Preds search for replacements

Published on April 19, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. -- Head Coach Jay Gruden announced several roster moves today, with more promised tomorrow, as his injured riddled Orlando Predators (8-4-0) football team continued preparations for Friday night's showdown with the division leading Georgia Force (9-3-0).

Of paramount importance was finding potential replacements for injured defensive specialist Kenny McEntyre, quarterback Joe Hamilton and back-up fullback/linebacker Kevin Jefferson. All three were injured in the Predators 72-60 win over New York last Friday night. Hamilton suffered a Grade 3 AC separation (left shoulder), while Jefferson tore the ACL in his knee. X-Rays revealed on Monday that McEntyre, the team's captain and three-time AFL Defensive Player of the Year, had a fractured rib. Jefferson was placed on injured reserve list on Tuesday and will be lost for the season. The team will decide whether or not to place Hamilton and McEntyre on the injured reserve list later this week, but both are most likely out for this week.

The Predators signed FB/LB Kevin Nagle off the practice squad of the Nashville Kats on Tuesday. Nagle, 6-1,255, played three seasons for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers of the af2 league, where he was the starting fullback/linebacker. He was active for four games for the Kats this season, recording four tackles and rushing for a pair of touchdowns. He carried the ball 44 times for 153 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Pioneers during the 2004 "af2" season.

Orlando also activated Korey Banks from the team's refused to report list. Originally signed by the Predators in 2003, Banks has spent the last two years on the team's NFL-Exempt list – spending time on the practice squads Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins. If McEntyre is unable to play on Friday, Banks will most likely start in his place.

With OL/DL Doug Miller moving to FB/LB and starting DL Buck Gurley out with a knee injury, the Predators also announced the signing of former Predators OL/DL Nate Bandy to the team's practice squad. Bandy was a teammate of Nagle's at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for two seasons and went to training camp with the Predators in 2004. The team released Herman Bell from the practice squad on Monday.

If Hamilton is ruled out for this week, the most likely scenario would have the Predators promoting back-up Chris Sanders to the starter's role and signing a back-up quarterback. Sanders earned "Offensive Player of the Game" honors against New York, leading the Predators to five consecutive touchdowns in the come-from-behind win over the Dragons. Sanders passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more, completing 13 of 17 passes (76.5%) for 130 yards in one half of play.

With the injuries, the Predators may have as many as five new starters and dress a total of seven different players that were not in uniform three weeks ago against Los Angeles. Only 20 players dress for each team. "We may be beat up and we may be short-handed, but I told our team we will not use that as an excuse," Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "The most dangerous animal is a wounded one and that's the attitude I want to come out with on Friday night. We have some new guys on the roster and some other players that have been waiting around to play all season. This is their time to step it up."

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 19, 2005


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.

OurSports Central