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Orlando Predators game notes

January 23, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


GAME DETAILS
Orlando Predators (0-0) at Georgia Force (0-0)
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2006
Toe-To-Leather Time: 7 p.m. (EST)
Site: Phillips Arena (18,500)
Officials: Referee: Dennis Lipski; Umpire: Rick Nelson;
Head Linesman: Kavin McGrath; Line Judge: Darrel Leftwich;
Back Judge: Rich Wilborn
Radio: WQTM 740 AM (Tom Morgan and Dan Pearson)
TV: Comcast Sports South (Eli Gold and Charles Davis)
Series Streak: Georgia has won one in a row
Series Record: Georgia leads 6-3-0
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (7th season, 64-37, .634); Georgia: Doug Plank (2nd season, 13-6-0, .684)

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Predators: Dan Pearson -- Office: 407-447-3303,
Cell: 407-489-5711; E-Mail: dpearson@orlandopredators.com
Georgia: Brian Cearns - Office: 770-965-4318; cell: 770-500-5078; e-mail: bcearns@goergiaforce.com

PREDS NEW SEASON BEGINS WHERE OLD ONE LEFT OFF
The Orlando Predators (0-0) kickoff the 2006 Arena Football League Season in the same place where their 2005 campaign ended when they travel to Atlanta to face Southern Division rival Georgia Force (0-0) on Saturday.

After leading for the majority of the game, the Predators saw their hopes of making it back to the ArenaBowl vanish with a 60-58 loss to the Force back on June 4 of last year. Two late safeties in the game resulted in a huge momentum swing as Georgia took a 57-46 lead with four minutes to go. But Orlando fought back and closed the gap to 60-58 on Jimmy Fryzel's 1-yard touchdown catch with no time remaining. But Orlando failed to convert a two-point conversion and saw its season come to a close.

But the new season brings many changes. The 2006 edition of the Predators will not include WR/LB Cory Fleming (trade with Nashville), star OL/DL EJ Burt (free agency), or core players DS Reggie Doster (free agency), WR/DB Michael Brown (free agency), OL/DL Buck Gurley (free agency), WR/DB Bret Cooper (retired), or DS Johnnie Harris (free agency). Instead, the Predators will counter with a mixture of proven veterans and seven first-year players in taking the first step in what they hope will be a return to the ArenaBowl.

2006 Schedule and Results
Orlando Predators (0-0-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 28 At Georgia 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 Kansas City 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 At Tampa Bay 3 p.m.
Feb. 26 At New York 1 p.m.
Mar. 5 Los Angeles 12 Noon
Mar. 10 At Arizona 9 p.m.
Mar. 19 Dallas 12 Noon
Mar. 25 At Austin 8 p.m.
Apr. 2 Chicago 12 Noon
Apr. 9 At Columbus 3 p.m.
Apr. 14 Georgia 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 22 Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 28 At Colorado 9 p.m.
May 6 At Kansas City 8 p.m.
May 12 Austin 7:30 p.m.

Georgia Force (0-0-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 28 Orlando 7 p.m.
Feb. 10 At Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 At Las Vegas 10:30 p.m.
Feb. 24 Kansas City 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 4 Austin 12 Noon
Mar. 10 At Colorado 7 p.m.
Mar. 17 At San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Mar. 26 Tampa Bay 3 p.m.
Apr. 1 At Kansas City 8 p.m.
Apr. 9 At Austin 4 p.m.
Apr. 14 At Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 22 Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 29 Chicago 7 p.m.
May 6 At New York 7 p.m.
May 13 Philadelphia 7 p.m.

Page 1 Quote
"For the guys who played in the game last year, there may be some extra motivation, but we're a different team today then we were last year. It's a new season and this is the first step towards reaching our goal of playing in the ArenaBowl."

--DS Kenny McEntyre on the re-match with Georgia
THE COACHES
PREDS HEAD COACH JAY GRUDEN
Fifteen seasons in the Arena Football League. Fifteen seasons in the playoffs. Seven trips to the ArenaBowl. Six championship rings. An average of 10.8 wins per season. Whether as a head coach, player or offensive coordinator, Jay Gruden's name has been synonymous with success in the Arena Football League.

