Orlando Predators game notes

Published on May 31, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


GAME BOX
Orlando Predators (11-6) at Dallas Desperados (14-3)
Date: Sunday, June 4, 2006
Toe-To-Leather Time: 3:00 p.m. (EDT); 2 p.m. Central
Site: American Airlines Center (15,978)
Tickets: Information 972-785-4756
Officials: Referee: Bill Athan; Umpire: Rick Nelson;
Head Linesman: Tim Podraza; Line Judge: Dave
Chesney; Back Judge: Rich Wilborn
Radio: WQTM 740 AM (Marc Daniels and Dan Pearson)
TV: NBC (Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Lewis Johnson)
Series Streak: Dallas has won one in a row
Series Record: Orlando leads 3-2
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (7th season, 75-43, .636);
Will McClay (4th season, 29-21-1, .578)

ONE AWAY FROM THE SHOW
Thanks to two outstanding defensive stands, the Orlando Predators (11-6) were able to survive a hard-fought game with the Philadelphia Soul and advance to this weekend's National Conference Championship Game against the Dallas Desperados (14-3). The winner of the game advances to ArenaBowl XX in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 11.

For the Predators, who are making their seventh "final four" appearance in the last nine seasons, the road to National Conference Championship was a difficult one. Trailing by three points late in the game, the Predators defense stopped Philadelphia on four consecutive plays inside the two-yard line to keep it a three-point game. After taking a 31-27 lead, the Predators saw the Soul drive to the Orlando 2-yard line. Facing a second and goal with 10 seconds remaining and no timeouts left, Soul QB Tony Graziani was sacked by Orlando's Henry Taylor and the clock expired for the win.

Dallas had little trouble disposing of Georgia in their quarterfinal game, winning easily - 62-27. The teams met once in the regular season, with Dallas thrashing the Predators, 87-62, in Orlando. "It's going to be a stern test, Dallas is playing extremely well right now," Preds head coach Jay Gruden said. "We need to find a way to slow down their offense and offensively we are going to need our best game of the season."

Orlando Predators (11-6-0) *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 W 63-42
May 12 AUSTIN L 67-43
PLAYOFFS
May 28 PHILADELPHIA W 31-27
Jun. 4 At Dallas 3 p.m.

Dallas Desperados (14-3-0) *All Times Eastern
Date Opponent W/L Score
Jan. 29 KANSAS CITY W 58-44
Feb. 4 At Utah W 56-53
Feb. 11 At Columbus W 52-38
Feb. 17 AUSTIN L 49-56
Feb. 25 LAS VEGAS W 55-48
Mar. 5 At Chicago W 59-42
Mar. 12 At Tampa Bay W 64-35
Mar. 19 At Orlando W 82-67
Mar. 25 PHILADELPHIA L 51-55
Apr. 1 COLUMBUS W 51-30
Apr. 9 At New York W 46-28
Apr. 15 GRAND RAPIDS W 55-25
Apr. 22 At Georgia W 62-59
Apr. 29 ARIZONA W 54-46
May 6 At Philadelphia L 48-51
May 13 NEW YORK W 82-38
PLAYOFFS
May 27 GEORGIA W 62-27
Jun. 4 ORLANDO 3 p.m.


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 75-43-0 (including a 11-6 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 10-4 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 75-43 record as head coach, takes Gruden's all-time Arena Football League record to 169-73 (.698). 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 75-43 .636
Fran Papasedero, 2002-03 22-13 .629
Perry Moss, 1991-97 67-31 .684

DALLAS HEAD COACH WILL McCLAY
No stranger to Orlando or the Predators, Will McClay is in his third season as head coach of the Dallas Deseprados. McClay was named head coach of Dallas prior to the 2004 season after spending two years as the team's defensive coordinator.

A former player, McClay played for the Detroit Drive from 1989-92. In addition to assistant coaching stints with Detroit, Anaheim, Florida and Milwaukee, McClay was a defensive backs coach with the Orlando Predators (2001) and served as Player Personnel Director of the Orlando Rage (XFL-2000). After being named Defensive Coordinator of the Grand Rapids Rampage in 1999, McClay took over as interim head coach at the end of the season - posting a 1-1 record.

McClay was recently named Arena Football League Coach of the Year for posting a 13-3 regular season record. Counting last week's win over Georgia, he will take an all-time record of 29-21-1 into this weekend's National Conference Championship Game.

Most Consecutive Winning Seasons To
Begin AFL Coaching Career
Tim Marcum 13
Jay Gruden 7*
Ed Hodgkiss 4
John Gregory 3
Lary Kuharich 3
Pat Sperduto 3
Fran Papasedero 2
*Active Streak

AFL Coaches Who Won 10 or More Games In
Their First Season
Doug Plank 2005 Georgia 13-6
Jay Gruden 1998 Orlando 12-5*
Perry Moss 1988 Chicago 11-2-1
Fran Curci 1991 Tampa Bay 10-2*
Lary Kuharich 1992 Tampa Bay 10-2*
Bret Munsey 2006 Philadelphia 10-7
*Won ArenaBowl

SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES:
*Sunday's game will mark the sixth game ever
between the Orlando Predators and Dallas
Desperados...the Predators lead the series 3-2-0,
going 2-1 in Orlando and 1-1 in Dallas.

*The 87 points scored by Dallas in the Week 8 game
against the Predators were most ever allowed
by an Orlando Predators defense.

*Preds QB Joe Hamilton threw for a club record
367 yards in the Dallas loss, while rookie WR/DB
Javarus Dudley has a "break-out" game with
10 receptions for 179 yards and three TD's.

*Orlando trailed by just four points heading into
the fourth quarter (55-51) of that game, but two
costly turnovers led to a 28-7 Dallas run.

*Orlando set a team record with 378 yards of
total offense in the Dallas game; while the two
teams combined for an Orlando Predators club
record of 753 yards of total offense.

*Dallas won the 2005 regular season game, beating
the Predators 42-28 in Dallas behind Clint Stoerner's
four touchdown passes...the loss was the first of the
season for the Predators, dropping them to 3-1.

*The most exciting game of the series was the first
one when then quarterback Jay Gruden hit Clif
Dell on a 45-yard touchdown pass in the final
seconds of the game as the Predators won, 49-46.

