Predators Aquire LB Matangi Tonga, Add Former NFL DB Emanuel Cook

Thursday April 30, 2015

 ORLANDO – April 29, 2015 – The Orlando Predators made several roster moves Tuesday, announcing the additions of veteran Mac linebacker Matangi Tonga and rookie defensive back Emanuel Cook. Tonga was acquired from the Spokane Shock in exchange for the third overall claim order, while Cook arrives as a free agent addition.

In his first four seasons in the Arena Football League, Tonga (6-2, 285, Houston) totaled 57.5 tackles with 12.0 stops for loss, 6.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and five blocked kicks. He joined the Spokane Shock entering 2015 after spending the prior three seasons with the Iowa Barnstormers.

Tonga earned first-team All-America accolades in 2009 at the College of San Mateo before transferring to the University of Houston, where he delivered 26 tackles with 1.5 sacks and 5.5 stops for loss as a senior in 2010.

Cook (5-9, 205, South Carolina) brings an extensive NFL resume to the Orlando Predators secondary. He signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2009 before landing on the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cook re-joined the Jets the following season and posted seven tackles and a forced fumble while playing in 12 games from 2010-2011. He was waived by the Jets midway through the 2011 season and was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens, where he went on to become a special teams standout while helping the team earn a victory in Super Bowl XLVII.

A native of Riviera Beach, Florida, Cook played collegiately at the University of South Carolina, where he earned second-team All-SEC honors as a junior in 2007.

The Orlando Predators return to the Amway Center in Week 6 to battle the Cleveland Gladiators on Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast live locally on WKMG Local 6. For all the latest news and updates, visit orlandopredators.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT THE ORLANDO PREDATORS

The 2014 South Division Champion Orlando Predators enters its 24th season as Central Florida’s most exciting and innovative professional sports franchise. Proud members of the Arena Football League, the Predators have achieved unprecedented success on the field. Orlando has advanced to the AFL playoffs a league-leading 22 times in their history while securing seven conference championships, including two ArenaBowl Championship victories in 1998 and 2000.