Now in his seventh year as head coach of the Predators, Gruden owns an all-time record of 64-37-0 (.634 winning percentage). That total includes a 53-33 mark (.602) mark in regular season games and a stellar 9-4 record (.692) in post-season play.


PREDATORS HEAD COACHING RECORDS
Coaches, Years Record Pct.
Jay Gruden, 1998-2001, 2004-06 64-37 .634
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684

ALL-TIME AFL WINNINGEST COACHES
1. Tim Marcum 176*
2. Danny White 141*
3. Mike Hohenssee 94*
4. Perry Moss 86
Mike Dailey 86*
6. Mike Trigg 80
7. Darren Arbet 80*
8. John Gregory 73
9. Jay Gruden 64*
10. Todd Shell 50
*Active Coach

ALL-TIME AFL PLAYOFF WINS
1. Tim Marcum 25
2. Danny White 20
3. Perry Moss 11
4. Jay Gruden 9
Darren Arbert 9
6. Mike Dailey 8
7. Mike Hohensee 7
8. John Gregory 6

PLAYOFF WINNING PERCENTAGE
(5 games minimum)
1. Tim Marcum 25-10 .714
2. Jay Gruden 9-4 .692
Darren Arbet 9-4 .692
4. Lary Kuharich 4-2 .667
5. Danny White 20-10 .667

Force Head Coach Doug Plank
Doug Plank returns for his second season as head coach of the Georgia Force after bringing his team to a brink of a championship in his first year. In 2005, Plank guided the Force to a league-best record or 11-5 (.709) during the regular season and won a pair of playoff games before falling to Colorado in ArenaBowl XIX, 51-48.

Under Plank, the Force recorded a 6-2 regular season record in the tough Southern Division and also held a 9-3 overall mark in National Conference games. Prior to joining the Rattlers as defensive coordinator, the former Ohio State star spent several seasons as a broadcaster on Rattler radio and TV.

SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES:
*This week's game marks the tenth game ever between the Predators and Georgia Force.

*After being sold to Virgil Williams and moved from Nashville after the 2001 season, the team became known as the Georgia Force and elected not to assume the records of the Nashville Kats...the team played in the Phillips Arena in downtown Atlanta in 2002, moved to Gwinnett Center in Duluth, GA for the 2003-2004 seasons, and then moved back to the Philips Arena prior to the 2005 season when Arthur Blank - CEO and owner of the Atlanta Falcons and co-founder of Home Depot - purchased the team.

*Georgia leads the all-time series over the Predators, 6-3-0 - after splitting a pair of games with Orlando during the 2005 regular season and defeating the Predators in the National Conference Championship game, 60-58.

*In the first game, the Predators fell behind early by two touchdowns and could never get any closer than a one-point the rest of the way...Predators OS Jimmy Fryzel posted the first of his Orlando Predators' record-tying five consecutive 100-yard receiving games in that contest - catching seven passes for 110 yards...the Predators matched touchdowns with the Force for the entire game but missed an extra point and also had a failed two-point conversion which proved the difference the game.

*In the rematch in Orlando on April 22, the Predators held on for a 52-49 win in a contest filled with several controversial calls...the Predators jumped out to an early lead and led the whole game...Cory Fleming scored on a 37-yard pass from Chris Sanders at the 5:59 mark, the Predators led by 10, 52-42...Orlando appeared to clinch the game three minutes later on a Johnnie Harris interception, but one play later Sanders fumbled and Georgia recovered...A Matt Nagy touchdown run make it 52-49 at the 57 second mark...Georgia would then recover an on-sides kick, but on a 4th and four play, Nagy's long pass in the end zone to Troy Bergeron was ruled incomplete...It would not be the only controversial call in the game...Four plays later, facing a 4th and goal, Fleming appeared to catch a pass two yards inside the end zone, but was forced out of the end zone by Nate Coggins...Officials ruled Fleming out of bounds on the one, and Orlando turned the ball over on downs...Four plays later, Nelson Garner's game-tying field goal attempt from 46 yards sailed wide left and the Predators held on.

