Arena Football 101, Avengers` Style
Keith Antigiovanni
Tuesday March 13, 2001
The first time I talked to Avengers Head Coach/GM Stan Brock it took him only a few minutes to realize that my knowledge of Arena Football was lacking. He decided that I should meet with him and review the basic fundamentals of the Arena Football League. It was my introductory class of AFL 101!
Upon arrival to Los Angeles I saw the usual smog, heavy traffic and of course underwent the usual process of getting lost -- fortunately, though, it only happened three times. When I finally located the Avengers offices it was disguised as a mild, unassuming community college gymnasium. As I got closer, it became more obvious that it was definitely not a small-time college operation, but rather the headquarters for a football franchise intent on winning the Arena Bowl.
After getting past all the security checkpoints I stumbled onto an office occupied by a guy who looked a whole lot like Stan Brock. He appeared to be about my size, but then he stood up and was actually only about twice my size. It was none other than Coach/GM Stan Brock himself.
Now, if you’re not aware of who Stan Brock is then either you haven’t seen any football the past 20 years or you`ve been living under a rock. I`ll fill you in just in case. Brock played for 16 (not 15 seasons) in the National Football League from 1980 thru 1995. He played his first 13 seasons for the New Orleans Saints and final three years for my hometown San Diego Chargers and was a member of San Diego`s only Super Bowl team in 1994. Brock played under playoff coaches such as Bum Phillips, Jim Mora, and Bobby Ross then went on to coach the old Portland Forest Dragons in 1998 and 1999 before taking over as the skipper of the expansion LA Avengers last season.
Entering Brock`s office I knew the decor wouldn’t be mistaken for "Early American Anything" but rather "21st century Football Coach". There were lists and charts of every AFL team along with rosters, depth charts, players on waivers, free agents, etc. It was obvious that when it comes to football, Brock is all business.
He then showed me a game tape vs. Arizona from last season, and explained the X`s and O`s of the sport. It’s too bad Los Angeles fans can’t have a nice, private session like this one, for his explanation was both simple and very effective. He was also kind enough to give me a rulebook to study (which I`ve been studying all week now).
After the crash course, he took me on a tour of the Avengers headquarters. I met all the assistant coaches and two new players; defensive specialist Mark Ricks, and quarterback Erik Wilhelm. Neither one seemed to fit what I remember about football players while serving as equipment manager of the University of San Diego football squad. Ricks really looked like an average sized-guy (5’ 10” 175). In talking to him, however, it became obvious why Brock signed him. Ricks is simply one of the best cover corners in the Arena league. He is a dedicated professional and an expert at the defensive specialist position. It is no coincidence that his former team, the Oklahoma Wranglers, ranked number-one against the pass in 2000. Avengers fans should be very pleased that Ricks is on their side now.
Erik Wilhelm was the former heir apparent to Boomer Esiason at the Cincinnati Bengals before that franchise fell apart 10 years ago. Unfortunately Wilhelm never got his opportunity. He`s a talented, steady player who has blossomed over the years. Again, from that equipment manager perspective, he seems too nice a guy to be a football player. In fact he seemed more like a choir-singer in an old Lawrence Welk episode. But I can’t let his off-the-field personality fool me. This guy can play and definitely has the size (6` 3" 215). He should give Marinovich a good battle for the starting quarterback position.
While driving home, I realized that this is definitely not a 3-11 team. It still has a little ways to go, but the ownership, coaches and players all seemed to be on the same page -- bring a winner to Los Angeles.
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.
