Los Angeles Avengers game notes

Published on May 3, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Nashville Kats at Los Angeles Avengers
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2006
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: STAPLES Center (17,942)
Television: None
Radio: AM 570 (Isaac Lowenkron, Troy West -- pregame show at 7 p.m.)
Spanish Radio: KWKU 1220-AM (Edu Villmar, Mario Amaya)
Satellite Radio: SIRIUS (Channel 110)
Internet Broadcast: www.arenafootball.com (AFL Net)
Internet Radio: www.xtrasportsradio.com
Line: TBA
Series Record: Nashville leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Nashville 51, Los Angeles 48 - April 17, 2005, Gaylord Entertainment Center
Officials: David Lambros (R), Al Granado (U), Bill Ward (HL), Brian Matthew (LJ), Joe Duncan (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (fifth season, 41-34)
Nashville -- Pat Sperduto (fifth season, 45-34-1)

THE AVENGERS: Los Angeles continues its season-ending homestand when it hosts the Nashville Kats at STAPLES Center on Saturday, May 6. The Avengers are in the midst of a six-game losing streak and haven't won a game since defeating the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush, 60-57, at STAPLES Center on March 19. Last Saturday, the Avengers lost their second consecutive home game, dropping a 53-36 decision to the San Jose SaberCats, which eliminated Los Angeles from playoff contention. Prior to this season, the Avengers qualified for the AFL Playoffs for four consecutive years. Veteran WR/DB Kevin Ingram, the 2005 AFL "Ironman of the Year," is having another fine season and is a candidate to repeat. He leads the team in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,200), touchdowns (32) and interceptions (five). The Avenger offense has received a significant boost from rookie quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who has started L.A.'s last 10 games and has already thrown 52 TD passes (and only seven INTs). On the season, Cumbie is 229-of-390 (58.7 percent) for 2,812 yards, and his passer rating of 106.9 ranks him at No. 9 in the AFL (minimum 300 attempts). QB Brian Mann, who started three of the first four games for the Avengers this season, is now the backup and is contributing significantly on special teams, having made 13 tackles on kickoff coverage in recent weeks. Offensive specialist Tony Locke, who opened the season on injured reserve, has caught 75 passes for 1,128 yards and 16 scores. Remy Hamilton, who set several league records last season, has remained in a groove, hitting 23 of his 30 field goal attempts (76.7 percent) this year. Last year, the Avengers won the Western Division title and effectively utilized a balanced effort rooted in all three phases of the game. L.A. featured a lethal offense in 2005, leading the AFL in scoring percentage (74.4 percent) and posting an average of 53.8 points per game. But the Avengers were also effective on defense and special teams. One player who contributes in all three phases is WR/LB Greg Hopkins, who was named to the AFL's prestigious "20 Greatest Players" list prior to the season. He is in his 11th season in the league and one of only five players in AFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards in a career (10,179). Hopkins also is currently running for office in Pennsylvania (State Representative - 50th District. For more information on his campaign, visit www.votegreghopkins.com.

STORYLINES:
4 WR/DB Kevin Ingram having another "All-Arena" year
... see Ingram notes on Page 2
4 QB Sonny Cumbie having "Rookie of the Year" season
... see Cumbie notes on Page 3
4 Kicker Remy Hamilton's right foot still red hot
... see Hamilton notes on Page 5

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS
2006 SCHEDULE (3-11)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 29 Arizona Win 40-31
Feb. 5 @ Philadelphia Loss 47-33
Feb. 12 @ Grand Rapids Loss 66-41
Feb. 18 Chicago Loss 65-46
Feb. 25 Utah Loss 68-66
Mar. 5 @ Orlando Loss 59-34
Mar. 12 @ San Jose Win 75-61
Mar. 19 Colorado Win 60-57
Mar. 24 @ Arizona Loss 58-45
April 2 @ Las Vegas Loss 63-49
April 9 @ Kansas City Loss 62-45
April 15 @ Utah Loss 63-61
April 23 New York Loss 70-61
April 29 San Jose Loss 53-36
Rest of season Opponent Time(PT) TV/Radio
May 6 Nashville 7:30 AFL Net570, 1220
May 13 Las Vegas 7:30 AFL Net570, 1330

