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Orlando Predators game notes

May 2, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


GAME BOX
Orlando Predators (9-5) at Kansas City Brigade (3-11)
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2006
Toe-To-Leather Time: 8 p.m. (EDT)
Site: Kemper Arena (16,200), Kansas City, Mo.
Tickets: Ticket Information - 913-248-6260
Officials: Referee: Dennis Lipski; Umpire: Rick Nelson;
Head Linesman: Kavin McGrath; Line Judge: Darrel Leftwich
Back Judge: Rich Wilborn
Radio: WQTM 740 AM (Marc Daniels and Dan Pearson)
TV: SUN SPORTS-Tape Delay 9 p.m. (Dave Armstrong,
Jayice Pearson, Danny Boatwright)
Series Streak: Orlando has won one in a row
Series Record: Orlando leads 1-0
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (7th season, 73-42, .634);
Kansas City: Kevin Porter (1st season, 3-11, .214)

DIVISION TITLE, BYE AWAIT PREDATORS WITH A VICTORY
Although the Orlando Predators dropped a 75-54 decision to Colorado last week in a non-conference game, the Predators still control their own fate in the Southern Division of the Arena Football League.

The math is simple. Win one of their final two games of the regular season and the Predators will clinch the Southern Division title. That became possible when the Austin Wranglers lost to Columbus last weekend. Orlando now has a one-game lead over both Georgia (8-6) and Austin (8-6). The team split the season-series with The Force and defeated the Wranglers earlier this year in Austin. Win one win in its two remaining regular season games (Kansas City this week, home against Austin on May 14) and the Predators will finish with no worse than a tie for the division title. With at least one win, head-to-head play would not be a factor and the Predators would win the division based on having the best record in the division (currently 5-1).

Although just 3-11, Predators head coach Jay Gruden is expecting a stiff challenge from the Brigade. "They have a solid defense and have definitely played better of late," Gruden says about the Brigade that own victories over Los Angeles and Nashville in the month of April. "We will have to come out firing on all cylinders to win."

Orlando Predators (9-4-0) *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 W 67-64 (ot)
Feb. 26 At New York L 35-55
Mar. 5 LOS ANGELES W 59-34
Mar. 10 At Arizona L 57-60
Mar. 19 DALLAS L 62-87
Mar. 25 At Austin W 47-37
Apr. 2 CHICAGO W 55-27
Apr. 9 At Columbus W 39-36
Apr. 14 GEORGIA W 57-41
Apr. 22 TAMPA BAY W 52-13
Apr. 28 At Colorado L 54-75
May 6 At Kansas City 8 p.m.
May 12 AUSTIN 7:30 p.m.

Kansas City (3-11-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 29 At Dallas L 44-58
Feb. 3 At Orlando L 48-41
Feb. 12 Austin L 33-37
Feb. 19 Columbus W 45-24
Feb. 24 At Georgia L 19-51
Mar. 5 Tampa Bay L 59-69
Mar. 13 Philadelphia L 24-54
Mar. 18 At Austin L 37-64
Mar. 24 At New York L 48-54
Apr. 1 Georgia L 47-55
Apr. 9 Los Angeles W 62-45
Apr. 16 Colorado L 49-55
Apr. 21 At Nashville W 58-52
Apr. 29 At Tampa Bay L 42-58
May 6 Orlando 8 p.m.
May 12 At Utah 9 p.m.

Front Page Quote
"Hats off to them, they executed their offense to near-perfection. There were several plays where he had a chance to make an interception and didn't do it. We have to put this behind us and get ready to play another tough road game this week."

--Predators DS Khalil Carter on losing to Colorado to snap a five-game winning streak
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 73-42-0 (including a 9-5 mark in 2006) 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 9-4 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 73-41 record as head coach, takes Gruden's all-time Arena Football League record to 167-72 (.695). As a player, assistant coach or head coach, Gruden has never failed to lead his team to the playoffs.

