Los Angeles Avengers game notes

Published on March 24, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Los Angeles Avengers at San Jose SaberCats
Date: Friday, March 26, 2004
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: San Jose, California
Arena: HP Pavilion (14,401)
Television: Fox Sports Net 2 (Josh Lewin, Ed Cunningham)
Radio: XTRA Sports 690/1150 (Larry Kahn, Troy West)
Web Radio: http://www.xtrasportsradio.com
Line: San Jose by 3.5
Series Record: San Jose leads, 7-2
Last Meeting: San Jose 61, Los Angeles 55 -- February 22, 2004, STAPLES Center
Officials: Bill McCabe (R), Doug Wilson (U), Royce Cooley (HL), Kent Payne (LJ), Jimmy Buchanan (BJ)
Head Coaches: Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (third season, 23-13). San Jose SaberCats -- Darren Arbet (sixth season, 58-20).

THE AVENGERS: Rebounding from a two-game losing streak, Los Angeles has beaten both of its last two opponents by more than two touchdowns and appears to be firing on all cylinders. After their 51-32 season-opening victory at Arizona, the Avengers suffered some key injuries and were not at their best for three games. Now at full strength, L.A. faces its toughest task yet on Friday, taking on San Jose at the HP Pavilion, where the SaberCats have been nearly unbeatable. Although they have never won a game at San Jose, the Avengers do have one thing going for them since they have won all four games away from STAPLES Center this season. Determined to establish themselves as one of the premier teams in the AFL and a strong ArenaBowl contender, the Avengers are averaging 54.7 points per game and have been playing some tough defense as of late. Los Angeles hasn't turned the football over in its last 19 quarters of play and leads the AFL in turnover margin (+11). QB Tony Graziani, who has thrown 38 TD passes this year, has yet to be intercepted and is playing as well as anyone in the league at any position. Defensive specialist Damen Wheeler is another vital player on the Avenger roster. He has played in only half of the six games so far this season (hamstring injury), and L.A. won all three of those contests, allowing an average of just 36.3 points. This is the third consecutive game on the road for the Avengers, who will play their next three at STAPLES Center.

THE SABERCATS: Leaders of the Western Division, San Jose is the league's highest scoring team averaging over 60 points a game. Quarterback Mark Grieb, who is the AFL's highest-rated passer, leads the high-powered offense. His favorite targets are OS James Hundon and WR/LB James Roe. WR/DB Rashied Davis has established himself as the league's top kick returner, taking four back for scores in just six games. The defense is lead by 12-year veteran WR/DB Barry Wagner and DS Omarr Smith, who is second in the league in interceptions with three.

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (4-2)
Date Opponent Result Score
Feb. 8 @ Arizona Win 51-32
Feb. 14 @ Las Vegas Win 62-55
Feb. 22 San Jose Loss 61-55
Mar. 1 Georgia Loss 53-52 overtime
Mar. 14 @ Grand Rapids Win 48-33
Mar. 21 @ Dallas Win 60-44
Rest of Season Opponent Time (PST) Television
Mar. 26 @ San Jose 7:30 Fox Sports Net 2
April 3 Austin 7:30 Fox Sports Net 2
April 10 Colorado 7:30 Fox Sports Net 2
April 16 Detroit 7:30
April 25 @ Chicago Noon NBC
May 1 Arizona 7:30 Fox Sports Net
May 9 @ Tampa Bay Noon NBC
May 16 @ New York Noon NBC
May 22 Las Vegas 7:30 Fox Sports Net 2
May 30 Orlando 1 p.m. NBC

SAN JOSE SABERCATS (5-1)
Date Opponent Result Score
Feb. 6 @ Detroit Win 58-43
Feb. 22 @ Los Angeles Win 61-55
Feb. 28 Grand Rapids Win 62-31
Mar. 7 @ New York Lost 64-50
Mar. 14 Colorado Win 55-35
Mar. 20 Las Vegas Win 79-62
Next 7 games Opponent Time (PST) Television
Mar. 26 Los Angeles 7:30 Fox Sports Net 2
April 4 @ Tampa Bay 9 a.m. NBC
April 10 @ Dallas 5:30 WB
April 16 Chicago 7:30
April 25 @ Georgia 9 a.m. NBC
May 1 New Orleans 7:30
May 9 @ Arizona Noon NBC