AVENGER HEAD COACH: One of the brightest offensive masterminds in the AFL, Ed Hodgkiss is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Avengers. In his four previous seasons, he compiled a record of 38-24 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 captured their first Western Division championship and compiled a 10-6 record. Under Hodgkiss' direction, Los Angeles led the league in offensive scoring percentage (74.4 percent) and turnover margin (+17). He finished second in the balloting for AFL "Coach of the Year" honors. In 2004, the Avengers went 9-7 and led the AFL in scoring, averaging 56.5 points per game. In 2003, the Avengers won a franchise-best 11 games and earned a first-round playoff 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). 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. Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss was the Indiana Firebirds' offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001) and was part of an ArenaBowl championship in 1999.

THE SERIES: Nashville has won each of the previous three meetings between the teams. The first two games of the series were played during the 2001 season, which was the last for the "original" Nashville Kats (the Avengers managed to score just 27 points in both of those games). The team was sold and moved to Atlanta, becoming the Georgia Force, prior to the 2002 AFL season. Last year, during the inaugural season of the "new" Nashville Kats, the teams met once again and the Kats beat the Avengers in a thriller, 51-48. .

All-Time Nashville vs. Los Angeles Series
Score Date Site
Nashville 64, Avengers 27 5-18-01 Nashville
Nashville 40, Avengers 27 7-7-01 STAPLES
Nashville 51, Avengers 48 4-17-05 Nashville

TURNOVER MARGIN TAKES A TURN: The Avengers are currently -3 in turnover margin (tied for 13th in the AFL). That's a far cry from where Los Angeles was in the previous two seasons. The Avengers led the AFL in turnover margin in 2005 with an amazing +17 (two teams finished way back in second at +8). Last season, Los Angeles had a league-leading 37 takeaways. The Avengers turned over the ball only 20 times (fewest in the AFL). In 2004, the Avengers turned the ball over just 11 times (fewest in the AFL) and tied the Chicago Rush for an AFL-best turnover margin of +15. So far this season, the Avengers have come up with only 20 takeaways (12 INTs and eight fumble recoveries). Last season at this time, Los Angeles had 36 takeaways (22 INTs and 14 fumble recoveries), owned a turnover margin of +19 and was 9-5.

INCUMBANT IRONMAN: Avenger WR/DB Kevin Ingram, the 2005 AFL "Ironman of the Year" and a two-time All-Arena selection, is having another stellar campaign and is a strong candidate to repeat. Last season, he led L.A. with 88 receptions, accounted for 1,052 receiving yards and scored 24 touchdowns. Defensively, Ingram had a team-high six interceptions (and also made 68 tackles). In addition, he led the team in kickoff returns and averaged 104.1 all-purpose yards per game. This season, Ingram has already surpassed most of those statistics and has two games remaining. He currently has 96 catches, 1,200 receiving yards, 32 TDs, five INTs and is averaging 114.6 all-purpose yards per game. At this pace, Ingram will finish the 2006 season with 110 receptions, 1,371 receiving yards, 37 TDs, and six INTs, which would all be career highs.

Kevin Ingram -Ironman Comparison
2006 96 catches, 1,200 receiving yards, 32 TDsFive INTs, averaging 114.6 all-purpose yardsAFTER 14 GAMES - TWO REMAINING
2005 88 catches, 1,052 receiving yards, 24 TDsSix INTs, averaged 104.1 all-purpose yardsIN 16 GAMES- AFL "Ironman of the Year"- First Team All-Arena selection
2004 67 catches, 848 receiving yards, 23 TDsFour INTs, averaged 116.9 all-purpose yardsIN 16 GAMES- First Team All-Arena selection

MR. 10,000: On April 2, in a game at Las Vegas, Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins became only the fifth player in AFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards in a career. And last month in Kansas City, he caught eight passes for 50 yards and one touchdown to move into the No. 4 spot on the AFL's all-time receiving yards chart. Hopkins needs 69 more yards to move past Gary Compton and into the No. 3 position.