HEAD COACHING RECORDS
Coaches, Years Record Pct.
Jay Gruden, 1998-2001, 2004-05 73-42 .634
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684

KANSAS CITY HEAD COACH KEVIN PORTER
A former Orlando Predators assistant coach, KEVIN PORTER is in his first season as head coach of the Kansas City Brigade. Porter began his AFL coaching career with the Predators as secondary coach in 1999. He gained additional Arena experience as head coach of the Pensacola Barracudas (af2) in 2000 and the Macon Knights (af2) from 2001-2003. With Macon, Porter led his team to the championship game in 2003. He spent the last two years as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans VooDoo. A third round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1988, Porter spent five years in the NFL - playing for the Chiefs and New York Jets. He was a three-year starter for the Chiefs at strong safety, recording 290 career tackles with six forced fumbles. He was a four-year starter at Auburn, where he was named honorable mention All-America as a senior.

Porter will take an overall coaching record of 3-11 into this weekend's game with the Predators, including a 48-41 loss to Orlando back on Feb. 3 at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

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 (3): DS Jeroid Johnson, WR/LB Clif Dell, WR/DB Charlie Davidson

Veteran Obtained by Trade (2): OL/DL Henry Taylor; WR/DB Khalil Carter

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

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

BY THE NUMBERS...ORLANDO PREDATORS
2006 Overall Record: 9-5-0
National Conference Record: 7-3-0
Against American Conference: 2-2-0
Southern Division Record: 5-1-0
At Hummer Field: 6-1-0
On the road: 3-4-0
When scoring first: 8-3-0
When other Team Scores First: 1-2-0
When leading after one quarter: 5-2-0
When trailing after one quarter: 1-2-0
When tied after one quarter: 3-1-0
When leading at the Half: 7-0-0
When trailing at the Half: 2-5-0
When tied at the Half: 0-0-0
When leading after three quarters: 8-0-0
When trailing after three quarters: 1-5-0
When tied after three quarters: 0-0-0
Overtime Games: 1-0-0
When Winning the Coin Toss: 4-2-0
When Losing the Coin Toss: 5-3-0
By Days of the Week:
Thursday: 0-0-0
Friday: 2-1-0
Saturday: 3-1-0
Sunday: 4-3-0
All-Time Home Record: 89-34-0
All-Time Road Record: 72-52-0
Consecutive Seasons Winning Record: 15*
Consecutive Seasons In Playoffs: 15*

*Streak active and includes 2006 season

PREDS NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES,
AND TRENDS

SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES:
This is the second game ever between the Orlando Predators and the Kansas City Brigade...with Kansas City being placed in the South Division for at least the 2006 season, the teams are meeting for the second time as division foes...Orlando won the first game in Orlando, 48-41, back in Week 3...Although this is the first game ever between the two teams, there are a ton of connections between the two squads...in addition to the fact that Brigade head coach Kevin Porter began his coaching career with the Predators in 1999, the teams have the following connections: Brigade line coach Webbie Burnett played with the Orlando Predators from 1992-99 and was recently named one of the "Twenty Most Significant Predators Players" by www.orlandopredators.com; Brigade quarterback Chris Sanders played for the Predators last season; while Brigade lineman BJ Cohen broke into the Arena Football League with the Predators and was a standout lineman in Orlando from 1999-2002...In addition to personnel matters, it should be noted that when Kansas City was granted a franchise, all players under contract to the New Orleans VooDoo were assigned to the Brigade when New Orleans was forced to suspend operations for 2006 because of Hurricane Katrina...Orlando faced New Orleans faced New Orleans four times between 2004-05, winning all four contests.

PREDS CLINCH DIVISION TITLE WITH WIN
The Orlando Predators can clinch their seventh division title and first since 2002 with a win in Kansas City on Friday night. A win would give Orlando a "bye" during the wild card round of the playoffs and would guarantee a home game in the quarterfinals, which would be played between May 26-28. Orlando is 7-0 when playing quarterfinal games at home.

