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Los Angeles Avengers game notes

January 25, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


SEASON OPENER:
Game: Los Angeles Avengers at Las Vegas Gladiators
Date: Sunday, January 30, 2005
Kickoff: Noon (Pacific)
Site: Las Vegas, Nevada
Arena: Thomas & Mack Center (16,606)
Television: NBC (Eli Gold, Charles Arbuckle, Mitch Roberts)
Radio: XTRA Sports 690/1150 (Larry Kahn, Troy West)
Spanish Radio: KWKW 1330-AM (Edu Villamar, Mario Amaya)
Satellite Radio: Sirius
Web Radio: http://www.xtrasportsradio.com
Line: Las Vegas by 5 (over/under 105)
Series Record: Los Angeles leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Los Angeles 54, Las Vegas 51 -- May 22, 2004, STAPLES Center
Officials: David Lambros (R), Al Granado (U), Mike McCabe (HL), Brian Matthew (LJ), David Cutaia (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (fourth season, 28-18)
Las Vegas -- Ron James (first season)

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Los Angeles: John Tamanaha (310) 407-0208, cell (310) 463-5262, jtamanaha@laavengers.com; Vince Trotter (310) 407-0238, cell (562) 367-5266, vtrotter@laavengers.com
Las Vegas: Adam Grant (702) 731-4977, agrant@lvgladiators.com; Brian Sternberg (702) 731-4977 ext. 233, bsternberg@lvgladiators.com

2005 AVENGER PREVIEW: Gunning for their fourth consecutive trip to the Arena Football League Playoffs, the Avengers will have a decidedly different look to them in 2005. On offense, head coach Ed Hodgkiss will be working with a new quarterback. AFL veteran John Kaleo, who earned an ArenaBowl championship ring in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Storm, will start and be backed up by Brian Mann as the team looks to replace "All-Arena" QB Tony Graziani, who signed a free agent contract with Philadelphia during the offseason. Leading the way for the receivers will be "All-Arena" WR/DB Kevin Ingram and Greg Hopkins, who is one of the best WR/LBs in league history and the 2002 AFL "Ironman of the Year." Ingram is L.A.'s top returning player in terms of receptions, receiving yardage, kickoff returns, missed field goal returns, all-purpose yardage, touchdowns, tackles and was tied for the team lead in interceptions. Over the course of the past five seasons, Hopkins has caught 466 passes for 5,633 yards and 116 touchdowns. He has also returned nine interceptions for scores in his illustrious AFL career. Second-year man Brian Sump and newcomer Lance Young will back up Ingram and Hopkins, respectively. At the offensive specialist spot, the Avengers are looking for someone to fill the shoes of Chris Jackson, who signed a free agent contract with Grand Rapids during the offseason. In the early going, the Avengers will look to Jerome Riley at that spot. In a few weeks, Khori Ivy, who is currently on the injured reserve list (knee), could be added to the mix. Los Angeles has perhaps the best pair of young FB/LBs in the AFL as Lonnie Ford and Josh Jeffries return. Seemingly perfectly suited for the rigorous nature of the multi-faceted position, Ford and Jeffries excel on both sides of the football. At the OL/DL spots, the bulk of the frontline returns in 2005, as the only deletions are veterans Chris Butterfield and Carlos Fowler (retirements). Al Lucas, Sean McNamara, Silas Demary and free agent signee Fred Ray (currently on injured reserve) provide veteran stability. Lucas, Demary and McNamara combined for seven sacks last season. First-year linemen Tony Wragge, Richard Seals, Luis Almanzar and Jerome Stevens are also expected to make an impact up front. However, the biggest new addition for L.A. could be defensive coordinator Mike Wilpolt, who dramatically turned around the fortunes of the Indiana Firebirds last year after being named the head coach five games into the 2004 season. With Wilpolt overseeing a defense led by Lucas, Ford, Jeffries, Hopkins, Ingram and rookie defensive specialists Antuan Simmons and Jermaine Smith, the Avengers could be difficult to score against ... and even tougher when third-year DS Damen Wheeler returns from his current stay on the injured reserve list. And the Avengers are rock-solid at kicker with the return of Remy Hamilton, one of the AFL's all-time greats. Not only does he rank third in league history in scoring by kickers with 877 points, he also has a variety of onside kicks and is a sure-handed tackler on special teams.

