Sports stats



Avengers Game Notes

May 14, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Tampa Bay Storm at Los Angeles Avengers
Date: Friday, May 17, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Los Angeles, Calif.
Arena: STAPLES Center (16,096)
Television: none
Radio: KMPC 1540-LA (Larry Kahn, Bob Golic)
Web Radio: http://radio.sportingnews.com/losangeles/
Series Record: First meeting
Last Meeting: n/a
Officials: Bill Athan (referee), Rick Nelson (umpire), Tim Podroza (head linesman), Bob McElwee (line judge), Scott Helverson (back judge)
Coaches: Los Angeles Avengers – Ed Hodgkiss (first season; 2-2). Tampa Bay Storm – Tim Marcum (14th season (eighth with Storm); 137-45).

THE GAME: The Tampa Bay Storm, one of the most storied franchises in the 16-year history of the Arena Football League, will cross the country to face the Los Angeles Avengers, who will be playing their first game at home since opening the 2002 season at STAPLES Center way back on April 19. The Storm (1-3), winners of four ArenaBowl world championships, are led by head coach Tim Marcum, who is a charter member of the AFL Hall of Fame and owner of 137 career victories. The Avengers (2-2) will be without the services of star offensive specialist Chris Jackson for the second consecutive game. Even though he is on the injured reserve list with a broken right wrist, Jackson still leads the AFL in scoring (78 points) and receiving (514 yards). Avenger fullback-linebacker Chad Dukes had an outstanding game last week at San Jose, scoring on 39-yard run down the left sideline and a 56-yard kickoff return. So far this season, L.A. quarterback Tony Graziani has thrown for 19 touchdowns against only two interceptions.

THE LUNCHEON: The Avengers will host a "Meet the Team" luncheon on Friday, May 17, on the field at STAPLES Center at 12:30 p.m. In addition to greetings from owner Casey Wasserman and head coach Ed Hodgkiss, and the introduction of the 2002 Avenger team, the luncheon features a keynote address by two-time Super Bowl champion John Elway. Individual seats cost $65 and tables of 10 are available for $650. Interested parties should call (310) 407-0503.

THE STORM: After opening the year with an unprecedented three consecutive losses, Tampa Bay stormed into the win column with a resounding 66-53 victory over the Chicago Rush last Friday (May 10). Storm quarterback Shane Stafford, who has been subbing for the injured John Kaleo, completed 26-of-35 for 243 yards and six touchdowns against the Rush. So far this season, Stafford is 68-of-103 for 704 yards and 10 touchdowns (with two interceptions). AFL veteran wide receiver-linebacker Lawrence Samuels leads Tampa Bay with 31 catches for 347 yards and seven scores, and two other players have 20 or more catches. On the other side of the football, defensive specialist Keita Crespina is far and away the team leader in tackles with 29 (No. 4 in the AFL).

THE HEAD COACHES: One of the brightest offensive minds in the Arena Football League, Ed Hodgkiss is in his first year as a head coach with the Avengers. He served as the offensive coordinator for the Indiana Firebirds during the previous three seasons (1999-2001). Last year, Hodgkiss' offense averaged 58.1 points and 301.6 yards per game. He defeated the New York Dragons, 43-25, in his head coaching debut on April 19, and currently owns a record of 2-2 ... A member of the Arena Football League Hall of Fame, Tim Marcum is the first coach in pro football history to receive such an honor while still active. He began his coaching career in the league's inaugural 1987 season, leading the Denver Dynamite to the ArenaBowl, and followed that up by winning back-to-back titles with the Detroit Drive. He has been at the helm of the Storm since 1995, winning two more ArenaBowls in his first two years there. Marcum has compiled an overall mark of 137-45 in 14 seasons.

THE SERIES: First meeting.

THE "IF" SECTION:

If the Avengers defeat the Storm, it would ...
· Keep L.A. undefeated at home this season (2-0)
· Give the Avengers their fifth win in their past seven games at STAPLES Center
· Move L.A. over the .500 mark for the third time in franchise history
· Give the Avengers an all-time record of 6-10 versus non-Western Division foes, including 2-0 this season

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss on last week's loss at San Jose: "Obviously, we didn't play very well. We aren't happy with the way we played. Losing like that is unacceptable for this team. We just didn't prepare properly for San Jose. We had a down game and now we're determined to not let that happen ever again."

