Wheeler’s Return Steers Defense to Higher Level

Defensive specialist Damen Wheeler returned to the Avengers’ lineup two games ago.

Not coincidentally, the Avengers won two games in a row.

“Our defense is good when he’s in there,” Coach Ed Hodgkiss said.

Wheeler, in his second Arena Football League season, suffered a hamstring injury in the opener against Arizona and sat out three games, including consecutive losses to San Jose and Georgia.

Wheeler came back against Grand Rapids and played last week against Dallas as the Avengers improved their record to 4-2.

Tonight, Wheeler and the Avengers’ pass defense will be tested by Western Division leader San Jose (5-1), which is averaging a league-leading 60.8 points a game.

In the Avengers’ 61-55 loss to San Jose on Feb. 22 at Staples Center, SaberCat quarterback Mark Grieb set a franchise record by completing 18 of 21 passes (85.7%) for 207 yards and six touchdowns.

The Avengers were without Wheeler and defensive specialist Cornelius Coe, who had been indicted on federal drug charges and was awaiting trial in Michigan.

Jason Moore continues to improve in Coe’s spot, and Wheeler has stabilized the defense.

“I’m just excited to be playing again,” said Wheeler, who intercepted five passes as a rookie last season. “My leg is feeling better every week.

“We’re going to have to be ready against San Jose, because they are very efficient.”

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The Avengers are 0-4 against the SaberCats in San Jose, but they could have an edge tonight because SaberCat defensive specialist Clevan Thomas will not play.

Thomas, the AFL’s defensive player of the year in 2002 and 2003, was declared out for the season this month because of a knee injury.

Last week, Las Vegas quarterback Clint Dolezel passed for 451 yards -- a SaberCat opponent’s record -- and nine touchdowns in a 79-62 loss to San Jose.

The Avengers, however, still must contend with Rashied Davis, who has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns, one in each of the last two games.

Davis, a receiver and defensive back who grew up in Los Angeles and attended Granada Hills Kennedy High and West L.A. College, scored on two 57-yard returns against the Avengers in their first meeting this season.

“We’ve been making an effort ever since that game to be more physical and to be running down harder on kickoffs, staying in our lanes,” Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton said.

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Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani has thrown 191 passes without an interception this season, 56 shy of the league record set by Raymond Philyaw last season with Indiana.

Hodgkiss said he had refrained from speaking to Graziani about the streak.

“It’s almost like talking to a guy pitching a no-hitter -- you don’t want to really talk about it,” Hodgkiss said.

Graziani does not expect to finish the season without an interception.

“No way -- I’ve gotten lucky a couple times,” he said. “There haven’t been any tipped balls, that’s usually how [interceptions] come. Usually, there’s two or three cheap ones a year.”

TONIGHT

at San Jose, 7:30 p.m., FSN2

Site -- HP Pavilion.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- Avengers 4-2, San Jose 5-1.

Record vs. SaberCats -- 0-1.

Update --Both teams have two-game winning streaks. The Avengers are 0-4 on the road against San Jose, which has won 20 of its last 21 at HP Pavilion. The Avengers are coming off an easy 60-44 victory over Dallas and are near full strength. San Jose was outgained, 456-270, last week by Las Vegas, but the SaberCats rushed for an AFL-record six touchdowns in a 79-62 victory. SaberCat quarterback Mark Grieb has completed a league-leading 77.3% of his passes for the AFL’s most potent offense. His favorite receivers are James Hundon, who has 34 receptions and 10 touchdowns, and James Roe, 33 receptions and 10 touchdowns.