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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8440538KURT WARNER AWARD
Dave Ragone is neck-and-neck with Hamburg's Casey Bramlett as the league's top quarterback. He's thrown seven touchdowns, exactly the same number Bramlett and his second-quarter sub Ryan Dinwiddie have combined for.
Berlin is used to hard fought games. Three of the Thunders four victories have been settled only in the last two minutes of the ballgame, and last weeks game against Amsterdam wasnt decided until a last second interception that was returned for a touchdown by Jermaine Mays.
Hopefully last weeks win will continue to give us the motivation to go out there and play very well against Cologne, quarterback Dave Ragone said. Colognes defense is the top ranked defense in the League, and they have been very successful so far in holding back offensive teams. I think its going to be a great game.
Berlin finally got onto the scoreboard with a trick play on their first possession of the second period. Bret Engemann had replaced Ragone at quarterback, but the Oakland Raiders quarterback was not the man to throw the touchdown, pitching the ball out to receiver Aaron Boone on the reverse who found Michael Jennings deep down field for a 51-yard touchdown pass.
The Thunder managed to tie the score with a field goal on the first drive of the second half. With Ragone back behind center, they moved from their 30 to Colognes 22 as the Houston Texans quarterback hit Michael Jennings on consecutive passes, the second a 22-yard pickup. Cal Murrays 6-yard run gave Berlin a first down at the 11, but Boone was unable to hold onto the ball on a crossing pattern that would have got him into the endzone, and instead Berlin had to settle for a 22-yard Miller kick.
Chris Lewis was unable to inspire the Centurions to any offensive heights as Cologne went three and out, they key play a sack by defensive end Isaac Hilton that lost four yards for Cologne. On the first play after Steve Bakers punt, Ragone hit Jennings on a quick slant that the speedy New York Giants receiver turned into a 70-yard score, outrunning the entire Cologne defense to hand the Thunder their first lead of the game at 17-10.
Berlins half-time defensive adjustments continued to pay off as national defensive end Christian Mohr came up with a tackle nine yards behind the line of scrimmage on the first play of Colognes next drive, bringing Baker back onto the field. The Thunder went on a clock controlling drive, wiping seven minutes off but ultimately coming away without a score after Cologne cornerback Jamaine Winborne sacked Ragone on third down.
After both teams punted the Thunder took over at their 25 with 1:50 remaining. Ragone hit Boone for a 31-yard gain to get to the Cologne 40, but Terrance Stubbs spilled an opportunity to get inside the 20, and another incompletion on fourth down secured the win for the Centurions.
Berlin Thunder quarterback Dave Ragone suffered only his second loss of the season on Sunday, but took time off afterwards to respond to some of the questions he was sent by fans last week. The Houston allocated quarterback, who has started two games for the Texans in the NFL, has compiled a 4-2 record as a starter in Berlin.
Ragone has completed 92 of 151 passes for 1,050 yards, with eight touchdowns and two interceptions this year. Among the questions Ragone answered were about the difference between NFL Europe and the NFL, his relationship with offensive coordinator Steve Logan and his likeness in Madden 2005.
Has Chris Redman been able to give you any advice on playing the waiting game while waiting for your shot to prove you are a legit NFL quarterback? And do you feel you are still a part of the Texans plan for the future?
Andrew Sexton, Austin, Texas
"Chris has been very influential in my development. We have known each other for a long time, and I know that he is someone that I can always go to for advice both on and off of the field. I really think that I can learn from his experiences and help that make me a better quarterback. Certainly I love being a part of the Houston Texans' franchise. It's a top-notch organization and I'm honored to be out here representing them."
Do you find that reading defenses in NFL Europe any easier to read than a defense in the NFL, given your experience with both.
Sean Pantellere, Allendale, New Jersey
"It's a bit more basic because of the rules here. But we are also limited offensively so it's even."
What is the biggest difference between the NFL and NFLE? With such a short season in Europe what do they do from a playbook standpoint? Is it a whole new playbook that you have to learn or do they have a simplified system? If it is a new system how does everyone deal with learning it in such a short time?
Jim Dudley, Bedford, Virginia
"That's a good question. In NFL Europe, we put a base package of plays in during training camp in Tampa, and then maybe we put in about 5 or 10 new plays a week. In the NFL we may put in 30 or so plays a week. With so many players coming from different teams, obviously some guys may be more accustomed to this style of offense than others. What I like about being here is that I believe that we run the most complex and interesting offense of any NFL Europe team. We may have a little less time to grasp all of it because it's just a 10-week season, but if we can perfect the offense than I believe we can do really, really well."
With the experience you are gaining in Europe, does it give you a new level of confidence going into the summer back in Houston?
Wes Parrish, Bardstown, KY
"Sure. I played two games for the Texans so this is the first time since college that I have really been able to play a considerable amount of time. I think this League has been really good for me in terms of seeing my ability to play at this level."
I know you are the son of Italian immigrants - how did your parents feel about you going back Europe to play football?
Paul Facchiano, Port Jefferson, NY
"My parents are definitely excited that I am closer to their homeland. My wife is also from Estonia, so she has been able to go back and see relatives which has been great. As far as my parents, I have to let them know that the pasta is better here in Europe!"
What do you miss most about the States?
Anna Lucas, Brecksville, Ohio
"Great question, Anna. I guess the thing I miss most about the States is my sister, Anna Lucas, from Brecksville, Ohio."
