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Orlando Predators game notes

February 11, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


Austin Wranglers (0-0) at Orlando Predators (0-1)
Date: Friday, Feb. 13, 2004
Toe-to-Leather Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: TD Waterhouse Centre (13,692)
Officials: Referee: Jerome Boger; Umpire: Rick Nelson
Head Linesman: Rusty Spindel; Line Judge: Dennis Lipski;
Back Judge: Rich Wilborn; Supervisor Buddy Ward
Radio: WQTM 740 The Team (Tom Morgan and Dan Pearson)
TV: No National; Regional back to Texas
Streaks: Season opener for Austin; Preds have lost one in a row
Series Record: Series tied (0-0-0)
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (6th season, 43-24, .641); Austin: Skip Foster (1st Season, 0-0, .000)

Austin: Jannell Fondry – Office: 512-233-7672; Cell: 512-801-4968

THE STAKES: After dropping their season opener to the Tampa Bay Storm, the Orlando Predators will look to get back on the winning track when they host the expansion Austin Wranglers (0-0-0) on Friday night in "The Jungle." Austin will be playing their first game ever after drawing a bye in Week One. Despite not playing a game, Austin should present a stern challenge to the Predators.

"There's really no such thing as an expansion team this year," Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden says. "There were 250 AFL free agents available for any team to sign, including the new ones. The new teams from this year did not have to pick off the leftovers from any team's roster in an expansion draft, they could essentially build the type of team they wanted to."

Still, Orlando may have a slight advantage having played a game. "There's no question the bye week coming in the first week is going to hurt them at first. We got to play a game last week and nothing can beat game experience. Hopefully that experience will help us on Friday night," Gruden added.


Orlando Predators (0-1-0) *All Times Eastern
Date Opponent W/L Score
Feb. 8 At Tampa Bay W L, 41-52
Feb. 13 Austin 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 28 At Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 6 Indiana 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 12 Georgia 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 21 At Chicago 12 Noon
Mar. 27 Las Vegas 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 4 At Columbus 12 Noon
Apr. 9 New Orleans 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 18 At Georgia 3 p.m.
Apr. 25 New Orleans 7:30 p.m.
May 2 Tampa Bay 3 p.m.
May 9 At New Orleans 3 p.m.
May 16 At Austin 3 p.m.
May 23 New York 3 p.m.
May 30 At Los Angeles 4 p.m.
Austin Wranglers
Date Opponent Result Score
Feb. 13 At Orlando 3 p.m.
Feb. 22 Tampa Bay 3 p.m.
Feb. 27 At Colorado 9 p.m.
Mar. 7 Carolina 3 p.m.
Mar. 14 Indiana 3 p.m.
Mar. 18 At Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 28 Philadelphia 3 p.m.
Apr. 3 At Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Apr. 11 Georgia 3 p.m.
Apr. 18 At Tampa Bay 3 p.m.
Apr. 25 New Orleans 3 p.m.
May 1 At Grand Rapids 7:30 p.m.
May 9 Dallas 3 p.m.
May 16 Orlando 3 p.m.
May 23 At Georgia 3 p.m.
May 30 At New Orleans 4 p.m.
QUOTE/UNQUOTE
"I thought that Joe Hamilton had a very good first game. There may have been some situations early in the game where his throws could have had a different trajectory, but he threw on time, made the reads and didn't throw any picks. I think he has a real chance to be a star in this league."

--Head Coach Jay Gruden

PREDS HEAD COACH JAY GRUDEN
After spending the last two seasons as the team's quarterback, JAY GRUDEN returns to the bench as the team's head coach in 2004. Gruden began his coaching career in 1997, serving as offensive assistant for the Nashville Kats. One season later, the Predators made him the youngest head coach in the AFL. Gruden would go on to lead the Predators to three consecutive appearances in the ArenaBowl and a pair of championships. After guiding the Predators to a fourth consecutive trip to the playoffs, Gruden shocked the AFL world by announcing his intentions to resign in order to return to the playing field. In two seasons, Gruden directed the Predators to the semifinals twice. In 2003, he recorded a 10-0 record with 49 touchdown passes and two interceptions as a starting quarterback during the regular season. Off-season surgery, combined with the tragic loss of former Head Coach Fran Papasedero in a June 19 traffic accident, resulted in Gruden returning to the sideline. Gruden will take a 43-24 (.641) all-time coaching record into the Tampa Bay game. He is 35-22 in regular season games (.614) and 8-2 as a head coach in playoff games (.800).