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS
2005 SCHEDULE (0-0)
Date Opponent Time Television
Jan. 30 @ Las Vegas Noon NBC
Feb. 4 Georgia 7:30 FSN West
Feb. 11 @ Austin 5:30 FSN West
Feb. 20 San Jose 3 p.m. NBC
Feb. 27 @ Colorado Noon NBC
Mar. 6 @ Arizona 5 p.m.
Mar. 18 Dallas 7:30
Mar. 26 Tampa Bay 7:30 FSN West
April 3 @ Orlando 9 a.m. NBC
April 10 New York Noon FSN West
April 17 @ Nashville 10 a.m. NBC
April 23 Chicago 7:30 FSN West
April 30 Arizona 7:30
May 7 @ San Jose 7:30 FSN West
May 14 Las Vegas 7:30 FSN West
May 21 @ Grand Rapids 4:30 FSN West


THE HEAD COACH: One of the brightest offensive masterminds in the AFL, Ed Hodgkiss is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Avengers. In his three previous seasons, he compiled a record of 28-18 and advanced to the AFL Playoffs each year. In his first two seasons at the helm, he directed the Avengers to a 19-11 record. No head coach in league history has won more games in his first two seasons than Hodgkiss. Last season, the Avengers went 9-7 and led the AFL in scoring, averaging 56.5 points per game. Under Hodgkiss' direction, three major team records were broken as QB Tony Graziani threw 99 touchdown passes and OS Chris Jackson caught 125 passes for 1,803 yards. In 2003, the Avengers won a franchise-best 11 games and earned a first-round playoffs bye. Hodgkiss, who was the runner-up for the 2003 AFL "Coach of the Year" award, 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 and Jackson tied an AFL record with 46 TD receptions, earning him the league's "Offensive Player of the Year" award. 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 and into the postseason for the first time in franchise history. In his first season as a head coach at any level, he instantly established the Avenger offense as one of the most feared in the AFL, scoring an average of 52.2 points per game. In addition, WR/LB Greg Hopkins took home the AFL's "Ironman of the Year" award that goes to the league's top two-way player. Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss was the Indiana Firebirds' offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001).


THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss on his team: "We are excited to get going. Our team is a very young one, but we are very talented. We definitely have to come together as a team in a short period of time. We have a lot of guys on this team that are unselfish and willing to play hard. We'll be a more physical team this year and we're excited to see how that plays out."

Hodgkiss on playing the Las Vegas Gladiators in the season opener: "With the new playoff format this year, we are focused on winning our division. So, this will be a very important game for us as we start out versus a divisional opponent with one of the best quarterbacks in the league (Clint Dolezel). They also made some good offseason signings, so this will be a tough game. We are going to have play well right out of the gate."

Avengers WR/LB Greg Hopkins on the 2005 team: "With the new faces in our lineup this year, it made training camp very competitive, which I believe will pay off for us in the long run. Offensively, a lot of questions have been brought up concerning our productivity with the loss of Tony (Graziani) and C.J. (Chris Jackson), but coach Hodgkiss' system has been successful every year I have been with him ... this year should be no different. The lack of Arena Football experience in our new players, is made up for with what they have shown in camp through hustle, toughness and attitude."


LOS ANGELES AVENGERS
2004 RESULTS (9-7, 0-1)
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 OT
Mar. 14 @ Grand Rapids Win 48-33
Mar. 21 @ Dallas Win 60-44
Mar. 26 @ San Jose Loss 55-52
April 3 Austin Win 81-70
April 10 Colorado Loss 57-55
April 16 Detroit Win 62-55
April 25 @ Chicago Win 71-35
May 1 Arizona Loss 42-38
May 9 @ Tampa Bay Loss 63-55
May 16 @ New York Win 58-53
May 22 Las Vegas Win 54-51
May 30 Orlando Loss 52-50
June 6 @ Arizona (Playoffs) Loss 59-42

TIGHT LOSSES: L.A.'s seven regular-season losses last year were by a combined total of 26 points.

