Avengers to Get Idea Who Can Cut It

The new Los Angeles Avengers will step out on new turf tonight at Staples Center, making their local debut in an Arena Football League exhibition against the Oklahoma Wranglers.

For some players, it will be a grand opening--and a grand closing as well.

The Avengers have 32 players in training camp but must set their regular-season 24-man roster by Monday morning.

“There are some guys on the bubble and it’s hard to evaluate a player at practice,” Coach Stan Brock said. “You get a feel for what he can and cannot do, but you have to put him in a game situation.

“So there are some players I will put in situations and see how they handle the stress. But we’re also going out there to play to win. This is not a glorified scrimmage, as far as I’m concerned. We’re trying to build a winning tradition.”

Probably the biggest fight for a job is at quarterback. Starter Scott Semptimphelter and Todd Marinovich are assured spots but Harry Leons and Justin Vedder are vying for the other backup spot.

Brock had Leons last season when he was coaching the Portland Forest Dragons, who have since moved to Oklahoma and provide tonight’s opposition. Leons also played in an exhibition against Arizona, and Vedder did not.

“I’d like see Justin get in there, and I’d like to see Harry some more,” Brock said. “But I feel I know Harry, so it’s more important I see Justin.”

The Avengers beat Arizona in Phoenix two weeks ago, 54-47. But they want to do better today.

“We don’t feel like an expansion team,” said linebacker Danjuan Magee, late of UCLA. “We’ve got a lot of Arena veterans here, a lot of good local players. And, preseason or not, it’s very important to win Sunday. We have to show the fans we’ve come to win. Guys from around here know you have to win in L.A., no matter who you are.”

Lineman Joe Burgos, who played for Florida last season, said there will be “a little extra spice,” since Brock is facing his former team.

“They want to win to send a message to us,” Burgos said. “There will be a lot of pride out there.”

Semptimphelter said despite netting 256 total yards and leading the Avengers to points on eight of nine possessions against Arizona, the offense can be better.

“The most important thing this week is to get the timing down with the first and second units,” he said. “We’ve had nearly three weeks now; there’s no more excuses, no more bad ‘reads,’ no more missed assignments.

“But it’s also important to win [the first time] in front of the home crowd.”

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* AVENGERS EXHIBITION: Tonight at Staples Center vs. Oklahoma, 5:30.