Predators Complete Two Trades Thursday Night
February 6, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, FL - The Orlando Predators were active in the trade market on Thursday as the team agreed to trade wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez to the Pittsburgh Power in exchange for defensive end Markell Carter and offensive lineman Ben Ossai.
The team also completed a trade with the Los Angeles Kiss that sent Matt Spanos and Syd'Quan Thompson to Los Angeles for defensive lineman Earl Okine and defensive back Al Philips.
Predators Head Coach Rob Keefe was extremely pleased with the moves that took place on Thursday, and he could not be more excited about creating a brand new environment for his team and this franchise. "When a new coach takes over a team, he must first address the culture of the franchise before anything else," said Keefe. "This trade is indicative of all players involved getting a fresh start in a new environment. We wish Prechae, Matt and Syd'Quan the best, and we are very excited for Ben, Markell, Earl, Al and Khalil to join the Predators family".
Carter (6-4, 275, Central Arkansas) was drafted by the New England Patriots with the 194th overall pick in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The defensive end was on the Predators roster for their playoff game against the Philadelphia Soul in 2013, but did not play in the contest. Carter has also played in the Canadian Football League and had 16.5 sacks during his 42-game career at Central Arkansas.
Ben Ossai (6-6, 315, University of Washington) played in 48 games, starting 42 along the offensive line for the Washington Huskies. The lineman was named to the Sporting News Pac-10 All-Freshman Team following the 2006 season. After college, Ossai was in camp with the St. Louis Rams before joining the Spokane Shock in 2011. The lineman started in all 12 games he played in for Spokane before leaving to join the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives for the remainder of the season. Ossai then returned to Spokane for the 2012 season, however, after 4 games he signed with the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League. In 2013, Ossai returned for his third season with the Shock, but only appeared in two games. The former Huskie was then assigned to the Pittsburgh Power before being traded to Orlando Thursday night.
Earl Okine (6-6, 284, University of Florida) saw action in 42 games during his career at Florida and had 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, a blocked field goal and a pass breakup. The defensive line was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent following the 2013 NFL Draft.
Al Phillips (5-11, 190, Wagner) is an AFL veteran that is entering his fifth season in the league. The defensive back spent the three previous seasons with the Utah Blaze, and totaled six interceptions throughout his tenure. Phillips ranks third all-time in Wagner history with 17 career interceptions, and the defensive back set a Division I-AA record for longest kickoff return for a touchdown (95 yards vs. Robert Morris in 2007). The Wagner product was also brought into the New York Jets camp following his college career as an undrafted free agent.
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Arena Football League Stories from February 6, 2014
- Prechae Rodriguez Traded to Pittsburgh from Orlando - Pittsburgh Power
- Shock Single Game Tickets Go on Sale Thursday, February 20 - Spokane Shock
- Predators Complete Two Trades Thursday Night - Orlando Predators
- Philadelphia Welcomes Coach Rod Miller - Philadelphia Soul
- Thunder Announce Single-Game Ticket Release Date - Portland Thunder
- Storm Single-Game Tickets on Sale Sunday, February 9th - Tampa Bay Storm
- Pittsburgh Power Single-Game Tickets on Sale Friday - Pittsburgh Power
- Sharks Team up with Veteran Tickets Foundation - Jacksonville Sharks
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