The 10-game NFL Europe regular season is underway, and three Canadians are using the opportunity to get some much-needed game action.
Former Canadian Interuniversity Sport lineman Steve Morley (Saint Mary's Huskies) started for the Rhein Fire in the team's season-opening 24-14 loss to the Amsterdam Admirals.
The six-foot-seven Morley spent last season on Green Bay's practice roster, and was sent by the Packers to Germany to further develop before this year's training camp which begins in July.
"I've been told the Rhein Fire practices are the hardest of the six teams in NFL Europe," Morley wrote on www.packers.com about the experience. "Our coach is kind of old school and has us in pads every day."
Dahrran Diedrick, a running back who was born and played high school football in Scarborough, Ontario, was also recently assigned to NFL Europe and will be playing with fellow Canadian Morley with the Rhein Fire.
Diedrick, who spent most of last season on the Washington Redskins' practice squad, was originally signed by the San Diego Chargers as a free agent in 2003. As a collegian at the University of Nebraska, Diedrick racked up 2,745 rushing yards - eigth best in school history.
Terry Metcalfe Jr., a wide receiver who was born in Ontario, was assigned to NFL Europe's newest franchise - the Hamburg Sea Devils - this season by the Tampa Bay Buccanneers.
Metcalfe, who was an all-conference selection with South Carolina State in 2003 and is the son of former NFL standout Terry Metcalfe, was acquired by Tampa Bay in the 16th round of the 2005 NFL allocated player draft.
