Avengers Hope to Improve with Free Agency, Experience
Keith Antigiovanni
Wednesday March 7, 2001
 With line improvements, the Avengers hope to give more time to their quarterbacks. Image courtesy of Mike Wright |
Marinovich threw 45 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, posted a 106.42 overall rating and a 56.8 completion percentage. He earned AFL All-Rookie honors for 2000. The Avengers started 0-5 under Semptimphelter then earned their first win when Marinovich started in week 7. He led the team to their only wins of the season and continued to start until getting knocked out with a rib injury in week 13. He missed the remainder of the season.
Wilhelm, like Marinovich, a former NFL quarterback, is coming off a standout season in the IPFL. "The quarterback position will be an interesting battle,” said Avengers’ Head Coach Stan Brock. “Both guys should have an opportunity to win the job but either way we`ll have two quality qb`s.”
The fullback/linebacker position is also up for grabs in training camp as Mike McClendon, Brian Easter, Quentin Cradle and Travis Pearson will be battling for that spot. Andy Chilicote, the Avengers leading rusher in 2000 departed thru free agency in the offseason.
"We feel very confident at the fullback/linebacker position. Someone should emerge from training camp," Brock said.
The wide receiver/defensive back position suffered a major blow this offseason when Arena Football League Rookie of the Year wide receiver Chris Jackson left for playing time in the NFL. Antonio Wilson, Russell Shaw, Marvin Bagley, Brian Green and J.J. Washington will try to fill the void left by Jackson. All have good speed but only Green received any playing time. The secondary had only four interceptions last season and was frequently burnt by the big play.
 Mark Ricks also returned kickoffs for Oklahoma in 2000 Image courtesy of Drew Kennedy |
The front lines look to be improved with the free agent signings of Chris Butterfield and Carlos Fowler. The 300-pound Butterfield will provide the bulk needed at the offensive/defensive line to give the quarter back more time to hit his receivers. Victor Hall will also provide big plays on the line after posting 8 sacks and being named All-League last year.
"The additions of Butterfield and Fowler will make us much better on the line and should give us a better pass rush," Brock said. Kevin Carroll, Kevin Johnson, Bronzell Miller, Vince Amey and Brett Clark will fight it out for the backup spots.
"Last season our pass rush had trouble getting to the quarter back so naturally we gave up so many big plays. I don’t care if you have three Deion Sanders back there if you can`t get to the quarterback then you can`t stop anyone, "Brock said.
The special teams played well last season but must count on Brian Reeves, the top-rated AF2 kicker last season, to replace Kyle Pooler who signed with the Arizona Rattlers.
"There are two ways to improve in the offseason, one is getting new players. The other is improving the guys you have. With free agency it makes it easier to improve and we felt that with the additions in the offseason that we can be a much more competitive team along with the fact that our guys are a year older," Brock said.
Keith Antigiovanni is a free-lance writer in San Diego, California. He has worked for several local newspapers covering sports, government and business. Keith started writing in 1995 after graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Media Communications from the University of San Diego. Aside from working as a sportswriter he has a side business of providing marketing assistance/research for small businesses and also directs,produces and hosts a regular public access television show on Time-Warner Cable named "San Diego Yesterday". Antigiovanni is also a member of the San Diego Sportswriter Association.
