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Orlando Predators game notes

February 15, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


Orlando Predators (3-0) vs. Dallas Desperados (2-1)
Date: Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005
Toe-to-Leather Time: 8:30 p.m.
Site: American Airlines Center (15,978)
Officials: Referee: Terry Brown; Umpire: Rick Lowe; Head Linesman: Rusty Baynes; Line Judge: Gary Caveletto;
Back Judge: Scott Helverson
Radio: WQTM 740 The Team (Tom Morgan and Dan Pearson)
TV: Sun Sports (Kevin Eschenfelder and Gary Reasons)
Streaks: Orlando has a 3-game winning streak, Dallas brings a one-game winning streak in the game.
Series Record: Orlando leads all-time series, 3-0
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (7th season, 56-30, .651); Dallas: Will McClay (3rd season, 9-12, .429)

THE STAKES: PREDATORS LOOKING TO REMAIN AFL'S ONLY UNDEFEATED TEAM
It took just three weeks, but the Arena Football League is down to one undefeated team – a status Orlando Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden hopes retain when his team travels to Dallas for a Thursday evening game against the Dallas Desparados.

"It's going to be tough playing a great team on a short turnaround," Gruden said. "Our schedule during the first eight weeks of the season is difficult and so it is extremely important to grab every possible victory early. For the second time in three weeks we are flying across the country to play a team on a Thursday night. I hope this team can continue to respond to the challenge."

Although the Predators lead the all-time series 3-0, Gruden knows winning in Dallas will not be an easy task. "Dallas has always played us tough with two of the three games going down to the last possession. I anticipate the same type of game this week. Will McClay is a solid coach and will have his team ready to play. They are also looking to remain in first place in their division. It should be a terrific game."

The contest will air on Sun Sports in Florida (formerly Sunshine Network) and will also be broadcast on WQTM radio (740 AM).

Orlando Predators (3-0-0) *All Times Eastern
Date Opponent W/L Score
Jan. 30 Colorado W 39-36
Feb. 3 At Arizona W 51-40
Feb. 11 Tampa Bay W 61-46
Feb. 17 At Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 At Chicago 8:30 p.m.
Mar. 6 San Jose 12 Noon
Mar. 13 At New Orleans 3 p.m.
Mar. 19 At Georgia 1 p.m.
Mar. 25 Austin 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 3 Los Angeles 12 Noon
Apr. 9 At Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 15 New York 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 22 Georgia 7:30 p.m.
May 1 At Philadelphia 1 p.m.
May 7 At Austin 8:30 p.m.
May 20 New Orleans 7:30 p.m.

Dallas Desperados (2-1-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 30 Chicago W-OT 66-65
Feb. 6 At New York L 45-55
Feb. 13 Columbus W 35-31
Feb. 17 Orlando 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 At Philadelphia 3:00 p.m.
Mar. 5 New Orleans 8:30 pm.
Mar. 13 At Austin 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 18 At Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Mar. 25 Colorado 8:30 p.m.
Apr. 8 Nashville 8:30 p.m.
Apr. 15 At San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Apr. 24 At Columbus 7:00 p.m.
Apr. 29 New York 8:30 p.m.
May 7 At Las Vegas 10:30 p.m.
May 14 At Georgia 7:00 p.m.
May 22 Philadelphia 1:00 p.m.

QUOTE/UNQUOTE
"I told our players not to get overconfident. We beat a team that did not have their best player available and had their second best player injured early. I told them we would see them again and maybe again after that. It was a great win and a great effort, but it still was just one win. We have to play 16 games and we haven't really accomplished anything yet."

Jay Gruden on Orlando's 61-46 win over Tampa Bay

THE COACHES
PREDS HEAD COACH JAY GRUDEN
JAY GRUDEN is in his second stint and begins his 6th year overall as Head Coach and Director of Football Operations for the Orlando Predators. 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 announced 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 Orlando to back-to-back appearances in the semifinals, falling one game short of his goal of returning to the ArenaBowl as a player. In 2003, he recorded a 10-0 mark with 49 touchdown passes and two interceptions as a starting quarterback. 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 56-30 (.651) all-time coaching record into the Dallas game. He is 48-27 in regular season games (.640) and a solid 8-3 as a head coach in playoff games (.727).

