L.A. Avengers News and Notes
March 18, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
THE AVENGERS: Closing out a three-game, 11-day odyssey, the Avengers (2-1) will host the Philadelphia Soul (3-0) on Thursday, March 20, at STAPLES Center. Los Angeles will be attempting to open the season 3-1 for only the third time in franchise history (2003 and 2005). But to do so, they'll have to beat a solid Philadelphia squad that many feel will represent the National Conference at ArenaBowl XXII.
The Avengers are coming off a 58-34 loss at Georgia, which came just five days after beating Arizona, 65-33, in Phoenix on March 10. L.A., which opened the season with a 59-42 victory over New Orleans on Feb. 29, at STAPLES Center, has won seven of its last nine home games (including last season's 64-42 playoff victory over Utah). Under the direction of head coach Ed Hodgkiss, the Avengers have qualified for the playoffs in five of their last six seasons. Quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who is in his third season with Los Angeles, has thrown 19 touchdown passes so far in 2008. Last year, he set a new single-season team record with 4,370 passing yards and tossed 83 touchdown passes.
One of Cumbie's primary targets is veteran flanker Kevin Ingram, who caught 103 passes for 1,196 yards and 26 scores in only 11 games last season. Ingram has had at least one TD reception in his last 32 regular-season games. Slot receiver LaShaun Ward is in his first full season on offense after starting eight games on defense last year. He has caught four touchdown passes and leads the league in yards per reception at 21.5. Split end Timon Marshall, who was one of L.A.'s prized free-agent signings during the offseason, has lived up to all expectations. He currently leads the team in receptions (24) and touchdowns (seven), and has piled up 577 all-purpose yards (No. 4 in the AFL).
Another key offensive weapon in the Avenger arsenal is fullback Lonnie Ford, who rushed for 192 yards and 19 TDs (No. 2 in the AFL) last year. He is just the ninth player in league history to rush for 700 or more yards.
The Avenger defense is currently allowing just 44.3 points per game. The unit features one of the AFL's top defensive fronts. Nose guard Jason Stewart and defensive ends Josh Jeffries and Ken Jones have been spending lots of time in opposing backfields. The pass rush is also aided by "mack" linebackers Brandon Perkins and Justin Hickman. In the defensive backfield, safety Damen Wheeler is L.A.'s man in the middle for the sixth consecutive season. He earned AFL "Defensive Player of the Week" honors for his outstanding performance in the season opener, which included an interception, forced fumble and fumble return for a score. Wheeler, who had a career-high six INTs last season, already has a pair of picks in 2008. He patrols the secondary along with veteran Eddie Canonico and rookie Terrell Maze. The trio has five interceptions this season.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 18, 2008
- L.A. Avengers News and Notes - Los Angeles Avengers
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- Georgia's Greisen, Philadelphia's Nyenhuis, And Dallas' Pettis Earn Week Three Honors - AFL I
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- Soul Aim For Fourth Straight Win Of Season In Los Angeles - Philadelphia Soul
- Storm Make Roster Moves - Tampa Bay Storm
- Tampa Bay Storm And V-Force Customs Team Up - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul Lead the Way Again; AFL Attendance Still at All-Time High - Philadelphia Soul
- AFL Attendance Still at All-Time High - AFL I
- Blaze Trade DL Rob Schroeder to Orlando - Utah Blaze
- Crush fail to match one of AFL's best in Dallas - Colorado Crush
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