The Avengers and the Arena
by Tim Peterson
March 13, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
Defense! Defense!
With Sonny Cumbie, Timon Marshall, Kevin Ingram and company, we knew the offense would be there. But it is the defense that is making a huge impact for the Avengers. LA held New Orleans to nine points in the second half on opening night and limited Arizona to just 12 points after halftime, including zero in the third quarter, in Monday night's 65-33 rout. The Avengers front line led by Jason Stewart and free agent signee Ken Jones sacked Arizona quarterbacks five times and knocked Lang Campbell out of the game in the second quarter. Josh Jeffries, the third member of the fearsome threesome got into the act as well returning a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Going to Church
When Mike Wilpolt, last year's defensive coordinator, took the head coaching job at Cleveland the Avengers called on the church for some help; Michael Church that is. Church came over from Arizona to step in as DC and has the Avengers swarming to the ball. Church has 34 years of coaching experience and was the defensive coordinator for the San Jose Sabercats when they won the Arena Bowl in 2002 and 2004.
No Picks Thank You
Although Cumbie tossed seven touchdown passes on opening night he wasn't happy with the three interceptions. Monday night he threw for 267 yards and another seven TDs but more importantly, no interceptions. With 14 touchdown passes he is tied with former Avenger and current Philadelphia Soul quarterback Tony Graziani for the league lead. Cumbie's running mate, Timon Marshall is third in the league in receiving yards with 235.
They Got Soul
The Soul improved to 2-0 with a 60-49 win over Chicago on Sunday. Graziani and Chris Jackson were on the same page again connecting for three more touchdowns. Jackson is tied with T.T. Tolliver of Orlando and Huey Whitaker of Utah for the league lead in touchdowns with seven. If the Soul can beat New York on Sunday and the Avengers can stop the Force at Georgia on Saturday, both teams will be 3-0 when they meet at Staples Center on March 20.
Georgia on my Mind
The Force has already lost as many games this year as they did last season when they went 14-2. Jackson bolting for Philly and offensive coordinator Steve Thonn leaving for Grand Rapids has left Georgia hurting. The Force is averaging only 45.5 points per game after putting up nearly 63 per game last year. With the Avengers this week and then road games at Orlando and Utah, the Force could be looking at an 0-5 start.
Oh Danny Boy!
In his first start, New Orleans quarterback Danny Wimprine threw for 311 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions to lead the Voo Doo to 54-53 win over Orlando. Wimprine, who relieved Steve Bellisari last week against the Avengers, was named offensive player of the week for his efforts. Robert Redd of Cleveland was named Ironman of the week and New York's Levy Brown was selected as the defensive player of the week. Brown had six tackles and two interceptions to lead the Dragons D.
The Wheels Keep on Turning
The Avengers' Damen Wheeler, who was named defensive player of the week for his big game against the Voo Doo last week, intercepted another pass in the fourth quarter in the win over Arizona. The pick set up LA's final touchdown- a one yard blast by Lonnie Ford.
MASH Unit
We're only two weeks in and already there are several key injuries. Dallas quarterback Clint Dolezel remains sidelined with a shoulder injury and Orshawante Bryant, Utah's big play receiver, is out indefinitely after hurting his achilles. Arizona quarterback Lang Campbell won't play this week after the Avengers knocked him out with an ankle injury. Dragons QB Aaron Garcia is still being bothered by a bad knee and is questionable this week. The Avengers are relatively healthy but defensive lineman Ryan Riddle (ankle) and offensive lineman Branden Hall (knee) will miss this week's game.
Standing With the Avengers...and the Waves
Did you know that Avenger public address announcer Sam Lagana has a second job? He moonlights as the Associate Vice Chancellor at Pepperdine University. Some of his duties include defining, executing and directing the Athletics Advancement effort for Pepperdine. He also assists university alumni with charitable giving that improves the university resources. It is not known if Lagana also encourages every man, woman and child to "Stand with the Waves" before every Pepperdine sporting event.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 13, 2008
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- Quick Hitters: Week Three - AFL I
- Force Weekly - Georgia Force
- Storm Acquire WR Brent Holmes - Tampa Bay Storm
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- The Avengers and the Arena - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
