Georgia Force vs. Orlando Predators
April 15, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Orlando Predators (0-0) vs. Georgia Force (0-0)
Date: April 20, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 ET
Site: Philips Arena (16,100)
Series Record: 0-0
Last Meeting: This is the first meeting between Georgia and Orlando.
Television: Turner South (Bob Rathbun: play-by-play and Beau Bock: color analyst).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play and Ryan Stewart: color analyst).
Coaches: Robert Lyles- Georgia (5-6, 2nd Year); Fran Papasedero- Orlando (0-0, 1st Year).
THE GAME:
The Georgia Force will face the Orlando Predators in their inaugural regular season game at Philips Arena on April 20 at 7:30 p.m. This Southern Division showdown features one of the Arena Football League's newest organizations against one of its traditional powerhouses.
Both Georgia and Orlando finished the 2002 preseason at 1-1. Georgia defeated the Los Angeles Avengers 51-44 in an overtime victory in Bakersfield, California on April 4. The Force concluded the preseason with a 35-68 loss to the San Jose SaberCats on April 12 at Philips Arena. Orlando captured a 67-65 win over the Indiana Firebirds on April 6 and fell at home to the Tampa Bay Storm 53-64 on April 12.
Orlando is led by quarterback Jay Gruden, who is the younger brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach John Gruden. Gruden returns to the playing field after five seasons as an AFL coach. He registered a 43-23 record as the Predators Head Coach, winning a pair of ArenaBowl titles in 1998 and 2000. Gruden won four AFL championships as quarterback of the Tampa Bay Storm from 1991-96.
Predators Defensive Specialist Kenny McEntyre is a two-time AFL Defensive "Player of the Year" earning the honor following the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He was also named First-Team All-Arena in both seasons and has 28 career interceptions in just three full seasons.
Offensive Specialist Siaha Burley was named First-Team All-Rookie in 2001 after leading the league in kick return yardage with 1,425 yards.
Georgia is welcomed into this the 16th season of the AFL after the relocation of the Nashville Kats brought the team to Atlanta. The Force will look to follow in the winning tradition that Nashville started when entering the league in 1997. Over the Kats five-year tenure in Nashville, the club reached the playoffs in every season, twice reaching the ArenaBowl Championship game in 2000 and 2001.
The Force are beginning a new chapter in the AFL for themselves as the team' s name, logos and history are brand new. The Georgia roster consists of 18 players that have traveled South from Nashville to Atlanta. Adding to the roster the Force signed former NFL pro and University of Georgia standout QB Eric Zeier. The team also went out and signed AFL veterans QB Kevin McDougal and QB Donnie Davis from the former Milwaukee Mustangs and selected OL/DL Michael Lawson from the Florida Bobcats with the first overall selection in the 2001 dispersal draft.
Orlando defeated Nashville 41-38 in the ArenaBowl XIV Championship Game in 2000. Orlando kicker David Cool connected on a 19-yard field goal as time expired to give the Predators their second championship in the last three years.
THE SERIES:
This will be the first meeting between Georgia and Orlando. The teams will meet again in a Week 12 regular season match-up in Orlando at the TD Waterhouse Centre on July 13 at 7:30p.m.
GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:
The Force will play their second consecutive home contest at Philips Arena when they play host to Southern Division rival Carolina on April 26 on 7:30p.m. The Cobras finished 7-7 in 2001 and are led by first-year head coach Mike Neu.
HEAD COACHES:
ROBERT LYLES, Georgia (5-6, 2nd Year): Robert Lyles was named the first Head Coach of the Georgia Force in December of 2001. Entering his seventh season of coaching in Arena Football, Lyles served as the interim head coach for the Los Angeles Avengers last season after replacing Stan Brock after the third game of the 2001 season. Lyles finished the season with a 5-6 record as a head coach, while leading the Avengers to a 5-9 overall mark. Prior to his promotion as Head Coach for L.A., Lyles had served as the team's defensive coordinator for their first two years since entering the league in 2000. Lyles began his coaching career with the AFL's Memphis Pharaohs in 1996, then spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Portland Forest Dragons (1997-99) before going to Los Angeles. Before joining the AFL 's coaching ranks, Lyles was a standout player earning the "Ironman of the Year" award for his play as a linebacker/fullback with the Memphis Pharaohs in 1995. Lyles played eight seasons in the National Football League as a standout linebacker- six seasons with the Houston Oilers (1984-89) and two with the Atlanta Falcons (1990-91). Lyles played linebacker at Texas Christian University.
