Preds make major roster moves
Published on March 27, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 27) -- Less than 24 hours after suffering a 70-49 loss to the Dallas Desperados, the Orlando Predators announced a major shake-up in their roster. The team turned in a total of nine roster transactions to the Arena Football League office in one of the busiest personnel days in franchise history.
On Tuesday the team released veteran lineman Doug Miller, while waiving first-year lineman Greg Jefferson and John Miller. The team also activated linemen Delanio Taylor (OL/C) and Eddie Freeman (DL) from the team's injured reserve list.
After losing wide receiver DeAndrew Rubin to a broken arm (fractured ulna) in last night's game, the team activated former UCF star Charles Lee from injured reserve. In addition, the team put in claims for defensive back Lynarise Elpheage (Tampa) and offensive lineman Joel Rodriguez (Nashville) off the AFL waiver wire and was awarded both players.
Miller was signed by the Predators two weeks ago after the team lost offensive guard Jim Sodano to a season-ending knee injury. Jefferson, who played six seasons in the NFL but had not played in a professional game since 2001, was signed after the Predators placed starting defensive end Chaz Murphy on the injured reserve list following a win over Austin in week three. Miller, a rookie from South Florida, made the team out of training camp and started the first four games for the Predators.
Lee, who played in the NFL for Green Bay, Tampa Bay and Arizona, is expected to make his AFL debut Saturday against New Orleans - replacing the injured Rubin. He opened the season on the Predators injured reserve list with a hamstring injury. Lee is one of the all-time leading receivers in UCF history and at 6-3, 223 will give Predators quarterback Shane Stafford a big target. Taylor is a second-year player who can play all three offensive line positions. He opened up the season on the IR list with a knee injury. Freeman also started the season on injured reserve. He played two seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in 20 games.
In Elpheage, the Predators pick-up an experienced defensive back that has played for the Tampa Bay Storm from 2005 through the first four games of the 2007 season. He started all four games for the Storm this year, ranking second on the team in tackles with 22.5. For his AFL career, Elpheage has 117.5 tackles with four interceptions and 19 pass defenses in 31 career games.
Rodriguez started two seasons for the Miami Hurricanes and played in NFL Europe. He was inactive for three of four games with the Kats, but did play in last week's win over the Austin Wranglers.
The Predators allowed a season-high 70 points in the loss to Dallas, as their record dropped to 2-2 on the season. Orlando has been plagued by a rash of injuries, opening the season with four players on injured reserve and have added three other starters (Murphy, Sodano, Rubin and Jimmy Fryzel) to the list. In addition, Greg White - the team's best pass rusher - missed last night's game with an elbow injury and is listed as questionable for this week's game with New Orleans.
Orlando returns to action on Saturday night against the New Orleans VooDoo (2-2) in a Southern Division match-up. The Predators and Voodoo are currently tied for second place in the Southern Divison, two games behind the Georgia Force (4-0).
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 27, 2007
- New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
- L.A. Avengers game notes - Los Angeles Avengers
- Preds make major roster moves - Orlando Predators
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
- Soul QB Tony Graziani named Offensive Player of the Week - Philadelphia Soul
- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Kats' Ahmad Hawkins Named ADT Defensive Player of the Week - Nashville Kats
- The OSC Interview: Soul Radio Announcer Ari Wolfe - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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.
