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Orlando Predators game notes

February 15, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


GAME DETAILS
Orlando Predators (2-1) at Tampa Bay Storm (2-1)
Date: Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006
Toe-To-Leather Time: 3:00 p.m. (EDT)
Site: St. Pete Times Forum (19,200)
Officials: Referee: Steve Pamon; Umpire: Wes Fritz;
Head Linesman: Neil Brunner; Line Judge: R.G.
Detillier; Back Judge: Tony Lombardo
Radio: WQTM 740 AM (Tom Morgan and Dan Pearson)
TV: Sun Sports (Rick Peckham, James Bates and Tom Block)
Series Streak: Tampa Bay has won one in a row
Series Record: Tampa Bay leads all-time series 19-18
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (6th season, 66-38, .635);
Tampa Bay: Tim Marcum (18th season, 176-69-0)

WAR ON I-4 RESUMES: PREDS-STORM CLASH FOR 38th TIME
Arena Football's longest-running, most intense rivalry resumes this weekend when the Orlando Predators (2-1-0) travel to the St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday to face the Tampa Bay Storm (2-1-0). It will mark the 38th time the Predators have played the Storm in either the regular or post-season. No other AFL teams have played each other more times. It is also the longest running continuous rivalry, as the teams have played each other at least twice a season since 1991.

Although Tampa Bay leads the all-time series (19-18), rivalries and records will take a back-seat to the impact this game with have on the Southern Division. Currently, the two teams are tied for second in the division with a 2-1 mark, one-half game behind division-leader Austin (3-0). The loser of this game could potentially find themselves two games out of first place depending on the outcome of the Austin-Dallas game on Friday.

Tampa Bays has won 12 consecutive home games heading into the contest, a factor not lost on Predators head coach Jay Gruden. "We haven't won in Tampa in a long time. It would be huge to go down there and win a game in their building."

Orlando Predators (2-1-0) *All Times Eastern
Date Opponent W/L Score
Jan. 28 At Georgia L 31-48
Feb. 3 KANSAS CITY W 48-41
Feb. 11 PHILADELPHIA W 47-33
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.

Tampa Bay Storm (2-1-0) *All Times Eastern
Date Opponent W/L Score
Jan. 29 At Philadelphia L 52-34
Feb. 3 At Grand Rapids W 51-43
Feb. 10 GEORGIA W 61-60
Feb. 19 ORLANDO
Feb. 25 AUSTIN
Mar. 5 At Kansas City
Mar. 12 DALLAS
Mar. 18 NEW YORK
Mar. 26 At Georgia
Apr. 1 UTAH
Apr. 7 SAN JOSE
Apr. 15 At Austin
Apr. 22 At Orlando
Apr. 29 KANSAS CITY
May 6 At Columbus
May 13 At Nashville

Front Page Quote
"The goal each week is to get better. Even though we won the game, I don't think we were satisfied with the way we played. Offensively we got off to a slow start and I don't think its something we can get away with this week in Tampa. We need to keep improving."

--Predators quarterback Joe Hamilton after Saturday night's win against Philadelphia.
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.

Gruden began his AFL career as a quarterback with the Tampa Bay Storm in 1991. A two-time All- Arena selection and the 1992 MVP, he led the Storm to six consecutive playoff appearances and an unprecedented four ArenaBowl titles under three different head coaches.

At age 30, he became the youngest head coach in the Arena Football League when the Orlando Predators hired him to replace the legendary Perry Moss - who retired after nearly 50 years in the coaching profession. Gruden's impact on the Predators was immediate. After a 9-5 regular season mark, Gruden guided the Predators to a pair of playoff wins to set up an ArenaBowl match-up with top-seeded Tampa Bay. Although the Storm came into the game with a 14-2 record and were prohibitive 14-point favorites, Gruden delivered Orlando 's first ArenaBowl championship with an incredible 62-31 win over the Storm.

During the next two seasons he would continue to set league history. Gruden became the first AFL coach to take a number eight seed to the ArenaBowl as Orlando recorded stunning road upsets in 1999 over top-seeded Tampa Bay (41-19) and second-seeded Iowa (48-41). The following season, the Predators started 7-0 and finished the 2000 campaign with an 11-3 record, capturing the second seed for the playoffs and winning a second ArenaBowl title.

In one of the most unusual moves in AFL history, Gruden announced his resignation as head coach of the Predators to return to the playing field as Orlando's quarterback after the 2001 season. In two years as Predators quarterback, Gruden compiled an impressive 20-9 record as a starter. Gruden returned to the Predators sideline as Head Coach and Director of Football Operations in July 2003. In his first season back, Gruden directed the Predators to his third 10-win season and upped his career record to 53-30-0 (.639) as an AFL head coach. In 2005, the Predators won 10 games again.

For his AFL career, Gruden has posted some truly remarkable numbers. As a head coach, he is 66-38-0 and ranks in the top 10 overall in coaching wins and winning percentage. He is one of only five AFL coaches with two or more ArenaBowl championships. In the playoffs, his 11-4 mark as a head coach ranks in the top five all-time in victories and winning percentage. As a quarterback, he ranks in the top ten with more than 20,000 passing yards and close to 400 touchdowns. He won 15 of 19 post-season starts with 4,761 passing yards and 77 touchdowns. Gruden was 84-25 (.770) as a starting quarterback. That mark, combined with his 10-5 record as Nashville's offensive coordinator and his 66-38 record as head coach, takes Gruden's all-time Arena Football League record to 160-68 (.702). As a player, assistant coach or head coach, Gruden has never failed to lead his team to the playoffs.

ORLANDO PREDATORS
HEAD COACHING RECORDS
Coaches, Years Record Pct.
Jay Gruden, 1998-2001, 2004-05 66-38 .635
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684

TAMPA BAY HEAD COACH TIM MARCUM
Now in his 18th season, Tampa Bay Head Coach Tim Marcum has coached more games, won more games, has the top winning percentage for coaches and has won more ArenaBowl championships than any man in league history.