While at college you faced off against your current offensive coordinator, Steve Logan, then headcoach of ECU. Steve Logan has had much success in developing quarterbacks, such as Jeff Blake, David Garrard and just recently with World Bowl winner Rohan Davey. Considering your shared history and current placement together at Berlin how is the working-relationship and how will this entire experience impact you pro career?
Sammie Walden, Greenville, NC
"I feel real lucky to have his as a coach. Coach Logan is a one-of-a-kind type of guy. He's really great both on the field and off the field, and he's been around a long time -- and he understands the position so well - that you just can't not have a ton of respect for him."
In your experience in college, the NFL, and the NFL Europe...what are the major differences in those three leagues and which one do you prefer?
P Stew, Lanham, MD
"All three have their own positives. The NFL is certainly a premier League, but I've only played two games in the NFL, so I'm still trying to stay patient and do my best. NFL Europe has been a great experience for me because it has given me the ability to go out there everyday and play. Off the field, NFL Europe is a lot like college in that you are with your teammates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the NFL you may be with your team all day, but you go home at night. Here, I find myself eating breakfast, lunch and dinner with my teammates all of the time. It's a unique experience."
Do you play video games? Is it cool to see yourself on a video game?
Erik Majorwitz, Giessen, Germany
"Honestly, I don't play that many video games, but I'd be lying if I told you that it wasn't cool to see myself on the game. And just like everyone else, I have to say speed on Madden 2005 should be a bit higher - and my awareness should be a little higher too! I'm just joking about that, but thanks to everyone for asking me these questions, and keep rooting for the Thunder."
atxcoolguy said:Why don't we just hold on to ragone instead of possibly trading him? .
Quarterback DAVE RAGONE (Houston Texans) was named Offensive Player of Week 8 after he connected on 22 of 31 passes for 258 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions to defeat the Sea Devils.
Thunder head coach RICK LANTZ said: Dave has been doing a great job for us all season. Hes tough, and quarterbacks have to be tough, but Dave is really tough. He may be the toughest guy on the team. He makes excellent decisions in the passing game and his statistics show he is intelligent and doesnt take any risks with the football.
SassyTexan said:Even though it's NFL Europe, the good games that he has been having ..racking up the numbers ... he's not going to be happy to just come back to the Texans and sit on the bench. He'll want playing time, somewhere.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8506630Ragone, like the Berlin team, seems to be peaking at the right time. Though some scouts liked him from the first, Jim Criner advised watching him in training camp, because "he's the only guy out there who's moving the chains every time he plays."
As usual, Gentleman Jim was right. Ragone's consistency has been one of the keys for the Thunder. The lefty has been picked off only twice, and his current total of 131 passes without a pick is only 56 behind the league record, which Ron Powlus set playing for Amsterdam in 2000.
On the face of it, Ragone couldn't be more different than Davey, but Berlin coach Rick Lantz says what's important are the similarities.
"Dave's not quite as explosive, but he has a strong arm, and can make the deep throws," Lantz said, "but both guys have an innate mental and physical toughness. They've got pocket sense and mobility, they're hard to sack, and they'll take a hit. But I had to yell at both of them to slide -- they always want to be making positive yardage."
That was evident last week -- in fact, Houston Texans coach Dom Capers was being interviewed on television just as Ragone took a fearsome hit rather than slide. Losing your quarterback is never part of the plan, and Capers' memory might have flashed back to Ragone's debut games as a rookie in 2003.
Ragone, a third-round pick, started two games for a team whose leading statistical marker was sacks allowed. In one of his two starts he was actually Houston's leading rusher, basically running for his life.
But now Texans pro personnel director Chuck Banker says he's happy with the success Ragone has had.
Berlin Thunder quarterback Dave Ragone wrote his name in the NFLEL record books with his performance on Saturday, throwing 36 passes without an interception during his teams Week 9 victory over the Frankfurt Galaxy, to put together a streak of 167 passes in a row without being picked off.
World Bowl bound Berlin quarterback Ragones record number of consecutive passes without being intercepted has surpassed the previous record of 156 set by Ron Powlus, of the Amsterdam Admirals, in 2000.
"It's nice to have that record. If you have watched some of our games you'd know that our receivers have made some really nice catches, and I've been fortunate not to have some tips picked off.
Houston Texans allocated passer Ragone has thrown just 2 interceptions in 245 pass attempts this season and his interception percentage of 0.8 has him on pace to smash the league record of 1.1 set by Mike Quinn, of the Rhein Fire, in 1998.
During the streak Ragone has even completed a pass to himself, but the important thing is that no opposing defender has got his hands on the ball. Ragones care with the ball has helped Berlin record a league low 10 turnovers this season and to a +11 turnover ratio, tied with Amsterdam for the league lead.
I got a little lucky there when I completed that pass to myself, and I think luck certainly plays a little bit into a record like this, he said.
Ragone, who has posted a 97.6 passer rating this season also leads NFL Europe passers in almost every other important statistical category. His 245 attempts and 145 completions for a 62.9% completion percentage are all league highs, as is the 1,698 yards he has thrown for. His 13 touchdown passes give him a one score lead over Rheins Scott McBrien going into the final week of the regular season.
All in all, my goal is to come over here and get better as a quarterback, and I think that I'm doing that every day, says Ragone. I think that we have some very good offensive coaches that create opportunities for me to make these passes, and the team is able to execute the plays.
Ragone started two games for the Texans in his rookie campaign of 2003, after Houston made him a third-round pick in the draft that season. The Louisville Cardinal was a three-time All Conference USA offensive player of the year in a prolific college career.