THE SERIES: The Avengers have won all three of the meetings between the two teams. Las Vegas became the newest member of the AFL's rugged Western Division last year and both encounters with L.A. were nail-biters.

All-Time Las Vegas vs. Los Angeles Series
Score Date Site
Avengers 60, Gladiators 48 2-2-03 L.A.
Avengers 62, Gladiators 55 2-14-04 Las Vegas
Avengers 54, Gladiators 51 5-22-04 L.A.

THE NEXT GAME: The Avengers will play their home opener on Friday, Feb. 4, at STAPLES Center versus the Georgia Force.

QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE: 138 of L.A.'s 241 offensive touchdowns over the course of the previous two seasons were scored on "drives" of three plays or less. In fact, 41 of them were one-play "drives." Last season, opposing defenses made it tougher for L.A. to score quickly, as the Avengers were able to get in the end zone in three plays or less on just 48.7 percent of their touchdown drives. However, the Avengers just missed that qualification 21 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 117 57 (48.7 %) 18
Total 241 138 (57 %) 43

SECRET IS SCORING 60: The Avengers were 5-0 last season when they scored 60 or more points. The team did not scored more than 55 points in all seven of its losses in 2004. The Avengers did manage to win two games last season without reaching the 60-point mark, but relied on defense in those contests -- shutting down Arizona, 51-32, and stopping Grand Rapids, 48-33.

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

All-Time AFL Top Winning Percentages
Head Coaches Record Winning %
1. Tim Marcum * 166-54 .755
2. Perry Moss 75-28-1 .726
3. Darren Arbet * 65-25 .722
4. Danny White 139-64 .685
5. Pat Sperduto 25-15 .643
6. Jay Gruden * 45-27 .625
7. Ed Hodgkiss * 28-18 .609
8. John Hufnagel 17-11 .607
9. Mike Dailey * 74-51 .592
10. John Gregory 66-48 .579

TOUGH ON THE ROOKIES: Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss is 9-1 against "rookie" AFL head coaches since taking over as a "rookie" himself in 2001. Only loss came to Joe Avezzano's Dallas Desperados on June 1, 2002. The season opener versus Las Vegas on Jan. 30, will mark the AFL head-coaching debut for the Gladiators' Ron James.

KEEPING IT CLOSE: Only four of the 18 losses that Ed Hodgkiss has suffered as the head coach of the Avengers have been by more than seven points. He is 28-18 at the helm of the Avengers.

AMONG THE ELITE: In his first two seasons as a head coach in the AFL, Ed Hodgkiss placed his name among some of the game's all-time greats. The Avenger skipper 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.

L.A. STORY: The Avengers had their most successful regular season in franchise history in 2003, winning 11 games. After combining for eight wins in the franchise's first two seasons, L.A. had its first winning season in 2002, under the direction of head coach Ed Hodgkiss. Building upon each season from 2000 to 2003, the Avengers were the only team in AFL history to post four consecutive years of improvement. Last year, Los Angeles slipped to 9-7.

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) 9-7 (playoffs 0-1)

"RED-ZONE" SUCCESS: Under the direction of head coach Ed Hodgkiss, who also serves as offensive coordinator, L.A. was third in the AFL last season in "red zone" offense, scoring on 74 of its 83 trips (64 touchdowns [47 passing, 17 rushing] and 10 field goals). The Avengers had a "red zone" percentage of 89.2 in 2004.

AVENGER NEWCOMERS TO WATCH:

QB John Kaleo: The starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm during their 2003 ArenaBowl championship season, Kaleo was acquired by Los Angeles in a trade with the Austin Wranglers on Nov. 2, 2004. After four years with the Storm, Kaleo quarterbacked the Wranglers to an 8-8 record last season in their inaugural campaign. The Avengers will be the ninth team Kaleo has played for in his 12 seasons in the AFL. He ranks among the all-time greats in league history with 26,078 passing yards (No. 6 on the AFL career chart), 425 touchdowns (No. 5), 3,625 attempts (No. 6) and 2,162 completions (No. 5). Kaleo has also rushed for 44 scores in his AFL career (No. 11). Kaleo signed a two-year free-agent contract with the Wranglers on Oct. 22, 2003, only four months after the Storm won ArenaBowl XVII. In 2004, Kaleo completed 352-of-565 for 4,020 yards and 80 touchdowns (with only 11 interceptions). He played against the Avengers last season, passing for 387 yards and seven scores, in an 81-70 loss at STAPLES Center.

