Orlando Predators game notes

Published on June 2, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


ORLANDO (10-6) at Chicago (11-5)
Date: Sunday, June 6, 2004
Toe-to-Leather Time: 3 p.m. EST
Site: All-State Arena (16,000)
Officials: Referee: Bill LeMonnier; Umpire: Jeff Carr; Head Linesman: Bill Ward; Line Judge: Dennis Lipski;
Back Judge: Rob Vernatchi Supervisor: Jim Lapetina
Radio: WQTM 740 The Team (Tom Morgan and Dan Pearson)
TV: NBC (Allen Bestwick, Charles Davis, Marty Snider)
Streaks: Orlando has won four in row; Chicago has lost one in a row.
Series Record: Chicago leads all-time series, 3-2
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (5th season, 53-29, .646); Chicago: Mike Hohensee (11th season, 84-76, .525)

THE STAKES: A SEAT AT THE TABLE
"All we really want is a seat at the table." With those words, Orlando Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden outlined what he felt his team had to accomplish over the second half of the season to qualify for the Arena Football League playoffs. Gruden, who saw his team stumble to a 3-5 record at the midway point of the 2004 season, felt his team had to go 7-1 -- 6-2 at the worst -- over the final eight games just to make the playoffs.

His team went 7-1, clinching the number six seed for the playoffs with a thrilling 52-50 win over Los Angeles. While Gruden's prediction that 6-2 might be good enough to get in, was on target, he enters the 2004 playoffs feeling good that his team took care of business and earned its way in by running the table over the final four weeks of the season. He now looks forward to the first round of the playoffs against Chicago – a team that humiliated the Predators, 58-15, earlier in the season. "This is why you play the game. Based on the talent we have, I think we would have been sick to our stomachs if we had to watch the playoffs on TV. Chicago is a talented, well-coached team and will present a great challenge to our team, but I am confident you will not see a repeat of the fiasco from earlier this season. This is not the same team they saw back on March 21. Everyone is now 0-0 and we're excited to be in a position to challenge for the league title."

Orlando Predators (10-6-0) *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 W 52-50
AFL PLAYOFFS
June 6 At Chicago 3 p.m.

Chicago Rush (11-5-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Feb. 8 Grand Rapids W 50-30
Feb. 14 At New York W 56-54
Feb. 22 Colorado W 65-35
Feb. 29 At Indianapolis W 49-46
Mar. 7 At Philadelphia L 47-53
Mar. 21 Orlando W 58-15
Mar. 28 Detroit L 71-72
Apr. 4 At Las Vegas W 57-55
Apr. 11 Tampa Bay W 51-36
Apr. 16 At San Jose L 43-51
Apr. 25 Los Angeles L 35-71
May 2 At Detroit W 57-40
May 8 At Grand Rapids W 63-35
May 16 Dallas W 45-41
May 23 Indiana W 53-37
May 30 At Colorado L 47-56
AFL PLAYOFFS
June 6 Orlando 3 p.m.

QUOTE/UNQUOTE
"Everyone is banged up this time of year, but with every win, the pain goes away. There will be plenty of time left to get better after the season ends."
-- Predators FB/LB Rupert Grant
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 53-29 (.646) all-time coaching record into the Chicago game. He is 45-27 in regular season games (.625) and a spectacular 8-2 as a head coach in playoff games (.800).

ORLANDO PREDATORS
HEAD COACHING RECORDS
Coaches, Years Record Pct.
Jay Gruden, 1998-2001, 2004 53-29 .645
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684

Chicago Rush Head Coach Mike Hohensee
Mike Hohensee has been associated with the Arena Football League for as long as the league has been in existence. In his 18th season, Hohensee started as a quarterback with the Pittsburgh Gladiators (1987-88), throwing for 2,031 yards and 39 touchdowns before his playing career ended with a neck injury. After serving one season as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bruisers, Hohensee became the then-youngest head coach in AFL history when he took over the Washington franchise in 1990. Other head coaching stops in the AFL included three years at Albany (1994-97), one in Anaheim (1997), and two in New England (1999-2000). He was named Head Coach of the Chicago Rush in 2001 and is signed to the Rush through the 2005 season. In his 10+ seasons as head coach, Hohensee is 84-76 overall, including a 79-69 record in the regular season and 5-7 mark in the post-season. Nominated to the AFL Hall of Fame last year, Hohensee holds the distinction of having played in the AFL, USFL, CFL, and NFL. He threw the first touchdown pass in Arena Football League history.