ORLANDO PREDATORS
HEAD COACHING RECORDS

Coaches, Years Record Pct.
Jay Gruden, 1998-2001, 2004 43-24 .641
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684
AUSTIN WRANGLER HEAD COACH SKIP FOSTER
Making his AFL head coach debut Friday night is Skip Foster of the Austin Wranglers. Although coaching his first AFL game, Foster is no stranger to the Arena Football League game. For the past three seasons he was head coach of Tulsa Talons of the "arenafootball2" league, where he led the team to a regular season mark of 13-3 last year and an "af2" title last year. Under Foster's guidance, Tulsa was the only "af2" to go undefeated for three consecutive years at home.

IFs:
If the Orlando Predators defeat the Austin Wrangers on Sunday, it would:

*Would make the Predators 1-1 and drop Austin to 0-1

*Would give the Predators a 1-0 series lead against Austin

*Would even the Predators Division Record at 1-1

*Would give Jay Gruden an all-time coaching record of 44-24 (.647)


*Would give Jay Gruden six wins in last seven games against his former team.

*Would give the Predators three straight wins in home openers

*Would give the Predators an all-time record of 11-3 in home openers

*Would give the Predators four straight wins at home

*Would give the Predators an all-time home record of
73-29-0 (.716)

ORLANDO/AUSTIN SERIES NOTES: Austin entered the league in 2004 as an expansion team...The Wranglers were placed in the Southern Division, meaning they will face the Predators at least twice this season...the regular season return match-up is scheduled for May 16 in Austin, TX and is tentatively scheduled to be televised on NBC...former Orlando Predators players Charlie Davidson and Cedric Walker are on Austin's 24-man roster; as are former Orlando Rage (XFL) players Patrise Alexander and Shannon "Skinny" Culver.


How The 2004 Predators Were Built

Retained From 2003 (9): Travis McGriff, Connell Maynor, Cory Fleming, Kenny McEntyre, Fred Ray, Justin Cleveland, EJ Burt, Doug Miller and Reggie Lee

Veteran Free Agents Signed (6): Bret Cooper, , George Williams, Rupert Grant, William Gaines, Cecil Caldwell, and Jermaine Smith.

Obtained by Trade (1): James Bowden

Rookie Free Agents (10): Paul Miranda, Idris Price, Jay Taylor, Joe Hamilton, Lin-J Shell, LaVar Glover, Marlon Moye-Moore, Buck Gurley, Michael Brown*, Derrick Ham*

*Begins season on IR list.

Released/Traded Players No Longer on Roster:
Waived: Kevin McLeod, Antwuan Wyatt, Chris Sanders, Roy Stabler, Nate Bandy, Barry Hall, Anthony Bright, Tavares Jurineack, Joe Crear, Anthony McKenzie, Abdullah Wiggins.

Traded: Thabiti Davis (Detroit)

PREDS NEWS, NOTES, TRENDS

McENTYRE CAN BECOME AFL'S ALL-TIME INTERCEPTION LEADER IN 2004:
Although he had an outstanding year with 10 interceptions, Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre came up four short in his pursuit to catch Durwood Roquemore for the most interceptions in Arena Football League history. McEntyre finished the 2003 campaign with 46 interceptions and now trails Roquemore by just four. Although Roquemore played the majority of his career with the Predators, McEntyre already owns the club record with 46. Roquemore only had 30 of his career 50 interceptions with the Predators. Interestingly, four of the top five players on the all-time list for career interceptions spent at least part of their career on an Orlando Predators roster.


AFL ALL-TIME LEADERS
INTERCEPTIONS
Name No. Years With Preds
Durwood Roquemore 50 1987-96 1991-96
Kenny McEntyre 46 1998-04 1998-03
Barry Wagner 40 1992-03 1992-99 Tracey Perkins 37 1991-01 ---
Chris Barber 35 1992-00 1996-98

PAPASEDERO'S WINNING PERCENTAGE REMAINS AMONG THE BEST IN AFL HISTORY/PREDATORS TO DEDICATE 2004 SEASON TO HIS MEMORY: After starting his AFL coaching career with a 1-4 record, former Orlando Predators Head Coach Fran Papasedero guided his team to 21 wins in his last 30 games – a winning percentage of .700. Sadly, Papasedero coached his last game in the semifinals of the AFL playoffs on June 7, 2003. Eleven days later, he lost his life in an automobile accident. For his career, Papasedero was 19-11 in regular season games. That percentage (.633) currently ranks as seventh best in AFL history. It's interesting to note that Predators coaches Perry Moss, Papasedero and Jay Gruden currently occupy three of the top 10 spots on the AFL All-Time list for regular season winning percentage. The Predators are dedicating the 2004 season to Coach Papasedero's memory and will honor him tonight in a pre-game ceremony.

