Entertainment 411 - October 2006

Shane Stafford Becomes An Orlando Predator

ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 3, 2006 ) -- One of the top free agents in the Arena Football League is coming to Orlando as record-setting quarterback SHANE STAFFORD has agreed to a new two-year contract with the Orlando Predators.

Stafford has five years of AFL experience – all with the Tampa Bay Storm. Last year, he set Storm single season records for attempts (650), completions (408), yards (4,795) and touchdown passes (86). He became the first quarterback in Arena Football League to pass for 400+ yards in consecutive games, torching Orlando for 458 yards and eight touchdowns in a thrilling 67-64 overtime loss to the Predators in Week 4 and then adding 424 yards and seven touchdowns in a Week 5 win over Austin.

Stafford led the league in total offense (303.2 yards per game) and pass completions (408), while ranking third in touchdowns accounted for (96) and touchdown passes (86). A big quarterback at 6-3,220-lbs., Stafford is a weapon near the goal line. He rushed for 10 touchdowns last season to tie Chicago’s Matt D’Orazio for the league-lead among AFL quarterbacks.

Over the last two years, he has been one of the most prolific passers in the Arena Football League, throwing for 9,317 yards and 169 touchdowns. Stafford holds Tampa Bay career records for passing yards (15,672) and passing touchdowns (289) to go with 29 career rushing touchdowns. He has 19, 300-yard passing games to his credit.

“We considered Shane to be a franchise-type player and the top-available free agent on the market,” Predators head coach JAY GRUDEN said. “Whenever you have a chance to upgrade your team, you have to do it.

Stafford said he was happy to become a Predator. “I am moving from one of the great franchises in Arena Football history in Tampa Bay to another great franchise in Orlando,” Stafford said. “I am fired up about the opportunity to compete for an ArenaBowl championship while playing for Jay Gruden in front of the great Predators fans.”

Stafford began his professional career with the Tallahassee Thunder (af2) in 2000. He joined the Storm in 2001 and became the team’s starting quarterback midway through the 2002 season. He signed with the Tampa Bay Bucs (NFL) in 2003, where he was allocated to NFL Europe. After being released by the Bucs in August, he re-signed with the Storm.

He played college football at Connecticut under former Huskies coach SKIP HOLTZ. In four seasons, he threw for 8,973 yards and 73 touchdowns. His 143.4 career pass rating at Connecticut remains a school record, while his 73 career touchdown passes ranks second on the all-time UConn list.

The signing of Stafford means the Predators most likely will trade or release quarterback JOE HAMILTON who has one season remaining on his Predators’ contract. In three seasons as Orlando’s quarterback, Hamilton set Predators career passing records with 9,930 yards and 181 touchdowns. Last season, he completed 65.6% of his passes in leading the Predators to a division championship. Hamilton was named second team All-Arena quarterback and led the team to the ArenaBowl. In three seasons as the Predators starter, Hamilton was 32-16 as a starter.

“Our goal is to work out a deal for Joe Hamilton that will allow him to continue his career in a city where he wants to play. Joe was a great quarterback with the Predators and is a true professional. That made the decision to pursue Shane a difficult one,” Gruden added. “I am confident that Joe will continue to find success with a new team and on behalf of our coaches, players and fans want to thank him for his contributions over the last three seasons.”

STAFFORD’S AFL CAREER STATS

Year Team G/GS Att-Comp-Int. Pct. Yards TD Rushing TD

2001 Tampa Bay 6/2 98-63-2 64.3 770 14 5-8 1

2002 Tampa Bay 10/9 323-203-7 62.8 2164 39 18-18 2

2004 Tampa Bay 16/14 442-282-13 63.8 3421 67 20-36 5

2005 Tampa Bay 16/16 634-405-14 63.9 4522 83 29-30 10

2006 Tampa Bay 16/16 650-408-18 62.8 4795 86 32-57 10

AFL Career Totals 64/57 2147-1361-54 63.4 15,672 289 105-149 28