The quarterbacks of the ELF – Part III

Unsurprisingly but remarkably, ALL teams in the European League of Football have opted for an A-import as QB1. There are many new faces in the ELF, but there are also a few old acquaintances. I’ve taken the trouble to write down my opinion on the quarterbacks and have also included a short analysis.

94/100

Reid Sinnett at the Madrid Bravos! It was a bombshell in the European League of Football. The conventional wisdom was that this was the first time a quarterback who had tasted NFL air had made it to the ELF. Yes and no! So yes, we haven’t (I don’t think) had a QB in the ELF who has actually been on the sideline on gamedays in the NFL. Usually with QBs in connection with the NFL, you’re talking more about practice squads, mini camps and so on. So Reid Sinnett was on the field, and of course a QB has to have the quality to get there. But the truth is, he hasn’t thrown a single ball in a pro game. So he definitely has the potential to be the best ELF quarterback, but even in the ELF he has to prove if he can handle it (the first time) when a pro team is counting on him. I hope so, of course, but have to lower the grenade rating a bit. But he will certainly be one of the better QBs. Above all, don’t forget that Andrew Weidinger, an absolute and undisputed expert, works for the Bravos as head coach. He will certainly have already seen what Sinnett has to offer during scouting.

JavarianSmith looks pretty good on paper. But his performances so far have not convinced me at least. Neither with the Hamburg Sea Devils (ELF) nor with the Allgäu Comets (GFL) did he even begin to impress me. To be honest, I didn’t even have him on my radar for the European League of Football for the 2025 season. And I was really a fan of the Prague Lions until the release. But this decision was not a good one in my opinion. Yeah sure, he’s been with the Prague Black Panthers before and maybe he wanted to go back to Prague. But either way… I can think of at least 2-3 names that are free agents and better right now. (Chris Helbig, Steven Duncan). At least he got some decent weapons and the defense looks very solid. I hope he doesn’t ruin the otherwise good work of the Lions and therefore keep my fingers crossed for him.

69/100

89/100

Reilly Hennessey is always a topic of constant discussion for me. I’m of the opinion that Hennessey has never been outstanding … which doesn’t mean he doesn’t deliver. He’s basically a plow horse among quarterbacks. People have tried to “put him down” three times, but you just know what you have in him. So don’t take him seriously, but he’s wanted to retire several times himself. And he’s also become a little more injury-prone. But … and that’s the most important thing in his case … he is consistent. And Neuman knows him inside out. He knows what he needs to function. And I’m also sure that we’ll see a different Surge than last year. But, even if he’s not the best QB in the league “by far”… he will deliver once again behind the o-line and with the weapons. That’s results-oriented. So somehow he did everything right after all?

Conor Miller is a veteran of European American football. The same applies to him as to Hennessey. He’s not outstanding, but he’s not a bad QB. He will also perform behind a decent line, and if you give him the right weapons, anyway. In Barcelona (2023) it didn’t look too bad what he did with the Dragons. Sure, by then the Dragons had successfully reached mattress status, but that had nothing to do with Miller … at least not solely and by no means for the most part. Still, I was a little disappointed here too. However, he was probably more of a second choice and is based in the area anyway due to private stories. In the end, if he’s protected, he’s certainly not the worst choice, so better than Javarian with the Lions — but he’s not a blockbuster signing (anymore). He has really made his mark in European American football though. You have to respect that and his correct character.

84/100