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With the NFL Europe League season now concluded, teams were permitted on Monday to begin signing free agent players from the springtime loop, youngsters who might help to fill out a training camp roster.
Once again, most of the NFLE players were allocated by NFL teams who have retained their rights, a major complaint by the critics in personnel departments who feel that there should be more free agents developed by the European experiment. There are, however, a few unrestricted NFLE players who will merit consideration.
Most of them, not surprisingly, will simply be signed to fill out camp quotas at certain positions. But some might have the opportunity, if they do something to catch a coach's eye early in camp, to earn a spot near the bottom of the roster and to perhaps contribute on special teams units.
Here is a look, based on conversations with several NFL pro scouting directors, at some NFLE free agents generating some consideration:
CB Calvin Spears (Frankfurt Galaxy): Maybe the most significant statistics rung up in Europe were the 10 special teams tackles he made, because that is the best chance for the former Grambling standout to make an NFL roster. At 6-feet and 195 pounds, Spears, who was in camp with the Cleveland Browns last summer as an undrafted free agent, has good size and some closing speed. He had three interceptions and seven pass deflections in the spring.
CB Daryon Brutley (Berlin Thunder): Was in the Buffalo Bills' camp in 2002 as an undrafted free agent and will almost certainly get another shot again this summer. In fact, the former Northern Iowa star, who played three seasons at Southern Mississippi before he transferred for his senior year, visited Monday with Philadelphia officials and could sign with the Eagles shortly. Posted 20 tackles, two interceptions and had seven passes defensed for the Thunder. He has some return ability, but a lack of top-end speed means he probably has to make a roster on special teams coverage units.
WR Matthew Hatchette (Amsterdam Admirals): No youngster anymore, at age 29, but a sense of desperation might have sparked some urgency in him this spring. After flopping miserably with the New York Jets in 2001, when he had only two catches, the onetime Minnesota Vikings No. 3 wideout gambled that he might resurrect his career overseas. He was one of NFLE's most consistent playmakers, catching 61 passes for 790 yards and seven touchdowns, and that is probably enough to earn him a third shot in the NFL, likely as a No. 4 receiver. At least five teams have demonstrated some interest and he probably will go back to the Vikings.
OT Dwayne Ledford (Rhein Fire): Has been in four different NFL training camps and never made a regular-season roster but, at 300 pounds, might be able to stick somewhere as a No. 8 or No. 9 blocker. Nice techniques and feet have improved, but probably not to the point where he can play his NFL Europe position of left tackle, and likely will have to move inside. The former East Carolina standout, who probably needs to add functional football strength, made solid strides this spring.
DE Radell Lockhart (Scottish Claymores): As an undrafted free agent from tiny Catawba College, he played well at times in the New England Patriots camp last summer, and was close to earning a spot on the practice squad. A little shorter than teams like at end (6-foot-2), but a solid 282 pounds and has some pass rush skills. Had 25 tackles, six sacks and 10 pass deflections this spring, playing on what was arguably the NFLE's premier defensive front. Has already reached an agreement, ESPN.com has learned, with the New York Giants.
RB Jonas Lewis (Frankfurt Galaxy): Named most valuable player in World Bowl XI, the former San Francisco 49ers backup and special teams player carried 160 times for 669 yards and three touchdowns during the season. Lacks the size and quickness to really be even a No. 2 tailback at the NFL level and, while he breaks tackles in Europe, he won't be able to do it in the big-time. But he might be good enough to play some on third down and certainly has enough special teams prowess to make someone's roster.
CB Antuan Simmons (Barcelona Dragons): A lack of size (5-foot-9, 189 pounds) will always work against the onetime Southern California corner, who was in camp with the San Diego Chargers last summer as an undrafted free agent. He does have some closing quickness over a short stretch, though, and isn't afraid to support the run, as indicated by 44 tackles this spring. He auditioned for 49ers officials last week.
SS Rashidi Barnes (Frankfurt Galaxy): Former seventh-round pick of the Browns in 2000 and onetime University of Colorado standout appeared in 14 games as a rookie, mostly on special teams. Has reputation as a big hitter in NFLE, but doesn't have the awareness and range that the NFL wants at the safety position. Still, it's hard to ignore the fact he had 45 tackles, along with four interceptions and eight passes defensed in the spring.
LB Jason Short (Barcelona Dragons): A onetime arena league 2 standout, Short played defensive end for the Dragons, but at just 227 pounds will have to demonstrate he can make the transition to linebacker to get into an NFL camp. The former Eastern Michigan standout seems to move well enough in space to play linebacker and he appears to have a bit of pass rush ability. Short had 27 tackles, 2½ sacks and four passes defensed.
OT Dave Pruce (Frankfurt Galaxy): Former standout at University of Buffalo, but failed to stick with Bills in a camp audition. At 6-foot-8 and 295 pounds, could probably add 20 more pounds and still look lean. Needs some help with his footwork, but an intriguing guy who might be a late-bloomer.
SS Greg Brown (Rhein Fire): One of NFLE's premier defenders, Brown has good size, but probably not enough speed to play regularly in the NFL. However, ought to merit a chance to stick as a spare defensive back and special teams contributor. He had 60 tackles, three interceptions, 10 passes defensed and a forced fumble in NFLE. He manages to get around the ball at the lower level, is a sure tackler, and an aggressive defender.
DE Jonathan Brown (Amsterdam Admirals): Once again was one of NFLE's top pass rushers, with 6½ sacks, but has failed previous NFL tests because he lacks the quick-twitch you need to get around the corner. Former third-round choice of the Packers in '98. Might actually play the run better than the pass at this point. Even with his shortcomings, some team will be tempted to think he can play as a third-down rusher, and he'll probably squeeze onto a camp roster. But he's 27 now and time is running out on him.
QB Phil Stambaugh (Berlin Thunder): Has been with four different NFL teams for short periods and likely doesn't possess the arm strength to ever be anything more than a No. 3 quarterback at best. But the former Lehigh standout is very bright, knows where to go with the ball, and avoids turnovers. Good size and pocket stature, but doesn't improvise very well, and will take some sacks.
CB Jordan Younger (Amsterdam Admirals): Coverage skills slumped toward the end of the season and his best bet now is to make a roster as a return specialist. Averaged nearly 26 yards on kickoff returns early in the year and showed that he can hit the crease and pop out the other end. Was in the Arizona camp back in 2000.
DT Jabari Issa (Barcelona Dragons): Wasn't all that productive, with 24 tackles and just one sack, and didn't stuff the run as well as expected. But it's hard to find 300-pounders for training camp fodder and the former Cardinals sixth-rounder (2000) was regarded as a potentially solid player at one point early in his NFL career.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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