*In the playoffs, the Predators grabbed a 14-13 lead over Georgia on Kevin Nagle's 3-yard run with 2:11 remaining in the first quarter and held that lead until the fourth quarter when a safety, followed by a Troy Bergeron 4-yard touchdown pass gave Georgia a 41-40 lead...the Predators would then trade touchdowns with the Force, but a second safety, followed by a Chris Jackson touchdown reception gave the Force a 57-46 lead...Orlando's Cory Fleming would score on a 6-yard touchdown pass and the Predators defense held Georgia to a 23-yard field goal to keep the game within eight points at 60-52 with 37 seconds remaining...Orlando would score on the last play of the game to cut the lead to 60-58...on the ensuing two-point conversion, the Predators drew a pass interference call...on the second attempt, Bret Cooper appeared to be pulled down in the end zone but no call was made and Georgia held on for a 60-58 win.

*Five of the previous eight games were decided by eight points or less.

*The Predators allowed just seven points to the Force in a 2004 game - one of the top 10 defensive games in AFL history for points allowed.

*Preds Head Coach Jay Gruden had nearly 1,000 passing yards (996) in three games against the Force (2002-03).

Series Results vs. Georgia Force
Georgia Leads 6-3

Date ORL OPP
Apr. 20, 2002 (A) 49 67
July 13, 2002 (H) 40 41
March 23, 2003 (H) 36 38
March 12, 2004 (H) 44 52
April 18, 2004 (A) 30 7
March 19, 2005 (A) 47 49
April 22, 2005 (H) 52 49
June 4, 2005 (A)* 58 60

*AFL Playoffs/National Conference Championship

How The 2005 Predators Were Built
Veterans Retained From 2005 Season (12): Idris Price (FB/LB), Kevin Nagle (FB/LB), Jay Taylor (K), Marlon Moye-Moore (FB/LB), Joe Hamilton (QB), Jerrian James (WR/DB), Kenny McEntyre (DS), Justin Cleveland (OL/DL), Jimmy Fryzel (OS), Greg Krause (OL/DL), Doug Miller (OL/DL), Reggie Lee (OL/DL).

AFL Veteran Free Agents Signed (4): Scott Cloman (WR/LB), Jerroid Johnson (DS), Kevin Johnson (OL/DL), and Clif Dell (WR/LB).

AFL Veterans Obtained by Trade: (1): Henry Taylor (OL/DL).

AFL Veterans Activated from NFL Exempt (1): Lin-J Shell (DS).

Rookie Free Agents (8): Jake Easton (QB), DeAndrew Rubin (OS), Jermaine Mays (WR/DB), Javarus Dudley (WR/DB), Sean Guthrie (OL/DL), Jim Sodano (OL/DL), Greg White (OL/DL), and Charles Hill (OL/DL)

BY THE NUMBERS...ORLANDO PREDATORS
2006 Overall Record: 0-0-0
National Conference Record: 0-0-0
Against American Conference: 0-0-0
Southern Division Record: 0-0-0
At Hummer Field: 0-0-0
On the road: 0-0-0
When scoring first: 0-0-0
When other Team Scores First: 0-0-0
When leading after one quarter: 0-0-0
When trailing after one quarter: 0-0-0
When tied after one quarter: 0-0-0
When leading at the Half: 0-0-0
When trailing at the Half: 0-0-0
When tied at the Half: 0-0-0
When leading after three quarters: 0-0-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-0-0
When tied after three quarters: 0-0-0
Overtime Games: 0-0-0
By Days of the Week:
Thursday: 0-0-0
Friday: 0-0-0
Saturday: 0-0-0
Sunday: 0-0-0
All-Time Home Record: 84-33-0
All-Time Road Record: 69-48-0*
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

PREDS PLACE FOUR ON ARENA TOP 20
Four players who spent at least part of their careers with the Orlando Predators have been named to the list of the Arena Football League's "20 Greatest Players." The list was developed by a special blue ribbon panel to recognize the AFL's greatest players during the league's season-long celebration of its 20th season of competition.

Heading the list of Orlando players selected included Barry Wagner and Jay Gruden. Wagner, who played with the Predators from 1992-99, was named the second greatest player in league history - finishing one point behind former Albany superstar Eddie Brown

Now in his 15th season and currently playing for the San Jose SaberCats, Wagner enters the season as the AFL's all-time leader in receptions (962), receiving yards (13,089), and total touchdowns scored. A holder of multiple AFL records, he is also the league's all-time leader in scoring, tackles, and rushing touchdowns.