DS Antuan Simmons: A hard-hitting playmaker, Simmons originally signed with the Avengers on Dec. 3, 2003, but did not join the team for the 2004 season, opting instead to train with the San Francisco 49ers. He signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers following the 2002 NFL Draft, performed well in training camp and preseason games, but was released in the final cut. A year later, Simmons went through the same routine with the 49ers. In between those two NFL training camps, he played in 10 games for the F.C. Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe, finishing with 44 tackles, eight pass deflections, one interception and a kickoff return for a touchdown. In an outstanding and inspirational five-year career at USC, Simmons had a nose for the football and a knack for the big play, coming up with 208 tackles and six blocked kicks. He also had nine interceptions and returned three of them for scores. As a senior in 2001, Simmons was USC's captain and college football's "comeback player of the year," battling back from an abdominal tumor in the summer of 2000 that hospitalized him for six weeks, stripped him of 40 pounds and nearly took his life three times.

OL/DL Richard Seals: An AFL rookie who already has pro experience on both sides of the line of scrimmage, Seals was picked by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft (218th overall selection), and was later signed to the practice squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Prior to the 2001 season, he was picked up by the New Orleans Saints, who allocated him to NFL Europe, where he was a starting defensive tackle for the Frankfurt Galaxy. Seals participated in training camp with the Saints in 2001 and 2002, before being signed to the Buffalo Bills' practice squad for the past two seasons as an offensive guard.

OL/DL Tony Wragge: An NFL veteran with a background based on the offensive side of the ball, Wragge will be an AFL rookie this season. He spent two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. After signing with the team as a free agent following the 2002 NFL Draft, Wragge played in three games during his rookie year, starting one game at right guard. He spent most of the 2003 season on the Cardinals' practice squad. Wragge remained with Arizona until being released on Sept. 5, 2004, just prior to the start of the regular season.

MAKING HIS POINTS: Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton currently ranks at No. 3 on the AFL's all-time scoring by kickers chart. He is only the fourth player in league history to boot over 100 field goals.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Scoring By Kickers
Mike Black (1993-2004) 1,253
Steve Videtich (Columbus) 1,108
Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 877
Daron Alcorn (1997-2004) 770
Steve McLaughlin (1998-2004) 770
Kenny Stucker (1994-99) 742

All-Time AFL Leaders –Field Goals Made
Mike Black (1993-2004) 178
Steve Videtich (Columbus) 142
Kenny Stucker (1994-99) 121
Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 104
Daron Alcorn (1997-2004) 100

"IRONMAN" INGRAM: In his last 26 games for the Avengers, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has been selected as the "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" nine times. L.A. won each of those games, which includes five victories last season. In the victory at Las Vegas on Valentine's Day 2004, Ingram doubled up, also earning "ADT Defensive Player of the Game" honors.

ROAD WARRIOR: In his last 14 games away from STAPLES Center, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has caught 58 passes for 722 yards and 21 TDs. Despite playing alongside a constellation of AFL stars, his contributions have not gone unnoticed, winning the "Ironman of the Game" award in six road games over the course of the previous two seasons, including three of eight in 2004.

L.A. IN O.T.: The Avengers have an all-time record of 3-4 in overtime games. Strangely enough, Los Angeles is a perfect 3-0 when playing the extra period on the road and a winless 0-4 within the usually friendly confines of STAPLES Center. In three of the seven overtime games, the Avenger opponent has been the Arizona Rattlers (L.A. is 1-2 in those contests). In all three overtime victories, Los Angeles won by six points and held the opponent scoreless (twice getting the ball on downs and once benefiting from a missed field goal). The Avengers have played in at least one overtime game in each of their previous five seasons of play in the AFL (once in 2000, 2002 and 2004, and twice in 2001 and 2003).

