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Orlando Predators game notes

May 25, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


ORLANDO (9-6) at LOS ANGELES (9-6)
Date: Sunday, May 30, 2004
Toe-to-Leather Time: 4 p.m. EST
Site: Staples Center (17,942)
Officials: Referee: Bill McCabe; Umpire: Doug Wilson;
Head Linesman: Royce Cooley; Line Judge: Kent Payne;
Back Judge: Jim Buchanan
Radio: WQTM 740 The Team (Tom Morgan and Dan Pearson)
TV: NBC (Tom Hammond, Pat Haden and Lewis Johnson)
Streaks: Orlando has won three in row; Los Angeles has won two in a row.
Series Record: LA leads all-time series to 1-0
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (7th season, 52-29, .642); Los Angeles: Ed Hodgkiss ( 3rd season, 28-19, .596)

THE STAKES: While the Predators took a major step towards earning a spot in the Arena Football League's post-season tournament with a dismantling of the New York Dragons last week, the team still has a huge hurdle this week when it travels to Los Angles for a match-up with the powerful Avengers on Sunday, May 30 at the Staples Center.

The game has huge implications for both teams. First, neither team has yet to clinch a playoff berth. And while both teams could make the post-season with a loss on Sunday under several scenarios, neither Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden nor LA Head Coach Ed Hodgkiss wants to rely on help from other teams in clinching a playoff spot.

Secondly, under the right scenarios, both teams could slide into the top four with a win – which would mean a first round playoff game at home.

"Obviously a huge game for both teams," Gruden said. "Our approach is not going to be any different than it has been for the last three weeks. We are going to view this game as a playoff game and go into it with the mindset that we must win this game. We are playing with a lot of confidence right now and I want that feeling to continue through next week. Going into the playoffs with a four-game winning streak would be a huge boost to our team."


Orlando Predators (8-6-0) *All Times Eastern
Date Opponent W/L Score
Feb. 8 At Tampa Bay L 41-52
Feb. 13 Austin L (OT) 48-49
Feb. 28 At Carolina W 59-32
Mar. 6 Indiana W 50-38
Mar. 12 Georgia L 44-52
Mar. 21 At Chicago L 15-58
Mar. 27 Las Vegas W 60-43
Apr. 4 At Columbus L 46-55
Apr. 9 New Orleans W 57-24
Apr. 18 At Georgia W 30-7
Apr. 25 Dallas W 64-49
May 2 Tampa Bay L 58-63
May 9 At New Orleans W 45-40
May 16 At Austin W 43-26
May 23 New York W 65-41
May 30 At Los Angeles 4 p.m.

Los Angeles (9-6-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Feb. 8 At Arizona W 51-32
Feb. 14 At Las Vegas W 62-55
Feb. 22 San Jose L 55-61
Mar. 1 Georgia L 52-53
Mar. 14 At Grand Rapids W 48-33
Mar. 21 At Dallas W 60-44
Mar. 26 At San Jose L 52-55
Apr. 3 Austin W 81-70
Apr. 10 Colorado L 55-57
Apr. 16 Detroit W 62-55
Apr. 25 At Chicago W 71-35
May 1 Arizona L 38-42
May 9 At Tampa Bay L 55-63
May 16 At New York W 58-53
May 22 Las Vegas W 54-51
May 30 Orlando 4 p.m.

QUOTE/UNQUOTE
"If they vote that way, its okay with me and it would be an honor, but honestly I'm not even thinking about it right now. The most important thing is to keep winning all the way to the ArenaBowl. Winning a championship is my only goal."