All-Time AFL Leaders -Receiving Yards
1. Barry Wagner (San Jose) 13,247
2. Eddie Brown (1994-2003) 12,730
3. Gary Compton (1992-2004) 10,247
4. Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles) 10,179
5. Cory Fleming (Nashville) 10,155
6. George LaFrance (1988-2000) 9,004
7. Calvin Schexnayder (San Jose) 8,812

100-YARD RUSHER: Avenger FB/LB Lonnie Ford currently ranks at No. 7 in the AFL in rushing. He has gained 128 yards and scored nine touchdowns on only 32 carries this season. His per carry average of 4.0 yards is the best in the league among players with more than 25 carries. Ford, the team's all-time leading rusher, is also the only Avenger to record two 100-yard seasons.

Avenger Record Book -Rushing Yards in a Season
1. Chad Dukes (2002) 223
2. Lonnie Ford (2005) 193
3. Lonnie Ford (2006 - 2 games left) 128
4. Mathias Vavao (2003) 126
5. Ed Smith (2001) 113

NEW ARENA QB RATING: The debate has gone on for years in the AFL -- "Does the statistical passer rating formula used for the outdoor/stadium-played game really translate to AFL quarterbacks?" Since scoring touchdowns, not turning the ball over and completion percentage dictates whether you win or lose in the AFL, stats guru Tom Goodhines decided to come up with a new formula that puts more weight on "TD-INT ratio" and completion percentage, with no emphasis on yardage.

ARENA QB RATING FORMULA: Multiply "TD percentage" (TD passes divided by TD passes + INT) by two and add the completion percentage and divide it all by three.

Avenger rookie quarterback Sonny Cumbie ranks at No. 6, mainly due to the strength of his "TD-INT ratio" of 52-7 (88.1 percent).

Arena Football Quarterback Rating
Rating Comp.Pct. TD INT
1. M. Nagy (Georgia) 84.2 71.5 76 8
2. C. Dolezel (Dallas) 83.8 65.5 92 7
3. M. D'Orazio (Chi.) 83.4 68.3 50 5
4. M. Grieb (San Jose) 79.9 64.7 70 10
5. S. Stafford (T.B.) 78.7 63.5 76 12
6. S. Cumbie (L.A.) * 78.3 58.7 52 7
7. J. Dutton (Colo.) 78.0 62.9 83 14
Minimum of 300 attempts* AFL rookie

THIS ANTOINE REALLY BURNS: Although he has been the Avengers' primary kickoff returner for just the past eight games, rookie WR/LB Antoine Burns has already made a big impact, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns. In the victory at San Jose on March 12, he exploded for a 57-yard kickoff return for a touchdown (the longest scoring play in Avenger history). At Arizona on March 24, Burns torched the Rattlers with a 53-yarder for a score on his way to piling up 162 yards on eight returns (No. 3 on L.A.'s all-time single game chart). Only three players in the AFL have more kickoff returns for touchdowns this season than Burns, who has a total of 923 yards on 48 returns (average of 19.6).

Avenger Record Book -Kickoff Return Yards in a Single Game
1. Anthony Rice (vs. San Jose, 2000) 181
2. Kevin Ingram (vs. Chicago, 2006) 168
3. Antoine Burns (at Arizona, 2006) * 162
4. Chad Dukes (vs. Arizona, 2002) 160
5. Henry Douglas (vs. Austin, 2004) * 149
6. Antoine Burns (at Utah, 2006) * 145
7. Antoine Burns (at K.C., 2006) * 141
8. Antoine Burns (vs. N.Y., 2006) * 138
9. Mark Ricks (at Nashville, 2001) 138
10. Kevin Ingram (at San Jose, 2004) 128
* AFL rookie season

Avenger Record Book -Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns in a Season
1t. Antoine Burns (2006) * 2
1t. Henry Douglas (2004) * 2
1t. Chad Dukes (2002) 2
* AFL rookie season

THE TEXAS GUNSLINGER: Rookie QB Sonny Cumbie, a strong candidate for AFL "Rookie of the Year" honors, has started L.A.'s last 10 games and is 229-of-390 (58.7 percent) for 2,812 yards and 52 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions. His current passer rating of 106.9 ranks him at No. 9 in the AFL (minimum 300 attempts), putting him ahead of veterans such as Philadelphia's Tony Graziani (99.8), Utah's Andy Kelly (97.2) and Columbus' John Kaleo (93.1) and all rookies. Furthermore, Cumbie's interception percentage of 1.8 is fourth best in the league. On March 12, he was 23-of-34 for 348 yards and six TDs in L.A.'s 75-61 victory at San Jose. Those 348 passing yards rank fifth on the all-time Avenger chart. Cumbie threw 17 TD passes in his first three starts, the most by any QB in Avenger history, beating the previous mark set by Tony Graziani, who was in his second AFL season when he tossed 16 in his first three starts for the Avengers. In his starting debut on Feb. 25, Cumbie completed 29 passes (second most in Avenger history), seven of which went for scores (first among all QBs making their first start for the Avengers).

