Orlando Predators game notes

February 23, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


Orlando (0-2) at Carolina (2-1)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28
Toe-to-Leather Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Charlotte Coliseum (12,299)
Officials: Referee: Steve Pamon; Umpire: Jeff Carr; Head Linesman: Brent Durbin; Line Judge: Tom Symonette; Back Judge: Jim Anderson
Radio: WQTM 740 The Team (Tom Morgan and Dan Pearson)
TV: None
Streaks: Predators have lost two in a row, Carolina has lost one in a row
Series Record: Predators lead all-time series, 6-0-0
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (6th season, 43-25, .632); Eddie Khayat (25-19-0, .568)

THE STAKES: The Orlando Predators enter Week Four of the regular season in the unusual position of looking for their first win of the regular season. How unusual? Consider the Predators have entered the fourth week of the regular season winless just one time in franchise history. The Predators lost their first three games of the 2001 season before rallying to six in a row and eight of their last 11 to qualify for the playoffs.

But similarities between the 2001 team and the 2004 Predators end with the fact that both teams entered Week Four looking for their first win. This year's team is struggling on defense; whereas the 2001 team was struggling on offense. In addition, this year's team has a bye week and is just 0-2, as compared to the 2001 team that was 0-3.

That said, Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden knows his team sorely needs a win this week. "I think it's important for this team to taste victory and get some momentum going," Gruden said. "The effort has been there and I know this is a talented group of players. We made some personnel changes this week and hopefully it will be enough to help us right the ship."

Orlando Predators (0-2-0) *All Times Eastern
Date Opponent W/L Score
Feb. 8 At Tampa Bay W L, 41-52
Feb. 13 Austin L (OT) L, 48-49
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.

Carolina Cobras (2-1-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Feb. 13 At Dallas W 67-41
Feb. 21 At Columbus W 54-53
Feb. 21 Arizona L 38-45
Feb. 28 Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 7 At Austin 3 p.m.
Mar. 14 Dallas 3 p.m.
Mar. 27 Tampa Bay 3 p.m.
Apr. 4 At New Orleans 8 p.m.
Apr. 11 At Indiana 3 p.m.
Apr. 17 Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
May 1 Columbus 7:30 p.m.
May 8 At New York 7 p.m.
May 15 At Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
May 22 Grand Rapids 7:30 p.m.
May 30 At Georgia 4 p.m.

QUOTE/UNQUOTE
"A lot of people say that our bye week came at a good time after two losses. I think it came at the worst time. After losing two in a row, I wanted nothing better than to get out there and play this weekend. We have to find a way to turn this thing around and the week off was driving me nuts."
--DS Kenny McEntyre

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 43-25 (.632) all-time coaching record into the Tampa Bay game. He is 35-23 in regular season games (.603) 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 43-25 .632
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684
Carolina Cobras Head Coach Eddie Khayat
A true football legend, Eddie Khayat is in his fifth season of coaching in the Arena Football League and 43rd year in the professional overall. Coach Khayat will take a 25-19 AFL record into Saturday's game with the Predators. His previous stops included a 4-6 record with the New Orleans Nights (1991), a 19-9 mark with the Nashville Kats (1997-98) and a 2-4 record with the Carolina Cobras (0-3 as interim coach in 2003). A graduate of Tulane University, Coach Khayat played nine seasons in the National Football League and one year in the AFL as a defensive lineman (1957-66). He would then spend 25 of the next 27 years coaching in the NFL, including two years as Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles (1971-72). After being named Head Coach and Director of Football Operations of the Nashville Kats in 1997, Khayat would give Jay Gruden his first coaching job, naming the former Tampa Bay Storm quarterback as offensive coordinator. In addition to serving as head coach of the Kats in 1997-98, Khayat spent three seasons as Nashville's General Manager (1999-2001) and served as an advisor to the Carolina Cobras in 2003 before being named Head Coach at the tail end of the season.


CAROLINA QUICK FACT
Bob Khayat, the brother of Carolina Head Coach Eddie Khayat, is a former NFL player and currently serves as Chancellor at the University of Mississippi.


