NFL

Texan QB gets shot, shines in Europe

By wire services
Published June 11, 2005

DUESSELDORF, Germany - Dave Ragone was exactly the kind of player NFL teams want to see prove themselves in NFL Europe.

The Louisville quarterback was tough and showed leadership. After being taken in the third round in 2002, he spent two seasons struggling behind David Carr on the Texans' scout teams, where his passes were as likely to end up in the arms of a safety than his receiver.

But Ragone has changed his image since the Texans allocated him to the Berlin Thunder. He threw just two interceptions in 251 passes this season, and his 97.5 passer rating led the league.

"I don't know where he got the rap he isn't accurate," said Amsterdam Admirals coach Bart Andrus, the former Titans quarterbacks coach who will coach his team against Ragone and the Thunder in today's World Bowl (noon, Ch.13).

"He's just a very good quarterback."

Texans' general manager Charley Casserly pushed Ragone to Berlin coach Rick Lantz.

"Sure, some things are different, but they get to see them in 10 games," Lantz said.

"They get to see them in pressure situations."

Berlin linebacker Rich Scanlon also has a shot. He led the league in tackles after the Chiefs believed his skills could use some polishing.

So does Amsterdam receiver Ruvell Martin, who needed to make a name for himself after coming out of a small school, Saginaw Valley State.

Martin helped his case by catching 12 touchdowns to tie the league record, learning how to use his 6-foot-5, 215-pound body against defenders, especially in the end zone.

"That's my niche," said Martin, who will be at Chargers training camp.

"I learned how to outjump them ... how to use my body to screen them so they don't have a chance at the pass."

But there is a downside to playing in Europe. Martin's daughter, Kennedy, was born May15 in Howell, Mich.

"That's definitely hard. I call every day, and I hear my baby crying in the background," he said.

But like most NFL Europe players, he knows the reality. The players earn $10,000 for up to four months.

"If I was a first-round pick making those millions, my wife and baby would be over here," Martin said. "But that's motivating."

BROWNS: A former employee and a ticket agency owner pleaded guilty for a scam in which seats that should have gone to fans on a waiting list went to the broker. John Tironi, 32, and Mark Klang, 29, owner of Amazing Tickets, pleaded guilty to a single conspiracy count in U.S. District Court. They face five years in prison at their sentencing Nov.15.

CHARGERS: Guard Toniu Fonoti missed the first day of minicamp, and the team said it doesn't know where he is. His agent, Steve Feldman, did not say why Fonoti was absent but said he will arrive this morning.

Also, first-round pick Shawne Merriman continued to stay away from offseason workouts. He and his agent, Kevin Poston, want the team to change the language that protects unsigned players in case of injury.

DOLPHINS: Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor missed the first session of workouts of minicamp because of an undisclosed illness but returned for the afternoon session. Last season, he had a career-high 90 tackles and team-high 91/2 sacks.

PANTHERS: Safety Mike Minter signed a four-year extension. Financial terms were not disclosed. Last season, his seventh with Carolina, Minter started all 16 games and had 94 tackles and two sacks.

SAINTS: Cornerback Fakhir Brown ended his holdout and reported for the first day of a two-day mandatory minicamp. Brown, who started the final 10 games last season, skipped 13 voluntary coaching sessions because he wants a new contract to replace the final seasons of his existing deal.

[Last modified June 11, 2005, 00:26:12]