THE HEAD COACHES: One of the brightest offensive masterminds in the AFL, Ed Hodgkiss is in his third season as the head coach of the Avengers. In his first two seasons at the helm, he directed Los Angeles to a 19-11 record. No head coach in AFL history has won more games in his first two seasons than Hodgkiss, who was the runner-up for the 2003 AFL "Coach of the Year" award. Last season, the Avengers won a franchise-best 11 games and earned a first-round bye in the AFL Playoffs. Hodgkiss oversaw the league's most efficient offense, which scored 122 touchdowns (most in the AFL) on only 619 total plays (least in the AFL). Particularly lethal through the air, the 2003 Avengers averaged a league-leading 13.8 yards per reception. Hodgkiss became the head coach of the Avengers on Oct. 5, 2001, and signed a five-year contract extension shortly after a 2002 season that saw him adroitly pilot the team to an 8-6 mark. In 2002, Hodgkiss not only led the Avengers into the postseason for the first time in franchise history, he also instantly established the L.A. offense as one of the most feared in the AFL. In the final 2002 league statistics, the Avengers ranked at No. 2 in passing efficiency (115.0) and No. 5 in scoring (52.2). Prior to his arrival in Los Angeles, Hodgkiss served as the offensive coordinator for the Indiana Firebirds for three seasons (1999-2001) ... Darren Arbet, who is in his sixth season as the San Jose head coach, led the SaberCats to their first ever ArenaBowl championship in 2002. In doing so, his team went 13-1 in the regular season and won a total of 16 games, both league records. Arbet was honored as AFL Coach of the Year in 2002, an honor he also earned in 2000, and his overall record in the league now sits at 58-20, which ranks him first in AFL history with a winning percentage of .744.

THE SERIES: The SaberCats lead the series, 7-2. San Jose beat L.A., 61-55, earlier this season (Feb. 22) at STAPLES Center. Last year the two teams split, the Avengers winning in dramatic fashion at STAPLES Center, 73-72, on a two-point conversion pass from QB Tony Graziani to WR/LB Greg Hopkins. In the 2003 regular-season finale, San Jose got revenge with a 47-43 victory at the HP Pavilion, which determined the Western Division championship and the top seed in the AFL playoffs.

THE NEXT GAME: The Avengers will finally return home as their three-game road swing comes to an end and they take on Austin on Saturday, April 3, in their first meeting with the Wranglers. It will be the first of three consecutive games at STAPLES Center for the Avengers.

STEADY IMPROVEMENT: The Avengers had their most successful regular season in franchise history last year, winning 11 games. After combining for eight wins in the franchise's first two seasons, Los Angeles had its first winning season in 2002, under the direction of head coach Ed Hodgkiss.

Avenger HistorySeason (head coach) Record
2000 (Stan Brock) 3-11
2001 (Stan Brock/Robert Lyles) 5-9
2002 (Ed Hodgkiss) 8-6 (playoffs 0-1)
2003 (Ed Hodgkiss) 11-5 (playoffs 0-1)
2004 (Ed Hodgkiss) 4-2



"RED-ZONE" SHOWDOWN: Things will get interesting when the Avengers drive the football into San Jose's "red zone" (10-yard line and in) on Friday. L.A. leads the AFL in "red zone" offense, scoring on all 26 of its trips (22 touchdowns [19 passing, three rushing] and four field goals). On the flip side, San Jose leads the league in "red zone" defense, allowing the opposition to score at a 70.6 percent clip (24-of-34). The SaberCats have allowed 22 touchdowns (16 passing, six rushing) and two field goals, but also have come up with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries, in addition to getting the ball back on downs twice.


THE "IF" SECTION:
If the Avengers defeat the SaberCats, it would ...
· Be their first win at HP Pavilion
· Give them a 5-0 road record for the season
· Give them a 3-1 record versus divisional opponents
· Give them a share of the Western Division lead with San Jose at 5-2
· Give L.A. a 7-2 record in the month of March


THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss on San Jose having L.A.'s number: "They have had everyone's number, being the most dominant team in the past five to six years. The thing about them is that they never beat themselves and are very well coached. They have excellent veterans and always seem to bring in talented new guys."