In eight years with the Predators, he was named first-team All-Arena a total of six times and won an unprecedented six consecutive (1992-97) "Ironman of the Year" awards given to the game's best two-way player. He had seven consecutive seasons of 1000+ receiving yards with the Predators and won three scoring titles. Six years after leaving the Predators via free agency, Wagner still holds more than 50 Orlando career, season and single game records.

Gruden, who played two seasons with the Predators, was named the fourth greatest player in AFL history. He led the Tampa Bay Storm to four championships in six seasons before leaving the game to become offensive coordinator for the Nashville Kats in 1997. One year later, he became the youngest head coach in the AFL when he took over the Predators. Under Gruden, the Predators made three consecutive ArenaBowl appearances and won their first two championships.

Five years after playing his last game, Gruden returned to the playing field and led the Predators a pair of appearances in the AFL semifinals. In two seasons, he threw for 5,955 yards and 117 touchdowns. His final season with the Predators was perhaps his finest year. Despite missing six games with a serious ankle injury, Gruden went 10-0 in the regular season as a starter, throwing 49 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. He was later learned that he played the final six games of the regular season on a broken leg and fractured ankle. The injury required extensive surgery after the 2004 season and resulted in Gruden returning to his post as head coach of the Predators.

For his eight-year playing career, Gruden threw for more than 21,000 yards and 397 regular season touchdown passes. In the post-season, Gruden compiled a gaudy 15-4 record as a starting quarterback, throwing for 77 touchdowns in winning four ArenaBowl championship games.

Also making the list was wide receiver/linebacker Cory Fleming. A nine-year veteran currently playing for the Nashville Kats, Fleming played three years with the Predators from 2002-2005, catching 332 passes for 3,939 yards and 94 touchdowns. A two-time member of the first unit of the All-Arena team with the Predators, Fleming was named "AFL Ironman of the Year" for the 2004 season when he broke Predators single season records for receptions (131), yards (1,620) and touchdowns (33).
Despite missing the majority of two seasons with injuries, Fleming has caught 795 passes for 9,626 yards and 228 touchdowns in his career. The final Predator named to the list was wide receiver/linebacker Stevie Thomas, who spent the majority of his 11-year AFL career with the Tampa Bay Storm. The Predators signed Thomas at the mid-way point of the 2000 season and he helped the team down the stretch to an ArenaBowl championship.

Surprisingly absent from the list was current Orlando Predators defensive specialist Kenny McEntyre. A six-time, first-team All-Arena selection, McEntyre is the league's all-time leader in interceptions (59) and pass break-ups (117) and was selected "Defensive Player of the Year" three different times.

PREDS LOOK TO KEEP STREAKS ALIVE
The 2006 edition of the Orlando Predators look to keep two impressive streaks alive. Since 1992 (Orlando's second year in the league), the Predators have qualified for the post-season for 14 consecutive years. Only Tampa Bay (15) has been to the playoffs more consecutive years (active). Orlando will also seek to keep its AFL record of consecutive winning seasons alive (14). After a 3-7 record in 1991, the Predators have never posted a losing season since. Twice (1999, 2002) the Predators posted .500 records, but won at least two playoff games in each of those seasons to finish the year with overall winning records. The Predators post-season history:
Appearances: 14 (1992-93-94-95-96-97-98-99-2000-01-02-03-04-05)
Post Season Record: 20-12 (.625
ArenaBowl Appearances: 6 (1992-94-95-98-99-2000)
ArenaBowl Championships: 2 (1998-2000)
Road Record: 7-7(.500)
Home Record: 14-3 (.825)
Wild Card Round: 1-1 (.500)
Quarterfinals: 11-2 (.846)
Semifinals: 6-5 (.545)
ArenaBowl: 2-4 (.333)
HAMILTON MOST ACCURATE PASSER
With two seasons under his belt, Joe Hamilton has established himself as the most accurate passer in Orlando Predators history. For his career, Hamilton has completed 508 of 770 regular season attempts. His 66.0% career completion percentage is the best in club history, easily outdistancing any quarterback who has played for the black and red.