*Gruden was also the winning quarterback a year
later, guiding the Preds to a thrilling 50-47 win in
Orlando.

*Gruden is 2-0 against the Desperados as a player
and 1-2 against Dallas as a head coach. Will McClay
is 2-1 against the Predators as a head coach and
3-1 against the Predators as a player.

*Dallas has outscored Orlando in the series,
271-253 in the series, averaging 54.2 points per
game and allowing 50.6 points per game.

*In addition to the Will McClay connection to
Orlando, Desperados FB/LB Duke Pettijohn broke
into the Arena Football League with the Predators,
playing for Orlando in 2002-03. In addition, Dallas
standout WR/LB Dialleo Burks played for the
Orlando Rage in that league's lone season of play
in 2000.

*Dallas Head Coach Will McClay (2001) joins Brett
Munsey (2002-05), Kevin Porter (1999), and
Fran Papasedero (1998-2001) as former Orlando
assistants under Jay Gruden who became head
coaches in the Arena Football League.

All-Time Series Results
Dallas Desperados (3-2)
Date ORL OPP
July 20, 2002 (A) 49 46
Feb. 16, 2003 (H) 50 47
Apr. 25, 2004 (H) 64 49
Feb. 17, 2005 (A) 28 42

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 (4): DS Jeroid Johnson, WR/LB Clif Dell, WR/DB Charlie Davidson, WR/DB Cory Fleming

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: 11-6-0
National Conference Record: 9-4-0
Against American Conference: 2-2-0
Southern Division Record: 6-2-0
At Hummer Field: 7-2-0
On the road: 4-4-0
When scoring first: 9-3-0
When other Team Scores First: 2-3-0
When leading after one quarter: 6-2-0
When trailing after one quarter: 1-2-0
When tied after one quarter: 4-2-0
When leading at the Half: 8-0-0
When trailing at the Half: 3-6-0
When tied at the Half: 0-0-0
When leading after three quarters: 9-0-0
When trailing after three quarters: 2-6-0
When tied after three quarters: 0-0-0
Overtime Games: 1-0-0
When Winning the Coin Toss: 5-2-0
When Losing the Coin Toss: 6-4-0
By Days of the Week:
Thursday: 0-0-0
Friday: 2-2-0
Saturday: 4-1-0
Sunday: 5-3-0
All-Time Home Record: 90-35-0
All-Time Road Record: 73-52-0
Consecutive Seasons Winning Record: 15*
Consecutive Seasons In Playoffs: 15*
*Streak active and includes 2006 season

PREDS NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES,
AND TREND
PREDATORS LINEMAN GREG WHITE NAMED
"ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK"
Orlando Predators lineman Greg White has been named the "ADT Defensive Player of the Week" in the Arena Football League for his play against the Philadelphia Soul during Orlando's 31-27 win on Sunday afternoon.

White was dominating in the game, being credited with 2.5 tackles to go with two quarterback sacks and a quarterback hurry. He was part of a defensive line that record three quarterback sacks and a season-high five quarterback hurries. Unofficially, the Predators recorded 25 hits on quarterback Soul quarterback Tony Graziani - limiting him to 230 net yards passing and no touchdowns in the second half.

"Greg had an outstanding game," Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "He spearheaded an effort that caused problems for Philadelphia's offense all night. In a game where our offense wasn't clicking, we needed a huge effort from our defense and we got one from Greg and the rest of the line."
An AFL Rookie, White is coming off an outstanding first season where he recorded 11.5 tackles with 1.5 quarterback sacks and 5 pass defenses. He was named to the AFL All-Rookie Team earlier this year.

PREDATORS CAN BECOME ALL-TIME WINNINGEST PLAYOFF TEAM
With a win against Dallas, the Orlando Predators can become the all-time winningest team in AFL playoff history. The Predators are currently tied with Arizona with 21 post-season wins, one win ahead of Tampa Bay (20-10). The defunct Detroit Drive have the all-time best winning percentage in the post season at .857 (12-2); while Tampa Bay (20-10, .667) has the best winning percentage in the post-season of teams that are currently still active in the Arena Football League.

All-Time Playoff Victories
Team Record Pct. Titles
Arizona Rattlers 21-11 .656 2
Orlando Predators 21-12 .636 2
Tampa Bay Storm 20-10 .667 5
Detroit Drive 12-2 .857 4
San Jose SaberCats 11-7 .611 2

*Includes 2006 Games To Date

WHITE PART II
How important has Greg White been to the Predators in 2006? Consider the following...when Greg White plays, the Predators have compiled a 10-2 record (.833). When White has missed games with injuries, Orlando is just 1-4 (.200).

JIMMY FRYZEL, MODEL OF CONSISTENY
Orlando Predators offensive specialist has been the model of consistency for the Predators during his two-year career in the Arena Football League. He has caught at least one touchdown pass in eight straight games and has at least one touchdown reception in 25 of 27 career games played.

ORLANDO BIDDING FOR SEVENTH ARENABOWL
An Orlando win on Sunday would lock in a seventh ArenaBowl appearance for the Predators. Currently, the Predators are tied with the Tampa Bay Storm and the Detorit Drive for the most ArenaBowl appearances in league history with six each. Here is the list for most ArenaBowl appearances:

Team Appearances Titles
Tampa Bay 6 5
Detroit 6 4
Orlando 6 2
Arizona 5 2

PREDATORS PLAYOFF HISTORY
Appearances: 15 (1992-93-94-95-96-97-98-99-2000-01-02-03-04-05-06)
Post Season Record: 21-12 (.636)
ArenaBowl Appearances: 6 (1992-94-95-98-99-2000)
ArenaBowl Championships: 2 (1998-2000)
Road Record: 7-7 (.500)
Home Record: 15-3 (.833)
Wild Card Round: 1-1 (.500)
Quarterfinals: 12-2 (.857)
Semifinals: 6-5 (.545)
ArenaBowl: 2-4 (.333)

PREDATORS PLAYOFF HISTORY
A brief overview of the Orlando Predators in Arena Football League post-season play:

1992 (2-1)
Led by quarterback Ben Bennett and rookie sensation Barry Wagner, the Orlando Predators easily dispatched of Cleveland in the first round. In the semifinals, Jorge Cimadevilla booted a field goal in overtime against
arch-rival Tampa Bay to send the Predators to the ArenaBowl, where they lost a 56-38 decision to Detroit.

