Preds roster starting to take shape
Published on November 6, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 6, 2006) -- With several months remaining before the start of training camp, Orlando Predators head coach JAY GRUDEN has 26 players under contract as he continues to build a team for the 2007 season.
Eight players from last year's ArenaBowl roster are gone - that number swells to nine when starting defensive specialist Jeroid Johnson who was on injured reserve is included. That will insure the 2007 edition of the Orlando Predators will be significantly different from last year's National Conference Championship squad.
Gruden says a combination of free agency and a new free substitution rule has led to a high roster turnover. "On a year to year basis, we probably have more turnover than other successful franchises," Gruden said. "But I don't necessarily believe that it is a negative. We've been very successful with bringing in new players each year."
With each team operating under a salary cap, hard decisions have to be made when determining who to keep and who to let go. Orlando's success on the field has made its free agents an attractive target for other teams.
"When you are successful and have a lot of players under one-year contracts, they all are looking for raises and other teams are looking to sign them," Gruden said. "The salary cap means some guys you would like to keep are going to move on to greener pastures. It's just the nature of the system we are operating under."
Gruden points to lineman HENRY TAYLOR as an example. Taylor was among the AFL leaders in sacks last year and left via free agency. "Would I like a player of Henry's ability on this year's team?" Gruden reasons. "Heck yes. Could I keep him and make him fit under the cap? No way."
Gruden also points to a new rule for 2007 - free substitution - that will also change roster make-ups around the AFL. "Two players who were solid but not spectacular on both sides of the ball are probably going to be replaced by two players who are great on one side of the ball."
Gruden says the secret is to strike a delicate balance, which is one reason the Predators have shied away from high-priced free agent talent. "After every season, we make a list of who we want back and try to sign them during the early signing period. Traditionally we have had very little cap room to go after free agents."
The system has served Gruden and the Predators well. Orlando's active streak of 15 consecutive overall winning seasons, 15 consecutive trips to the playoffs and seven ArenaBowl appearances have all either established or tied league records.
Even with massive turnover, the Predators have been able to keep those streaks alive. "I think there's more than one way to approach this game," Gruden added. "Some teams make it a priority to resign their veterans and keep them around for as long as possible and that approach has been successful for those teams. We tend to shake things up a lot on a year-to-year basis but that system has worked well for us."
Here is a quick snap shot of how the Predators look heading into the 2007 season:
Quarterback
Although the Predators usually stay clear of the free agent market, they made perhaps the biggest splash in 2007 with the signing of Tampa Bay's SHANE STAFFORD. The move led to the Predators releasing three-year starter JOE HAMILTON, who had one year remaining on his contract. Hamilton led the Predators to three consecutive playoff berths, including the ArenaBowl last season. Still Gruden believes that Stafford was too good a player to ignore. "Joe was a great player and leader for us and there is no way we would have considered this unless I believed Shane was better player." Stafford has topped 9,000 passing yards and 160 touchdown passes in the last two seasons alone. Orlando received a break when back-up JAKE EATON decided to resign with the Predators after failing to secure an opportunity to become a starter in the free agent market. There is an outside chance the Predators may bring a third quarterback to training camp.
Offensive/Defensive Line
The Predators retained GREG WHITE, JUSTIN CLEVELAND, JIM SODANO, CHARLES HILL, REGGIE LEE and DELANIO TAYLOR from the 2006 team; while GREG KRAUSE and HENRY TAYLOR left via free agency. Orlando then signed defensive lineman LORENZO DAVIS, center JOHN MILLER and defensive tackle ANDREW WILLIAMS. White is considered one of the best defensive lineman in the league, while Cleveland is a great center. Look for the Predators to sign 2-4 additional linemen in the coming months to augment this group.
Defensive Backs
With JEROID JOHNSON leaving the Predators via free agency and KENNY "THE GLOVE" McENTYRE traded to Kansas City, Gruden has concentrated on signing a lot of prospects at this position. Orlando picked up four-year veteran CHRIS POINTER via free agency and then signed a large of group of talented rookies including NICK ALLISON, PAUL CANNINGS, MICHEAUX ROBINSON, and KEVIN WASHINGTON. With LIN-J SHELL and KHALIL CARTER returning from the 2006 roster and RYAN BOWERS returning to the AFL after playing in the NFL, this may be the most talented and competitive position during training camp.
FULLBACK/LINEBACKERS
With IDRIS PRICE's departure via free agency and no new players signed at this position, it is an area of concern for the Predators. MARLON MOYE-MOORE and KEVIN NAGLE return, but the Predators most likely will allocate 2-4 their remaining roster spots to this position.
WIDE RECEIVERS/KICK RETURNERS
Orlando returns its top four receivers from a year ago, including JIMMY FRYZEL, DeANDREW RUBIN, JAVARUS DUDLEY and JERRIAN JAMES. While none of the four are a clearly defined number one, go-to type receiver, Gruden says their strength lies in the fact that collectively "all four are very good and bring something different to the table." Rubin is the most explosive of the group and will most likely enter camp as the team's top return man. Orlando will look to sign 2-3 additional players at this position - including possibly a big receiver - to compete for roster spots.
KICKER
Orlando returns JAY TAYLOR, the most accurate field goal and extra point kicker in team history and the 2004 first-team All-Arena and Kicker of the Year. Should Orlando have a roster spot available before training camp opens, the team might consider bringing in another kicker to complete with Taylor - but it's definitely Taylor's job to lose.
With 26 players under contract, the Predators have room to sign up to 11 more players on its pre-season roster. Player Personnel Director LES MOSS and Gruden will continue to search the 2006 NFL cut lists and utilize a Dec. 2 Free Agent Tryout Camp to fill the remaining spots. Here is a look at Orlando's current roster and potential signings before the start of the 2007 season.
Players Position Under Contract Looking To Sign
Quarterback 2 0-1
Lineman 9 2-4
Defensive Backs 8 1-2
Wide Receivers 4 1-3
Fullback/Linebackers 2 2-4
Kickers 1 0-1
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 6, 2006
- Avengers in the community - Los Angeles Avengers
- Force Bring Back 19 Players from Open Tryout - Georgia Force
- Preds roster starting to take shape - Orlando Predators
- AFL commissioner celebrates 10-year anniversary - AFL I
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.