FUN FACT: When the Chicago Rush joined the Arena Football League prior to the 2001 season, it marked the second time that an AFL franchise had played in the Windy City. The Chicago Bruisers was one of the founding members of the Arena Football League and played in the league from 1987 through the 1989 season. Former Predators Head Coach Perry Moss served as the team's head coach in 1988, guiding that team to a 12-2-1 record and a spot in ArenaBowl II. The tie remains the only recorded tie in AFL history.

GAME FEATURED TWO IN TOP 10: This week's playoff game between the Rush and Predators will feature two of the top 10 winningest coaches in league history. With Orlando's 45-40 win over New Orleans three 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 five playoff appearances, three trips to the ArenaBowl and pair of championships (1998 and 2000). Gruden picked up win number 53 last week against Los Angeles. With 84 wins, Chicago's Mike Hohensee ranks fourth on the AFL all-time win list.

1. Tim Marcum 166*
2. Danny White 138*
3. Perry Moss 86
4. Mike Hohenssee 84*
5. Mike Trigg 78*
6. John Gregory 72
7. Mike Dailey 73*
8. Darren Arbet 65*
9. Jay Gruden 53*
10. Babe Parilli 43
*Active Coach

SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES:
Although there is not a lot of history between these two teams, the Predators and Rush have played five emotionally charged contests in the past...Chicago made a name for itself early, defeating the Orlando Predators in the final game of their inaugural season, 55-41, in 2001...as luck would have it, that victory qualified the Rush for the playoffs and sent them to Orlando for a first round match-up where they proved their first victory was not a fluke by handily defeating Orlando for a second straight week by a 46-21 margin...Orlando gained a measure of revenge the next season, knocking off the Rush by a 49-38 score in Orlando...the teams met again last season, with rookie Travis McGriff scoring four times to help lead the Predators to a easy 47-35 win in the season opener...the game was not as close as the final score indicated, as the Predators defense did not allow a touchdown pass until the final minute of the game...the last game of the series came on March 21 of this year...Chicago knocked Preds quarterback Joe Hamilton out of the game early and then proceeded to manhandle the Predators, 58-15, sending them to the worst defeat in franchise history...Chicago and Nashville are the only two expansion teams in AFL history to beat the Orlando Predators twice in their first season...and the Rush are the only expansion team to win a playoff game against the Predators.

SERIES RECORDS
Orlando Trails, 2-3
Date ORL CHI
July 21, 2001 (A) 41 55
July 27, 2001 (H) 21 46*
April 26, 2002 (H) 49 38
Feb. 2, 2003 (A) 47 35
Mar. 21, 2004 (A) 15 58

*AFL First Round Playoff Game

Ifs...
If the Orlando Predators defeat the Chicago, it would...

Give the Predators five consecutive victories

Give the Predators an 18-7 mark in their last 25 road games (.720).

Give the Predators a 11-6 record and end Chicago's season at 11-6.

Even the series record between the Predators and Rush at three games each

Mark the seventh time in 14 seasons that the Predators have won 11 or more games in a single season

Give Jay Gruden an all-time coaching record of 54-29-0

Give the Predators an all-time road record of 66-41-0 (.619)

Give the Predators an all-time record of 143-73-0

Give the Predators and all-time road record of 66-41-0

Give the Predators an all-time playoff record of 20-10

Give Jay Gruden an all-time playoff record of 9-2 as a head coach

Give Jay Gruden an all-time combined playoff record of 23-6 as a player/head coach.

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, Jason Wells, and Craig Whelihan.

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

Rookie Free Agents (9): 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, Shawn King, Josh McKibben Traded: Thabiti Davis (Detroit)

PREDS NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES, AND TRENDS

PREDS ENTER PLAYOFFS AS ONE OF AFL'S HOTTEST TEAMS
The Orlando Predators will enter the Arena Football League playoffs as one of the league's hottest teams. With a 7-1 record, the Predators had the second best record in the second half of the season, trailing only 8-0 Arizona. Furthermore, the Predators were able to compile this record, despite having to play five of those games against teams that qualified for the playoffs. With a four-game winning streak, Orlando enters the post-season with the third longest current winning streak in the league. A look at how the top eight seeds fared in the second half of the season:

Seed 2nd Half Overall Current Streak
1. Arizona 8-0 11-5 W, 8
2. San Jose 4-4 11-5 L, 1
3. Chicago 5-3 11-5 L, 1
4. New Orleans 4-4 11-5 W, 1
5. Colorado 5-3 11-5 W, 2
6. Orlando 7-1 10-6 W, 4
7. Tampa Bay 6-2 9-7 W, 6
8. Los Angeles 4-4 9-7 L, 1

BEST RECORD SHOWS PARITY HAS ARRIVED
For the first time ever, five teams have tied for the best overall record in the Arena Football League – all at 11-5. The five losses were the most ever by team with the best record in the league. In addition, it should be noted that in 2004, the Arena Football League had 12 of its 19 teams finish with a .500 record or better. Here is the year-by-year comparison that illustrates how parity has taken over the AFL.