-- Predators WR/LB Cory Fleming on leading the fan voting for US Army Ironman of the Year award.
THE COACHES
PREDS HEAD COACH JAY GRUDEN
After spending the last two seasons as the Orlando's quarterback, JAY GRUDEN returned to the bench as the team's head coach in 2004. After a Hall of Fame career as a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm, Gruden began his coaching career in 1997 by 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 in 2001, Gruden shocked the AFL world by announcing his intentions to resign in order to return to the playing field after a five-year layoff. In two seasons as Predators quarterback, Gruden directed the Predators to back-to-back appearances in the semifinals, falling one game short of his goal each season. 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, 2003 traffic accident, resulted in Gruden returning to the sideline. Gruden will take a 52-29 (.642) all-time coaching record into the Los Angeles game. He is 44-27 in regular season games (.620) 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 52-29 .642
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684

LOS ANGELES HEAD COACH ED HODGKISS
Ed Hodgkiss is one of the brightest offensive minds in the Arena Football League. Now in his third season, Hodgkiss will take a 28-19 record into the game with Orlando. In his first two seasons, Hodgkiss posted a combined record of 19-11, turning around a franchise that won just eight games combined in its prior two years. He guided the Avengers to their first two playoff appearances; while developing one of the league's best offenses and top quarterbacks in Tony Graziani. Prior to being named Head Coach at Los Angeles, Hodgkiss was offensive coordinator of the Indiana Firebirds from 1999-2001, where guided one of the league's most prolific offenses.

FUN FACT: Avengers owner Casey Wasserman became the youngest owner of a professional sports team when the Arena Football League awarded him the Los Angeles franchise in 1998 at the age of 24. Last November, he was selected to the Sports Business Journal's prestigious "Forty under 40" list, which honors the most influential sports executives under the age of 40.
GRUDEN ADDS TO WIN TOTAL: With Orlando's 45-40 win over New Orleans two weeks ago, Jay Gruden became just the ninth coach in Arena Football League history to win 50 career games. Now in his fifth season, Gruden has averaged more than 10 victories per season and has guided the Predators to four playoff appearances, three trips to the ArenaBowl and pair of championships (1998 and 2000). Gruden picked up win number 52 last week against New York. The all-time win list:

1. Tim Marcum 165*
2. Danny White 137*
3. Perry Moss 86
4. Mike Hohenssee 84*
5. Mike Trigg 78*
6. John Gregory 72
7. Mike Dailey 72*
8. Darren Arbet 65*
9. Jay Gruden 52*
10. Babe Parilli 43
*Active Coach

SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES:
Since joining the Arena Football League in time for the 2000 season, the Los Angeles Avengers have played the Orlando Predators just once. That meeting – a 2003 regular season game – was one for the ages as the Avengers scored three touchdowns in the final 46 seconds to overcome a 12-point deficit and record a 64-63 win over the Predators before a stunned crowd at the TD Waterhouse Centre. Trailing 56-45, LA started the comeback on a 5-yard pass from Tony Graziani to former Pred Siaha Burley to cut the lead to 56-51. On the ensuing on-sides kick, Kenny McEntyre caught the ball on two bounces and returned it 11-yards for a touchdown. Brian Schmitz converted the extra point and Orlando led 63-58 with 37 seconds to go. Los Angeles got a huge break on its next possession when Kevin Ingram returned the kickoff 50 yards to the Orlando seven. Graziani needed just two plays to put the ball in the end zone and LA cut the lead to five at 63-58. Cornelius Coe then recovered an on-sides kick with 9 seconds remaining. On Graziani's first play, he hit Chris Jackson for 12 yards to the LA 18. On the final play of the game, Graziani side-stepped a fierce rush and lofted a ball off the rebound net that Greg Hopkins out-jumped two Orlando defenders and pulled in for a game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass. Graziani threw for 320 yards and seven touchdowns in the game; while Orlando defensive specialist Kenny McEntyre scored two touchdowns in the game for the Predators – adding an 11-yard interception return for touchdown to his on-sides kick return for touchdown.

SERIES RESULTS
Date ORL LA
March 30, 2004 63 64


Ifs...
If the Orlando Predators defeat the Los Angeles Avengers, it would...

Give the Predators a 10-6 record and drop Los Angeles to 9-7 for the season

Even the series record between the Predators and Avengers at one game each

Mark the eighth time in 14 seasons that the Predators have won 10 or more games in a single season

Give the Predators a division title if Austin defeats New Orleans

Give Jay Gruden an all-time coaching record of 53-29-0

Give the Predators an all-time record of 142-73-0

Give the Predators and all-time road record of 65-41-0

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 (9): Bret Cooper, Rupert Grant, Cecil Caldwell, Jermaine Smith, Sean Riley, Damon Mason, Ernest Ross, Shawn King, and Craig Whelihan.

