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Orlando Predators game notes

May 18, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


GAME DETAILS
New Orleans VooDoo (9-6-0) at Orlando Predators (9-6-0)
Date: Sunday, May 22, 2005
Toe-To-Leather Time: 3 p.m. (EDT)
Site: Hummer Field/TD Waterhouse Centre (13,692)
Officials: Referee: Steve Pamon; Umpire: Jeff Carr;
Head Linesman: Brent Durbin; Line Judge: R.G. Detillier
Back Judge: Tony Lombardo
Radio: WQTM 740 AM (Marc Daniels and Dan Pearson)
TV: NBC (Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Lewis Johnson)
Series Streak: Orlando has won three in a row
Series Record: Orlando leads 3-0-0
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (6th season, 62-36, .633);
New Orleans: Mike Neu (4th season, 27-22, .551)

MUST WIN GAME IN SEASON FINALE
"It's the first round of the 2005 Arena Football League playoffs." That's how Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden described this week's season finale against the New Orleans VooDoo.

Gruden's description is probably an accurate one as his Predators, 9-6-0 on the season and coming off of two consecutive road losses, will probably need to beat the VooDoo, who are also 9-6-0 on the season following a come-from-behind win over the Austin Wranglers last week.

The winner of Sunday's game is definitely in the playoffs, while the Predators would need a loss by Tampa Bay (9-6) at Columbus (2-13) to qualify if they fail to beat New Orleans.

"We can't count on anyone to help us," Gruden says. "The fact of the matter is that if we win, we're in. If we lose, we're probably headed for a long off-season. I know Mike (VooDoo Head Coach Mike Neu) is telling his players the same thing. It should be a playoff atmosphere in the Jungle on Sunday."

A Predators win would guarantee the Predators a spot in the AFL playoffs for a 14th consecutive year. Tampa Bay holds the AFL record with 14 consecutive playoff appearances and would extend that mark to 15 with a win by the Predators on Sunday.

Orlando Predators (9-6-0) *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 L 28-42
Feb. 25 At Chicago W 48-35
Mar. 6 San Jose L 38-57
Mar. 13 At New Orleans W 63-52
Mar. 19 At Georgia L 47-49
Mar. 25 Austin W 51-21
Apr. 3 Los Angeles W 55-54 (ot)
Apr. 9 At Tampa Bay L 42-54
Apr. 15 New York W 72-60
Apr. 22 Georgia W 52-49
April 30 At Philadelphia L 60-64
May 7 At Austin L 42-56
May 22 New Orleans 7:30 p.m. NBC

New Orleans (9-6-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 29 At Georgia L 44-46
Feb. 4 At Nashville W 59-34
Feb. 13 San Jose W 66-61
Feb. 20 Philadelphia W 61-47
Feb. 25 Tampa Bay W 48-42
Mar. 5 At Dallas W 53-51
Mar. 13 Orlando L 52-63
Mar. 20 At Chicago W 46-40
Mar.26 Georgia L 40-43
Apr. 1 At Austin L 55-56
Apr. 16 Columbus W 64-28
Apr. 23 At Grand Rapids W 49-47
Apr. 30 At Tampa Bay L 36-47
May 8 Colorado L 57-63
May 14 Austin W 69-68
May 22 At Orlando 7:30 p.m. NBC

QUOTE/UNQUOTE
"It still hurts, but there's no way I am going to miss this game. I have five more days to rest it before the game. I'm sure I will be a little bit conscious about it until I take a hit."

--Predators OS Jimmy Fryzel on playing against the VooDoo just one month after fracturing ribs and sustaining cartilage damage against Georgia on April 22.

THE COACHES
PREDS HEAD COACH JAY GRUDEN
JAY GRUDEN is in his second stint and 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 coordinator 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 62-36 (.633) all-time coaching record into the New Orleans game. He is 54-33 in regular season games (.621) and a solid 8-3 as a head coach in playoff games (.727). In 14 seasons as a coach and player, Gruden has never missed the playoffs.

ORLANDO PREDATORS
HEAD COACHING RECORDS
Coaches, Years Record Pct.
Jay Gruden, 1998-2001, 2004-05 62-36 .633
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684

NEW ORLEANS HEAD COACH MIKE NEU
Former Orlando Predators quarterback Mike Neu is quickly establishing himself as one of the top young head coaches in the Arena Football League. Neu began his head coaching career in 2001, taking over the Carolina Cobras franchise from Doug Kay for the playoffs. The following season, Neu recorded a 6-8 regular season record with the Cobras but qualified for the playoffs and made it to the second round, where only a freak touchdown pass off the net on the final play of the game kept Neu from becoming the first coach to take a team with a losing record to the semifinals. Surprisingly, the Cobras made one of their worst administrative decisions following the season – dismissing Neu and his staff. New Orleans quickly hired Neu for its expansion franchise and was rewarded for that decision as Neu led the VooDoo to an 11-5 record and Southern Division championship in his first season. That earned Neu "AFL COACH OF THE YEAR" honors. Overall, Neu will take a record of 27-22 into the Orlando game (.551).