Avengers in OvertimeCategory Record
All-time 3-4
At home 0-4
On the road 3-0
When getting the ball first 1-2
When getting the ball second 2-2
When scoring a touchdown 3-2
When scoring first 3-1
When scoring second 0-1
When a field goal is attempted 0-2
When missing a PAT kick 1-1
When getting a two-point conversion 0-0
When allowing a two-point conversion 0-1

HOPPING UP THE CHARTS: Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins is one of only eight players in AFL history to have 8,000 or more receiving yards in a career. He is currently seventh among active players with 8,465 receiving yards in his nine-year career.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Receiving Yards
1. Barry Wagner (San Jose) 12,811
2. Eddie Brown (1994-2003) 12,736
3. Gary Compton (1992-2004) 10,368
4. George LaFrance (1988-2000) 8,888
5. Hunkie Cooper (Arizona) 8,543
6. Cory Fleming (Orlando) 8,537
7. Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles) 8,465
8. Calvin Schexnayder (San Jose) 8,105
9. Stevie Thomas (1991-2001) 7,892
10. Darryl Hammond (Nashville) 7,675

MILLENNIUM MEN: WR/LB Greg Hopkins ranks among the most productive pass catchers in the AFL since the dawning of the new millennium. Only former teammate Chris Jackson has had more receptions than Hopkins since the start of the 2000 season. The following chart lists the AFL's top receivers over the course of the last five seasons:

AFL's Top Pass Receivers – (2000-05)
Catches – Receiving Yards
2000-04 2005 Total
Chris Jackson(Rampage) 480 – 6,795(157 TDs) 0 - 0 480 – 6,795(157 TDs)
Greg Hopkins(Avengers) 466 – 5,633(116 TDs) 0 - 0 466 – 5,633(116 TDs)
Damian Harrell(Crush) 457 – 6,724(138 TDs) 0 - 0 457 – 6,724(138 TDs)
Mike Horacek(Dragons) 399 – 5,248(121 TDs) 0 - 0 399 – 5,248(121 TDs)

THE INTERCEPTION KING: In addition to being the AFL's 2002 "Ironman of the Year," WR/LB Greg Hopkins is nearly the league's all-time leader in interception returns for touchdowns. Hopkins returned his 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. Hopkins and McEntyre were tied on the AFL's all-time list until "The Glove" scored on an 18-yard interception return against the New Orleans VooDoo on May 9, 2004.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Interception Returns for Touchdowns
Kenny McEntyre (Orlando Predators) 10
Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles Avengers) 9
Darryl Hammond (Georgia Force) 8
Mark Ricks (Grand Rapids Rampage) 7
Hunkie Cooper (Arizona Rattlers) 7





AMONG THE GAME'S GREATS: Avenger quarterback John Kaleo rates alongside the best passers in AFL history. He is just 190 yards away from moving into fifth-place on the league's all-time chart for passing yards. Kaleo already ranks at No. 5 in completions and touchdowns. If he can throw at least 75 touchdown passes this season, Kaleo would become the fifth player in AFL history to reach the 500 mark.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Yards
1. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 32,033
2. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 30,618
3. Aaron Garcia (New York) 30,570
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 29,124
5. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 26,258
6. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 26,078

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Completions
1. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 2,863
2. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 2,461
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 2,461
4. Aaron Garcia (New York) 2,366
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 2,162
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 2,100

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Touchdowns
1. Aaron Garcia (New York) 635
2. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 620
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 612
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 582
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 425
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 408

IN THE ZONE OUT EAST: When the Avengers make three trips to the East Coast later this season, they shouldn't feel too uncomfortable. L.A. has won eight of its last 10 games in the Eastern Time Zone, including a thrilling 64-63 victory at Orlando in 2003 and 48-33 decision last year at Grand Rapids. The Avengers will make a return visit to Orlando on April 3, and then conclude the regular season with trip to Grand Rapids on May 21. L.A. will also play at Nashville on April 17.