Obtained by Trade (2): James Bowden, Greg Krause

Rookie Free Agents (12): Idris Price, Jay Taylor, Joe Hamilton, Lin-J Shell, Marlon Moye-Moore, Arkee Thompson, Buck Gurley, Michael Brown and Anthony Bright.

Released/Traded Players No Longer on Roster:
Waived: Kevin McLeod, Antwuan Wyatt, Chris Sanders, Roy Stabler, Nate Bandy, Barry Hall, Tavares Jurineack, Joe Crear, Anthony McKenzie, Abdullah Wiggins, Paul Miranda, LaVar Glover, George Williams, Williams Gaines, Sam Young Traded: Thabiti Davis (Detroit)

PREDS NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES, AND TRENDS

ORLANDO PREDATORS PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

IF Orlando Wins Over Los Angeles
Predators make playoffs with 10-6 record.

Predators could be seeded anywhere from 3rd to 6th, depending on other Week 17 results.

If Predators earn a 3 or 4 seed, they would host a quarterfinal playoff game at the TD Waterhouse Centre.


If Orlando Loses to Los Angeles
Predators would still make the playoffs if any of these three teams lose (New York, Tampa Bay or Austin). Seed would be either seventh or eighth.

Predators fail to make playoffs if New York, Tampa Bay and Austin all win, creating a four way tie for two playoff spots. At that point, six teams will finish with better records than Orlando and it would leave Predators in four-way tie with New York, Tampa Bay, and Austin for the final two spots.
Since Austin did not play New York, you must go to best record against common opponents (Georgia, Dallas, Carolina, Los Angeles) as the first tie-breaker and New York qualifies with 4-2 record against common opponents; while the other three teams are 3-2 against common opponents.

Once New York is removed, you start over between Tampa Bay, Austin and Orlando to determine the final playoff spot. Tampa Bay would qualify with a 3-1 head-to-head record, with Orlando (1-3) and Austin (2-2) being eliminated under this scenario.

IDRIS PRICE IS AFL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK
With an outstanding game that included two quarterback sacks, an interception and 3.5 tackles, linebacker Idris Price was named the Arena Football League's "ADT Defensive Player of the Week." Price scored a touchdown by returning the interception 44 yards and set up a second score when his second sack of the night came on a 4th down play as he dropped quarterback Aaron on his own 1-yard line to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Rupert Grant on the very next play. It marked the first time that Price – an AFL Rookie – has been honored with a weekly league award.

PREDATORS PRESENT $25,000 TO LOCAL CHARITIES
The Orlando Predators and the Arena Football League presented checks totaling $25,000 to local charities at Sunday's game between the Predators and New York Dragons at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

The money will be split between the Conductive Education Centers of Florida and the Ronald McDonald House and come from funds raised during the Orlando Predators inaugural Black and Red Ball that was held on Saturday, May 1 at the TD Waterhouse Centre. The Arena Football League also contributed to the total.

"It was a fantastic evening and I can't thank our sponsors and friends who supported our first Black and Red Ball effort," Predators President Brett Bouchy said. "Because of their efforts and generosity, two very deserving charities will be receiving much needed assistance from the Orlando Predators Foundation. This marks just the first step in our commitment to become more involved in our community."

ABOUT THE BENEFICIARIES

Conductive Education Centers of Florida
Conductive Education Centers of Florida provides a family-oriented solution to the challenges of raising motor disabled children. The Center's mission is to provide year-round, multidisciplinary, educational programs for children with motor disabilities to gain social, physical, and academic independence and to provide support services to their families.
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE PROGRAM
There are nearly 240 Ronald McDonald Houses in 25 countries. Since 1974, the Ronald McDonald House program had helped more than 100 million families with more than 6,000 bedrooms worldwide. Ronald McDonald Houses are supported by more than 30,000 volunteers.

