OL/DL Al Lucas signs with Los Angeles Avengers
October 27, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Al Lucas, a free agent offensive/defensive lineman who has two years of NFL experience, has signed a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Lucas (6-foot-1, 300 pounds) played in 20 games for the Carolina Panthers over the course of the 2000 and 2001 NFL seasons, totaling 49.5 tackles, three quarterback hurries, two batted passes, a sack and a forced fumble.
Last season, Lucas made his AFL debut with the Tampa Bay Storm and made the league's All-Rookie team. He helped lead the Storm to a 12-4 record and the ArenaBowl XVII championship. Lucas played in 13 regular-season games for Tampa Bay, recording 19.5 tackles (three for losses), 1.5 sacks, a blocked kick and a safety.
"Al was one of the top AFL free agents this year, regardless of position," said Hodgkiss, who led the Avengers to an 11-5 record and No. 4 playoff seed last season in his second year with the club. "He's a young guy who we expect will do great things for us for a long time. Last season, he quickly established himself as a top nose guard in this league and will certainly help us on both sides of the ball. Al is not only going to get pressure on his own, but he'll also control the middle and open things up for our linebackers, which is really important for a nose guard to do."
Lucas was selected by the Frankfurt Galaxy with the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NFL Europe free agent draft, but chose instead to begin his AFL career in Tampa Bay.
"I'm elated to sign with the Avengers and join a championship contender," Lucas said. "I feel like we have a chance to go to and win the ArenaBowl. We're putting together all the pieces of the puzzle. I'm excited to meet my new teammates and get started.
"The determining factor for me in choosing Los Angeles was just feeling comfortable with the entire situation," Lucas added. "The whole organization is an A+. Hopefully what I bring to this team and what I learned last season in winning the ArenaBowl will help put the Avengers over the top."
Lucas was a collegiate standout at Troy State University, where he won the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given annually to the NCAA Division I-AA Defensive Player of the Year, as a senior in 1999. He also earned unanimous All-America and All-Southland Football League first-team honors for the Trojans after making 126 tackles (20 for losses), 15 quarterback hurries, four sacks and two forced fumbles.
In his 43-game career at Troy State, Lucas finished with 255 tackles (36 for losses), 25 quarterback hurries and 11.5 sacks.
In addition to his exploits on defense, he was used as a short-yardage running back in his final two seasons with the Trojans and scored seven touchdowns.
Lucas majored in criminal justice at Troy State and played alongside his older brother, Lenny, who played tight end.
Born on Sept. 1, 1978, Lucas attended Northeast High School in Macon, Geo., where he set a school record with a 440-pound bench press. His nickname is "Big Luke."
Lucas is the second free agent offensive/defensive lineman to sign with the Avengers in the past week. Silas Demary (6-3, 285) came to terms on a three-year deal on Oct. 21. He played in 12 games last season for the Buffalo Destroyers, finishing with 12.5 tackles and three quarterback sacks (for losses of 26 yards). He also led the team with four tackles for losses (No. 4 in the AFL) and two forced fumbles.
Demary began his AFL career in 2001 with the Carolina Cobras and earned All-Rookie honors for an outstanding two-way debut that included 15 tackles, a team-high four quarterback sacks, and 10 receptions for 114 yards and three touchdowns. His head coach with the Cobras was current Avenger defensive coordinator Doug Kay.
"Getting Al Lucas and Silas Demary should really help our pass rush and they both have the ability to also play on the other side of the football and pass protect," Hodgkiss said. "We are very excited to have them both. They really upgrade our frontline going into next year."
Avenger season tickets for the 2004 campaign, which begins in February, are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
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