The Orlando Predators were still figuring things out in April at the beginning of the season, facing a somewhat new reality in a league that has been cut down to eight teams. The competition would be greater than ever.
Their season-opening game made it look like the Predators’ preseason talk of dominating the entire league would come to fruition. The defense was hounding the Tampa Bay Storm’s backfield and forcing turnovers. The offense scored with ease. Playmakers all over the field made plays and lifted the team.
It seemed then the Predators would not be stopped.
Things have changed though. The unpredictable nature of Arena Football and the razor sharp margins for error have come back to haunt them.
The following week in the home opener against a Portland team that got throttled, the game was a back-and-forth affair with no defensive stops until Kent Richardson had an interception on the final possession of the game.
That becomes an all-too-familiar theme throughout the season. The Predators make a play to save their game and their record. There was a game-winning touchdown late at Jacksonville. There was a rematch with the Storm that ended with the Storm committing a late turnover rather than going for the go-ahead field goal.
And then of course there was Sunday’s escape in Los Angeles when the KISS gave up a safety on a botched field goal snap.
This is the reality of Arena Football more than anything. Each game is close and turns on a key play or a key series.
“It’s one of those things,” Randy Hippeard said following the Week Two win over the Portland Steel. “You can be in a dog fight week in and week out in this league. It’s Arena Football. If the ball bounces your way one play or bounces off the net the wrong way, you can beat a team by 21 points or vice versa. It’s one of those things you are never out of it.”
More often than not, the ball has bounced Orlando’s way. Brandon Thompkins has found the hole to get a kickoff return for a touchdown and change the momentum of a game. Or the defense in Varmah Sonie or Kent Richardson come up with a big interception.
The Predators are among the top teams in the league now that the season enters its stretch run. With six games remaining in the season — the next coming Saturday against the Cleveland Gladiators at Amway Center — Orlando is tied for first place with Philadelphia at 8-2. The two teams will close the season against each other.
That is the kind of entertaining race the league wants and hoped for when it came to the realization only eight teams would compete. The advantage of having home field advantage by winning the division in this postseason is going to be extraordinarily valuable. The Predators are already thinking and focusing on it.
It is just still so hard to predict how things will shake out game by game. The Predators have been involved in several close games that have turned on odd plays.
Each game is bringing its own challenge. Its own unpredictability. That is how the league wants it. Frankly, that is how the league was built, with every advantage given to the offense to create highlights and score points.
“It’s hard to say this, I want to win 80-10 every game, but I know we are trying to sell a great product,” coach Rob Keefe said following that Week Two win over Portland, a team that is now 1-8 and in last place in the league. “Every team is going to be a dog fight. If that is how you are going to win a game at home, people are going to come because it’s an exciting brand of football.”
The Predators certainly are not short on entertainment value. This season has not been short on entertainment value for sure. Every team seems capable of beating every team on any given week — the Predators lost to the Sharks the same week their main competitors, the Soul and the Arizona Rattlers, also lost.
The Predators have done well to get to the front of the pack. But there is still a ton of work to do and plenty of uncertainty with the way the team has played leading the league in turnovers and now the wrench of Randy Hippeard missing Sunday’s game.
That is the zaniness of this season so far.
Top Orlando Magic assistant leaving team
The Orlando Magic are still piecing together a new coaching staff after hiring Frank Vogel. Continuity was to be something Vogel hoped to have on his coaching staff.
His top assistant and someone the Magic had interviewed after Scott Skiles’ sudden resignation will not be part of that continuity effort.
Adrian Griffin will be joining the staff of the Oklahoma City and not rejoining the Magic, Vogel confirmed to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
It is a blow, but not a big one. Vogel surely has some staff in mind and is working to complete a staff. It is a big step for the team as it continues draft preparations and moves into the offseason.
Orlando City, Brazil arguing over Kaka’s injury
Kaka was supposed to play for Brazil in Copa America this month, as something of a surprise for the veteran striker.
Quickly though, Kaka was injured in training. He was knocked out of the friendly and out for the entire tournament. And Braziling coach Dunga was not too happy.
Dunga blamed MLS for Kaka arriving at international camp unfit. And the war of words was on.
“It is very sad to see someone using prejudice to justify Kaká’s injury,” Diogo Kotscho, the club’s vice president of communications, told Alicia Delgallo of the Orlando Sentinel. “MLS is a very physical league and the work we do here and all over MLS with the players is referenced worldwide. Our training facility and professionals are world class.
“Brazil has five injured players in one week, players from many places. MLS has some weaknesses; Physical training for sure isn’t in this list. He can’t come to our city [and] disrespect professionals that he doesn’t know without answer.”
There is always a push and pull between the club team and the international team. This happens all around the world. The only unique thing is MLS plays its season through the summer when most leagues are on their offseason. That allows them openings to play international tournaments.
Orlando City will bear the real brunt of this injury suffered during international training. It is unclear if Kaka will be available and ready to play when Orlando City’s season resumes.