PREDATORS BANGED UP FOR LOS ANGELES GAME
Has any AFL team dealt with more injuries than the Orlando Predators this year? Consider the number of games missed by injury by starters and key reserves. To date, 12 players have missed 59 games as the chart below indicates:

Player Pos Games Missed (reason)
Travis McGriff Starter OS 9 (Hamstring/thumb)
Michael Brown S/R WR/DB 8 (Hamstring)
Justin Cleveland Starter OL/DL 7 (Thumb)
James Bowden Back WR/LB 8 (Hamstring)
Connell Maynor Back-up QB 7 (back/knee/wrist)
M. Moye-Moore Back-up FB/LB 4 (knee)
Jermaine Smith Starter OL/DL 4 (knee)
Sean Riley Back-up OS 3 (ankle)
Lin-J Shell Back-up WR/LB 3 (shoulder)
Joe Hamilton Starting QB 2 (Knee)
Bret Cooper Starter WR/DB 2 (Ribs/Knee)
Idris Price Back-up FB/LB 2 (ankle)

And it doesn't look a whole lot better for the Predators this week as the injury reports shows:

Player Pos Injury Status
Connell Maynor QB Left Wrist, Knee Doubtful
James Bowden WR/LB Hamstring Doubtful
Marlon Moore FB/LB Knee Out
Jermaine Smith OL/DL Foot/hamstring Questionable
Sean Riley WR/DB Knee Out
Lin-J Shell WR/DB Shoulder Out

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 game against New York last week, McEntyre has now answered the bell for 103 consecutive games -- building on his own team record.

FLEMING KEEPS STRING ALIVE
With nine receptions for 88 yards and three scores against New York, WR/LB Cory Fleming has now caught at least one touchdown pass in 24 consecutive games with the Predators. Fleming has also scored at least one touchdown in 30 of 32 career games with Orlando (streaks include playoff games).


PREDATORS GET DEFENSIVE, LEAD LEAGUE IN SCORING, TOTAL DEFENSE
If defense indeed wins championships, Orlando Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden has to feel good about his 2004 team – particularly its performance in the last seven weeks. Through Week 16 of the regular season, the Predators lead the league in scoring defense (42.66), passing defense (218.4) and total defense (235.1). Orlando has taken over the league-lead in all three categories since posting a 6-1 record over the last seven games. The comparison between the first eight weeks and last seven weeks of the regular season is remarkable as the chart below indicates:

1st 8 Games Last 7 Games
Points Allowed 390 250
Points/Game 48.75 35.7
Total Defense 2046 1481
Yards Per Game 255.8 211.5
Passing Defense 1859 1417
Yards Per Game 255.8 202.0

NEEDS
WR/LB Cory Fleming Needs:
--14 receptions to reach 700 for his career
--Needs 7 TD receptions to reach 200 for career
--Needs 66 receiving yards to set new Predators
Single season record (1,527 Barry
Wagner, 1997)

QB Joe Hamilton Needs:
--Needs 9 TD passes to establish Predators rookie
Record (Craig Whelihan, 60, 2001)

OL/DL Jermaine Smith Needs:
--Three QB sacks to set new Predators single
Season record (EJ Burt 9.5, 2003)

DS Kenny McEntyre Needs:
--7.5 Tackles to break Orlando's all-time career
Record (Barry Wagner, 398.5, 1992-99)





HAMILTON'S BIG DAY
Rookie quarterback Joe Hamilton had a remarkably efficient day on Sunday, leading the Predators to points on all six possessions of the first half and two of three possessions in the second half before giving way to back-up Craig Whelihan with more than 11 minutes remaining in the game after pacing Orlando to a 59-28 lead in just three quarters of play. Only a third quarter interception marred a near perfect outing by Hamilton, who completed 14 of 17 passes for 168 yards and four touchdowns. Hamilton also ran for one touchdown. Hamilton's 82.3% was the fourth best effort in Orlando Predators history and gives the first year player from Georgia Tech two of the top 10 completion percentage games in franchise history. Here is the current list of best completion percentage games by a Predators QB:

