Hamilton Is Not Kicking Himself

Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton did not have much time to dwell on two missed field-goal attempts in last week’s overtime loss against Arizona.

On Tuesday, two days after the defeat, Hamilton was in Kirkland, Wash., for a tryout with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. Hamilton, one of four kickers at the tryout, said he relished the spaciousness of stadium-football goalposts that feature an 18 1/2-foot expanse with a 10-foot high crossbar. Arena league goalposts have a nine-foot expanse with a 15-foot high crossbar.

“I thought I kicked pretty well at the tryout, but you always think you could have done better,” Hamilton said Thursday. “We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Hamilton is eager for a chance to kick tonight when the Avengers (8-3) play host to the Buffalo Destroyers (4-7) at Staples Center.

Last Sunday, Hamilton missed two 26-yard field-goal attempts, either of which would have extended the Avengers’ winning streak to six games.

Hamilton, who had made eight of nine attempts from inside the 30-yard line, missed wide left with two seconds left in regulation and wide right with 4:17 remaining in overtime.

Arizona won, 82-76, on Hunkie Cooper’s 24-yard touchdown run with 1:36 left.

“I was overconfident, especially on the first one,” said Hamilton, who is in his sixth AFL season.

“It’s like extra points, you get out there and it looks easy but you can’t take it for granted that you’re going to make it.”

The Avengers have already lost one player to the NFL during the season: fullback Kevin Clemens signed with the Philadelphia Eagles a few weeks ago.

Hamilton said the Seahawks and other NFL teams would probably address their kicking situations after the NFL draft on April 26-27.

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The Avengers play the Destroyers only five days after the loss to Arizona.

Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss said he is not concerned about the short turnaround.

“After a loss like that, you want to go out and play the next day and get your frustrations out,” Hodgkiss said. “You always want to get enough preparation days but our guys have shown throughout the year that they can do a good job in tough situations.”

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Center/nose guard Sean McNamara will have surgery today for a fractured right ankle sustained in last week’s loss to Arizona and probably will miss the rest of the season, Hodgkiss said.

Chris Butterfield will start in place of McNamara, who was put on the injured reserve list. Lineman Cecil Caldwell was added to the roster and could play if lineman Tony Plantin is unable to because of back spasms.

Linemen Vince Amey or La’Zerius White and fullback/linebacker Mathias Vavao could play as Butterfield’s backup, Hodgkiss said.

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Greg Hopkins’ nine-yard interception return for a touchdown against Arizona helped him tie a league career record.

Hopkins, who is playing in his eighth AFL season, has returned nine interceptions for touchdowns, equaling the mark established by Orlando’s Kenny McEntyre last Friday against Buffalo.