Man in the middle
February 22, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, FL (Feb. 22) -- Coming off a National Conference Championship and a record seventh Arena Bowl appearance, one might assume that the Orlando Predators would have little to worry about concerning personnel in the 2007 season.
After all, most teams simply resign their talent and barring any injuries it's business as usual. But that has never been the Predators way and 2007 was no exception --- particularly in the defensive secondary.
Gone is three-time AFL "Defensive Player of the Year" and six-time All-Arena selection Kenny McEntyre, who was traded to Kansas City in a salary cap move in the off-season. Khalil Carter, who played such a huge role in the Predators post-season drive, was lost to the Canadian Football League. Jerroid Johnson, who led the team in both pass interceptions (5) and pass defenses (22) elected to sign as a free agent with arch-rival Tampa.
The moves left the Predators with just one experienced returning defensive back, third-year veteran Lin-J Shell. A rookie in 2004, Shell earned a spot on the Predators roster after attending an open tryout camp. He played in 13 games that season and earned significant playing time before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. Despite the injury, Shell caught the eye of the Philadelphia Eagles - signing with the team and spending the 2005 season in NFL-Europe. After being waived in training camp he returned to the Predators.
During the 2006 season, Shell became a full-time starter for the first-time in his career when he replaced the injured Johnson. Being thrust into a big role, he played well - finishing the regular season with 47 tackles, 6 pass break-ups and a pair of interceptions. He added 6.5 tackles, an interception and a pass defense in the post-season.
Shell enters the 2007 season as the starter at safety - arguably the toughest position on the Arena field. A challenge that Shell knows will be difficult. "It's a tough position to play because you always have the motion man coming at you with a full head of steam when the ball's snapped. On top of that you have to worry about the other two defensive backs and you have to make sure everyone is on the same page and in position. In the past, it always seems like we had experienced players back there to help me."
Shell now has to be become that experienced player. "The past couple of years, I was the young guy and I got to learn from guys like Kenny McEntyre, Jeroid Johnson, and Damon Mason. Those guys had a lot of time and experience in the league. Now I'm the guy back there with experience in our system and I need to step up and take more of a leadership role."
Although he is facing a big challenge, it's a challenge that he is not afraid to accept. "We lost three outstanding players but the thing about Jay is that he is always going to replace them with talented athletes. The new guys are great athletes and we have great coaches. It's just a matter of gelling as a unit and getting better every day."
Predators head coach Jay Gruden has confidence that Shell will emerge as a dependable man in the middle. "First. He's a great athlete. Any NFL scout who watches his back pedal falls in love with him. He came to us a young raw talent and has continued to improve every year. Being the starter in the middle, we need him to take that next step up in his game - something I am confident he will do."
As for his goals in 2007, Shell says they are relatively modest. "Individually, it's not about stats, it's about winning. That's what Jay stresses. My goal is just to get better every game and make the big plays we need to win."
Gruden hopes that a solid pass rush will help ease the transition of a new secondary. "With guys like Greg White getting after the quarterback, I'm hoping the defensive backs won't have to cover the wide receivers too long. It certainly will make things a lot easier for them."
PRED NOTES: Several Predators remain hobbled by injuries of various degrees...Jimmy Fryzel remains day-to-day with a hamstring injury and Clif Dell is out indefinitely with a quad injury...Delanio Taylor (knee) and Greg White (hamstring) are also hampered...Director of Ticket Operations Chris Tamburrelli reports the team is rapidly approaching 11,000 in season tickets sold for the 2007 season...the team is optimistic that it will break the club record of 11,244 season tickets from the 2006 season and has already shattered its 2006 record for season ticket revenue... The Predators are expecting upwards of 1,000 fans at their sixth annual Season Ticket Pick-up Party on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Thunder Field...the event will be held from 9 a.m. - 12 noon...Fans will have an opportunity to pickup their season tickets and attend a meet and greet the Predators players, coaches and dance team members...The Predators inflatables, live music, food, sponsor booths, the newest in Predators merchandise and an opportunity to watch the Predators are all part of the festivities.
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