Avengers Bulk Up on Defense

The Avengers added 15 players to their roster in Tuesday’s Arena Football League expansion draft.

With the first pick, the Avengers selected cornerback Clifford Green, who played last season in the league with the San Jose SaberCats. The team then alternated picks with the Carolina Cobras, the league’s other expansion team this season.

Green, 24, is a 5-foot-9, 190-pounder from Atlanta, and was an All-Ohio Valley Conference pick at Tennessee State. He went to the Buffalo Bills’ training camp in 1997 and was on the Detroit Lions’ development squad in 1998.

Last year at San Jose, Green had 47 tackles and two interceptions in 13 games.

With their second pick the Avengers selected another defensive back, Carlos Brooks, formerly of the Arizona Rattlers. Last season Brooks had 55 tackles and three interceptions in 12 games.

The Avengers also chose a Southland player, taking former San Jose receiver-defensive back Anthony Rice in the fourth round. Rice played collegiately at La Verne.

With their draft selections, the Avengers selected three fullback-linebackers, three receiver-defensive backs, two linemen, two defensive specialists, a quarterback and a kicker.

The Avengers also traded their seventh pick to Florida for linemen Joe Burgos, Pete Ohnegian and Rob Stanavitch.

“The draft went very well,” Coach Stan Brock said. “We addressed some of our specific needs and also went for the best player available in certain situations.

“We really wanted to get Clifford and Carlos and were able to do that. In addition, we feel really good about picking up Anthony Rice, who is a great football player.”

Brock said he will have a maximum of 30 players when the Avengers open training camp March 19.

They will play their first exhibition game against Arizona at Phoenix on March 27 and have a home game April 9 against Oklahoma at Staples Center.

The Avengers open the regular season April 15 against Grand Rapids in Michigan.