The Avengers and the Arena 5-2
by Tim Peterson
May 3, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
These Turnovers aren't Sweet
In the Avengers latest setback, a 70-42 rout at the hands of San Jose last Saturday night, it was the turnovers that did them in again. LA had five in all including three fumbles. Quarterback Tim Hicks also threw two interceptions and was sacked twice. The turnovers led to 24 San Jose points and put the Avengers in a hole from which they could never recover. How did the Sabercats put up 70? Well it also was evident in the take away department. The Cats did not turn the ball over once. The Avengers are last in the Arena League with a minus -14 in turnover ratio.
Cumbie, Hicks, Hicks, Cumbie
Hicks replaced Sonny Cumbie as the starter five weeks ago at Grand Rapids and although he has played well overall he did throw those two picks in the loss to San Jose. Cumbie relieved Hicks late in the game and completed two of five passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. Ironically both have thrown 28 touchdowns and six interceptions. Stay tuned...
Is Jerry Rice Still Playing?
It seems like week after week there is a receiver that has a career game against the Avengers. There was Chris Jackson of the Soul, Otis Amey of Cleveland and Ben Nelson of Colorado. Saturday night was no exception as Rodney Wright hauled in nine passes for 110 yards and two scores. Mark Grieb was spreading the wealth. He also found James Roe for eight catches, 76 yards and two touchdowns.
The Soul Stands Alone
In a stunning display of domination, Philadelphia routed previously undefeated Dallas 57-28 on Monday Night Football. Matt D'Orazio again filling in for the injured Tony Graziani, ran for two touchdowns and threw for six more. The Soul improved to 9-0 and has four of their remaining seven games on the road as they attempt to run the table. The Desperados have one more shot at Philly June 7 in Big D. Dallas swept the season series last year from Philadelphia after the Soul swept the series in 2006.
This Just In
Philadelphia is no longer undefeated. Cleveland handed the Soul their first loss of the season defeating them 67-55 Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena. D'Orazio was replaced by Graziani in the third quarter after suffering an injury. Raymond Philyaw completed 25 of 30 for 290 yards and five touchdowns. Jackson caught eight passes for 65 yards and three touchdowns. With a touchdown in the second quarter, Jackson became just the third player in Arena League history to total over 300 receiving touchdowns.
National Treasure
The National Conference is clearly dominant thus far. The Nationals have three teams with at least seven wins and one- Philadelphia -with nine. The Americans have only one team with seven wins and only two with wining records. Chicago at 7-2 is the best team in the conference while San Jose is the other team above .500 at 5-4. The National Conference has also dominated head to head competition with a 22-6 record. Despite the National's dominance this season, the American Conference has won the last four Arena Bowls.
David Davis Dismissed
The Avengers waived kicker David Davis and signed Tyler Frederickson to a three year contract. Davis was the AFL 2 Kicker of the Year in 2007 and was signed to replace the departed Remy Hamilton.
Week Nine Hardware
Danny Wimprine, who has led a New Orleans resurgence, was named offensive player of the week for completing 22 of 33 for 265 yards and nine touchdowns in the Voo Doo's win over Utah. Lawrence Samuels of Tampa Bay grabbed the Ironman of the week award while Eddie Moten of Philadelphia received defensive player of the week honors for shutting down Dallas' high powered passing attack.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 3, 2008
- Kansas City falls to Utah 67-50 - Kansas City Brigade
- Blaze Defeat Brigade For First Win Of Season, 67-50 - Utah Blaze
- Destroyers downed by Dallas - Columbus Destroyers
- SaberCats Fall In Orlando 61-35 - San Jose SaberCats
- The Avengers and the Arena 5-2 - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
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