing?
     
  6. martin

    martin Banned Forever

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    yeah! i love rohan davey. i really really hope his performance makes him valuable enough for new england to trade so he can start somewhere. anyone know the likelihood of that happening?

    it sucks to be behind brady, the worst place in the league for a backup to be, behind the superbowl winner.
     
  7. TigerStagg

    TigerStagg Founding Member

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    hopefully he only has one year left on his deal and can go the free agent route. That way he can go to most ideal situation. He'll be a starter in the big league. Bank on it.
     
  8. Tygrr

    Tygrr Win the West

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    That's some great news. :geaux:
     
  9. MikeD

    MikeD Sports Genius

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    Rohan exemplifies the term 'gamer'. He may not be the best player in practice but when he gets into the games he gets it done. That's probably a reason that he didn't start over Booty for a few years. But once he got into the games, Booty saw the writing on the wall and left for the NFL.
     
  10. Jean Lafitte

    Jean Lafitte The Old Guard

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    Rohan Davey: one of the best men to ever wear the LSU Tiger uniform.
     

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