Daily League News & Notes

Arena Football League
Predators Training Camp Report
The Orlando Predators reported to their second day of practice at Tinker field this morning. With just under two weeks before their preseason scrimmage, with the Jacksonville Sharks, the team is in high gear
"Everything is going very well," said Marlon Moye-Moore, returning Linebacker and Fullback. "I have been with the Predators since 2004, and in the past two days I can say that this years team, hands down has the best group of football players I have seen in my 8 years with the team".
The team returns to practice tomorrow morning at 8am and will continue practices through the weekend until Sunday, March 10th.
With all practices open to the media, coaches and players will be made available for interviews following the conclusion of each practice. As a courtesy, members of the media who are planning to attend a practice are asked to notify our Media Relations Coordinator, Johanna Kimberley at jkimberley@orlandopredators.com.
Sharks Training Camp Report - March 5
The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks held their second full-contact workout in as many days on Tuesday morning, taking to the practice field at Plantation Park for a second consecutive day.
Tuesday's practice provided the toughest conditioning test yet, as temperatures climbed into the seventies during the team session at the tail end of practice. That team workout followed a lengthy series of one-on-one and three-on-three work.
The one-on-one portion of practice highlighted the team's veteran secondary, as each of the Sharks who lined up at defensive back has prior indoor football experience, and four players have at least three previous seasons in the Arena Football League. Following Tuesday's practice, defensive back Micheaux Robinson talked about the advantages of the high level of experience at his position group.
"It's definitely a positive, it makes it a lot easier as far as far as communication goes," Robinson said. "Even when we're unable to communicate, guys just have that natural knowledge and experience and they can make up for it."
On the flip side, the Shark receiving corps features a number of newcomers who are adjusting to the pace and style of the indoor game, including Dorian Graham, Jacksonville native Charles Gilbert and fellow rookie J.J. Hayes. Hayes spoke about the adjustments he has had to make during this transition.
"I like the tempo of it," Hayes said. "I like that it's fast paced, there's a lot of receivers and a lot of receiving plays. There's a lot of opportunities to block too, so it really works to my abilities."
The Sharks have eight more practices before the team's preseason scrimmage against the Orlando Predators. In that time, the team's young receivers will have many more chances to test themselves against the team's veteran defensive backs as they continue to learn the ins and outs of the indoor game.
Roster Moves
The Sharks made an addition at receiver on Tuesday, announcing that Maurice Avery has been assigned to the team's roster. The 29-year-old Avery (6'1", 215) has not played in the Arena Football League, but does bring five seasons of professional indoor football experience to Jacksonville. Avery spent his collegiate career at Memphis.
In other Tuesday transactions, the team announced that defensive lineman Jerry Turner has been activated from the Refused to Report list, while wide receiver London Crawford has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Player Spotlight
Hayes joined the Sharks just over a year after wrapping up his collegiate career at Lamar University. As a senior in 2011, Hayes was his team's leading receiver, recording 53 receptions for 951 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned a spot on the All-Southland Conference Second Team that season and owns school records for most receiving yards in a season (951 in 2011), most receiving yards in a single game (212), and most receptions in a single game (14).
After Tuesday's practice, Hayes discussed his performance to this point in training camp.
"It's pretty difficult but I think I'm doing pretty well," Hayes said. "I've made some mental mistakes here and there but it's just all a part of learning."
Hayes has also had to adjust to the tempo of practice, as the Sharks have limited time to pack in as much repetition as possible.
"It's different from training camp in college, because we're not out here as long but we're getting so much done in that period of time," Hayes said. "I'm just enjoying it and I'm happy to be out here."
Up Next
The Sharks return to Plantation Park on Wednesday morning for the team's fifth practice in as many days. Wednesday's workout will begin at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the public.
Second Day of Full-Contact Play Completed in Philadelphia
The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, have two days of padded practices in the books at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. Strengths are continuing to show in all players in every position, just in time before first cuts this Friday, March 8.
The veterans, defensive lineman Dustin Barno (6'3", 275, East Stroudsburg) and wide receiver Larry Brackins (6'5", 221, Pearl River C.C.), are helping lead the younger guys in plays. They are introducing them to how the Soul's offense and defense mesh on the field. The leadership roles from the veterans show how the players can lead and guide one another to be successful.
As the week is nearing its end towards first cuts, players stepping up to their roles are proving they're here to stay. Two recent competitors, Soul veteran linebacker Brandon Perkins (6'1", 245, Kansas) and previous Jacksonville Jaguar defensive back David Richardson (6'2", 205, Cal Poly), stepped onto the field for the first time this afternoon. Forced into the swing of things, they picked up quickly with the pace and hard hits. Veteran wide receiver Tiger Jones (5'11", 195, Louisville) will be expected to start play at tomorrow's practice.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: OL JASON TOWNSON (6'4", 315, Tennessee State): OL Jason Townson is a rookie coming into Soul training camp. He was previously with the IFL Bloomington Edge (2012) and the IFL Wenatchee Valley Venom (2011). At Tennessee State he started 5-of-12 games played (2008) and recorded 12 tackles (4 solo, 8 assists), one sack (7-yard loss) and two quarterback hurries. He went to Hazelwood East High School where he was regarded as No. 1 defensive line prospect out of the St. Louis area, and ranked No. 16 overall in the state of Missouri according to Rivals.com. He recorded 91 tackles, 6 sacks as a senior (2004) and was named First Team All-State, All-Metro and All-Conference as a defensive lineman.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Being back in Philly is like a home away from home," said rookie DL Morkeith Brown. "I'm glad to be back here because it's not far from my hometown in Harrisburg, where my mother and son live, so they will be able to make every game this season. Having previous training camp experience within the NFL has really helped me grow as a player. It was a blessing to work with some of the best coaches and athletes, and overall they helped me improve my footwork, how to use my hands better and to analyze film more thoroughly. Those experiences will help me to succeed in this camp."
LOOKING TO BE ANOTHER CHAMPION: FB Tombe Kose (5'9", 240, Syracuse) is one of the youngest guys on this season's 2013 roster. Playing for Syracuse, they won the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in 2010. Being a rookie among guys with professional and indoor experience is no problem for Kose; he has overcome more in life than most can imagine.
Kose was born in Sudan, where his family was forced to flee to Kenya due to civil war in their home country. A family from American sponsored them to come to the United States when he was around the age of ten. They moved to San Diego, California where they were thrown into a completely different world. Kose worked hard on his English and soon began to love the game of football.
Excelling in football, Kose found himself receiving a scholarship to attend Syracuse University to play for them. He received Academic Honor Roll while attending college and earned a Bachelors degree in Sociology. Becoming the New Era Pinstripe Bowl Champions only pushed him to achieve more. Through all of his triumphs in his life, going against older and more experienced players will be nothing short of a breeze, as Kose fights to gain a spot on the 2013 roster in hopes of winning the ArenaBowl XXVI.