1993 (1-1)
After a stellar 10-2 season, the Orlando Predators met Tampa Bay (9-3) in the semifinals for a second year in a row. In a game that featured five lead changes and three ties, the Orlando Predators appeared to get a huge break when they held Tampa to a field goal with 7:29 to go in the game. Trailing by just three, the Predators would fall behind by 10 one play later when Jeff Mayes recovered Arden Czyzewski's kickoff on the six and ran it in for a touchdown.

1994 (2-1)
After coming within 19 seconds of recording a perfect regular season before losing to Tampa Bay, the Predators still appeared to be the team to beat in the playoffs, recording relatively easy wins over Ft. Worth and Massachusetts in the playoffs. Going into ArenaBowl VIII, the Predators would face Arizona - a team they had beaten twice in the regular season. But the Predators were forced to play the game without two starters (Billy Owens - left team; Paul McGowan - injured) and fell to the Rattlers, 36-31, in a stunning defeat.

1995 (2-1)
After losing four of their last six, the Predators would limp into the playoffs with a 7-5 record. But Orlando would shock both San Jose (55-37) and Iowa (56-49) in road playoff wins to earn a second consecutive trip to the ArenaBowl, where Jay Gruden-led Tampa Bay Storm team would record a two-touchdown win in ArenaBowl VIII.

1996 (0-1)
A 9-5 regular season record earned the Predators a #6 seed, where they had to travel to Arizona to face #3 Arizona (11-3). In a game that stayed close to the end, the Rattlers scored touchdowns on back-to-back turnovers late in the 4th quarter to pull out a 65-48 win over the Predators.

1997 (1-1)
Another 9-5 record earned the Predators a home playoff game, where they dispatched New Jersey by a 45-37 count. But a powerful Iowa team, led by Kurt Warner, routed the Predators 52-34 in the last game coached by AFL Hall of Fame member Perry Moss.

1998 (3-0)
First-year head coach Jay Gruden led the Predators to a 9-5 mark and a first round home win over Nashville. In the semis, the Predators traveled to Arizona - where the Predators shocked the number two-seeded Rattlers, 38-33. In the first ArenaBowl televised on national network television (ABC), the Predators recorded the biggest upset in ArenaBowl history, knocking off top-seeded (14-2) Tampa Bay, 62-31. In that game, the Predators outscored the Storm, 38-14, in the second half without the benefit of completing a forward pass (Pat O'Hara 0-8). The Storm came into the game as 15-point favorites after thrashing the Predators twice in the regular season.

1999 (2-1)
Jay Gruden became the first and only coach in Arena Football League history to lead a #8-seeded team to the ArenaBowl. Orlando, 7-7 in the regular season, faced Tampa Bay in the first round. After falling behind 10-0 at halftime, the Predators would stun the top-seeded Storm, 41-19. In the semifinals, the Predators built a huge lead early against second-seeded Iowa and took a relatively easy 48-40 decision (Iowa scored on the final play of the game to make it a eight-point game). In the ArenaBowl, Albany claimed their first and only championship with a 59-48 win over the Predators.

2000 (3-0)
Orlando jumped out to a 7-0 regular season start and cruised to an 11-3 record. From there, the second-seeded Predators easily dispatched of Tampa Bay and Arizona in the playoffs to face 4th seeded Nashville in ArenaBowl XIV. Orlando controlled the pace of the game early, but needed a field goal by David Cool on the game's final play to record a 41-38 win and claim their second AFL title. It was the first ArenaBowl to end on a game-winning field goal.

2001 (0-1)
Orlando struggled all season, ending with a 41-26 blow-out loss to Chicago in the wild card round of the playoffs.

2002 (2-1)
With Jay Gruden returning to the playing field, first-year head coach Fran Papasedero overcame a slow start to guide his team to a 7-7 mark. The Predators, seeded 8th, beat Buffalo in a wildcard game and then knocked off third seeded New Jersey on the road. The season would end against top-seeded and eventual champion San Jose in the semifinals, 52-40.

2003 (1-1)
Orlando posted a solid 12-4 record but lost the division title in a tie-breaker with the Tampa Bay Storm (also 12-4). After earning a wild card round bye, the Predators beat New York in the quarterfinals (69-62), but lost a hard-fought 60-50 decision to Tampa Bay in the semifinals.

2004 (0-1)
After a 3-5 start, the Predators roared back to win seven of their final eight to finish at 10-6. Despite playing the best football in the league in the second half, the Predators came out flat in the playoffs and lost a 59-49 decision in the first round to Chicago.

2005 (1-1)
Joe Hamilton threw for four touchdowns and ran for one more to lead the Orlando Predators to a 47-42 win over the New York Dragons in the opening round of the AFL playoffs. Orlando jumped out to a 32-21 halftime lead, taking advantage of two turnovers and then held off a furious New York rally in the 4th quarter. In the semifinals, the Georgia Force used two safeties and two turnovers to rally past the Predators, 60-58. Orlando led 27-20 at the half and 40-27 at the end of three quarters before the wheels came off in the fourth quarter. After the safeties and turnovers, Orlando trailed 57-44 late in the game but rallied to pull within two points on a touchdown on the last play of the game. Going for the two-point conversion for a tie, Preds WR Bret Cooper appeared to be pulled down in the end zone, but no penalty was called and Georgia held on for the win.

2006 (1-0)
The Prerdators clinched an AFL playoff spot for a league record-tying 15th time. By winning the Southern Division with a 10-6 record, Orlando received a first round playoff bye and the right to host Philadelphia in a Divisional Playoff Game. Orlando defeated the Soul in the Divsional Round game, taking a 31-27 decision.

