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L.A. Avengers game notes

February 28, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Game: San Jose SaberCats at Los Angeles Avengers

Date: Sunday, March 4, 2007

Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)

Site: STAPLES Center (17,942)

Television: FSN Bay Area (San Jose broadcast team)

Radio: AM 570 KLAC (Isaac Lowenkron, Troy West, Antoine Ibrahim -- pregame show at 6:30 p.m.)

Spanish Radio: ESPN Deportes 1330 AM (Edu Villamar, Mario Amaya)

Internet Radio: www.xtrasportsradio.com

Line: San Jose by 6.5 (over/under 111)

Series Record: San Jose leads 9-5

Last Meeting: San Jose 53, Los Angeles 36 - April 29, 2006, STAPLES Center

Officials: Barry Anderson (R), Rick Lowe (U), Brent Durbin (HL), Art Lucky (LJ), Scott Helverson (BJ)

Head Coaches:

Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (sixth season, 43-35)

San Jose -- Darren Arbet (ninth season, 83-37)

THE AVENGERS:

The Los Angeles Avengers open their eighth season in the 21-year-old Arena Football League against one of their archrivals, hosting the San Jose SaberCats on Sunday, March 4, at STAPLES Center. After missing the playoffs for the first time in five years, Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss is gunning to put last season's 5-11 showing behind him and re-establish the franchise as one of the league's elite. Getting the 2007 season off to a good start will be crucial. It also will be challenging as the Avengers lock up with the SaberCats, who are the defending Western Division champions. San Jose leads the all-time series, 9-5, but Los Angeles has won three of its last four games against the AFL's only other California team. In 2005, the Avengers swept the two-game season series from the SaberCats on their way to capturing L.A.'s first Western Division title. Unlike last season, when the Avengers began the season with some uncertainty at quarterback, Sonny Cumbie has solidified himself as the team's leader on offense. After entering the 2006 campaign as the third-stringer, Cumbie moved up the depth chart and started L.A.'s last 12 games. He completed 268-of-450 for 3,241 yards and 59 touchdowns (with only 10 interceptions) on his way to earning AFL All-Rookie honors. Cumbie's main targets will be split end Kevin Ingram, flanker Rob Turner and slot receiver Lenzie Jackson. Last season, that trio combined for 160 receptions for 1,864 yards and 41 touchdowns. This season they won't have to spend too much time playing defense (if at all) as the league's new "free substitution" rule is now in effect. Another offensive weapon will be veteran fullback Lonnie Ford, who was the AFL's No. 3 rusher last season. He gained 168 yards on the ground and his per carry average of 3.8 yards led the league. Up front, protection will be provided by veteran center Sean McNamara, rookie Branden Hall and free agent signing Greg Krause. Defensively, the Avengers added a lot of new faces during the offseason. Half of the eight starters on that side of the football could potentially be rookies. Defensive end Silas Demary, who set the AFL's all-time single-season sack record (13.5) in 2005, returns to lead a formidable front that includes second-year men Jason Stewart and Reggie Rhodes. In the defensive back field, safety Damen Wheeler is back to provide veteran leadership to a young but talented group. Los Angeles is rock-solid in the kicking department with the return of Remy Hamilton, who has won the past two AFL "Kicker of the Year" awards. Last season, he hit 27 of his 34 field goal attempts (.750) to break the single-season league record for accuracy that he set in 2005.

STORYLINES:

L.A. undefeated in season openers played at home

... see "In Season Openers" note on Page 2

As many as eight Avengers could make their AFL debut

... see "Eight are Rookies" note on Page 2

No longer a rookie, Sonny Cumbie set for soph season

... see Cumbie notes on Page 3

How will the AFL's new substitution rules play out?

... see AFL's rule change press release on Page 6

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS

2007 SCHEDULE (0-0)

Date Opponent Time (PT) Television

March 4 San Jose 7 p.m. FSN Bay Area

March 12 @ Orlando 4 p.m. ESPN2

March 24 @ New Orleans 5 p.m.

April 1 @ Chicago 10:30 a.m. ESPN2

April 6 Arizona 7:30 p.m.

April 13 @ Utah 6 p.m.

April 21 @ San Jose 7:30 p.m. Prime (d)

April 28 Grand Rapids 7:30 p.m. FSN West

May 6 @ Las Vegas 3 p.m. Prime

May 12 Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m. Prime (d)

May 19 Georgia 7:30 p.m. FSN West

May 26 @ Kansas City 3 p.m.

June 2 Chicago 7:30 p.m.