Hodgkiss on this week's opponent, the Tampa Bay Storm: "Tampa Bay got a win last week and played very well against a good Chicago team. And in looking at the film, they should have had some other wins, but had some bad breaks off the nets this year and some turnovers. Tampa Bay is one of the all-time great franchises in this league and I have a great deal of respect for Coach (Tim) Marcum. He's the winningest coach in this league and you just knew he was going to get that ship righted, and he has."

Hodgkiss on the Avengers after the first quarter of the 2002 season (four games): "I'm excited by the way this team has come together as a group. We are playing extremely hard and have a great attitude. We know that we are going to get to the point where we are one of the top teams in this league, but we are not there yet. There is a lot of growth that still needs to be done."

AVENGER INJURY REPORT:

Pos. Name Injury Status
OS Chris Jackson Wrist Out
OL-DL Vince Amey Elbow Probable

THE NEXT GAME: The Avengers go back on the road as they travel cross-country to face the Georgia Force and their head coach Robert Lyles, who was the interim coach of the Avengers for 11 games last season. It will be the fourth time in five games that L.A. plays on the road.

THE NEXT HOME GAME: The Avengers return home to STAPLES Center on Saturday, June 1, to face the Dallas Desperados, a team they beat in Week 3 in a one-point thriller (52-51). Season and group tickets are available by calling 1-888-AVENGERS. Individual tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets and the STAPLES Center box office.

LAST WEEK'S GAME:

SABERCATS DEFEAT AVENGERS, 78-44

SAN JOSE -- The San Jose SaberCats defeated the Los Angeles Avengers, 78-44, on Saturday night before 13,016 at the Compaq Center to remain the only undefeated team in the Arena Football League at 4-0.

The Avengers, who fell to 2-2, played without star offensive specialist Chris Jackson, who came into the game leading the AFL in scoring (78 points) and receiving (31 catches for 514 yards). He'll miss at least one more game while on the injured reserve list with a broken right wrist.

"I don't think not having Chris had any effect on the game," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "San Jose is a great team. They have no weaknesses. We just made too many mistakes tonight."

SaberCat quarterback Mark Grieb completed 17-of-26 for 255 yards and six touchdowns. He now has 25 scoring tosses this season against no interceptions.

San Jose also rushed for five touchowns on the night and harrassed Avenger qurterback Tony Graziani throughout the game, sacking him three times.

Fullback-linebacker Chad Dukes led the way for Los Angeles, rushing for 49 yards on eight carries, including a 39-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He also returned a kickoff 56 yards for a score and added a one-yard TD blast. Dukes, who currently leads the AFL in rushing (83 yards), finished with a game-high 139 all-purpose yards.

Graziani was 17-of-33 for 221 yards and three touchdowns.

The Avengers, who never led in the contest, got as close as 37-34 with 18 seconds remaining in the first half, but surrendered a 22-yard touchdown pass from Grieb to offensive specialist James Hundon with only four seconds left until halftime.

The SaberCats led 44-34 at the intermission as Grieb threw for four scores. The Avengers kept pace with three touchdowns by Dukes and two from offensive specialist J.J. Washington, who played in place of Jackson and finished with six catches for 70 yards.

LOS ANGELES (2-2) 7 27 3 7 -- 44
SAN JOSE (4-0) 20 24 13 21 -- 78

PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

Avenger WR-LB Greg Hopkins: Hopkins had another solid game last week, grabbing eight passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. One of his receptions was a spectacular over-the-shoulder circus catch that he made while being interfered with by a SaberCat defender. Hopkins, who continues to make his presence felt on defense and special teams, also had a hand in two tackles. With Chris Jackson sidelined for the game against the Storm, Hopkins will no doubt see an increased workload once again. He is the AFL's top receiver since the start of the 2000 season with 238 catches for 2,872 yards.

Storm QB Shane Stafford: Coming off the best game of his career, Stafford helped the Storm finally put a notch in the win column and is apparently finding his groove after struggling in his first few starts after replacing injured Storm QB John Kaleo. Stafford completed 26-of-35 for 243 yards and six touchdowns (no interceptions) as the Storm blew past the Chicago Rush, 66-53. On the season, Stafford has thrown for 10 touchdowns against two interceptions. He is 68-of-103 (66.0 percent) in 2002 and owns a passer rating of 109.18.