ALL-TIME AFL WINNINGEST COACHES
1. Tim Marcum 175
2. Danny White 141
3. Mike Hohenssee 92*
4. Perry Moss 86
5. Mike Dailey 83*
6. Mike Trigg 80
7. Darren Arbet 79*
8. John Gregory 73
9. Jay Gruden 62*
10. Todd Shell 50 *Active Coach

COACHING MATCH-UPS
Gruden vs. Neu
The two coaches have faced each other just three times, with Gruden winning all three games against the VooDoo. In 2004, the Predators defeated New Orleans 57-24 at Hummer Field in Orlando and then recorded a 45-40 win in New Orleans. In 2005, Orlando won a 63-52 decision back on March 25.

SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES:
A 2004 expansion team, the New Orleans VooDoo met the Predators twice last year as a member of the Southern Division...Orlando took both games, but New Orleans (11-5) edged the Predators (10-6) for the Southern Division title, becoming just the fourth expansion in league history to win a division title in their first season of play...New Orleans' 11 wins were also the most ever by an expansion team...Orlando won the first game in 2005, taking a 63-52 win over the VooDoo back on March 13 of this season...there are several close personnel ties between the two teams...VooDoo head coach Mike Neu played quarterback for the Predators in 1995 and was a back-up quarterback for the Nashville Kats in 1997 – where current Predators head coach Jay Gruden was offensive coordinator...Predators defensive coordinator Bret Munsey was defensive coordinator for Neu at Carolina in 2002, where he coached the #4 ranked defense in the AFL...VooDoo Defensive Coordinator Kevin Porter was a defensive backs coach for the Predators and Gruden in 1999...New Orleans players Carl Bond (Predators practice squad 2003), Lamont Moore (2001-03), Thabiti Davis (2003), Brian Schmitz (2003), and BJ Cohen (1999-2002) have all played for the Orlando Predators.

SERIES RECORDS
Orlando Lead Series 3-0
Date ORL NO
April 9, 2004 (H) 57 24
May 9, 2004 (A) 45 40
March 25, 2005 (A) 63 52


GAME SUMMARIES BETWEEN ORLANDO AND NEW ORLEANS

Orlando 57, New Orleans 24
April 9, 2004 TD Waterhouse (13,203)
New Orleans: 3 0 7 14 -- 24
Orlando: 7 20 10 20 -- 57

ORLANDO, FL -- Joe Hamilton threw for four touchdowns and ran for a fifth as the Orlando Predators (4-5) shocked first place New Orleans (7-2) by 33 points.

The Predators would use a stingy defense to jump out to a 27-3 lead at halftime and never look back in the game. Orlando would out-score New Orleans in every quarter, including a 30-0 run after falling behind 3-0 in the game.

Orlando dominated all aspects of the game, holding New Orleans to just 208 yards of total offense and limiting quarterback John Fitzgerald to just 12 completions in 26 attempts (46%). Orlando had one sack and forced two turnovers; while out-rushing the VooDoo 58-19 in the game.


TEAM STATS NO ORL
First Downs 12 16
Rush Yards 9-19 20-58
Passing Yards 189 184
A-C-I 27-13-0 25-17-0
Fumbles/Lost 2-2 2-1
Penalties/Yards 9-56 8-45
Penalties/Yards 9-56 8-45
Sacks By 0-0 1-11

Rushing
NO: Bratton 3-8, Fitzgerald 1-7, Curran 5-4
O: Moye-Moore 10-36, Hamilton 4-19, Cooper 1-4, Miller 1-0, Price 3-(-1)

Passing
NO: Fitzgerald 26-12-0-179; Alfred 1-1-0-21
O: Hamilton 23-16-0-171; Whelihan 2-1-0-13

Receiving
NO: Bailey 6-98, Gooch 4-65, Collins 2-29, Curran 1-8
O: Fleming 5-80, McGriff 4-27, Cooper 3-22m Burt 1-26, Shell 1-20, Riley 1-8, Lee 1-1, Miller 1-0


Orlando 45, New Orleans 40
May 9, 2004 - New Orleans Arena (13,333)
Orlando 21 10 7 7 –-45
New Orleans 6 20 0 14--40


NEW ORLEANS, LA -- Joe Hamilton threw for three touchdowns and the Predators defense forced four turnovers as Orlando won for the fourth time in five games, defeating the New Orleans VooDoo, 45-40.

The win gave the Predators a 7-6 record; while New Orleans fell to 9-4. Orlando was in control for most of the game, but a turnover and successful on-sides kick gave the VooDoo the ball and a chance to take the lead in the final minute of the game.

Orlando's defense stiffened, however, as the Predators used two sacks on New Orleans final drive to hold on for the five point win. Kenny McEntyre had two of Orlando's four interceptions; while Bret Cooper and Cory Fleming added one each.

