LOOKING FOR THEIR `SANITY' AVENGERS AGAIN SEEK FIRST VICTORY.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

First there were the racy billboards. Then backup quarterback Todd Marinovich was charged with felony sexual assault.

When it comes to the Arena Football League's Avengers, it's been easy to focus on everything except what's taking place on the field.

Then again, considering they are winless, maybe a new billboard campaign is in order.

``We're 0-2,'' Avengers coach Stan Brock said. ``We need a win to keep our sanity.''

The Avengers get another chance to record their first victory tonight at 7, when they play the Oklahoma Wranglers at Staples Center.

It won't be easy. The Wranglers are 2-0 and averaging a league-best 65 points per game. Whoever wins will be going for a sweep this week, because the teams play Friday night in Oklahoma City.

These aren't the same Avengers who last played April 21 in a loss to Carolina. Brock has made some promised roster changes, waving starting cornerback Shawn Parnell, lineman Lonnie Clayton, wide receiver Aman Abye and lineman Cedric Jefferson of USC.

He's activated former Muir High and USC cornerback Ken Haslip, who could start tonight, along with cornerback Carlos Brooks and wide receiver Jason Fletcher. The Avengers also signed lineman Ron Lewis.

``I made some changes,'' Brock said. ``We have to play better as a group. We have to eliminate the turnovers and get guys to play as a team.''

In their loss to Carolina, the Avengers had four turnovers, including three fumbles, which played a key role in their 58-50 loss.

As usual, Marinovich will be a center of attention tonight. Brock said he won't decide until game time whether he will activate the former USC and Raiders quarterback.

Marinovich hasn't played in the first two games, but Brock said he wants to talk to the quarterback and see whether he is ``mentally prepared'' before making a decision.

Another area open for improvement is the kicking game. Kicker Kyle Pooler missed two extra points against Carolina. In another quirk unique to arena football, he's a school teacher in Phoenix and practices on his own during the week, then flies in for games.

AVENGERS vs. OKLAHOMA

--Kickoff: 7 p.m., Staples Center.

--TV/Radio: No TV, KMPC-AM (1540).

--Avengers (0-2) update: Coach Stan Brock has made some roster changes, including activating former Muir High and USC cornerback Ken Haslip. Brock said he will decide before the game whether to place quarterback Todd Marinovich, who was charged with felony sexual assault last week, on the active roster for tonight's game.

--Oklahoma (2-0) update: The Wranglers are leading the league in scoring, averaging 65 points per game. This is the first of two meetings between the Avengers and Oklahoma this week. The teams play again Friday in Oklahoma City.

- Scott Wolf

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Box: Avengers vs. Oklahoma (see text)