Busy Off Season for Avengers

by Tim Peterson
Published on January 17, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers


(Los Angeles)- Last season the Los Angeles Avengers won their first ever Western Division Championship and advanced into the Arena Football league playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.

The Avengers finished 10-6 and led the league in offensive scoring percentage (74.4 percent) and turnover margin (+17). But that wasn't nearly enough for Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss and owner Casey Wasserman. They have their sights set on an Arena Football League Championship and won't be satisfied until that goal is accomplished.

Since the season ended last year, the Avengers have been working feverishly to improve the squad. LA had 32 players on its roster when training camp opened on January 3, including 13 newcomers and 11 AFL rookies. 19 returnees fill out the roster spots.

Anthony Derricks and Rod Manuel headline the list of newcomers along with former USC wide receiver Kareem Kelley. Manuel spent three years in the NFL before playing the last five years with Grand Rapids of the AFL. He has proven himself to be one of the best two way lineman in the league.

Los Angeles Avengers Derricks, a seven year AFL veteran, is a physical defensive specialist and an excellent kick returner. Kelley, who is familiar to Southern California fans, set several receiving records at USC before being selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.

At quarterback, Brian Mann is expected to be the starter in place of the departed John Kaleo. Sonny Cumbie, a rookie out of Texas Tech will challenge Mann in training camp for the position. Mann played in four games last year in a back up role and completed 13 of 23 passes for 197 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Among the familiar faces are "Ironman of the Year" Kevin Ingram and "Lineman of the Year" Silas Demary. Also Remy Hamilton who received the ‘Kicker of the Year" award in 2005 is back. All three players received "All Arena" first team selections a year ago.

The Avengers roster will be trimmed down to the AFL regular season limit of 24 by January 21.

"Our priority during the off season was to retain our core of key players," said Hodgkiss prior to training camp. "Then we added a lot of new talent to the roster, creating a good mix of guys. It's going to be a very competitive environment."

The Avengers are preparing for the beginning 2006 season on January 29 when they will host the Arizona Rattlers at Staples Center. Kick off is set for noon.

This is the Avengers seventh season in the 20 year old Arena Football League.

Information provided by John Tamanaha, V.P. of Communications Los Angeles Avengers.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 17, 2006


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