TEAM STATS ORL NO
First Downs 14 19
Rush Yards 12-57 10-20
Passing Yards 154 284
A-C-I 21-14-1 43-25-4
Fumbles/Lost 3-3 3-0
Penalties/Yards 7-35 10-60
Sacks By 3-30 1-6

Rushing
O: Hamilton 5-50, Grant 6-7, Price 1-0
NO: Browning 2-13, Curran 6-4, Rayborn 1-3, Fitzgerald 1-0

Passing
O: Hamilton 21-14-1-160
NO: Fitzgerald 30-18-3-202; Rayborn 13-7-1-109

Receiving
O: Fleming 5-56, McGriff 4-58, Cooper 4-38, Riley 1-8
NO: Moore 8-103, Bailey 6-94, Spears 4-68, Rumpf 4-28, Hamilton 2-11, Cohen 1-7


ORLANDO 63, NEW ORLEANS 51
Mar. 13, 2005 - New Orleans
16,192


NEW ORLEANS, LA -- Joe Hamilton accounted for seven touchdowns, including six touchdown passes, as the Orlando Predators (5-2) moved in a first place tie in the Southern Division with a convincing 63-51 win over New Orleans (5-2).

The Predators jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the game and never trailed. In the 2nd, Jimmy Fryzel and Cory Fleming scored back-to-back touchdowns to push the Predator lead to 26-7. The Predator defense forced two fumbles from the VooDoo while EJ Burt picked up a pair of sacks on quarterback Andy Kelly. Kicker Brian Gowins had an up-and-down day by missing two extra points, but also kicking off well and nailing a 23-yard field goal in the 4th.

Quarterback Joe Hamilton threw for 169 yards and six touchdowns, with no interceptions. Joe received the AFL Offensive Player of the Game while Kenny McEntyre received the ADT Defensive Player of the Game.

Orlando 13 20 14 16 -- 63
New Orleans 7 10 21 14 -- 52

TEAM STATS ORL NO
First Downs 19 22
Rush Yards 50 22
Passing Yards 161 270
A-C-I 21-11-0 53-33-2
Fumbles/Lost 1-0 2-1
Penalties/Yards 8-61 6-46
Sacks By 2-9 1-8

Rushing
O: Moye-Moore 4-31, Grant 3-11, Hamilton 5-7, Brown 2-4, Sander 1-0, James 1-(-1)
NO: Bratton 4-18, Martin 0-4

Passing
O: Hamilton 20-11-0-169-5 TD, Sanders 1-0-0-0-0
NO: Kelly 53-33-2-279-5 TD

Receiving
O: Fleming 6-83, Fryzel 3-68, James 1-9, Skaggs 1-9
NO: Bailey 11-86, Rumph 8-67, Spears 5-53, Davis 4-44, Moore 4-25, Cohen 1-4


How The 2005 Predators Were Built
Veterans Retained From 2004 Season (13): Bret Cooper, Idris Price, Michael Brown, Cory Fleming, Joe Hamilton, Kenny McEntyre, Justin Cleveland, Greg Krause, Buck Gurley, EJ Burt, Doug Miller, Reggie Lee, Marlon Moye-Moore

Veteran Free Agents Signed (4): Reggie Doster, Chris Sanders, and Johnnie Harris.

Rookie Free Agents (7): Jimmy Fryzel, Korey Banks, David Upchurch, Jerrian James, Kevin Nagle and Justin Skaggs.

Veterans Obtained by Trade (1): William Carr

BY THE NUMBERS...ORLANDO PREDATORS
2005 Overall Record: 9-6-0
National Conference Record: 6-5-0
Against American Conference: 3-1-0
Southern Division Record: 4-3-0
At Hummer Field: 6-1-0
On the road: 3-5-0
When scoring first: 5-2-0
When other Team Scores First: 4-4-0
When leading after one quarter: 6-0-0
When trailing after one quarter: 2-4-0
When tied after one quarter: 1-2-0
When leading at the Half: 7-0-0
When trailing at the Half: 2-6-0
When tied at the Half: 0-0-0
When leading after three quarters: 9-1-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-5-0
When tied after three quarters: 0-0-0
Overtime Games: 1-0-0
By Days of the Week:
Thursday: 1-1-0
Friday: 5-0-0
Saturday: 0-4-0
Sunday: 3-1-0
All-Time Home Record: 83-33-0
All-Time Road Record: 68-47-0*
Consecutive Seasons Winning Record: 14**
Consecutive Seasons In Playoffs: 14

*Includes neutral site away game at Lakeland, Fla. Against the Florida Bobcats in 1998.
**Includes playoff games. Team finished at .500 in 1999, but won two playoff games to finish with a 9-8 record.


PREDS NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES, AND TRENDS

Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden made a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday as his team began preparations for Sunday's showdown with the New Orleans VooDoo.