Predators Division Titles
Year Record Playoffs
1992 9-1-0 Lost in ArenaBowl
1993 10-2-0 Lost in Semifials
1994 11-1-0 Lost in Arenabowl
1997 10-4-0 Lost in Semifinals
2000 11-3-0 Won ArenaBowl
2002 7-7-0 Lost in Semifinal

PREDS RECORD 32nd HARD SELLOUT; ADD RECORD SETTING NIGHT VS. TAMPA BAY
With 15,920 tickets sold against Tampa Bay on April 22, the Orlando Predators recorded their 32nd hard sellout in franchise history and their first since ArenaBowl XIV in 2000. It was also the fifth largest crowd in Predators history. The team sold the last remaining tickets approximately 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Orlando currently covers several view-restricted upper bowl sections and considers 13,692 to be a "soft-sellout." When demand dictates it, the team will uncover and sell those sections, making 15,920 the new capacity. For seven home games, the Predators are averaging 13,822 fans, 100.9% of the "soft-sellout" capacity of 13,692.

Predators Home Attendance 2006 (6-1-0)
Game Attendance Capacity % capacity
Kansas City 13,502 13,692 98.6
Philadelphia 14,381 13,692 105.1
Los Angeles 12,839 13,692 93.7
Dallas 12,630 13,692 92.2
Chicago 13,111 13,692 95.8
Georgia 14,371 13,692 104.9
Tampa Bay 15,920 13,692 116.2
Totals 13,822 13,692 100.9%

Largest Preds Home Crowds
June 27, 1997 16,529 vs. Tampa Bay
July 19. 1996 16,236 vs. Tampa Bay
May 11, 1996 16,116 vs. Florida
May 31, 1998 16,010 vs. Florida
Aug. 20, 2000 15,989 vs. Nashville
Apr. 22, 2006 15,920 vs. Tampa Bay

PREDS OFFERING PACKAGES TO ARENABOWL XX
Whether the Predators earn a trip to ArenaBowl or not, the team is packaging trips to the league's championship game on June 11. The packages include four nights in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, prime seating to ArenaBowl XX and all official auxiliary events. Call 407-44-PREDS for details and information.

IS THIS THE SAME TEAM???
It seems like there is no middle ground when it comes to the Orlando Predators defense in 2006. They have either played extremely well or have been extremely porous in recording a 9-5 record this season. Eight times this season, the Predators defense has held an opponent to under 42 points in a game. During those eight games, the Predators have recorded a perfect 8-0 record and have allowed just 32.8 points per game - more than 15 points per game under the league average of 48 points per game. But when the Predators defense has been porous, things change dramatically. In the other six games, the team has allowed 389 points, an average of 64.8 points per game and has recorded a 1-5 record in those games.

Tough Defense
PA Opponent Result
13 Tampa Bay (4/22) W, 52-13
27 Chicago (4/2) W, 55-27
33 Philadelphia (2/11) W, 47-33
34 Los Angeles (3/5) W, 59-34
36 at Columbus (4/9) W, 39-36
37 at Austin (3/25) W, 47-37
41 Georgia (4/14) W, 57-41
41 Kansas City (2/4) W, 48-41

The Others
PA Opponent Result
87 Dallas (3/19) L, 62-87
75 Colorado (4/28) L, 54-75
64 Tampa Bay (2/19) W, 67-64 (ot)
60 Arizona (3/10) L, 57-60
55 New York (2/26) L, 35-55
48 Georgia (1/28) L, 31-48

PREDS WINNING STREAK ENDS AT FIVE
The Predators saw their five-game regular season winning streak end last Sunday at Colorado, dropping a 75-54 decision. The 5-game winning streak tied for the ninth longest regular season winning streak in Orlando Predators history.