Best Total Teams
Year Record Pct. Teams .500 or Better
1987 4-2 .667 2 2 of 4 (.500)
1988 10-1-1 .909 1 3 of 6 (.500)
1989 3-1 .750 3 3 of 5 (.600)
1990 6-2 .750 2 3 of 6 (.500)
1991 9-1 .900 1 4 of 8 (.500)
1992 9-1 .900 2 6 of 12 (.500)
1993 11-1 .917 1 5 of 10 (.500)
1994 11-1 .917 1 5 of 11 (.454)
1995 10-2 .833 1 9 of 13 (.692)
1996 12-2 .857 2 8 of 15 (.533)
1997 12-2 .857 2 8 of 14 (.571)
1998 12-2 .857 1 8 of 13 (.615)
1999 11-3 .786 3 10 of 15 (.667)
2000 12-2 .857 2 10 of 17 (.588)
2001 11-3 .786 1 12 of 19 (.631)
2002 13-1 .929 1 9 of 16 (.562)
2003 12-4 .750 3 12 of 16 (.750)
2004 11-5 .687 5 12 of 19 (.631)

ROAD WARRIORS
The Orlando Predators will enter this week's game with the Chicago Rush on a four-game road winning streak. Counting playoffs, the Predators have won 17 of their last 24 road games – an impressive .708 winning percentage.

PREDS RUN THE ROCK IN 2004
The 2004 season will go down as one best seasons ever for the Predators rushing attack as the team finished with 606 net yards rushing for a 37.9 yards per game average. Those totals ranked second in the league only to Indiana (607 net rushing yards). It was also the second highest total in franchise history. That total is even more impressive when one considers that the Predators lost their leading ball carrier – Marlon Moye-Moore – to a season ending knee injury in Week 12, losing Moore for last five games of the season.

Most Rushing Yards In Franchise History
Year Net Rushing Season Record
1997 657 10-4
2004 606 10-6
1996 602 9-5
1994 512 11-1

AFL RUSHING LEADERS IN 2004
Name Rush Yards Avg. TD
1. Curran, New Orleans 85 336 4.0 22
2. McMillen, Chicago 79 285 3.6 19
3. McPherson, Indiana 65 259 4.0 19
4. Thomas, Georgia 50 228 4.6 13
8. Moye-Moore, Orlando 42 179 4.3 6
9. Hamilton, Orlando 40 157 3.9 8
11. Grant, Orlando 58 151 2.6 6
41. Maynor, Orlando 10 46 4.6 2

GRUDEN = PLAYOFF SUCCESS
Whether as a player or head coach, Orlando Predators front man Jay Gruden has had a remarkable amount of success in the post-season, as the chart below indicates

Year Position Record Pct. Comment
1991 Player 2-0 1.000 AFL Champions
1992 Player 1-1 .500 AFL Semifinals
1993 Player 3-0 1.000 AFL Champions
1994 Player 0-1 .000 AFL Quarters
1995 Player 3-0 1.000 AFL Champions
1996 Player 3-0 1.000 AFL Champions
1998 Head Coach 3-0 1.000 AFL Champions
1999 Head Coach 2-1 .667 AFL Semifinals
2000 Head Coach 3-0 1.000 AFL Champions
2001 Head Coach 0-1 .000 Wildcard
2002 Player 2-1 .667 AFL Semifinals
2003 Player 1-1 .500 AFL Semifinals
2004 Head Coach ?? ??? ???
Career Totals 23-6 .793 6 AFL Titles

PREDATORS PRESENT $25,000 TO LOCAL CHARITIES
The Orlando Predators and the Arena Football League presented checks totaling $25,000 to local charities at the May 23 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.

