Two weeks ago, the Orlando Predators were practicing in the rain in front of fans for their open practice during preseason.
What an arena football team is doing practicing outdoors in the rain is not particularly clear. Maybe it brings out the unending enthusiasm within coach Rob Keefe. Working in the rain — on natural grass, no less — will make the team better in the long run, he said, when they step under the roof and onto the carpet fields of the Arena Football League. Rain or shine, his Predators are going to come at you.
And they remain a very hungry group. Specifically after the way last season ended.
The Predators were riding high with a second straight division championship. That was the part that was expected. They came one win shy of the Arena Bowl in 2014. But the Predators met a buzz saw defensively. The Jacksonville Sharks picked up two turnovers and could not stop scoring, getting a 55-33 win at the Amway Center.
The dream had died and drove the team throughout the offseason and as they came back together. Once again the Predators are expecting big things and hope they have brought the roster together to do it.
“Expectations are always going to be higher when you are doing something for yourself,” Keefe said. “We are trying to take pride in this team. And when you take pride in it, you have a winning atmosphere. For the 25th season, being knocked out of the playoffs, being a couple plays away from the Arena Bowl two years ago, we want to win this thing. We want to be the first professional sports team to bring a championship trophy in a long time to the City of Orlando. It’s championship or bust, and I’m not afraid to say that.”
Championship or bust are some pretty high expectations. Certainly the fact the Arena Football League has been forced to contract to eight teams, allowing every team to make the Playoffs following the 16-game schedule, eases that some. But the Predators are eyeing a top seed and making everyone come through the Amway Center. With no conference seeding this year, the prospect of traveling to Arizona or Los Angeles for an opening Playoff game is daunting, and a fate worth avoiding.
The Predators though have the talent and the experience to do it.
Back is quarterback Randy Hippeard, who threw for 2,997 yards and 61 touchdowns in 11 games, having missed time with an injury early in the season. Back is leading wide receiver Brandon Thompkins, who caught 100 passes for 1,266 yards and 23 touchdowns, and Larry Brackins, who caught 29 touchdown passes. Hippeard has plenty of weapons to throw to.
Where the Predators needed to differentiate themselves and step up to the championship level was on defense. This is where the contraction helped them, spreading some all-Arena talent around and for the taking.
Keefe and his staff sought players who could help them turn the tide with turnovers and create pressure on the quarterback. The Predators finished last year with 17 interceptions and 18 sacks, giving up 13 picks and 26 sacks on the other end.
“The biggest thing we wanted to do this year to upgrade was get interceptions, get turnovers back for our offense in a possession game and get after the quarterback,” Keefe said. “We had four all-arena defensive lineman that just come to sign with our team.We are really stepping our game up. I’m proud this is a place people want to be.”
Bringing in players like Varmah Sonie, a two-year Arena Football League pro who has spent time in training camps with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns. He was an all-Arena League player in 2014 and played only five games last year after spending most of the season with the Cleveland Browns.
Sonie figures to help boost the Predators’ ability to get interceptions as a middle safety.
Then there are the additions of Mike Lewis, second in Arena League history in career sacks and a former All-Arena defensive lineman, and Willie McGinnis, a second team All-Arena player with Cleveland last year. This along with the return of stalwarts like All-Arena player Terrence Moore should provide plenty of increased talent.
The Predators always made their name on defense during their heydays in the original Arena League. This is a new group together, but one that has arena experience and should be able to provide the stops the offense needs.
The Predators have the reputation throughout the league as one of the best organizations with some of the best facilities and great support from ownership. They were able to bring in players to boost an already strong playoff roster.
“Really it was about the recruiting,” Keefe said. “We’re a professional sports team, but we also recruit. We had to make this a place people want to be. We’ve made it very favorable for people to want to be here. With that being said, if you have the right talent, you put the mental with the physical on paper we look like a championship team. You hope that correlates to on field success. I think it will.”
Success in the Arena league ultimately comes down to the quarterback though. Hippeard will be the key to the Predators unlocking success and cashing in on the expectation they have set for themselves. New offensive coordinator Matthew Sauk has a strong track record of developing quarterbacks and offenses to that higher level.
With just eight teams in the league and three wins separating everyone from a title, the pressure will be immense throughout the year.
The Predators have built depth throughout the roster. The question is how it will all come together. Can the team take that next step up?
The Predators open their season Friday against the rival Tampa Bay Storm at Amalie Arena. It will be the first proving ground for this team and the first step in this season.
Unlike last year that saw the team rally to get the division title, the Predators expect this season to be their championship push in many ways. It will not be given.
The bar is set high for the Predators to reach.