Longest Regular Season Winning Streaks
In Preds History
12 Last 9 of 1992, First 3 of 1993
11 1994 Season
8 Last game 1999, First 7 of 2000
7 1993 Season
7 Last game 2002, First Six of 2003
7 Last four of 2003, first three of 2004
6 2003 Season
6 2001 Season
5 2006
5 1997 Season
5 Last four of 1996, First Game of 1997
4 1995 Season
4 Last Game 1997, First three games of 1998

PREDATORS TOUGH AT HOME
Should the Predators fail to clinch the Southern Division title this week in Kansas City, they will have another opportunity on May 12 when they host the Austin Wranglers. History will be on the Predators side for several reasons. With three straight home wins, Hummer Field and the TD Waterhouse Centre remains one of the toughest places in the Arena Football League for visiting teams to win. Counting a 6-1 (.857) mark this season, Orlando has won 18 of their last 20 home games (.900) and 89 of 123 home games (.724) since joining the Arena Football League in 1991. The Predators have the best record at home this season. It should also be noted that the Predators are 12-3 in their final home game of the regular season and a perfect 7-0 when the last game of the regular season is at home.

2006 Best Records
Home Away
Orlando 6-1 Dallas 7-0
Nashville 5-2 Austin 5-2
Colorado 5-2 Austin 5-2
Grand Rapids 5-2 New York 5-2
Dallas 5-2 Colorado 5-2
Arizona 5-2 Columbus 4-3
Georgia 4-3
Utah 4-3

CONSISTENCY RULES - PREDS KEEP STREAKS ALIVE
With Saturday's loss by Philadelphia, the Predators clinched a playoff berth to keep alive three of the most impressive steaks in Arena Football League history. Orlando has now qualified for the AFL playoffs for 15 consecutive years, tying Tampa Bay for the longest streak in league history (Tampa still has a chance to qualify for the playoffs and could extend the record to 16). With a 9-5 record, Orlando has already guaranteed that they will finish the 2006 season with an overall record (regular season and playoff games combined) of above .500 for a league-record 15 consecutive seasons. The Predators have also guaranteed that they will finish the regular season with a .500 or better record for a 15th consecutive season.

Consecutive Playoff Appearances
Team Streak Years
Tampa Bay 15 1991-2005*
Orlando 15 1992-2006*
Arizona 12 1992-2004
San Jose 6 2000-2005*
Albany 6 1991-1996
Detroit 6 1988-1993

Consecutive Overall Winning Seasons
Team Streak Seasons
Orlando 15 1992-2006*
Arizona 12 1992-2004
Tampa Bay 10 1992-2001

Consecutive Seasons with .500+ Records
Team Streak Seasons
Orlando 15 1992-2006*
Arizona 12 1992-2004
Tampa Bay 10 1991-2001
*Streak currently active

HAMILTON REMAINS TWO SHORT OF HAMILTON
QB Joe Hamilton now has 23 career rushing touchdowns and has moved to within two rushing touchdowns of Rick Hamilton for second place on the all-time Predators list. Joe Hamilton now has eight rushing touchdowns this season, tying his career high. He just missed picking up his ninth rushing touchdown of the season against Tampa Bay, being tripped up on a 1-yard line after 15-yard run in the second quarter.
Predators All-Time Rushing Touchdowns
Player Seasons Rush TD
Barry Wagner 8 69
Rick Hamilton 5 25
Joe Hamilton 2+ 23
Connell Maynor 7 18
Tommy Dorsey 5 17
Michael McClenton 2 16
*Through 11 games

PREDS CONTINUE TO RUN THE ROCK
With 16 net rushing yards against Colorado last week, the Predators rushing average slipped to 32.7 yards per game, but was still good for second place in the Arena Football League behind Las Vegas' 35.1 yards per game. With just two regular season games remaining, it becomes highly likely that the Predators will finish in the top three in rushing for a 12th time in the team's 16-year history.

Predators League Rankings in Rushing
Year Yards Per Game TD Rank
2006* 458 32.7 28 2nd
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
*Through 134Games

2006 Preds Rushing Stats
Category Stat League Rank
Attempts 165 2ND
Yards 458 2ND
Avg. 2.8 4TH
TD 28 4th
Yds/Gm 32.7 2nd

GRUDEN SIXTH FASTEST TO 70 WINS, TIES GREGORY FOR 8th PLACE
Now in his seventh season as head coach and director of football operations, Jay Gruden picked up his 73rd win as an Arena Football head coach two weeks ago against Georgia - tying former Iowa/New York coach John Gregory for eighth place on the all-time Arena Football League (Gregory was 73-57 in 10 seasons). In winning 70 of his first 111 games, Gruden was the sixth fastest to 70 wins in AFL history. Gruden can move into sole possession of eighth place with a win over Kansas City this week.

