Jesse Palmer is one of several Canadians looking to make a mark in the NFL this season.
Wide receiver Jerome Pathon, who played high school football in Vancouver, signed a four-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in the off-season and hopes to come back from the foot injury that prematurely ended a promising 2001 campaign with the Indianapolis Colts.
Defensive end Rob Meier, who also played high school football in Vancouver, will backup starters Tony Brackens and Marco Coleman for the Jaguars again this season. Meier was drafted by both Jacksonville and the CFL's BC Lions in 2000, but opted to play with the Jaguars. The 25-year-old is one of only eight Jaguars not to miss a game the last two years, and last season finished third on the team with 16 tackles on special teams.
Native Canadians Steve Christie (Oakville, ON) and Davis Sanchez (Vancouver, BC) both return for a second season with the Chargers in San Diego.
Guard Tom Nutten (Magog, QC) and punter Mitch Berger (Kamloops, BC) hope to play a role in bringing the Super Bowl back to St. Louis with the Rams this season.
Name | Team | Hometown | CFL | Pos. |
|
Jesse | Palmer | NY Giants | Nepean Ont. | No | QB |
Mike | Vanderjagt | Indianapolis | Oakville, Ont. | No | K |
Jerome | Pathon | New Orleans | Vancouver | No | WR |
Mitch | Berger | St Louis Rams | Kamloops | No | P/K |
Tom | Nutten | St Louis Rams | Magog | No | OL |
J.P. | Darche | Seattle | Montreal | No | OL |
Steve | Christie | San Diego | Oakville, Ont. | No | K |
Rob | Meier | Jacksonville | West Vancouver | No | DE |
Davis | Sanchez | San Diego | Vancouver | Montreal | CB |