A charter member of the Arena Football League Hall of Fame, Marcum has never failed to take his team to the Arena Football League playoffs. He is the AFL's career leader in games coached (245), games won (176), winning percentage (.718) and post-season victories (25). Marcum is also the only coach in AFL history to guide three different teams to ArenaBowl championships, taking titles with Denver (1987), Detroit (1988-89-92), and Tampa Bay (1995-96-2003).

A two-time AFL Coach of the Year award winner (1987-1998), Marcum was the first coach in AFL history to win 100 games.

The Orlando game will mark the 2006 debut of Marcum, who was suspended the last two games of the 2005 season and first three of the 2006 season for violations of the league's salary cap during the 2003 season.

GRUDEN MAKES 34th APPEARANCE IN WAR ON I-4
Perhaps no individual has had a bigger influence on the War on I-4 than Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden who is making a record 34th appearance as a player or head coach in the game. Just as the series has been close with Tampa holding a slight 19-18 edge, Gruden's winning percentage has hovered around the .500 mark, as he has appeared on the winning side 16 times and on the losing side 17 times. It's interesting to note that regardless of the role he has played in the game, Gruden has been close to the .500 mark as either a player or a coach. As quarterback of the Tampa Bay Storm, Gruden was 7-7-0 against the Orlando Predators. As Head Coach of the Predators, Gruden is 7-8-0 - winning six of the last 10 to pull close to even. When Gruden returned to the playing field as quarterback for the Orlando Predators in 2002-03, he once again finished with a .500 record, recording a 2-2-0 mark against his former team.

Tampa Bay QB Gruden vs. Orlando 7-7-0
Orlando QB Gruden vs. Tampa Bay 2-2-0
Orlando Head Coach Gruden vs. Tampa Bay 7-8-0
All time record 16-17-0

GRUDEN vs. ORLANDO AS PLAYER (7-7-0)
6/1/91 39-25-2, 229 yards, 2 TD L, 38-51
5/29/92 40-28-2, 213 yards, 2 TD W, 32-39
7/2/92 42-25-5, 304 yards, 3 TD L, 33-48
8/15/92 29-19-1, 229 yards, 0 TD L, 21-24**
5/21/93 20-10-3, 120 yards, 2 TD L, 34-46
6/19/93 30-20-0, 287 yards, 6 TD L, 45-46
8/14/93 36-24-1, 265 yards, 4 TD W, 55-52**
7/1/94 52-25-1, 260 yards, 4 TD L, 40-61
8/13/94 31-15-1, 197 yards, 3 TD W, 40-39
7/14/95 37-26-0, 291 yards, 5 TD W, 51-34
7/29/95 34-19-0, 199 yards, 5 TD W, 44-20
9/1/95 30-18-2, 209 yards, 4 TD W, 48-35*
5/18/96 27-17-1, 227 yards, 4 TD W, 42-63
7/19/96 29-19-0, 276 yards, 4 TD L, 39-40

*ArenaBowl
**AFL Semifinal Game

GRUDEN vs. TAMPA BAY AS COACH (7-8-0)
6/12/98 L, 34-42
6/27/98 L, 30-56
8/23/98 W, 62-31*
6/12/99 L, 37-63
7/11/99 L, 28-47
8/21/99 W, 41-19**
5/12/00 W, 44-43
7/1/00 L, 36-50
8/3/00 W, 34-24**
6/10/01 W, 57-45
7/1/01 W, 46-38
2/2/04 L, 41-52
5/2/04 L, 58-63
2/11/05 W, 61-46
4/9/05 L, 42-54
*ArenaBowl
**AFL Playoff Game

GRUDEN vs. TAMPA BAY AS A PLAYER (2-2-0)
7/7/02 32-18-1-215 yards, 6 TD W, 55-48
6/9/02 32-24-0, 286 yards, 4 TD L, 45-48
2/9/03 41-24-0, 330 yards, 6 TD W, 54-51
7/3/03 42-25-2, 341 yards, 6 TD L, 50-60*
*AFL semifinal game

SERIES HISTORY:
With a 54-42 win over Orlando at home last April, Tampa Bay took a 19-18 series lead over the Predators...As mentioned earlier, no other teams in the Arena Football League have a longer, continuously running series than the Predators and Tampa Bay...This week's game marks the 38th meeting between the two teams, dating back to the 1991 season...The teams have played in the same division since Orlando joined the league in 1991...The series has featured two regular season games each year and the Predators have met the Storm seven times in the post-season...In addition, the Predators have played the Storm in five pre-season games (results not included in series records), as well as several pre-season scrimmages... In a testament to how evenly matched these two teams are, it should be noted that the Storm hold a 16-14 edge in regular season games, with the Predators holding a 4-3 edge in post-season games...Orlando has won three of the last four post-season contests between the Storm and Predators, sending their archrivals packing for three consecutive years from 1998-2001...Tampa Bay returned the favor by pounding out a 60-50 win in the semifinals during the 2003 season...The all-time series scores between the Predators and Storm follow:

ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS AND NOTES:
DATE ORL TB ATTENDANCE
June 1, 1991 (A) 51 38 10,354
July 27, 1991 (H) 16 26 13,680
May 29, 1992 (H) 32 39 11,312
July 2, 1992 (A) 48 33 20,091
August 15, 1992 (H) 24 21* 13,680
May 21, 1993 (H) 46 34 13,720
June 19, 1993 (A) 46 45 28,746**
August 14, 1993 (H) 52 55* 13,720
July 1, 1994 (H) 61 40 14,015
August 13, 1994 (A) 39 40 20,819
July 14, 1995 (H) 34 51 15,638
July 29, 1995 (A) 20 44 24,055
August 14, 1995 (A) 35 48& 20,087
May 18, 1996 (A) 42 63 25,087
July 19, 1996 (H) 40 39 16,444
May 17, 1997 (A) 43 17 16,236
June 27, 1997 (H) 54 30 14,179
June 12, 1998 (H) 34 42 16,529
June 27, 1998 (A) 30 56 15,948
August 23, 1998 (A) 62 31$ 14,125
June 12, 1999 (H) 37 63 15,101
July 11, 1999 (A) 28 47 11,777
Aug. 7, 1999 (A) 41 19% 10,706
May 12, 2000 (H) 44 43 13,342
July 1, 2000 (A) 36 50 14,047
August 8, 2000 (H) 34 24% 13,122
June 10, 2001 (H) 57 45 13,691
July 1, 2001 (A) 46 38 17,634
June 9, 2002 (H) 45 48 12,855
July 7, 2002 (A) 55 48 11,784
Feb. 10, 2003 (H) 54 51 13,521
March 16, 2003 (A) 32 52 15,054
June 7, 2003 (A) 50 60* 14,028
Feb. 8, 2004 (A) 41 52 15,404
May 2, 2004 (H) 58 63 13,714
Feb. 11, 2005 (H) 61 46 14,478
April 9, 2005 (A) 42 54 18,794
Series Totals 1570 1595 577,537

*AFL Semifinals &ArenaBowl IX
$ArenaBowl XII %AFL Quarterfinals
**All-Time AFL Attendance Record

SERIES NOTES:
When post season games are factored in, Tampa Bay
Now leads the all-time series by a 19-18-0 count...
only 25 points of the more than 3,000 that has
been scored in this series, separates the two teams
as Orlando has scored 1,570 points in the series,
while Tampa Bay has scored 1,595 ...Orlando is
averaging 42.43 points per game in the series, while
Tampa Bay is averaging 43.10...the visiting team
won the first four games of the series and
16 of 37 games overall... Orlando is 10-8 at home
and 8-11 on the road in the series...the longest
winning streak in the series is five games (Tampa
Bay, Aug 13, 1994 through May 18, 1996)...Orlando
Is 5-6 in the last 11 games, with the
Storm capturing five of the last six games...
Orlando has won four in a row on two occasions...
the largest regular season crowd (28,746)
and largest ArenaBowl crowd (25,087) came during
this series (both games played in Thunderdome...
now Tropicana Field)... the series has been
witnessed by more than 570,000 fans (15,609
average)...the teams have met seven times in the
playoffs, with Orlando holding a 4-3 series
edge... both teams have won an ArenaBowl
championship game at the other's expense...
Orlando last won in Tampa in the 2002 season,
recording a 55-48 win.

THE JAY FACTOR: No discussion of the Orlando / Tampa Bay series would be complete without re-hashing the "Jay Factor." For those new to Arena Football, Gruden was Tampa Bay's "Golden Boy" quarterback of the early ‘90's, leading the team to four AFL championships in six years - winning the last two under Tim Marcum. Gruden left the game as a player in 1997 to assume the offensive coordinator's job with the expansion Nashville Kats. After helping that team to an AFL expansion-record 10 wins that season, Gruden came on the radar screen of the Predators Search Committee that was attempting to find a new Head Coach. The Predators shocked Storm fans a few months later by announcing that at age 30, Gruden would become the new Head Coach of the Orlando Predators. In his first season, the Storm thumped the Predators twice by an average of 17 points. Those games led up to the third contest between the two in ArenaBowl XII. By racing to a 14-2 record, Tampa entered the game as prohibitive 15-point favorites over the Predators; while Orlando needed a miracle comeback in the desert against Arizona to keep its championship hopes alive. After a close first half, everything that could possibly go wrong for a team went wrong for Tampa Bay in the first six minutes of the third quarter as the Predators would claim their first AFL championship, 62-31, on the home floor of its arch-rivals with their former hero leading the Predators charge. The following season would once again have a surreal ending for the Storm. After another outstanding season, Tampa Bay entered the playoffs as the league's number one seed (11-3) and would host Gruden and his #8 seeded Orlando team (7-7). After jumping out to a 10-0 lead at halftime, it looked like Tampa Bay would get its much sought-after revenge, only to see the Predators outscore them 41-7 in the second half and become the first and only last-seeded AFL team to take-out a top-seeded team in the playoffs. To add insult to injury, Gruden knocked his former team out of the playoffs for a third consecutive season in 2000, as the #2 seeded Predators took a 34-24 win in the TD Waterhouse Centre. In his final season as Head Coach before returning to the playing field, Gruden again put a hurting on the Storm, sweeping the 2001 regular season series. Coming back in 2002 as a player, Gruden lost a close three-point game at home, but guided the Preds to a 55-48 win on the road in 2002. Gruden added a second victory against his former team as a player, with a 54-51 win over the Storm back on Feb. 10 of 2003, but did not participate in the rematch - suffering an ankle injury in Week four and missing six games. Tampa Bay defeated Gruden and the Preds in a semifinal game that year. Since joining the Predators, Gruden has guided Orlando to an 9-10 record against his former team, including a 3-1 mark in the playoffs. Adding more juice to the Gruden/Tampa Bay situation was the fact that the Storm "retired" Jay Gruden's jersey in a ceremony a few years ago and then unceremoniously "un-retired" his jersey in 2002 and re-issued it to a player right before an Orlando-Tampa Bay game. Tampa would later re-retire the number after Gruden left the game as a player in 2003.