INJURIES REMAIN CONCERN FOR CHICAGO 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, 13 players have missed 66 games as the chart below indicates:

Player Pos Games Missed (reason)
Travis McGriff Starter OS 10 (Hamstring/thumb)
Michael Brown S/R WR/DB 8 (Hamstring)
Justin Cleveland Starter OL/DL 7 (Thumb)
James Bowden Back WR/LB 9 (Hamstring)
Connell Maynor Back-up QB 7 (back/knee/wrist)
M. Moye-Moore Back-up FB/LB 5 (knee)
Jermaine Smith Starter OL/DL 5 (knee)
Sean Riley Back-up OS 4 (ankle)
Lin-J Shell Back-up WR/LB 4 (shoulder)
Joe Hamilton Starting QB 2 (Knee)
Bret Cooper Starter WR/DB 2 (Ribs/Knee)
Idris Price Back-up FB/LB 2 (ankle)
Jay Taylor Starting K 1 (Hamstring)

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

Player Pos Injury Status
James Bowden WR/LB Hamstring Doubtful
Marlon Moore FB/LB Knee Out
Jermaine Smith OL/DL Foot/hamstring Doubtful
Sean Riley WR/DB Knee/ankle Doubtful
Lin-J Shell WR/DB Shoulder Out
Travis McGriff OS Thumb Out
Jay Taylor K Hamstring Questionable
Mike Brown WR/DB Hamstring Probable

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 Los Angeles last week, McEntyre has now answered the bell for 104 consecutive games -- building on his own team record.

FLEMING KEEPS STRING ALIVE
With 13 receptions for 158 yards and two scores against Los Angeles, WR/LB Cory Fleming has now caught at least one touchdown pass in 25 consecutive games with the Predators. Fleming has also scored at least one touchdown in 31 of 33 career games with Orlando (streaks include playoff games).

PREDATORS GET DEFENSIVE, FINISH SEASON AS LEAGUE'S DEFENSIVE LEADER
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 eight weeks. Against one of the league's best offenses last week, the Predators allowed a deceptive 50 points to the Avengers. The total was deceptive because Los Angeles scored two defensive touchdowns and only had to drive five yards on a third score after Kevin Ingram returned a kickoff 46 yards. The Avengers, who led the AFL scoring this year with 904 points, was held to six points under their season scoring average and only scored 36 points on offense against the Predators defense. Through the end of the regular season, the Predators lead the league in scoring defense (43.13), passing defense (218.1) and total defense (233.9); while ranking a respectable 4th in the league against the run (18.7 ypg). Orlando took over the league-lead in all three categories since posting a 7-1 record over the last eight games. The comparison between the first eight weeks and the final eight weeks of the regular season is remarkable as the chart below indicates:

1st 8 Last 8 Dif
Points Allowed 390 300 -90
Points/Game 48.75 37.5 -11.2
Total Yards Allowed 2046 1694 -352
Yards Per Game 255.8 211.7 -44.1
Pass Yards Allowed 1859 1630 -229
Yards Per Game 255.8 203.8 -52.0
Rush Yards Allowed 187 66 -121
Yards Per Game 23.4 8.3 -15.1

FLEMING SETS PREDATORS RECEIVING MARKS
With a great regular season finale against Los Angeles (13 receptions, 138 yards, two touchdowns), WR/LB Cory Fleming ended up shattering most of Barry Wagner's single season receiving records for the Predators. Fleming set new marks for receptions (131), yards (1,620) and touchdown receptions (33); breaking Wagner's 1997 single season club records for receptions (99), yards (1,527) and touchdown receptions (31). While Wagner played in two fewer games than Fleming (16 to 14), many arguments can be made that Fleming's accomplishments in 2004 made him the most impressive receiver in Orlando Predators history.

LUCKY 7's
In a total quirk, its interesting to note that the Orlando Predators scored exactly 777 points this season. It may be a lucky number in slots, but it remains to be seen if the numbers bring any luck in the post-season to the Predators.




PREDATORS ALL-STAR CANDIDATES
With the end of the regular season, these are the Orlando Predators players most likely to gain consideration for post-season AFL honors:

WR/LB CORY FLEMING:
Candidate for...
US ARMY IRONMAN OF THE YEAR
ALL-ARENA (named to team June 2)
ALL-IROMAN TEAM
Qualifications
Set club records for receptions (131), yards (1,620), and receiving touchdowns (33)...ranked in the top five in practically every offensive category in league, including receptions (2nd), receiving yards (4th), receiving touchdowns (4th)...named Ironman of the Game six times during regular season...named AFL Ironman of the Week once...finished season with 18 tackles, including 1 TFL, 1 QS, 1 INT, 3 PD, 1 FF – despite having to play six games at offensive specialist, filling in for injured Travis McGriff...averaged 13.9 yards on nine kickoff returns – including a 49-yard return for touchdown playing the "upback" position on returns.