Most notably, the Predators activated both offensive specialist Jimmy Fryzel and quarterback Joe Hamilton from injured reserve. Hamilton was 8-4 as a starter prior to suffering a separated shoulder during the New York game on April 25. In his four games prior to being injured, Hamilton had completed 75.9% of his passes for 1,091 yards, 22 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Fryzel, the former UCF star who replaced Travis McGriff in Week 5 as the team's starting offensive specialist, was averaging more than 100 yards receiving per game. He totaled 979 yards and 17 touchdowns on 66 receptions in just nine games played before being injured in the Georgia on April 22. Both Hamilton and Fryzel are slated to start on Sunday against the VooDoo.

The Predators also activated defensive specialist Arkee Thompson from the injured reserve list and then waived the second-year player. Thompson was signed as a mid-season replacement when defensive specialists Kenny McEntyre, Reggie Doster and Johnnie Harris went down with injuries. He played in three games, totaling 13 tackles with a pass defense.

Orlando announced the signing of lineman Elfrid Payton. A pass rush specialist, Payton played 14 seasons in the Canadian Football League, where he recorded 154 quarterback sacks -- second most in league history. He was a seven-time division all-star and four-time CFL all-star. He played college football at Grambling and went to camp with the Tampa Bay Storm this past season.

To make room on the roster for Payton, Orlando released veteran lineman William Carr. Obtained in a trade with Grand Rapids in a mid-season trade for Cecil Caldwell. In six games with the Predators, Carr recorded 7.5 tackles with one quarterback sack.

In other moves, the Predators placed fullback/linebacker Marlon Moye-Moore on injured reserve (ankle), released veteran quarterback Connell Maynor, and waived offensive/defensive lineman Nate Bandy from the practice squad.

Additional roster moves will be made later this week.


IMPORTANT RADIO/TV/INTERNET INFORMATION
This game was moved from May 20 to May 22 to accommodate a national telecast on NBC Sports. NBC's top broadcast team of Tom Hammond (play x play), Pat Haden (color analyst) and Lewis Johnson (sideline reporter) will call the game that will be sent to the majority of the nation. The game will be broadcast on WQTM 740 AM the Team with Marc Daniels and Dan Pearson calling the action. For news, updates and other information on the Orlando Predators, visit our website: www.orlandopredators.com.

INJURIES CONTINUE TO PLAGUE PREDATORS
Has any team been more snake bit then the Predators this season? Although relatively injury-free in the first half, the Predators have had injury after injury to key personnel in the second half. To date, 12 starters or key reserves have missed a total of 36 games. While Joe Hamilton and Jimmy Fryzel are expected to return to the line-up this week, Justin Skaggs, Kevin Jefferson, and Marlon Moye-Moore will miss this week's game. The MASH list is as follows:
Games
Player Injury(ies) Missed
Michael Brown Eye 3
Bret Cooper Toe 2
Reggie Doster Groin 1
Cory Fleming Hamstring 2
Jimmy Fryzel Ribs 2
Buck Gurley Knee 4
Joe Hamilton Shoulder 3
Kevin Jefferson Knee 3*
Kenny McEntyre Ribs 2
Marlon Moye-Moore Knee/Quad 8*
Justin Skaggs Ankle/Neck 5*
Idris Price Ankle 1
*Remains on injured reserve as of 5/16

HAMILTON RETURNS
Quarterback Joe Hamilton is expected to return to the starting line-up this week after missing the last three and a half games with a separated shoulder. As the chart below indicates, Hamilton was on his way to posting an outstanding second half of the 2005 season prior to being injured. Hamilton was having a great game, completing 15 of 18 passes (83.3%) for 189 yards and five touchdowns in the first half against the Dragons on April 15 before being injured just before halftime. The totals marked the third time Hamilton had hit 80% or more of his passes in a single game – giving him four of the top 10 games in Orlando Predators history in completion percentage (12 or more attempts in a game). As the chart below indicates, Hamitlon's numbers over his last six games were significantly better than the first six games of 2005. Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden hopes Hamilton can find his hot hand for New Orleans. "Before he got hurt, our offense was really clicking," Gruden says. "Hopefully he's be able to pick-up where he left off, but it's always tough to get your timing down when you sit for any length of time."

Games A-C Yards Pct. YPG TD INT
First 6 201-119 1340 59.2 223 24 7
Last 6 163-117 1571 71.2 262 33 4

McENTYRE BREAKS WAGNER'S MARK ON RETURN
By starting against Austin last week, Orlando DS Kenny McEntyre broke Barry Wagner's club record for most games played (117) in a Predators uniform. McEntyre, who already had the streak for consecutive games played (117), missed his first career game against Georgia (Apr. 22) after suffering a fractured rib against New York on April 15. McEntyre's two-game stint on the IR list marked the first two games he had missed since joining the Orlando Predators in the 1998 season.

HAMILTON CAN MOVE PAST GRUDEN ON ALL-TIME LIST FOR TDs
With four touchdown passes against New Orleans on Sunday, Joe Hamilton can move past Jay Gruden for third place on the all-time Predators list. Gruden, who played two seasons (2002-03) between head coaching stints, threw for 117 touchdown passes. Hamilton has 114 in his two seasons.

