AVENGERS SEASON PREVIEW: FAST START IS KEY FOR L.A. ARENA TEAM AIMS TO MAKE PLAYOFFS.Byline: JUSTIN FRANK Special to the Daily News The Avengers understand tonight's season opener against the San Jose Sabercats The San Jose SaberCats are an Arena Football League team that began play as a 1995 expansion team. The SaberCats are currently the defending Arena Bowl champions. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Conference. at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. doesn't simply represent the first game of a new season. For an arena football team that went 5-11 last year and missed the playoffs for the first time in five years, it's more important than that. The Avengers want to bury last year for good. Furthermore, they want to take the first step on a path they hope leads back to the postseason. "Last year was a down year," Avengers coach Ed Hodgkiss Ed Hodgkiss is an Arena Football League coach for the Los Angeles Avengers. He has a career record of 52-42, including a 0-4 mark in the postseason. External links
• said. "We need get off to a fast start and install some confidence." One of the keys to the season will be how second-year quarterback Sonny Cumbie Sonny Cumbie (born August 8, 1981, in Abilene, Texas) is an Arena Football League quarterback for the Los Angeles Avengers. High School Years Cumbie attended Snyder High School in Snyder, Texas, and was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball, and , who started 12 games last season, adjusts to the Arena Football League after an up-and-down rookie year. "This year, I'm getting the reps to be a starter right away, unlike last season," Cumbie said. "It's going to make all the difference in the world." The former Texas Tech quarterback was part of the Red Raiders' traditional pass-heavy attack, in which he threw for 4,742 yards in 2004, good enough for sixth all-time in a single NCAA NCAA abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association Div. I-A season. "It's a lot different playing in here; this a quaterback's league." Cumbie said. "You always have to come with your A-game or your team will suffer." Hodgkiss is confident Cumbie will have a productive season. "It usually takes a year or two for a quarterback to adjust to being here," Hodgkiss said. "Sonny son·ny n. pl. son·nies Used as a familiar form of address for a boy or young man. [Diminutive of son. is definitely improving and will be a key to our success this year." Hodgkiss also says the effectiveness of the offensive line will be another key. "Having our line stay healthy and be productive is as important as anything to this team," Hodgkiss said. "We have to keep Cumbie protected and give him time to make throws." Avengers owner Casey Wasserman Casey Wasserman (b. 1974) is an entertainment executive and owner of the Los Angeles Avengers Arena League football team. Born Casey Meyer, he is the son of the Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist Lynne Wasserman. also thinks this team can put last season's struggles behind them. "Losing taught us a lot last year," Wasserman said. "We have a young team, and we keep getting better. We're excited." justin.frank@dailynews.com (818) 713-3607 CAPTION(S): box Box: AVENGERS ROSTER |
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