PREDS/STORM AMONG WINNINGEST TEAM IN ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE HISTORY
Whether considering regular season wins, regular season winning percentage, post-season wins, or post-season winning percentage, the Orlando Predators and Tampa Bay Storm both rank among the top four teams in AFL history in every significant victory category as the lists below indicate:

All-Time Wins
Tampa Bay 163
Orlando 155
Arizona 148
San Jose 112

Most Regular Season Wins
Tampa Bay 143
Orlando 135
Arizona 128
San Jose 103
Albany 82

Best Regular Season Winning Pct.*
Detroit Drive .821 (46-10-0)
Tampa Bay .698 (143-62-0)
Orlando .665 (135-70-0)
Arizona .656 (128-67-0)
Iowa .612 (82-52-0)
Albany
*Five seasons minimum

Most Post-Season Wins
Tampa Bay 20
Orlando 20
Arizona 20
Detroit 12
San Jose 9

Post Season Winning Pct.
Detroit .857 (12-2)
Tampa Bay .667 (20-10)
Arizona .667 (20-10)
Orlando .625 (20-12)
San Jose .563 (9-7)

Most ArenaBowl Appearances
Tampa Bay 6
Orlando 6
Detroit 6
Arizona 5
ORLANDO-TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS
Not only are Tampa Bay and Orlando closely connected by just 70 miles of interstate, but the teams share a lot of personnel bonds as indicated by the following: Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden was Tampa Bay's starting quarterback from 1991-96, guiding that team to four championships...Predators WR/LB Clif Dell was an outstanding player for the Orlando Predators from 1999-2002 and played a key role in the Preds' 2000 AFL championship season, he then went to Tampa Bay via free-agency and played for the Storm from 2002-2005 before returning to the Predators...Storm QB Pat O'Hara played for the Predators from 1995-2000, directing Orlando to its first title as a starting quarterback in 1998...OL/DL Doug Miller is a Tampa native...Preds WR/DB DeAndrew Rubin played college football at the University of South Florida in Tampa...Tampa Bay lineman Buck Gurley played the last two seasons for the Predators...Storm DS Tramain Jones played briefly with the Predators in 2002...Storm WR Ronney Daniels went to training camp with the Predators in 2003.

How The 2006 Predators Were Built
Veterans Retained From 2005 Season (12): RB/LB Idris Price, K Jay Taylor, FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore, QB Joe Hamilton, WR/LB Jerrian James, DS Kenny McEntyre, OL/DL Justin Cleveland, OS Jimmy Fryzel, OL/DL Greg Krause, OL/DL Doug Miller, OL/DL Reggie Lee, FB/LB Kevin Nagle.

Veteran Free Agents Signed (5): DS Jeroid Johnson, WR/LB Scott Cloman, WR/LB Clif Dell, OL/DL Kevin Johnson, WR/LB Lamont Moore

Veteran Obtained by Trade (1): OL/DL Henry Taylor

Veteran Activated from NFL Exempt List (1): WR/DB Lin-J Shell.

Rookie Free Agents (7): QB Jake Eaton, WR/DB DeAndrew Rubin, WR/DB Jermaine Mays, OL/DL Jim Sedano, OL/DL Greg White, OL/DL Charles Hill, WR/LB Javarus Dudley.

BY THE NUMBERS...ORLANDO PREDATORS
2006 Overall Record: 2-1-0
National Conference Record: 2-1-0
Against American Conference: 0-0-0
Southern Division Record: 1-1-0
At Hummer Field: 2-0-0
On the road: 0-1-0
When scoring first: 2-0-0
When other Team Scores First: 0-1-0
When leading after one quarter: 1-0-0
When trailing after one quarter: 0-1-0
When tied after one quarter: 1-0-0
When leading at the Half: 2-0-0
When trailing at the Half: 0-1-0
When tied at the Half: 0-0-0
When leading after three quarters: 2-0-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-1-0
When tied after three quarters: 0-0-0
Overtime Games: 0-0-0
When Winning the Coin Toss: 0-1-0
When Losing the Coin Toss: 2-0-0
By Days of the Week:
Thursday: 0-0-0
Friday: 1-0-0
Saturday: 1-1-0
Sunday: 0-0-0
All-Time Home Record: 85-33-0
All-Time Road Record: 69-49-0
Consecutive Seasons Winning Record: 14
Consecutive Seasons In Playoffs: 14

PREDS NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES, AND TRENDS

PREDS MAKE SLEW OF ROSTER MOVES
Prior to last week's game with the Philadelphia Soul, the Orlando Predators made a slew of roster moves. The Predators placed lineman Doug Miller, WR/DB Lin-J Shell, WR/LB Scott Cloman, and WR/LB Lamont Moore on the team's injured reserve list and activated WR/DB Javarus Dudley, WR/LB Clif Dell, FB/LB Kevin Nagle, and OL/DL Charles Hill. All four activated players made their 2006 Predator debuts. The four players placed on IR will not be eligible to play again until the New York game on Feb. 26.

CLIF DELL JUST "SCORES TOUCHDOWNS"
In his previous seven seasons in the Arena Football League, Orlando Predators WR/DB Clif Dell has gained a reputation of being the "Chris Carter" of the Arena Football League. The reference deals with Carter's high touchdown to reception ratio in the NFL that prompted ESPN's Chris Berman to say "All he does is score touchdowns." Dell came into the 2006 season with 81 career touchdown receptions on just 318 career receptions (1 TD for every 3.9 receptions). Dell did little to hurt his reputation in his 2006 debut, catching two passes for 42 yards and a 27-yard touchdown reception.

TICKET SALES STRONG; PREDS FANS FILL HUMMER FIELD
An outstanding week of sales pushed Orlando Predators season tickets to a record total of more than 10,816 last week; while single game sales on Saturday resulted in 14,381 fans jamming Hummer Field for the Philadelphia game. Through two games, the Predators have averaged 13,941 fans per game, an increase of four percent over the first two games of 2005. The Predators list capacity of the TD Waterhouse Centre at 13,692. The team can expand capacity of the Arena to slightly more than 16,000 by selling vision restricted seats in the upper bowl corners that are usually covered.