AFL TOP 10 BEST CAREER WINNING PERCENTAGES
FOR A HEAD COACH GOING INTO THE 2004 SEASON
1. Fran Curci 15-5 .750
2. Tim Marcum 133-47 .738
3. Darren Arbet 53-19 .736
4. Perry Moss 72-28-1 .726
5. Danny White 110-50 .687
6. Pat Sperduto 27-15 .643
7. Fran Papasedero 19-11 .633
8. Ed Hodgkiss 19-11 .633
Jay Gruden 35-21 .625
10. John Hufnagel 17-11 .607
*Minimum of 10 coaching wins needed for inclusion on list...regular season games only...chart current through 2003 Season...Active Coaches in Italics...Coaches that spent at least part of their coaching career in Orlando is highlighted in bold type face.

Lin-J Shell Makes Jump To Arena Football League Out of Try-Out Camp
Although it was uncertain whether he would be activated for Week One, Predators WR/DB Lin-J Shell has already beat the odds by becoming the first player since Fred Ray (1999) to make Orlando's opening 24-man roster via the team's free agent tryout camp. "We had no idea who he was," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "He was one of about 300 guys that showed up for our November camp. He paid his $50 and proceeded to catch our eye." Still considered a long shot to make the Predators 24-man roster, Shell proceeded to have an outstanding camp and even challenged for a starting position. He saw significant action in last week's loss to Tampa Bay.

HAMILTON TO TAKE OVER QUARTERBACK REIGNS FOR GRUDEN
Although quarterback Joe Hamilton lost his first start with the Orlando Predators last week, Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden was pleased with the efforts of the AFL rookie. Hamilton completed 23 of 40 passes for 270 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. More impressively, he was 18 of 24 with three touchdowns and no picks after the first quarter. "Some of his early throws were a little erratic, but he didn't make any bad mistakes, took care of the ball and got us in the end zone. Frankly, he had some balls that should have been caught earlier in the game and weren't. There's no question in my mind he's going to be a very good quarterback in this league," Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden on Joe Hamilton's AFL debut.

How Predators Opening Day Quarterback Have Fared
Year Quarterback Opponent Result
1991 Reggie Collier at Tampa Bay W, 50-38
1992 Ben Bennett Tampa Bay L, 32-39
1993 Ben Bennett Albany W, 40-30
1994 Ben Bennett at Arizona W, 38-28
1995 Ben Bennett at Connecticut W, 45-43
1996 Pat O'Hara at Arizona L, 52-55
1997 Pat O'Hara at New York W, 50-42
1998 Pat O'Hara Grand Rapids W, 42-27
1999 Browning Nagle at Nashville W, 49-40
2000 Connell Maynor New Jersey W, 38-21
2001 Braniff Bonaventure at Nashville L, 25-50
2002 Jay Gruden at Georgia L, 46-27
2003 Jay Gruden at Chicago W, 45-27
2004 Joey Hamilton at Tampa Bay L, 41-52



THE TAMPA GAME...THE GOOD...THE BAD...AND THE UGLY: The GOOD: When reviewing the Tampa Bay loss, several good things came to the forefront...after a rough first quarter, quarterback Joe Hamilton settled down and had a solid game...kicker Jay Taylor bombed both his field goal attempts through the center and looked solid on most kickoff attempts. The BAD: Several veteran players probably did not play up to there abilities, something Jay Gruden says will have to change if the Predators are to compete for a title. "Some of our veterans did not have good games. Our money people are going to have to step it up a bit." The UGLY: The Predators put themselves in a hole early by failing to convert a couple of fourth down plays in the first half, which forced them to play catch-up for the entire game...Kenny McEntyre lost a four quarter interception when officials ruled he was juggling the ball before hitting the sideline barrier...replays suggested the call might have been incorrect and had the call gone the other way, Orlando would have had a chance to take the lead...following that series, veteran Cory Fleming fumbled away a ball in the fourth quarter, which Tampa Bay converted to a touchdown to ice the game away.

