Avengers Must Play without McNamara
Steven Herbert
Friday April 18, 2003
McNamara was placed on injured reserve and rookie offensive lineman/defensive lineman Cecil Caldwell activated from injured reserve. Offensive linemen/defensive linemen Vince Amey and La’Zerius White and fullback/linebacker Mathias Vavao all practiced at center to be Chris Butterfield’s backup for tonight’s game against the Buffalo Destroyers at Staples Center, coach Ed Hodgkiss said.
All three have game experience at the position, Hodgkiss said. Because of the risk of fumbles on the center-quarterback exchange, the determination as to who the backup will be will be based on who “snaps the ball the best, the quarterbacks are most comfortable with,” Hodgkiss said.
“You can’t do anything if you don’t get the snap,” Hodgkiss said. “That’s the first priority.”
The team customarily has three or four players snapping the ball in practice each week, “it’s just this week there’s been a lot of work,” Hodgkiss said.
The Avengers opted not to sign a player to replace McNamara because of the short time before their next game, but could make a signing before their April 27 game at Dallas, Hodgkiss said.
“Being a short week, we didn’t feel comfortable bringing somebody in and trying to replace him with someone who hasn’t been in our system,” Hodgkiss said. “Next week, we’re going to definitely take a look at some guys who are out there and see if we can come across that we’re high on.”
McNamara is scheduled to undergo surgery later this week and is “more than likely done for the year,” Hodgkiss said.
His loss is “big,” Hodgkiss said.
“Sean has been not only outstanding for us offensively, but has done a good job defensively too,” Hodgkiss said. “He doesn’t always get the stats or sacks and those type of things, but does a good job of understanding the defensive call and playing his assignment, which a lot of time opens things up for other players.”
The Avengers could also be without offensive lineman/defensive lineman Tony Plantin for Friday`s game. He is listed as doubtful because of back spasms. Caldwell, who has yet to play, is a potential replacement, Hodgkiss said.
Steven Herbert began covering Arena Football in 1988, the league’s second season. He has covered the sport for The Associated Press, Arizona Republic, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Providence Journal-Bulletin, Palm Beach Post, Daily Oklahoman and other publications. Herbert has also written on college and NFL football for The Washington Post and spent five years as a Los Angeles Times staff writer.
