Orlando Predators
March 6, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
GAME DETAILS
Los Angeles Avengers (0-1) at Orlando Predators (1-0)
Date: Monday, March 12, 2007
Toe-To-Leather Time: 7:00 (EDT)
Site: Hummer Field at Amway Arena (13,692)
Officials: Referee: Bill Athan, Umpire: Matt Jordan,
Head Linesman: Tim Podraza, Line Judge: Tom Symonette,
Back Judge: Greg Wilson
l Riveron,
Radio: WQTM 740 AM (Tom Morgan and Dan Pearson)
TV: ESPN 2 (Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge)
Series Streak: Predators have won three in a row
Series Record: Predators lead 3-1
Coaches: Orlando: Jay Gruden (8th season, 77-44-0, .636);
Los Angeles: Ed Hodgkiss (6th season, 43-35, .551)
PREDATORS TAKE ON AVENGERS IN HISTORIC OPENER ON ESPN2
The Orlando Predators (1-0) will look for their second win of the season, when they play host to the Los Angeles Avengers (0-1) on Monday, Mar. 12 at Hummer Field. With three consecutive home games and five of their next six at Hummer Field, the Predators hope to establish momentum with a win over the Avengers. "There's no question that the key to our success will be playing well early in the season," Predators head coach Jay Gruden said. "Obviously our schedule is top-loaded with home games early and we will need to build a lot of momentum before we start playing on the road." The contest has major significance for the Arena Football League, as it marks the first of ESPN2's Monday Night broadcasts. ESPN and the AFL announced an historic five-year partnership during the off-season and Monday Night broadcasts of AFL games is a key component of that agreement. Kickoff is slated for just after 7 p.m. with former NFL great Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge on the call for "The Deuce."
Schedule and Results
rs. As Grude52-50 win over r six seed for the playoffs. Gruden, who saw his team stumble to a 3-5 record at the midledd Coach Jay Gruden sees a classic match-up between twoand h s tie for the he teams are crossed the goal linton'ague season. au W-up on Sunday.
in to
n said. " are in a "heallas. "Gruden expects a highly comp alenal television audience.
television audience e at the TD Waterhouse Centre. The contest, the first of a doubleheader onys Orlando Predators (1-0-0) *All Times Eastern
Date Opponent W/L Score
Mar. 2 At Tampa Bay W 52-27
Mar. 12 LOS ANGELES 7 p.m.
Mar. 16 AUSTIN 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 26 DALLAS 7 p.m.
Mar. 31 At New Orleans 8 p.m.
Apr. 14 TAMPA BAY 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 20 NEW YORK 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 29 At Las Vegas 6 p.m.
May 4 At Georgia 7:30 p.m.
May 11 NEW ORLEANS 7:30 p.m.
May 20 At Austin 4 p.m.
May 25 UTAH 7:30 p.m.
June 1 At San Jose 10:30 p.m.
June 9 At New York 7 p.m.
June 15 GEORGIA 7:30 p.m.
June 21 At Philadelphia 7 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES:
Although only four games have been played between the Orlando Predators and the Los Angeles Avengers, the series has produced some of the most memorable moments in Orlando Predators history...With the exception of last year's 59-34 win by the Predators, the first three games were decided by three points or less - with the winning points coming on the finals seconds of play...In 2004, the Predators tied the game at 48-48 on a Joe Hamilton touchdown pass with 28 seconds remaining - only to watch the game go into overtime when Orlando botched the extra point...LA scored first in overtime, but the normally reliable Remy Hamilton returned the favor by missing the extra point...Joe Hamilton then hit Jerrian James on a touchdown pass and Brian Gowins converted the extra point for a 55-54 overtime win...In 2003, Los Angeles took a 50-49 lead with just 26 seconds left - only to watch hopelessly as Orlando hit two quick passes and emergency kicker Jason Wells boot a 30-yard field goal on the game's final play for a 52-50 Predators win...The first game of the series also produced an incredible ending...Orlando's Kenny McEntyre returned an on-sides kick 11-yards for a touchdown as the Predators took what appeared to be an insurmountable 12-point lead with just 37 seconds remaining...but a long kickoff return followed by Tony Graziani's quick touchdown pass cut the lead to five with just 19 seconds left...Los Angeles successfully negotiated an on-sides kick and with just seconds remaining - Graziani's desperation pass off the nets fell into the hands of Avengers receiver Greg Hopkins for an improbable 66-63 win...Last year's game was never in doubt...Jerrian James and Jeroid Johnson's first-quarter interceptions helped stake the Predators to a 21-0 lead and Orlando would never look back...Orlando took a 38-14 lead at the half and traded points the rest of the way - never allowing Los Angeles to get any closer than 17 in the second half...Counting Monday's game, the Predators have hosted four of the five games played between the two teams...Orlando is averaging 57.3 points per game in the series, while LA is averaging 51.1...The 2006 game marked the first time that either team scored less than 50 points in the game, as the Predators held the Avengers to a series-low 34...The heart-stopping series produced one of the greatest exchanges between coaches in AFL history...when Brian Gowins extra point in overtime gave the Predators a 55-54 win, Avengers coach Ed Hodgkiss told Jay Gruden in colorful language that he hated playing Orlando and Gruden replying in equally colorful terms that the feeling was mutual...Gruden is 3-0 against Hodgkiss as a head coach...LA's win over the Predators came in 2003, when Gruden was Orlando's quarterback and Fran Papasedero was head coach.
ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS AND NOTES:
DATE LA ORL
Mar. 30, 2003 (H) 66 63
May 30, 2004 (H) 50 52
Apr. 3, 2005 (A) 54 55 (OT)
Mar. 5, 2006 (H) 34 59
How the 2007 Predators Were Built:
2006 Veterans Retained from Last Season (15): OL Justin Cleveland, WR Clif Dell*, WR Javarus Dudley, QB Jake Eaton, WR Jimmy Fryzel, DL Charles Hill, OL Reggie Lee, FB/LB Kevin Nagle, FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore, WR DeAndrew Rubin, DB Lin-J Shell, OL Jim Sodano, OL Delanio Taylor*, DL Greg White, K Jay Taylor,
2006 Veteran Free Agents (3): DB Ryan Bowers, QB Shane Stafford, DB Floyd Young.
AFL Rookie Free Agents (7): DL Eddie Freeman*, WR Charles Lee*, DL Chaz Murphy, OL John Miller, FB/LB Lance Mitchell, DB Rayshun Reed, DB Micheaux Robinson,
*Injured Reserve List
NEWS AND NOTES
LOOKING BACK: PREDS THUMP TAMPA BAY IN OPENER
While the Orlando-Tampa Bay series is the oldest, closest, and most hotly contested rivalry in Arena Football League history, one would have a hard-time drawing that conclusion based on the last two games between the teams. The Predators dominated the Storm in last week's season opener, pounding out a 52-27 win over their arch-rivals. That, combined with 52-13 win over the Storm in Week 13 last season, means the Predators have won the last two games by a combined score of 104-40. Orlando used a defensive stop, a turnover and two long touchdown passes from Shane Stafford to DeAndrew Rubin to build a 21-0 lead in last week's game. From there, the Storm would never get any closer than nine points as the Predators led from start to finish. Orlando's win - their third in the row against the Storm - gave the Predators a 21-19 series lead over Tampa Bay. But Predators head coach Jay Gruden warned fans against reading too much into the win. "We were better than they were tonight, but that is a good team and they will win their share of games," Gruden said. "The most important thing will not be to get too full of ourselves. We made our share of mistakes and will look to improve each week."
PREDATORS LOOK TO KEEP STREAKS ALIVE
The Orlando Predators will attempt to keep two impressive streaks alive in 2007. Orlando has now made 15 consecutive playoff appearances (1992-2006), which is believed to be the longest current active streak in American professional sports. Orlando has also had 15 consecutive winning seasons (playoffs included), the longest streak in AFL history. Orlando has finished the regular season with a .500 record or better every season since 1992 and has had only one losing season (3-7, 1991) in franchise history.
Consecutive Playoff Appearances
Team Streak Years
Orlando 15 1992-2006*
Tampa Bay 15 1991-2005
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
*Active Streaks
STAFFORD OPENS UP HIS PREDATORS CAREER WITH 20th CAREER 300-YARD GAME
By any possible measuring stick imaginable, Shane Stafford's debut in an Orlando Predators uniform was nothing short of spectacular. Stafford completed 24 of 34 passes for 329 yards and five touchdowns, while adding a sixth touchdown rushing. Stafford's 300-yard passing game was the 20th of his impressive career and the 7th best highest total in his career. The impressive features of Stafford's debut with the Predators included: A 34-yard touchdown pass to DeAndrew Rubin on his very first pass in a Predators uniform...Started the game seven for seven for 122 yards and three touchdowns...Did not commit a turnover on the day. For all his heroics, Stafford deflected praise on his teammates. "Without question it was a group effort. The first pass went 34 yards for a touchdown, but all I did was flick the ball out into the flats to DeAndrew for what should have been a six-yard gain. He's the one that broke the tackles and made it into a huge play. All our guys made big plays tonight, I just helped."