June 11 @ Arizona 7 p.m. ESPN2

June 17 Las Vegas 3:30 p.m. FSN West

June 23 Utah 7:30 p.m. FSN West

AVENGER HEAD COACH: One of the brightest offensive masterminds in the AFL, Ed Hodgkiss is in his sixth season as the head coach of the Avengers. He has compiled a record of 43-35, advanced to the AFL Playoffs four times and finished as the runner-up in the AFL "Coach of the Year" balloting twice (2003 and 2005). Last season, the Avengers slipped to 5-11, but developed quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who earned AFL All-Rookie honors. Under Hodgkiss' direction, the Avengers captured their first Western Division championship in 2005 and compiled a 10-6 record. In 2004, the Avengers went 9-7 and led the AFL in scoring, averaging 56.5 points per game. In 2003, the Avengers won a franchise-best 11 games and earned a first-round playoff bye. In his first two seasons in Los Angeles, Hodgkiss directed the Avengers to a 19-11 record. He is one of only five head coaches in AFL history who has won 21 or more of his first 32 games (the other four are Darren Arbet, John Gregory, Lary Kuharich and Tim Marcum). Hodgkiss became the head coach of the Avengers on Oct. 5, 2001, and signed a five-year contract extension shortly after a 2002 season that saw him adroitly pilot the team to an 8-6 mark and into the postseason for the first time in franchise history. In his first season as a head coach at any level, he instantly established the Avenger offense as one of the most feared in the AFL, scoring an average of 52.2 points per game. Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss was the Indiana Firebirds' offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001) and was part of an ArenaBowl championship in 1999.

SERIES INFO: The SaberCats lead the series between the AFL's only California teams, 9-5. Three of L.A.'s five victories have come at STAPLES Center (47-44 in 2001, 73-72 in 2003, and 71-69 in 2005). The Avengers finally broke through versus San Jose on the road two years ago, winning for the first time at the HP Pavilion, 54-42, on May 7, 2005. Then, Los Angeles made it two in a row up north, beating the SaberCats, 75-61, last year. The Avengers' season sweep over San Jose in 2005 represents only the fifth time in the SaberCats' 12-year history that they have been swept by a team ... more importantly, however, it paved the way for L.A. to capture its first Western Division title.

EIGHT ARE ROOKIES: Eight of the 22 players on L.A.'s opening-day active roster are rookies. They are DB James Bethea, LB Michael Craven, OL Branden Hall, QB Tim Hicks, OL Matt McGhghy, DB Arnold Parker, LB Brandon Perkins and WR/DB LaShaun Ward. Last season, 11 of the 32 players, who suited up for the Avengers experienced their first taste of AFL action in 2006 (including four players that are still with the club - QB Sonny Cumbie, WR/LB Robert Quiroga, DL Reggie Rhodes and DL Jason Stewart).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rookie linebacker Brandon Perkins celebrated his 23rd birthday on Thursday, March 1. He is the youngest player on the 22-man Avenger squad and one of 16 that was born in the 1980s. Lineman Silas Demary is the elder statesman of the team. He will celebrate his 36th birthday on Dec. 12.

IN SEASON OPENERS: The Avengers are 4-3 in season openers, but undefeated in the three instances that the game was played at STAPLES Center. Los Angeles has opened the season against San Jose once before. That was in 2001 and the SaberCats cruised to a 52-30 victory in San Jose. Last season, the Avengers defeated Arizona, 40-31, but went on to lose their next five games.

Avengers in Season Openers

Score Date Site

Los Angeles 40, Arizona 31 1-29-06 STAPLES

Las Vegas 46, Los Angeles 37 1-30-05 Las Vegas

Los Angeles 51, Arizona 32 2-8-04 Phoenix

Los Angeles 60, Las Vegas 48 2-2-03 STAPLES

Los Angeles 43, New York 25 4-19-02 STAPLES

San Jose 52, Los Angeles 30 4-14-01 San Jose

G. Rapids 51, Los Angeles 31 4-15-00 G. Rapids

IRONMAN INGRAM: Avenger WR/DB Kevin Ingram, the 2005 AFL "Ironman of the Year" and a two-time First Team All-Arena selection (2004 and 2005), had perhaps the best campaign of his career in 2006, but only garnered Second Team All-Arena honors for his efforts. Last season, he finished with 111 catches, 1,354 receiving yards, 34 total touchdowns, five interceptions and averaged 111.7 all-purpose yards per game. During his "Ironman of the Year" season in 2005, Ingram led Los Angeles with 88 receptions, accounted for 1,052 receiving yards and scored 24 touchdowns. Defensively, he had a team-high six interceptions (and also made 68 tackles) two seasons ago. In addition, he led the team in kickoff returns and averaged 104.1 all-purpose yards per game in 2005.