DS KENNY McENTYRE
Candidate for...
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ALL-ARENA (Named to team June 2)
Qualifications
Led Predators in tackles with 85.5...tied for first in Arena Football League in interceptions with 9...knocked down 11 passes...had 2 TFL...forced two fumbles and recovered four others...became AFL's all-time interception leader...played all three defensive back positions, including playing in middle for first half of season...spearheaded AFL's top defense against the pass and led Predators to league scoring defense crown...became Predators all-time leading tackler.

K JAY TAYLOR
Candidate for...
KICKER OF YEAR
ALL-ARENA
ALL-ROOKIE (Named to Team on Tuesday)
Qualifications...
Tied AFL record with 10 consecutive field goals made...shattered AFL record for field goal accuracy (72%)...finished first in league in extra point accuracy (92.9%)...set club records for field goal accuracy, extra point accuracy, consecutive extra points made (38)...made incredible 52 of final 54 kicks attempted in season.

FB/LB RUPERT GRANT
Candidate for...
ALL-ARENA (named to 2nd team on June 2)
ALL-IRONMAN
Led Predators "mack" linebackers with 25 tackles...finished second in AFL in sacks, tying club record with 9.5...recovered two fumbles, forced three more...knocked down one pass...posted career highs in tackles, TFL, QS, FF and FR...had second best career rushing yards (151) and scored six touchdowns.

OL/DL EJ BURT
Candidate for...
ALL-ARENA
ALL-IRONMAN
Qualifications...
Started all 16 games for Predators...finished in top 10 in quarterback sacks with 6.5...batted down five passes...led team in quarterback hurries (8)...had 1 FF and 1 blocked kick...improved play on offensive line tremendously.

OL/DL JERMAINE SMITH
Candidate for...
ALL-ARENA (named 2nd team on June 2)
Qualifications...
Finished in top five in league with sacks (7), despite missing five games with injury...had six TFL, 4 quarterback hurries, 1 BK, 1 FF, 1 safety...finished with 14.5 tackles in 11 games.

QB JOE HAMILTON
Candidate for...
ALL-ROOKIE
Qualifications...
Posted 9-5 record as rookie starter at quarterback, including leading Predators to five straight wins at end of season...led Orlando in rushing touchdowns with 8...threw for 2,966 yards, 57 touchdowns and just eight interceptions in first season...finished 5th in league in quarterback efficiency rating at 119.6, second best rating among rookie QB...only rookie QB to lead his team to the playoffs...3rd in league in completion percentage and 6th in league in TD percentage.

FB/LB MARLON MOYE MOORE
Candidate for...
ALL-ROOKIE
Qualifications...
Finished either in league in rushing, despite missing seven and one-half games with devastating knee injury...Preds leading rusher with 179 yards...scored six rushing touchdowns...4.6 average yards per rush was led league.

PREDATORS TOUGH WITH HALFTIME LEAD
When Orlando takes a lead into the locker room at halftime, the Predators usually hold it. Counting last week's game with Los Angeles, when the Predators led 23-20 at intermission, the Predators went to 102 wins against just 22 losses when they have led at halftime (82.3% winning percentage).

STREAKS CONTINUE
A win against New York two weeks ago 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. With Orlando qualifying for the playoffs, it also marks the 13th consecutive trip to the post-season, the second longest streak in AFL history behind the Tampa Bay Storm, who won six straight games to finish at 9-7 and grab the seventh seed for the playoffs and extend their playoff appearance streak to a league-record 14 straight years.

HAMILTON SETS TOUCHDOWN RECORD FOR QB'S
He didn'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 by running for 157 yards and eight touchdowns during his rookie campaign. Those totals gave Hamilton the second most rushing yards by a Predators quarterback and gave him the most rushing touchdowns ever by a Predators quarterback.

MOST RUSHING YARDS BY A PREDATORS QB
QB Year Rush Yds. TD
Connell Maynor 2000 200 6
Joe Hamilton 2002 157 8
Mike Hold 1993 97 3
Reggie Collier 1991 95 7
Chris Wallace 2001 50 0

PREDATORS SACK MACHINE CONTINUES TO ROLL
The Predators posted two quarterback sacks on Sunday, as Rupert Grant tied an Orlando Predators single season mark by getting both sacks and running his season total to 9.5. The sacks gave the Predators a league-leading 35 on the season, 12 more than any other team in the league. The Predators 35 sacks also broke the team record of 30, set in a 14-game season in 1997. With 185 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 35 sacks also ties Pittsburgh for the second most in Arena Football League history.

