Avengers Game Preview

Published on April 17, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: New York Dragons at Los Angeles Avengers
Date: Friday, April 19, 2002
Kickoff: 7:40 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Los Angeles, Calif.
Arena: STAPLES Center (16,096)
Television: Fox Sports Net 2 (Bill Macdonald, Artie Gigantino, John Jackson) and METRO (New York)
Radio: KMPC 1540-LA (Larry Kahn, Bob Golic)
Internet Radio Link: www.laavengers.com
Series Record: First meeting
Last Meeting: n/a
Officials: Dave Lambros (referee), Al Granado (umpire), Mike McCabe (head linesman), Art Lucky (line judge), James Cole (back judge)
Coaches: Los Angeles Avengers – Ed Hodgkiss (1st season). New York Dragons – John Gregory (9th season; 63-33 overall)
Coin Toss: TBA
National Anthem: Lindsay Ridgeway

THE STAKES: The 2002 Arena Football League season opens with a classic "New York vs. Los Angeles" battle as the Dragons invade STAPLES Center to take on the Avengers. If the personal histories of both coaches are any indication, it promises to be a high-scoring affair. The Avengers are under the direction of new head coach Ed Hodgkiss, who was previously the highly successful offensive coordinator for the Indiana Firebirds. On the other side of the field, New York head coach John Gregory is well known as an offensive mastermind and tutored St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner for three years (1995-97) when he played for the AFL's Iowa Barnstormers. The game will mark the Avenger debut of fullback-linebacker Chad Dukes and wide receiver-linebacker Greg Hopkins, two of the most sought-after free agents of the recent AFL off-season.

THE GAME PROMOTION: Everyone in attendance will receive a free Avenger "Red-Out" T-shirt. All seven home games feature great promotional giveaways (including three "Bobblehead Nights") and post-game autograph sessions. Season tickets, which include all seven home games played at STAPLES Center, are now on sale and can be purchased over the telephone at (888) AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.

THE DRAGONS: The 2002 season opens without a couple "All-Arena" players from last year's Dragon squad -- quarterback Aaron Garcia and offensive specialist Kevin Swayne. Garcia, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers during the off-season, was the 2001 AFL "Offensive Player of the Year" after passing for 322.5 yards per game and tossing a grand total of 104 touchdowns. Swayne moved on to play for the New York Jets last season after leading the AFL with 43 touchdown receptions in 2001. The cupboard, however, is not bare for New York head coach John Gregory. The Dragons signed free agent Steve Papin, one of the league's premier offensive specialists and kick returners, and the club believes strongly that Danny Ragsdale and Matt Nagy have the ability to step in capably for Garcia. In addition, New York has upgraded itself on defense where it ranked last in the league in 2001, allowing 305.6 yards and 59.1 points per game. On that side of the ball, the Dragons are led by offensive-defensive lineman Robert Stewart, who had a league-high nine sacks last year.

THE 2002 PRESEASON:

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (April 4, 2002) -- Los Angeles Avengers quarterback Tony Graziani threw for a touchdown and two-point conversion in the final seconds of regulation play to dramatically tie the game, but the Georgia Force went on to earn a 51-44 overtime victory in the first preseason contest of the 2002 season for both teams. After the Force scored a touchdown on its first possession of the extra period, Graziani was intercepted on the second play of L.A.'s drive, ending the game played before 2,002 screaming fans at Centennial Garden. "I should have thrown it away," Graziani said. "Nobody was open. I was just trying to make too much happen on that play." Wide receiver-linebacker Greg Hopkins led the Avengers with five catches for 78 yards and three touchdowns, while kicker Remy Hamilton booted three field goals and had a game-high five tackles. The Avengers were playing their second consecutive preseason game (dating back to last season) at Centennial Garden, which is the home field of the Bakersfield Blitz of arenafootball2 (the developmental league established by the AFL in 1999). Almost exactly one year earlier (April 5, 2001), Arizona defeated Los Angeles, 51-38, at Centennial Garden. The Blitz are operated by L.A. Avenger owner and chief executive officer Casey Wasserman.

