By Matt Bressington

The European game is built differently than the American counterpart, in the passing game it is predominantly more around speed than size. While the running attack is more instrumental to many teams. Possibly because there are fewer football players or a difference in schemes in the various leagues around Europe, but in the European League of Football more than half the receivers are under 6’0 and less than 20 are taller than the player in focus today. Meaning there is a need for more deep-threat options. With eight German teams in the European League of Football, I believe one will take a shot at him shortly, in hopes to reap the benefits that could be as high as many elite receivers in our game today.

Wide Receiver – Germany – Anthony Tittel – Dresden Monarchs

Anthony has the perfect size for a deep threat option in the next level, he’s 6’3 205lb as a class of 24 and shows a physical and aggressive approach to the game. He fights through player contact and more often than not, comes down with the ball. Including on press or on coverage where he shows the length and strength to get through the defender. His hands are very strong, clearly showing the talent in his hand-eye coordination when the ball is in the air or if it’s coming through the traffic in the middle of the field. The use of his body to shield the ball from pressure is also a habit that receiver coaches are going to utilise. His lengthy frame only adds to this as his catch radius is well above others in his class. During his routes, he shows the instinct to sit between coverages on his routes to find open space and when the ball is thrown, he is reliable on a variation of inside and outside route combinations when it comes to getting into a position to make a play on the ball.

To find himself as a premier Receiver option at the next level some areas need addressing, although safe in his hands, his routes are unpolished and, at times round in the approach. During his routes and when the ball is in his hands, he takes a long time to hit full speed, the capability is there as he has an unofficial 4.8 that could be vastly improved with the right training, this needs to be addressed before he can reach his full potential, however. The blocking is also overly passive, awaiting the contact with the defender rather than initiating it, then having his hands too wide and not properly using the length and strength that he possesses. As commonly found in Receivers of his age, he also takes contact too high, there’s no problem with him hitting the space but he could take on a lot more yardage by dropping his shoulder lower into contact, because of his height, defenders will also go low and as every football player knows, the lowest man always wins.

Player Style Comparison

• Lorenz Regler (Frankfurt Galaxy)
• Clemens Schuldt (Hamburg Sea Devils)

Predicted Possible Landing Spots

• Munich Ravens (ELF) – New franchise in need of homegrown difference makers.
• Hamburg Sea Devils (ELF) – A lot of bigger-bodied WR options, more depth and a young core could be a big focus.
• Berlin Thunder (ELF) – Lack a true deep-threat option and Anthony can learn behind Jackson.