AVENGERS RETOOL KEY SPOTS COSTLY TITLE CHASE LAST SEASON FORCES ROSTER CHANGES.Byline: Rich Hammond Rich Hammond Los Angeles Daily News sports writer. Instrumental in bringing the Los Angeles Kings hockey organization closer to the fans. He is the atypical "what a guy" to Kings fans everywhere. Rich Hammond on himself. Staff Writer The 2005 season begins today for the Avengers, but they aren't yet done paying for 2004. In their quest to win a championship last season, the Avengers loaded some contracts with incentive bonuses that count against this year's salary cap. As a result, they had to jettison jettison (jĕt`əsən, –zən) [O.Fr.,=throwing], in maritime law, casting all or part of a ship's cargo overboard to lighten the vessel or to meet some danger, such as fire. several players, including quarterback Tony Graziani Anthony Robert Graziani (Born:December 23, 1973, in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States) is a current Arena Football League quarterback for the Philadelphia Soul. He previously played in the NFL from 1997-2000 and NFL Europe in 2000. and receiver Chris Jackson Chris Jackson may refer to:
Coach Ed Hodgkiss is saying all the right things, that the Avengers should improve as the year advances and that he believes they are a championship-caliber team, but there are many obstacles to overcome. ``We're a little bit of an unknown,'' Hodgkiss said. ``Every team, in every league, eventually has to retool re·tool v. re·tooled, re·tool·ing, re·tools v.tr. 1. To fit out (a factory, for example) with a new set of machinery and tools for making a different product. 2. , but we don't ever want to take a step backward.'' New quarterback John Kaleo replaces Graziani, who signed with Philadelphia. Kaleo will be one of five new starters (out of 12) today when the Avengers face the Las Vegas Gladiators The Las Vegas Gladiators are not related to the Pittsburgh Gladiators, which was an Arena Football League team that played only from the 1987 season through the 1990 season before relocating and become the Tampa Bay Storm. on the road. The Avengers made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, but that would be a major accomplishment this year. Last year Graziani passed for a league-high 99 touchdowns and 4,254 yards, second-most in the league. Kaleo is no slouch slouch v. slouched, slouch·ing, slouch·es v.intr. 1. To sit, stand, or walk with an awkward, drooping, excessively relaxed posture. 2. To droop or hang carelessly, as a hat. v. , considering he led Tampa Bay to a championship in 2003 and passed for 80 touchdowns and almost 4,000 yards last year. But there will be a transition period. ``Losing Tony is tough,'' Hodgkiss said. ``Nobody can step in and be exactly where he was, after three years in this system, but if anybody is going to pick things up fast, it's going to be John.'' Jackson, the league-leader last season with 1,803 yards, signed with Grand Rapids and will be replaced by second-year offensive specialist Jerome Riley, who didn't have a catch last season. But Kaleo will be helped by the steady hands of Greg Hopkins (745 yards last year) and Kevin Ingram (862 yards). The two big-name losses came on offense, but defense might be a much larger concern. The Avengers will start two rookies, Antuan Simmons (USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. ) and Jermaine Smith, at defensive specialist. Damen Wheeler should provide a boost to that position in two weeks, when he is expected to return from injury, but for now, the Avengers have two novices playing one of the game's most important positions. The defense, led by new coordinator Mike Wilpolt, should be strong up front with Al Lucas and Silas Demary, but the Avengers play in what is considered the league's toughest division, and rule changes for this season mean that only eight of the 16 teams will make the playoffs, instead of 12 as in previous years. CAPTION(S): photo, 2 boxes Photo: GREG HOPKINS Edna T. Simpson/Daily News Box: (1) AVENGERS 2005 SCHEDULE (2) ROSTER |
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