Fastest to 70 AFL Coaching Wins
Coach Season Game
Tim Marcum 8th 84
Perry Moss 8th 96
Danny White 8th 103
Darren Arbet 7th 104
John Gregory 7th 110
Jay Gruden 7th 111
Mike Dailey 8th 119
Mike Trigg 10th 136
Mike Hohensee 10th 138

Most AFL Coaching Wins
Coach Seasons Wins
Tim Marcum 18 180*
Danny White 14 147*
Mike Hohensee 13 100*
Mike Dailey 10 97*
Perry Moss 9 86
Darren Arbet 8 88*
Michael Trigg 12 80
John Gregory 10 73
Jay Gruden 7 73*
Todd Shell 7 54
Pat Sperduto 5 46*
Vito Parilli 9 43
Ed Hodgkiss 5 41*
*Active Coach

HAMILTON CLOSING IN ON O'HARA/CLOSING IN ON GRUDEN'S SINGLE SEASON MARK
After passing Ben Bennett on the Predators all-time passing list earlier this season, QB Joe Hamilton threw for 274 yards against Colorado last week and continues to close in on Pat O'Hara in his effort to become the most prolific passer in Orlando Predators history. In his seven-year career with the Predators, O'Hara threw for 9,676 yards. With his effort on Sunday, Hamilton now has 9,655 --- 21 yards shy of O'Hara's mark. Hamilton is just the second quarterback in Predators history to reach 9,000 career passing yards.

All-Time Orlando Passing Yards
Name Seasons Yards
Pat O'Hara 5 9,676
Joe Hamilton 2+ 9,655
Ben Bennett 5 8,469
Jay Gruden 2 5,955
Connell Maynor 7 4,737

HAMILTON ON NEAR-RECORD TOUCHDOWN PACE
In addition to pursuing the Predators career passing mark, QB Joe Hamilton is on pace to shatter the single season record for passing yards and is close to a record-breaking pace for single season touchdowns. To date, Hamilton has thrown for 3,504 yards and is on pace to throw for 4,004 yards. If he manages to maintain that pace, he will break Jay Gruden's single season mark of 3,621 yards set in 2002. Hamilton currently has 59 touchdown passes on the season. At his current pace, he would finish with 67 touchdown passes, and would fall one short of Jay Gruden's 2002 record of 68. Here are the numbers:

Single Season Passing Yards
Name Years Yards Projected
Jay Gruden 2004 3,621
Joe Hamilton 2006 3,504 4,004*
Pat O'Hara 1998 3,335
Joe Hamilton 2004 3,187
Connell Maynor 2000 3,167
Craig Whelihan 2001 3,004
Joe Hamilton 2004 2,966
Pat O'Hara 1996 2934

Single Season TD Passes
Name Year TD Projected
Jay Gruden 2002 68
Pat O'Hara 1998 67
Joe Hamilton 2004 67
Craig Whelihan 2001 60
Joe Hamilton 2005 60
Joe Hamilton 2006 59 67*
Connell Maynor 2000 54
Ben Bennett 1993 50

TWO ON PACE FOR 1,000
With 73 catches for 924 yards and 65 for 873 respectively, both Jimmy Fryzel and rookie Javarus Dudley are on pace to gain 1000 or more yards receiving this season. If they accomplish it, they would become just the fourth Predators combination to accomplish that feat. Dudley is also on pace to finish the regular season with 1,032 receiving yards. If he accomplished that total, he would rank fourth on the Orlando Predators all-time rookie receiving total. Over the weekend, Dudley jumped over both Barry Wagner and Robert Gordon on the Predators all-time list for rookie receiving yardage.