MOST QUARTERBACK SACKS IN SEASON
38, Pittsburgh 1988
35, Orlando 2004
35, Pittsburgh 1987
33, San Jose 2000
32, Detroit 1991
30, Chicago 1988
30, Detroit 1991
30, Detroit 1992
30, Orlando 1997


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

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.

2004 AFL SACK LEADERS
1. Moyer, Chicago 10.0
2. Grant, Orlando 9.5
3. Briggs, Austin 8.5
4. Henderson, Arizona 8.0
5. Smith, Orlando 7.0
6. Burt, Orlando 6.5
7. Wiren, Tampa 6.0
8. Weatherington, Dallas 5.5
9. Hamilton, New Orleans 5.0
10. Cohen, New Orleans 4.0
Miller, Orlando 4.0
Hernandez, San Jose 4.0
Jacobs, San Jose 4.0

PREDS SACKS LAST FIVE SEASONS
2004 35*
2003 25
2002 25
2001 23
2000 23
*Club Record

PREDATORS SEEK 20th PLAYOFF WIN
Orlando will be searching for its 20 post-season victory this week against Chicago. With 19 wins, the Predators have won more post-season games than any other team other than the Tampa Bay Storm (20). Some interesting post-season facts and figures:

Most Post Season Appearances
Tampa Bay 14
Orlando 13
Arizona 12
Albany/Indiana 9

Most Post Season Wins
Tampa Bay 20
Orlando 19
Arizona 18
Detroit Drive 9



Most Home Playoff Wins
Tampa Bay 14
Arizona 14
Orlando 13

Most Road Playoff Wins
Tampa Bay 6
Orlando 5
Arizona 4

LA WIN MIRRORS LAST GAME IN 2000 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
When Jason Wells booted a 30-yard field goal on the final play of the game last week to give the Predators a dramatic 52-50 win over Los Angeles, it marked the first time since the 2000 season that the Predators won a regular season game on the final play of the game. In the 2000 game, Connell Maynor hooked up with Bret Cooper on a 20-yard scoring pass as time expired to give the Predators a 61-59 win. If you are looking for some omens from those two games, consider the following:

*Both wins came in the final regular season game.
*Both wins came on the road
*Both victories were by two points
*Both came against the #1 offense in the league
*Bret Cooper scored multiple touchdowns for Orlando in both games
*Greg Hopkins was the starting WR/LB for both opponents

We bring these similarities up to remind you that 2000 was also the season that the Predators rolled through three straight playoff games to win their last AFL championship.

PREDATORS PLAYOFF HISTORY
Here are Orlando's all-time playoff results:

2004
June 6 at Chicago Quarterfinals

2003
June 1 New York Quarterfinals W, 69-62
June 7 at Tampa Bay Semifinals L, 50-60

2002
July 26 Buffalo Wildcard Round W, 32-27
Aug. 3 at New Jersey Quarterfinals W, 49-46
Aug. 10 at San Jose Semifinals L, 40-52

2001
July 27 Chicago Wildcard Round L, 26-41

2000
Aug. 3 Tampa Bay Quarterfinals W, 34-24
Aug. 13 Arizona Semifinals W, 56-44
Aug. 20 Nashville ArenaBowl W, 41-38

1999
Aug. 7 at Tampa Bay Quarterfinals W, 41-9
Aug. 13 at Iowa Semifinals W, 48-41
Aug. 21 at Albany ArenaBowl L, 48-59

1998
Aug. 7 Nashville Quarterfinals W, 58-43
Aug. 15 at Arizona Semifinals W, 38-33
Aug. 23 at Tampa Bay ArenaBowl W, 62-31
1997
Aug. 8 New Jersey Quarterfinals W, 45-37
Aug. 16 at Iowa Semifinals L, 34-52

1996
Aug. 10 at Arizona Quarterfinals L, 48-65

1995
Aug. 13 at San Jose Quarterfinals W, 55-37
Aug. 19 at Iowa Semifinals W, 56-49
Sept. 1 at Tampa Bay ArenaBowl L, 35-48

1994
Aug. 19 Ft. Worth Quarterfinals W, 34-13
Aug. 26 Massachusetts Semifinals W, 51-42
Sept. 2 Arizona ArenaBowl L, 31-36

1993
Aug. 6 Miami Quarterfinals W, 41-13
Aug. 14 Tampa Bay Semifinals L, 52-55

1992
Aug. 7 Cleveland Quarterfinals W, 50-12
Aug. 15 Tampa Bay Semifinals W, 24-21 (ot)
Aug. 22 Detroit ArenaBowl L, 25-28