ORLANDO PREDATORS
HEAD COACHING RECORDS
Coaches, Years Record Pct.
Jay Gruden, 1998-2001, 2004-05 56-30 .651
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684

DALLAS HEAD COACH WILL McCLAY
Although in his third season as a head coach, Will McClay is actually in just his second full-season as top man of an AFL program after serving as interim head coach at both Grand Rapids (1999) and being thrust into the head coach role at Dallas just three days before opening day in 2004. McClay will take a 2-1 record in 2005 into the game, and owns an all-time mark of 9-12. McClay has more than a decade of Arena Football experience as both a player and a coach. He joined the expansion Dallas Desperados in 2002 as defensive coordinator. In addition to working with the Desperados, McClay also served in the player personnel department for the Cowboys and held a similar role with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2001. He also served one year as Director of Player Personnel for the Orlando Rage of the XFL in 2001. Prior Arena experience included stops at Orlando (2001), Grand Rapids (1998-99), Anaheim Piranhas (1997), Florida Bobcats (1996), Milwaukee Mustangs (1995) and Detroit Drive (1993). McClay was a standout WR/DB for Detroit from 1989-92, helping that team to four ArenaBowl appearances and three titles.

Gruden Ranks in Top 10: In just over five seasons of coaching, Orlando Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden ranks in the top 10 in AFL career coaching victories:

1. Tim Marcum 169*
2. Danny White 141
3. Perry Moss 86
4. Mike Hohenssee 87*
5. Mike Trigg 80*
6 Mike Dailey 76*
7 John Gregory 73
8. Darren Arbet 74*
9. Jay Gruden 56*
10. Todd Shell 48*

*Active Coach

SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES:
Dallas entered the Arena Football League in 2002 as an expansion team. Although playing in a different division and conference than the Predators, the Desperados have played Orlando every season since entering the league. The Predators have won all three prior meetings, including a 64-49 win in 2004. Two of the three games have been decided by just three points, with Orlando winning the first game of the series, 49-46, and the second game by a 50-47 count...In the first game, Jay Gruden hit Clif Dell on a 45-yard touchdown pass with just six seconds remaining and Dallas' Jason Wells missed a potential game-tying 44-yard field goal at the buzzer to give the Predators the win...In the second game, Gruden fired five touchdown passes to lead Orlando back from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to give the Predators a 50-47 win...although this is just the Desperados' fourth season in the Arena Football League, the city of Dallas does have a prior history in the league...From 1990-93, the Dallas Texas played in the Arena Football League...during that time, the Orlando Predators played Dallas on two occasions, winning 49-17 in 1993 and losing a 28-25 decision in 1991...both games were played in Dallas.

ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS (Orlando leads 3-0)
DATE ORL Dallas
July 20, 2002 (A) 49 46
Feb. 16, 2003 (H) 50 47
Apr. 25, 2004 (H) 64 49

LAST MEETING
Orlando 64, Dallas 49
April 25, 2004- TD Waterhouse (12,105)

Dallas: 14 14 7 14 -- 49
Orlando: 10 21 10 23 -- 64

ORLANDO, FL -- Joe Hamilton threw for six touchdowns and Orlando's defense forced four turnovers as the Predators rolled to a 64-49 win over the Dallas Desperados.

The Predators broke open a relatively close game in the fourth quarter, as Travis McGriff scored on a sensational 16-yard touchdown reception where he was being dragged down by a Dallas receiver but managed to free his hand to grab a pass in the right corner of the end zone for a 54-42 Predators lead.

On the ensuing play, Jay Taylor's kickoff ricocheted off the net and Marlon Moye-Moore recovered for a touchdown and a 61-42 lead.

