L.A. Avengers set to open 2006 training camp on January 3
December 30, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- In preparation for their seventh season of play in the 20-year-old Arena Football League, the Los Angeles Avengers will open training camp on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Under the watchful eye of head coach Ed Hodgkiss and his staff, the 2006 Avengers will practice for the first time at 8:30 a.m.
All practice sessions will be held at the Avenger Training Facility at West Los Angeles College in Culver City.
"We're looking forward to the opening of camp and getting back after it," said Hodgkiss, who led the Avengers to their first Western Division championship last season. "Our priority during the offseason was to retain our core of key players. 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."
Training camp will conclude on Jan. 20, and features a scrimmage against the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush in Denver on Jan. 16.
The 2006 season kicks off on Jan. 29, when the Avengers host the Arizona Rattlers at STAPLES Center. Kickoff is set for noon.
The Avenger roster, which currently consists of 32 players, will be trimmed to the AFL's regular-season limit of 24 on Jan. 21.
Thirteen newcomers, including 11 AFL rookies, will be in training camp to compete for roster spots with 19 returnees. Among the familiar faces are "U.S. Army Ironman of the Year" Kevin Ingram, "ADT Defensive Player of the Year" and "Lineman of the Year" Silas Demary, and "Kicker of the Year" Remy Hamilton. All three of those players also were selected to the "All-Arena" first team.
The Avengers went 10-6 last season and advanced into the AFL Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Los Angeles led the league in offensive scoring percentage (74.4 percent) and turnover margin (+17). In addition, the Avenger offense gained 4,389 yards and scored 861 points on just 701 total plays, while tossing the fewest interceptions in the league (nine).
Leading the way for the newcomers are AFL veterans Rod Manuel and Anthony Derricks, and rookie Kareem Kelly. Manuel, who played three seasons in the NFL before spending the past five years with the AFL's Grand Rapids Rampage, has proven himself to be one of the game's best two-way linemen. Derricks, who will be entering his seventh AFL season, is a physical defensive specialist and excellent kick returner. Kelly set several receiving records during his collegiate career at USC before being selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.
Nine-game season ticket packages, which start at $94.50, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com. Single-game tickets may be purchased at the STAPLES Center box office, at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com and by calling 213-480-3232.
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