Preds All-Time TD Passing List
Name Seasons TD Passes
1. Pat O'Hara 6 166
2. Ben Bennett 5 162
3. Jay Gruden 2 117
4. Joe Hamilton 2 114*
5. Connell Maynor 7 101

FLEMING STEAKING
With five touchdown receptions against Austin (7-121-5), Cory Fleming has now caught a touchdown pass in 39 consecutive games played with Orlando. Including playoff games, Fleming has at least one touchdown catch in 47 of 49 career games with the Preds. Fleming moved David Cool for second place on the all-time points scored list with the Predators at midseason and is one of only two players in Orlando history to score 500 or more points in an Orlando Predators uniform. Its also interesting to note that veteran Bret Cooper became just the 4th player in Predators history to reach 400 points scored in an Orlando uniform. With three touchdowns against Philadelphia (4/30), Cooper now has 414 points in an Orlando uniform. Cooper, who has played for six different teams in his 12 seasons, has scored more than 650 points in his AFL career.


ORLANDO PREDATORS
All-Time Points Scored List
Name Seasons Points
1. Barry Wagner 8 1,766
2. Cory Fleming 2+ 566
3. David Cool 5 457
4. Bret Cooper 5.5 414
5. Herkie Walls 5 324

FLEMING's FIVE RECEIVING TD's MOST THIS SEASON BY PRED, FOURTH TIME IN CAREER
Cory Fleming's five touchdown receptions against Austin in Week 15 marked the most touchdown receptions by an Orlando Predators player since Siaha Burley pulled in a club-record six touchdown receptions against the San Jose SaberCats on May 26, 2001. It also marked the 4th time in Fleming's illustrious AFL career that he has pulled in five or move touchdown passes in a single game. Here are Fleming's top TD receiving games.

Opponent Year Rec. Yards TD
Albany 1997 10 111 6
Austin 2005 7 121 5
New Jersey 1998 14 138 5
Anaheim 1997 8 131 5

PREDATORS ARE 7-0 WHEN LEADING AT HALFTIME
When Orlando takes a lead into the locker room at halftime, the Predators hold it. The Predators are a perfect 7-0 when leading at halftime this year and overall the Predators hold an all-time record of 109 wins against just 22 losses when they lead at halftime (83.2% winning percentage). Conversely, the Predators have had some trouble when trailing at halftime. The team's come-from-behind win over New York three weeks ago was just the second time in seven games the Predators have been able to pull out a win when trailing at halftime.

PREDS EXTEND STREAK TO LEAGUE RECORD 14
Win a victory against the Georgia Force three weeks ago, the Orlando Predators extended one of the most impressive streaks in Arena Football League history. With a 9-6 record on the season. the team has ensured an overall winning record (including playoffs) for an AFL record 14th consecutive season. Orlando's streak now includes 11 regular seasons with winning records and two .500 marks (7-7-0 in both 1999 and 2002). The team managed to win a pair of playoff games in both of those seasons to finish with overall winning records. The 14 consecutive seasons with overall winning records is a league record, topping Tampa Bay's streak of 11 consecutive overall winning seasons from 1991-2001 (Storm went 6-8 in regular season and 7-9 overall in 2002).

GRUDEN CLOSING IN ON MOSS
With nine wins in 2005, Orlando Predators Head Coach continues to close in on AFL Hall of Famer Perry Moss to become the winningest head coach in Orlando Predators history. Now in his sixth season as head coach, Gruden has 62 total victories and is just five short of Perry Moss' franchise record of 67 wins. Moss, the first head coach and general manager in Orlando Predators history, recorded a 67-31-0 record in seven seasons as the Predators head coach from 1991-97. The Moss/Gruden comparison:

Moss Gruden
Seasons 7 6+
Wins 67 62
Regular Season Wins 59 54
Playoff Wins 8 8
AFL Championships 0 2
Overall Winning Pct. .684 .633

JAMES SUSPENDED FOR GAME
Explosive rookie Jerrian James will not be on the field this week for the Orlando Predators. James, who brought respectability back to the Predators kick return game, was suspended by the Arena Football League for antics during a March 13 win over New Orleans. James and the Arena Football League Players Association appealed the suspension the following week and James was permitted to play until his hearing. That hearing took place last week during the Predators bye week and was upheld, forcing James to miss this week's game with the New Orleans VooDoo. The Predators will miss James, particularly on kick returns. For the season, James is averaging more than 19.3 yards per kick return. Prior to taking over the return duties for Orlando, the Predators were ranked dead last in kickoff returns at less than 12.5 yards per return.

TAYLOR EXTENDS MARK
In his first game back since being released by the Tampa Bay Bucs, kicker Jay Taylor converted all six of his extra points to extend his Predators record to consecutive extra points made to 44. Taylor hit his last 34 attempts of the 2004 season before missing the last two games of the regular season with a hamstring injury.