Avenger QB Tony Graziani: Faced with flu-like symptoms prior to last week's game at San Jose, Graziani was hooked up to an IV before the contest. He went on to have a respectable outing, going 17-of-33 for 221 yards and three touchdowns. After four games, Graziani is No. 5 in the league with 1,135 yards passing. While the Avengers had no 300-yard passing games in all of last season, Graziani has already recorded two such performances, racking up 329 yards against Arizona on April 27, and then following up with 312 yards at Dallas. He is currently 82-of-140 (58.6 percent) with 19 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

Storm WR/LB Lawrence Samuels: Scoring three of his seven touchdowns this season in last week's victory over Chicago, Samuels is definitely somebody the Avengers need to keep an eye on. Playing in his ninth year in the AFL, he has scored 71 touchdowns in his career and currently leads the team in scoring with 44 points. Samuels spent his first seven years in the league with the Storm. He played for the New Jersey Gladiators in 2001 and is now back in Tampa Bay, where he is No. 3 on the team with 12.5 tackles.

Avenger FB/LB Chad Dukes: Known by most to be a bruiser, Dukes showed his elusiveness as a runner against San Jose last week, sweeping past would-be tacklers on a 39-yard touchdown. Later, he exploded up the field on a 56-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to put any doubts to rest. On both runs, Dukes was virtually untouched as he displayed his breakaway speed. He also tacked on a one-yard touchdown burst and currently leads the league with 83 yards rushing. He has punished the opposition from the defensive side of the football as well, making big hits, and ranks second on the Avengers with 13.5 tackles.

WESTERN DIVISON SUCCESS: Five of L.A.'s seven victories over the course of the past two seasons have come at the expense of divisional foes. Last year, the Avengers beat each of the other four occupants of the Western Division (Arizona Rattlers, Houston ThunderBears, Oklahoma Wranglers and San Jose SaberCats). The division has a new look in 2002 after deleting Houston and Oklahoma, and adding the Dallas Desperados, who the Avengers defeated two weeks ago in a 52-51 thriller.

TWO PLAYERS FROM TWO YEARS AGO: Only two players -- wide receiver-defensive back Anthony Rice and offensive specialist Chris Jackson -- on L.A.'s 2002 roster played for the Avengers in the team's first-ever regular-season game on April 15, 2000, at Grand Rapids. And with Jackson currently on the injured reserve list, Rice is the only "Original Avenger" on the active 24-man roster.

HALF FROM LAST YEAR: Only 12 of the 24 players currently on the Avengers' active roster played in at least one game for L.A. last season. Among the new additions is a pair of "All-Arena" performers -- wide receiver-linebacker Greg Hopkins and fullback-linebacker Chad Dukes.

THE MILLENNIUM'S FINEST: Wide receiver-linebacker Greg Hopkins and offensive specialist Chris Jackson are not only L.A.'s top pass catchers, they're also among the most productive in the AFL since the dawning of the new millennium. In fact, Hopkins leads the way with a grand total of 238 receptions since the 2000 season (Jackson is fourth with 184). The following list charts out the AFL's top receivers over the course of the last three seasons (2000-02):

AFL's Top Pass Receivers – (2000-02)
Catches – Receiving Yards
2000 2001 2002 Total
Greg Hopkins(Los Angeles) 111 -1,295 102 – 1,226 25 – 351 238 – 2,872
Lamont Cooper(Buffalo) 77 – 923 111 – 1,418 22 – 319 210 – 2,660
Damian Harrell(Toronto) 61 – 808 98 – 1,340 28 – 412 187 – 2,560
Chris Jackson(Los Angeles) 91 – 1,325 62 – 725 31 – 514 184 – 2,564
James Bowden(New Jersey) 70 – 859 90 – 1,205 15 – 196 175 – 2,260
Michael Baker(Grand Rapids) 84 – 909 77 – 721 4 – 28 165 – 1,628

OFFENSIVE TURNAROUND: New Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss has his sights set on making a big improvement with the L.A. offense. Last year, the Avengers ranked near the bottom of the AFL in many categories -- scoring offense (18th - 40.3), total offense (17th - 245.6), pass offense (17th - 228.1), pass rating (19th - 76.4), touchdowns (18th - 77) and kickoff return average (19th -14.9). So far, after four games of the 2002 season, the numbers are up as the Avengers are averaging 49.5 points and 307.0 yards per game.