FLEMING POSTS BIG NUMBERS: Starting at offensive specialist in place of the injured Travis McGriff, WR/LB Cory Fleming posted a big game with 13 catches for 151 yards and three touchdowns. Fleming's 13 catches was the second highest single game total in Predators history and was the top total in the AFL for Week One. Here are Fleming's top games receiving games (yards) in his career:

Year Opponent Yards Rec. TD
2000 Houston 175 7 4
2000 Albany 168 16 4
1999 Arizona 156 14 3
2004 Tampa Bay 151 13 3
1998 Iowa 149 13 4
1999 Florida 144 11 2

McENTYRE IS TRUE IRONMAN: Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre has been one of the toughest competitors to ever wear a Predators uniform. Despite numerous injuries in his career, McEntyre has yet to miss a start since coming to the Predators in the tail end of the 1998 season. Counting last week's game with Tampa Bay, McEntyre has now answered the bell for 89 consecutive games -- a team record.

TAYLOR/HOWFIELD PERFECT: Through the first week of the 2004 season, Orlando kicker Jay Taylor and Tampa's Ian Howfield are the only two kickers in the Arena Football League to not miss a kick of any type during Week One of the season. Taylor was a perfect 3 of 3 on extra points and nailed both his field goal attempts; while Howfield was 7 for 7 on extra points and hit his only field goal attempt. Taylor was also the kicker in the league to make more than one field goal in the first week. Here is the chart of top kickers in terms of percentages for Week 1:

Player FG XP Pct. Points
Howfield, TB 1-1 7-7 1.000 10
Taylor, ORL 2-2 3-3 1.000 9
Frantz, SJ 1-2 7-8 .800 10

TOTAL DEFENSE STILL RANKS HIGH
After finishing the 2003 season in the top three in almost all defensive categories, the Predators continued the trend in total defense through Week One of the Regular Season. Orlando currently ranks third in the league in both total defense and passing defense as the chart below demonstrates:

Team Total Defense Run Pass
Chicago 107 15 92
Detroit 179 38 141
Orlando 189 31 158
Las Vegas 223 19 204
Indiana 224 22 202

PREDS ADD HUMMER AS MAJOR SPONSOR
The Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League have inked HUMMER, a division of General Motors, with HUMMER of Orlando, as a major corporate sponsor for the 2004 season. The one-year agreement, which grants a right of first refusal to renew, makes HUMMER the official motor vehicle of the Orlando Predators. Under terms of the agreement, HUMMER receives exclusivity in the motor vehicle category. The agreement includes print, jumbotron, in-arena signage, on-field turf square, internet, and broadcast advertising for the sponsor. In addition, HUMMER and HUMMER of Orlando, will receive a sponsorship party, season tickets, and in-arena and out-of-arena promotions at each Predators home game. "Obviously we are thrilled to welcome HUMMER and HUMMER of Orlando, to our family of official sponsors," Orlando Predators President Brett Bouchy said. "This marketing agreement will give year-round exposure of HUMMER's brand and product lines to all Orlando Predators fans." "HUMMER and HUMMER of Orlando will enhance this partnership by hosting a series of HUMMER Happenings, events for HUMMER owners and enthusiasts to socialize and enjoy exciting, action-packed activities," stated Brad Adams, assistant regional marketing manager for HUMMER. "This relationship provides a new twist on the HUMMER experience."

WHO WILL BE THE 10,000TH PREDATORS SEASON TICKET HOLDER? With Orlando's season ticket base climbing above the 9,400 mark earlier this week, the Predators have put together a sweet package for the person who purchases Orlando's 10,000th season ticket for the 2004 season. The lucky fan will receive two additional season tickets, a set of golf clubs, and two airline tickets to New York from the team.


PLAYERS TO WATCH
AUSTIN AT ORLANDO

PREDS QUARTERBACK JOE HAMILTON
Hamilton was solid on his AFL debut last week. After starting the game 5 for 16, he hit 18 of his last 24 passes (75%) for 201 yards and three touchdowns. More impressively, Hamilton did not turn over the ball and was sacked just once against one of the league's top defenses.

AUSTIN WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON
A cagey veteran who spent part of his career with the Predators, Charlie Davidson has his best professional season of his career with the Colorado Crush last year. His totals included 78 receptions for 1,031 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also had one of his best defensive seasons with 50.5 total tackles, an interception and 10 pass defenses.