Avenger Record Book -Passing Yards in a Single Game
1. Todd Marinovich (at Houston, 2000) * 469
2. Tony Graziani (vs. Detroit, 2004) 359
3. Tony Graziani (at New York, 2003) 355
4. Tony Graziani (at Georgia, 2002) 352
5. Sonny Cumbie (at San Jose, 2006) * 348
6. Tony Graziani (vs. San Jose, 2003) 345
7. Sonny Cumbie (at Utah, 2006) * 337
8. Tony Graziani (vs. Austin, 2004) 332
9. S. Semptimphelter (vs. Carolina, 2000) 331
10t. Tony Graziani (at Arizona, 2002) 329
10t. Tony Graziani (vs. Arizona, 2003) 329
* AFL rookie season

INTERCEPTION-FREE STREAK: Avenger quarterback Sonny Cumbie had his interception-less streak snapped on April 23 vs. New York, but not before he broke Tony Graziani's team record. Cumbie's streak of 212 attempts without an interception came to an end in the third quarter of the game against the Dragons. Prior to that, the last time he was picked off was on his first attempt against Colorado on March 19 (a 60-57 Avenger win over the defending ArenaBowl champions). In between INTs, Cumbie tossed 28 touchdown passes. He has not been intercepted in six of the 10 games he has started this season, including all of the games on L.A.'s recent four-game road swing. Graziani set the Avenger record for attempts without an interception at 210 in 2004 (he also had a string of 185 passes without a pick in 2003). Raymond Philyaw set the all-time AFL record of 247 in 2003 while with the Indiana Firebirds.

Avenger Record Book -Pass Attempts without an Interception
1. Sonny Cumbie, 2006 (span of 6 games) * 212
2. Tony Graziani, 2004 (span of 7 games) 210
3. Tony Graziani, 2003 (span of 7 games) 185
* AFL rookie season

THE INTERCEPTION KING: In addition to being the AFL's 2002 "Ironman of the Year," WR/LB Greg Hopkins is the league's all-time leader in interception returns for touchdowns. Hopkins returned his 10th pick for a score in the 71-69 victory over San Jose on Feb. 20, 2005 to break what was then a tie with Orlando defensive specialist Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre at the top of the AFL's career chart (in Orlando's 53-13 victory over Tampa Bay last month, McEntyre tied Hopkins at the top of the list by returning an INT three yards for the final score of the game). On the record-breaking play, Hopkins jumped and grabbed a pass from SaberCat quarterback Mark Grieb and returned it three yards for the touchdown that gave the Avengers their first lead of the game at 16-14.

All-Time AFL Leaders -Interception Returns for TDs (regular season)
Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles Avengers) 10
Kenny McEntyre (Orlando Predators) 10
Darryl Hammond (Nashville Kats) 9
Mark Ricks (1996-2004) 7
Hunkie Cooper (1993-2005) 7

QUICK-STRIKE OFFENSE: In a flashback to the past, the Avenger offense was in quick-strike mode during its two-game winning streak in March over the past two ArenaBowl champions (San Jose and Colorado), scoring 13 of its 17 touchdowns on "drives" of three plays or less (7-of-10 at San Jose and 6-of-7 vs. Colorado). Ninety-four of L.A.'s 202 offensive touchdowns dating back to last season have been of the quick-strike variety. In fact, 24 of them were on one-play "drives." Over the course of the last three seasons, 232-of-443 Avenger TDs were of the quick-strike variety (69 on a single play).

Avenger Touchdown Drives (2003-06)
Total TDDrives Quick Strikes (percent) 1 Play Score
2003 124 81 (65 %) 25
2004 117 57 (49 %) 18
2005 112 55 (49 %) 13
2006 90 39 (43 %) 13
Total 443 232 (52 %) 69

UNLIKELY TACKLERS: Among their other duties, kicker Remy Hamilton and backup QB Brian Mann have been busy making tackles on kickoff coverage this season. Hamilton, who leads the AFL in scoring by kickers with 146 points, also ranks at No. 14 in the league in special-teams tackles with 11.5. Mann, who started three of the first four games of the season at quarterback, has made 13 special-teams tackles in nine games of action on the kickoff coverage unit (No. 9 in the AFL).

