Preds Place Two on All-Arena Team
May 20, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
Orlando, FL -- The Orlando Predators placed two players on the 2003 edition of the "All-Arena" team announced Tuesday. Defensive Specialist Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre was named to the first unit for a fourth consecutive year; while lineman Ernest Allen was named to the second unit for a fourth time in his career.
McEntyre, who won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2000 and 2001, finished the regular season ranked in the top five in the league in interceptions (10), pass defenses (19), tackles (89.5) and touchdowns scored by a defensive player (5).
Allen started every game for the Predators. A guard on offense, Allen played both nose tackle and end on the defensive side of the ball. He finished the season with 11.5 tackles, 4.5 quarterback sacks, and 4.5 additional tackles-for-loss.
"This is a nice honor for both Kenny and Ernest," Orlando Predators Head Coach Fran Papasedero said. "Kenny has made huge play after huge play for us since arriving in 1998. Ernest does things that don't always show up on the stat sheet, but I am convinced he remains one of the three best linemen in the Arena Football League." Papasedero went on to say that several other Predators were deserving of consideration. "I believe you could make a strong case for several other of our players, especially Cory Fleming, Jay Gruden and EJ Burt, but a lot of other coaches could say the same thing about their players. We're not going to worry about that too much and just focus on the upcoming playoffs."
Defending AFL champion San Jose placed four members on the All-Arena team, including a league-leading three players on the first unit including FB/LB Keala Keanaaina, WR/DB Barry Wagner and DS Clevan Thomas. Wagner, who starred with the Orlando Predators from 1992-99, was named to the first unit for a record seventh time.
Los Angeles put two players on the first unit, including WR/DB Greg Hopkins and offensive specialist Chris Jackson. Arizona also placed two players â QB Sherdrick Bonner and WR/DB Randy Gatewood â on the first unit. Bonner and Gatewood make their fifth appearance on the All-Arena team (either first or second team), while Hopkins appears for a fourth time.
Arena Football League Stories from May 20, 2003
- Sherdrick Bonner and Randy Gatewood Earn All-AFL First Team Honors - Arizona Rattlers
- Three Storm players named to All-Arena teams - Tampa Bay Storm
- Horsemen sign Craig Yeast - Kentucky Horsemen
- Preds Place Two on All-Arena Team - Orlando Predators
- Gruden To Play in 2004 - Orlando Predators
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