CHICAGO (April 12, 2002) -- In the final preseason game for both teams, the Chicago Rush beat the Los Angeles Avengers, 64-38, before 8,624 at Allstate Arena. Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani was 13-of-18 for 145 yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver-defensive back Russell Shaw led Los Angeles with six catches for 36 yards and a score. Chicago quarterback Billy Dicken threw three touchdowns in the second half as the Rush pulled away to earn their second victory of the preseason. The Rush opened the scoring in the second half with the first of three touchdown passes by quarterback Billy Dicken. Chicago went on to increase its lead to 47-24 on a one-yard touchdown dive by Jamie Bowers later in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Avengers countered with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Graziani to wide receiver-defensive back Kevin Ingram to make the score 50-30. In the final minute, Graziani hit Shaw for a four-yard score and added a two-point conversion pass to Ingram to provide the margin. Chicago jumped all over Los Angeles in the first half, but Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton nailed a 45-yard field goal at the halftime buzzer to cut the Rush lead to 34-24 at the intermission. Fullback-linebacker Chad Dukes scored his first touchdown as an Avenger on a one-yard blast early in the second quarter, cutting Chicago's advantage to 21-14. On the night, Dukes also returned four kickoffs for 125 yards. The Rush took a 14-0 lead with 9:23 left in the first quarter, after turning an Avenger interception into a quick touchdown. L.A. got on the scoreboard a few minutes later on a 15-yard touchdown toss from Graziani to wide receiver-defensive back Anthony Rice. Wide receiver-defensive back Mel Miller Jr. led the Avengers defensively with five unassisted tackles.

2001 SEASON IN REVIEW: The Los Angeles Avengers second season in the Arena Football League could easily be divided into three segments. The 2001 campaign began with a 52-30 loss on the road to the San Jose SaberCats and unfortunately four more defeats followed. After the third loss in that five-game stretch, head coach Stan Brock was relieved of his duties and defensive coordinator Robert Lyles was installed as the interim head coach. In his third game at the helm, Lyles led the Avengers to their first victory of the season, beating the Oklahoma Wranglers in a 36-33 thriller at STAPLES Center. The return of wide receiver-linebacker Chris Jackson, the 2000 AFL "Rookie of the Year" who went on to join the Tennessee Titans of the NFL, also had a positive effect on the club. The Avengers went on to win four of their next five games, becoming one of the hottest teams in the league. After defeating three consecutive Western Division foes (Oklahoma, 36-33; San Jose, 47-44; Houston, 48-45), Los Angeles came up a point short in a 49-48 overtime loss to the Detroit Fury. The Avengers, however, were not shaken and responded with perhaps their biggest victory in franchise history, defeating the powerful Arizona Rattlers, 54-48, in overtime at America West Arena in Phoenix. Then, Los Angeles kept the good times rolling and stayed in contention for a playoff berth with a 55-47 victory over the Chicago Rush back home at STAPLES Center. At 5-6 and with three games remaining in the season, the red-hot Avengers were suddenly one of the most talked about teams in the AFL. Unfortunately, however, a rash of injuries hit the squad like a ton of bricks. Quarterbacks Todd Marinovich (elbow, wrist, knee), Tony Graziani (knee) and Harry Leons (shoulder) were all placed on the injured reserve list at some point amid the final three contests. At one point, wide receiver-defensive back Shannon Culver was forced to play quarterback and then, Wally Richardson and Jim Druckenmiller were activated to call the signals in the final two games of the season. In addition, Los Angeles lost Jackson to a stress fracture in his left foot. The Avengers ended up losing their last three games and barely missed qualifying for the post-season.

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 ... New York head coach John Gregory enters his eighth season in the AFL and has qualified for the playoffs six times. Before the franchise sold and relocated to Long Island, N.Y., he led the Iowa Barnstormers to four Central Division titles and was named the AFL "Coach of the Year" twice (1995 and 1996). Led by quarterback Kurt Warner, Gregory's Barnstormers reached the ArenaBowl twice, losing in both 1996 and 1997. His 63 regular-season victories ranks him among the league's all-time bests.

