Moss returns to Preds
Published on September 8, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 8, 2005) -- Orlando Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden began to fill out his coaching staff for the 2006 season by announcing LES MOSS as assistant head coach. He replaces Bret Munsey, who resigned in August to become head coach of AFL's Philadelphia Soul.
Moss is no stranger to the Orlando Predators organization. He served in various capacities with the Predators under both his father and former head coach Perry Moss (1991-97) and Gruden (1998-2000). After spending one season with the Orlando Rage of the XFL as tight ends coach in 2001, Moss re-joined the Predators as fullback/linebacker coach under Fran Papasedero in 2002-03. With Orlando, Moss helped guide the Predators to 11 playoff appearances, six ArenaBowl champion games, and a pair of titles (1998, 2000).
He left the Predators to become head coach and director of football operations with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers of the "arenafootball2" league in 2004. In two seasons with the Pioneers, Moss led the team to a 24-12 record (.667 winning percentage).
With the Pioneers, Moss earned "af2" Coach of the Year honors in 2004 - guiding the team to the conference championship game and an overall mark of 14-4. Despite a rash of injuries, Moss rallied his team to a 9-7 mark during the 2005 season and won a playoff game before losing in the second round to the Florida Firecats. Overall, his reign constituted the two best seasons in Pioneer history.
"This wasn't a difficult decision," Gruden said in making the announcement. "In addition to 12 years with our organization, Les has logged 17 seasons in arena football - including two seasons of head coaching experience. We're delighted that he is returning to the Predators."
TRYOUT CAMP OCT. 1
The Orlando Predators will hold an open tryout camp on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Thunder Field, adjacent to the Florida Citrus Bowl Complex. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the tryout beginning promptly at 9 a.m.
Prospective players will be tested in the 40-yard dash, 20-yard short shuttle and a variety of non-contact drills by position. Orlando is seeking players at all positions, but are particularly interested in linemen, quarterbacks and defensive backs/wide receivers.
There is a $50 registration fee ($40 prior to Sept. 20) to cover costs associated with the tryouts and all participants will be required to sign an injury waiver prior to participation. For more information or to register, please visit www.orlandopredators.com or call the Predators office at 407-44-PREDS.
SIGNING DATE PUSHED BACK
The Arena Football League announced that due to Hurricane Katrina, the signing date for veteran and rookie free agents was being pushed back to Oct. 1 from Sept. 14. Starting on that new date, teams may sign free agents for the upcoming season. Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden said his team would concentrate on rookie free agents, as opposed to the more than 200 AFL veteran players that are currently available. "We concentrated our resources and efforts on re-signing a core group of our own free agent veterans last summer," Gruden said. "That left us very little cap room to get into bidding wars for established veteran free agents. We will spend the majority of time and efforts in finding rookie free agents to fill out our roster." Orlando has many of their key players, including quarterback Joe Hamilton, DS Kenny McEntyre, WR/LB Cory Fleming, OL/DL Justin Cleveland, OL/DL Doug Miller and OS Jimmy Fryzel under contract for the upcoming season. Star lineman EJ Burt, who set Orlando's single season and career quarterback sack records during his three seasons with the Predators, is one of the few key players that the Predators were unable to resign. "EJ is going to test the free agent market and will probably be one of the most sought after players this off-season," Gruden said. "We would love to have him back, but probably can not afford him." One date that hasn't changed is the Sept. 26 date for the league's expansion draft to stock the roster of the Utah Blaze, which enters the league for the 2006 season. Former Arizona Rattlers head coach Danny White will serve as head coach for the Blaze. Each team submitted a protected list to the league, with the remainder of their players being exposed for the draft. Orlando's unprotected list includes lineman Antwuan Lake and Marcus Floyd (both currently with NFL clubs), defensive specialist Linn-J Shell and WR/LB Justin Skaggs.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 8, 2005
- Moss returns to Preds - Orlando Predators
- AFL online auction to raise funds for relief efforts - AFL I
- The OSC interview: Dallas Desperados COO Shy Anderson - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Force's Derek Lee signs with Atlanta Falcons - Georgia Force
- Rush to hold tryouts for Adrenaline Rush dancers - Chicago Rush
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