PREDATORS RUN THE ROCK
Despite a sub-par effort against Austin (5 carries, net 1 yard), the Orlando Predators continue to run the ball effectively during the 2005 season. That certainly falls in line with what the Predators have done historically in the Arena Football League. With the exception of just three seasons (2001-2002-1991), the Orlando Predators have always been one of the most effective teams in the AFL for running the football – finishing in the top five in rushing yards per game in 11 of their 14 seasons. Even with the meager total against Austin, the Predators now have 523 yards rushing on the season and are averaging more than 34.9 yards per game. The Predators rank as the second most effective team in the Arena Football League in running the ball this season and are also ranked third in rushing touchdowns with 30.

Year Yards Per Game TD League Rank
2005 523 34.9 30 2nd *
2004 606 37.9 29 1st
2003 367 22.9 25 3rd
2002 215 15.4 16 11th
2001 194 14.1 14 15th
2000 551 36.8 24 2nd
1999 430 30.7 12 2nd
1998 433 35.7 18 3rd
1997 655 46.8 27 1st
1996 606 42.9 37 2nd
1995 406 35.8 26 3rd
1994 503 45.6 24 2nd
1993 447 37.2 15 3rd
1992 413 41.3 12 4th
1991 303 30.3 14 6th
*Ranking through Week 16

PREDATORS PRODUCE COACHES
Maybe it would be going too far to call the Orlando Predators "The AFL Cradle of Coaches," but at least 20 current and former Predators players have gone on to the coaching ranks, including former Predators quarterbacks Mike Neu, who is head coach of the New Orleans VooDoo and Scot Semptimphelter, who was named QB coach of the Nashville Kats last month. Other former and current Predators players in the coaching ranks include: 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, AFL), Connell Maynor (College), Jeff Parker (College), Fred Ray (High School), Barry Wagner (College), Bill Stewart (High School), Durwood Roquemore (af2, high school) and Herkie Walls (High School). Miller, Maynor, Wagner, and Ray remain active in the Arena Football League as players – coaching football in the off-season.

ORLANDO IN OVERTIME
The game against Los Angeles on March 25 marked the eighth overtime game in Orlando's 15-year history. The Predators have fared well when the game has gone to an extra stanza, posting a 6-2 record. Orlando lost the first overtime in club history, dropping a 43-40 decision to Detroit in their inaugural season. The Predators then proceeded to win five consecutive overtime games before dropping a 49-48 decision to Austin in Week 1 of the 2004 season. All overtime games involving the Predators came in the regular season with the exception of a 24-21 win over Tampa Bay in the 1992 semifinals. Three of Orlando's overtime games ended in a field goal, while the most unusual overtime game came in 1999 at New Jersey. The scored was tied at 38-38 in regulation. New Jersey won the toss and elected to defer. Orlando scored on its first possession on a Pat O'Hara 26-yard touchdown pass to Barry Wagner. Orlando linebacker Bill Hall then recovered a fumble on New Jersey's third play of overtime and returned it for a touchdown for the Predators 13-point win. Six of Orlando's eight overtime games have come at home.

Predators in Overtime (6-2-0)
June 21, 1991 Detroit 43, Orlando 40
Aug. 15, 1992 Orlando 24, Tampa Bay 21*
Aug. 5, 1996 Orlando 50, Anaheim 44
June 6, 1997 Orlando 40, Texas 34
May 22, 1999 Orlando 51, New Jersey 38
May 4, 2003 Orlando 46, Colorado 40
Feb. 13, 2004 Austin 49, Orlando 48
April 3, 2005 Orlando 55, Los Angeles 54

SOUTHERN DIVISION TOUGH
Through 16 weeks of the 2005 season, the Southern Division can claim the lead as the Arena Football League's toughest division. The Southern Division went 2-0 against non-division opponents last week and now owns a 25-12 record against non-division opponents for a league-best winning percentage of .677. The Southern Division is also the only division in the AFL to have four teams with nine or more wins through Week 16 and boasts the only two 11-win team in Georgia (11-4).

ORLANDO SELLOUTS SECOND GAME OF SEASON
With 14,100 tickets sold for the Apr. 22 game with the Georgia Force, the Predators hit a sellout for the second time this season at Hummer Field. The Predators list capacity of the TD Waterhouse Centre at 13,692, uncovering some obstructed view seats when the situation calls for it. In seven homes games at Hummer Field, the Predators are averaging 97.1% of capacity, while posting a 6-1 record. The team has one regular season game remaining, a May 20 game with New Orleans.

