In the Arena
by Tim Peterson
February 27, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
Catch 22
The Arena Football League is still considered "new", a novelty act or just a passing phase in many circles. But when the Los Angeles Avengers kick off the 2008 season this Friday night against The New Orleans Voo Doo it marks the 22nd year of the league's existence. The Arena League, which was established in 1987, has outlasted other notable football leagues such as the USFL, XFL, and the WFL.
Playing indoors on a 50 yard field is of course a different environment than the others but the concept is there. It's still football and like it or not, it's the only professional football we have in Los Angeles.
Seconds are sometimes Better
The Avengers are the second Arena league team to play in Los Angeles. The LA Cobras played one year at the Sports Arena in 1988 before disbanding. The Cobras, who featured former NFL all-pro receiver Cliff Branch and UCLA quarterback Matt Stevens, played before dismal crowds and finished the season at 5-6-1. They did manage to grab the fourth playoff spot in the six team league but lost in the semi finals to the Chicago Bruisers.
12 years later the Avengers set up shop at Staples Center and have enjoyed a successful ride. After two years under Coach San Brock, Ed Hodgkiss took over and has led the Avengers to the playoffs in five of the last six years and a Western Division title in 2005. The Avengers have averaged nearly 12,000 fans per game the last six years and last year peaked at 13,224.
Those Darn Cats!
The biggest problem for the Avengers is that they play in the same division as the San Jose Sabercats. The Sabercats, who are in their 14th year, have won three Arena Bowl titles and seven Western Division championships. The Avengers will travel to San Jose to face the defending champions on April 26 and will host the Cats at Staples on May 31.
Sweet 17
There are currently 17 teams in the Arena Football League but that number changes sometimes on a yearly basis. Last year there were 19 teams but the Nashville Kats and Austin Wranglers folded. There are four teams each in the Western and Central Divisions of the American Conference. In the National Conference there are five teams in the Eastern Division and four in the Southern.
In the West, Las Vegas moved east to Cleveland leaving the Avengers with just three other teams to deal with. The move was felt in Los Angeles however when former assistant Mike Wilpot took over as head coach of the Gladiators and Silas Demary, the LA team leader in sacks, signed a free agent contract with Cleveland. Another former Avenger Coach, Dog Kay, is the head coach of the Columbus Destroyers.
Just Kicking It
With the goals posts only nine feet wide and a 15 inch crossbar, a dependable kicker is mandatory. The Avengers lost one of the best when Remy Hamilton signed a contract with the Dallas Desperados. Hamilton won the kicker of the year award in back to back seasons in 2005 and 2006 and is second all-time in league history with 1,385 points. However the Avengers feel they have found an ample replacement in former USC kicker David Davis. Davis was the AFL 2 kicker of the year last season.
Locals Represent
Davis is one of two former Trojans on the Avengers roster. The other is veteran fullback Lonnie Ford. Justin Hickman, who signed in the off season, is the only player from UCLA on the current roster. The Avengers have more than 30 players on the roster now but will have to get down to the league minimum of 20 this week.
Former USC defensive back Ken Haslip became the first player in LA Avenger history when he signed a contract on October 19, 1999.
Todd Marinovich, also of USC, was the starting quarterback for the Avengers in their first season in 2000.
Play Ball!
The Avengers and the Voo Doo will get everything started when they kick it off Friday night at Staples Center at 7:30. There will be four games on Saturday, one on Sunday and two on Monday night. Dallas at Georgia will be the featured game on Saturday on ABC at 1:00 Eastern. San Jose will travel to Chicago for a match up of the last two Arena Bowl Champions. The game can be seen Monday March 3 at 9:00 Eastern on ESPN 2.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 27, 2008
- In the Arena - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Crush Defensive Back Named to Preseason All-AFL Defense Team - Colorado Crush
- Week 1 - Preview and Predictions (Pt. 1) - OSC Original by S.W. Cooley
- Dallas activates Garnett, places Brown on IR - Dallas Desperados
- Dallas' Hamilton Kicks For All-Time Field Goal Record On ABC - AFL I
- Two Matchups Between All Four 2007 Division Champions Highlight Kickoff Weekend - AFL I
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