Kevin Ingram -

Year-by-Year Ironman Comparison

2006 111 catches, 1,354 receiving yards, 34 TDs

Five INTs, averaging 111.7 all-purpose yards

- Second Team All-Arena selection

2005 88 catches, 1,052 receiving yards, 24 TDs

Six INTs, averaged 104.1 all-purpose yards

- AFL "Ironman of the Year"

- First Team All-Arena selection

2004 67 catches, 848 receiving yards, 23 TDs

Four INTs, averaged 116.9 all-purpose yards

- First Team All-Arena selection

ALL-TIME LEADING RUSHER: Avenger FB/LB Lonnie Ford finished the 2006 season ranked at No. 3 in the AFL in rushing. He gained 168 yards and scored 10 touchdowns on only 44 carries last season. His per carry average of 3.8 yards was also the best in the league among players with more than 27 carries. Ford, L.A.'s all-time leading rusher with an even 500 yards in four previous seasons, is also the only Avenger to ever record two 100-yard seasons.

Avenger Record Book -

Rushing Yards in a Season

1. Chad Dukes (2002) 223

2. Lonnie Ford (2005) 193

3. Lonnie Ford (2006) 168

4. Mathias Vavao (2003) 126

5. Ed Smith (2001) 113

THE TEXAS GUNSLINGER: Avenger quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who was a finalist for the AFL's 2006 "Rookie of the Year" award, started the last 12 games of the 2006 season and was 268-of-450 (59.6 percent) for 3,241 yards and 59 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions. His passer rating of 105.2 ranked him at No. 9 in the AFL (minimum 400 attempts), putting him ahead of veterans such as Philadelphia's Tony Graziani (98.4), Utah's Andy Kelly (97.6) and Columbus' John Kaleo (96.6), and all rookies. Furthermore, Cumbie's interception percentage of 2.2 was fifth best among the league's starters. On March 12, 2006, he was 23-of-34 for 348 yards and six TDs in L.A.'s 75-61 victory at San Jose. Those 348 passing yards rank fifth on the all-time Avenger chart. Cumbie threw 17 TD passes in his first three starts, the most by any QB in Avenger history, beating the previous mark set by Graziani, who was in his second AFL season when he tossed 16 in his first three starts for Los Angeles. In his AFL starting debut on Feb. 25, 2006, Cumbie completed 29 passes (second most in Avenger history), seven of which went for scores (first among all QBs making their first Avenger start).

Avenger Record Book -

Passing Yards in a Single Game

1. Todd Marinovich (at Houston, 2000) * 469

2. Tony Graziani (vs. Detroit, 2004) 359

3. Tony Graziani (at New York, 2003) 355

4. Tony Graziani (at Georgia, 2002) 352

5. Sonny Cumbie (at San Jose, 2006) * 348

6. Tony Graziani (vs. San Jose, 2003) 345

7. Sonny Cumbie (at Utah, 2006) * 337

8. Tony Graziani (vs. Austin, 2004) 332

9. S. Semptimphelter (vs. Carolina, 2000) 331

* AFL rookie season

NOT YOUR AVERAGE QB: Rookie Sonny Cumbie finished the 2006 season with numbers very similar to those posted by former Avenger QB Tony Graziani in terms of average passing yards per game as a starter.

Avenger Record Book -

Average Passing Yards as a Starter

1. Tony Graziani, 2003 (16 starts, 4,290 yds.) 268.1

2. Sonny Cumbie, 2006 (12 starts, 3,206 yds.) 267.2

3. Tony Graziani, 2004 (16 starts, 4,254 yds.) 265.9

INTERCEPTION-FREE STREAK: Avenger QB Sonny Cumbie had his interception-less streak snapped on April 23, 2006, vs. New York, but not before he broke Tony Graziani's team record. Cumbie's streak of 212 attempts without an INT came to an end in the third quarter of the game against the Dragons. Prior to that, the last time he was picked off was against Colorado on March 19, 2006 (a 60-57 Avenger win over the then-defending ArenaBowl champions). In between INTs, Cumbie tossed 28 TD passes. He was not intercepted in six of the 12 games he started in 2006. Graziani set the Avenger record for attempts without an INT at 210 in 2004.

Avenger Record Book -

Pass Attempts without an Interception

1. Sonny Cumbie, 2006 (span of 6 games) 212

2. Tony Graziani, 2004 (span of 7 games) 210

3. Tony Graziani, 2003 (span of 7 games) 185

NEW ARENA QB RATING: The debate has gone on for years in the AFL -- "Does the statistical passer rating formula used for the outdoor/stadium-played game really translate to AFL quarterbacks?" Since scoring touchdowns, not turning the ball over and completion percentage dictates whether you win or lose in the AFL, stats guru Tom Goodhines decided to come up with a new formula that puts more weight on "TD-INT ratio" and completion percentage, with no emphasis on yardage.