IFs:
If the Orlando Predators defeat the Carolina Cobras on Saturday, it would:

...Make the Predators 1-2 and drop Carolina to 2-2
...Give the Predators a 7-0 series lead over the Cobras
...Would make Jay Gruden's coaching record 44-25
...Would give the Predators an all-time record of 133-69-0
...Would give the Predators an all-time road record of
61-39-0

PREDATORS PLAY 100th ROAD GAME SATURDAY
Saturday will mark the 100th road game (playoffs included) in Orlando Predators franchise history. The Predators have been one of the best road teams in league history, having won 60 of the 99 games (.606 winning percentage). Orlando has won 11 of their last 14 regular season road games.

ORLANDO/CAROLINA SERIES NOTES: The Predators have won all six of the previous games played between the two franchises...Carolina played in Raleigh for the first three years (2000-02) before moving to Charlotte prior to the 2003 season...the Cobras were winless in 2003...The Cobras played in the Southern Division in both 2000 and 2003, but were placed in the Eastern Division in 2001, 2002 and 2004...the series between the Predators has been marked by three blowouts (Predators average margin of victory 25 points) and three extremely tight games (average margin three points)...it was against Carolina in Week 4 last year where Jay Gruden suffered a severe ankle injury (diagnosed as broken after the season) that caused him to miss six weeks of the season.


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): Idris Price, Jay Taylor, Joe Hamilton, Lin-J Shell, Marlon Moye-Moore, Arkee Thompson, Paul Young, Buck Gurley, Michael Brown*,

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, Paul Miranda, LaVar Glover Traded: Thabiti Davis (Detroit)

*Began season on IR list.


PREDS NEWS, NOTES, TRENDS

McENTYRE CAN BECOME AFL'S ALL-TIME INTERCEPTION LEADER IN 2004:
With an interception in Week 2 against Austin, Predators DS Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre continues to inch forward in his efforts to become the Arena Football League's all-time leader in that category. McEntyre now has 47 interceptions and trails former Orlando Predators DS Durwood Roquemore by just three for the most in Arena Football League history. Interestingly, four of the top five players in AFL history have spent the majority of their AFL careers with the Predators.


AFL ALL-TIME LEADERS
INTERCEPTIONS
Name No. Years With Preds
Durwood Roquemore 50 1987-96 1991-96
Kenny McEntyre 47 1998-04 1998-03
Barry Wagner 40 1992-04 1992-99 Tracey Perkins 37 1991-01 ---
Chris Barber 35 1992-00 1996-98

PREDS LOOK FOR BYE WEEK TREND TO CONTINUE THIS WEEK
Obviously when you are looking for your first win, you'll look for any positive trend you can find. For the Orlando Predators, they can look at what happens to a team after a "bye" week and take heart. Through three weeks of the regular season, the team with a "bye" came on strong to win the following week.

Bye Team Next Week's Result
Week 1: Austin Defeated Orlando, 49-48
Week 2: San Jose Defeated Los Angeles, 61-55
Week 3: Orlando Week 4 at Carolina?

FLEMING OFF TO FASTEST START AMONG RECEIVCERS IN PREDATORS HISTORY
Prior to last season, Jay Gruden said that the reason he wanted to keep playing was that he wanted an opportunity to throw the ball to newly acquired Cory Fleming. "Cory has a way of making quarterbacks look good," Gruden said. "You don't have to be perfect with him, all you need to do is get it somewhere near him and you know he will make the catch." In 2004, new quarterback Joe Hamilton will echo Gruden's statement from a year ago as Fleming is off to the best receiving start (total receiving yards) in Predators history. Through two games, has more receiving yards (298) than any player in Predators history; while his 21 receptions and seven receiving touchdowns rank second to Barry Wagner for most receptions and receiving touchdowns after two games. Here is a chart of the best start by a receiver after two games of the regular season:

Year Player Rec. Yards TD
2004 Cory Fleming 21 298 7
1996 Barry Wagner 23 296 9
1998 Barry Wagner 12 253 6
2003 Travis McGriff 17 251 6
1999 Bret Cooper 16 250 3