Predators Career Completion Percentage Leaders
Name Years Att-Comp Pct.
Joe Hamilton 2 770-508 66.0%
Jay Gruden 2 805-493 61.2%
Craig Whelihan 2 395-231 58.5%
Pat O'Hara 6 1169-682 58.3%
Ben Bennett 5 1,079-624 57.8%
Connell Maynor 7 748-431 57.6%

GRUDEN CLOSING IN ON MOSS
With 11 wins in 2005, Head Coach Jay Gruden continues to close in on AFL Hall of Famer Perry Moss in his drive to become the winningest head coach in Orlando Predators history. Beginning his 7th season as head coach, Gruden has 64 total victories and is just three 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 64
Regular Season Wins 59 54
Playoff Wins 8 9
AFL Championships 0 2
Overall Winning Pct. .684 .640

WHERE'S THE NEXT EJ?
Over the years, the Orlando Predators have gained a reputation as one of the league's best teams at putting pressure on the quarterback. The team has finished in the top five in the league in quarterback sacks seven years running and has usually featured one of the top sack masters in the league. For the last three years, that person was EJ Burt, who totaled a Predators career record 24.5 sacks during that time. But with Burt's departure via free agency, the Predators will be looking for someone else to step in and fill that role as a dominant pass rusher. Likely candidates include rookie lineman Greg White. The 6-3, 270-lb. White had an outstanding training camp with the Predators. A seventh round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2002 (229th pick overall), White spent time on the practice squads of Washington, New Orleans, Tennessee, Atlanta and Tampa Bay during his professional career. He signed with the Chicago Bears prior to the 2005 season and was allocated to Cologne Centurions...led NFL-Europe in quarterback sacks, posting seven sacks.

Preds Quarerback Sacks 1999-2005
Year Total AFL RANK
2005 19 4TH
2004 35 1ST
2003 25 2ND
2002 22 1ST
2001 23 2ND
2000 23 3RD
1999 15 5TH

Preds Season Sack Leaders
2005 EJ Burt 8.5
2004 Rupert Grant 9.5
2003 EJ Burt 9.5
2002 Ernest Allen 4.5
Tommy Dorsey 4.5
2001 Ernest Allen 5.5
2000 BJ Cohen 6.5
1999 William Carr 4.0

PREDATORS RUN THE ROCK
With the return of Marlon Moye-Moore, Idris Price and mobile quarterback Joe Hamilton, look for the Predators to once again run the ball during the 2005 season. Head Coach Jay Gruden's philosophy is the "threat of a run" certainly will slow down an opponent's pass rush. Historically, the Predators have almost always had an effective running game, ranking in the top three in the league in total rushing yards 10 times in 15 seasons.

Year Yards Per Game TD League Rank
2005 528 33.0 33 3rd
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


ORLANDO'S DEFENSE RANKED HIGH IN MOST CATEGORIES
One thing that head coach Jay Gruden hopes doesn't change much in 2006 is the Predators ability to stop the other team's offense. The Orlando Predators defense finished the 2005 season ranked in the top 25% of the league in practically every defense category, including:

Scoring Defense 3rd 47.2
Rushing Defense 2nd 15.7
Total Defense 5th 269.2
Pass Defense Rating 2nd 98.9
Passing Defense 6th 253.2
Quarterback Sacks 4TH 19
Interceptions 8th 15

SCORING DEFENSE A KEY STAT
For the third consecutive year and the 11th time in 15 seasons the Orlando Predators finished the 2005 season ranked in the top three in the Arena Football League in scoring defense. The Predators allowed 47.2 points per game this season to finish behind Nashville 44.7 and Georgia 46.6. Interestingly, the Predators have never finished lower than 7th in scoring defense and have been the toughest team in the league to score on seven times.

