DUESSELDORF, Germany — NFL Europe players are getting a lot of attention these days.
Players from the Berlin Thunder (6-4) and Rhein Fire (7-3) will be looking to show teams in Saturday's World Bowl that they're ready for the NFL.
The biggest buzz surrounds Thunder center Ben Hamilton, the son of former Minnesota Vikings lineman Wes Hamilton. He's being touted as one of the best lineman prospects NFL Europe has produced.
"He could probably play for four or five teams right now," said Brian Baldinger, Fox TV's NFL Europe analyst.
Others who improved their prospects this season include Todd Husak, the Thunder quarterback who showed enough leadership and skills to possibly get a shot as a backup for the Denver Broncos.
Dane Looker, Husak's favorite receiver, is expected to get a look from a number of teams, as well as Rhein running back and league offensive MVP Jamal Robertson.
Of the record-266 NFL players in NFL Europe, Dallas sent seven this season — one more than the minimum required of clubs. Scout Larry Dixon admits the Cowboys took a page from the Denver Broncos, who had six former NFL Europe players on their roster when they won the 1998 Super Bowl including tackle Matt Lepsis, defensive tackle Keith Traylor and tight end Byron Chamberlain.
"When someone beats you, you look to see how they did it and where they got those players," Dixon said. "It really got teams serious about who they are sending to NFL Europe and how they plan it."
Most clubs expect to get at least one player who is ready to step in and play, at least as a solid backup, if not a future starter.
Teams refer to them as "minimum salaried experienced players" — quality players who can keep teams under the salary cap.
"I suspect that has a lot to do with it," said John Beake, former Denver GM and currently the NFL's vice president of operations and development.
"You can bring in a young player with experience at the minimum salary and avoid the automatic salary step-up players get from being on your roster," Beake said.
Teams think NFL Europe players get professional experience by playing in the league, making them safe bets when called on to enter a game. In contrast, a draft pick may be risky if he's sent in after nothing but time on practice squads.
"You keep these players hoping they can play, then they get into a game and you're scared to death they can't play," Dixon said.
St. Louis Rams guard Tom Nuetten is a good example of a player who used his experience in NFL Europe to his advantage.
Nuetten, who had a stint in the Canadian Football League, was ready to give up playing before being sent by the Rams to the Amsterdam Admirals in 1998, where he anchored the offensive line in front of future two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner.
"It was a time I didn't know where I was going in football. I thought I'd give it one last chance," Nuetten said. "They liked me, and here I am."