TEAM STATS DAL ORL
First Downs 19 24
Rush Yards 6-12 17-45
Passing Yards 184 214
A-C-I 24-15-3 24-17-0
Fumbles/Lost 2-1 1-1
Penalties/Yards 13-85 10-66
Sacks By 2-4 0-0

Rushing
DAL: Pettijohn 1-6, Toombs 2-4, Gauntt 1-1, Shelley 2-1
O: Moye-Moore 4-14; Grant 4-23, Hamilton 4-10, Cooper 2-3, Fleming 1-0, Shell 1-(-1), McGriff 1-(-4)

Passing
DAL: Gauntt 24-15-3-184
O: Hamilton 24-17-0-218

Receiving
DAL: Shelley 4-43, Layton 3-55, Sippio 3-52, Pettis 2-13, Moore 1-9, Pettijohn 1-7, Taylor 1-5
O: Fleming 11-124, McGriff 3-56, Riley 2-25, Cooper 1-13

Ifs...
If the Orlando Predators defeat the Dallas Desperados on Thursday night, it would:

· Give the Predators a 4-0 start first time since 2003 and 4th time in franchise history
· Give the Predators a 4-0 series lead against Dallas
· Give Jay Gruden an all-time head coaching record of 57-30
· Give the Predators a record of 9-6 in Week 4 games.
· Give the Predators a record of 67-42 all-time record in road games.
· Give the Predators six consecutive regular season road wins and 18 wins in last 23 regular season road games.
· Give the Predators an all-time record of 146-74-0.

How The 2005 Predators Were Built
Veteran Retained From 2004 Season (17): Bret Cooper, Damon Mason, Travis McGriff, Idris Price, Michael Brown, Cory Fleming, Joe Hamilton, Kenny McEntyre, Rupert Grant, Justin Cleveland, Greg Krause, Cecil Caldwell, Buck Gurley, EJ Burt, Doug Miller, Reggie Lee, Marlon Moye-Moore*
*injured reserve list

Veteran Free Agents Signed (2): Reggie Doster, Chris Sanders.

Rookie Free Agents (4): Jimmy Fryzel, David Upchurch, Jerrian James and Justin Skaggs.

Obtained by Trade: None

PREDS NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES, AND TRENDS

LAST WEEK'S GAME: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: Reviewing last week's win over the Tampa Bay: THE GOOD: The Predators displayed great composure, overcoming deficits of 10-0 and 17-6 in rolling to a third consecutive win to begin the 2005 season...the Predators were able to record a win in their first division game of the 2005 season...Orlando's defense stepped it up against one of the league's top scoring teams, holding Tampa Bay to just 31 points for the first 59 minutes of the game and just 46 points overall...the Predators pass rush picked it up, recording five quarterback sacks on the day, while the offensive line did not allow a sack. THE BAD: Orlando's kicking game was improved but still spotty, as the team missed two extra points and a short field goal. THE UGLY: Orlando's offense struggled a little bit in the first quarter and a half...QB Joe Hamilton started the game 4 for 10 with an interception – his 4th of the season after throwing just eight all last season.

PREDATORS ON REGULAR SEASON HOT STREAK: Counting last week's win at Tampa Bay, the Predators have been on something of a hot streak in regular season games. The team has now won 10 of their last 11 regular season games dating back to an April 9, 2004 win over New Orleans (57-24). The 10-1 regular season record since that time has been the best in the Arena Football League.

WHEN McGRIFF PLAYS PREDATORS USUALLY WIN
It's interesting to note that when offensive specialist Travis McGriff plays, good things usually happen to the Orlando Predators. McGriff missed two games during his rookie season and all but six games last year. Since 2003, Orlando is 21-5 with McGriff in the starting line-up and 5-7 when he does not play.

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. Heading into this week's game with Dallas, McEntyre has now answered the bell for 108 consecutive games -- building on his own team record.

FLEMING LIFTS STEAK TO 29
With five receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay last week, Predators WR/LB Cory Fleming has now caught at least one touchdown pass in 29 consecutive games. Including playoff games, Fleming has at least one touchdown catch in 37 of 39 career games with the Preds.

WHEN PREDATORS LEAD AT HALFTIME GOOD THINGS HAPPEN
When Orlando takes a lead into the locker room at halftime, the Predators usually hold it. Counting last week's win over the Tampa Bay, the Predators hold an all-time record of 105 wins against just 22 losses when they lead at halftime (82.7% winning percentage).

