Preds Send Davis To Detroit
January 30, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
Orlando, Fla. (Jan. 30) -- In one of the bigger surprises of training camp, the Orlando Predators shipped WR/DB Thabiti Davis to the Detroit Fury on Friday, in exchange for Detroit's first round pick in the league's next dispersal draft.
Predators head coach Jay Gruden said that salary cap issues, combined with the emergence of WR/LB George Williams, were significant factors in the trade.
"Thabiti is an extremely talented player that we frankly could no longer afford to keep," Gruden said. "When all the salary calculations were completed, we were over the cap and were required to make adjustments to get back under the limit. It's not a lot different than what the NFL teams have to deal with. In Thabiti's case, it was a difficult decision. But it is the same difficult decision that I believe a lot of teams are going to have to make this season."
Davis is in his second AFL season. He caught 63 passes for 759 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and rushed for three more scores. Defensively, Davis had 22.5 tackles with an interception, one fumble recovery and one tackle for loss. Davis tacked on eight receptions for 106 yards and three touchdowns in the post-season.
The loss of Davis was softened by the off-season acquisition of George Williams. Signed as an unrestricted free agent, Williams played sparingly for two seasons with Las Vegas as a wide receiver/linebacker. He caught 38 passes for 447 yards with six touchdowns in two seasons.
"George had an outstanding pre-season," Gruden said. "In fact, he was probably our best receiver in camp. He's going to get a chance to play a lot in 2004."
Orlando concludes its pre-season on Saturday, with its annual Season Ticket Pick-Up Party and Media Day. The festivities, open only to season ticket holders and the media, is from 9 a.m. â 12 noon at Thunder Field, adjacent to the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.
The Predators open the 2004 season on Sunday, Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay. The first home game is Friday, Feb. 13 against the Austin Wranglers at 7:30 p.m. Season and single game tickets are now on sale by calling 407-44-PREDS.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 30, 2004
- Cobras Continue to Reduce Roster - Carolina Cobras
- Storm Training Camp News and Notes - Tampa Bay Storm
- Preds Send Davis To Detroit - Orlando Predators
- SaberCats' Dan Frantz kicks off busy six-month run in 2004 - San Jose SaberCats
- Georgia Force to honor UGA legends at home opener - Georgia Force
- Firebirds announce radio tandem for 2004 - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- About 100 women attend Second Annual Arena Football 101 - Grand Rapids Rampage
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