PREDATORS HEAD COACHES IN PLAYOFFS
Perry Moss 1992-97 8-6 .571
Jay Gruden 1998-2001,
2004 10-4 .714
Fran Papsedero 2002-03 3-2 .600
Totals 15 Seasons 21-12 .636

MOST AFL PLAYOFF GAMES
At 33 games, the Orlando Predators have played in more playoff games than any team in Arena Football League history. The list through last week:

Most AFL Playoff Games
Orlando 33
Arizona 32
Tampa Bay 30
San Jose 18
Albany/Indiana 17
Iowa/New York 16
Detroit 14

GRUDEN NEAR THE TOP
In both post-season victories (10) and winning percentage (.714) Jay Gruden is the near the top in both categories in the AFL record books.

Most Post-Season Coaching Wins
Tim Marcum 25 (25-10)
Danny White 20 (20-11)
Perry Moss 11 (11-7)
Jay Gruden 10 (10-4)*
Darren Arbet 10 (10-4)*
Mike Dailey 9 (9-6)
Mike Hohensee 9 (9-9)*
*Still active in 2006 playoffs

Best Post-Season Won-Lost Percentage*
Tim Marcum 25-10 .714
Jay Gruden 10-4 .714
Darren Arbet 10-4 .714
Danny White 20-11 .645
Perry Moss 11-6 .611
Mike Dailey 9-6 .600
Pat Sperduto 5-4 .555
Mike Hohensee 9-9 .500
John Gregory 6-6 .500
*Minimum five games coached

PREDATORS ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RESULTS (21-12)
Year Opponent Result
1992 Cleveland W, 50-12
1992 Tampa Bay W, 24-21 (ot)
1992 Detroit* L, 38-56
1993 Miami W, 41-13
1993 Tampa Bay L, 52-55
1994 Ft. Worth W, 34-13
1994 Massachusetts W, 51-42
1994 Arizona* L, 35-48
1995 at San Jose W, 55-37
1995 at Iowa W, 56-49
1995 at Tampa Bay* L, 35-48
1996 at Arizona L, 48-65
1997 New Jersey W, 45-37
1997 at Iowa L, 34-52
1998 Nashville W, 58-43
1998 at Arizona W, 38-33
1998 at Tampa Bay* W, 62-31
1999 at Tampa Bay W, 41-19
1999 at Iowa W, 48-40
1999 at Albany* L, 48-59
2000 Tampa Bay W, 34-24
2000 Arizona W, 56-44
2000 Nashville* W, 41-38
2001 Chicago L, 26-41
2002 Buffalo W, 32-27
2002 at New Jersey W, 49-46
2002 at San Jose L, 40-52
2003 New York W, 69-62
2003 at Tampa Bay L, 50-60
2004 at Chicago L, 49-59
2005 at New York W, 47-42
2005 at Georgia L, 58-60
2006 Philadelphia W, 31-27
*ArenaBowl

PREDS PLAYING BEFORE CAPACITY CROWDS
With 13,205 tickets sold for the playoff game against Philadelphia, the Orlando Predators concluded one of the most successful seasons in club history - setting records for both total ticket revenue and season tickets sold (11,244). The Predators currently cover several view-restricted sections in the upper bowl and consider 13,692 to be a "soft sellout." When demand dictates it, the team will uncover and sell those view-restricted seats and bring seating capacity to 15,920 -- a "hard" sellout. For the 2006 regular season, the Predators exceeded the "soft-sellout" figure four times and recorded one hard sellout - 15,920 for the Tampa Bay game. All told, the Predators drew 124,460 fans to nine home games this season - the third highest total in franchise history. The season average of 13,828 was the highest in seven seasons for the Predators and was also 100.9% of the "soft-sellout" capacity of 13,692.

Predators Home Attendance 2006 (7-2-0)
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
Austin 14,501 13,692 106.1
Philadelphia 13,205 13,692 96.4
Total-Avg 13,828 13,692 100.9%

QUICK HITTER: CORY FLEMING PLAYOFF STATS
Cory Fleming's career playoff stats - Games 18, Receptions 117; Yards: 1482; Touchdowns 36

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 11-6 record this season. Ten times this season, the Predators defense has held an opponent to 42 points or less in a game. During those ten games, the Predators have recorded a perfect 10-0 record and have allowed just 33.1 points per game - more than 14 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 seven games, the team has allowed 456 points, an average of 65.1 points per game and has recorded a 1-6 record in those games.

When the Defense Plays Tough (9-0)
PA Opponent Result
13 Tampa Bay (4/22) W, 52-13
27 Chicago (4/2) W, 55-27
27 Philadelphia (3/28) W, 31-27
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
42 Kansas City (5/6) W, 63-42

The Others (1-6)
PA Opponent Result
87 Dallas (3/19) L, 62-87
75 Colorado (4/28) L, 54-75
67 Austin (5/12) L, 47-63
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

CONSISTENCY RULES - PREDS KEEP STREAKS ALIVE
The Predators kept alive three of the most impressive steaks in Arena Football League history during the 2006 season. Orlando has now qualified for the AFL playoffs for 15 consecutive years, tying Tampa Bay for the longest streak in league history. Should the Predators qualify for the post-season in 2007, they would have the record all to themselves, as Tampa Bay failed to qualify in 2006.

With an 11-6 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-also an AFL record.

Consecutive Playoff Appearances
Team Streak Years
Tampa Bay 15 1991-2005
Orlando 15 1992-2006*
Arizona 12 1992-2004
San Jose 7 2000-2006*
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 Regular Seasons with .500+ Records
Team Streak Seasons
Orlando 15 1992-2006*
Arizona 12 1992-2004
Tampa Bay 10 1991-2001

HOLDING THEM DOWN
Orlando's 27 points allowed to Philadelphia marked the eighth time in Predators post-season history that Orlando has held an opponent to less than 30 points. Orlando last held an opponent to under 30 points in the post-season back in 2002, winning a 32-27 decision against Buffalo. Overall, the Predators are a perfect 8-0 when holding a playoff opponent to under 30 points in a game.

