AFL Sidelines Predators' James

Orlando Predators wide receiver/linebacker Jerrian James is learning all about off-field consequences for on-field conduct at the worst-possible time. For both himself and his teammates.

The Arena Football League suspended James on Tuesday (May 30) from the upcoming National Conference championship game. The disciplinary action is a result of a second-quarter meltdown that saw James grab Philadelphia WR/DB Rob Milanese by the facemask - twisting Milanese's head until his helmet spun off and hit the turf.

There were 7 seconds remaining in the first half at the time of the incident, and Milanese had just scored a touchdown.

The conduct was deemed detrimental to the interests of the AFL and was in direct conflict with the values expressed in the league's mission statement.

Orlando would eventually walk away with a 31-27 playoff win over the Soul. The Predators - minus James - travel to Dallas on Sunday (June 4) at 3 p.m. (EST) with an ArenaBowl berth on the line. The Desperados won a league-high 13 games during the regular season, including an 87-62 victory over Orlando during Week 8.

James has been an integral part of the Predators' passing attack in 2006. The rookie out of Houston played in all 16 regular-season contests for Orlando, catching 69 passes for 882 yards and 16 touchdowns (second-most on the team). James also led the Predators in kick returns (72 for 1,231 yards) and recovered two fumbles on defense.

A letter from the league to Orlando regarding James stated, "…Careful review of videotape footage of the play shows that the Player's (James') actions were not only in violation of AFL rules, but were malicious and excessively violent. Additionally, the Player's actions occurred after the Player should have known that play had stopped and subsequently should have stopped his playing activity."

The Predators finished the regular season with a 10-6 record and the Southern Division title.

CHANGES IN AUSTIN: The Austin Wranglers were the top-ranked team in the Arena Football League Writers Association/Schutt Sports poll back on Feb. 21. Austin would go on to wrap up its first-ever playoff berth despite a sluggish finish.

Fast-forward to present-day events and the Wranglers are now a team without a head coach. The franchise has announced it is parting ways with Skip Foster, its coach since coming into the AFL in 2004.

Foster compiled a 24-25 record during his stint in Austin.

"We appreciate coach Foster's work with this team over the past three seasons. He did a great job building this team and we wish him well in his future endeavors," said Wranglers president Doug MacGregor. "We are excited about the core group of players that have re-signed and we look forward to building on the momentum we established as an organization this season."

Foster does not appear to be holding any grudges.

"It is with great regret that I leave the Austin Wranglers organization. I am appreciative of the opportunity to build this franchise. I am proud of the football team that we have built here," Foster said. "This is a team with high-character men, who are excellent football players and are winners. I wish the team and the organization the best next year. With another good off-season this team has the foundation to be highly successful."

The Wranglers finished with a 10-6 regular-season record and were voted No. 5 in the final AFLWA/Schutt Sports poll.

(Neil Fuller is a member of the Arena Football League Writers Association and currently covers the expansion Kansas City Brigade. Fuller also covered the now-defunct Carolina Cobras from 2000-02.)