Date Opp Result Attd. % Capacity
1/30 Colorado W 12,370 90.3%
2/11 Tampa Bay* W 14,478 105.7%
3/6 San Jose L 13,015 95.1%
3/25 Austin W 13,050 95.3%
4/3 Los Angeles W 13,075 95.5%
4/15 New York W 12,940 94.5%
4/22 Georgia* W 14,100 103.0%
Season Totals 7-1 93,028 97.1%
*Sellout based on 13,692 capacity

PREDS CAN REACH 10 WINS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR
With a win against New Orleans in the season finale, the Orlando Predators can reach 10 regular season wins for third consecutive season and fourth time under head coach Jay Gruden. Here is a list of the Predators' eight, 10-win seasons, including playoff wins:
Regular
Year Total Wins Season Final
2000 14 11-3-0 14-3-0
2003 13 12-4-0 13-5-0
1994 13 11-1-0 13-2-0
1998 12 9-5-0 12-5-0
1997 11 10-4-0 11-5-0
1993 11 10-2-0 11-3-0
1992 11 9-1-0 11-2-0
2004 10 10-6-0 10-7-0

10 REGULAR SEASON WINS WOULD RANK SECOND ALL-TIME
A win next week against the VooDoo would also give the Predators 10 regular season wins for the 7th time in their history. That total would rank second best all-time in the Arena Football League behind the Arizona Rattlers, who have hit 10 regular season wins an AFL record eight times. The Predators are currently tied with Tampa Bay for second place with six, 10-win seasons, followed by San Jose (5) and Albany 4. A list of the most 10-win seasons (regular season only) follows:

Arizona (8): 1996-97-98-99-00-02-03-04
Orlando (6): 1993-94-97-00-03-04
Tampa Bay (6): 1995-96-98-99-02-03
San Jose (5): 2000-01-02-03-04
Albany (4): 1994-96-98-99
Iowa (3): 1996-97-98
Nashville (2): 1997-01
Chicago Bruisers (1): 1988
Detroit Drive (1): 1993
Grand Rapids (1): 2001
Los Angeles (1): 2003
Chicago (1): 2004
Colorado (1): 2004
New Orleans (1): 2004

FRYZEL RETURNS/FIRMLY IN TOP 10 IN ROOKIE RECEIVING
Orlando will see the return of rookie sensation Jimmy Fryzel to the line-up this week. With 979 yards receiving in just nine games played, Fryzel is already in the Orlando Predators top 10 for receiving yards by a first year player. Fryzel, ranks third on the all-time Orlando Predators rookie receiving list and would need 157 yards receiving to move past Siaha Burley for the second most yards by an Orlando rookie.

Most Predators Receiving Yards by an AFL Rookie
Travis McGriff 2003 1226
Siaha Burley 2001 1135
Jimmy Fryzel 2005 979
Barry Wagner 1992 859
Robert Gordon 1998 855

BURT NEEDS TWO TO BREAK RECORD
Predators lineman EJ Burt needs two sacks in the final game to break his own club record (shared with Rupert Grant) of 9.5 quarterback sacks in a single season. Burt, the team's all-time career leader with 24.0 sacks in less than three seasons, has 8.0 sacks this season to go with 9.5 in 2003 and 6.5 in 2004. In his last game against Austin, Burt dropped Austin quarterback John Fitzgerald seven yards behind the line of scrimmage during a rollout, but the official scorer ruled that it was a designated running play all the way.

Single Season Sacks by a Predators Player*
Name Year QS
1. EJ BURT 2003 9.5
Rupert Grant 2005 9.5
3. Jerry Odom 1992 8.0
EJ BURT 2005 8.0
5. Jermaine Smith 2004 7.0
6. BJ Cohen 2000 6.5
EJ BURT 2004 6.5
8. Victor Hall 1994 6.0 Paul McGowan 1994 6.0

Career Sacks by a Predators Player*
Name Seasons QS
1. EJ BURT 2+ 24
2. Paul McGowan 5 18
3. Ernest Allen 4 16.5
4. Victor Hall 6 14
5. Eric Drakes 8 13
Curtis Eason 3 13

*Sack records are for regular season games only

ORLANDO SCORES 72 POINTS, TIES TEAM RECORD
Long known as a defensive-minded team that prefers to keeps scores in the 40s, the Orlando Predators offense posted 70 points for just the seventh time in franchise history (238 games), tying a franchise-mark with 72 points against the New York Dragons April 15. That total, tied the team record for most points in a single game, also occurring against the Dragons in 2003. Although rare for the Predators, 70-point games are not unusual in the Arena Football League. Through Week 16 of this season, a team has scored 70 or more points 19 times. The Predators are 6-1 when scoring 70 or more points in a game, with the only loss coming to Albany (70-79) in 1998. Six of seven 70 point games have come during the Jay Gruden ERA in Orlando (1998-present).

Predators 70-point Games
Apr. 15, 2005 New York W 72-60
Feb. 21, 2003 at Carolina W, 70-42
Mar. 2, 2003 ay New York W, 72-56
June 2, 2001 Toronto W, 70-22
May 19, 2000 at Nashville W, 71-54
July 25, 1998 at Albany L, 70-79
July 17, 1992 Arizona W, 71-21

PLAYOFF RACE GOES DOWN TO WIRE
With one week remaining in the regular season, only four teams have punched their tickets to the playoffs, as Georgia, New York, Los Angeles and Colorado have all claimed playoff sports by clinching division titles. Six other teams are battling for the final four spots. Here is what needs to happen for each team to make the playoffs:

*Orlando clinches playoff spot with a Tampa Bay loss next week or win against New Orleans.