FRAN PAPASEDERO, Orlando (0-0, 1st Year): After four seasons of serving as an assistant under Jay Gruden, Fran Papasedero became the third coach in Orlando Predators' franchise history on August 21, 2001. Papasedero, 33, began his Arena Football League career as a lineman for the Albany Firebirds in 1993. He would play five seasons, making stops at Massachusetts (1994), St. Louis (1995-96) and Nashville (1997). Papasedero began his coaching career in Orlando as Gruden's line coach. In addition to his coaching duties, Papasedero worked for the Predators marketing department for two years during the off-season as a marketing representative. Prior to the 2001 season, he assumed the duties of Director of Player Personnel, Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. In four seasons on the staff, Papasedero helped the Predators to a 43-23 record (.652 winning percentage), four trips to the AFL playoffs, three ArenaBowl appearances and a pair of world championships (1998 and 2000). Papasedero played four seasons at defensive tackle for Springfield College (Mass.). He attended NFL mini-camp with the New York Giants for two seasons (1992-93) and also went to training camp with the New York Jets in 1994.
THE SCHEDULE:
GEORGIA FORCE
DATE OPPONENT TIME SCORE
April 4 @ Los Angeles 10:30 pm W 51-44 OT in Bakersfield, Ca.
April 12 SAN JOSE 7:30 pm L 35-68
Date OPPONENT TIME SCORE
April 20 ORLANDO 7:30 pm
April 26 CAROLINA 7:30 pm
May 4 @ San Jose 10:30 pm
May 10 ARIZONA 7:30 pm
May 18 @ Chicago 8:00 pm
May 24 LOS ANGELES 7:30 pm
June 1 @ Detroit 7:30 pm
June 9 TORONTO 7:30 pm
June 14 @ Carolina 7:30 pm
June 23 @ Grand Rapids 2:00 pm
June 29 TAMPA BAY 7:30 pm
July 6 BUFFALO 7:30 pm
July 13 @ Orlando 7:30 pm
July 20 @ Tampa Bay 7:30 pm
ORLANDO PREDATORS
DATE OPPONENT TIME SCORE
April 6 @ Indiana 8:00 p.m. W 67-65
April 12 TAMPA BAY 7:15 pm L 53-64
DATE OPPONENT TIME SCORE
April 20 @ Georgia 7:30 pm
April 26 CHICAGO 7:15 pm
May 4 NEW JERSEY 7:15 pm
May 11 @ Grand Rapids 7:30 pm
May 17 SAN JOSE 7:15 pm
May 24 @ Indiana 8:00 p.m.
May 31 CAROLINA 7:15 pm
June 9 TAMPA BAY 4:15 p.m.
June 15 @ New York 7:00 p.m.
June 21 TORONTO 7:15 pm
June 28 @ Carolina 7:30 pm
July 7 @ Tampa Bay 4:15 p.m.
July 13 GEORGIA 7:15 pm
July 20 @ Dallas 8:30 p.m.
RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
The Georgia Force announced today that five players were waived and three players were placed on Injured Reserve as the club trimmed its roster to the Arena Football League mandated 24-man active roster.
OL/DL Marcus Keyes, OL/DL Chuck Osborne, OL/DL James Roscoe, WR/LB Marcus Whitehead and FB/LB Dwayne Woods were waived.
WR/DB Jayson Bray, WR/DB Scott Thomas and OL/DL David White were placed on Injured Reserve.
SEASON TICKETS STILL ON SALE:
Georgia Force Season Tickets packages for the remaining seven-game home schedule are still available. The seven-game package will start with the Force's regular season opener this Saturday vs. Orlando and include the remaining six home games. Season tickets purchased will be left at the Philips Arena will call windows to be picked up on April 20.
Price level:
$525.00- $75 per game Rows 1-2
$385.00- $55 per game Rows 3-4
$217.00- $31 per game 1st level club
$175.00- $25 per game Lower level sideline
$133.00- $19 per game 1st level endzone/ 2nd level sideline
$91.00- $13 per game 2nd level endzone/ 3rd level sideline
$56.00- $8 per game 3rd level endzone/ 4th level sideline
LAST WEEK:
The Georgia Force (1-1) could not find a way to stop the high-powered offensive of San Jose (2-0) as the SaberCats defeated the Force 68-35 on Friday night. Georgia concluded their inaugural preseason at their new home in Philips Arena in front of over 9,000 fans. The Force will open the regular season vs. Orlando on Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Philips Arena.
