January 5, 2006
NFL Europe

Rhein Fire guard Peter Heyer was signed by the Chiefs. (Kansas City Chiefs)

Three national players who have spent the 2005 season in the NFL as part of the International Player Development Practice Squad program have been signed by the teams they have been with since training camp. Eight international players were assigned to teams in the NFC South and AFC west as part of the program.

Peter Heyer, Michael Quarshie and Klaus Alinen have all been inked by NFL teams after impressing their coaches through the season.

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed Heyer, who was in the International Player Development Practice Squad program for the second season, having spent 2004 with the St Louis Rams. The 26-year old guard is a four-year veteran of NFLEL, who appearing in 35 career NFL Europe games (15 starts) over the last four seasons with the Rhein Fire. Heyer blocked for NFL Europe-leading rusher Joe Smith during the 2005 season with the Fire.

Quarshie, who was an NFL Europe rookie in 2005 with the Frankfurt Galaxy, has been inked by the Oakland Raiders after impressing his coaches through the season. The 6-2, 295 pound defensive lineman was a two-time All Ivy League choice at Columbia. Quarshie, aged 26, was born in Germany but hails from Helsinki, Finland, and recorded 11 tackles and a sack in his first NFLEL season.

Berlin Thunder tight end Klaus Alinen is another Finn who will be making his mark in the NFL. At 6-6 and 256 pounds, Alinen’s size and strength impressed Falcons coaches enough for them to want him to join them in training camp later this year and aim to make their active roster. Over two seasons in NFL Europe, the 24-year old has eight receptions and a touchdown.

Guard Rolando Cantu became the first Mexcian non-kicker to play in the NFL. (Arizona Cardinals)

“The signing of these three players is a very positive step for the International Player Development program,” said NFL Europe Director of International Player and Game Development Tony Allen. “They are all young players who could go on to make an impact in the NFL.

“I am very proud of them and hope they will serve as an example to other young players around the world that with hard work you can achieve your dreams.”

In 2004 two of the four players assigned to NFL teams were signed by their clubs. Rolando Cantu, a Mexican guard playing for the Arizona Cardinals, spent the 2005 season on their practice squad before being activated for the Cardinals’ final regular season game against Indianapolis on January 1, 2006, seeing action against the Colts. A native of Monterrey, Mexico, Cantu becomes the first Mexican native to play in the NFL who was not a kicker.