Predators 1000-Yard Receiving Duos
Year Duo
2005 Fleming (1089)/Fryzel (1159)
2003 Fleming (1226)/McGriff (1216)
1999 Wagner (1231)/Cooper (1027)

Predators Most Rookie Receiving Yards
Travis McGriff 2003 1216
Jimmy Fryzel 2005 1159
Siaha Burley 2001 1135
Javarus Dudley 2006 873 (10 games)
Barry Wagner 1992 859
Robert Gordon 1998 855
Herkie Walls 1991 783
Thabiti Davis 2003 759

PREDS LOOK FOR 10th WIN OF SEASON
At 9-5, the Orlando Predators are looking for their 10th win of the season this week against Kansas City. Should they hit the 10-win plateau, it would mark the fourth consecutive time the Predators have won 10 or more games in a regular season and 8th time overall. Counting playoffs, the Predators have won 10 or more games nine times.

Most 10-Win Regular Seasons
Tampa Bay Storm 8
Orlando Predators 7
Arizona Rattlers 7
San Jose Sabercats 5
Albany 4
Iowa/New York 4

Most 10+ Win Seasons Overall (Inc. Playoffs)
Tampa Bay Storm 10
Orlando Predators 9
Arizona Rattlers 9
San Jose SaberCats 5

PREDS HAVE FOUR ON PACE FOR 600; STATS MATCH WORLD CHAMPIONS OF 2000
For the first time in Orlando Predators history, the Predators have four different receivers on pace to catch 600+ yards of passes in a single regular season. Jimmy Fryzel (73-929), Jerrian James (61-810) and Javarus Dudley (65-873) have already reached the mark; while DeAndrew Rubin (43-550) is on pace to finish with 642 yards. The closest the Predators have ever come to having four receivers finish with 600+ yards each came in 2000, when Clif Dell (36-434) came up 166 yards short of joining Bret Cooper (55-881), Ty Law (55-769) and Joe Douglass (53-601) as members of the 600 club. It is interesting to note that with his first catch last week, DeAndrew Rubin hit 40 receptions for the season, giving the Predators four players with 40 or more receptions in a single season for the first time ever. Here are stats through Week 14 for Orlando's "Fab Four".

Player C/Yards Projected Finish
Fryzel 73-924 1068
Dudley 65-837 1032
James 61-810 926
Rubin 43-550 641

HOW THEY STACK UP
Here is how Orlando and Kansas City stack up in weekly Arena Football League stats

Category ORL KANSAS CITY
Scoring Offense 50.7 (7th) 43.4 (18th)
Total Offense 290.6 (5th) 284.3 (8th)
Scoring Defense 46.5 (4th) 48.3 (9th)
Total Defense 292.8 (14th) 266.1 (1st)
Rushing Offense 32.7 (2nd) 18.5 (9th)
Pass Rating 113.9 (7th) 93.1 (17th)
Rushing Defense 15.0 (3rd) 23.6 (15th)
Rushing TDs 28 (t-4th) 23 (t-7th)
Passing Offense 257.9 (13th) 265.8 (9th)
Pass Defense 277.8 (14th) 242.5 (1st)
Completion Pct. 66.7 (4th) 63.4 (9th)
Field Goal Pct. 63.6 (2nd) 37.0 (15th)
PAT Kicking 90.7 (6th) 78.9 (18th)
MFG Returns 17.0 (T-9th) 16.0 (11th)
Kickoff Returns 16.6 (13th) 15.5 (17th)
Fumble Recoveries 17 (T-3rd) 12 (10th)
Interceptions 13 (T-9th) 5 (18th)
Turnover Margin +4 (5th) -12 (17th)
First Downs 280 (T-6th) 298 (3rd)
3rd Down Conversions 48.9 (6th) 45.1 (13th)
4th Down Conversions 52.9 (4th) 50 (T-6th)
Opp. 3rd Down Con. 36.5 (1st) 51.2 (15th)
Opp. 4th Down Con. 44.7 (8th) 46.7 (9th)
Sacks 17 (T-5th) 13 (T-10th)
Penalties 80-476 (2nd) 108-592 (9th)
Sacks Allowed 9 (6th) 11 (T-8th)
Opponent Penalties 98-612 (6th) 104-639 (4th)
Kickoff Coverage 18.6 (12th) 16.6 (7th)
Red Zone Offense* 82.8 (5th) 74.3 (17th)
Red Zone Defense* 73.9 (3rd) 85.1 (15th)
*Based on touchdown pct.