San Jose jumped out to an early lead and did not let up as the SaberCats scored on all 11 of their possessions in the game. Averaging almost 10-yards per play for the game, San Jose built a 14-0 first quarter lead before Georgia answered with a six-yard touchdown run by WR/DB Jarrick Hillery.
Rookie OS Markeith Cooper closed the SaberCats lead to five points with a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter before Force kicker Stan Whitlock missed his second PAT attempt of the game leaving the score at 17-12. Cooper showed flashes of his talents hauling in a game-high ten pass for 142 yards and three touchdowns receiving as well. He also added 59 yards on three kickoff returns.
Whitlock recovered to connect on a 52-yard field goal later in the second quarter to bring the score to 30-15 with 25 second left in the half. San Jose kicker Daron Alcorn responded though with a 31-yard field goal to give the SaberCats a 33-15 halftime lead.
Georgia quarterback Eric Zeier played the entire first half and started the third quarter for the Force, finishing the night 10-of-20 for 98 yards and two interceptions. Second-string quarterback Kevin McDougal came in for Zeier and went a perfect five-for-five for 78 yards and two touchdowns, but San Jose offensive was just too much.
San Jose quarterback John Dutton connected on 12-of-15 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns for the game, while the SaberCats James Hundon was named game MVP for his six reception 157 yards and three-touchdown performance. San Jose's Barry Wagner, returning to his hometown of Atlanta, captured Ironman of the Game honors catching one pass for four yards and adding an interception, two and a half tackles and two passes defensed.
Georgia RB/LB Travis Reece, who won the AFL's rushing title in 2001, was the game's leading rusher with 14 yards on five carries.
QUOTES:
Georgia Head Coach Robert Lyles (on the game): "We played a very good football team tonight who came in with vengeance in their heart. They came in ready to take care of business and they played well. We have to give them credit. We started slow and we couldn't get on track. We were a bit flat. That is something we have to work on. This is something we can start from and build on as well. We have to get back and ready for the season opener next week. It was tonight's game that was important because we needed to evaluate and decide which way to go as we make our final roster decisions. We will play better. We are a better football team than we showed tonight."
(Lyles on QB Eric Zeier's performance): "I think Eric was pressing hard, being at home, he was really trying to make plays. Sometimes, that is not a good thing. He had some interceptions early in the ball game. He made some decisions that were not good, but I know he was pressing. I tried to get him to come out in the second half and take what was there instead of forcing the ball downfield and he did a better job."
CONNECTIONS:
Predators Head Coach Fran Papasedero played for the Nashville Kats in 1997...Orlando quarterback Jay Gruden served as offensive coordinator for the Nashville Kats during their inaugural season in 1997...Predators Defensive Specialist Reggie Doster went to training camp with the Atlanta Falcons in 2000...Orlando Offensive Specialist Rodney Brown attended Valdosta State...Predators kicker David Cool went to Georgia Southern and is a native of Stone Mountain, Ga.
THINGS TO WATCH:
Feel the Force: Head Coach Robert Lyles, who also serves as Georgia's defensive coordinator inherits a defensive unit that boasts 16 players from a Nashville squad that finished first in the league in points allowed per game (39.3) only giving up 550 points over 14 games in 2001. Under Lyles' direction last season, the Los Angeles defense finished the 2001 regular-season ranked number one in the AFL in total defense (249.4 yds/game) and number two in passing defense (231.5).
Battle in the Trenches: Assistant Coach Bob Kronenberg will assume the role this season of coaching the offensive/ defensive lineman. Kronenberg will see six of his players that he coached in Nashville join the Force. Last season, the Nashville offensive line contributed to a number one ranking in the AFL in rushing offense with 35.0 yards per game and tied second for fewest sacks allowed all season with nine. The defensive line finished first in the league in sacks with 157, second in the league in rushing yards allowed per game with 9.8, while only allowing a league leading 1.5 yards per game rushing average.
Diamond In the Rough: Markeith Cooper was signed by the Force from the team' s open player tryouts...His blazing speed and ability to run good routes caught the Georgia coaching staff's eye...Mainly used as a return specialist while playing at Auburn.
