Driesbach Glad to Be a Part of L.A.’s Supporting Cast

Quarterback Scott Driesbach got a new start on his football career when the Avengers signed him this week as Tony Graziani’s backup.

Driesbach and the Avengers hope it’s a sound start as well.

Injuries plagued Driesbach throughout his career at Michigan and in two seasons with the Oakland Raiders.

“I’m 100% for the first time in a long time,” Driesbach said after practice earlier this week.

Driesbach, 27, worked out for the Avengers last week and was signed when backup Ryan Helming had surgery for a broken right foot. Helming, who has not played for the Avengers, suffered the injury while working out for the San Diego Chargers a few weeks ago.

Driesbach, 6 feet 3 and 210 pounds, was with the Raiders in 1999 and 2000, but injuries prevented him from taking a snap in a regular-season game. In 1999, he suffered a broken leg. In 2000, a torn rotator cuff.

He was with the Detroit Lions in 2001 and 2002 and played for the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe between NFL seasons.

“He is an athletic kid with a good arm and good release,” Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss said. “He did a good job with the Raiders during a few preseasons but just had a couple of unfortunate injuries that knocked him out of there.

“He’s healthy now and we’re fortunate to have him.”

Driesbach is just beginning to acclimate to the speed of the Arena game. He does not expect to take any snaps, unless absolutely necessary, when the Avengers (3-2) play the New York Dragons (0-5) on Sunday at Uniondale, N.Y.

“Coach wouldn’t give me the same offense that Tony would run if I need to go in,” he said.

Hodgkiss said Driesbach is not likely to play unless Graziani is injured.

“You really can’t afford to put quarterbacks in just for a series because possessions in this game are so important,” Hodgkiss said.

“Hopefully, he gets a chance to play because we’re up by 30 or 40 points in the fourth quarter. But that’s probably not going to happen.”

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Linebacker-fullback Lonnie Ford, who missed more than three games because of a high ankle sprain suffered Feb. 9 against San Jose, will return to the lineup Sunday.

“He was our best rushing linebacker before he got hurt,” Hodgkiss said. “One thing we haven’t been doing in the last few weeks is getting pressure on the quarterback. Lonnie can do that and hopefully give us a spark.”

Ford, a 6-2, 260-pound rookie from USC, had been replaced by Mathias Vavao, but Vavao suffered a rib injury during pregame warmups last week and will miss Sunday’s game.

Lineman Tony Plantin (lower back strain) also was injured during warmups and will not play against New York.

Ford said he is not completely pain free.

“It’s not going to go away,” he said. “As long as I keep playing on it, it’s going to hurt. But I can tolerate it now.”

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The Avengers will try to end a two-game losing streak when they play winless New York.

The Dragons fired Coach John Gregory and most of his assistants on Feb. 24. New York lost to Orlando, 72-56, last week in Todd Shell’s first game as coach.

“We anticipate them being better,” Hodgkiss said. “Our guys are refocused after our losses and they are ready to come out fighting.”