Avengers sign five on first day of free agent signing period
Monday October 29, 2007
L.A.’s own Jason Stewart and Columbus’ Ken Jones highlight first wave of signings
LOS ANGELES -- On the first day of the Arena Football League’s free agent signing period, the Los Angeles Avengers have added five players to their roster. Three defensive linemen -- Jason Stewart, Ken Jones and Joe Bradley -- highlight the quintet, which also includes wide receiver Clarence Cunningham and kicker David Davis.
“We’ve gotten started with a great crop of guys and are also going to get a few more players in the next few days,” Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. “We were very aggressive in our pursuit of free agents and this is the most players we’ve ever signed on the first day of the signing period. We’re really excited to get these guys on board. We’ve upgraded our team by filling some holes with experienced players who have proven themselves in the AFL and some young up-and-comers.”
Stewart (6-foot-1, 320 pounds, Fresno State), who had a breakout season in 2007 for the Avengers with 4.5 quarterback sacks, inked a two-year contract to remain in Los Angeles. A third of his 21 tackles were behind the line of scrimmage and he also batted down seven passes, recovered five fumbles, forced two fumbles and returned an interception 24 yards for a touchdown.
“Our No. 1 goal during this free agency period was to try and retain some of our own free agents and Jason Stewart was at the top of that list,” Hodgkiss said. “He had an outstanding season last year and we are looking for more of the same from him.”
Jones (6-4, 290, South Carolina State) signed a three-year deal with the Avengers. Last season, he earned All-Arena first team honors after registering 9.5 sacks (No. 3 in the AFL) for the Columbus Destroyers, who advanced all the way to ArenaBowl XXI. In four seasons with the Destroyers, he accounted for 17.5 sacks, 13 batted down passes, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Prior to last season, Jones also played on the offensive side of the football and has 14 career receptions for 166 yards and four touchdowns.
Bradley (6-2, 295, Louisiana-Lafayette), who was one of the Minnesota Vikings’ final cuts prior to the start of the current NFL season, agreed to a two-year contract with the Avengers. As a senior in 2006, he played in 12 games for Louisiana-Lafayette and finished with seven tackles for losses, including five sacks for minus-36 yards. Prior to playing for the Ragin’ Cajuns, Bradley attended Compton (Calif.) College.
“Ken Jones is a proven All-Arena player and Bradley is a young guy who could end up as a superstar in the AFL for a long time,” Hodgkiss said. “When you factor in the addition of those two guys, the return of Stewart, and the fact that we still have Josh Jeffries and Reggie Rhodes, the defensive line is by far the strongest position on our team and that unit could be the best in Arena Football.”
Cunningham (5-11, 180, San Jose State), who spent last season with the Stockton Lightning of arenafootball2, inked a three-year deal with Los Angeles. In 12 games, he caught 47 passes for 901 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 19.2 yards per reception. Cunningham also returned 29 kickoffs for a 21.1-yard average.
“Cunningham is an explosive young player who has the potential to be very good,” Hodgkiss said. “We’ve worked him out a couple of times and really like his ability. We’re also going to sign a one or two more talented receivers in the next couple of days”
Davis (5-10, 175, Southern California), who was named arenafootball2’s “Kicker of the Year” this past August, signed a three-year contract with the Avengers. In his fourth season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, he converted on 115-of-124 extra point attempts, leading the af2 with a 92.7 percent success rate. Davis also converted seven of his 12 field goal attempts, including a 50-yarder, for the Pioneers who advanced all the way to ArenaCup8 in 2007.
“Although we were unable to retain the services of Remy Hamilton, we’re very happy to be able to get David Davis, a local USC guy who has had a great career in arenafootball2,” Hodgkiss said. “He’s a good young kicker and hopefully down the road he can be as productive as Remy was with us.”
This past season, the Avengers finished second in the Western Division, compiling a 9-7 regular-season record before defeating the Utah Blaze, 64-42, at STAPLES Center to register the franchise’s first postseason victory.
Avenger 2008 season tickets, which include nine games played at STAPLES Center, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or www.laavengers.com.
The AFL is expected to announce its 2008 schedule shortly.