THE PRESSURE IS BUILDING: After notching five quarterback sacks in the first four games of the season, the Avengers have had 10 sacks in their last five games, dating back to last season's finale versus the Oklahoma Wranglers on July 22, 2001. Amazingly enough, prior to that game in Oklahoma City, the Avengers had only four sacks for the entire 2001 season and didn't get their first one until the eighth game (June 16, vs. Detroit). Playing in his first game for the Avengers on April 19, offensive-defensive lineman Tony Plantin sacked New York Dragon quarterback Danny Ragsdale twice on his way toward earning "Ironman of the Game" honors. Fellow lineman Carlos Fowler, who led L.A. with 3.5 sacks last year, and wide receiver-linebacker J.J. Washington chipped in with one sack apiece. Three weeks ago, offensive-defensive lineman Mathias Vavao was credited with a sack on Arizona quarterback Sherdrick Bonner. The Avengers are currently No. 3 in the AFL with their five sacks for losses totaling 25 yards and have surrendered five sacks to the opposition (three this past week at San Jose).

RUSHING UP THE CHARTS: Avenger fullback-linebacker Chad Dukes has moved into sole possession of the No. 3 spot on the AFL's all-time rushing chart. He is second among active players, trailing only Andre Bowden of the Carolina Cobras, who is currently in his ninth season in the league. Dukes, who is in just his fourth AFL season, needs 114 more yards to become the third player in AFL history to break the 1,000-yard barrier.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Yards Gained Rushing
Les Barley (1992-2000) 1,390
Andre Bowden (Carolina Cobras) 1,121
Chad Dukes (Los Angeles Avengers) 886
Major Harris (1991-92, 94) 837
Travis Pearson (1994-99, 2001) 831
Cedric McKinnon (1992-2000) 793
Michael "Bo" Kelly (Arizona Rattlers) 755
Lincoln Coleman (1993, 97, 99-2001) 740

THE INTERCEPTION KINGS: Avenger defensive specialist Mark Ricks is the AFL's all-time leader in interception returns for touchdowns with a grand total of seven. Another Avenger, wide receiver-linebacker Greg Hopkins is just one behind in second place (along with Hunkie Cooper of the Arizona Rattlers).

All-Time AFL Leaders –Interception Returns for Touchdowns
Mark Ricks (Los Angeles Avengers) Seven
Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles Avengers) Six
Hunkie Cooper (Arizona Rattlers) Six
Gary Compton (Indiana Firebirds) Five
Darryl Hammond (Georgia Force) Five
Jai Hill (1995-97, 99-2001) Five
Adrian Lunsford (Dallas Desperados) Five
Kenny McEntyre (Orlando Predators) Five
Lawrence Samuels (Tampa Bay Storm) Five
Stevie Thomas (1991-2000) Five

AVENGERS ON TELEVISION: The Avengers will have nine of their 14 regular-season games broadcast on television this season. Fox Sports Net 2 will televise eight games, with Bill Macdonald and Artie Gigantino in the booth and John Jackson reporting from the sidelines. "The New TNN" (The National Network) will carry the Avengers' final road game of the regular-season on Sunday, July 14, against the Indiana Firebirds as the "AFL Game of the Week."

AVENGERS ON RADIO: All Avenger games are broadcast live on the radio in the Los Angeles area on KMPC 1540-LA "Sporting News Radio," with Larry Kahn and Bob Golic calling all the action. The games are also available live over the Internet at www.kmpc1540.com.

GETTING DEFENSIVE: The 25 points allowed by the Avengers in their season-opening victory over the New York Dragons on April 19, was an all-time best for the L.A. defense, surpassing the mark set on May 26, 2001, in a 36-33 victory over the Oklahoma Wranglers. Last season, the Avenger defense held eight of their opponents under 50 points (which amazingly includes two overtime games). L.A.'s three game winning streak in the middle of the 2001 campaign -- Oklahoma (36-33), San Jose (47-44) and Houston (48-45) -- represented the first three times in Avenger history that a foe was held to 45 points or less. Los Angeles has held an opponent under 50 points only 10 times in its brief history in the AFL.

NFL AVENGERS: Nine Avengers have spent time on NFL rosters – OL/DL Vince Amey (1998 Oakland), OL/DL John DeWitt (1995 Houston), FB/LB Chad Dukes (1998 San Diego, 1998-99 Washington, 2000 Jacksonville, 2000 St. Louis, 2001 Carolina), QB Tony Graziani (1997-99 Atlanta, 2000 Cleveland), FB/LB Malcolm Hamilton (1998-2000 Washington, 1998 Atlanta), OS Chris Jackson (1998-99 Seattle, 1998 Tampa Bay, 2000 Tennessee), OL/DL Tony Plantin (2000 San Francisco, 2000 Carolina), WR/DB Anthony Rice (1997-98 Philadelphia) and WR/DB Russell Shaw (1998 St. Louis). Two Avengers – Amey and Graziani – were NFL Draft picks (both in the seventh round). Graziani is the most experienced, having played in 19 games (including five starts) for the Falcons. Dukes has been with the most teams (five).