PREDS WR/LB CORY FLEMING
Fleming had a huge game last week, catching a league-high 13 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns while working out of the offensive specialist slot. With Travis McGriff (hamstring) still on IR, Fleming may forego his usual WR/LB spot again. Despite the impressive numbers, a 4th quarter fumble by Fleming resulted in the Predators falling two scored behind – a rare mistake the 8th veteran says will not happen again. "Simple case of trying to do too much," Fleming said. "I tried to make another move and pick up more yardage without taking care of the ball."

AUSTIN QB JOHN KALEO: Earlier this week, Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden said "There's no such thing this year as an Arena Football League expansion team." Gruden made the remark in reference to the Austin Wranglers in general and Wranglers quarterback John Kaleo specifically. Gruden was referring to the fact that all three expansion teams – New Orleans, Austin and Philadelphia – had unprecedented access in the off-season to more than 250 veteran free agents. Gruden said that any expansion team with a decent player personnel director and a budget to work with could build a good team. The Wranglers used that opportunity to sign veteran quarterback John Kaleo. All Kaleo did last season was lead the Tampa Bay Storm to an AFL championship by completing 310 of 510 passes for 4,189 yards, 75 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. For his illustrious career, he has thrown for more than 22,000 yards with 345 touchdown passes. "It's the equivalent of a 2004 NFL expansion franchise getting Tom Brady...it just doesn't happen," Gruden said. "Austin has five or six players with a lot of AFL experience, including an outstanding quarterback. It's kind of hard to sit back and say they are an expansion team and keep a straight face."

PREDS DS KENNY "THE GLOVE" McENTYRE
After being "nicked up" during each of the past two seasons, Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre came into camp this season in the best shape of his life. McEntyre did not officially record an interception in the season opener last week, but replays suggested he should have been credited with one in the fourth quarter. Now in his sixth season as the Preds starting defensive specialist (he joined the Predators in the final week of the 1998 season), McEntyre needs just five interceptions to become the new all-time leader in AFL history. McEntyre is a former two-time winner of the AFL Defensive Player of the Year award and has been placed on the first-unit All-AFL for each of the past four seasons. McEntyre is Orlando's big play guy on defense. A defensive specialist who does not return kicks, Kenny McEntyre has scored 14 touchdowns in his AFL career, including three in the post-season. McEntyre's touchdowns have come in a variety of ways, including 10 on interceptions, 2 on on-sides kickoff returns, one on a recovered fumble and one on a blocked field goal. As the chart below indicates, when McEntyre scores it is usually good news for the Predators. Orlando is 11-2 when McEntyre scores a touchdown.

6/1/03 New York* W, 69-62 0, Recovered Fumble
4/11/03 Las Vegas W,66-23 45, Interception Return
3/30/03 Los Angeles L, 6-463 27, Interception Return
11, Kickoff Return (on-sides)
3/2/03 New York W,72-56 12, Kickoff Return (on-sides)
2/21/03 Carolina W,70-46 27, Interception Return
6/28/02 Carolina W, 52-48 19, Interception Return
6/2/01 Toronto W, 70-22 25, Interception Return
5/12/00 Tampa Bay W, 44-43 49, Interception Return
8/7/99 Tampa Bay* W, 41-19 41, Interception Return
7/30/99 Buffalo* W, 48-41 16, Interception Return
6/7/99 Albany L,54-62 0, MFG Return (block)
5/7/99 Houston W, 67-49 16, Interception Return
4/23/99 Nashville W, 49-40 37, Interception Return

AUSTIN DS CEDRIC WALKER
Walker joins a multitude of AFL players that broke in with the Orlando Predators. A veteran of eight AFL seasons, Walker started his career with the Orlando Predators in 1996. He had a solid season with Chicago last year, recording 56 total tackles. Walker is a physical player who will punish the receiver after a catch. His career totals include 73 pass defenses and 12 interceptions.


GAME MVPS/IRONMAN AWARD (selected by media):
Week Opp. Player
1 At Tampa Bay O: Shane Stafford (TB)D: Shea Showers (TB)I: TT Toliver (TB)

2003 ROSTER MOVES
Date Action Player

1/31 Waived FB/LB Kevin McLeod, QB Chris Sanders, DS Marcus Smith, OL/DL Nate Bandy, OL/DL Barry Hall, OS Anthony Bright, OS Antwuan Wyatt, OL/DL Anthony McKenzie,DS Roy Stabler. Placed OL/DL Derrick Ham, WR/LB Michael Brown on IR
1/31 Trade Received WR/DB James Bowden from Carolina Cobras in exchange for future considerations
1/3 Placed on IR OS Travis McGriff



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 11, 2004


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