SECRET IS SCORING 60: Dating back to 2004, the Avengers are 11-4 when they score 60 or more points (the only losses came in the 2005 regular-season finale at Grand Rapids, when the Avengers rested several key starters in the second half, in both games this season against Utah and last month versus New York). The team did not score more than 55 points in all seven of its losses in 2004, in five of the six defeats last season and in eight of its 11 losses this year.

A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN SIX SECONDS: In the final six seconds of the first half of game at Utah in Week 12, Avenger WR/DB Kevin Ingram displayed what it really means to be an "Ironman." With the Blaze already leading, 35-27, and driving deep into Avenger territory once again, Ingram intercepted an Andy Kelly pass with six seconds remaining until halftime. On L.A.'s ensuing possession, Ingram caught a seven-yard pass from Sonny Cumbie and quickly got out of bounds, giving the Avengers a second-and-three play from their own 11-yard line with 1.7 seconds left. Then, Cumbie threw a "Hail Mary" pass off the rebound net system and into Ingram's arms for a touchdown as time expired in the first half. His work not yet done, Ingram then successfully fielded a bad snap and expertly got the football set for Remy Hamilton's extra point kick, which brought the Avengers to within a point at the break ... when just moments before, it seemed as if they were about to go down by two touchdowns.

THIS LOCKE IS ALSO A KEY: Much like they did a year ago, the Avengers began this season without offensive specialist Tony Locke. This year, he began the campaign on injured reserve (hand), but has returned to the starting lineup to catch 75 passes for 1,128 yards for 16 touchdowns in the past 12 games. In the 75-61 victory at San Jose on March 12, Locke caught seven passes for a game-high 168 yards (ranking him at No. 9 on the Avenger all-time single game chart) and three touchdowns. Last season, Locke began the year on the practice squad and went on to have a dramatic influence on the L.A. offense after joining the active roster in Week 4. In the first three weeks of the 2005 season, the Avengers averaged just 217.3 passing yards per game. In the 13 games that Locke played in, L.A. averaged 263.4 passing yards per game (reflecting a 21 percent increase). The team's touchdown passes per game also went up from 4.0 in the first three games to 5.4 in the last 13. Locke, who led the team with 27 touchdown receptions last season, also had six 100-yard games in 2005, and was named the "Offensive Player of the Game" five times. The Avengers were 4-1 last season when Locke caught at least three TD passes in a game.

FIVE ARE ROOKIES: Five of the 20 players on L.A.'s current active roster are rookies. They are quarterback Sonny Cumbie, WR/LB Antoine Burns, FB/LB Lavell Mann, and linemen Reggie Rhodes and Trevor Hutton. Of the 31 players that have seen action for Los Angeles this season, 10 are rookies. Last season, 17 of the 34 players who suited up for the Avengers experienced their first taste of AFL action in 2005 (including five players that are still with the club -- Richard Seals, Bernard Riley, Antuan Simmons, Michale Spicer and Rob Turner).

BANNER DAY: Prior to the season-opening victory over Arizona, the Avengers showcased the newest addition to the wall at STAPLES Center -- their 2005 AFL Western Division championship banner, which includes a tribute to the late Al Lucas.

37.5 PERCENT TROJAN: Typically the starting defensive unit for the Avengers includes OL/DL Bernard Riley, FB/LB Lonnie Ford and DS Antuan Simmons. All three of those defenders played at the University of Southern California and were all members of the same Trojan teams from 1999 to 2001. (The Avenger roster also includes another USC Trojan, OS Kareem Kelly, who is currently in the injured reserve list.)