Hodgkiss on the difference that DS Damen Wheeler makes: "His stats speak for themselves. When he plays, we win. And when he doesn't, we struggle. I feel he is the best defensive specialist in the league right now and we hope he continues to stay healthy."

Hodgkiss on what he thinks needs to improve: "I don't see anything needing dramatic improvement, but we can always use more protection and more of a pass rush. I would like us to get more sacks. Continuous improvement on the line will always improve your chances to win."

Hodgkiss on what has to happen to beat the SaberCats: "Well, I don't want to give any of my secrets, but San Jose is basically a team that you know what you get. They pressure well and are very physical. We have to play just as physical on both sides of the ball. It will be very important for us to continue to play smart football with few turnovers."





INTERCEPTION-FREE ZONE: Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani has not thrown an interception this season. He is currently 119-of-191 (62 percent) for 1,538 yards and 38 touchdowns, and one of only two quarterbacks in the AFL to be "pickless" this year (the other one is Chicago's Raymond Philyaw, who set the all-time AFL single-season record last year with the Indiana Firebirds by tossing 247 passes without an interception). Last season, within a span of seven games, Graziani threw 185 passes without being intercepted. During that period, which stretched from the end of a victory at Orlando on March 30, 2003, to the beginning of a win over Colorado on May 10, 2003, he threw 45 touchdowns passes between picks. In his four-year AFL career, Graziani has passed for 208 touchdowns and been intercepted just 25 times.


TOPS IN TURNOVERS: The Avengers lead the AFL in turnover margin with a +11. Los Angeles has turned the ball over just twice this season and has not done so since the first quarter of the victory at Las Vegas in Week 2. The Avengers have not turned the ball over in their last 19 quarters of play. Both the Avenger turnovers this season have been fumbles (after Tony Graziani was sacked in the season opener at Arizona and on a kickoff return the following week). On the other side of the margin, Los Angeles has come up with eight interceptions (three by WR/DB Kevin Ingram [No. 2 in the AFL]) and five fumble recoveries (two by OL/DL Al Lucas [No. 2 in the AFL]).

AMONG THE ELITE: Ed Hodgkiss' first two seasons as a head coach in the AFL placed his name among some of the game's all-time greats. The Avenger head coach nearly won more games in his first two seasons than any head coach in AFL history. His record after two seasons was 19-11. John Gregory won 19 games in his first two seasons with the Iowa Barnstormers (1995-96). Both Darren Arbet of the San Jose SaberCats (1999-2000) and Lary Kuharich of the Tampa Bay Storm (1992-93) won 18 games in their first two seasons in the league.

TOP CATS: Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss is currently in sixth-place on the AFL's all-time winning percentage chart, which follows below (regular season only, minimum 25 games, active coaches *):

All-Time AFL Top Winning Percentages
Head Coaches Record Winning %
1. Darren Arbet * 58-20 .744
2. Perry Moss 75-28-1 .726
3. Tim Marcum * 135-52 .722
4. Danny White * 113-54 .677
5. Pat Sperduto 25-15 .643
6. Ed Hodgkiss * 23-13 .639
7. John Hufnagel 17-11 .607
8. Jay Gruden * 35-24 .593
9. Mike Dailey * 63-44 .589
10. John Gregory 66-48 .579



PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

Avenger FB/LB Lonnie Ford: The team's leading rusher looks to find the end zone again this week after recording nine yards off of three carries including a three-yard score. Ford made a crucial fumble recovery Sunday in Dallas, helping the Avengers seal the victory. Although Ford has not been a statistical monster, he is very important to the Avengers "red zone" offense and can help create turnovers on defense. Against a San Jose team that likes to mix in the run, Ford will have a chance to bring his "funk" on defense.

SaberCat WR/DB Rashied Davis: In just his second season, Davis has emerged as the league's most dangerous kick returner with four touchdown returns in six games. He had a notable performance against the Avengers last month at STAPLES Center when he returned two kickoffs for scores. Davis has been effective on offense, as well, with 19 catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he has recorded 13 tackles and an interception. With each phase of the game covered, Davis could be the "x-factor" on Sunday.