Stafford's Career 300-Yard Games
Year Opponent A-C-I Yards TD
2006 Orlando (L) 52-36-0 458 8
2006 Austin (W) 46-26-1 424 7
2006 at Columbus (L) 63-38-3 387 6
2005 at Philadelphia (L) 45-31-2 348 7
2005 at Los Angeles (W) 40-26-3 342 4
2005 at Georgia (L) 42-22-2 337 6
2007 at Tampa Bay(W) 34-24-0 329 5**
2006 Georgia (W) 35-26-0 328 5
2005 Arizona (W) 45-30-0 321 7
2004 Los Angeles (W) 40-27-1 321 8
2005 Georgia (W) 36-24-1 319 5
2004 at San Jose (L) 43-25-1 318 7*
2005 at New York (W) 32-19-3 317 7
2006 at Georgia (L) 40-25-1 316 5
2006 Kansas City (W) 32-24-0 314 6
2001 New Jersey (W) 35-27-2 313 4
2004 San Jose (L) 41-25-1 309 5
2005 Austin (W) 40-25-1 306 5
2004 Georgia (L) 34-25-1 304 8
2006 at Austin (L) 44-29-0 303 5
*playoff game; **Predators debut
TAYLOR STREAKING
Kicker Jay Taylor was a perfect seven for seven on extra points. Dating back to last season, Taylor has now made 36 consecutive extra points in the row. The streak is the second longest of his AFL career, behind his club record of 45, set during the 2004-05 seasons. Overall, Taylor had an outstanding game for the Predators. Four of his eight kickoffs went for touchbacks and he also nailed a 24-yard field goal. His only miss on the night was 52-yard field goal. "Jay was outstanding on both his placements and kickoffs tonight," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "He's been extremely consistent the last three years and it's nice that we don't have to worry too much about making the extra points." Taylor is the Predators all-time leader in field goal and extra point accuracy.
PREDATORS IN SEASON OPENERS
With Friday's win against Tampa Bay, Orlando upped its record to 11-6 in season in openers, including a 6-5 record when opening on the road.
Home Opener Results
Year Result Opponent, Score
2007 W at Tampa Bay, 52-14
2006 L at Georgia, 31-48
2005 W Colorado, 39-36
2004 L at Tampa Bay, 41-52
2003 W at Chicago, 47-35
2002 L at Georgia, 46-67
2001 L at Nashville, 25-50
2000 W New Jersey, 38-21
1999 W at Nashville, 49-40
1998 W Grand Rapids, 42-27
1997 W New York, 50-42
1996 L at Arizona, 52-55
1995 W at Connecticut, 45-43
1994 W at Arizona, 38-28
1993 W Albany, 40-30
1992 L Tampa Bay, 32-39
1991 W at Tampa Bay, 51-38
AND IN HOME OPENERS
With a win against Los Angeles, the Predators would up their record to 13-4 in home openers.
AND THE DIFFERENCE WAS...
The new rule allowing free substitution was perhaps one of the controversial subjects in AFL history. While it brought many predictions about how it would change the game, Orlando Predators head coach said he wanted to wait a month or so before passing any judgments on the new rule. "I really could see both sides of the argument," Gruden said.
A desire to get have your best players on the field at all times against the notion that 'Ironman' football made our game totally unique. I still would want to reserve judgment on whether it is a good or bad change." One area where Gruden feels the new rule will create a big change is the running game. "Teams would hide one of their wide receivers at jack linebacker and now they are not doing it," Gruden said. "You are now getting two big linebackers and it is going to make it extremely difficult to get a lot of yards rushing." One of the best running teams in the history of the Arena Football League, the Predators were limited to 20 yards on 12 carries - more than 13 yards below their 2006 average.
IN JAY WE TRUST
Predators President Brett Bouchy weighed in on the new rule changes last week with his own observation. "Whether free substitution will ultimately be good or not so good for the Arena Football League remains to be seen," Bouchy said. "All I know is that as long as Jay Gruden is the head coach of the Orlando Predators, I remain confident that we always stay ahead of the curve." In seven years as a head coach, Gruden has recorded seven winning seasons, qualified for the playoffs seven times, took the Predators to four ArenaBowl championship games and has won a pair of titles. He is in the top 10 in career wins, career winning percentage, career playoffs wins and career playoff winning percentage.