THIRD-QUARTER KARMA: The final result of an Avenger game can often be predicted before the start of the fourth quarter. L.A. is 31-7 all-time when leading or tied after three quarters of play. Furthermore, in the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," the Avengers are 17-6 when they score two or more TDs in the third quarter. Two of the losses came against Arizona and two were versus Dallas. In games that the Avengers don't score at least two TDs in the third quarter, they are 11-12 since 2002.

TAKING CARE OF THE FOOTBALL: In 16 games last season, the Avengers turned the ball over 11 times (the fewest in the AFL). L.A., which lost six fumbles and threw five interceptions, played eight "turnover-free" games in 2004 and was 5-3 in those contests. The Avengers tied the Chicago Rush for an AFL-best turnover margin of +15. On the defensive side of the margin, L.A. came up with 15 INTs (four each by WR/DB Kevin Ingram and DS Damen Wheeler) and 11 fumble recoveries (three by FB/LB Josh Jeffries).

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
1/22 Placed on injured reserve OS Khori IvyOL/DL Fred RayOL/DL John SchlechtWR/LB Rob TurnerQB Ryan Van DykeDS Damen Wheeler
1/22 Released OS Ben Bronson
1/22 Waived WR/DB Aleric ClarkOL/DL Asi FaoaWR/LB Lal KnightWR/DB Chris MartinFB/LB Wes OursDS Traco RachalOL/DL Bernard Riley
1/22 Waived injured OL/DL Ken KocherFB/LB Jeff MacreaOL/DL Johnathan Taylor
1/22 Re-signed OL/DL Al Lucas
1/22 Retired OL/DL Chris Butterfield
1/15 Signed WR/DB Lance Young
1/15 Placed on other team exempt QB Gibran Hamdan(Seattle Seahawks)
1/13 Signed OL/DL Jerome Stevens
1/13 Waived OL/DL John Windham
1/12 Signed OL/DL John Schlecht
1/10 Signed WR/LB Lal Knight
1/10 Re-signed OL/DL Luis Almanzar
1/9 Signed OS Ben BronsonOL/DL John Windham
1/9 Re-signed OL/DL Silas Demary



ARENABOWL CHAMPIONS: Three Avenger players and a pair of coaches have experienced championship seasons in the AFL. QB John Kaleo and OL/DL Al Lucas earned ArenaBowl championship rings with the Tampa Bay Storm in 2003. WR/LB Greg Hopkins was with the Albany Firebirds when they won the AFL title in 1999; along with Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss, who was the Firebird offensive coordinator at the time, and L.A. defensive coordinator Mike Wilpolt, who was the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator.


DISRUPTION AT DS: In 16 games last season, the Avengers lined up with eight different pairs of starting defensive specialists. Eight players started at one of the DS positions in 2004 and only Damen Wheeler, who earned AFL "All-Rookie" honors in 2003, and Kevin Ingram, who is normally a WR/DB, remains with the club on the 2005 roster. Last season, Wheeler spent time of the injured reserve list twice.

NIFTY NICKNAMES: Several Avengers played college football at schools with interesting nicknames ... Kevin Ingram, West Chester (Pa.) University Golden Rams; Brian Mann, Dartmouth College Big Green; Sean McNamara, Pittsburg (Kan.) State University Gorillas and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Golden Norsemen; Michale Spicer, Western Carolina University Catamounts; Brian Sump, Colorado School of Mines Orediggers and Rob Turner, Central Michigan University Chippewas.

PREVIOUS MEETING WITH LAS VEGAS:

L.A. WINS FIGHT WITH GLADIATORS, 54-51

LOS ANGELES (May 22, 2004) -- Moving closer toward clinching their third consecutive trip to the AFL Playoffs, the Avengers beat the Las Vegas Gladiators, 54-51, before 14,588 at STAPLES Center.

The Avengers, who improved to 9-6, could punch their ticket to the postseason on Sunday, if they defeat the Orlando Predators at STAPLES Center on May 30.

The Gladiators fell to 7-8 and out of contention for the playoffs.

Los Angeles quarterback Tony Graziani completed 17-of-24 for 229 yards and six touchdowns, in addition to rushing for a seventh score. With one more regular-season game remaining, he has thrown for 94 touchdowns this season, against only four interceptions. Next week against Orlando, Graziani could become only the second player in football history to pass for 100 or more touchdowns in a single season.