Avenger OL/DL Jeremy Staat: In his first AFL season, Staat got injured in the season opener, which forced him to miss three games. He hasn't yet gotten into a full rhythm, but has been effective. Since his return at Grand Rapids (March 14) has been able to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks, forcing them to scramble or hurry. He got his first AFL sack versus Grand Rapids and contributed to the successful defensive performance at Dallas on Sunday. The Avengers are 3-0 when Staat is in the lineup (the same can be said of DS Damen Wheeler). He could be the difference in helping the Avengers get their first win at San Jose.

SaberCat WR/DB Barry Wagner: One of the few living-legends still active in the AFL, Wagner surpassed the 900-reception plateau last month. Amazingly, he has yet to record a touchdown catch this year, but has rushed his way into the end zone six times. On defense, Wagner has had to carry extra weight due to the loss of DS Clevan Thomas. Thus far he has 23 tackles and three pass break-ups. Expect Wagner to find his way into the end zone and possibly break his drought without a touchdown reception. He usually has big games versus Los Angeles.


QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE: Ninety-seven of L.A.'s 168 offensive touchdowns over the course of the past two seasons were scored on "drives" of three plays or less. In fact, 32 of them were one-play "drives," including 12 touchdowns by offensive specialist Chris Jackson. So far this season, opposing defense are making it tougher for L.A. to score quickly, as the Avengers have been able to get in the end zone in three plays or less on just 36.4 percent of their touchdown drives. However, the Avengers just missed that qualification 11 times this season, scoring a touchdown on their fourth play.

Avenger Touchdown Drives (2003-04)
Total TDDrives Quick Strikes (percent) 1 Play Scores
2003 124 81 (65.3 %) 25
2004 44 16 (36.4 %) 7
Total 168 97 (57.7 %) 32
LAST WEEK'S GAME

AVENGERS DEMOLISH DESPERADOS, 60-44

DALLAS (March 21) -- Six touchdown passes by quarterback Tony Graziani and a stingy defense led the Avengers past the Dallas Desperados, 60-44, on Sunday afternoon before 9,312 at the American Airlines Center.

The Avengers, who shut out Dallas in the first quarter, improved to 4-2 on the season, breaking the Desperados' five-game winning streak. Dallas fell to 5-2.

Graziani completed 21-of-33 for 251 yards and three of his six scoring tosses went to WR/DB Kevin Ingram.

"I thought I was a little off today," Graziani said. "I missed a couple of receivers early in the game. But, we did a good job of protecting the football and didn't let up after getting those early stops on defense."

Graziani has thrown 38 touchdown passes this season, against no interceptions (191 attempts). Perhaps just as important, he was not sacked by the Desperados and rarely pressured.

"You have to give credit to the offensive line," Graziani said. "They kept me upright today, which was impressive, going against a team with a great pass rush like Dallas. That's why we won the game."

Avenger offensive specialist Chris Jackson caught a game-high eight passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns.

"We played well in all three phases of the game," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "When we are healthy and don't turn the ball over, we are a pretty good team."

The Avengers came up with two turnovers versus the Desperados -- one on an interception by FB/LB Josh Jeffries and the other on a fumble recovery by fellow FB/LB Lonnie Ford -- to raise the team's league-leading turnover ratio to +11.

Walter Church, who came in to quarterback the Desperados after starter Glen Gauntt was knocked out of the game with a knee injury, was 13-of-19 for 209 yards and five touchdowns.

WR/DB Will Pettis and WR/LB Bobby Sippio each caught three touchdowns for Dallas.

Sippio's last one came as time expired and before he tacked on a two-point conversion reception to trim an Avenger lead that ballooned to 60-36 with 57 seconds remaining after Ford scored L.A.'s second rushing touchdown of the day from five yards out.


LOS ANGELES (4-2) 10 20 9 21 -- 60
DALLAS (5-2) 0 10 14 20 -- 44



THE ORIGINAL AVENGER: Offensive specialist Chris Jackson is the only player on L.A.'s 2004 roster who played for the Avengers in their inaugural 2000 season (he was a WR/LB at the time). WR/DB Russell Shaw, and linemen Chris Butterfield and Carlos Fowler are next in line as the only three players who have been with the Avengers for the past four full seasons.


