Orlando Predators to start Chris Leak as quarterback in Friday's NFL Network Game of the Week

Thursday May 17, 2012

 Orlando, FL - The Orlando Predators will start former Florida Gators quarterback Chris Leak in this Friday’s game versus the New Orleans VooDoo. The game is slated for an 8 p.m. kick off from the New Orleans Arena and will be nationally televised on NFL Network.

Leak, who led the Gators to a national championship in 2006, signed with the Predators on April 25 after playing one game this season for the Jacksonville Sharks.

“Now that Chris has had time to adjust to the team, we think he can be the leader we need to hopefully turn the second half of our season around,” said Predators head coach Bret Munsey.

Orlando has had inconsistency at the quarterback position this season, with Collin Drafts, Justin Roper and Chris Leak all seeing playing time through the initial eight games. In the Week Nine match up against the Tampa Bay Storm, Roper got the start, but after he struggled in the first half, Leak took over in the second. Leak put up solid numbers, throwing for three touchdowns and 78 yards.

In his only game with the Sharks during Week 1, Leak threw for five touchdowns as the starting QB in the team’s win against Kansas City. Previously he played for Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

Orlando’s Arena Football League franchise since 1991, the Orlando Predators are entering their 21st year in the AFL. In that time, the Predators have advanced to the AFL Playoffs a league-leading 19 consecutive seasons and appeared in the Arena Bowl seven times, winning AFL Championships in 1998 and 2000.