2006 Preds at Hummer Field
Contest Attd. Pct. Capacity
Kansas City (game 1) 13,502 98.6%
Philadelphia (game 2) 14,381 105.1%
Two Games 27,883 102.2%

PREDS BREAK SATURDAY LOSING STREAK; LOOK TO STOP TAMPA'S WINNING STREAK ON
After stopping one losing streak of their own, the Predators will be out to break a winning streak on Sunday. Last week's 47-34 win over Philadelphia broke a six-game losing streak on Saturdays for the Predators. This week, Orlando will attempt to halt Tampa Bay's 12-game home winning streak.

PREDS NOT BAD AT HOME EITHER
Orlando boasts a seven-game home winning streak and has won 14 of their last 16 in the friendly confines of Hummer Field. The team returns home on March 5 to face Los Angeles.

GRUDEN CLOSING IN ON MOSS
With last week's win, 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 seventh season as head coach, Gruden has 66 total victories and is just one short of Perry Moss' franchise record of 67 wins. Moss, the first head coach and general manager of the Orlando Predators, 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 66
Regular Season Wins 59 57
Playoff Wins 8 9
AFL Championships 0 2
Overall Winning Pct. .684 .635

GRUDEN CREEPING UP ON GREGORY
In addition to chasing Moss, Predators head coach Jay Gruden continues to creep up on former Iowa Barnstormers/New York Dragons head coach John Gregory for eighth place on the AFL's list of winningest coaches. Gregory recorded a 73-57 record in 10 AFL seasons. Gruden is now just seven wins behind Gregory in his seventh AFL season.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW, JOHNSON FOR DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
With seven tackles and four pass break-ups, Jermaine Mays was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game in the Predators 47-34 win over Philadelphia. But after viewing game films, Orlando Predators coaches requested three scoring changes in the game, noting that defensive specialist Jeroid Johnson should have been credited with three forced fumbles in the game. Lineman Greg White, DS Kenny McEntyre and Mays were credited with one forced fumble in the game, while a review of films suggested that Johnson should have been credited with the forced fumble on all three plays. Orlando requested the changes on Monday morning and if approved. Johnson will have eight pass break-ups and three forced fumbles in his last two games. He was nominated for the ADT Defensive Player of the Week award that will be announced on Tuesday.

TAYLOR'S STREAK ENDS, BUT NUMBERS STILL IMPRESSIVE
Kicker Jay Taylor finally missed a kick, but it was excusable as the Predators stalled deep in their own territory, forcing Taylor to attempt a 56-yard field goal in the first quarter of last Saturday's win over Philadelphia. But the third-year player from West Virginia University continues his impressive season. To date, Taylor is 3 of 4 on field goal attempts (75%) and a perfect 14 of 14 on extra points (100%). He also has recorded eight touchbacks on kickoffs this seasons.

Opponent FG-FGA Pct. XP-XPA Pct. TB*
Georgia 1-1 100.0 4-4 100.0 1
Kansas City 1-1 100.0 4-4 100.0 5
Philadelphia 1-2 50.0 6-6 100.0 2
Season 3-4 75.0% 14-14 100.0 8

PREDATORS RUN THE ROCK
Through three games, the Predators have averaged 36 yards rushing a game and have scored six touchdowns. This compares favorably to the opposition that has rushed the ball a total of 24 times for 46 yards and no touchdowns. The Predators are looking to finish in the top three in the league in rushing for the 12th time in the last 16 seasons.
Final
Year Yards Per Game TD League Rank
2006 108 36.0 6 ??*
2005 528 33.0 35 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

HAMILTON TIES MAYNOR FOR THIRD PLACE IN CAREER RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
Joe Hamilton's four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Philadelphia was the 18th of his Orlando Predators career and moved him into a tie with former Orlando Predators quarterback Connell Maynor for third place on Orlando Predators all-time career rushing touchdown list. Hamilton began the season in sixth place with 15 career rushing touchdowns and has already moved past two players. Although both 2nd place Rick Hamilton (25) and Maynor are within east reach of Hamilton, it is highly unlikely that he would ever get close to the Predators record, however, as Barry Wagner rushed for 69 touchdowns in his eight-year career with the Predators (1992-99).

Predators All-Time Rushing Touchdowns
Player Seasons Rush TD
Barry Wagner 8 69
Rick Hamilton 5 25
Connell Maynor 7 18
Joe Hamilton 3 18*
Tommy Dorsey 5 17
Michael McClenton 2 16

SLOW START SETS TWO RECORDS AND TIES ANOTHER FOR SCORING FUTILITY
To say last Saturday's win over Philadelphia got off to an ugly start may be the understatement of all time. The first six combined possessions of the game ended on an interception, fumble, missed field goal, loss of ball on downs, interception and fumble. The 0-0 tie at the end of the first quarter marked the first time in 119 games and just the second time in Orlando Predators history that either team failed to score in the first quarter. The only other time came in a 1999 game against Albany. It was also the first time in Predators history that either team failed to score on the game's first six possessions and the first time that it took nine possessions for either team to score a touchdown. Neither team scored a touchdown until Jerrian James scored on a 47-yard pass play with just 3:41 remaining in the second quarter. One interesting trend has developed in low scoring games. When three or less combined points are scored in the first quarter, the Predators are 6-1 in those games and have reeled off six straight wins. It is also interesting to note that of the Predators seven games where three or fewer combined points were scored in the first quarter, three of those games have come against this week's opponent Tampa Bay. Here is a list of all-time low scoring first quarters in Orlando Predators history:

Low Scoring Games In
Orlando Predators History
Year 1st Quarter Score Final
2/11/06 Orlando 0, Philadelphia 0 W, 47-33
5/28/99 Orlando 0, Albany 0 W, 45-38
6/10/95 Orlando 2, Albany 0 W, 55-47
5/21/93 Orlando 3, Tampa Bay 0 W, 46-34
7/2/92 Orlando 3, Tampa Bay 0 W, 48-33
8/8/92 Orlando 3, Cleveland 0 W, 50-12
7/27/91 Tampa Bay 2, Orlando 0 L, 16-26