HOPPING UP THE CHARTS: Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins is just the seventh player in AFL history to have 8,000 or more receiving yards in a career. He is currently fifth among active players with 8,032 receiving yards in his nine-year career. Teammate Chris Jackson, who is in his fifth season in the AFL, is currently at No. 21 on the all-time chart with 5,429 receiving yards.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Receiving Yards
1. Eddie Brown (1994-2003) 12,736
2. Barry Wagner (San Jose) 12,496
3. Gary Compton (Philadelphia) 10,279
4. George LaFrance (1988-2000) 8,888
5. Hunkie Cooper (Arizona) 8,228
6. Calvin Schexnayder (San Jose) 8,061
7. Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles) 8,032
8. Stevie Thomas (1991-2001) 7,892
9. Alvin Ashley (1994-2004) 7,561
10. Cory Fleming (Orlando) 7,521
21. Chris Jackson (Los Angeles) 5,429

THE TOUCHDOWN MAKER: Offensive specialist Chris Jackson has scored a touchdown in every game he has played in for the Avengers except for one. His stunning numbers now stand at 132 touchdowns accounted for in 54 games. Jackson's streak of scoring at least one touchdown in every game of his AFL career ended at 47 games on May 10, 2003, against the Colorado Crush. No player in league history has scored touchdowns in more consecutive games to begin a career than he has. All but seven of Jackson's scores have come as a pass receiver. His other touchdowns were as a kickoff returner, runner (twice) and passer (four times). Jackson has caught a touchdown pass in all but two of his games with the Avengers, but in one of those contests (June 8, 2002, vs. San Jose), he ran back the opening kickoff 51 yards for a score. Jackson is L.A.'s all-time leading receiver and scorer. He has racked up 389 receptions for 5,429 yards and has scored 768 points in his five-year Avenger career.

MAKING HIS POINTS: Avenger placekicker Remy Hamilton currently ranks at No. 3 on the AFL's all-time scoring by kickers chart. He also needs only two more three-pointers to become just the fifth player in league history to boot 100 or more field goals.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Scoring By Kickers
Mike Black (Tampa Bay) 1,230
Steve Videtich (Columbus) 1,024
Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 795
Daron Alcorn (1997-2004) 770
Kenny Stucker (1994-99) 742
Steve McLaughlin (Georgia) 714

All-Time AFL Leaders –Field Goals Made
Mike Black (Tampa Bay) 178
Steve Videtich (Columbus) 135
Kenny Stucker (1994-99) 121
Daron Alcorn (1997-2004) 100
Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 98



"IRONMAN" INGRAM: In his last 16 games for the Avengers, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has been selected as the "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" seven times. L.A. won each of those games, which includes the first three victories this season. In the victory at Las Vegas on Valentine's Day, Ingram doubled up, also earning "ADT Defensive Player of the Game" honors.


ROAD WARRIOR: In his last 10 games away from STAPLES Center, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has caught 42 passes for 580 yards and 15 touchdowns. Despite playing alongside a constellation of AFL stars, his contributions have not gone unnoticed, winning the "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" award in six road games over the course of the last two seasons, including three of four so far this season. In the 2004 season opener, Ingram caught a pair of touchdown passes and also had an interception. In the victory at Las Vegas on Feb. 14, he scored three times, made 5.5 tackles and a game saving pass deflection as time expired. On March 14, in Grand Rapids, Ingram had a career-high 121 yards receiving, two touchdowns and an interception. At Dallas on March 21, he caught a career-high three touchdown passes (all in the first half).

