Training Camp.

It was back to camp again for another year.

Scrimmages were again held at the St Pete 31st Complex ...

And the Bucs Raymond James Stadium.

(Good job by the way to whoever got the NFLE banners hanging off the ship)

Although this was Preston's 6th straight visit to camp things never felt so different ...

First off, you had a new team - the Cologne Centurions. And with this you had the sadness that the Barcelona Dragons were no more ...

But there were plenty of ex-Dragons on the prowl ...

Like Speedy AKA Marco Martos. He's now a Centurion too, but clearly is still in mourning for the Dragons from the look of this shot.

The Centurion also feature homeboy Werner Hippler (#86).

Werner was already pretty much enemy #1 for Fire fans when he played for the Galaxy. Imagine how they will treat him in 2004 now he plays for Cologne?

The head man at Cologne is Cheddar Hall of Famer Peter Vaas.

With 2 World Bowls under his belt in Berlin, who would bet against him getting Cologne in contention right away?

Berlin's coaching staff now is of course full of ex Claymores.

Take offensive coordinator Don Eck. Don originally had just made the sideways move to coach o-line again, but when another ex-Claymore Ken Margerum moved to Stanford in the off-season, he took up the coordinator role.

And most famous of all - Jim Tomsula.

Speaking with Jim in St. Pete it's clear he has left his heart in Scotland, and he was not shy is saying it either. Expect an emotional return when the Thunder come to Glasgow in 2004.

Well documented circumstances meant that Jim's only chance at a well deserved promotion were in Berlin, and no Claymore fan would deny him that opportunity.

Jim's move to Berlin had an impact on his loyal players as T.J. Bingham (#99) and DeVonte Peterson (#95) both followed him to the Thunder.

Also in a Berlin uniform for 2004 - Mike Malan (#20).

However it wasn't for long. Sadly Berlin came to the same conculsion as the Claymores - their offense doesn't really utilize fullbacks, so they let Mike go at the end of camp. It's a real shame that Mike won't get a chance to showcase his skills again this year.

Berlin has plenty of other team's castoffs.

Kevin Deronde (#54) was with the Dragons in 2003 and had a decent year with him. We have vague recollections of meeting him in Sitges!

QB David Rivers (#12) was excellent for Amsterdam in 2003, completing 23 of 28 passes for 2TD's in limited action before an injury ended his season. However he will be hard pressed to see the field in 2004 behind Rohan Davey.

And it's not just the Claymores coaching staff changing polo shirts this year. The Galaxy coaching staff has a Fire feel to it in 2004. Defensive coordinator Ed O'Neill (left) and new head coach Mike Jones (right) were both were the Fire for previous seasons until this year. Just another factor to spice up the league's best rivalry then!

The change is not just NFLE related. Ex Grambling head coach Doug Williams is now working for the Bucs in their scouting department. Doug of course was with the Claymores waaaaay back in 1995.

Sadly one thing that didn't change was #133 officiating again.

(Those unfamiliar with tale of woe please check out the case for the prosecution)

Claymores fans can only hope was overseeing some the camp officiating and won't be make the trip to any Claymores games.

(For

The Mad Hatter (sans Mad Hat) also made it out to Tampa this year.

His 1st full day was at the Raymond James scrimmages, and since this was Preston's last there was a ceremonial camp baton exchange that took place afterwards.