Predators Scoring Defense
2005 47.2 3rd
2004 43.1 1st
2003 41.9 1st
2002 47.8 7th
2001 44.8 3rd
2000 40.6 1st
1999 46.1 6th
1998 44.5 2nd
1997 36.1 1st
1996 40.9 5th
1995 39.2 3rd
1994 28.4 1st
1993 29.6 1st
1992 28.1 1st
1991 36.3 5th

PREDS REACHED 10 WINS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR IN 2005
With a win in their 2005 season finale, the Orlando Predators reached 10 regular season wins for third consecutive season and fourth time under head coach Jay Gruden. Here is a list of the Predators' nine, 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
2005 10 10-6-0 11-7-0
2004 10 10-6-0 10-7-0

WITH FLEMING GONE, FRYZEL SHOULD BECOME TOP TARGET
With the departure of WR/LB Cory Fleming, offensive specialist Jimmy Fryzel should become Joe Hamilton's top target in 2006. Although he sat out the first four games of the season behind Travis McGriff, and missed two additional games with cracked ribs, Fryzel posted a sensational rookie season with 1159 yards in just 10 games. His 115.9 yards per game receiving was tops in the Arena Football League last year and he tied a Barry Wagner club record with five consecutive 100-yard games. Here is how Fryzel stacked up in his rookie season.

Most Predators Receiving Yards by an AFL Rookie*
Travis McGriff 2003 1226
Jimmy Fryzel 2005 1159
Siaha Burley 2001 1135
Barry Wagner 1992 859
Robert Gordon 1998 855

Most 100-Yard Games in Single Season*
Barry Wagner 1996 8
Barry Wagner 1997 8
Cory Fleming 2004 7
Jimmy Fryzel 2005 7
Barry Wagner 1994 6
Barry Wagner 1993 6
Barry Wagner 1998 6
Barry Wagner 1995 6
Cory Fleming 2003 5
Barry Wagner 1999 5

HAMILTON FINISHING DEGREE
While some players worked off-season jobs and others just tried to stay in shape for the 2006 season, Predators quarterback Joe Hamilton spent his off-season back on campus at Georgia Tech. Hamilton, who last played at Georgia Tech in 1999, returned to campus last September to work on completing his degree in history, technology and society. As soon as the Predators season finishes, Hamilton says he'll enroll in summer classes at Tech. If everything times out right, he should be able to complete his degree requirements in December of this year. "I'm not afraid to say I am embarrassed. I had five years in school to finish and I didn't get it done. I am in the process of correcting that situation."

LOFTY CREDENTIALS DO NOT SPELL SUCCESS IN ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Success in the NFL or college does not necessarily translate into an easy transition into the Arena Football League as this list of players who either left Predators training camp or were waived in 2006 proves:

Player Credentials
Bam Morris Six NFL seasons, 3,800 career
rushing yards, 35 touchdowns.

Marquise Walker 3rd Round Draft pick, All-America at
Michigan

Ron Warner Four NFL season, 20 games played,
17.5 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 starts for
Redskins in 2004.

Shurron Pierson 3rd round NFL pick, two seasons
in NFL...13 career games played in
NFL

Derrick Crawford Two-year starter in NFL-Europe,
among league-leaders in sacks in
2004.

PREDATORS PLACE TWO ON IR TO GET DOWN TO LEAGUE MANDATED 24
The Predators got down to the league-mandated 24-man active roster on Monday by placing OL/DL Sean Guthrie and OL/DL Kevin Johnson on injured reserve. The team may have to make additional moves this week to become salary cap compliant.

HAMILTON NEEDS ONE TO MOVE PAST GRUDEN
Quarterback Joe Hamilton needs just one touchdown pass to move past Jay Gruden for third place on the all-time touchdown passing list for the Predators. Coming into this season, both Gruden (who played two seasons for the Predators in 2002-03) and Hamilton (who is entering his third season) have tossed a total of 117 touchdown passes. Should he stay healthy, Hamilton stands a good chance of taking over the career lead of 162, held by Pat O'Hara, who played six seasons with the Predators.

Predators Career Touchdown Passes
Name Years TDs
Pat OHara 6 166
Ben Bennett 5 162
Jay Gruden 2 117
Joe Hamilton 2 117
Connell Maynor 7 101

PREDATORS PRODUCE COACHES
With Bret Munsey being named head coach of the Philadelphia Soul during the off-season, the long-list of former and current Predators players who have entered the coach ranks continues to swell. The list now includes: Chris Barber (High School), Ben Bennett (af2), Webbie Burnett (AFL/af2), Victor Floyd (High School), Rick Hamilton (AFL), Jay Gruden (AFL, NFL), Kevin Guy (AFL, af2), Kevin Johnson (High School), Doug Miller (High School), 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), Durwood Roquemore (af2), Herkie Walls (High School), Barry Wagner (college).

