L.A. Avengers sign pair of fullback/linebackers
Published on December 20, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Jeff Macrea and Michale Spicer, a pair of fullback/linebackers, have signed free agent contracts with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Macrea (6-foot-1, 270 pounds) began his AFL career prior to the 2002 season, signing with the Tampa Bay Storm. However, he was later traded to the Arizona Rattlers and broke his right leg in the fourth quarter of the team's second preseason game. Up until that point, Macrea had been having a fine preseason with six tackles, one quarterback sack and a fumble recovery. He spent the remainder of the 2002 season on the Rattlers' injured reserve list.
For parts of the past two seasons, he has played for the Wichita Stealth of arenafootball2 (the developmental league established by the AFL in 1999). This past season, Macrea played in 11 of Wichita's 16 games, scoring five touchdowns and finishing with four sacks.
Macrea began his collegiate career at Los Angeles Valley College, where he finished with 115 tackles in two seasons as a middle linebacker. In 1996, Macrea helped lead the Monarchs to the conference championship. After transferring to the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, N.M.), he was moved to defensive end and finished his Lobo career with 79 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Born on March 11, 1977, Macrea attended El Camino Real High School (Woodland Hills, Calif.), where he was a standout on the football team and a two-time Los Angeles City Section wrestling champion.
Spicer (6-1, 275) signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills following the 2004 NFL Draft. He remained with the club as a defensive end until the end of training camp.
At Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, N.C.), Spicer finished his four-year career as the school's all-time leader in tackles for losses with 58. He also wound up with 29 total quarterback sacks, just one shy of another Catamount school mark. As a senior in 2003, Spicer had 16 stops behind the line of scrimmage, including 7.5 sacks. He also had an interception.
Although primarily a defensive end at Western Carolina, Spicer saw some action at fullback in short-yardage situations as a senior in 2003. A two-time All-Southern Conference selection, he played in the Blue Gray All-Star Classic.
A two-sport star at Southern Wayne High School (Dudley, N.C.), Spicer played two seasons of football, rushing for 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns during his career as a tailback. On the defensive side, he recorded 20 sacks. Spicer was also a standout on the basketball court, averaging 10 points and 15 rebounds per game.
Born on June 30, 1982, Spicer is a native of Goldsboro, N.C.
With fullback/linebackers Lonnie Ford, Josh Jeffries and Wes Ours returning this season, the signing of Macrea and Spicer means the Avengers will have five players at that position reporting to "mini camp" on Dec. 28.
The Avengers went 9-7 this past season and qualified for the ArenaBowl Playoffs for the third consecutive year. Los Angeles led the AFL in scoring (56.5 points per game) and averaged 12,590 fans at STAPLES Center for eight home games.
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, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com and by calling 213-480-3232.
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