Orlan-doh!
Jason Lucas
Monday April 11, 2005
Predators’ rookie return man Jerrian James fumbled the opening kickoff with Tampa Bay’s Nyle Wiren making the recovery. Storm quarterback Shane Stafford quickly turned that into a 7-0 Storm lead with his 7-yard touchdown run. From there things would only get worse for the Predators who just continued to shoot themselves in their collected foot. Every time the Predators got a break in this game they either had a bad play call by Head Coach Jay Gruden, linemen deciding not to block for QB Joe Hamilton or Referee Bill McCabe’s crew taking away an obvious interception from defensive specialist Kenny McEntyre.
In the second half the Predators had just about every chance you could ask for to get back in the game. Hamilton simply did not have any time to throw the football downfield. The Storm defensive line did a great job of putting pressure on Hamilton forcing him to make mistakes which eventually would cost the Predators any chance at getting back in the game after trailing 31-23 early in the third quarter.
With third down and one at the Tampa Bay 17 yard line the Predators had two cracks at gaining a yard and simply could not get it done. The first call was to fullback/linebacker Doug Miller who could not move the pile and was stuffed by storm offensive/defensive lineman Kelvin Kinney. The fourth down call was a Hamilton run play, which was also turned back by Kinney forcing the Predators turnover and the Storm would quickly take a commanding 38-23 lead. The Predators came into this game with no true FB/LB on the active roster so why in the world would they run the ball twice on consecutive plays where they just needed a yard? This was the clear turning point of the game as the Predators added yet another self-inflicted wound.
We start the fourth quarter with the Storm leading 38-30 and about to add another score when Kenny "the Glove" McEntyre makes a spectacular interception of Stafford only to have Bill McCabe and crew take the interception away sighting Lawrence Samuels tackling McEntyre to the ground by the ball. The Storm would take advantage of this gift from McCabe and crew to take a 44-30 lead on Umar Muhammad’s 2-yard touchdown run. I will also note that the Forum showed a replay of just about every play in this game except this one play, so I saw the replay when I got home and realized McEntyre had the interception and was then taken down by the ball, but never fumbled it back. The Predators were clearly robbed of an opportunity to get back in the game here. Will there ever be an AFL game where we do not have to worry about the horrible officiating, what says you commissioner? Are you ready to make me head of officials yet?
Now back to the game and the Predators self-inflicting wounds once again. Hamilton had no pass protection on the Predators ensuing drive and was sacked for a 9-yard loss on third and long. On fourth down from the Storm 20 yard-line Hamilton was intercepted in the end zone by Storm DS Jonathan Ordway who made a one handed stab to bat the ball in the air and caught it for the interception. The Storm would turn that into a Matt George field goal and forge an insurmountable 47-30 lead late in the fourth quarter.
On The Up Side
Jimmy Fryzel kept up his stellar play leading the Predators in receptions with 10 on the night for 159 yards and 3 touchdowns. Fryzel has started the Predators last 7 games after the Predators released Travis McGriff and he has not disappointed. In his last two games Fryzel has a total of 6 touchdown receptions and over 300 receiving yards. He has also shown a knack for getting yards after the catch even with players draped all over him. He not only makes tacklers miss but he also breaks the tackles by running through them rather than around them. The Predators were looking for the perfect complement to Cory Fleming and they may have found it in Jimmy Fryzel, we will find out more as the playoffs draw nearer.
I hate to admit it, but losing to Tampa Bay is not the end of the world for the Predators and their fans. Losing this game only furthers the chance that Tampa Bay may pay us a visit in the playoffs and we will get to see our friends from the southwest end of I-4 again. I know a few people over in the Tampa area that missed their visit to the Jungle in February who would love to come over and see a game here. The Predators are sitting just inside the playoffs right now, but face New York and Georgia in the next two weeks.
Week 12
Friday night in the Jungle brings Aaron Garcia and the New York Dragons to town with their 6-4 record. As usual the Dragons have a high scoring offense to contend with and the Predators have yet to lose to the Dragon squad in four meetings. Last season the Predators routed the Dragons in the second to last week of the season on their way to a playoff birth, the Dragons won their division, but did not appear in the playoffs. Coming into this week the Predators and Dragons are tied in the loss column with four apiece. This begins a stretch where the Predators will have three of their last five games in the Jungle and their only two road games are against teams who are currently outside of the playoff picture in Austin and Philadelphia.
Al Lucas
My extreme condolences to the family of Los Angeles Avengers OL/DL Al Lucas. Lucas was a top tier OL/DL in the AFL and he will be sorely missed by his teammates as well as his competitors. When Al was with the Storm I used to refer to him as "cousin Al" because we have the same last name. It is hard to believe I was just watching him play for the Avengers last week in the Jungle and now he is not with us anymore. Al Lucas is now the newest member of the AFL expansion team in heaven headed by former Predators Head Coach Fran Papasedero. Fran, you have yourself one of the best linemen ever to suit up in the AFL, use him wisely!
Jason Lucas is a part-time freelance writer based in the Orlando, Florida area. A former director of media relations with the Orlando Predators, Jason is making his return to Arenafan.com after a short stint as a public relations assistant with the UFL‘s Florida Tuskers in 2010. Lucas has followed the AFL since 1992 and began covering the Predators for Arenafan during the 2004 season. He held that position until being picked up by the Preds front office after the 2007 season. Jason‘s knowledge of arena football and love of the game is what drives him to continue covering the sport.