84.4% Ben Bennett vs. Milwaukee (17-19) 1994
86.6% Bennett vs. Arizona (13-15) 1992
83.3% Pat O'Hara vs. Arizona (1012) 1995
82.4% Joe Hamilton vs. New York (14-17) 2004
78.6% Jay Gruden vs. Chicago (22-28) 2002
75.9% Bennett vs. Miami (22-29) 1994
75.0% Gruden vs. Tampa Bay (24-32) 2002
75.0% Hamilton vs. Austin (15-20) 2004

TAYLOR KEEPS PAT STRING ALIVE; SETS RECORD;
EYES TWO OTHERS
Kicker Jay Taylor was a perfect 8 for 8 in extra points last week against New York and has now booted 38 consecutive extra points. That gave Taylor the Orlando Predators record for most consecutive extra points, breaking Charlie Baumann's mark of 34 set over two seasons (1996-97). Taylor also nailed a 49-yard field goal, his only attempt of the game, to account for 11 points in the win. Counting field goals, Taylor has made 52 of his last 54 combined attempts. For the season, Taylor is 18 of 25 on field goal attempts (72.0%) and 79 of 85 on extra point attempts (92.9%). At his current pace, Taylor is on target to break two single season career marks for accuracy, as the Predators single season record for field goal percentage is 58.3% (David Cool, 1998) and the single season record for extra point percentage is 89.2 % (Charlie Baumann, 1996). Taylor, a strong candidate for the Kicker of the Year" ranks high in practically every category, including:

Points Scored: 2nd 133 (leader 138)
FG made: 1st 18
FG Pct.: 1st 72%
XP Made: 9th 79 (leader 102)
XP Pct.: 1st 92.9%





McENTYRE DOES IT ALL, BUT NOT ALWAYS WELL
One other note in the kicking department. Taylor complained of a tight hamstring after his last kickoff in the third quarter, which resulted in Head Coach Jay Gruden benching his kicker as a pre-cautionary measure. "We were up by 31 and there was no reason to risk an injury," Gruden said. The Predators managed to keep Taylor off the field by going for it on fourth in long on the team's first two possessions of the fourth quarter and going for two after scoring a touchdown in the final seconds. Orlando needed to kickoff, however, and gave the job to Kenny McEntyre, who proceeded to kick one of the wildest, hooking, knuckle balls in AFL history. The ball didn't appear to get more than 15 feet off the ground before hooking into the left dasherboard 21 yards later, causing teammate Damon Mason to fall to the ground while laughing hysterically. "Same occasional problem I have with my golf swing...I came across the ball instead of through it...same result too, an ugly hook," McEntyre said about his effort.

FLEMING EARNS IROMAN HONORS; CONTINUES ASSAULT ON WAGNER'S CAREER MARKS
For a third straight week and sixth time this season, Orlando's Cory Fleming was named "Ironman of the Game," earning the latest honor with an outstanding all-around game against the New York Dragons. Fleming started his assault on the Dragons early, scoring the first two touchdowns in the game as Orlando jumped out to a 14-0 lead. For the game, Fleming finished with a team-leading nine receptions for 88 yards and three touchdowns. On special teams, he recovered a ball off the net as the up-back and ran 49 yards for a touchdown. On defense, he posted two stops.

With one game remaining, Fleming now has 118 receptions and has already shattered Barry Wagner's eight-year-old record of 99 receptions set in the 1996 season. With 1,462 yards, Fleming would need 56 yards in the season finale to surpass Wagner's club record of 1,527. With 31 TD receptions, he has tied Wagner's record of 31 and needs just one against Los Angeles to claim that record.

PREDATORS TOUGH WITH HALFTIME LEAD
When Orlando takes a lead into the locker room, the Predators usually hold it. Counting last week's game with New York, when the Predators led 38-21 at intermission, the Predators went to 101 wins against just 22 losses when they have led at halftime (82.1% winning percentage).