Avenger WR/DB Kevin Ingram caught three of Graziani's scoring tosses and finished with 148 all-purpose yards.

Las Vegas quarterback Clint Dolezel attempted 50 passes, completing 32 of them for 326 yards and six scores. Coco Blalock led the Gladiators with 15 catches for 163 yards and three touchdowns.

Dolezel's 32-yard touchdown pass to Blalock pulled the Gladiators to within three, 54-51, but Avenger offensive specialist Chris Jackson recovered Brian Gowins' onside kick and the Avengers ran out the clock for the final 12 seconds.

Los Angeles scored on eight of its 10 possessions. The Avengers failed to reach the end zone in the second quarter when Las Vegas defensive end Thaddeus Bullard forced Ingram to fumble, with defensive end William Mayes recovering.

The Los Angeles defense held Las Vegas scoreless twice and also limited the Gladiators to Gowins' 28-yard field goal on the game's opening series.

Jackson caught two touchdown passes and rookie WR/DB Henry Douglas one for Los Angeles. FB/LB Josh Jeffries scored the Avengers' other touchdown on a two-yard run in the fourth quarter.


LAS VEGAS (7-8) 10 7 13 21 -- 51
LOS ANGELES (9-6) 7 13 13 21 -- 54



L.V. TOUGH ON C.J.: Former Avenger Chris Jackson led the team in receiving in 11 of last season's 16 games, but didn't in either game versus Las Vegas last year. In fact, he only averaged 4.5 catches for 44.5 yards in those two games, well below his 2004 average of 8.3 receptions and 120.2 yards. In the Week 2 meeting in "Sin City," WR/LB Greg Hopkins led the Avengers with eight catches for 103 yards and two scores. "All-Arena" WR/DB Kevin Ingram was L.A.'s top receiver in the Week 16 match-up at STAPLES Center, catching six passes for 88 yards and three touchdowns (and also rushed for 12 yards)

FINAL 2004 AFL STANDINGS:

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Arizona 11 5 0 .688 836 738
San Jose 11 5 0 .688 885 754
AVENGERS 9 7 0 .562 904 811
Las Vegas 8 8 0 .500 868 791

Central Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Chicago 11 5 0 .688 847 727
Colorado 11 5 0 .688 793 744
Indiana 8 8 0 .500 801 743
Detroit 5 11 0 .312 761 854
Grand Rapids 1 15 0 .062 581 871

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
New York 9 7 0 .562 849 770
Carolina 6 10 0 .375 735 868
Columbus 6 10 0 .375 782 855
Carolina 6 10 0 .375 791 862
Philadelphia 5 11 0 .312 737 796

Southern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
New Orleans 11 5 0 .688 723 721
Orlando 10 6 0 .625 777 690
Tampa Bay 9 7 0 .562 815 799
Austin 8 8 0 .500 764 793
Georgia 7 9 0 .437 710 772



FIRST TIME IN 50: When John Kaleo takes L.A.'s first offensive snap from center in the season opener at Las Vegas, it will mark the first time since July 22, 2001, that somebody other than Tony Graziani is the Avenger starting quarterback. Since Wally Richardson started that game, a 62-40 loss at Oklahoma in the 2001 regular-season finale, Graziani had started 49 consecutive contests for the Avengers, including three playoff games.


TROJAN SACKS: There must be something about being a "Trojan" and getting after the quarterback. Three "Trojans" on the 2005 Avenger roster combined for 7.5 sacks last season. Linemen Silas Demary, who played for the Virginia State University Trojans, and Al Lucas, who was a collegiate standout with the Troy State University Trojans, tied for the team led with three sacks for a loss of 20 yards in 2004. FB/LB Lonnie Ford, who was a defensive end and tight end for the hometown University of Southern California Trojans, had 1.5 sacks last season for a loss of 10 yards. Demary, Lucas and Ford were the only three players on the 2004 Avenger team with more than one quarterback sack, besides FB/LB Josh Jeffries (two sacks for losses of 16 yards ... he incidentally is a Mountaineer from Appalachian State University).