WHEN DO WE PLAY THEM AGAIN?
WR/LB Jerrian James might be asking that question after averaged 25.5 yards per reception against Philadelphia (4-102) in Saturday's game. It marked just the 14th time in Orlando Predators history that a player has averaged more than 22 yards per reception (minimum four catches) in a single game. The last Orlando Predators player to average more than 22 yards per reception in a single game was also Jerrian James, who averaged 22.1 yards per reception (6-133) also against Philadelphia in a 2005 game. Jerrian's 25.5 yards per catch tied for the third best mark in Predators history. WR/LB Clif Dell holds the all-time single game record, averaging 28.3 yards per reception in a 2000 playoff game against Arizona (4-113). Barry Wagner holds the regular season record with 26 yards per catch in a 1994 game vs. Milwaukee.

Predators Single Game Highs
Yards Per Catch
Year Player Rec. OPP Avg.
2000 Clif Dell 4-113 ARZ 28.3*
1994 Barry Wagner 4-104 MIL 26.0
2006 Jerrian James 4-102 PHIL 25.5
2003 Cory Fleming 4-102 NY 25.5*
1995 Alex Shell 5-126 CONN 25.1
2002 Siaha Burley 4-100 CAR 25.0
1995 Alex Shell 5-120 CAR 24.0
1998 Robert Gordon 5-121 MIL 24.2
2002 Clif Dell 5-112 DAL 22.4
1993 Barry Wagner 9-200 CHAR 22.2
2005 Jerrian James 6-133 PHIL 22.2
2002 Clif Dell 6-132 GR 22.0
1998 Barry Wagner 6-132 MIL 22.0
1997 Barry Wagner 5-110 TB 22.0
*Indicates Playoff Game

SPEAKING OF HIGH AVERAGES
In 15+ seasons covering 237 games, Predators wide receivers have averaged 20 or more yards per reception in a single game a total of 25 times. Clif Dell (3) and Jerrian James (2), two players on the current Predators team, have accounted for a full 25% of that total with five combined games of 20+ yards per reception.

Predators Career Games
With 20+ Yards Per Reception
Barry Wagner 9
Cliff Dell 3
Alex Shell 3
Jerrian James 2
Herkie Walls 2
Ty Law 1
Siaha Burley 1
Robert Gordon 1
Cory Fleming 1
Bret Cooper 1
Travis McGriff 1

THE PHILADELPHIA GAME: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
The Good: Orlando ‘s offense overcame a rough start (two interceptions, missed field goal in first three possessions) to put points on the board on seven of their next eight possessions...Unlike the first two games of 2006, Orlando's secondary did not have any breakdowns that allowed receivers to run totally uncovered...rookie Jermaine Mays continued his pension for making big plays - batting down four passes in the game...despite committing three total turnovers of their own, Orlando won the turnover battle 4-3 (5-3 counting a safety)...QB Joe Hamilton overcame a 1 for 6 start (16.6%) to complete 10 of his last 14 passes (71.4%)...unlike recent history, the Predators were never in danger of losing the lead after pulling ahead 17-10 in the second quarter. THE BAD: Starting defensive specialist Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre left the game with a hyper-extended knee in the second quarter...although he eventually returned to the game, K-MAC was extremely sore on Monday and his status for this week is questionable. THE UGLY: The first 27 minutes of the game were "ugly" at best, as both teams managed just one touchdown in the game's first nine possessions.

JON GRUDEN VISITS PREDS
Tampa Bay Bucs head coach Jon Gruden attended last Saturday's game with the Predators and later addressed the team in the locker room. Jon, a regular at most Orlando home games, told the Predators that he "was impressed with the team's defensive efforts" and felt that it was one of the "more talented Predators teams" he had seen in the last couple of years. Gruden concluded the talk with the message that the team "Should strive to improve each week."

FINAL WORD
"It's just a play we run when we are backed up to our own goal line. It is supposed to get five or six yards and give us some breathing room. I got by my defender and saw a cease. When I hit it, I was gone."

--Jerrian James on his 47-yard catch and run for touchdown against Philadelphia.

PREDATORS PRACTICE SCHEDULE WEEK 3
Tuesday 9-11:30 Thunder Field
Wednesday 9-11:30 Thunder Field
Thursday 9-11:30 Thunder Field
Friday 9-11:30 Thunder Field
Saturday 9-10 Thunder Field

*Times and locations are tentative. Call Public Relations at 407-489-5711 for updates before covering practice.

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.

1/25 Placed on injured reserve WR/LB Javarus
Dudley, WR/LB Clif Dell, FB/LB Kevin
Nagle.

1/27 Declared inactive for Week 1 OL/DL Charles
Hill.

2/6 Placed OL/DL Sean Guthrie on waivers.

2/8 Signed WR/DB Lamont Moore

2/9 Activated from injured reserve WR/LB Javarus Dudley, WR/LB Clif Dell, FB/LB Kevin Nagle. Placed on injured reserve: OL/DL Doug Miller, WR/LB Scott Cloman, WR/DB Lin-J Shell, WR/LB Lamont Moore.

2006 US ARMY IRONMAN / OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME / 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 Week 3, the Predators swept the award with Jermaine Mays (Defensive), Jerrian James (offensive) and Clif Dell (Ironman) picking up the awards.

Week Opp. Player
1 Georgia Ironman: Derek Lee (G)Offensive: Chris Jackson (G)Defensive: Kevin Aldridge (G)
2 Kansas City Ironman: DeAndrew Rubin (O)Defensive: Jeroid Johnson (O)Offensive: Andy Kelly (KC)
3 Philadel-phia Ironman: Clif Dell (O)Defensive: Jermaine Mays (O)Offensive: Jerrian James (O)

PINNACLE FINANCIAL SIGNS NEW THREE YEAR AGREEMENT WITH PREDATORS
Pinnacle Financial Corporation, one of the nation's largest independently-owned mortgage lenders, has signed a new three-year marketing and promotional agreement with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. The agreement replaces an earlier sponsorship signed prior to the 2005 season.