GET THE OFFENSE ON THE FIELD
One of the trademarks of a Jay Gruden team has always been to let the defense try to set the tone for the game. With few exceptions in his seven-plus years as a head coach, Gruden has almost always elected to defer when winning the toss, getting his defense on the field first. That changed in Week One, where Gruden announced that he would take the ball if he won the toss. "I wanted to get Shane on the field as quickly as possible and hopefully get his confidence going." The Predators won the toss, took the ball and Stafford threw a touchdown pass on his first play from scrimmage.
RUBIN'S BIG NIGHT
With 259 all-purpose yards, DeAndrew Rubin recorded the 10th highest total in that category in Orlando Predators history. Rubin established career highs for receptions (8), receiving yards (141), touchdowns (3) and all-purpose yards (259). His touchdowns came on receptions of 34, 42, and 28 yards.
PAIR OF 100s
Orlando had a pair of receivers go over the 100-yard mark last Saturday. In addition to Rubin's stellar performance (8-141), Jimmy Fryzel (10-107) also went over the century mark in receiving yards. Javarus Dudley almost gave the Predators their first threesome of 100-yard receivers with a six-catch for 81 yards. Fryzel re-injured his hamstring in the first half but played the entire game. His status will be reviewed on a day-to-day basis this week.
GUTTING IT OUT
Lineman Reggie Lee showed more than a little fortitude last week against Tampa Bay. The nine-year veteran was stricken with flu-like symptoms the night before the game and lost more than 12 pounds. He was so sick before kickoff, he was unable to participate in pre-game drills. With just 20 players on the active roster, the Predators were looking at playing a "man down" for the entire game, but Lee managed to make it to the sidelines in uniform and actually participated in eight plays in the game - seeing action on both offense and defense.
IRONMAN FOOTBALL NOT TOTALLY DEAD
As expected, roster size and injuries kept the concept of "Ironman" football alive in the Tampa game. Kevin Nagle, Marlon-Moye Moore, Reggie Lee, Charles Hill and Justin Cleveland all saw action on both sides of the ball in the win over Tampa Bay.
IMPRESSIVE DEBUT FROM FIRST-YEAR PREDS
Orlando played last week's season opener with seven of the 20 players on their active roster playing their first game in a Predators uniform. How did the first-year Preds perform? Not bad, according to the stat sheet. Here's the list:
QB Shane Stafford 34-24-0 329 Yards 6 TD (5 pass)
DB Ryan Bowers 6 Tackles, 1 INT
DB Rayshun Reed 4 Tackles, FR, INT
OL John Miller Start at G
LB Lance Mitchell 3 Tackles, 2 TFL, 1 Sack
DB Micheaux Robinson Special teams standout
DL Chaz Murphy 1 Tackle, 1 QS
GRUDEN MOVES PAST MOSS; SETS SITES ON GREGORY
With last Friday's win over Tampa Bay, Predators head coach Jay Gruden has moved past Arena Football League coaching legend Perry Moss for sole possession of eighth place on the Arena Football League's all-time list for regular season coaching wins. Gruden now has 66 regular season wins - one more than Moss (65) had in his eight seasons with Detroit and Orlando. Gruden needs one win to tie John Gregory for 7th place on the all-time list. With 77 total coaching wins (counting playoffs), Gruden is sits in 7th place, needing eight wins to move into 6th place ahead of Mike Trigg (84 wins in 12 years). Gruden and San Jose's Darren Arbet (8th season -93 total wins) are the only coaches in the top 10 in all-time wins with less than 10 years of experience.
Regular Season Wins
Name Seasons Record
Tim Marcum 17* 143-64-0
Danny White 15* 129-64-0
Mike Hohensee 14* 95-86-0
Mike Dailey 11* 91-56-0
Darren Arbet 9* 84-37-0
Mike Trigg 12 81-87
John Gregory 10 67-51
Jay Gruden 8* 66-39
Perry Moss 8 65-27
*Active Coach
Total Coaching Wins
Name Seasons Wins
Tim Marcum 17th 168
Danny White 15th 149
Mike Hohensee 14th 106
Mike Dailey 11th 99
Darren Arbet 9th 94
Mike Trigg 12 84
Jay Gruden 8th 77
Perry Moss 8 77
COUNTING THEM DOWN
The following players are approaching milestones in their Arena Football League careers...
Jimmy Fryzel needs...