GRUDEN SHAKES UP PREDATORS ROSTER,
WAIVES MIRANDA AND GLOVER; SIGNS McKIBBEN, YOUNG, AND THOMPSON
Not willing to stand pat after a 0-2 start, Head Coach Jay Gruden used Orlando's "bye week" to significantly shake up the Predators roster. After waiving defensive specialists Paul Miranda and LaVar Glover last week, Gruden filled out the Predators roster on Monday by waiving OL/DL Derrick Ham and signing former UCF star Josh McKibben and defensive specialists Arkee Thompson and Sam Young.

McKibben, a 6-2, 285-lb. lineman, went to training camp with the Tampa Bay Bucs this past summer. He began his professional career as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2002. He was in the final round of cuts by both teams. In between his NFL stints, McKibben played one season in NFL Europe for the Rhein Fire. He posted 24 total tackles with 2.5 quarterback sacks and batted down four passes as a defensive tackle.

McKibben started 33 of 44 games with the University of Central Florida, 1998-2001. He recorded 256 tackles in his career, including 34 tackles-for-loss and 13 quarterback sacks. Thompson played three seasons in the "arenafootball2" league, where he was the league's all-time leader in career interceptions with 27. He earned first team All-af2 last year with the Louisville Fire. Thompson appeared briefly on the Georgia Force roster in 2003 and went to camp with the Force in February of this year.

Young appeared on the Colorado Crush's 2003 roster but did not play in any games, before going to training camp this season with the same team. His NFL experience includes pre-season stints with Chicago (2001), Green Bay (2001) and Denver (2002). He was a first-team, all-Gateway Conference player with Illinois State in 1999 and 2000. Ham, a former University of Miami player, opened the 2004 season on the Predators injured reserve list. He was activated and waived on Monday.

Gruden hinted that more changes may be in the making before the Predators return to action this Saturday against the Carolina Cobras. "We need to get this thing turned around and we are going to do it by putting the best 20 players we have on the field," Gruden said. "Defensively, we have to get better and we will continue to make changes as needed." The moves leave the Predators with 24 players on their active roster, with DS Michael Brown (ankle) and OS Travis McGriff (hamstring) on injures reserve. Both players are eligible to come off injured reserve this week.


HAMILTON SOLID IN EARLY GOING
For not having any Arena Football League experience prior to the 2004 season, rookie quarterback Joe Hamilton continues to get solid reviews through two games. "He's not making many mistakes, he's putting points on the board and he's making the right reads and throwing on time," Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden says about his first year quarterback. Hamilton had a solid first game against defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay and followed it with a 23 of 33 performance (69.7%) against Austin where he threw for 307 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. "In eight possessions, he led us to seven touchdowns," Gruden added. "That should have been more than enough for us to win the game." Hamilton started his career with nine touchdown passes and 577 passing yards without an interception (73 attempts).

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 the last game against Austin, McEntyre has now answered the bell for 90 consecutive games -- a team record.

WHO WILL BE THE 10,000TH PREDATORS SEASON TICKET HOLDER? With Orlando's season ticket base climbing above the 9,500 mark last 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.

CAROLINA HAS IMPRESSIVE COACHING STAFF:
AFL Coaching Experience is not an issue with this week's opponents. Veteran Carolina Head Coach Eddie Khayat hired former New York Dragons/Iowa Barnstormers Head Coach John Gregory to serve as his offensive coordinator. Gregory spent eight-plus years in the AFL as a head coach, recording a 72-54 record, including a pair of ArenaBowl appearances. Add defensive coordinator Ron Selesky to the staff (Buffalo Destoryers head coach) and Carolina boasts three former AFL head coaches on its staff with more head coaching wins!

CAROLINA AND ORLANDO: TEAMS LOADED WITH TIES AMONG PLAYERS AND COACHES
Perhaps no two teams in Arena Football are as closely tied together as the Orlando Predators and the Carolina Cobras. Here are some of the ties that we are aware of:

*As Head Coach of the Nashville Kats, Carolina Head Coach Eddie Khayat hired Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden to serve as the team's offensive coordinator in 1997.