RUSHING DEFENSE NOT THAT BAD EITHER
While an earlier note talked about the Predators success rushing to ball, it is also interesting to note that Orlando ranks as the toughest team in the league to run against inside the red zone. To date, the Orlando Predators rank 3rd in the league in rushing defense, allowing just 15.0 yards per game. But once a team gets inside the red zone, Orlando is even tougher. Through 14 games the Predators have allowed a league-low eight rushing touchdowns and are the only team in the league that has not given up at least 10 rushing touchdowns this season. Here are the lists:

Few Rush TD Allow Most Rush TDs Allow
Orlando 8 Kansas City 32
Philadelphia 13 Georgia 27
Columbus 16 Colorado 27
Dallas 17 Arizona 25
Utah 17 Chicago 24

K-MAC KEEPS ON PICKING
In the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay two weeks ago, defensive specialist Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre stepped in front of a Shane Stafford screen pass and returned an interception three yards for a touchdown. The play marked the 17th time in McEntyre's illustrious career that the defensive specialist has scored a touchdown. The totals include 14 touchdowns in the regular season and 3 post-season touchdowns. McEntyre has scored the touchdowns in a variety of ways, including 12 on interception returns for touchdowns, two fumble returns for touchdowns, a missed field goal return for touchdown and two on-sides kick returns for touchdowns. His 10 regular season interception returns for touchdowns are the most ever by a defensive specialist in league history. McEntyre followed that performance with an interception and two pass defenses last week against Colorado McEntyre continues to be the league's all-time leader in interceptions for regular season (63) and all games (74). He is also the league's all-time leader in pass defenses with 133.

PREDATORS PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Wednesday 9:30-11 a.m. Thunder Field
Thursday 9:30-11 a.m. Thunder Field
Friday TBA TBA
Saturday Orlando vs. Kansas City (8 p.m.)

NOTE: Times and locations are subject to CHANGE! Please call 407-489-5711 for daily updates.


PREDS IN PLAYOFF RACE
As mentioned earlier, the Predators control their own destiny in the Southern Division. Any Predators win in the final two games would result in a Southern Divison title and a first round playoff bye. Orlando has already clinched a playoff spot. Here is how National amd American Conference teams stand in the playoff chase through week 14. It is interesting to note that if the playoffs started today. Philadelphia and Tampa (both 7-7) would miss the playoffs, while 6-8 Utah and 5-9 Chicago would make the post-season.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
*-DAL 12-2
y-ORL 9-5
NYD 9-5
GEO 8-6
AUS 8-6
CLB 7-7
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PHI 7-7
TAM 7-7
KC 3-11
*Clinched division title, best overall record in conference
Y-Southern Division leader, clinched playoff spot

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
x-COL 10-4
y-SJS 8-6
ARI 7-7
y-NAS 7-7
UTA 6-8
CHI 5-9
--------------------
LVG 5-9
GRA 5-9
LAA 3-11
x-clinched division title and playoff spot
y-clinched playoff spot

If the playoffs started today, Dallas and Orlando would have first round byes and New York would host Columbus and Georgia would host Austin in the wild card round in the National Conference. In the American Conference, Colorado and San Jose would have first round byes, while Arizona would host Chicago and Nashville would host Utah.

PEARSON WILL WORK 200th
Dan Pearson will work his 200th game as Orlando Predators director of public relations on Saturday at Kansas City. He joined the club on June 19, 1993 and with the exception of 2001 season has been with the team ever since.

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