ARENA QB RATING FORMULA: Multiply "TD percentage" (TD passes divided by TD passes + INT) by two and add the completion percentage and divide it all by three.

Avenger rookie quarterback Sonny Cumbie ranked in at No. 6, mainly due to the strength of his "touchdown-to-interception ratio" of 59-to-10 (85.5 percent). He was the only rookie in the Top 10.

Final 2006 Arena Football Quarterback Rating

Rating Comp.Pct.

TD

INT

1. M. D'Orazio (Chi.) 84.7 68.7 63 5

2. M. Nagy (Georgia) 82.6 70.6 85 11

2. C. Dolezel (Dallas) 82.2 65.4 105 11

4. M. Grieb (San Jose) 80.6 65.3 83 11

5. J. Dutton (Colo.) 78.2 63.5 95 16

6. S. Cumbie (L.A.) * 76.9 59.6 59 10

7. J. Hamilton (Orl.) 76.3 67.0 64 15

8. S. Stafford (T.B.) 76.1 62.8 86 18

9. J. Fitzgerald (Austin) 75.4 66.7 59 15

10. S. Bonner (Arizona) 75.2 58.1 83 16

Minimum of 350 attempts

* AFL rookie in 2006

TURNOVER MARGIN TAKES A TURN: The Avengers finished the 2006 season -1 in turnover margin (tied for 10th in the AFL). That's a far cry from where Los Angeles was in the previous two seasons. The Avengers led the AFL in turnover margin in 2005 with an amazing +17 (two teams finished way back in second at +8). In 2005, Los Angeles had a league-leading 37 takeaways, turned over the football only 20 times (fewest in the AFL), finished 10-6 and won the Western Division title. In 2004, the Avengers turned the ball over just 11 times (fewest in the AFL) and tied the Chicago Rush for an AFL-best turnover margin of +15. This past season, the Avengers came up with only 26 takeaways (14 INTs and 12 fumble recoveries).

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION: The first 5,000 fans at Sunday's season opener will receive a pair of "Avenger Tattoo Sleeves" presented by Carl's Jr.

LOOKING AHEAD: Following Sunday's season opener, the Avengers will play three consecutive games on the road, beginning with a showdown at Orlando on Monday, March 12. That game will be show live on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. (Pacific). Then, Los Angeles will enjoy a bye week before returning to the road to play at New Orleans (March 24) and Chicago (April 1).

KICKING UP A STORM: Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton had yet another standout season in 2006. Displaying stunning accuracy and consistency, he was 27-of-36 (.750) on his field goal attempts last year. Hamilton was a near-perfect 25-of-26 on three-pointers inside of 38 yards. He was a perfect 4-for-4 in the 2006 season opening victory over Arizona and duplicated the feat in the 60-57 win over Colorado. Hamilton also connected on 92 of his 98 extra point attempts this season (.939). He led all AFL kickers in scoring with 173 points. In 2005, Hamilton led the AFL in field goals (29), field-goal percentage (.744) and kicking points (185). He opened the 2005 campaign by hitting his first 11 three-pointers and dating back to the end of the 2004 season, he converted on 12 consecutive field goal attempts, which is an all-time AFL record. Hamilton kicked a career-high five field goals to help the Avengers beat Austin, 64-51, on Feb. 11, 2005. He scored a total of 22 points versus the Wranglers, came up with a key fumble recovery and was selected as the "Ironman of the Game," becoming the first kicker in AFL history to earn that honor.

ANOTHER RECORD SETTING SEASON?: Last season, Remy Hamilton broke his own AFL record for field goal percentage and was selected as the AFL's "Kicker of the Year" for the second consecutive year. Hamilton, who is the first kicker in league history to win the award in back-to-back seasons, also has been honored as an All-Arena First Team selection in both 2005 and 2006. He was 27-of-36 on field goals in 2006, which translates to a record-breaking 75 percent success rate. In 2005, Hamilton cashed in on 74.4 percent (29-of-39) of his field goal attempts, breaking the previous record of 72 percent (18-of-25) set by Jay Taylor of the Orlando Predators in 2004. Two years ago, he also set the AFL all-time single-season record for kicking points with 185. Hamilton is one of only three players in league history to boot over 125 field goals.