EightTD receptions to hit 50 in his career
25 Receptions of reach 200 in his career
126 Receiving Yards to hit 2,500 in his career
Shane Stafford needs...
115 completions to reach 1,500 in his career
3,999 passing yards to reach 20,000 in his career
6 TD passes to reach 300 in his career
PREDS ZOOM IN ON SEASON TICKET RECORD
With more than 11,000 full season tickets sold for the 2007 season and a week to go before the home opener, the Orlando Predators are looking to shatter their club record for season tickets sold before the opening kickoff of the 2007 season. At the end of last year, the Predators finished their 2006 campaign with a club record of 11,244 full and partial season tickets sold. Traditionally the club sells about 250 season tickets in the week before the home opener - if that trend holds true, Orlando could break their record for total season tickets sold before the first game.
PREDS COLLECT FOOD/BABY SUPPLIES FOR BETA CENTER
"Overwhelming and thank-you so much," were the words BETA Center Director of Development Lisa Blackwelder used when talking about Predator fans who donated to the team's food and baby supply drive held during the 6th annual Predators Season Ticket Pick-up Party held on Feb. 24. Pred fans donated more than 5,000 baby diapers and more than 2,000 pounds of food to BETA Center.
IFS
If the Predators win on Monday, it would...
Give the Preds an 2-0 record
Give the Preds an 13-4 record in home openers
Give the Preds 10 wins in last 13 games
Give the Preds a 91-35-0 all-time home record
Give the Preds a 167-88-0 all-time record
Give the Preds a 4-1 series lead over Los Angeles
Give the Preds a 1-0 non-conference record
BY THE NUMBERS
2007 Overall Record: 1-0-0
National Conference Record: 1-0-0
Against American Conference: 0-0-0
Southern Division Record: 1-0-0
At Hummer Field: 0-0-0
On the road: 1-0-0
When scoring first: 1-0-0
When other Team Scores First: 0-0-0
When leading after one quarter: 1-0-0
When trailing after one quarter: 0-0-0
When tied after one quarter: 0-0-0
When leading at the Half: 1-0-0
When trailing at the Half: 0-0-0
When tied at the Half: 0-0-0
When leading after three quarters: 1-0-0
When trailing after three quarters: 0-0-0
When tied after three quarters: 0-0-0
Overtime Games: 0-0-0
When Winning the Coin Toss: 1-0-0
When Losing the Coin Toss: 0-0-0
By Days of the Week:
Thursday: 0-0-0
Friday: 1-0-0
Saturday: 0-0-0
Sunday: 0-0-0
All-Time Home Record: 90-35-0
All-Time Road Record: 75-52-0
Consecutive Seasons Winning Record: 15*
Consecutive Seasons In Playoffs: 15*
*Active streaks through 2006
PREDATORS SWEEP PLAYER OF GAME AWARDS
The Orlando Predators swept the player of the game awards with Shane Stafford (offensive), Ryan Bowers (defensive) and DeAndrew Rubin (Ironman) taking individual honors in Week One.
Players of the Week
Week Opp. Player
1 At Tampa
Bay
Ironman: DeAndrew Rubin (O)
Offensive: Shane Stafford (O)
Defensive: Ryan Bowers (O)
PREDATORS HEAD COACH JAY GRUDEN
Sixteen seasons in the Arena Football League. Sixteen seasons in the playoffs. Eight trips to the ArenaBowl. Six championship rings. An average of 10.9 head coaching wins per season. Whether as a head coach, offensive coordinator, or player 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. In six seasons as a starter, he led the Storm to an unprecedented four ArenaBowl titles under three different head coaches. A two-time All-Arena selection and the 1992 MVP, Gruden would throw for more than 15,000 yards and 280 touchdowns in leading the Storm to six consecutive playoff appearances.
After capturing his second consecutive championship and fourth title overall Working as offensive coordinator for the expansion Nashville Kats, with the Storm in 1996, Gruden abruptly retired to enter the coaching ranks. Gruden helped that first-year team to playoffs while the team compiled an impressive 10-4 regular season record. It was the first time in league history that an expansion team won 10 games.
A few months later, Gruden, 30, 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.
He would set league history one season later. After a 7-7 injury riddled season, Gruden became the first coach in AFL history to take a number eight seed to the ArenaBowl as Orlando recorded stunning road upsets over top-seeded Tampa Bay (41-19) and second-seeded Iowa (48-41).
