Avengers sign defensive end Ryan Riddle
January 14, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Defensive end Ryan Riddle, who led the Pacific 10 Conference in quarterback sacks before playing two seasons in the NFL, signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Avengers on Monday.
"We actually came across Ryan about three years ago, while watching Cal film on another player," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "After that, we followed his career in the NFL and when he became available this year we put full-court pressure on him to sign with the Avengers. I believe Ryan can be a dominant pass rusher in AFL. He has a great take-off and the ability to really close on the quarterback."
Riddle (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft (212th overall selection). He played in 12 games for the Raiders in 2005, finishing with nine tackles. Riddle was released by Oakland on Sept. 2, 2006, but was signed by the New York Jets later that month. He played in five games with the Jets in 2006.
Riddle was most recently with the Baltimore Ravens. He was signed by the Ravens on Aug. 6, 2007, but was released prior to the start of the regular season.
In two seasons at the University of California at Berkeley, Riddle racked up 77 tackles (including 26.5 for losses of 183 yards) and 21 sacks (No. 8 on the Golden Bears' all-time list).
As a senior in 2004, he led the Pac-10 and ranked third in the nation with a school-record 14.5 sacks (for losses of 122 yards). Riddle also led the league with 19 tackles for losses and forced three fumbles.
After taking a two-year break from football, Riddle began his collegiate career at El Camino College (Torrance, Calif.) in 2001, earning "Freshman of the Year" honors after finishing with nine sacks and two blocked kicks. In 2002, he upped his sack total to 12, blocked five kicks, scored two touchdowns and intercepted a pass on his way to junior college All-America honors.
At Culver City (Calif.) High School, Riddle recorded 125 tackles, seven sacks and three blocked field goals as a senior in 1998. He led the Bay League with 17 sacks during his junior season in 1997.
Riddle's grandfather, John, was a halfback at USC (1922-24).
This past season, the Avengers finished second in the Arena Football League's Western Division, compiling a 9-7 regular-season record before defeating the Utah Blaze, 64-42, at STAPLES Center to register the franchise's first postseason victory.
Avenger 2008 season tickets, which include nine games played at STAPLES Center, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or www.laavengers.com.
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