ORLANDO LOOKS TO GO ABOVE .500 ON WEST COAST
This weekend's game will mark just the seventh trip to the West Coast for the Predators. Orlando has split its previous six trips to the "left" coast, going 2-3 in games at San Jose and winning a 1997 games against the now defunct Portland Forest Dragons (40-9).

HAMILTON SETS TOUCHDOWN RECORD FOR QB'S
He won't catch Connell Maynor for the most rushing yards by a Predators quarterback in a single season, but he did set one record and will go down in the Predators Top 10 list as the second best running quarterback in Predators history. Joe Hamilton earned that distinction with a one-yard touchdown run against New York to bring his season total to eight. That total topped Reggie Collier's record of seven running touchdowns by a Predators quarterback set during the 1991 season. Hamilton now has 145 rushing yards on the season, the second best in Predators history behind Connell Maynor's 200 rushing yards in 2000.

MOST RUSHING YARDS BY A PREDATORS QB
QB Year Rush Yds. TD
Connell Maynor 2000 200 6
Joe Hamilton 2002 145 8
Mike Hold 1993 97 3
Reggie Collier 1991 95 7
Chris Wallace 2001 50 0

ONE WINNING STREAK CONTINUES
A win against New York on Sunday ensured that the Predators will finish the 2004 season with a winning overall record for an AFL record 13th consecutive season. The closest the Predators came to not finishing with a winning mark came during the 1999 season, when Orlando finished the regular season with a 7-7 mark, but won two post-season games and finished with a 9-8 winning record. Should Orlando qualify for the playoffs, it would also mark the 13th consecutive trip to the post-season, tying the all-time AFL record held by Tampa Bay (Storm can extend record to 14 if they win on Sunday against Dallas).

PREDATORS SACK MACHINE CONTINUES TO ROLL
The Predators posted five sacks on Sunday, as EJ Burt tied a career high with three and Idris Price added two. The sacks gave the Predators a league-leading 33 on the season, 14 more than any other team in the league. The Predators 33 sacks also broke the team record of 30, set in a 14-game season in 1997. With 172 yards in losses, the Predators have also broke the club record in that category (168, also in 1997). As a team, Orlando has recorded 20 or more sacks in five consecutive seasons, the only team in Arena Football League that can make that claim. The 33 sacks also ties San Jose for the 3rd most in league history.

MOST QUARTERBACK SACKS IN SEASON
38, Pittsburgh 1988
35, Pittsburgh 1987
33, San Jose 2000
33, Orlando 2004
32, Detroit 1991
30, Chicago 1988
30, Detroit 1991
30, Detroit 1992
30, Orlando 1997
PREDS HAVE FOUR IN TOP 10
In addition to the record-setting team total, the Orlando Predators also have four players in the Arena Football League Top Ten for individual sacks. Second-year player EJ Burt's three sacks gave him 6.5 for the season and moved him into the top ten at number six. Rupert Grant remained at number three with 7.5 and Jermaine Smith, who has missed four games with a knee injury, remains tied for fourth with 7.0. Chicago's John Moyer leads the league with 10.0; while Orlando's Doug Miller is tied with five different players at 9th with 4.0. In less than two seasons, Burt now has 16.0 career sacks and has moved into third place on the all-time Orlando Predators list.

2004 AFL SACK LEADERS
1. Moyer, Chicago 10.0
2. Briggs, Austin 8.5
3. Grant, Orlando 7.5
4. Smith, Orlando 7.0
Henderson, Arizona 7.0
6. Burt, Orlando 6.5
7. Weatherington, Dallas 5.5
8. Wiren, Tampa 5.0
9. Miller, Orlando 4.0
Cohen, NO 4.0
Hamilton, NO 4.0
Jacobs, SJ 4.0

PREDS SACKS LAST FIVE SEASONS
2004 33
2003 25
2002 25
2001 23
2000 23

PREDATORS CAREER SACK LEADERS
Name Seasons Sacks
1. Paul McGowan 5 18.0
2. Ernest Allen 4 16.5
3. EJ Burt 2 16.0
4. Victor Hall 6 14.0
5. Eric Drakes 8 13.0
Curtis Eason 3 13.0

