June 20, 2007
The influence of Fighting Illini football continues to span the Atlantic Ocean. Two players who wore the Orange and Blue at Illinois have been competing this spring in the six-team NFL Europa league, linebacker Matt Sinclair (2001-04) and defensive end Derrick Strong (2000-03).
Sinclair, who is in his second season in the league after having signed free agent contracts with the Baltimore Ravens and then the Miami Dolphics, has had a stellar year with the Frankfurt Galaxy. He led his club to a 7-3 record and a berth in this Saturday's (June 23) World Bowl XV title game against the Hamburg Sea Devils. Sinclair was the top tackler on his team during the regular season, having registered 56 tackles; he defended five passes, added two sacks and forced one fumble during the 2007 campaign.
Strong tallied 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks in this his third season with the Rhein Fire. Strong, who originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2004, signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2005.