Gruden's third season with the Predators was equally spectacular. Racing out to a 7-0 start, the Predators finished the 2000 campaign with an 11-3 record to capture the second seed for the playoffs. From there, Orlando defeated Tampa Bay, Arizona, and Nashville in the playoffs to win a second ArenaBowl title.
The following season was perhaps Gruden's best coaching job. Faced with the loss of his top two quarterbacks from a year ago, Gruden overcame a 0-3 start to guide the Predators to six straight wins and eight victories in their last 11 games to keep alive a string of 10 consecutive playoff appearances.
In one of the most unusual moves in AFL history, Gruden would then announce his resignation as head coach of the Predators - in order to return to the playing field as Orlando's quarterback. Despite not playing in five years, Gruden overcame a rocky 1-4 start to throw a club record 68 touchdowns and lead the Predators back to the playoffs. In the post-season, Gruden delivered wins over both Buffalo (wild card round) and New Jersey (quarterfinals) to lift the Predators back to the semifinals - where they lost to eventual champion San Jose.
One season later, Gruden - at the age of 36 -- put together perhaps his finest season as a professional signal caller. After leading the Predators to a 3-0 start, Gruden left the game during a victory against Carolina with what was diagnosed as torn ankle ligaments. He returned in Week 11 to lead the Predators six straight wins to end the season. As starter, Gruden was 10-0 during the regular season with 49 touchdown passes and just two interceptions - the best TD to interception ratio in league history. Gruden would lead the Predators to a quarterfinal win over New York before the team lost to eventual champion Tampa Bay in the semifinals. In two seasons as Predators quarterback, Gruden compiled an impressive 20-9 record as a starter.
It was later learned that Gruden had actually suffered a broken leg and broken ankle in the Carolina game and had played the last 12 games of the season on injuries that would require extensive off-season surgery. That surgery, combined with the tragic loss of head coach Fran Papasedero to an off-season automobile accident, led Gruden back to the sidelines when the Predators named him Head Coach and Director of Football Operations in July of 2003.
In his first season back, Gruden directed the Predators to a 10-6 mark. It was his third 10-win season with the Predators and upped his career record to 53-30-0 (.639) as an AFL head coach. In 2005, the Predators won 10 games again. Orlando defeated New York in the playoffs before dropping a gut-wrenching 60-58 decision on the road to Georgia in the semifinals.
Gruden returned the Predators to the ArenaBowl in 2006. His team won 10 regular season games and captured a Southern Division title and earned the Predators a first round bye. After disposing of upstart Philadelphia at home, Gruden then guided the Predators to a convincing road win over highly favored Dallas (14-3) - a team that humiliated the Predators at home just weeks earlier. The win sent the Predators to a record seventh ArenaBowl championship game and fourth time under Gruden.
For his AFL career, Gruden has posted some truly remarkable numbers. As a head coach, he is 76-43-0 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 13-5 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 76-43 record as head coach, takes Gruden's all-time Arena Football League record to 170-74 (.697). As a player, assistant coach or head coach, Gruden has never failed to lead his team to the playoffs.
Gruden's success as a coach is not confined to Arena Football. For the past five seasons, he has served as an offensive assistant for the Tampa Bay of the National Football League. In that capacity, Gruden earned a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs in 2002 - his seventh professional championship ring.
Gruden Coaching Record
Year Team Record Pct. Comment
2007 Orlando 1-0-0 1.000
2006 Orlando 12-7-0 .632 Conference Champ
2005 Orlando 11-7-0 .611 AFL Semifinals
2004 Orlando 10-7-0 .588 AFL Quarterfinals
2001 Orlando 8-7-0 .533 AFL Quarterfinals
2000 Orlando 14-3-0 .824 AFL Champions
1999 Orlando 9-8-0 .529 AB Runnerup
1998 Orlando 12-5-0 .705 AFL Champions
As a Head Coach 77-44-0 .633 Two AFL Titles
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 6, 2007
- Storm sign Kicker - Tampa Bay Storm
- Utah Blaze game notes - Utah Blaze
- Dragons' opener a downer - OSC Original by David Holusha
- Georgia Force QB Chris Greisen Named AFL Offensive Player of the Week - Georgia Force
- Orlando Predators - Orlando Predators
- The Price (Guide) is Right - OSC Original by Randy Snow
- Chemistry key element in Soul - Philadelphia Soul
- Kenny McEntyre named ADT Defensive Player of the Week - Kansas City Brigade
- Utah's Dennard earns AFL weekly honor - Utah Blaze
- Gladiators Team Up with Nevada Partners for 2007 Season - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
