L.A. Avengers make final roster cuts
April 15, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Avengers waived seven players today in preparation for Friday night's Arena Football League opener versus the New York Dragons at STAPLES Center. With the six cuts and one placement on the injured reserve list, the Avengers have finalized the 24-man roster for their third season of play in the 16-year-old AFL.
Two of the players waived on Sunday -- wide receiver-defensive back Ken Haslip and fullback-linebacker Shamsud-Din Abdul-Shaheed -- played college football at the University of Southern California. The other four players released are quarterback Harry Leons, fullback-linebacker Kelron Sykes, wide receiver-defensive back York Frierson, offensive-defensive lineman Andy Aracri and wide receiver-defensive back Ron Atkins, who was previously on the physically unable to perform list.
Aracri and Atkins could be added to the L.A.'s four-man practice squad in the near future, if they clear waivers.
In addition, wide receiver-linebacker Antonio Wilson was placed on the injured reserve list with a sprained ankle.
"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," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "I'm excited 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."
Haslip became the first-ever player signed by the Avengers on Oct. 19, 1999. He played in nine games for the Avengers over the course of L.A.'s first two seasons and made 21 tackles, broke up 14 passes and had one interception.
Leons was the third-string quarterback for most of his two seasons with the Avengers. He started one game last year, but was knocked out of that contest against the Carolina Cobras on July 13, 2001, with a separated shoulder in the first quarter.
Sykes played in seven games for the Avengers last season. He rushed five times for 12 yards and a touchdown, and also caught one pass for five yards. On the defensive side, Sykes made 13 tackles and deflected one pass.
The other four players waived -- Abdul-Shaheed, Frierson, Aracri and Atkins -- were all AFL rookies.
L.A.'s season opener against the New York Dragons on Friday, April 19, is set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised by Fox Sports Net 2. Everyone in attendance will receive a free Avenger "Red-Out" T-shirt.
Avenger season tickets, which include all seven home games played at STAPLES Center, are still available and can be purchased over the telephone at (888) AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
Single-game tickets, which start as low as $8, can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets and the STAPLES Center box office, or by calling (213) 480-3232 or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com.
WAIVED BY THE LOS ANGELES AVENGERS - APRIL 14
FB/LB Shamsud-Din Abdul-Shaheed (6-4, 260, Southern California)
OL/DL Andy Aracri (6-2, 285, Miami [OH])
WR/DB Ron Atkins (5-11, 210, James Madison)
WR/DB York Frierson (6-0, 200, Brigham Young)
WR/DB Ken Haslip (5-10, 180, Southern California)
QB Harry Leons (6-2, 211, Eastern Washington)
FB/LB Kelron Sykes (6-2, 242, Oregon State)
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