Tough Defense ... Under 30 in the Post-Season
1992 12 vs. Cleveland W, 50-12
1993 13, vs. Miami W, 41-13
1994 13, vs. Ft. Worth W, 34-13
1999 19, vs. at Tampa Bay W, 41-19
1992 21, vs. Tampa Bay W, 24-21 (ot)
2000 24, vs. Tampa Bay W, 34-24
2002 27, vs. Buffalo W, 32-27
2006 27, vs. Philadelphia W, 31-27
PREDS RUN THE ROCK
With 24 net rushing yards against Austin in Week 16, the Predators finished the regular season ranked second in the league in rushing yards (528) and rushing yards per game (33). The Predators also finished fifth in the league in rushing touchdowns with 32. Finishing high in the Arena Football League rushing totals is nothing new to the Predators. Orlando's final ranking of second in rushing yards per game marked the fourth consecutive year Orlando has finished in the top three in the league in rushing and also marked the 12th time in 16 years Orlando has finished in the top three in the league in team rushing. In a quirky stat, it is interesting to note that the Predators finished with exactly 528 rushing yards for the second consecutive season. Orlando kept moving the ball on the ground in its first post-season game, gaining 38 yards on nine carries and out-rushing Philadelphia 36-4. Orlando's 36 yards rushing tied for the third most during the 2006 post-season.

Predators League Rankings in Rushing
Year Yards Per Game TD Rank
2006 528 33.0 32 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

GRUDEN MOVES PAST GREGORY; TRIGG NEXT ON LIST
Now in his seventh season as head coach and director of football operations, Jay Gruden enters the Dallas game with 75 career coaching wins and had moved past former Iowa/New York coach John Gregory for eighth place on the Arena Football League's all-time coaching wins list (Gregory was 73-57 in 10 seasons). In winning 70 of his first 111 games, Gruden was also the sixth fastest to 70 wins in AFL history. Next on the list for Gruden is former Grand Rapids and Philadelphia Soul head coach Mike Trigg, who is seventh on the all-time list with 80 victories. Gruden can surpass Trigg in the first half of the 2007 regular season. Attached are the charts for most career coaching wins in the Arena Football League, as well as the list of the coaches that were the quickest to 70 coaching wins:

Most AFL Coaching Wins
Coach Seasons Wins
Tim Marcum 18 180*
Danny White 14 147*
Mike Hohensee 13 101
Mike Dailey 10 97*
Darren Arbet 8 89*
Perry Moss 9 86
Michael Trigg 12 80
Jay Gruden 7 75*
John Gregory 10 7
3
Todd Shell 7 54
Pat Sperduto 5 46*
Vito Parilli 9 43
Ed Hodgkiss 5 41*

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
*Active Coach

HAMILTON BREAKS SINGLE SEASON AND CAREER MARKS FOR PASSING YARDS
With an outstanding season in 2006, Orlando Predators quarterback Joe Hamilton set records for single game, single season and career passing yardage for the Predators. With 9,830 career passing yards, Hamilton passed Pat O'Hara on the Predators career passing yards list. He also totaled 3,677 passing yards in 2006 to pass Jay Gruden's 3,621 yards in 2004 as the highest single season total in Predators history. Hamilton also tossed for a career-high 367 yards this year in a loss against Dallas to break his own single game passing record. Hamilton accomplished this while playing in essentially just 15 games. Hamilton was not scheduled to start in Week 16 as the Predators wanted to rest several key veterans for the playoffs. But Hamilton needed to start the game in order to collect an incentive in his contract (starting all 16 games), so he started the Austin game and was pulled after throwing just one pass in the contest. Here is where Hamilton now stands on the Predators career, single season and single game passing charts:

Predators Career Passing Yards
Name Seasons Yards
Joe Hamilton 3 9,830
Pat O'Hara 6 9,676
Ben Bennett 5 8,469
Jay Gruden 2 5,955
Connell Maynor 7 4,737

Predators Single Season Passing Yards
Name Years Yards
Joe Hamilton 2006 3,677
Jay Gruden 2004 3,621
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

Predators Singe Game Passing Yards
Name Year Opp. Yards
Joe Hamilton 2006 Dallas 367
Joe Hamilton 2005 Los Angeles 362
Jay Gruden 2002 Georgia 361
Pat O'Hara 1998 Albany 343
Joe Hamilton 2006 Georgia 339
Jay Gruden 2002 Georgia 331

JERRIAN JAMES ACTIVE AT "JACK"
With 60.5 tackles in the regular season, Jerrian James became the most active "Jack" linebacker in Orlando Predators history. One would have to go all the way back to the 1994 season and Bernard Clark (60.0 tackles) to find a "jack" linebacker whose tackle totals came close to approaching James totals. It is interesting to note that Clark's totals came in a season where the Predators made the unusual move of designating Clark as a defensive specialist - allowing the linebacker to take many more snaps at that position. Still, Clark's totals came in 12 regular season games, compared to 16 for James.

Most Preds Tackles by a "Jack" Linebacker
Jerrian James 2006 60.5
Bernard Clark 1994 60.0
Barry Wagner 1999 43.5
Jerrian James 2005 38.0
Alex Shell 1995 35.0
Billy Owen 1993 33.0
Clif Dell 2001 28.0

FRYZEL/DUDLEY HIT 1000
For just the fourth time in Orlando Predators history, the team had two players hit the 1,000-yard mark in receiving as Jimmy Fryzel (1108) and Javarus Dudley (1035) each went over the 1,000-yard mark in single-season receiving. Dudley, a rookie out of Fordham University, finished as the fourth most productive rookie receiver in club history.

Predators 1000-Yard Receiving Duos
Year Duo
2006 Fryzel (1108)/Dudley (1035)
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 1035 (13 games)
Barry Wagner 1992 859
Robert Gordon 1998 855
Herkie Walls 1991 783
Thabiti Davis 2003 759

TAYLOR/HAMILTON NAMED ALL-ARENA
Orlando Predators lineman HENRY TAYLOR was named to the first unit of the Arena Football League's All-Arena. Taylor becomes just the second lineman in Orlando Predators history to earn the honor, joining WEBBIE BURNETT - who was named to the 1994 team.

Obtained in an off-season trade with Nashville, Taylor started all 16 games for the Predators and led the Arena Football League in sacks with 8.5. He finished the season with 16.5 total tackles, with one fumble recovery, one pass defense and a pair of quarterback hurries.

Predators quarterback JOE HAMILTON was named to the second unit. Hamilton completed a career-high 67% of his passes, hitting 298 off 445 passes for 3677 yards and 64 touchdowns. During the season, Hamilton set franchise records for single season and career passing yardage. Including eight rushing touchdowns, Hamilton accounted for 72 touchdowns this season.

