Preds second open tryout scheduled for December 9
Published on November 28, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 28) -- Have what it takes to play professional football? Believe you could have made it if only you had been given the chance? Want to play for a championship organization? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, the Orlando Predators want to see you at its second FREE AGENT TRYOUT CAMP, slated for Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Florida Citrus Bowl Complex.
Registration opens at 8 a.m. with the tryout beginning promptly at 9 a.m. Participants will be field tested in the 40-yard dash, the 20-yard short shuttle and a variety of position-specific individual and team non-contact drills. The tryout is for all positions and will last approximately three hours.
Candidates will be evaluated by Predators head coach JAY GRUDEN and his assistants, as well as select head coaches from the Arena Football League's developmental league "arenafootball2."
The Predators currently have 27 players under contract for the 2007 season, leaving up to 10 roster spots open. Gruden is a strong believer in "open tryouts" to fill specific needs. "There are a lot of talented football players that slip through the cracks," Gruden said. "My attitude has always been that if a guy can play, he can play and I don't really care about his background and previous experience."
While most AFL players are actively recruited and have some type of NFL experience, it's interesting to note that the Predators have signed at least one player each year from its Free Agent Open Tryout Camp. The team's first tryout for 2007, which was held in September, resulted in a record six players earning contracts with the Predators.
Those signees included NICK ALLISON, a former Bethune Cookman College star that was playing in a minor indoor football league in Daytona Beach; and JOHN MILLER, a former standout with the University of South Florida.
Orlando has also found success with lesser know attendees through the years. ANTHONY BRIGHT was a former community college basketball player who earned a Predators contract with no college football experience in 2004; while RODNEY BROWN, was working at a car wash when he was signed at a 1999 tryout camp. Both players went on to make the squad and play at least one full season in the Arena Football League.
"The open tryout is an opportunity to be seen by both the Predators coaches and coaches from the "areafootball2" league," Gruden added. "The overall quality of player attending the tryout has improved every season since we have been here and I can ensure you that every athlete that attends our tryouts will get honest evaluation from our coaching staff."
There is a $60 registration fee (cash or money order only) per athlete to cover the cost of the tryout ($50 if pre-registering). Athletes should come dressed in shorts, t-shirts and grass turf shoes and the tryout will be held rain or shine. For more information on the tryout process or to obtain a pre-registration form, log on to www.orlandopredators.com or call 407-44-PREDS.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 28, 2006
- Preds second open tryout scheduled for December 9 - Orlando Predators
- Jay Romig named Director of New Orleans VooDoo - New Orleans VooDoo
- Brigade begins filling final roster spots with free agents from KU and UCLA - Kansas City Brigade
- Dragons complete roster additions - New York Dragons
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