Castille & Pitcock Added to Strengthen Predators Defense
December 13, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO - The Orlando Predators added two new pieces on the defensive side of the ball Tuesday as they were assigned defensive back Simeon Castille (6'1, 190, Alabama) and defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock (6'3, 320, Ohio State), each of whom brings National Football League experience to the team.
Castille recently helped the United Football League's Virginia Destroyers win a league title in 2011 after playing in 10 games with the Florida Tuskers in 2010, where he finished second on the team in tackles.
"I've had a chance to work with Simeon the past two years and he's shown the same playing capabilities that he had while at Alabama and in the NFL," Preds coach Bret Munsey said. "We expect him to battle for a spot at the wide-side corner position, where we lost an all-time great in Kenny McEntyre."
Castille signed on with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings practice squad in December of 2010, where he remained for the final three games of the season.
Originally signed as a rookie free agent by the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals in 2008, he made nine tackles and one pass defense in eight games and was the only rookie free agent to open the season on the team's 53-man roster. He played in one regular season game with the San Diego Chargers in 2009, spending the remainder of the season on the practice squad.
"I'm excited about the challenge of playing in the AFL for the first time and the opportunity to be a part of the Orlando Predators," Castille said. "I've attended a game in Orlando in the past and the place was rocking. The success that they've had and the fan base that is there are great things to be a part of."
Castille followed in the footsteps of his father, Jeremiah, and brother, Tim, who each played collegiately at Alabama and in the NFL.
He started 29 of 48 games at cornerback for Alabama, finishing out his career with 176 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles-for-loss. He also had 12 career interceptions and blocked a kick for the Crimson Tide. As a junior and senior, he started all 13 games each season while earning All-SEC First-Team honors.
Pitcock was drafted in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts out of Ohio State. He made one start in nine games and tallied 18 tackles (13 solo) and 1.5 sacks on the season before walking away from the game because of medical reasons.
"We're extremely excited to have him a part of our football team," Munsey said. "He's a high-energy, enthusiastic guy who plays with a lot of passion and we're hoping to pave the way for him to get back into the National Football League, where he belongs."
Pitcock came out of retirement in 2010 and signed with the Seattle Seahawks in August of that year, but was released just a month later during final cuts. He then signed with the Detroit Lions in July of 2011 and was released before the start of the season in September.
Pitcock was a First-Team All-American, Bill Willis Trophy recipient, and All-Big Ten First-Team selection as a senior in 2006. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team in 2005.
Returning to the roots of the game is all that's on his mind nowadays.
"Coach Munsey told me he could help me become a better player and that he thought I'd really be able to help the team this season," Pitcock said. "If another opportunity to play in the NFL presented itself I'd take it, but for the time being I just want to play, and have some fun doing it."
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