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Michael EisenWR Jennings Keeps Thunder Rolling
Giants wideout leads NFLE in net yards.
By Michael Eisen, Giants.com

May 11, 2005

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Michael Jennings didn't play college football, but the Giants-allocated player is one of NFL Europe's best and most exciting players this season.

New York Giants

Giants-allocated player WR Michael Jennings leads NFL Europe in combined net yards.
Last week, the Berlin Thunder wide receiver totaled 210 net yards in a 23-17 loss to the Cologne Centurions at Rhein-Energie Stadium. He had 165 receiving yards, including touchdown catches of 70 and 51 yards - the first from quarterback Dave Ragone and the second from fellow wideout Aaron Boone, who took a Bret Engemann pitch and rifled it down the field to an open Jennings.

The 5-11, 170-pound Jennings has started five of six games for the 4-2 Thunder. He leads NFLE with 845 combined net yards, including 416 receiving yards, 410 on kickoff returns and 19 rushing. He is tied for second in the league with 25 receptions and his 416 yards places him third. His 21.6-yard kickoff return average is the league's fifth-best.

Jennings was signed to the Giants' practice squad last Nov. 30. He was added to the active roster on Jan. 3, the day after the season ended.

Jennings attended Florida State, but did not play football there. He was a track and field athlete who earned All-ACC honors as a junior in the 200 meters and the 400 meters. His mother, Kimberly Daniels, was also on Florida State's track team as a collegian.

Jennings was originally signed by the San Francisco 49ers on May 29, 2002 and waived on Aug. 13, 2002. He did not play football in 2003 but was signed by the New England Patriots on March 24, 2004. He was waived on Aug. 13 and spent time on the practice squads of the Patriots (Sept. 10-22) and Baltimore Ravens (Nov. 9-16) before joining the Giants.

The other four players the Giants allocated to NFL Europe are also making a difference in the league.

Lamont Brightful, a starting cornerback for the Frankfurt Galaxy, leads NFLE with a 27.4-yard kickoff return average, including an 85-yard touchdown on April 16 against Cologne. He also has 17 tackles and two interceptions, both against the Rhein Fire on April 30.

Another wide receiver, Ataveus Cash, has been a valuable all-around player for the Amsterdam Admirals. He has 15 receptions for 179 yards, including a four-yard touchdown last week against Frankfurt, and a 15.5-yard average on 13 kickoff returns. He has also returned five punts.

Morgan Pears has started the last four games at left tackle for the Thunder. Defensive tackle Ahmad Childress, who spent time on injured reserve with a rib injury, is a defensive tackle for Frankfurt. He has started three of the four games in which he's played and has 12 tackles, including two sacks.
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