Former Terps find work in fast-paced Arena Football

Former Terrapin football players Marlon Moye-Moore and Charles Hill have vivid memories of playing in the 2002 Orange Bowl. It was where their college careers ended in a 56-23 rout at the hands of Florida.

But while one stage of their football careers ended, another was just beginning - even though they didn't know it then.

Now the linebacker and defensive lineman have reunited in the Sunshine State.

Their games don't have the prestige of their college football BCS game. They aren't Miami Dolphins or Tampa Bay Bucaneers celebrities. But Moye-Moore and Charles Hill are still professional football players.

The two play for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. And while the logo on the helmet and the style of play has changed, the connection shared by the players hasn't.

"It's fun," Moye-Moore said. "We can relate to each other on another level, talk about college. We grew up together."

"We always talk about the old days when we were in college," Hill said.

What do a couple of former Terrapin football players talk about?

"Our last year when we won the ACC championship and went to the Orange Bowl," Hill said. "We had a great season. That year was a lot better than the first three years."

From their freshman to junior years, the Terps were a combined 13-20 with no bowl appearances. But in their senior year, the Terps were 10-2 with the BCS Bowl appearance. The two don't view that game as a negative way to end their collegiate careers. It was just an honor to be there, they said. There wasn't much to be down about - they still had more football to play.

Moye-Moore signed a two-year contract with the Predators in 2003 after turning down a chance to play in the Canadian Football League. He chose the option closer to home.

"I like to be close to my brothers and sisters. I love my family," Moye-Moore said jokingly adding, "Plus, down in Florida I get to wear shorts year-round."

Hill took a less direct route to the Predators than Moye-Moore. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder spent the better part of three years (2003-05) bouncing around the upper ranks of professional football. Hill was a third-round pick of the NFL's Houston Texans in 2003 and spent time in training camp with both the Texans and the San Francisco 49ers that season.

The next few years were a blur of different uniforms for Hill, as he spent time with the Chicago Bears, the Carolina Panthers and the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe before finally landing with the Predators for the 2006 season. When he arrived, Moye-Moore was the first to show his former teammate around town.

"The NFL is a business. Sometimes you get good opportunities, sometimes you don't," Hill said. "When you have good opportunities you have to take advantage of them because you might not get another."

The two former Terps are certainly making the most of their chances now. While the NFL is just warming up, the Predators are in full stride. The Predators are tied for first place in the National Conference Southern Division with six games remaining in a 16-game schedule.

Hill was a consistent starting defensive lineman as a Terp, while Moye-Moore was a linebacker. They have become integral parts of the Predators' gameplan on both sides of the ball in the AFL, as most players are required to play offense and defense.

Moye-Moore has enjoyed playing on the other side of the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder, who also played fullback in high school, is second on the team in rushing yards (89), only behind quarterback Joe Hamilton. They are also tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns with eight. In Arena football, the passing game is much more prominent than running.

"It's fun, I get to catch and run with the ball," Moye-Moore said.

Moye-Moore said his overall athletic ability helps him in the indoor sport that has walls instead of out-of-bounds lines. Players have to be more versatile in their talents, playing both sides of the ball and keeping up with the faster style of play.

That's one new rule Hill hasn't taken in stride.

"I don't like to play offense, I can tell you that," the former defensive lineman said with a laugh. "I'm still learning how to block. You've got two weeks of camp to learn to block before the season starts."

While he's content learning a different kind of game, Hill said he's keeping his eyes open for another shot at the gold standard for professional football, not knowing when the next opportunity will arise.

Meanwhile, Moye-Moore has made a living indoors. He recently re-signed with the team through the 2006 season.

"I'm playing Arena football; this is my NFL right now," he said. "I play hard every day and my aspirations are still to get to the next level. I like this arena game, though."

Contact reporter Joey Whelan at sports@dbk.umd.edu.