PREDATORS PRODUCE COACHES
Maybe it would be going too far to call the Orlando Predators "The AFL Cradle of Coaches," but at least 16 current and former Predators players have gone on to the coaching ranks, including: Doug Miller (High School), Chris Barber (High School), Ben Bennett (af2), Webbie Burnett (af2), Victor Floyd (High School), Rick Hamilton (AFL), Jay Gruden (AFL, NFL), Kevin Guy (AFL, af2), Bret Munsey (af2, AFL), Jerry Odom (High School, Colleges), Pat O'Hara (High School), Connell Maynor (College), Jeff Parker (College), Fred Ray (High School), Barry Wagner (College), and Herkie Walls (High School). Miller, Wagner, and Ray remain active in the Arena Football League as players – coaching football in the off-season.

EJ BURT NEW ALL-TIME PREDS RECORD HOLDER FOR CAREER SACKS: With a quarterback sack against Tampa Bay last week, third-year OL/DL EJ Burt broke Paul McGowan's club record of 18.0 career quarterback sacks. McGowan played five seasons with the Predators (1993-97); while Burt is just starting his third season. With his sack against the Storm, Burt now has 19 on his career. He has picked up a quarterback sack in each of his last three games. The all-time Predators sack list updated through Sunday

Names Seasons Total
1. EJ BURT 2+ 19.0
2. Paul McGowan 5 18.0
3. Ernest Allen 4 16.5
4. Victor Hall 4 14.0
5. Eric Drakes 8 13.0

HAMILTON CLIMBING UP RUSHING TOUCHDOWN LIST: With three rushing touchdowns in 2005, quarterback Joey Hamilton continues to climb up the Predators all-time list in career rushing touchdowns. Hamilton now has 11 career rushing scores, one short of Paul McGowan's eighth place career total of 12. The record for career rushing touchdowns by a Predators quarterback in 18, accomplished by Connell Maynor in six seasons with the Predators (1998-2000, 2002-2004). While Hamilton could theoretically move into third place on Orlando's all-time list this season, he is a long way away from the Predators career record for rushing touchdowns, held by former six-time "Ironman of the Year" Barry Wagner, who rushed for 69 touchdowns from 1992-99.

Preds All-time Rushing Touchdowns
Name Season TDs
1. Barry Wagner 8 69
2. Rick Hamilton 5 25
3. Connell Maynor 6 18
4. Tommy Dorsey 2 17
5. Michael McClenton 2 16
6. Duke Pettijohn 2 14
7. Jerry Odom 2 13
8. Paul McGowan 5 12
9. Joe Hamilton 1+ 11
10. Many Tied 6

GETTING INTO THE ACT
The Predators scored a season-high 61 points against Tampa Bay last week and spread the ball around in doing it. Seven different players scored touchdowns on the day, with only Michael Brown and Idris Price scoring more than one touchdown. Joe Hamilton, Doug Miller, Cory Fleming,Buck Gurley, and Justin Skaggs added touchdowns for the Predators.

ATTENDANCE UP 3%
Although the Predators played their home opener on a Sunday afternoon (a day the Predators traditionally do not draw well), Orlando's total attendance is up 3% compared to the same time period last year. Orlando drew 26,111 fans to their first two games last year, which included a Friday night home opener against Austin and a Saturday night game against Indiana. This year, the Predators drew 26,848 to their first two games, which included 12,370 for a 12 Noon game against Colorado and a sellout crowd of 14,478 against Tampa Bay last week. Under the current configuration, Hummer Field at the TD Waterhouse holds 13,692 for Arena Football. The chart below compares Predators attendance through two home games:

Year G Attendance Avg. % Capacity
2005 2 26,848 13,424 98.04%
2004 2 26,111 13,056 95.03%

PREDATORS BAT ‘EM DOWN
In Friday night's win over Tampa Bay, the Orlando Predators batted down passes in that game. That total tied for the second most during the Jay Gruden era in Orlando. The most occurred in 2001 when the Predators recorded 15 pass defenses in a 70-22 win over Toronto. The Predators also recorded nine pass defenses in a 2003 road win over Detroit.