HAMILTON CLIMBS TO #4 IN QUARTERBACK RATINGS, PASSES McPHERSON, VENA
AFL Rookie of the Year Candidates Joe Hamilton, Adrian McPherson and Ryan Vena are currently 4th, 5th and 6th in the Arena Football League in quarterback rating points, with Orlando's Hamilton taking over the #4 spot with his 14 of 17 performance on Sunday against the Dragons. At 119.8, Hamilton is the highest rated rookie quarterback in the league, 2/10 of a point better than Indiana's McPherson and
4/10 better than Columbus' Vena. Of the three rookie quarterbacks, only Hamilton still has his team in contention for the post-season.


PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Orlando will practice Wednesday through Friday at Thunder Field, adjacent to the Citrus Bowl. Practices will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. The team will do its walkthrough in Los Angeles on Saturday.

PLAYERS SPOTLIGHT
ORLANDO AT LOS ANGELES

ORLANDO FB/LB IDRIS PRICE
Originally penciled in as Orlando's number three FB/LB, Idris Price moved up to the number two spot a few weeks ago when Marlon Moye-Moore was lost for the season with the a knee injury. Price, an AFL rookie, responded with his best game as a professional last week with 3.5 tackles, an interception that was returned 44 yards for a touchdown and two quarterback sacks for a -17 yards. He also added four yards rushing. For the season, Price has 13.0 tackles with 2.5 QS, five quarterback hurries, 1 FF and 1 FR.

LOS ANGELES QUARTERBACK TONY GRAZIANI
For a second straight week, the Predators will be facing one of the top throwing quarterbacks in the Arena Football League in Tony Graziani. One of the league's most accurate passers (64.7%), Graziani has already thrown for more than 4,000 yards this season (312-482-4,028 yards) and 94 touchdowns with just four interceptions.

PREDATORS DS KENNY McENTYRE AND DAMON MASON
The pressure will be on Predators defensive specialists Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre and Damon Mason this week as they must find a way to contain one of the league's most explosive players in Chris Jackson (111-1,657 yards- 40 TD) and Kevin Ingram (66-846-22 TD). The Avengers have done a fairly decent job of protecting quarterback Graziani, meaning that McEntyre and Mason will have to stay with a group of very good LA receivers a little longer than normal. Since Mason was reunited with the Predators prior to the Dallas game, Orlando has won four of five games.

AVENGERS WR/DB KEVIN INGRAM
Los Angeles WR/DB Kevin Ingram can do it all. The speedster leads LA in kickoff returns (46-861-18.7), all-purpose yards (1,773), tackles (68) and pass defenses (6). He is also the team's second leading receiver (66-846-22 TD) and has also run for a touchdown and passed for a score. He also leads the team in interceptions (4) and has returned a missed field goal 42 yards.






ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE CURRENT STANDINGS
Central W L T PF PA
Chicago 11 4 0 800 671
Colorado 10 5 0 737 697
Indiana 8 8 0 801 743
Detroit 4 11 0 697 800
Grand Rapids 1 14 0 527 807
Western W L T PF PA
San Jose 11 4 0 842 704
Arizona 10 5 0 786 695
Los Angeles 9 6 0 854 759
Las Vegas 7 8 0 804 740
Eastern W L T PF PA
New York 8 7 0 780 716
Carolina 6 9 0 702 798
Columbus 6 9 0 740 798
Dallas 6 9 0 725 796
Philadelphia 5 10 0 683 727
Southern W L T PF PA
New Orleans 10 5 0 685 700
Orlando 9 6 0 725 640
Austin 8 7 0 743 755
Tampa Bay 8 7 0 756 742
Georgia 6 9 0 640 739

WEEK 17 GAMES
Detroit at Grand Rapids
Arizona at San Jose
Columbus at Las Vegas
Orlando at Los Angeles
Chicago at Colorado
Philadelphia at New York
Austin at New Orleans
Carolina at Georgia
Tampa Bay at Dallas