NFL EUROPE AVENGERS: Six Avengers have spent time on NFL Europe (formerly "World League") rosters – OL/DL John DeWitt (1996, 1998 Scottish Claymores), OL/DL Carlos Fowler (1998 England), QB Tony Graziani (2000 Barcelona), OS Chris Jackson (2000 Berlin), OL/DL Tony Plantin (1999 Amsterdam) and WR/DB Anthony Rice (1998 England).

PICKED FROM THE PAC: Four Avengers hail from Pacific-10 Conference schools – OL/DL Vince Amey (Arizona State), QB Tony Graziani (Oregon), OS Chris Jackson (Washington State) and WR/DB Mel Miller Jr. (Washington). Three of those Avengers played in the Rose Bowl – Graziani (1995), Amey (1997) and Jackson (1998). In addition, OL/DL Carlos Fowler played in the 1994 Rose Bowl for Wisconsin (against UCLA).

"BUILT FORD TOUGH AWARD": Voted on by the coaches, the "Built Ford Tough Award" is a national recognition award given after every game to the player or players on each team best demonstrating determination and toughness in that game. The award honors the players who made a game-saving tackle or score-saving tackle, threw a key block on the big play or exhibited physical sacrifice or consistent tough blocking and tackling on both sides of the ball. The honored players receive a helmet sticker that recognizes the Built Ford Tough Player of the Game. The following are the award winners for the Avengers this season:

Week Opp. L.A. Award Winners
1 New York Dragons Chris Butterfield, Greg Hopkins, Tony Plantin, Anthony Rice, J.J. Washington
2 Arizona Rattlers Carlos Fowler, Derek Grier, Greg Hopkins, Sean McNamara, Mathias Vavao
3 Dallas Desperados John DeWitt, Chad Dukes, Greg Hopkins, Kevin Ingram, Tony Plantin
4 San Jose SaberCats Chad Dukes, Greg Hopkins

"GAME M.V.P." AWARD: Voted on by the media, the "Game M.V.P." award goes to the player who was determined to be the most valuable to his team's success during the game in question. The following is a list of the winners of this award during the 2002 Avenger season: Week Opp. Award Winner
1 N.Y. Dragons OS Chris Jackson (L.A.)12 catches, 145 yards, 5 TDs
2 Arizona Rattlers QB Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona)25-of-32 for 344 yards and 7 TDs
3 Dallas Desperados QB Tony Graziani (L.A.)23-of-34 for 312 yards and 5 TDs
4 San Jose SaberCats OL-DL Sam Hernandez (S.J.)2 sacks, 3.5 tackles, 1 pass def.

"IRONMAN OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the "Iromnan of the Game" award goes to the two-way player who best demonstrated the ideals of the AFL's style of ironman football. The following is a list of the winners of this award during the 2002 Avenger season:

Week Opp. Award Winner
1 N.Y. Dragons OL-DL Tony Plantin (L.A.)2 sacks for a loss of 8 yards
2 Arizona Rattlers WR-DB Chris Horn (Arizona)9 catches, 151 yards, 2.5 tackles
3 Dallas Desperados WR-LB Greg Hopkins (L.A.)9 catches, 123 yds., 1 INT, 3 TDs
4 San Jose SaberCats WR-DB Omarr Smith (S.J.)2 catches, 1 TD, 5 tackles

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:

Date Action Player
5/6 Activated from injured reserve WR-LB Antonio Wilson
5/6 Placed on injured reserve OS Chris Jackson
5/9 Signed to practice squad OL-DL Justin BorvanskyFB-LB Sacha Lancaster
5/9 Waived from practice squad WR-DB Ron Atkins
5/13 Activated from refused to report DS Terrance Joseph
5/13 Placed on recallable waivers DS Trevis Graham

CALIFORNIA TIES: Twelve of the 24 Avengers on the current active camp roster have ties to California high schools and/or colleges. Eight attend high schools located within the Los Angeles basin, while four played at universities or junior colleges in the Southern California area.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 14, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Los Angeles Avengers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central