KICKING GAME IMPROVES...WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE: After changing kickers after the second game of the season, Orlando Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden was pleased with the overall improvement in the kicking game but still felt there was room for improvement. Steve McLaughlin made just six of 13 extra points in the first two games. He also missed all four field goal attempts and came up "short" on a lot of kickoffs – failing to reach the net. Veteran Brian Gowins, who replaced McLaughlin, managed to hit 7 of 9 extra points and did a solid job of kicking off – recording three touchbacks and hitting the net on all nine attempts. Still, Gowins missed two extra points and a relatively short field goal. After three games, Orlando ranks near the bottom in most kicking categories.

Category 2005 Rank 2004 Rank
Kicking Points per game 4.3-17th 8.9 – 2nd
Field Goal Percentage 00.0%-T 16th 74.1% - 1st
Field Goals Made 0- T 16th 20 – 1st
PAT Percentage 59.1%- 17th 91.2% - 2nd

PENALTIES A POINT OF EMPHASIS FOR PREDATORS
Heading into 2005 training camp, Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden emphasized the importance of cutting down on penalties. "We have shot ourselves in the foot so many times in the last couple of years. Nothing drives me more crazy than having a team third and 10 and then jumping offsides on back-to-back plays," Gruden said. "We spent a lot of time emphasizing the importance of staying on-sides and watching the ball during training camp." Since Gruden's arrival in 1998, the Predators have been among the most penalized teams in the Arena Football League – finishing in the top five in penalty yards per game five times in the last seven years. In 2005, the Predators have improved greatly, and currently rank 5th in the fewest penalty yards per game at 33.0. Here is where Orlando has stood in this category since 1998:

Year Pen Yds per game League Rank
2005 33.0 13th
2004 45.9 7th
2003 51.9 4th
2002 52.1 1st
2001 43.1 16th
2000 48.3 4th
1999 45.0 4th
1998 45.4 4th

PREDATORS RANKINGS IN AFL STATS
TEAM
Category Stat League Rank
Scoring 50.3 7th
Total Offense 248.7 14th
Scoring Defense 40.7 1st
Total Defense 238.7 3rd
Rushing Offense 30.3 T-5th
Rushing Defense 10.0 T-2nd
Pass Rating Offense 98.6 12th
Pass Defense Rating 78.3 1st
Passing Offense 13th 218.2
Pass Defense 4th 228.7
Kickoff Returns 17th 12.9
Interceptions 8th (T) 4
Turnover Margin 6th (T) +1
First Downs 7th 57
Opp.First Downs 4th 50
3rd Down Conversions 12th 40%
4th Down Conversions 3rd-T 66.7%
Opp. 3rd Down Con. 6th 42.3%
Opp. 4th Down Con. T-2nd 25%
Sacks 2nd 7
Penalties YPG-Fewest 3rd 33.0

INDIVIDUAL
Category Player Rank-Stat
Total Offense Hamilton 8th-230.3
All-Purpose Yards McGriff 9th- 110.7
Scoring Fleming 10th-36
Rushing TD's Price T1st-4
Hamilton T3rd-3
Passing Yards Hamilton 7th-224.4
Completion Pct. Hamilton 9th-62.4%
Passing TDs Hamilton 7th-12
Receptions Fleming 8th-21
Rec. TDs Fleming T9th – 6
Tackles Mason 2nd-27
Forced Fumbles Burt T-1st-2
Fumbles Recov. Grant T1st-2
Pass Defenses McEntyre 1st-7

MILESTONES
Several Players continue to approach milestones for the Orlando Predators

OS TRAVIS McGRIFF
*With 26 yards receiving against Tampa Bay, Travis needs 76 receiving yards to reach 2000 for career
*With 109 all-purpose yards, he now needs 340 all-purpose yards to reach 4,000 for career

OL/DL EJ BURT
*With one sack against Tampa Bay, EJ Burt is the new all-time sack leader in Orlando Predators history with 19 career sacks.

