Rookie Moore Takes Charge

Jason Moore has started only three Arena Football League games, but the rookie from San Bernardino will be the dean of the Avengers’ defensive backfield this week.

Damen Wheeler suffered a sprained knee ligament in last week’s loss at San Jose and is expected to sit out at least two games.

So Moore and Ben Kelly, who will make his Arena league debut, will be the starting defensive specialists Saturday night when the 4-3 Avengers play the expansion Austin Wranglers at Staples Center.

Before practice Thursday at West L.A. College, Moore said he was working with Kelly to prepare him for the indoor game.

“We’ve been watching a lot of film together and getting used to playing with each other,” said Moore, 28, who played in the NFL for several teams after completing his career at San Diego State.

Because of injuries and legal problems, the Avengers have started the same two defensive specialists in consecutive games only once this season.

In February, starter Cornelius Coe played one game before he was indicted on federal drug charges. He is awaiting trial in Michigan.

Wheeler also started the first game against Arizona, but sat out the next four because of a hamstring injury.

Wheeler and Moore were in the lineup against Dallas and San Jose, but Wheeler was put on injured reserve after the 55-52 loss at San Jose.

The Avengers this week activated Kelly, 25, who earned a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots in the 2001 season.

Kelly signed with the Avengers on March 11 and has spent the last three weeks acclimating to new rules and field dimensions during practice.

“If you’re knowledgeable and know what you’re supposed to do, you can go out and play naturally without second-guessing yourself,” Kelly said.

“That’s what I want to do,” he said.

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Quarterback John Kaleo, who played for ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay last season, is one of several free-agent acquisitions who has helped make the Wranglers (5-2) competitive in their first season.

Kaleo has passed for 1,897 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Defensive specialist Cedric Walker, lineman Tom Briggs and receiver-linebacker Darryl Hammond also signed as free agents with the Wranglers, who are in second place in the Southern Division behind 7-1 New Orleans, another expansion team.

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Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss is well acquainted with Kaleo, a 10-year veteran.

Hodgkiss and Kaleo grew up about 10 miles apart in Maryland and coached on the same community college football staff.

Kaleo also helped Hodgkiss land his first job as an assistant in the AFL.

Hodgkiss, who is engaged to be married in November, said Kaleo would be a part of the wedding party.

But he expects his players to hit Kaleo hard Saturday.

“I called him and told him if they don’t have any rib pads at your place, we’ll provide you with some,” Hodgkiss said.