We’ll just go from there and see what happens. “We know one thing - we have a lot of Predators fans in a city that’s loved its Orlando Predators. They have every right to,” said McEntyre, who expressed hopes for an opening attendance of at least 5,000. “There’s nothing wrong with the fans being hesitant. Not only have the Predators been gone two seasons, but the graveyard of football teams that once called the City Beautiful home now also includes the short-lived Apollos. The lingering question concerns how Orlando football fans will respond. It’s one-on-one matchups and giving people an exciting play.” Said Israel: “We do have playmakers, and that’s what arena football is about. I take pride in being able to plug in anywhere.” “I’m not just a receiver or just a defensive back. The Jacksonville Sharks crushed the rival Orlando Predators in the National Arena League playoffs on Saturday night, rolling to a 62-18 win that sends them into next week’s championship game. “I take pride in being that ironman, not really being one-sided,” Hemphill said. Hemphill will anchor a young but athletic defense, listed as a linebacker but also able to play safety or even cornerback. Castile, a veteran of nine arena teams, figures to be Israel’s main target along with Edward Victorian. The league is one of four that play arena football, adding to the difficulty. It wasn’t just the other NAL teams filling up rosters, either. “Every other team in the league had their rosters in November,” Miller said. Since then, he and his staff have pored through “hundreds and hundreds of hours” of videotape looking for hidden treasure. The Predators were granted NAL membership in mid-January, with Miller taking the coaching reins on Feb. Though the Predators have the name and history, the roster is basically that of an expansion franchise. It’s smaller, but there are 2,500 to 3,000 core Predators fans that love this game and appreciate it for what it is.”Įventually, though, it comes down to the product on the field. I think the Predators have something similar. “We had our 15,000 core fans that we knew were going to show up. “It’s like UCF in the early days,” he suggested. Growing up not far from UCF, the former University High standout attended several Predators games as a teenager. Like the others, Israel has fond memories of what the Predators used to mean to Central Florida. There are going to be moments of great nervousness, but I’m really excited about it.” “I’m sure there are going to be times when I’m saying, ‘How did I get here?’ Four months ago, I had no idea this was going to be the case. “I went backwards, yes,” quipped Israel, who continued playing semipro ball even as he began a career in restaurant management. Now he’ll be the one critiqued from above. There’s one additional attraction that should appeal to Orlando football fans - quarterback Kyle Israel, who guided UCF to its first 10-win season in 2007 and spent several years playing in Europe.Įight years ago, Israel did color analysis on the Predators’ radio broadcasts. Said Miller: “For to bring it back and for me to come out and try to win games just like old times - it’s personal.”
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