DS DAMON MASON
*With 9 total tackles against Storm, Damon Mason now has 522 on his career. He needs 78 tackles to reach 600 for AFL Career.

*Damon needs 3 Interceptions to reach 30 for his career

DS KENNY McENTYRE
*With 8.0 tackles against Tampa Bay, McEntyre needs 87.5 total tackles to reach 500 for his career

*With 55 career interceptions, Kenny needs 5 Interceptions to reach 60 for his career

WR/LB CORY FLEMING
*With five receptions against Tampa Bay , Fleming now has 720 for his career and needs 80 receptions to reach 800 for his career.

*With 46 yards vs. Arizona, Fleming now needs 254 receiving yards to reach 9,000 for his career and 1,254 receiving yards to reach 10,000 for his career

*With one touchdown vs. Tampa Bay, Fleming now has 201 career receiving touchdowns.

QB JOE HAMILTON
*With 173 passing yards, Joe Hamilton now has 3,640 career passing yards and now needs 360 passing yards to hit 4,000 for his career

*With three passing touchdowns against Tampa Bay, Hamilton now needs 35 touchdown passes to reach 100 for his career

HUMMER OF ORLANDO BECOMES
PREDATORS' FIRST TITLE SPONSOR
The Orlando Predators announced that Hummer of Orlando is the team's first title sponsor in the franchise's 15-year history.

The three-year comprehensive partnership, which runs through the 2007 season, gives Hummer of Orlando name recognition in practically every aspect of the Orlando Predators operations. As the presenting sponsor, Hummer of Orlando will receive exposure on approximately 80 billboards throughout the 2005 season. Hummer will also be prominently featured on 100,000 schedule cards, all Predators newspaper advertising, website and all printed materials.

Subject to final approval from the Arena Football League, Hummer of Orlando receives naming rights to the Predators playing field. The team will now list its home field as Hummer Field at the TD Waterhouse Centre. Advertising elements of the agreement include sideline dasherboard, turf logo, television and radio spots on Predators broadcasts, program advertising, player and cheerleading appearances, on-field and outside the arena promotions, and VIP and promotional season tickets.

"Without question, this is the largest and most important corporate partnership in club history," Orlando Predators President and Managing General Partner Brett Bouchy said. "Hummer of Orlando was one of our larger sponsors last year and they have taken their commitment to Arena Football and the Orlando Predators to a whole new level. Our goal is to justify the faith they put in our product by showing the same faith and commitment to promote their products."

"This promises to be a banner year for both the Orlando Predators and Hummer of Orlando, and we're excited to move forward as a team," Hummer of Orlando General Manager Gavin Hutchinson said. "It makes sense for the toughest vehicle on the road to partner with the toughest team in Arena Football. Hummer of Orlando is proud to be a part of the Predators' winning tradition."

Hummer of Orlando is scheduled to open a new dealership on 434 in Altamonte Springs in late April. Hummer of Orlando is owned by the Holler Automotive Group, which recently purchased a minority ownership stake in the Orlando Predators.

PREDATORS PLAYERS TO WATCH

WR/LB JUSTIN SKAGGS
Although he backs-up one of the best players in Arena Football League history, Justin Skaggs has become a consistent contributor to the Predators offense. Last week, Skaggs caught four balls for 50 yards, including a sensational one-handed 10-yard reception for touchdown. In three games, Skaggs has tallied 12 receptions for 175 yards and ranks second on the team in receiving yards.

FB/LB IDRIS PRICE
Idris Price has registered two consecutive impact games in a row for the Orlando Predators. In the last two games, he has rushed for 42 yards and 4 touchdowns; while recording 5.5 tackles with two quarterback sacks.

WR/DB MICHAEL BROWN
Another back-up, Michael Brown continues to earn playing time with outstanding play on both sides of the ball. On a day when Orlando's offense struggled early, Brown came up with a huge play – catching a 39-yard touchdown pass in the waning seconds of the first half to give the Predators a 27-24 lead at halftime. Brown added a 2-yard scoring run and had a tackle and pass defense.

