Jay Taylor returns to Predators

Published on May 5, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. (May 5, 2005) -- Orlando's much-maligned kicking game received a major boost today when the team reacquired 2004 "Arena Football League Kicker" of the Year Jay Taylor.

Taylor, who was on the Predators NFL Exempt List (Tampa Bay), rejoined the club on Thursday – signing a new two-year contract that will keep him with the Predators through the 2006 season. To make room on the roster, the team released kicker Brian Gowins on Wednesday.

In his rookie Arena Football League season last year, Taylor set an AFL record for field goal percentage (72.0%) by hitting 18 of 25 attempts. He also tied an AFL record and set a Predators mark by making 10 consecutive field goal attempts. He was 79 of 85 (92.9%) on extra points, setting Predators records for both accuracy and consecutive extra points made (38). That streak remains active heading into the Austin game this week. His outstanding season earned Taylor "All-Arena," "All-Rookie" and "AFL Kicker of the Year" honors.

Taylor's season last year contrasted sharply with the Predators kicking game in 2005. After Taylor signed a mid-season contract with the Tampa Bay Bucs of the NFL last November, the Predators opened the year with AFL veteran Steve McLaughlin, who was waived after missing seven extra points and all four field goal attempts in the first two games of the season.

The Predators replaced McLaughlin with another veteran, Gowins, who was a solid 11 of 19 in field goal attempts (57.8%), but missed 11 of 71 extra point attempts (84.5%). Several of the misses haunted the Predators. A missed extra point in a March 19 game against Georgia prevented the Predators from tying the score in the 4th quarter, while three missed extra point attempts in the second half of last week's game Philadelphia forced the Predators to try for a touchdown rather than field goal on the team's final drive. Both instances forced the Predators to change strategies late in the game.

Still Head Coach Jay Gruden said it was the idea of getting back one of the AFL's best kickers and not a reflection on Gowins that spurred the move. "Brian did not do a bad job for us," Gruden said. "And we certainly won and lost as a team with him at kicker. But when you get a chance to improve your team by adding one of the best players in the league at a certain position, particularly during the playoff chase, you have to make that move."

Taylor became available to the Predators after being waived by the Tampa Bay Bucs late last week. After signing a one-year deal with Orlando, the Predators placed him on the NFL exempt list when Tampa Bay signed him as a mid-season replacement for the struggling Martin Gramatica. With the Bucs, Taylor played in five games – hitting four of five field goals (80%) and all 11 of his extra points.

"Getting released by the Bucs was disappointing as the call came out of the blue," Taylor said. "Still its great to be back with the Predators. I very comfortable with this team and hopefully I can contribute down the stretch." "I'm sure Jay was disappointed at being released by the Bucs, but it's good to get him back," Gruden added. "I believe he's an NFL caliber kicker and hopefully he'll get another shot down the road."

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 5, 2005


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