Avengers Focused on 2008
Jeremy Meyer
Tuesday February 26, 2008
The Avengers will kick of the Arena Football League season on Friday against the New Orleans Voodoo, a team that they have played only once before.
Head Coach Ed Hodgkiss was in attendance and answered numerous questions related to changes that had been made in the off season and how this will help the team get past the semi-finals for the teams to go for the first ArenaBowl championship since winning the western conference in 2005. He also spoke about the new coordinators that have been added to the Avengers organization including some local talent that was added to the team.
After watching the teams first practice back in Los Angeles after training camp you could see that the team had made some changes on the front line. New players have been added to the team's roster while some have been released
Among the nine players released was wide receiver Rob Turner, who led the Avengers with 105 receptions last season. He was with the Avengers for the past three seasons and scored 24 touchdowns in 2007.
The other eight players released by Los Angeles are: linebacker Jon Apgar, offensive lineman C.J. Blomvall, defensive back Michael Bragg, defensive lineman Michael Cobbins, linebacker Andy Collins, defensive lineman Ola Dagunduro, defensive back Rushen Jones and wide receiver Lauren Williams.
When WR Kevin Ingram and Sonny Cumbie was doing there best to read a paper with a Spanish introduction given to them by ESPN Deportees reporters. Both Ingram and Cumbie was doing it all in good fun, but you could see it on there face that they would rather answer questions in English and then run to go get a shower because it was actually a very hot day after we had a few days of rain here in Southern California.
"I think as a quarterback you speak louder with your actions then with your words so just go out there and be in control of the guys and be gone of the guys and have fun," said Cumbie.
He may be the starting quarterback but even he has things that he needs to improve on in practice and during the game.
"I think personally for me consistency is a word and thing that I need to work on week in and week out," said Cumbie.
He also mentioned that he would have some great weeks and then he would have some weeks that where not that great and hence the improving of his consistency.
When asked if the team would improve past making the semi finals this year all he could do was focus on the future.
"I don't look to the end of the season as much as right now. I am focused on playing the Voodoo. They are a great team. They did a lot of upgrades on their team and they will be tough on Friday night and we are just looking forward to Friday night."
Wide Reciver Kevin Ingram had different expectations about the 2008 season.
"Arenabowl and win it," said Ingram.
Ingram also spoke about his injury and made sure to inform all reporters that he was healthy and ready for the game on Friday.
"We have everything in place to make a nice run for the Arenabowl."
Jeremy Meyer (born January 5. 1984 in Stavanger, Norway) is a Los Angeles-based Sports Reporter. He was formerly the the Los Angeles Avengers beat writer for the Westside Chronicle; UCLA football and San Diego Chargers beat writer for MVN.com. Currently he is a contributing writer for the Los Angeles Sports Journal.