FAMILIAR FACES: Avenger offensive-defensive lineman Mathias Vavao played for New York Dragon head coach John Gregory in 1998 and 1999 when both of them were with the Iowa Barnstormers.

THE "IF" SECTION:

If the Avengers defeat the Dragons, it would ...
· Give the Avengers their fourth win in their past six games at STAPLES Center
· Put L.A. above .500 for the first time in franchise history
· Be the first-ever regular-season victory for the Avengers in the month of April
· Give the Avengers an all-time record of 5-10 versus non-Western Division foes
· Even L.A.'s all-time record against Eastern Division teams at 2-2

AVENGER INJURY REPORT:

Pos. Name Injury Status
OL/DL Mathias Vavao Knee Questionable
OL/DL Carlos Fowler Foot Questionable

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.

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 are a pair of "All-Arena" performers -- wide receiver-linebacker Greg Hopkins and fullback-linebacker Chad Dukes.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Avenger wide receiver-defensive back Kevin Ingram: One of the standouts in L.A.'s two exhibition games was WR-DB Kevin Ingram, who had two touchdown catches in addition to a two-point conversion reception that tied the game in the closing seconds in the loss to the Georgia Force on April 4. At Chicago last Friday, he added yet another touchdown and two-point conversion reception. Ingram also performed well on both sides of the ball in a scrimmage that the Avengers held for 1,179 season ticket holders on March 30.

Dragon offensive-defensive lineman Robert Stewart: A perennial selection to the "All-Arena" team, OL-DL Robert Stewart led the AFL with nine sacks (for a loss of 57 yards) last season. He also batted down three passes and registered 13 "quarterback hurries" in 2001. Entering his ninth season in the AFL, Stewart currently ranks at No. 3 on the league's career sacks list with 33.

Avenger defensive specialist Mark Ricks: With additional defensive help around him this season (in the form of WR-LB Greg Hopkins and FB-LB Chad Dukes), Avenger DS Mark Ricks could have an outstanding campaign as a follow up to his "All-Arena" performance last year, which included eight interceptions and 15 pass deflection. And once he gets his hands on the ball, he has a nose for the end zone. Ricks is the AFL's all-time leader in interception returns for touchdowns with seven.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss on his team heading into the 2002 regular season: "I'm excited with where we are at with this team. I truly believe we have the talent to have an extraordinary season. I've seen progress each week in terms of learning assignments. This group just needs to come together and play well with each other. We're not at the point we need to be at just yet, but I am confident that we will be there on Friday."

Hodgkiss on the New York Dragons: "Coach (John) Gregory does a great job on offense. He's one of the guys that I really respect in this league. This game is going to be a big test for our defense. On the other side of the ball, we are going to have to contend with Robert Stewart. He is such a force and is probably one of the most dominant pass rush guys in the league. And then, on special teams, they've signed Steve Papin, one of the AFL's premier return men, so we are going to have to be on top of our game against what will be a very quality opponent."

Hodgkiss on the final cuts of training camp: "It was a very competitive training camp and we had to let go of some good players who can probably play very well in this league, but the guys we kept fit into our system a little bit better."

HEART STOPPING FOOTBALL: Six of the last nine Avenger games of the 2001 season were not decided until the final play of the contest. Two of the games were won with field goals at the buzzer and another two required overtime to settle the score.

TOP-RANKED DEFENSE: The Avengers have a "title" of sorts to defend this year. The Los Angeles defense finished the 2001 regular-season ranked No. 1 in the AFL in total defense (249.4 yards per game) and No. 2 in passing defense (231.5). On July 7, 2001, the Avenger defense held the powerful Nashville Kats to just 151 total net yards (128 passing) and followed that up by limiting the Carolina Cobras to 192 yards in on July 13. The 151 total yards and 128 passing yards gained by Nashville are all-time lows for the Kat offense and all-time bests for the Avenger defense. As a point of comparison, the Avengers allowed opponents an average of 301.0 total yards per game (273.2 passing) during its inaugural 2000 season.