PREDATORS PLAYOFF NUGGETS
Orlando is 19-10-0 in post season competition (.655), including 13-4 in home playoff games (.765) and 5-6 in road playoff games (.455)...Orlando is 1-1 in Wildcard Games (.500), 10-1 in quarterfinal games (.909), 6-4 in semifinal games (.600) and 2-4 in ArenaBowl championship games (.333)...Orlando has won 8 of 10 playoff games with Jay Gruden as a head coach...Orlando has outscored it opponents 1,273 to 1,118 in the post season...Orlando has averaged 43.9 points per game and has allowed 38.6 points per game in the post-season...The Predators have faced Tampa Bay (7) more than any other team in the post-season...Chicago (1-0) is one of only three teams with a winning overall record against the Predators in the post-season, joining Albany/Indianapolis Firebirds (1-0) and the defunct Detroit Drive (1-0)...In its 19 post-season wins, the Predators have held opponents to under 40 points 12 times...Orlando became the lowest seed (#8) to make it to the ArenaBowl in 1999, upsetting #1 Tampa Bay (41-19) and #2 Iowa (48-41) on the road.

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF OPPONENTS
Tampa Bay 4-3 .571*
New Jersey 2-0 1.000
Nashville 2-0 1.000
Buffalo 1-0 1.000
Ft. Worth 1-0 1.000
Massachusetts 1-0 1.000
Miami 1-0 1.000
Cleveland 1-0 1.000
New York/Iowa 3-1 .750
Arizona 2-2 .500*
San Jose 1-1 .500
Chicago 0-1 .000*
Albany/Indiana 0-1 .000
Detroit Drive 0-1 .000

*2004 Playoff Team

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 Chicago on Saturday.

PLAYERS SPOTLIGHT
ORLANDO AND CHICAGO

ORLANDO WR/LB CORY FLEMING
With Travis McGriff still out, look for quarterback Joe Hamilton to rely on Cory Fleming to provide most of the Predators offense. Fleming has been outstanding this season with seven 100-yard games and at least one touchdown reception in all 16 games. A leading candidate for AFL Ironman of the Year, Fleming says he covets and AFL championship ring more than any individual achievements.

CHICAGO OL/DL JOHN MOYER
While a lot has been made of Orlando's league-leading 35 quarterback sacks this year, the Chicago pass rush is nothing to sneeze at. The Rush have recorded 23 quarterback sacks this year—second highest total in the league. The Rush is led by veteran John Moyer, who leads the Arena Football League with 10 sacks. How well the Predators keep Moyer and future Hall of Famer James Baron off Joe Hamilton will go a long way in determining which team escapes with a win.

ORLANDO QB JOE HAMILTON
In guiding the Predators to four straight wins and seven of eight, quarterback Joe Hamilton has been steady and accurate. But Hamilton will be the first to admit that some mental lapses have hurt him in the past two weeks. Those mistakes have included an interception, a fumble and missing several open receivers. "He's a perfectionist who is always striving to improve," Head Coach Jay Gruden says. "What excites me most about Joe is his work ethic. He'll study films and make sure he doesn't make the same mistake twice."

CHICAGO FB/LB BOB McMILLEN
Another savvy veteran, Bob McMillen has posted the best rushing season of his 10-year AFL career. Coming into this season, McMillen's best season came with Arizona in 1999 when he rushed for career highs of 180 yards and eight touchdowns. This season, McMillen has been near unstoppable at the goal line, with 285 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Orlando has been extremely good against the run this year, but will have its hands full in trying to stop McMillen and quarterback Raymond Philyaw (11 rushing touchdowns). Chicago scored a league-leading 49 touchdowns on the ground this year.

ORLANDO FB/LB RUPERT GRANT
A fullback in college and considered one of the better blocking backs in the Arena Football League, Rupert "Dogghead" Grant posted an incredible second half of the season to tie a club record with 9.5 quarterback sacks. That total was second highest in the Arena Football League and was the most by a "Mack" linebacker. Grant posted 6.5 of his sacks in the second half of the season and also produced one of his better offensive seasons with 151 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

CHICAGO DS COREY SAWYER
A five-year NFL veteran, Sawyer is in his third AFL season and is the leader of the Chicago defensive backfield. He leads the team in tackles (69.5) and pass defenses (14) and also had two interceptions.

ORLANDO OL/DL DOUG MILLER
Although his stats don't necessarily jump out and grab you, it's the little things that have made Doug Miller a special player for the Predators this season. At least three times this season – including twice in the last two weeks – Miller has caused an interception by hitting the quarterback as he was releasing the ball. The versatile Miller has played all three defensive line positions, "mack" linebacker, two offensive line positions and fullback this year for the Predators. His season totals include four quarterback sacks, 14.5 tackles, an interception, 2 pass break-ups, a safety, a forced fumble and three TFL.

