Preds Training Camp Report: Orlando To Scrimmage Tampa Bay on Friday February 16, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (February 12, 2007) -- Perhaps the most important day of the pre-season for players trying to make the Predators final roster will take place this Friday (February 16, 2007) when Orlando travels to Tampa Bay to take on the Storm in a 7:00 p.m. scrimmage.
The scrimmage will be an opportunity for the players to impress coaches as training camp hits the halfway mark. “The annual scrimmage with Tampa is always a huge day, especially for first-year Arena players trying to make an impression,” Predators head coach Jay Gruden said. “It’s sometimes hard to tell what you have when you’re just practicing against yourself and the scrimmage against Tampa will give us a better idea of where our personnel stacks up compared to another Arena team. Without question, some jobs will be won or lost on Friday.”
The teams are scheduled to run through various drills before meeting on the field for a controlled scrimmage, which will be open to the public. Fans wishing to attend should enter the St. Pete Times Forum: XO VIP, Box Office, Chrysler Jeep Gate, and Gate B. Gate B is located near the McDonald’s Box Office on the plaza. The scrimmage will mark the first time that Predators quarterback Shane Stafford will face his former team. Stafford played five record-setting seasons from the Storm before signing as a free agent with the Predators during the off-season.
Orlando will open the regular season on Friday, March 2, 2007 against the Tampa Bay Storm in Tampa.
MONDAY’S TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Inclement weather forced the Predators inside for the second half of their practice on Monday morning…Orlando made no roster moves over the weekend, as 33 players are currently in training camp…FB/LB Lance Mitchell remains excused from practice due to a serious illness in his family…last week, the Predators signed former UCF star receiver Charles Lee and waived DB Paul Cannings, Kevin Washington and lineman Lorenzo Davis; while former Michigan standout Ernest Shazor remains on the refused-to-report list…with just under 10,700 season ticket sold for 2007, the Predators have surpassed their total at the start of last year’s regular season…
Orlando ended the 2006 campaign with a record 11,244 season ticket holders and expects to break that total before the March 12, 2007 home opener with Los Angeles…season tickets, starting at just $63 for a nine-game package, remain on sale by calling 407-44-PREDS.
For more Orlando Predators information log onto: OrlandoPredators.com.