All-Time AFL Leaders -

Scoring By Kickers

1. Steve Videtich (Utah) 1,385

2. Mike Black (1993-2004) 1,246

3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 1,236

All-Time AFL Leaders -

Field Goals Made in a Career

1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 177

2. Steve Videtich (Utah) 167

3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 160

All-Time AFL Leaders -

Field Goals Percentage in a Single Season

1. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles, 2006) .750

2. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles, 2005) .744

3. Jay Taylor (Orlando, 2004) .720

4. Steve McLaughlin (Nashville, 2001) .639

All-Time AFL Leaders -

Field Goals Made in a Single Season

1. Daron Alcorn (Portland, 1999) 32

2. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles, 2005) 29

3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles, 2006) 27

3. Daron Alcorn (Portland, 1997) 27

HOW MUCH STATS ARE BACK: Thirteen of the 28 players currently with the Avengers (22 on the active roster and six on injured reserve) were with the team last season. The table below illustrates to what level those returning players contributed to last season's statistics.

How Much is Coming Back?

Stat Category 2006 Total 2007 Players %

Back

Passing yards 4,191 3,241 77.3%

Passing TDs 75 59 78.7%

Interceptions thrown 16 10 62.5%

Receptions 358 169 47.2%

Receiving yards 4,337 1,950 45.0%

Receiving TDs 75 41 54.7%

Rushes 101 72 71.3%

Rushing yards 321 240 74.8%

Rushing TDs 18 15 83.3%

Kickoff returns 94 27 28.7%

Kickoff return yards 1,540 352 22.9%

Missed FG returns 8 3 37.5%

Missed FG ret. yards 134 33 24.6%

Touchdowns scored 104 61 58.7%

Field goals 27 27 100%

Extra point kicks 92 92 100%

Points scored 809 543 67.1%

All-purpose yards 6,539 2,623 40.1%

Total-offense yards 4,512 3,481 77.1%

Total tackles 462 224 48.5%

Tackles for losses 29 20.5 70.7%

Quarterback sacks 11 8 72.8%

Interceptions 14 9 64.3%

Pass breakups 58 34 58.6%

Fumbles forced 15 12 80.0%

Fumbles recovered 12 6 50.0%

Kicks blocked 3 3 100%

SECRET IS SCORING 60: Dating back to 2004, the Avengers are 12-4 when they score 60 or more points. The team did not score more than 55 points in all seven of its losses in 2004, in five of the six defeats in 2005 and in eight of its 11 losses last season.

... WHEN THEY DO GET AHEAD: The Avengers have held the lead at halftime in only 11 of their last 31 games and went on to win nine of those games.

... AND AFTER THREE QUARTERS: The Avengers are 44-13 all-time when leading or tied after three quarters.

NIFTY NICKNAMES: Several Avengers played college football at schools with interesting nicknames ... Kevin Ingram, West Chester (Pa.) University Golden Rams; Sean McNamara, Pittsburg (Kan.) State University Gorillas and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Golden Norsemen and Rob Turner, Central Michigan University Chippewas.

BACK IN THE DAY: With the AFL's move to "free substitution" this past offseason, the days of stunning two-way "Ironman" performances could become quite rare. A good example of that kind of impact occurred last season. In the final six seconds of the first half of game at Utah on April 15, 2006, Avenger WR/DB Kevin Ingram displayed what it really means to be an "Ironman." With the Blaze already leading, 35-27, and driving deep into Avenger territory once again, Ingram intercepted an Andy Kelly pass with six seconds remaining until halftime. On L.A.'s ensuing possession, Ingram caught a seven-yard pass from Sonny Cumbie and quickly got out of bounds, giving the Avengers a second-and-three play from their own 11-yard line with 1.7 seconds left. Then, Cumbie threw a "Hail Mary" pass off the rebound net system and into Ingram's arms for a touchdown as time expired in the first half. His work not yet done, Ingram then successfully fielded a bad snap and expertly got the football set for Remy Hamilton's extra point kick, which brought the Avengers to within a point at the break ... when just moments before, it seemed as if they were about to go down by two touchdowns.

AFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE (all times Pacific):

Thursday, March 1

Columbus at Nashville, 5 p.m. (AFL Net)

Friday, March 2

Orlando at Tampa Bay, 4:30 p.m. (AFL Net)

Saturday, March 3

Georgia at Arizona, 6 p.m. (FSN South Sports)

New Orleans at Utah, 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 4

Chicago at Kansas City, 9:30 a.m.

Dallas at New York, 9:30 a.m. (ABC)

Grand Rapids at Colorado, noon

Las Vegas at Austin, 1 p.m. (FSN Prime Ticket)

San Jose at Los Angeles, 7 p.m. (FSN Bay Area)

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