L.A. Avengers sign linemen Rod Manuel and Bernard Riley
October 14, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES - Fortifying their offensive and defensive fronts, the Los Angeles Avengers have signed linemen Rod Manuel and Bernard Riley to free agent contracts, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Both players agreed to two-year contracts and will be with Los Angeles through the 2007 season. Manuel comes to the Avengers after three years in the NFL, followed by five seasons with the Grand Rapids Rampage. Riley was a rookie last season with the Avengers, before becoming a free agent at the conclusion of the 2005 campaign.
"Rod Manuel is a good pass rusher and an experienced player who has played well in the AFL," said Hodgkiss, who has guided the Avengers into the playoffs in each of his previous four seasons at the helm. "He'll come in and be a good fit for us. We are extremely excited to be able to sign him and look forward to Rod having one of his best seasons.
"Bernard Riley was one of, if not the, most important free agents of our own that we wanted to sign," Hodgkiss added. "He is an up-and-coming star in this league. Bernard can play all three positions along the offensive line, is a good pass rusher and can also play the fullback/linebacker spot, if need be. He is a very important player to us and we are happy to have him back."
Manuel (6-foot-6, 295 pounds) has racked up 41.5 tackles, including 6.5 for losses and 3.5 quarterback sacks in his AFL career. He also has batted down eight pass and forced two fumbles. On the offensive side of the ball, Manuel has a total of 18 receptions for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Ironically, one of the highlights of his career came against the Avengers on March 14, 2004, when he registered two sacks and was named the "Defensive Player of the Game," following L.A.'s 48-33 victory.
Manuel was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 1997 NFL Draft (199th overall selection). After playing two seasons with the Steelers as a defensive end, Manuel was picked up by the Cleveland Browns in the 1999 NFL Expansion Draft (ninth overall selection).
At the University of Oklahoma (Norman, Okla.), Manuel played on both sides of the football. He played in six games at tight end as a freshman and continued there into his sophomore year. Manuel finished up his collegiate career as a two-year starter at defensive end. As a senior in 1996, he made 91 tackles (fourth on the team), including 10 for losses and five sacks. In addition, Manuel batted down six passes and recovered a fumble. He also registered five sacks as a junior.
Born on Oct. 8, 1974, Manuel was an All-State and Dallas Morning News Top 100 selection as linebacker during his senior year at Western Hills High School (Fort Worth, Texas). He recorded 113 tackles and 11 pass deflections in his final prep season.
Riley (6-2, 315) played in 11 games last season for the Avengers, finishing with 15 tackles, including four for losses and two sacks. He also blocked a field goal attempt and scored a touchdown on one of his three fumble recoveries.
A four-year letterman at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.), Riley played in 40 games as a nose tackle and defensive tackle, starting 19 of them. He finished his Trojan career with 76 tackles, including nine for losses. Riley also blocked two field goals (one versus Iowa in the 2003 Orange Bowl), recovered two fumbles and had an interception. During his first three seasons at USC (1999-2001), he was a teammate of current Avenger fullback/linebacker Lonnie Ford.
Born on Jan. 12, 1981, Riley was selected to the USA Today All-USA first team and Parade Magazine All-America list after making 114 tackles, 29 for losses, nine sacks and five pass deflections despite playing with a broken finger and separated shoulder as a 1998 senior at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High School. He also played linebacker and fullback for the Griffins, who went 12-1 in 1998.
Season ticket packages for the upcoming 2006 campaign are on sale now. Please call 1-888-AVENGERS for more information or visit the team's official Website at www.laavengers.com.
The Avengers averaged 12,165 fans at STAPLES Center for eight regular-season home games during the 2005 season.
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