*Predators Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Bret Munsey was defensive coordinator of the Carolina Cobras in 2002.

*Predators center Justin Cleveland played for the Cobras in 2002.

*Predators WR/LB Cory Fleming played for the Cobras in 2002.

*Predators back-up quarterback Connell Maynor started four games at QB for Carolina in 2002.

*Predators WR/LB James Bowden went to camp with the Cobras in 2004 and was traded to Orlando for future considerations during training camp.

*Cobras DS Glenn Davis was a rookie with the Orlando Predators last year.

*Cobras DS Damon Mason played for the Predators from 1998-2001 and won a pair of championship rings with the Predators.

*2003 Preds kicker Brian Schmitz was also a former starting kicker for the Cobras.

*Former Cobras players RJ Anderson, Carl Bond, Kevin Gaines, Jon McCall, Antwuan Wyatt, Jerry Sharp, Tramain Jones, Ty Law, and Jack Jackson spent part of their careers on the Orlando Predators roster.

*Former Predators quarterback Mike Neu was a former Head Coach of the Cobras.

*Former Cobras assistant coach Flint Fleming played with the Predators in 1995-96.




PLAYERS TO WATCH
ORLANDO AT CAROLINA

Cobras Defensive Specialist Damon Mason
Mason played for the Orlando Predators from 1998-2001, teaming with Kenny McEntyre to form the heart and soul of a Predators defense that propelled the Predators to three consecutive ArenaBowl appearances and a pair of championships. Mason left the Predators a free agent after the 2001 season. Despite his smallish stature (5-9, 195), Mason is one of the most ferocious hitters in all of Arena Football and plays an extremely physical game. He has 22 career picks and has been named to the second unit of the All-Arena team three times.

Predators Offensive Specialist Travis McGriff
Travis McGriff began the season on injured reserve but the Predators hope to activate him this week. Orlando misses McGriff's speed and does not have a legitimate deep threat until McGriff returns to the playing field. In 2003, McGriff nabbed AFL Rookie of the Year honors, finishing with 81 receptions for 1,216 yards and 25 touchdowns in just 14 games.

Cobras Quarterback Charles Nagy
The former New York Dragon, Nagy was obtained by the Carolina Cobras in an off-season trade. He started seven games for New York in 2002, throwing for 1,242 yards and 27 touchdowns. He spent all last season on the injured reserve list (knee). Nagy has completed 65% of his passes this season for 731 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. He has yet to take a sack.

Predators Defensive Backs Lin-J Shell, Michael Brown, Arkee Thompson, Sam Young
Predators head coach Jay Gruden will use this week to figure out which players will work the defensive backfield with Kenny McEntyre and Bret Cooper, but one thing is for certain...the Predators must get more consistent play from their defensive backs. Orlando has recorded very few defensive stops this season and mistakes in the secondary have played a huge part in that let down. Gruden waived defensive specialists Paul Miranda and LaVar Glover last week and will be looking for contributions from either the new players or Brown, who remains on the team's injured reserve list but has show remarked improvement in rehab.
PREDATORS PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Tue., Feb. 24 9-11 a.m. Thunder Field
Wed., Feb. 25 9-11 a.m. Thunder Field
Thur., Feb. 26 9-10 a.m. Thunder Field
Fri., Feb. 27 TBA Charlotte, NC

All Practices Open to the Media

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)
2 Austin Wranglers O: Cory Fleming (O)D: Tom Briggs (A)I: Charlie Davidson (A)

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
2/3 Placed on IR OS Travis McGriff
2/16 Waived DS Paul Miranda, DS LaVar Glover
2/23 Signed DS Sam Young, DS Arkee Thompson, OL/DL Josh McKibben
2/23 Activated from IR OL/DL Derrick Ham
2/23 Waived OL/DL Derrick Ham


NEXT WEEK: The Predators return home to take on the Indiana Firebirds on Saturday, March 6. Carolina takes to the road for a contest against the Austin Wranglers.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 23, 2004


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