2005 US ARMY IRONMAN, OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME and ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE GAME (selected by media):
After each Arena Football League game, media in attendance select the "US Army Ironman of the Game" as well as the "ADT Defensive Player of the Game" and the "Offensive Player of the Game." For a second straight week, the Predators dominated the awards, with Cory Fleming, Joe Hamilton and Damon Mason winning awards.

Week Opp. Player
1 Colorado Ironman: Cory Fleming (O)Offensive: Joe Hamilton (O)Defensive: Damon Mason (O)
2 Arizona Ironman: Cory Fleming (O)Offense: Joe Hamitlon (O)Defensive: Damon Mason (O)
3 Tampa Bay Ironman: Idris Price (O)Offensive: Michael Brown (O)Defensive: Rupert Grant (O)

League Wide Honors
Week 1:
Cory Fleming - - US Army Ironman of the Week
Week 2:
Damon Mason – ADT Defensive Player of the Week

2005 ROSTER MOVES
Date Action Player


1/23 Waived WR-LB Leroy McFadden, OS Kerry Watkins, QB Ryan Schneider, WR-LB Andre Cooper, DS Jamie Hatley, WR-DB Ernest Ross, FB-LB Chris Morrant, OL-DL Patrick Scott, OL-DL Joe Fantigrassi, OL/DL Deon White, OL/DL Thomas Pittman
1/23 Placed on IR FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore
1/24 Waived OL/DL Shawn King, FB/LB Kevin Jefferson, OS Anthony Bright.
1/28 Placed on IR OS Jimmy Fryzel
2/7 Waived K Steve McLaughlin
2/7 Activated from NFL-Exempts OL-DL David Upchurch


ORLANDO PREDATORS GAME SUMMARIES

Game 1
ORLANDO 39, COLORADO 36
Jan. 30, 2005 - HUMMER FIELD
12,370

ORLANDO, FL -- Joe Hamilton fired four touchdown passes and ran for one other to lead the Orlando Predators to a 39-36 season-opening win over the Colorado Crush.

The Predators trailed early, but took a 19-17 lead on Hamilton's 20-yard touchdown pass to Travis McGriff. The play spurred a 20-0 Predators run that gave Orlando a 32-17 lead at the 10:34 mark of the 3rd quarter.

But a long touchdown pass to Damian Harrell, followed by a Hamilton fumble in the end zone for touchdown, cut the gap to 32-31. Bret Cooper's 4-yard TD reception made it 39-31, before a Clay Rush field goal and Rich Young safety cut the gap to three late in the 4th quarter. Colorado had a chance to force overtime, but Rush missed a 21-yard field goal as time expired.

Game 2
ORLANDO 51, ARIZONA 40
Feb. 3, 2005 - Phoenix, AZ
10,364

PHOENIX, AZ -- Orlando's top ranked defense rattled Arizona early as the Predators jumped out to a 32-7 lead in the second quarter and rolled to a 51-40 win over the Rattlers.

Cory Fleming got things started early for the Predators, scoring on a 34-yard catch and run play to make it 6-0 just two minutes into the game. Fleming then intercepted Arizona's Joe Germaine. Two plays later, quarterback Joe Hamilton hit Travis McGriff on a 13-yard scoring play to make it 13-0.

A Germaine to Siaha Burley touchdown pass, followed by a Predators turnover allowed the Rattlers to cut the lead to 32-20 at the half, but a defensive stand – followed by a Hamilton touchdown run – upped the Predators lead to 17.

Game 3
ORLANDO 61, Tampa Bay 46
Feb. 11, 2005 - HUMMER FIELD
14,478

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando overcame deficits of 10-0 and 17-6 to rout arch-rival Tampa Bay, 61-46, before a sellout crowd of 14,478 fans at the TD Waterhouse Centre on Friday ngiht.

After trailing early, the Predators went on a 41-7 run to grab a commanding 47-24 lead in the game. The key plays came on Michael Brown's 39-yard touchdown reception in the waning seconds of the first half and a 13-0 run in the third quarter when the Predators defense recorded four sacks and dominated the quarter.

Joe Hamilton threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as seven different players scored touchdowns for the Predators.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 15, 2005


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