***Predators News Release***
ORLANDO, FL – The Orlando Predators were active in the trade market on Thursday as the team acquired a total of five players in two separate trades. The first trade involved defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock, who was dealt to the Arizona Rattlers in exchange for four players and Orlando’s claim order position. The Predators received defensive back Arness Ikner, wide receiver Lamark Brown, and offensive linemen Joe Gibbs and Justin Wells.
Ikner (5-7, 180, Middle Tennessee State) recorded 37 tackles and three interceptions in 10 games as a rookie last season with the Utah Blaze. The defensive back will be reunited with coach Rob Keefe.
LaMark Brown (6-4, Minnesota St-Mankato) spent the final three weeks of the 2012 regular season and Wild Card playoff week on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. He was previously assigned to the Utah Blaze, but was selected by Arizona in the assignment process.
Joe Gibbs (6-4, UT-Martin) was a three-time All-American and two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference honoree at Tennessee Martin. Gibbs spent time with the St. Louis Rams in 2010 and the Green Bay Packers from 2012-13.
Justin Wells (6-4, St. Augustine’s) spent time with the Carolina Panthers from 2012-2013 and earned First-Team All-CIAA honors as a senior at St. Augustine’s in 2010.
The league and the Predators also announced that the team acquired defensive lineman, Justin Edison, 23, from the San Jose SaberCats in exchange for wide receiver Jarvis Williams.
Edison (6-4, UCLA) is known for his high motor and athletic ability. The defensive lineman collected 21 total tackles in his four years at UCLA and started all 12 games at defensive tackle in 2011.
Predators Head Coach Rob Keefe was excited with the moves and he believes that these players will transform Orlando into a championship culture once again. “The Orlando Predators are a storied franchise that is committed to winning and we feel that these trades exemplify that commitment”, said Keefe. “The talent level that we are bringing in helps us on both sides of the football and each of these guys brings a toughness and work ethic factor that would make the great Orlando Predators of the past proud”.
ABOUT ORLANDO PREDATORS: The Orlando Predators are managed by Pearsall Holdings, L.P. under the supervision of majority owner David Pearsall. The team plays in the Arena Football League among fourteen total teams in the AFL. The Predators are going into their 23rdseason and have appeared in the playoffs 19 times and have gone on to play in the ArenaBowl seven times, winning the championship in 1998 and 2000.