WEEK 16 RESULTS
Carolina 36, Grand Rapids 31
Colorado 68, Dallas 56
San Jose 48, Philadelphia 36
Los Angeles 54, Las Vegas 51
Chicago 53, Indiana 37
Colorado 45, Detroit 42
Georgia 51, Austin 34
Tampa Bay 59, New Orleans 51
Orlando 65, New York 41

2004 ORLANDO PREDATORS LEAGUE WIDE AWARDS:
QB Joe Hamilton
AFL Rookie of the Month – February
Offensive Player of the Week –
Week 10 (New Orleans)
OL/DL Jermaine Smith
US Army Ironman of the Week - Week 5 (Indiana)

DS Kenny McEntyre
ADT Defensive Player of Week – Week 13
(Dallas)

WR/LB Cory Fleming
US Army Ironman of the Week – Week 15
(New Orleans)

K Jay Taylor
Kicker of the Month (April)

FB/LB Idris Price
ADT Defensive Player of Week – Week 16
(New York)

US ARMY IRONMAN, BABY RUTH OFFENSIVE and ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE GAME (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)
3 Bye Week
4 At Carolina O: Joe Hamilton (O)D: Jermaine Smith (O)I: James Bowden (O)
5 Indiana O: Cory Fleming (O)D: Rupert Grant (O)I: Jermaine Smith (O)
6 Georgia O: Leon Murray (G)D: Dialleo Burks (G)I: Markeith Cooper (G)
7 Chicago O: Jeremy McDaniel I D: James Baron I I: Bob McMillen I
8 Las Vegas O: Connell Maynor (O)D: Doug Miller (O)I: Cory Fleming (O)
9 Columbus O: Ryan Vena I D: JoJo Polk I I: Sedrick Robinson I
10 New Orleans O: Joe Hamilton (O)D: EJ Burt (O)I: Cory Fleming (O)
11 Georgia O: Joe Hamitlon (O)D: Jermaine Smith (O)I: Bret Cooper (O)
12 Dallas O: Joe Hamilton (O)D: Kenny McEntyre (O)I: Cory Fleming (O)
13 Tampa Bay O: Shane StaffordD: Nyle WirenI: TT Toliver
14 New Orleans O: Joe Hamilton (O)D: Kenny McEntyre (O)I: Cory Fleming (O)
15 Austin O: Joe Hamilton (O)D: Kenny McEntyre (O)I: Cory Fleming (O)
16 New York O: Joe Hamilton (O)D: Idris Price (O)I: Cory Fleming (O)

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
2/25 Placed on IR OL/DL Cecil Caldwell and DS Arkee Thompson
2/25 Activated from IR DS Michael Brown
3/2 Waived WR/LB George Williams
¾ Signed WR/DB Sean Riley
3/10 Placed on IR OL/DL Justin Cleveland
3/16 Placed on IR WR/DB Michael Brown
3/22 Traded From Indiana, OL/DL Greg Krause To Indiana: Rights to DS Khalil Carter
3/25 Activated from IR Travis McGriff
3/25 Signed OL/DL Greg Krause
3/25 Placed on IR FB/LB Idris Price
3/26 Signed QB Craig Whelihan
3/26 Released OL/DL William Gaines
3/26 Activated from IR DS Arkee ThomsonOL/DL Greg Krause
4/8 Placed on Injured Reserve WR/LB James Bowden
4/8 Activated from Injured Reserve FB/LB Idris Price
4/14 Signed DS Damon Mason
4/14 Waived DS Sam Young
4/15 Placed on IR DS Arkee Thompson
4/15 Activated from IR OL/DL Cecil Caldwell
4/25 Placed on IR OL/DL Josh McKibben
4/25 Activated from IR OL/DL Justin Cleveland
4/27 Placed on IR FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore
5/6 Activated from IR DS Arkee Thompson
5/11 Placed on IR WR/DB Sean Riley
5/13 Placed on IR OS Travis McGriff
5/13 Activated from IR WR/DB Michael Brown
5/13 Signed WR/DB Ernest RossOS Anthony Bright
5/20 Signed OL/DL Shawn King



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 25, 2004


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