Taylor's selection to the first unit marked the seventh consecutive year the Orlando Predators have had at least one player named to the first-unit of the All-Arena team and also marked Orlando's 25th selection to the prestigious first unit of the All-Arena team.

One player noticeably absent was Orlando Predators defensive specialist KENNY McENTYRE. The three-time "AFL Defensive Player of the Year" was left off the first unit of the All-Arena team for the first time since 2000.

PREDATORS 1st TEAM ALL-ARENA SELECTIONS
2006 Henry Taylor OL/DL
2005 Cory Fleming WR/LB
Kenny McEntyre DS
2004 Kenny McEntyre DS
Cory Fleming WR/LB
Jay Taylor K
2003 Kenny McEntyre DS
2002 Kenny McEntyre DS
2001 Kenny McEntyre DS
2000 Kenny McEntyre DS
Bret Cooper WR/DB
1997 Barry Wagner WR/DB
Durwood Roquemore DS
1996 Barry Wagner WR/DB
1995 Barry Wagner WR/DB
1994 Barry Wagner WR/DB
Webbie Burnett OL/DL
Ben Bennett QB
Durwood Roquemore DS
Jorge Cimadevilla K
1993 Barry Wagner WR/DB
Durwood Roquemore DS
1992 Barry Wagner WR/DB
Durwood Roquemore DS
Jorge Cimadevilla K

PREDS CAPTURE 10th WIN FOR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE TIME/8th TIME OVERALL
With the 63-42 win over Kansas City in Week 15, the Orlando Predators captured their 10th win of the season, marking the fourth consecutive time the Predators have won 10 or more games in a regular season and 9th time overall.

Most 10-Win Regular Seasons
Tampa Bay Storm 8
Orlando Predators 8
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 10
Arizona Rattlers 9
San Jose SaberCats 5

Preds Last Four Regular Seasons
Year Head Coach Season Overall
2006 Jay Gruden 10-6-0 ???
2005 Jay Gruden 10-6-0 11-7-0
2004 Jay Gruden 10-6-0 10-7-0
2003 Fran Papasedero 12-4-0 13-5-0
PREDATORS FEATURED IN FOUR OF 20 GREATEST ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE GAMES
As part of the Arena Football League's 20th anniversary celebration, the league has released its list of the 20 greatest games every played and the Orlando Predators are featured four times on the list.

Topping the list of great games involving the Predators was Orlando's 50-49 win over the Detroit Drive on June 19, 1992, which was rated the third greatest game in AFL history. The game was later dubbed the "Miracle Minute," when the two teams combined for eight possessions, three touchdowns, two turnovers, a safety, a successful on-sides kick and two, two-point conversions - all in the final 46 seconds of play. BARRY WAGNER was the star for the Predators, scoring two touchdowns, recovering the on-sides kick attempt, converting a two-point PAT and recording a pass defense and a game-saving tackle all in the final minute of play.

Other Orlando games included the Predators 41-38 win over Nashville in ArenaBowl XIV, when DAVID COOL kicked a field goal as time expired. It was the first ArenaBowl where the winning points were scored on the game's final play and capped a 14-3 season for the Predators.

The Predators were on the losing end of the other two games listed. In ArenaBowl VIII, the Arizona Rattlers pulled a major upset - knocking off the 1994 Predators, 36-31, in Orlando.

Considered one of the greatest teams in AFL history, Orlando (11-1) came within seven seconds of becoming just the seventh team in major professional football league history (NFL, American Football League, World Football League, World League of American Football, Arena Football League, NFL-Europe) to record an unbeaten, untied regular season. During that year, the Predators had beaten Arizona twice, by a combined margin of 35 points.

After breezing through the first two rounds of the playoffs, the 13-1 Predators had no answer for Arizona. The Rattlers five-point win over the Predators is still considered one of the greatest upsets in AFL history. The ArenaBowl XIV win over Nashville and the ArenaBowl VIII loss to Arizona tied for the 10th greatest game in AFL history.

Orlando's other mention came in a 59-50 regular season loss to Iowa on June 21, 1996, which was rated as the league's 16th greatest game. Wagner, who was returning to the Preds lineup after missing four games with a broken leg, had one of the greatest individual efforts in AFL history with 434 all-purpose yards. Wagner caught 15 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns, returned six kickoffs for 127 yards, and returned three missed field goals for 78 yards - including one 54 yards for a fourth touchdown.

But Wagner's heroics were not enough, as WILLIS JACOX scored four touchdowns - including two on kickoff returns. KURT WARNER also fired four touchdown passes, including the game-winner with one minute to go.

TRAGEDY KEEPS PREDS FROM HAVING FOUR WITH 600 RECEIVING YARDS
Heading into the season finale against Kansas City, Predators rookie WR/LB DeAndrew Rubin needed just 12 yards receiving to make the Predators just the third team in Arena Football League history to have four different receivers gain 600 or more yards in a single season. Rubin never got the chance, however, as a tragic shooting death in his family the night before the game resulted in the Predators placing Rubin on the inactive list for the Austin game to allow him to attend to family matters. It is interesting to note the last time the Predators flirted with having four receivers gain 600 or more yards receiving in a single season. The year was 2000 when Clif Dell (434) fell 166 yards short of joining Bret Cooper (881), Ty Law (769) and Joe Douglass (601) on the list of 600+ yard receivers. The Predators won the ArenaBowl that season, a trend Predators head coach Jay Gruden hopes continues this season. The 2006 season was the first time that the Predators had four receivers catch 10 or more touchdown passes each in a single season.

2006 Predators Receiving
Player C/Yards TD
Fryzel 87-1108 23
Dudley 78-1035 14
James 69-882 16
Rubin 46-588 10

HAMILTON MOST ACCURATE PASSER
With a 67.0% completion rate in 2006 (298-445), quarterback Joe Hamilton remains the most accurate passer in Orlando Predators history. Hamilton's career passing percentage of 66.6% is more than five percentage points higher than his closest pursuer - Jay Gruden - who completed 61.2% of his passes during his two-year stint as Predators quarterback (2002-03).

