The Avengers and the Arena
by Tim Peterson
March 20, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
Greisen Gone Wild
It wasn't that Sonny Cumbie necessarily had a bad day. He threw an interception but he also racked up 317 yards and five touchdowns while completing 20 passes. It's just that Georgia's Chris Greisen was better while leading the Force to a 58-34 win over LA Saturday. Greisen completed 26 of 41 for 366 yards and seven scores with no interceptions. The second year player out of NW Missouri State was named offensive player of the week for his efforts. Greisen also leads the league in total passing yardage with 1,024.
Pauley's Pavilion
Charles Pauley turned the LA secondary into his own personal stomping grounds. He hauled in 10 receptions from Greisen for 134 yards and two touchdowns with his longest reception at 43 yards. Pauley, who played for Philadelphia last year, finished first in every receiving category for the Soul and ranked fifth in the Arena League in 2007 with 2,263 all purpose yards.
Force Goes Long
The Avengers defense, which had only given up a total of 21 points in the second half of their first two games, allowed 36 against the Force. The Avengers were done in by the long ball. Four of Greisens's seven touchdown passes were for 25 yards or more including two for 43 yards to Troy Bergeron.
No Rest for the Weary
The Avengers had only five days rest between games and it doesn't get any better this week. LA beat Arizona on Monday night and then traveled to Georgia on Saturday. This week the Avengers have another short week when they play Philadelphia at Staples Center in a rare Thursday night affair. The Soul is 3-0 after taking care of New York 63-42 on Sunday.
Timon's the Man
Despite the 24 point loss, Timon Marshall had another huge game. Marshall, the Avengers leading receiver, caught nine passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Marshall is second in the league behind Bergeron in total receiving yards with 407.
The East is a Beast
Philly isn't the only undefeated team in the Eastern Division. Cleveland and Dallas are also perfect through three games after victories over Columbus and Colorado respectively. They are the only unbeaten teams left in the league. Along with the Soul, Dallas also has a tall order this week. The Desperados travel to San Jose to take on the Sabercats on Saturday.
Where there's a Will...
Will Pettis was the key to Dallas' 51-40 win over the Crush on Monday night. Pettis caught 12 passes for 138 yards including three consecutive touchdowns in the third quarter. Pettis, who was the offensive player of the year in 2007, was named the Ironman of the week. Gabe Nyenhuis of Philadelphia was named defensive player of the week.
M*A*S*H Unit
Of the 17 quarterbacks that started the year six have already gone down to injury. Jeff Smoker has taken over for Lang Campbell in Arizona. Chris Sanders has filled in admirably for the injured Clint Dolezel in Dallas. Former LSU signal caller Rohan Davey is now behind center in New York after Aaron Garcia went down. Danny Wimprine has been nothing short of brilliant in New Orleans while filling the shoes of Steve Bellisari who was knocked out in week one by the Avengers. Last week Philadelphia's Tony Graziani had to leave with a knee injury and is expected to miss at least two weeks.
Nix Gets Nixed
New York Dragons DL John Nix has been suspended for one game without pay and fined $1,000 for his actions last week against the Soul. Nix hit Graziani in the knee after he had released the ball and later Nix was ejected from the game for spitting on a Philadelphia player. Graziani would have enjoyed the homecoming this week against his old pals in LA but instead he will be sidelined in favor of Matt D'Orazio. The Avengers still have to be wary of another former teammate - receiver Chris Jackson who is second in the league in touchdowns with 10.
On the Outside Looking In
There are still four teams searching for that elusive first win. While Grand Rapids and Kansas City, both 0-2, might have to wait to get a victory, Utah or Columbus, (both 0-3), will finally have reason to celebrate after they battle each other Friday night at Utah. It can't end in a tie can it?
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 20, 2008
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