L.A. Avengers sign pair of linemen from USC
Published on January 10, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Faaesea Mailo and Ryan Nielsen, a pair of accomplished linemen who played together at the University of Southern California, have signed free agent contracts with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Mailo agreed to a three-year deal, while Nielsen inked a one-year contract.
Both rookie offensive/defensive linemen will be in uniform when the Avengers open training camp on Monday, Jan. 12, inside the Spruce Goose Hangar at Playa Vista, where the team's field from STAPLES Center has been laid out for the second consecutive year.
"Mailo and Nielsen are two guys we worked out and really liked," said Hodgkiss, who led the Avengers to an 11-5 record and No. 4 playoff seed last season in his second year with the club. "We're always extremely excited to add local guys to our roster. We're sitting here with USC, the No. 1 team in the nation right in our backyard, and also have a great program at UCLA nearby. Hopefully we can add more quality local players like these two guys in the years to come."
Mailo (6-foot-3, 325 pounds) signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders following the 2002 NFL Draft. Later that June, after being waived by the Raiders, he signed with the New York Jets and was with them until being released on Sept. 24, 2002. Two weeks later, however, he was re-signed to the Jets practice squad.
A four-year letterman at USC, Mailo started 28 games at either left guard, left tackle or right tackle. He participated in 16 other games and occasionally played on offense, lining up at fullback in short-yardage situations. Mailo's Trojan career spanned six years (1996-2001) since he missed the 1997 and 1998 seasons while on a Mormon mission in Sapporo, Japan.
Born on Feb. 11, 1978, in Torrance, Calif., Mailo attended Kahuku (Hawai'i) High School as a senior, sophomore and freshman. He spent his junior year at Banning High School (Wilmington, Calif.).
Nielsen (6-5, 290) signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2002 NFL Draft and despite having a strong training camp was released on Aug. 25, 2002.
A three-year starter at defensive tackle, Nielsen concluded his USC career with 107 tackles (including 15 for losses of 59 yards), eight pass deflections and six quarterback sacks. As a sophomore in 1999, he was selected as USC's "Defensive Lineman of the Year." Following Nielsen's senior year in 2001, he was an All-Pacific-10 Conference honorable mention selection and played in the Hula and Paradise Bowls.
Born on March 20, 1979, Nielson attended Royal High School (Simi Valley, Calif.). As a senior defensive end/tight end in 1996, he had 129 tackles, 19 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two interceptions, in addition to 34 receptions for 356 yards and four touchdowns. Nielson also played basketball and baseball for the Highlanders.
This month, the Avengers will split their training camp between two locations. Most of the practice sessions will be held indoors at Playa Vista. The entrance road to the Spruce Goose Hangar is at the intersection of Jefferson and Centinela Boulevards in Playa del Rey, off the 90 Freeway.
"We're fortunate to get back inside on turf for our training camp," Hodgkiss said. "It put us ahead of the game last year and helped us opened up strong. There's a different speed to things on turf and it really helps with timing. But sometimes we'll practice on grass to take it easy on the players' legs."
When the Avengers practice outdoors on grass, those sessions will continue to be held at the Avenger Training Facility at West L.A. College in Culver City (including a scrimmage and kickoff party for season ticket holders on Jan. 24).
The Avengers will conclude training camp in Denver, Colo., with two days (Jan. 28-29) of practices and a scrimmage against the Colorado Crush, before returning to Los Angeles to prepare for the season opener on Sunday, Feb. 8, versus the Arizona Rattlers at America West Arena in Phoenix.
The Avenger roster, which currently consists of 37 players, will be trimmed to the regular-season limit of 24 by Monday, Feb. 2.
Twenty newcomers will be in training camp to compete for roster spots with 17 returnees. Among the familiar faces are record-setting quarterback Tony Graziani, "All-Arena" wide receiver/linebacker Greg Hopkins and offensive specialist Chris Jackson, who earned the AFL's "Offensive Player of the Year" award last June after tying a single-season league record with 46 touchdown receptions in 2003.
"We're fortunate to return all the guys who did a great job for us last season, so as a coaching staff we're extremely excited to get going and put the players in position to have a special season," Hodgkiss said. "That's the mindset we'll have from day one."
Leading the way for the newcomers is "All-Arena" offensive/defensive lineman Al Lucas, veteran NFL lineman Jeremy Staat and 300-pound fullback/linebacker Wes Ours.
Eight Avenger games during the 2004 season will be televised on KNBC Channel 4, including the home opener on Sunday, Feb. 22, versus the San Jose SaberCats at STAPLES Center.
Nine-game season ticket packages are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 10, 2004
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- L.A. Avengers sign pair of linemen from USC - Los Angeles Avengers
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