Career Completion Percentage
Name Years Att-Comp Pct.
Joe Hamilton 3 1211-806 66.6%
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%

Quick Hitter: Kicker Jay Taylor led the Arena Football League in touchbacks this season with 36!
Quote/Unquote
"Next year maybe we need to steal one or two more."

--Philadelphia's Ron Jaworski after Jay Gruden accepted his congratulations but asked that the Soul refrain from raiding the Preds roster. Seven former Preds played for the Soul in Sunday's post-season game.

PREDS PLACE TWO ON ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
The Orlando Predators and the New York Dragons had two players each named to the All-Rookie Team announced today by the Arena Football League. Named from the Predators were wide receiver/defensive back JAVARUS DUDLEY and offensive/defensive lineman GREG WHITE.

Dudley, from Fordham University, had a sensation first year for the Predators. In 13 games, he was second on the team in receiving with 78 receptions for 1,035 yards and 14 touchdowns. Dudley also rushed 20 times for 61 yards and three touchdowns and added 27 tackles on defense with one pass defense.

White made 11 starts in his rookie season. He compiled 11 tackles with three tackles-for-loss, 1.5 quarterback sacks and five pass defenses. He missed five games with a shoulder injury.

"It is a well-deserved honor for both players," Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden said. "Both Javarus and Greg played major roles in our success this season and both have bright futures in front of them."

Orlando finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, capturing the Southern Division championship and a first round playoff bye.

New York also placed two players on the 11-member All-Rookie team, including lineman Delbert Cowsette and defensive specialist Dahnel Singfield. Seven other teams placed one player each on the team. he selection of Dudley and White marked the fourth time in last five years that the Predators have had at least one player named to the AFL All-Rookie Team.

2006 AFL All-Rookie Team
Quarterback: Sonny Cumbie, Los Angeles
Fullback/Linebacker: Anthony Dunn, Colorado
OL/DL: Khreem Smith, Chicago
OL/DL: Greg White, Orlando
OL/DL: Delbert Cowsette, New York
WR/LB: Aaron Boone, Kansas City
WR/DB: Javarus Dudley, Orlando
Offensive Specialist: Ben Nelson, San Jose
Defensive Specialist: Chris Brown, Georgia
Defensive Specialist: Dahnel Singfield, New York
Kicker: Todd France, Philadelphia
Predators All-Rookie Selections
2006
OL/DL Greg White
WR/DB Javarus Dudley
2004
K Jay Taylor
2003
OS Travis McGriff
OL/DL EJ Burt
WR/LB Thabiti Davis
2002
K Nick Gatto
2001
QB Craig Whelihan
OS Siaha Burley
1998
FB/LB Rick Hamilton
OL/DL Connell Spain

RECORD SETTING YEAR FOR ORLANDO PREDATORS
The 2006 Arena Football League season was a record breaking one for the Orlando Predators, as the club set or tied 32 team and individual records during the recently completed regular season.

Records of note broken in 2006 included quarterback Joe Hamilton, who became the Predators all-time leading passer for single game (367, vs. Dallas) and single season (3,677) passing yards. Hamilton also became the Predators' career leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns and career passing percentage.

Other individual marks included Kenny McEntyre extending his own club and Arena Football League record for career interceptions to 63, upping his AFL and Predators career record in pass defenses to 134, and becoming the team's all-time leader in both solo (447) and total (528.5) tackles.

As a team, the Predators set records for single game (367), single season (4,072) passing yards and also set a new mark for most points scored (816) and points per game average (51.0).

Not all the records were positive, as the team also set new franchise marks for points allowed in both a game (87 vs. Dallas) and season (706). Many of the new records came from Orlando's 67-64 overtime win over Tampa Bay back on Feb. 19. Four team records were set in that game, including most combined yards of total offense -- 774 (Orlando 322, Tampa Bay 452) - breaking the old record of 721 (Orlando 368, New York 353) set in a 2005 game.

Orlando finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, capturing their seventh division championship. The Predators tied Tampa Bay for the most consecutive seasons in the playoffs (15) and extended their own AFL record of most consecutive seasons with a .500 or better record (15).
Team
Points Scored
816, 2006 (Old record 805, 2003)
Points Per Game
51.0, 2006 (Old record 50.3, 2003)
Points Allowed, Game
87, vs. Dallas, 3/19/06 (Old record 79 vs. Albany, 7/25/98)
Points Allowed, 3rd Quarter
24, vs. Dallas, 3/19/06 (ties old record, 28 vs. Tampa Bay, 7/29/95)
Points Allowed, Season
706, 2006 (Old Record 755, 2005)
Points, Most Combined, Game
149, Dallas 87, Orlando 62 (ties old record, Albany 79, Orlando 70, 7/25/98)
Total Offense, Game
378, vs. Dallas (Old Record 371, vs. Arizona, 7/17/92)
Total Offense, Allowed, Game
452, Tampa Bay, 2/19/06 (Old Record 353 vs. Tampa Bay, 7/19/92 and vs. New York, 4/15/05)
Total Offense, Combined
774, Orlando (322) vs. Tampa Bay (452), 2/19/06 (Old Record 721, Orlando 368 vs. New York 353, 4/15/05
Rushing Yards Allowed, Season
305, 2006 (Old record 303, 2001)
Passing Yards, Game
367, vs. Dallas, 3/19/06 (Old record 347, vs. Los Angeles, 4/3/05)
Passing Yards, Season
4072, 2006 (Old record 3,972, 2005)
Passing Yards Allowed, Game
458, vs. Tampa Bay, 2/19/06 (Old record 360 vs. Iowa, 7/12/97)
Passing Yards Allowed, Season
4263, 2006 (Old record 4,057, 2005)
Passing Attempts Allowed, Game
56, Kansas City, 2/3/06 (Old record 53, New Orleans, 3/13/05)
Passing Attempts Allowed, Season
613, 2006 (Ties record, 613, 2005)
Pass Completions Allowed, Game
36, Tampa Bay, 2/19/06 (Old Record, 33, vs. New Orleans, 3/13/05)
Pass Completions Allowed, Season
396, 2006 (Old record 332, 2005)

INDIVIDUAL
Pass Yardage, Game
367, Joe Hamilton vs. Dallas, 3/19/06 (Old record 362, Hamilton vs. Los Angeles, 4/3/2005)
Passing Yardage, Season
3,677, Joe Hamilton, 2006 (Old record 3,621, Jay Gruden, 2002)