THE MILLENNIUM'S FINEST: WR/LB Greg Hopkins and offensive specialist Chris Jackson are not only L.A.'s top pass catchers, they're also among the most productive in the AFL since the dawning of the new millennium. Hopkins ranks first with 426 receptions since the 2000 season for a grand total of 5,200 receiving yards. Jackson is fourth with 389 catches for 5,429 yards. The following chart lists the AFL's top receivers over the course of the last five seasons:

AFL's Top Pass Receivers – (2000-04)
Catches – Receiving Yards
2000-03 2004 Total
Greg Hopkins(Avengers) 400 –4,888 26 – 312 426 – 5,200(110 TDs)
Mike Horacek(Indiana) 363 –4,735 36 – 513 399 – 5,248(121 TDs)
Damian Harrell(Colorado) 348 –4,851 42– 629 390 – 5,480(113 TDs)
Chris Jackson(Avengers) 355 –4,992 34 – 437 389 – 5,429(125 TDs)

THIRD-QUARTER KARMA: The final result of an Avenger game can often be predicted by what happens in the third quarter. In the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," the Avengers are 13-4 when they score two or more touchdowns in the third quarter. Two of the losses came against Arizona and the other two were at the hands of Dallas. In games that the Avengers don't score at least two touchdowns in the third quarter, they are 10-9 since the start of the 2002 season.

DEFENDING THE HOME FRONT: In the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," which began at the beginning of the 2002 season, the Avengers have been particularly stingy on defense at home, allowing just 46.8 points per game at STAPLES Center (797 points in 17 games).





QUICK TO 200: Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani has thrown 208 touchdown passes in his 39-game AFL career. That averages out to 5.3 scoring tosses per game. Graziani is only the 14th player in league history to pass for 200 or more touchdowns. He also is the second fastest to do so, falling just one game shy of the mark set by Mike Perez in 1996 (203 touchdown passes in 37 games for the Albany Firebirds).


THE CENTURY MARK: Although he was held scoreless for the first time in his career against Colorado on May 10, 2003, offensive specialist Chris Jackson has scored 128 touchdowns in his 54-game AFL career. Only 16 other players in AFL history, including teammate Greg Hopkins (175), are members of the "Century Club." ("C.J." has also passed for four touchdowns (three in 2003, one this season, but they don't count in his official scoring totals.)

Top Scorers in Avenger History
Player TDs Points
Chris Jackson (2000-present) 128 768
Greg Hopkins (2002-present) 68 412
Remy Hamilton (2002-present) 0 343
Kevin Ingram (2002-present) 29 174
Travis Hannah (2000-01) 27 162


NO ACTION JACKSON: The Avengers have struggled when Chris Jackson, their main offensive weapon, has been out of the lineup. L.A. has won just two of the 10 games in franchise history that have been played without him in uniform. The Avengers are 29-25 with C.J. active.
** 2001 SEASON
April 14 -- San Jose 52, Avengers 30 (with NFL team)
April 19 -- Houston 58, Avengers 48 (with NFL team)
April 27 -- Arizona 49, Avengers 21 (with NFL team)
July 13 -- Carolina 66, Avengers 28 (broken foot)
July 22 -- Oklahoma 60, Avengers 42 (broken foot)
** 2002 SEASON
May 4 -- San Jose 78, Avengers 44 (broken wrist)
May 17 -- Avengers 38, Tampa Bay 24 (broken wrist)
June 15 -- Avengers 68, Grand Rapids 61 (hamstring)
July 6 -- Arizona 52, Avengers 46 OT (hamstring)
** 2004 SEASON
March 1 -- Georgia 53, Avengers 52 OT (sprained knee)


THE "D" IN L.A.: Avenger defensive coordinator Doug Kay has six specific goals for his unit to strive for this season. If the Avengers are able to achieve them, it would put the L.A. defense in the Top-5 in each category, based on last season's final AFL team statistics. The following is a look at how the Avengers are currently doing in this regard.

Avenger Defensive Goals
Category Goal Current Total
Average points allowed 45.0 46.3
Opponent third-down % 40% 50%(19-of-38)
Opponent fourth-down % 40% 66.7% (6-of-9)
Quarterback sacks 25 9 (pace for 24)
Interceptions 25 8 (pace for 21)
Fumble recoveries 16 5 (pace for 13)

ARENABOWL CHAMPION AVENGERS: Three Avenger players and a pair of coaches own a total of six ArenaBowl world championship rings. OL/DL Al Lucas is a defending world champion, having earned an ArenaBowl title last season as a rookie with the Tampa Bay Storm. WR/LB Joe Douglass was the offensive specialist for the Orlando Predators as a rookie in 2000, the year they beat the Nashville Kats, 41-38, in ArenaBowl XIV. WR/LB Greg Hopkins was with the Albany Firebirds when they took the title in 1999; along with Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss, who was the Firebird offensive coordinator at the time. Avenger defensive coordinator Doug Kay has been part of two ArenaBowl championship teams. He was the defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Storm when they won the title in 1993, and then got his second championship ring in 1997 while working with the Arizona Rattlers in the same capacity.