SLOW STARTERS: Continuing a trend that began last season, the Avengers are getting off to slow starts in their games. Through 14 games this season, Los Angeles has scored just 105 points in the first quarter (average of 7.5), while opponents have countered with 185 points. The Avengers pick things up in the second quarter, scoring a total of 238 points (34 points in the victory at San Jose on March 12), but that still trails the opposition (253 points). Things are tighter in the third and fourth quarters, where the Avengers are being outscored 174-168 and 211-181, respectively. In 16 regular-season games last season, the Avengers scored only 133 points in the first quarter (average of 8.3), while opponents countered with 171. The second quarter was when the Avengers shined brightest, scoring a total of 258 points (average of 16.1). L.A. also did well in the third quarter, racking up 252 (average of 15.8). But, things slowed down in the fourth quarter, when the Avengers were outscored, 275-212.

... WHEN THEY DO GET AHEAD: The Avengers have held the lead at halftime in only 10 of their last 29 games and went on to win seven of those games.

... AND AFTER THREE QUARTERS: The Avengers are 42-13 all-time when leading or tied after three quarters.

L.A. IN O.T.: The Avengers have an all-time record of 3-5 in overtime games. Los Angeles is 3-1 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 eight OT games, the Avenger opponent has been Arizona (L.A. is 1-2 in those contests). In all three overtime victories, L.A. 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 OT game in each of their six seasons of play in the AFL (once in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2005, and twice in 2001 and 2003).

Avengers in OvertimeCategory Record
All-time 3-5
At home 0-4
On the road 3-1
When getting the ball first 1-3
When getting the ball second 2-2
When scoring a touchdown 3-3
When scoring first 3-2
When scoring second 0-1
When a field goal is attempted 0-2
When missing a PAT kick 1-2
When getting a two-point conversion 0-0
When allowing a two-point conversion 0-1

KICKING UP A STORM: Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton is having another standout season. Displaying stunning accuracy and consistency, he is 23-of-30 (.767) on his field goal attempts in 2006. Hamilton is a near-perfect 22-of-23 on three-pointers inside of 38 yards. He was a perfect 4-for-4 in the season opening victory over Arizona and duplicated the feat last month in the 60-57 win over Colorado. Hamilton has also connected on 77 of his 83 extra point attempts this season (.928). He currently leads all AFL kickers in scoring with 146 points (his closest competitor is 23 points behind). At this time last season, Hamilton was 28-of-37 (.757) on field goals. He went on to lead the AFL in field goals (29), field-goal percentage (.744) and kicking points (185) in 2005. Hamilton opened last year's campaign by hitting his first 11 three-pointers and dating back to the end of the 2004 season, he converted on 12 consecutive field goal attempts, which is an all-time AFL record. Hamilton kicked a career-high five field goals to help the Avengers beat Austin, 64-51, on Feb. 11, 2005. He scored a total of 22 points versus the Wranglers, came up with a key fumble recovery and was selected as the "Ironman of the Game," becoming the first kicker in AFL history to earn that honor. Last season, he was 6-of-12 from beyond 40 yards (41, 41, 43, 43, 48, 50) and half of his 10 misses were from 47, 48, 50, 53 and 56 yards out.

ANOTHER RECORD SETTING SEASON?: Last season, Remy Hamilton set a new AFL record for field goal percentage in a single season. In 2004, Jay Taylor of Orlando set the mark at .720 (18-of-25). Hamilton's percentage in 2005 was .744 (29-of-39). He and Taylor are the only two players in AFL history to have a field-goal percentage better than .639. Hamilton also made a run at the league's all-time record for field goals in a single season (32, Daron Alcorn, 1999, Portland). Last month at Utah, Hamilton scored a total of 13 points to move past Mike Black into the No. 2 spot on the AFL's all-time scoring by kickers chart. He is also one of only three players in league history to boot over 125 field goals. Hamilton's current field goal percentage is .767 (23-of-30) and he is on pace to kick 26.3 three-pointers.

All-Time AFL Leaders -Scoring By Kickers
1. Steve Videtich (Utah) 1,357
2. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 1,269
3. Mike Black (1993-2004) 1,253

All-Time AFL Leaders -Field Goals Made in a Career
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 178
2. Steve Videtich (Utah) 165
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 156

All-Time AFL Leaders -Field Goals Percentage in a Single Season
1. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles, 2005) .744
2. Jay Taylor (Orlando, 2004) .720
3. Steve McLaughlin (Nashville, 2001) .639

All-Time AFL Leaders -Field Goals Made in a Single Season
1. Daron Alcorn (Portland, 1999) 32
2. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles, 2005) 29
3. Daron Alcorn (Portland, 1997) 27

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 3, 2006


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