CHICAGO QB RAYMOND PHILYAW
Raymond Philyaw is not a classic Arena quarterback in the truest sense of an Aaron Garcia, Mark Grieb, or Tony Graziano. What he is though is a winner. Philyaw guides an offense that relies on the run and short passes to move the ball. In 15 games, he has passed for just over 203 yards per game. But more impressively, he has completed 63.5% of his passes and has 52 touchdowns with just four interceptions.


ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL STANDINGS
Central W L T PF PA
Chicago 11 5 0 847 727
Colorado 11 5 0 793 744
Indiana 8 8 0 801 743
Detroit 5 11 0 761 854
Grand Rapids 1 15 0 581 871
Western W L T PF PA
Arizona 11 5 0 836 738
San Jose 11 5 0 885 754
Los Angeles 9 7 0 904 811
Las Vegas 8 8 0 868 791
Eastern W L T PF PA
New York 9 7 0 849 770
Carolina 6 10 0 735 868
Dallas 6 10 0 782 855
Columbus 6 10 0 791 862
Philadelphia 5 11 0 737 796
Southern W L T PF PA
New Orleans 11 5 0 723 721
Orlando 10 6 0 777 690
Tampa Bay 9 7 0 815 799
Austin 8 8 0 764 793
Georgia 7 9 0 710 772

AFL QUARTERFINALS
Los Angeles at Arizona
Tampa Bay at San Jose
Orlando at Chicago
Colorado at New Orleans

WEEK 17 RESULTS
Georgia 70, Carolina 33
Detroit 64, Grand Rapids 54
Arizona 50, San Jose 43
Orlando 52, Los Angeles 50
Colorado 56, Chicago 47
New York 69, Philadelphia 54
New Orleans 38, Austin 21
Tampa Bay 59, Dallas 57
Las Vegas 64, Columbus 51



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)
17 Los Angeles O: Cory Fleming (O)D: Mike Brown (O)I: Rupert Grant (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
5/26 Waived OL/DL Josh McKibben,OL/DL Shawn King
5/30 Signed K Jason Wells

PREDS PLACE FIVE ON ALL-ARENATEAMS
ORLANDO, Fla. (June 2) -- Cory Fleming, who shattered all of Barry Wagner's single season receiving records, and Kenny McEntyre, who led the Arena Football League in interceptions, head a list of five Orlando Predators players named to the All-Arena Team on Tuesday.
Fleming has the most prolific year ever by an Orlando Predators receiver. He set single season marks for receptions (131), yards (1,620) and touchdowns (33), breaking Wagner's records of 99 receptions, 1,527 yards and 31 touchdowns from the 1997 season. He added one touchdown rushing.

Defensively, Fleming had 18 tackles, with 1 quarterback sack, 1 interception and four pass defenses. He had nine kickoff returns for 119 yards and one touchdown. It marked Fleming's fourth time (three first-team, one second team) on the All-Arena team. Joining Fleming on the first unit of the All-Arena where teammates Defensive Specialist Kenny McEntyre and kicker Jay Taylor. McEntyre, a leading candidate for the league's "Defensive Player of the Year" award, led the team in tackles with 85.5, tied for the league lead in interceptions with nine and also had 11 pass defenses. McEntyre was named to the first unit for a fifth consecutive year, one short of the league record for most consecutive selections held by Wagner.

Taylor, who was named to the All-Rookie team yesterday, was the only rookie named to both units. He set an Arena Football League record by hitting 72% of his field goal attempts (18 of 25), obliterating the old record for best field goal percentage of 63.9% set in 2001 by Nashville's Steve McLaughlin. Taylor was also the league-leader in extra point accuracy, converting 79 of 85 attempts (92.9%). He has made his last 38 extra points, setting a new team record for consecutive point-after-touchdowns. He finished third in the league in scoring for kickers, despite missing one game with injury. Named to the second-unit from the Predators were FB/LB Rupert Grant and OL/DL Jermaine Smith. Grant tied an Orlando Predators single season record with 9.5 quarterback sacks, the most in the Arena Football League by a linebacker. He also was the team's third leading rusher with 151 yards and he scored six touchdowns.

Smith recorded seven sacks and earned second team honors, despite missing the last five games with a knee injury. Orlando's three first-team selections were the most since the Predators placed five players on the first unit of the 1994 All-Arena team.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 2, 2004


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