* Tampa Bay clinches a spot with a win against Columbus or a loss by New Orleans against Orlando.

* New Orleans clinches a playoff spot with a win against Orlando.

* San Jose clinches playoff spot either a victory in their season finale or a Las Vegas loss.

*Chicago clinches a playoff spot with a win or a loss by either San Jose or Las Vegas

* Las Vegas clinches playoff spot with a win and either a San Jose or Chicago loss.

VENTURE TO VEGAS HUGE SUCCESS
The Orlando Predators Foundation held their first "Venture to Vegas" Poker Tournament on Saturday, May 14. More than 140 players participated in the event that served as a fundraiser for local children's charities. Although preliminary numbers were not available, Orlando Predators Foundation Executive Director Sylvia Bova believes the event will result in a donation in excess of $10,000 to the charities. Matt Merdian beat out all players to win the title and an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas for ArenaBowl XIX. Orlando Predators players and coaches participated in the event, with head coach Jay Gruden making it to the final table..

PREDATORS PRACTICE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Tuesday 9:30-11:15 a.m. Citrus Bowl
Wednesday 9:30-11 a.m. Citrus Bowl
Thursday 9:30-11 a.m. Citrus Bowl
Friday 9:30 – 11 a.m. Citrus Bowl
Saturday 9:30-10 a.m. Citrus Bowl


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.

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."

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)
4 Dallas Ironman: Will Pettis (D)Defensive: Duke Pettijohn (D)Offensive: Jason Shelley (D)
5 Chicago Ironman: Marlon Moye-Moore (O)Defense: Damon Mason (O)Offense: Jimmy Fryzel (O)
6 San Jose Ironman: James Roe (SJ)Defense: Tremain Mack (SJ)Offense: Mark Grieb (SJ)
7 New Orleans Ironman: Cory Fleming (O)Offense: Joe Hamitlon (O)Defensive: Kenny McEntyre (O)
8 Georgia Ironman: Ricky Parker (G)Offensive: Derek Lee (G)Defensive: Kevin Gaines (G)
9 Austin Ironman: Jerrian James (O)Offensive: Joe Hamilton (O)Defensive: Kenny McEntyre (O)
10 Los Angeles Ironman: Cory Fleming (O)Offensive: Jimmy Fryzel (O)Defensive: Greg Hopkins (LA)
11 Tampa Bay Ironman: Lawrence Samuels (TB)Offensive: Jimmy Fryzel (O)Defensive: Jonathan Ordway (TB)
12 New York Ironman: Cory Fleming (O)Offensive: Chris Sanders (O)Defensive: Kenny McEntyre (O)
13 Georgia Ironman: Cory Fleming (O)Offensive: Chris Jackson (G)Defensive: EJ Burt (O)
14 Phila-delphia Ironman: Marcus Knight (P)Offensive: Tony Graziani (P)Defense: Mario Branch (P)
15 Austin Ironman: Kevin Nickerson (A)Offensive: John Fitzgerald (A)Defensive: Dane Krager (A)
League Wide Honors
Week 1:
Cory Fleming - - US Army Ironman of the Week
Week 2:
Damon Mason – ADT Defensive Player of the Week
Week 3:
Idris Price – US Army Ironman of the Week
Week 7:
Kenny McEntyre – ADT Defensive Player of the Week
Week 10:
Cory Fleming – US Army Ironman 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
2/23 Placed on IR WR/LB Cory FlemingOL-DL Bret Cooper
2/23 Activated from IR FB/LB Marlon Moye-MooreOS Jimmy Fryzel
3/22 Traded to Nashville FB/LB Rupert Grant
3/22 Released DS Damon Mason
3/22 Signed DS Johnnie Harris
3/24 Activated from IR OL/DL Cecil Caldwell
3/24 Placed on IR OL/DL David Upchurch
3/27 Trade OL/DL Cecil Caldwell to Grand Rapids for OL/DL William Carr
4/4 Placed on IR WR/DB Michael Brown
4/8 Signed to practice squad WR/DB Herman Bell
4/8 Activated from IR OL/DL David Upchurch
4/11 Waived from practice squad OS Anthony Bright
4/12 Signed WR/DB Arkee Thompson
4/22 Signed FB/LB Kevin Nagle
4/22 Released from practice squad OS Herman Bell
4/23 Activated from refused to report list DS Korey Banks
4/24 Placed on IR QB Joe Hamilton, DS Kenny McEntyre
4/24 Signed QB Connell Maynor
4/24 Signed to Practice Squad OL/DL Nate Bandy
4/27 Placed on IR OS Jimmy Fryzel
4/27 Activated from IR WR/DB Michael Brown, FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore
5/13 Released QB Connell Maynor
5/13 Placed on IR FB/LB Marlon-Moye Moore
5/16 Activated from IR and Released WR/DB Arkee Thompson



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 18, 2005


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