MAKING THEM WORK: In its five victories during the 2001 season, the Avenger defense allowed opponents just 13 touchdown drives consisting of four plays or less. In its nine losses, L.A. allowed a grand total of 43 "short drives" and no less than four of them per contest. In addition, the Avengers surrendered 14 touchdown plays from the opponent's own side of the field (covering 25 yards or more) in the nine losses, as opposed to just three in the five victories. Furthermore, eight of those 14 long TDs came on what was the only play of the "drive." L.A. also has been victimized by nine "zero-play drives" in its losses – five interception returns for scores, two kickoff returns for scores, a blocked field goal recovery for a touchdown and a net recovery in the end zone off a missed field goal.

GETTING DEFENSIVE: The 33 points allowed by the Avengers in their 36-33 victory over the Oklahoma Wranglers on May 26, 2001, was an all-time best for the L.A. defense. The Avengers defense held eight of their 2001 opponents under 50 points last season (which includes two overtime games). L.A.'s three game winning streak in the middle of the 2001 season – Oklahoma (36-33), San Jose (47-44) and Houston (48-45) – represents 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 nine times in its brief AFL history. The first time during the inaugural 2000 season when the Avengers held the New England Sea Wolves to 46 points for L.A.'s first-ever victory in franchise history.

STOPPING THE RUSH: After allowing a whopping 389 yards rushing during the inaugural 2000 season, the Avengers were much better at stopping the run in 2001. L.A. gave up just 251 yards on the ground last season, and only allowed the Nashville Kats (the No. 1 rushing team in the AFL in 2001) just 23 yards on the ground on July 7, 2001, at STAPLES Center.

WESTERN DIVISON SUCCESS: Four of L.A.'s five victories last season came at the expense of divisional foes. 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 are owned and operated by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. After opening the 2002 season against the New York Dragons on April 19, at STAPLES Center, the Avengers will face three consecutive Western Division opponents on the road (@ Arizona, April 27; @ Dallas, May4; @ San Jose, May 11).

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).

TIME TO APPLY PRESSURE: The Avengers would also be wise to pump up the volume on their pass rush. Los Angeles only sacked the quarterback nine times last year. And that statistic looks even worse when one considers the fact that five of those nine sacks came against the Oklahoma Wranglers in the 2001 season finale (Oklahoma 60, Los Angeles 42 – July 22). Veteran OL/DL Carlos Fowler led the way with 3 ½ sacks in 2001. The Avengers recorded their first sack of the 2001 season against Detroit on June 16. Prior to that contest (the eighth game of the season), L.A. was the only team in the AFL without a quarterback sack. The Nashville Kats finished the 2001 regular-season with league-high 25 sacks.

PAINFUL PENALTIES: Last season, the Avengers were penalized an average of 63.5 yards per game (122 flags for 889 yards – last in the AFL). Meanwhile, their opponents barely committed any miscues. L.A.'s opponents in 2001 were flagged just 97 times for 542 yards (avg. 38.7 – fewest 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 – 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 Atlanta 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).

2002 RULE CHANGES: There are a few rule changes for the 2002 regular season and the AFL is also testing a few rules changes during the preseason. Rule changes for the 2002 regular season include:

· Kick returner may have one foot on the end line (out of bounds) when retrieving kickoffs and missed field goals off the end zone rebound net or the soft net

· On PAT attempts, if the kick is blocked and behind the line of scrimmage, the ball is live and can be recovered for a two-point conversion by either team. In the event that the ball is kicked, crosses the line of scrimmage and/or strikes any part of the goal system, whether deflected or not, it is whistled dead immediately.

· Free substitution (kicking team only) on all scrimmage kicks (field goals and PAT)

· For free kicks (field goals and PATs), there can be four down lineman (must be helmet to helmet with offensive lineman (excluding center) and they may rush outside and may twist.

· In order to further protect the kicker/holder "blocked into the kicker" will be enforced as a "roughing penalty" - automatic first down. A roughing call on the extra point will be a choice of ½ the distance, if you missed or wanted to go for two or a carry over 10 yard penalty if you made the goal and chose to accept the points.

· Outside alignment of the defensive end will be blown dead on the snap (unabated to the kicker off-sides)

· Only the 4-linemen can rush – Corners may be on the line, in an up position on the outside, but may not rush or come across the line on the kick.

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.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 17, 2002


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