LAST GAME:

PLAYOFF LOSS TO
RATTS ENDS SEASON

PHOENIX, Ariz. (June 6, 2004) -- The Arizona Rattlers defeated the Avengers, 59-42, in an Arena Football League quarterfinal playoff game before 11,035 at America West Arena.

Rattler quarterback Sherdrick Bonner was 26-of-33 for 227 yards and six touchdowns.

Los Angeles, which came into the contest as the eighth and final seed, has yet to win a postseason contest in three tries.

Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani completed 25-of-37 for 297 yards and four touchdowns.

"It's really frustrating to end the season like this," said Graziani, who threw 99 touchdown passes during the regular season and was selected to the "All-Arena" first team. "All that work ... and you can't get it done in the end. We had too many mistakes against a good team and couldn't close it out. It's going to be a long off season."

Already leading, 38-27, late in the third quarter, Arizona defensive specialist Kelvin Hunter intercepted a Graziani pass intended for offensive specialist Chris Jackson. The Rattlers cashed in that opportunity with 13:27 remaining as FB/LB Bo Kelly slammed into the end zone from two yards out.

The Avengers got within striking distance after "All-Arena" WR/DB Kevin Ingram turned a medium-range pass into a 45-yard score, cutting the Rattlers lead to 45-34 with 10:02 remaining.

Two minutes later, Los Angeles defensive specialist Damen Wheeler intercepted a Bonner pass in the end zone, giving the Avengers new hope.

After FB/LB Kevin Clemens slammed into the end zone from two yards out and Jackson caught a two-point conversion pass from Graziani, the Avengers suddenly re-entered the game, trailing, 45-42, with 2:27 left on the clock.

However, former Avenger lineman Vince Amey recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt by Remy Hamilton. One play later, Bonner found WR/LB Tom Pace for an 11-yard touchdown to go back up by 10 points, 52-42.

Los Angeles got the football back at its own eight-yard line with 56 seconds remaining and drove into Rattler territory, but rookie WR/DB Henry Douglas fumbled the ball away to Arizona, ending the threat.

The Rattlers tacked on another touchdown in the final seconds with a 35-yard strike from Bonner to WR/DB Orshawante Bryant, who set an Arizona team record with 13 catches for 126 yards and three scores.


LOS ANGELES (0-1) 14 6 7 15 -- 42
ARIZONA (1-0) 14 10 14 21 -- 59

LAST SEASON THE AVENGERS WERE ...
· 3-5 at STAPLES Center
· 6-2 on the road
· 8-5 when they score more than 50 points
· 5-0 when they score 60 or more points
· 2-0 when they score 70 or more points
· 8-5 when they allow less than 60 points
· 4-1 when they allow less than 50 points
· 3-0 when they allow less than 40 points
· 0-0 when they allow less than 30 points
· 4-4 when they record at least one sack
· 7-3 when they make at least one interception
· 5-5 when they score first
· 6-2 when they commit fewer turnovers
· 0-3 when they commit more turnovers
· 8-5 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
· 4-4 when Chris Jackson catches 8 or more passes
· 9-3 when Tony Graziani throws for at least 6 TDs
· 2-1 when Tony Graziani passes for 300+ yards
· 9-3 when Tony Graziani doesn't throw an INT
· 5-2 when Kevin Ingram scores two or more TDs
· 1-0 when OL/DL Silas Demary scores a TD
· 1-4 when Greg Hopkins catches six or more passes
· 4-6 when they commit fewer penalties
· 1-4 when they commit five or less penalties
· 0-1 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
· 1-1 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
· 4-6 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
· 9-2 when leading at halftime
· 5-3 on Sunday


"U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the two-way player who best demonstrated the ideals of the AFL's style of ironman football.

Week Opp. Ironman of the Game
1 @ Las Vegas

"OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the player who was determined to be the most valuable to his team's offensive success in the game, win or lose.

Week Opp. Offensive Player of the Game
1 @ Las Vegas

"ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the player who was determined to be the most valuable to his team's defensive success in the game, win or lose.

Week Opp. Defensive Player of the Game
1 @ Las Vegas



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 25, 2005


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