The new partnership will cover the 2006-2008 seasons and will give Pinnacle Financial print, broadcast and promotional exposure both inside and outside of the TD Waterhouse Centre during the Orlando Predators season. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Pinnacle Financial is a national company with local roots," Doug Long, CEO said. "As we grow, we believe it is important to stay connected to the Central Florida community. The extension of our partnership with the Predators will allow us to meet this goal and will also give our company and its products exposure to the thousands of Arena Football League fans in Central Florida."

Among the more notable elements of the agreement is signage that will cover the entire width of the end zone. It is the first time that the Predators have sold the entire end zone to a single sponsor. The popular "Pinnacle Financial Kick To Win" promotion, where a fan will be chosen at each Predators home game and be given a chance to kick a field goal from midfield at the 25-yard-line for a $100,000 down payment towards a new home will continue under the new agreement.

"We are thrilled to have Pinnacle Financial extend and enhance their corporate partnership with the Orlando Predators," Predators President Brett Bouchy said. "They are one of the top companies based in Central Florida and remain a valuable partner to our team."

In addition to the new end zone signage, advertising aspects of the revised agreement include a sideline dasherboard and signage on the top of both sideline dasherboards running the full length of the playing field. In addition to the signage elements, the company will also sponsor monthly networking luncheons.

Pinnacle Financial offers residential mortgages through its branch network and Tampa-based call center. As a direct lender, Pinnacle Financial uses its own resources to process, underwrite and fund its own loans. With total control and decision making abilities at each of its offices, Pinnacle Financial is able to provide fast, efficient and affordable financing to its customers.

PREDATORS PLAYERS BIOS NOT INCLUDED IN 2006 MEDIA GUIDE

#81 SCOTT CLOMAN
Wide Receiver / Linebacker
Height: 6-3
Weight: 214
Born: 11.6.75
Southern University
2nd AFL Season

AFL Acquisition
*Originally signed by the Iowa Barnstormers prior to the 2000 season, but did not play in any games...joined the New York Dragons in 2001 after the XFL regular season...played final three games of season for Dragons...signed by the Predators as a free agent on January 10, 2006.

Contract Status
*Signed through 2006 season.

AFL Notes
*Begins his second season in the Arena Football League after playing briefly for the New York Dragons during the 2001 season.

2001 Season
*Played in three games, making one start at FB/LB for the Dragons.

*Caught nine passes for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

*Added 5.5 tackles, including four solo stops.

Other Professional Experience
*Began professional career with Iowa Barnstormers in 2000, being placed on NFL exempt a week later after being signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.

*Selected by the Orlando Rage in XFL (PASS) Draft in 2001...spent entire season with Rage, splitting time between active and taxi squad...participated in "Dash for the Ball" for nine of 10 Rage games, going 6-3 in those contests.

*Went to training camp with 49ers in 2002 and was allocated to Rhein Fire.

*Attended training camp with Redskins in both 2003 and 2004.

College
*Originally signed by Southern University on a baseball scholarship.

*Switched to football after sophomore season and played two years, finishing with 18 receptions for 301 yards and three touchdowns.

Personal
*Majored in education in college.

*Enjoys movies, working out and attending church in spare time.

*Nicknamed "T.O." by teammates for his physical resemblance to NFL wide receiver.

#19
LAMONT MOORE
Wide Receiver / Linebacker
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 195
DOB: 4.4.75 Baylor
6th AFL Season

AFL Acquisition
Originally signed by the Predators as a free agent prior to 2001 season...selected by the New Orleans VooDoo in 2003 expansion draft...signed by Brigade as free agent on Oct. 14, 2005...released by Brigade in pre-season...inked by Predators to one-year contract on February 8, 2006.

2005 Season
*Appeared in 12 games for New Orleans VooDoo...Caught 46 passes for 366 yards and 9 touchdowns...Returned 3 kick 16 yards...Totaled 29 tackles including 26 solo and 6 assists...Recorded one interception for 19 yards...Recorded 3 pass breakups and forced 2 fumbles... Recorded 7 receptions for 85 yards with 2 touchdowns vs. Grand Rapids Rampage on Apr. 23...Moore holds the distinction of having played in four different indoor professional football leagues (IPF, PIFL, af2, and AFL).

2004: Appeared in all 16 regular season games and one postseason game for New Orleans, setting career-highs in all offensive and defensive categories. Caught 61 passes for 624 yards with five touchdowns, finishing as the team's second-leading receiver. Defensively, had 31.5 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two interceptions and four passes defensed. Finished the season tied for eighth in the AFL and tied for the team lead with Monty Montgomery in defensive fumble recoveries (3). Had three receptions for 30 yards and one solo tackle at Philadelphia, 2/8. Recorded one fumble recovery at Georgia, 2/22. Won Defensive Player of the Game and AFL Defensive Player of the Week honors in his effort vs. Tampa Bay, 3/7, when he had one assisted tackle, two interceptions for 28 yards with two touchdowns, two passes defensed, one recovered onside kick and two receptions for 13 yards. Recorded five solo tackles and one tackle for a one-yard loss at Orlando, 4/9. Had three receptions for 26 yards, three solo tackles and one pass defense vs. Columbus, 4/18, prior to leaving game in fourth quarter with right calf injury. Had seven receptions for 72 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown, three solo tackles and one tackle for a two-yard loss at Austin, 4/25. Had five receptions for 51 yards, two solo tackles and one assisted tackle at San Jose, 5/1. Had eight receptions for 103 yards with a career-long 37-yard touchdown, two solo tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery vs. Orlando, 5/9. Had five receptions for 36 yards vs. Georgia, 5/15. Had six receptions for 64 yards with one touchdown, two solo tackles, two assisted tackles and one pass defense at Tampa Bay, 5/23. Was named Offensive Player of the Game vs. Austin, 5/30, when he recorded eight receptions for 95 yards with two touchdowns, a one-yard touchdown run and one solo tackle. In quarterfinal playoff vs. Colorado, 6/6, recorded 10 receptions for 100 yards with two touchdowns and five solo tackles, as he captured Ironman of the Game honors.