Indoor Football League
Slaughter Look to Stay on Good Side of the Force
The Force was strong in Chicago on their Star Wars Theme Night as the Slaughter beat the Green Bay Blizzard by a score of 50-41. Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, Jawas and more were on hand to greet Slaughter and Star Wars fans upon arrival Saturday night.
Quarterback, Cody Kirby has appeared in all three games this season, but made his first start Saturday. Kirby led the Slaughter offense completing 13 of 19 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown! He also ran 11 times for 46 yards and three touchdowns. For Kirby's outstanding play on the field, he was awarded the Five Star Realty Star of the Game!
Join them for St. Patrick's Day as the Slaughter battle the Texas Revolution at 2:05 PM. Show the Irish spirit and wear green. May the luck of the Irish be with you as they will have Lucky Seat Drawings throughout the game.
They are offering a FREE football mini camp to all children (ages 5-13) who purchase a game ticket for the March 17 game. The one hour mini camp with Slaughter players will begin at 11 AM. Camp will include passing, catching, and speed & agility drills.

Ultimate Indoor Football League
Monsters Sign 2012 UIFL Offensive Player of the Year Aric Evans
The Missouri Monsters professional indoor football team are pleased to announce the signing of veteran wide receiver Aric Evans. Evans finished the 2012 UIFL season as the leading receiver, and the top Receiver in the league since inception.
"Having played against Aric the last two season, I am thrilled to be on the same team with him! Not only was he great on the field, but he was heavily involved in community events for his team. We expect big things from Aric, and know he will be a major contributor to the Monsters organization." Said Monsters Owner Andrew Haines.
In 2012 while playing for the Eastern KY Drillers he caught 63 passes for 1,094 yards, and 29 touchdowns in just 10 games. On the defensive side of the ball he had 3 interceptions, and a fumble recovery for a TD. He set a season high for touchdowns in a game, and most receiving touchdowns in a game with 6 against the Rampage. He holds the season high records for most receiving yards in a game at 209 yards against the Blue Racers, and 187 receiving yards against the Rampage. His 48 yard reception against the Rampage is the 2nd longest reception of the 2012 season.Aric was named Offensive Player of the Year, and was named First Team All-UIFL Wide Receiver for his efforts.
Prior to the 2012 season, Aric began his professional football career with the Eastern KY Drillers in the UIFL. During the 2011 season Aric caught 79 passes for 1,069 yards, and 33 touchdowns. He also contributed on defense in the postseason with an interception. He was named First Team All-UIFL Wide Receiver for the 2011 season.
Evans played college football at UVA-WISE where he had over 100 receptions for 2,980 yards, and 36 touchdowns during his four year career.
The Monsters 2013 season kicks off this Friday night at Family Arena where the Monsters will host the Corpus Christi (TX) Fury at 7:30pm. Tailgate party starts at 4:30pm and parking is free until 5:00.