Avengers Are Improving
Steven Herbert
Wednesday May 8, 2002
“I know we can play much better than that,” Hodgkiss said after the victory, which improved the Avengers record to 2-1 and kept them within a game of Western Division-leading San Jose. “I thought we played poorly at times--way too many penalties, too many offsides.”
Dallas quarterback Andy Kelly prompted some of the offsides penalties by his cadence, Hodgkiss said, but attributed some of the other offsides penalties to “a lack of focus at times.”
“I can`t really put a finger on why we did it this time and we haven`t been doing it in the past,” Hodgkiss said. “It’s probably something we’re going to address and possibly make some personnel changes to get it fixed.”
After committing two turnovers in its season-opening 43-25 victory over New York April 19 and none in its 63-59 loss at Arizona April 27, Los Angeles committed two against the Desperados. Backup fullback Malcom Hamilton lost a first-quarter fumble that Dallas recovered in its end zone for a touchback. Quarterback Tony Graziani threw a fourth-quarter interception.
“Two [turnovers] is two too many for us,” Hodgkiss said. “The fumble was inexcusable. Tony had some pressure and probably should just have taken the sack there. That’s something he’ll learn from.”
The Avenger defense kept the Desperados from capitalizing on both turnovers. Greg Hopkins recovered Patrise Alexander’s fumble at the Los Angeles 21-yard line after Hamilton’s fumble and Kevin Ingram intercepted Kelly’s pass at the Avengers five after Graziani’s interception.
The Los Angeles defense made four takeaways, which it converted to 17 points, including Hopkins’ 10-yard interception return for a first-quarter touchdown.
The Avengers improved in two areas that plagued it in the Arizona loss, tackling and playing kickoffs off the net. However, the tackling is “not to the point where I want it to be,” Hodgkiss said.
The Los Angeles offense scored touchdowns the first four times it had the ball. The team drove to the Dallas two on its fifth and final possession of the first half, only to have time run out after Hassan Shamsid-Deen knocked away Graziani’s pass intended for Ingram in the end zone.
The Avengers scored touchdowns on both of their first two second-half possessions, then were held to a field goal and touchdown on their final four, with an interception ending one drive and Graziani being sacked in the end zone for a safety on the other.
The margin of victory was provided by Los Angeles foiling three Desperados conversion kicks. On the first try, Avengers lineman Tony Plantin drove Dallas’ Ronnie Washburn backwards into Desperados kicker Jason Wells, whose kick went off a teammate. Plantin blocked Wells’ attempt after Dallas’ sixth touchdown, keeping the score tied, 45-45, with one minute to play.
After Kelly threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Dialleo Burks with two seconds left, cutting Los Angeles’ lead to 52-51, Chad Dukes smothered the Desperados holder following a bad snap before Wells could kick.
Improving consistency is a priority as the Avengers prepare for Saturday night’s game at San Jose, Hodgkiss said.
”We play well for three or four series offensively and defensively, then we`ll break down on both sides of the ball,” Hodgkiss said. “We’ve shown spurts of playing very well for a time, so I know we have the ability to play well. We just need to put a whole game together.”
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.