2003: Appeared in 11 games for Orlando, rushing two times for 12 yards with two touchdowns, catching 16 balls for 189 yards and four touchdowns, while posting 10.5 tackles and one tackle for a loss on the defensive side. In two playoff games, Moore had one rush for two yards, four receptions for 72 yards with one touchdown and four tackles (three solo).

2002: Missed first six games of season after breaking thumb in final pre-season game. Came back to play in eight regular season games and three post-season contests. Finished regular season with 12 receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown, to go with 19.5 total tackles, four pass breakups, one tackle for a loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery on defense. Added five receptions for 55 yards and one score in post-season. Opened season on injured reserve after tearing thumb ligaments in pre-season game at Indiana. Played extensively at corner, making two tackles with a fumble recovery and a pass defense, in first action of season vs. Carolina, 5/31. Had two tackles with one pass breakup in second game back from injury vs. Tampa Bay, 6/9. Caught first passes of 2002 with three grabs for 25 yards on offense against New York, 6/15, adding one tackle with one pass breakup after getting start on defense. Had a solid receiving game vs. Toronto, 6/21, grabbing three passes for 50 yards (16.6 avg.), including along of 27 yards on screen, while leading Predators in total tackles with three and batting down one ball. Started on defense at Carolina, 6/28, but played extensively on both sides of ball, recording four tackles and three receptions for 38 yards with one touchdown on offense. Touchdown came on 27-yard strike from quarterback Jay Gruden that was proceeded by a Carolina turnover to give Predators a 21-13 lead. At Tampa Bay, 7/7, got starting nod at short corner and also saw action at wide receiver in Week 12 win, making key special teams play by knocking loose ball on kickoff return that led to Orlando TD in final seconds of first half, while also adding two tackles on defense. Grabbed three passes for 44 yards and one assisted tackle vs. Georgia, 7/17. Led Predators with five solo tackles in Week 14 win over Dallas, 7/20, also contributing key tackle for a loss, stopping Patrice Alexander for two-yard loss on final Dallas series to stop clock and save timeout. Had outstanding game in opening round of playoffs vs. Buffalo, 7/26. Totals included two tackles with interception and three pass breakups. Pick came in fourth quarter in end zone to save touchdown and preserve 32-27 lead. Caught three passes for 35 yards, including key 10-yard reception on Orlandos next to last possession that gave Predators key first down. In AFL Quarterfinal at New Jersey, 8/3, started game at wide receiver/defensive back, but saw majority of action on defense and had three tackles and one pass break-up. In AFL semifinals at San Jose, 8/10, started on defense, but also saw extensive action on offense and finished game with two receptions for 30 yards, including a 20 yard touchdown pass from Gruden

2001: Saw extensive action in a reserve capacity in first AFL season. Spent first three games on inactive list. Played in a total of eight games. Finished season with 12 catches for 155 yards (12.9 average) and four touchdowns and with 28.5 tackles (27 solo, 3 assists), one interception, two passes defensed and one tackle-for-loss on defense. Had three receptions for 41 yards in road win over San Jose, 5/26&scored first AFL touchdown following week against Toronto, 6/2. Had just one catch the following week, but it went for 22 yards and a touchdown against arch-rival Tampa Bay, 6/10. Scored a touchdown for a third consecutive game, with a three-catch, 32-yard outing against New York, 6/16, that included touchdown grabs of 13 and 8 yards. Last touchdown came with just :30 remaining and broke open a 67-63 game. Activated for playoffs, and caught one ball for 19 yards in season-ending first round loss to Chicago, 7/27.

2000: Went to camp with Nashville Kats.

OTHER PRO EXPERIENCE: Played 2000 season with the Augusta Stallions of af2, appearing in seven games. Played the 1999 season with Texas Terminators of the Indoor Professional Football League and the 1998 season with Texas Bullets of the Professional Indoor Football League. Had six interceptions to lead league in 1998...College: Played four seasons at Baylor from 1993-96. Played first two seasons at quarterback before moving to wide receiver for junior year. Caught eight passes for 70 yards in a backup role. Started one game at quarterback as a sophomore, completing nine of 11 passes for 182 yards and one TD. Carried ball 32 times for 82 yards.

PERSONAL: 30-years-old...born 4.4.75...grew up in Waxahachie, TX...was 35-4 as a starting quarterback in high school...Metro Player of Year by Dallas Morning News as a senior...majored in sociology in college.

PREDATORS TICKET INFORMATION
The Orlando Predators continue to sell season tickets for the 2006 campaign. Seven-game packages (remaining six regular season games and first post-season home game) start at $40 (upper bowl end zone) on the low-end and go to $301 (lower bowl sideline). Call 407-44-PREDS for more information.

Single game tickets priced from $10 to $53 and can be purchased by calling 407-44-PREDS, visiting the TD Centre Box Office, calling or visiting any TICKETMASTER outlet, or by logging on to: www.ticketmaster.com.

Group discounts and 10-ticket game vouchers are also available at the Predators office.

PREDATORS SET RECORDS
The Orlando Predators continue to set single season records for season ticket sales. As of Monday, February 13, the Predators have sold 10,816 season tickets for the 2006 season and hope to hit the 11,000 mark by March 5 game against Los Angeles.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 15, 2006


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