LONG WAIT FOR JOHNSON
Kevin Johnson last played in the Arena Football League in 2001,appearing in just two games for the Los Angeles Avengers. The announcement on Monday that Johnson had made the team capped an incredible comeback journey for 36-year-old veteran, who had spent the last couple of years coaching youth football in Los Angeles. "It was a combination of things, I missed playing football, I thought I still had something to contribute and I had a son who wanted me to give it a try," Johnson said. "I called Coach Gruden and he said he would give me a look and that's where we are now." The return to the playing field will have to wait as least two weeks as Johnson (knee) joined Sean Guthrie on team's IR List on Monday.

ORLANDO PREDATORS IN OPENERS
Saturday night's game marks the beginning of the Predators 16th season of Arena Football League play. How have the Predators done in previous openers? Fairly well...the team is 10-5 in opening day games, including a 6-4 mark when opening on the road. But the Predators have struggled on road recently, losing three of their last four season opening games away from the TD Waterhouse Centre.

2005 Colorado (H) W, 39-36
2004 Tampa Bay (A) L, 41-52
2003 Chicago (A) W, 47-35
2002 Georgia (A) L, 49-67
2001 Nashville (A) L, 25-50
2000 New Jersey (H) W, 38-21
1999 Nashville (A) W, 49-40
1998 Grand Rapids (H) W, 42-27
1997 New York (A) W, 50-42
1996 Arizona (A) L, 52-55
1995 Connecticut (A) W, 45-43
1994 Arizona (A) W, 38-28
1993 Albany (H) W, 40-30
1992 Tampa Bay (H) L, 32-39
1991 Tampa Bay (A) W, 51-38

PLAYER PARTICIPATE In OFF-SEASON CHARITY WORKS
Thanks to the assistance of the Orlando Predators Foundation, Predators players participated in a record number of charitable endeavors during the 2005 off-season. Among the highlights:

PREDS LOOSE IN THE ZOO
Preds players and dance team members collected school supplies for disadvantaged children at the Central Florida Zoo one weekend last August. The players signed autographs and greeted zoo patrons during the event. Several truck loads of much-needed school supplies were later delivered in Central Florida Children who could not afford them. Marlon Moye-Moore, Doug Miller, Kenny McEntyre, Jimmy Fryzel and Jay Gruden participated.

GOLF FOR THE GULF
DS Kenny McEntyre created, marketed and directed a charity golf event to raise funds for Gulf Coach Hurricane victims in October. The event sold out and grossed more than $10,000.

US ARMY/PREDS VISITS LOCAL SCHOOLS
Working with the US Army, McEntyre, Miller, Fryzel and Jerrian James - along with members of the Prowlers Dance Team - visited local schools in Central Florida to teach the importance of team work and physical fitness to high school students.

CAREER DAY SCHOOL VISITS
McEntyre, Miller and Fryzel visited several elementary and middle schools during Orange County's annual career day.

OPERATION SANTA KLAWS
McEntyre and Fryzel made personal donations and then solicited cash from teammates in order to provide a special Christmas for residents of the Salvation Army's Home for Women and Children. The duo bought new toys with the money and then collected another $5,000 in clothing, electronics and household goods and then presented them to the residents a few days before Chirstmas.


PREDATORS PRACTICE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday 9-11 a.m. Citrus Bowl
Tuesday 9-11 a.m. Citrus Bowl
Wednesday 9-11 a.m. Citrus Bowl
Thursday 9-11 a.m. Citrus Bowl
Friday TBA TBA
Saturday 7 p.m. ORL at ATL

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 Georgia
Ironman:
Offensive:
Defensive:

2005 ROSTER MOVES
1/12 Waived OL/DL Derek Kennard

1/15 Announced FB/LB Bam Morris was leaving
camp.

1/19 Waived FB/LB Shurron Pierson, WR/LB
Manwell Talbert, DS Randee Drew, DS
Marcus Floyd, WR/LB Marquise Walker,
DS Levy Brown, OL/DL Derrick Crawford,
OL/DL Claude Harriot

1/21 Waived OL/DL Ron Warner and OL/DL
Delanio Taylor.

1/23 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Sean Guthrie
and OL/DL Kevin Johnson.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 23, 2006


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