Passing Yardage, Career
9,830, Joe Hamilton, 2004-06 (Old Record 9,676, Pat O'Hara, 1995-2000)
Passing Touchdowns, Career
181, Joe Hamilton, 2004-06 (Old Record 166, Pat O'Hara, 1995-2000)
Pass Completion Percentage, Career
66.3, Joe Hamilton, 2004-06 (Old Record 66.0, Joe Hamilton)
Field Goal Percentage, Career
66.3, Jay Taylor (35-55), 2004-06 (Old record, 66.3, Jay Taylor (21-33), 2004-05)
Extra Points Attempted, Season
100, Jay Taylor, 2006 (Old record 99, Brian Schmitz, 2003)
Extra Points Made, Season
92, Jay Taylor, 2006 (Old record 79, Brian Schmitz, 2003)

Extra Point Percentage, Career
90.8, Jay Taylor (179-197), 2004-06 (Old Record 91.8, Jay Taylor, 89-97, 2004-05)
Total Tackles, Career
528.5, Kenny McEntyre, 1998-2006 (Old record 465.5, Damon Mason, 1998-01, 2004-05)
Solo Tackles, Career
447.0, Kenny McEntyre, 1998-2006 (Old record 415, Damon Mason, 1998-01, 2004-05)
Quarterback Sacks, Game
3.0, Henry Taylor vs. New York, 2/26/06 (Ties Old Record 3, Jerry Odom vs. San Antonio, 6/13/92)
Interceptions, Career
63, Kenny McEntyre, 1998-2006 (Old record 59, Kenny McEntyre, 1998-2005)
Passes Defended, Career
134, Kenny McEntyre, 1998-2006 (Old record 117, Kenny McEntyre, 1998-2005)

Quote/Unquote
"Not sure how the official stats work. NBC said we knocked Tony Graziani down 25 times and the official stat sheet said we have three QB pressures. Something doesn't add up."
--PREDS HEAD COACH JAY GRUDEN

PREDATORS PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Wed., May 31 9-11:30 a.m. Thunder Field
Thur., Jun. 1 9-11:30 a.m. Thunder Field
Fri., Jun. 2 9-11:30 a.m. Thunder Field
Sat., Jun. 3 TBA TBA

Saturday's practice will be determined by Predators travel schedule to Dallas. For updated information on Predators practice, call Dan Pearson at 407-44-PREDS or 407-489-5711 (cell).



PREDS PLACE FOUR ON AFL'S TWENTY GREATEST PLAYERS LIST
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.

"It is an honor to be included in the top five players in league history and I am grateful," Gruden said. "But with any list like this, there is going to be some controversy. In my opinion, Barry Wagner is without question the greatest Arena Football League player ever. I also believe that Kenny McEntyre deserves a spot in the top twenty." McEntyre headed a list of other former Predators receiving votes. Listed in alphabetical order, those former Predators players receiving consideration included Ben Bennett, BJ Cohen, Johnnie Harris, McEntyre, Durwood Roquemore, Jermaine Smith and Herkie Walls.

The Top 20 Players were selected by the AFL's Historical Committee, consisting of a diverse mix of AFL personalities all with a strong knowledge of the league and its history. The members are: Howard Balzer, a journalist who has covered the AFL since its inception; Hunkie Cooper, a former player and current assistant coach who holds the record for career all-purpose yards; Darryl Hammond, an active player who will begin his 16th season this year; Mike Hohensee, head coach of the Chicago Rush and the first player to throw an AFL touchdown; Joe Kauffman, the president of ArenaFan Online; George LaFrance, a former player who won five ArenaBowl championships; Bill Niro, an AFL founder; and Gene Nudo, head coach of the Arizona Rattlers, whose career has spanned 19 of the AFL's 20 seasons.

HOW THEY STACK UP
This week's opponent Dallas ranked favorable to Orlando in 19 of 31 categories with one tie. Here is how the teams stacked up to each other in major statistical categories.

Category ORL DALLAS
Scoring Offense 51.0 (T-9th) 58.1 (1st)
Total Offense 287.5 (7th) 315.2 (2nd)
Scoring Defense 47.5 (7th) 44.0 (1st)
Total Defense 285.5 (10th) 283.4 (6th)
Rushing Offense 33.3 (2nd) 17.8 (11th)
Pass Rating 113.4 (7th) 122.5 (2nd)
Rushing Defense 19.1 (6th) 9.3 (1st)
Rushing TDs 32 (5th) 14 (17th)
Pass Defense Rating 106.4 (8th) 95.5 (1st)
Passing Offense 254.5 (13th) 297.4 (2nd)
Pass Defense 266.4 (9th) 274.1 (13th)
Completion Pct. 67.1 (3rd) 65.8 (7th)
Field Goal Pct. 63.6 (2nd) 57.1 (5th)
PAT Kicking 92.0 (T-4th) 90.0 (7th)
MFG Returns 15.8 (12th) 17 (8th)
Kickoff Returns 15.7 (17th) 16.5 (14th)
Fumble Recoveries 17 (4th) 20 (2nd)
Interceptions 16 (T6th) 24 (2nd)
Turnover Margin +3 (t-6th) +16 (1st)
First Downs 318 (8th) 327 (6th)
Opp First Downs 290 (2nd) 304 (7th)
3rd Down Conversions 48.4 (7th) 54.2 (2nd)
4th Down Conversions 52.4 (8th) 55.6 (4th)
Opp. 3rd Down Con. 39.1 (2nd) 34.9 (1st)
Opp. 4th Down Con. 42.9 (6th) 48.6 (11th)
Sacks 18 (t-5th) 18 (T-5th)
Penalties 90-534 (1st) 121-746 (17th)
Sacks Allowed 12 (7th) 2 (t-1st)
Opponent Penalties 108-666 (11th) 116-662 (12th)
Kickoff Coverage 19.8 (17th) 17.8 (10th)
Red Zone Offense* 83.6 (4th) 77.6 (13th)
Red Zone Defense* 73.8 (3rd) 76.5 (t-4th)

*Based on touchdown pct.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 31, 2006


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