2002 Preseason: Hauled in a game-high tying five passes for a game-high 81 yards at Los Angeles (4/4). Cooper had three kickoff returns for 59 yards and one missed field goal return for ten yards against the Avengers...Caught a game-high ten passes for 142 yards and a game-high tying three touchdowns vs. San Jose (4/12). Added one rush for one yard and a rushing score and three kickoff returns for 59 yards against the SaberCats.
Better With Age: Still going strong in one of Arena Football's longest-running careers entering his 12th season in 2002...He is the AFL's all-time leading tackler with 556 and is one of the league's top two-way threats...Hammond has become only the second player in league history to record over 500 or more career tackles...He is one of the AFL's Top 10 leaders in scoring, receptions, receiving yardage and touchdowns...Hammond is currently ranked 11th among the league's all-time interception leaders with 25 career picks.
2002 Preseason: Caught 1 pass for eight yards at Los Angeles (4/4) and adding one pass defensed...Hauled in one pass for six yards and had two tackles vs. San Jose (4/12)
WR/DB Jarrick Hillery: Last year, became only the fourth player in AFL history to run for 100 yards and have 400 yards receiving in the same season...Was named to the AFL first-team in 2001...A 2000 AFL all-rookie selection, Hillery is well-known throughout the league as one of the sport's rising stars.
2002 Preseason: Carried the ball once for seven yards and caught one pass for six yards at Los Angeles (4/4)...Had three rushes for eight yards and one rushing touchdown, while adding two receptions for 20 yards vs. San Jose (4/12). He also had two tackles on defense with one pass defensed against the SaberCats.
OS Tyronne Jones: Considered one of the most dangerous all-purpose players in Arena Football...Last season, he was Nashville's leading receiver in yards with 817 and touchdowns with 21 and he finished tenth in the AFL in overall touchdowns with 24...Jones was second in the league in kickoff returns in 2000 with a 22.9-yard average, and he was the AFL's leading receiver in the playoffs...In 1999, he ranked third in the AFL with 2,748 all-purpose yards and led the team in receiving yards...As a rookie, he was chosen as the team's MVP and selected to the AFL All-Rookie squad after running back more kicks for touchdowns than any other player in the league...Jones holds the AFL record for the most consecutive games with a kickoff return for a touchdown with four.
2002 Preseason: Had one catch for three yards and three kickoff returns for 64 yards at Los Angeles (4/4)...Left game with a rib injury in the first half vs. San Jose (4/12).
QB Kevin McDougal: Played with the Milwaukee Mustangs from 1998-2000...Named the starting QB for Milwaukee following the 1999 season...Proven winner and leader at various levels of competition...Loves the deep ball and shows tremendous accuracy in down-field throws...Completed 285 of 442 attempts for 3,887 yards and 73 touchdowns in 2000.
2002 Preseason: Played the third quarter at Los Angeles (4/4), was 5-of-9 passing for a game-high 104 yards and two touchdowns...Played in the third and fourth quarter vs. San Jose (4/12) and went a perfect 5-for-5 for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
FB/LB Travis Reece: Looks to build on a successful rookie season that saw him capture the AFL's rushing title in his rookie season with Nashville in 2001...Reece gained 190 yards on 38 carries on the year and for his efforts garnered AFL All-Rookie team honors...Reece entered the AFL after spending three seasons with the Detroit Lions (1998-2000).
2002 Preseason: Ran for 14 yards on three carries and one score at Los Angeles (4/4)...Had game-highs in carries and rushing yards with five rushes for 14 yards vs. San Jose (4/12).
QB Eric Zeier: An extremely intelligent and experienced signal-caller who is stepping onto the Arena Football field for the first time in his career...He boosts a NFL career-passer rating of 74.4 and has passed for over 300 yards in three of his 12 NFL career starts. In his first AFL preseason game at Los Angeles, Zeier was 6-17 for 61 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He played the entire first half for the Force.
2002 Preseason: Started his first Arena Football game at Los Angeles (4/4) hitting on 6-of-17 passes for 61 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Zeier played the entire first half...Made his second start of the preseason vs. San Jose (4/12) completing 10-of-20 passes for 98 yards and two interceptions. Zeier played the entire first half and started the third quarter against the SaberCats.
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