SUPER BOWL AVENGERS: A pair of Avengers -- quarterback Tony Graziani and defensive specialist Ben Kelly -- have been on Super Bowl teams. Graziani played in five games for the "Dirty Bird" Atlanta Falcons in 1998 when they made it to Super Bowl XXXIII, where they lost, 34-19, to the Denver Broncos who were quarterbacked by current Colorado Crush owner John Elway. Graziani was the third string QB for the Falcons that season, playing behind Chris Chandler and Steve DeBerg, the former Indiana Firebirds head coach (and Arizona Ratters QB Sherdrick Bonner was on the Falcons practice squad). Three years later, Kelly earned a ring with the New England Patriots when they beat the St. Louis Rams, 20-17, in Super Bowl XXXVI. He played in four games that season for the Patriots.

NFL AVENGERS: Twenty-one Avengers (nearly the entire team) have spent time on NFL rosters -- FB/LB Kevin Clemens (2001 Jacksonville, 2002 Seattle, 2003 Philadelphia), WR/DB Henry Douglas (1999-2001 Detroit, 2002 Jacksonville, 2003 Carolina), WR/LB Joe Douglass (1998 New Orleans), FB/LB Lonnie Ford (2002 Carolina), QB Tony Graziani (1997-99 Atlanta, 2000 Cleveland), K Remy Hamilton (2003 Seattle), OS Chris Jackson (1998 Seattle, 1998 Tampa Bay, 1999 Seattle, 2000 Tennessee, 2002 Green Bay, 2003 Miami and Green Bay), FB/LB Josh Jeffries (2003 Tennessee), DS Ben Kelly (2000 Miami, New England 2001-02 New England), OL/DL Ken Kocher (2002 Green Bay, 2003 New England), OL/DL Al Lucas (2000-01 Carolina), DS Jason Moore (1999 Denver, 2001 San Francisco, 2003 Cleveland), OL/DL Arnold Miller (1999-2001 Cleveland), FB/LB Wes Ours (2001 Tennessee and Indianapolis, 2002 Indianapolis), WR/DB Jerome Riley (2003 Denver), WR/DB Russell Shaw (1998 St. Louis), OL/DL Jeremy Staat (1998-2000 Pittsburgh, 2001-2002 Seattle and Oakland), WR/DB Brian Sump (2003 San Diego), OL/DL Johnathan Taylor (2002 Detroit), WR/DB Scott Thomas (1999 and 2000 Indianapolis), and DS Damen Wheeler (2000 San Diego, 2001 Jacksonville). Five Avengers -- Staat (2nd round), Kelly (3rd round), Taylor (4th round), Wheeler (6th round) and Graziani (7th round) -- were NFL Draft picks. Staat is the most experienced, having played in 29 NFL games, Lucas is second with 20 and Graziani is third with 19 games of action (including five starts).



THE INTERCEPTION KING: In addition to being the AFL's 2002 "Ironman of the Year," WR/LB Greg Hopkins is tied with Orlando's Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre as the league's all-time leader in interception returns for touchdowns. Hopkins returned his record-setting ninth pick for a score on April 13, 2003, in L.A.'s 82-76 overtime loss to the Arizona Rattlers. Hopkins jumped to grab a pass from Sherdrick Bonner and returned it nine yards for the score. McEntyre was alone atop the list for just two days after he picked off a pass and returned it 45 yards for a score in Orlando's 66-23 drubbing of the Buffalo Destroyers on April 11, 2003.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Interception Returns for Touchdowns
Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles Avengers) 9
Kenny McEntyre (Orlando Predators) 9
Darryl Hammond (Georgia Force) 8
Mark Ricks (Grand Rapids Rampage) 7
Hunkie Cooper (Arizona Rattlers) 7

HOT TICKET: Five of the six largest crowds to ever see the Avengers play came last season. In consecutive games (at Colorado and Chicago), the Avengers played before their two largest crowds in team history. The Avengers averaged 13,220 fans at home in 2003.

