KansasBronco
05-26-2006, 08:32 AM
Matt Lepsis was on that list before. Ben Hamiltion. I remember the year that Hamilton was over there, several announcers said that he was the best player in the league. Was Cooper Carlisle over there a year? Pears is a guy that I see making our roster.
The link below lists all the awards.
http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9460589
By J. Michael Moore
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Offensive lineman Erik Pears was one of 27 players named to the All-NFL Europe squad Thursday.
Pears, who returned to Denver Monday after a 10-game season with the Cologne Centurions, was the only Bronco to be named to the squad. He started the season at tackle for the Centurions, but moved to guard for seven games. He was rewarded for his play at guard -- a position he never played prior to the NFL Europe season.
Pears, who played collegiately at Colorado State, said he was surprised by the announcement.
"Honestly, I didn't even know I had that (honor) until you just mentioned it," he said. "It's good. That's what you're working for -- to improve yourself. I think I did that when I went over there."
Pears said the switch to guard was an adjustment, but he welcomed the challenge and chance to show his versatility.
"I went over there as a tackle but (the coach) explained to me that he wanted me to take some reps at guard because people get hurt and, when you go back to your NFL team, the more shot you have of making it," Pears said. "I had no problem with it. I was excited to learn something new."
Pears started 40 games on the offensive line for the Rams before signing a free agent contract with the Broncos before the start of 2005 training camp. He spent the regular season on the team's practice squad.
Tyler Lenda, who was with the Broncos during training camp in 2003, was named center on the All-NFL Europe team. He made it to Europe as a free agent, but 18 of the 27 honored players were allocated by NFL teams.
The link below lists all the awards.
http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9460589
By J. Michael Moore
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Offensive lineman Erik Pears was one of 27 players named to the All-NFL Europe squad Thursday.
Pears, who returned to Denver Monday after a 10-game season with the Cologne Centurions, was the only Bronco to be named to the squad. He started the season at tackle for the Centurions, but moved to guard for seven games. He was rewarded for his play at guard -- a position he never played prior to the NFL Europe season.
Pears, who played collegiately at Colorado State, said he was surprised by the announcement.
"Honestly, I didn't even know I had that (honor) until you just mentioned it," he said. "It's good. That's what you're working for -- to improve yourself. I think I did that when I went over there."
Pears said the switch to guard was an adjustment, but he welcomed the challenge and chance to show his versatility.
"I went over there as a tackle but (the coach) explained to me that he wanted me to take some reps at guard because people get hurt and, when you go back to your NFL team, the more shot you have of making it," Pears said. "I had no problem with it. I was excited to learn something new."
Pears started 40 games on the offensive line for the Rams before signing a free agent contract with the Broncos before the start of 2005 training camp. He spent the regular season on the team's practice squad.
Tyler Lenda, who was with the Broncos during training camp in 2003, was named center on the All-NFL Europe team. He made it to Europe as a free agent, but 18 of the 27 honored players were allocated by NFL teams.