Taylor named AFL Kicker of the Month
May 6, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 6) -- Orlando Predators first year place kicker Jay Taylor, who tied an Arena Football League record by making 10 consecutive field goal attempts, was named AFL's "Kicker of the Month" for April.
In four games during the month, Taylor connected on all nine of his field goal attempts, including a 50-yard attempt against Dallas on April 25. In Arena Football, the goal posts are five-foot higher than in stadium football (15-feet instead of 10) and half as wide (9-feet compared to 18-feet in outdoor football).
Taylor also was successful on his final attempt in March, giving him 10 consecutive field goals made. To understand the significance of Taylor's accomplishment, consider the previous Orlando Predators record for consecutive field goals made was just three â accomplished three times in the Predators' 14-year history. Taylor's 10 consecutive field goals made tied the unofficial Arena Football League record (league is in process of verifying research) previously held by Mike Black, who made 10 straight while playing for the New York CityHawks in 1998.
Taylor's streak ended last week against Tampa, when he was wide left on his only attempt of the game from 37-yards. In addition to hitting 9-9 on field goals in April, Taylor was 21 of 24 on point after attempts (87.5%) and second 48 points for the month.
Currently, Taylor has made 19 consecutive point after touchdowns and has been successful on 27 of his last 29 combined placements (93.1%). "Jay had a great month and certainly played a major role in two of our three wins in April," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "He certainly is deserving of this award and has given us the type of consistency that we have lacked during the past four seasons at this position."
For the season, Taylor has connected on 14 of 20 field goal attempts (70%). The Predators records for field goal accuracy in a single season is 58.3% (14 of 24) set by David Cool during the 1998 season.
A product of West Virginia University and a former kicker for the Orlando Rage (XFL), Taylor was also nominated for Rookie of the Month honors. He joins quarterback Joe Hamilton (Rookie of the Month â April) as the only two Predators players to snag Arena Football League Player of the Month awards.
Orlando, 6-6, travels to New Orleans this week in a regionally televised game on NBC. Kickoff is 3 p.m. Sunday against the division-leading VooDoo (9-3).
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 6, 2004
- SaberCats QB Grieb named player of the month - San Jose SaberCats
- Quick hitters: week 14 - AFL I
- Fans to participate in AFL award voting for second season - AFL I
- Must-see matchups: week 14 - AFL I
- AFL honors five players with monthly awards for April - AFL I
- Force ready to play again after bye week - Georgia Force
- Dragons Rookie WR/LB Richmond Flowers to Appear on AFL on NBC Coverage - New York Dragons
- Cobras Activate WR/LB Sir Mawn Wilson - Carolina Cobras
- Drive to ArenaBowl XVIII continues Sunday on NBC at 3 p.m. ET - AFL I
- Taylor named AFL Kicker of the Month - Orlando Predators
- VooDoo DS Monty Montgomery named AFL's ADT Defensive Player of the Month - New Orleans VooDoo
- Toliver named US Army Ironman of the Month - Tampa Bay Storm
- Etu Molden named April Rookie of the Month - Chicago Rush
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.