Top Crowds in Avenger History
Date Opponent Attendance
2/16/03 @ Colorado 17,417 (Pepsi Center)
2/23/03 @ Chicago 16,132 (Allstate Arena)
5/17/03 @ San Jose 15,407 (HP Pavilion)
5/4/02 @ Dallas 15,196 (American Airlines)
2/9/03 San Jose 14,992 (STAPLES Center)
2/2/03 Las Vegas 14,827 (STAPLES Center)

IN THE ZONE OUT EAST: With last week's victory at Grand Rapids, L.A. has won seven of its last eight games in the Eastern Time Zone, including victories over Orlando, New York and Indiana last year. L.A.'s thrilling last-second victory at Orlando on March 30, 2003, marked a third consecutive road game within the Eastern Time Zone for the Avengers, which all ended with a win.

NO-CAL, SO-CAL CONNECTIONS: Avenger FB/LB Kevin Clemens started his AFL career with the SaberCats in 1998 ... Avenger defensive coordinator Doug Kay spent one season as offensive coordinator for San Jose State in 1976 and worked with SaberCat head coach Darren Arbet on the coaching staff of the 1994 Albany Firebirds ... Avenger line coach Bill Dobson coached the offensive line at San Francisco State in 1986 ... Avenger rookie OL/DL Jeremy Staat played with SaberCat lineman Albrey Battle at Arizona State ... Avenger OL/DL Chris Butterfield was an AFL teammate of San Jose OL/DL Chuck Reed with both the Portland Forrest Dragons and Oklahoma Wranglers and was also coached by SaberCat defensive coordinator Michael Church in Portland ... Avenger OL/DL Sean McNamara played with San Jose FB/LB Matt Kinsinger with the Houston ThunderBears in 2001 ... Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins was a teammate of San Jose OL/DL Joe Jacobs with the Albany Firebirds in the late 1990s.


THE AVENGERS ARE ...
· 0-2 at STAPLES Center
· 4-0 on the road
· 3-2 when they score more than 50 points
· 2-0 when they score 60 or more points
· 0-0 when they score 70 or more points
· 4-2 when they allow less than 60 points
· 3-0 when they allow less than 50 points
· 2-0 when they allow less than 40 points
· 0-0 when they allow less than 30 points
· 3-1 when they record at least one sack
· 3-1 when they make at least one interception
· 3-2 when they score first
· 3-1 when they commit fewer turnovers
· 0-0 when they commit more turnovers
· 3-2 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
· 1-0 when Chris Jackson catches 8 or more passes
· 4-2 when Tony Graziani throws for at least 6 TDs
· 0-0 when Tony Graziani passes for 300+ yards
· 4-2 when Tony Graziani doesn't throw an INT
· 4-1 when Kevin Ingram scores a touchdown
· 4-0 when Kevin Ingram scores two or more TDs
· 1-0 when OL/DL Silas Demary scores a TD
· 1-1 when Greg Hopkins catches six or more passes
· 2-1 when they commit fewer penalties
· 0-1 when they commit five or less penalties
· 0-0 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
· 1-0 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
· 1-2 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
· 4-1 when leading at halftime
· 3-1 on Sunday


RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
2/27 Signed DS Jason Moore
2/27 Signed from practice squad OL/DL Ryan Nielsen
2/27 Played on injured reserve DS Jeroid Johnson
2/28 Signed FB/LB Lenny Lucas
2/28 Activated off injured reserve WR/DB Jerome Riley
2/28 Placed on injured reserve OS Chris Jackson, OL/DL Ryan Nielsen
2/29 Activated off injured reserve OL/DL Ken Kocher, OL/DL Jeremy Staat
2/29 Placed on injured reserve WR/DB Henry Douglass
3/1 Placed on injured reserve FB/LB Lenny Lucas
3/11 Waived DS Keith Heyward
3/11 Signed DS Ben Kelly
3/12 Activated off injured reserve OS Chris Jackson, DS Damen Wheeler, WR/DB Henry Douglas
3/12 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Ken Kocher, FB/LB Kevin Clemens

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 24, 2004


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