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'It's been a while' Marinovich to start for Avengers Thursday at Arizona
Posted: Tuesday May 09, 2000 07:53 PM
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Quarterback Todd Marinovich will make his first start in nearly eight years Thursday night when the Los Angeles Avengers play at Arizona in a nationally televised Arena Football League game. "Todd is my starter," coach Stan Brock said Tuesday following practice at the team's West Los Angeles College training facility. "It's nothing [starting quarterback] Scott [Semptimphelter] has or hasn't done, but we're struggling right now and sometimes change is good." Marinovich's elevation to starter is the latest of his many ups and downs both on and off the field, which include an April 25 arrest for investigation of felony sexual assault. Marinovich, who denies the assault allegation, said he was excited about the chance to start. "It's been a while since I've gotten to play an entire game, so I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to really get in a rhythm and throw the way I know I can throw," Marinovich said. "It's tough to get in any rhythm when you only play a quarter or half." Marinovich played in his first official game since 1992 on Friday, completing 15 of 30 passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns after relieving Semptimphelter in the second quarter with the Avengers trailing Oklahoma 28-7. The expansion team lost 65-44, falling to 0-4. "He looked rusty at best," Brock said. "He looked good at times and not so good at times. He hasn't had a lot of throws, but I'm impressed with how he's practicing." Marinovich is confident he will have a better performance against Arizona (3-1) in a game to be televised by The Nashville Network. "I expect to put a lot of points on the board," said Marinovich, who turned 31 Monday. Marinovich is making the transition to Arena Football, which is played on a 50-yard field by eight-player teams and has several other differences from conventional football. He is also trying to return to a sport he has mostly been away from since being released by the then-Los Angeles Raiders in 1993. Marinovich said the "biggest adjustment" is "getting comfortable with being in the pocket again with bodies flying around and getting hit." "I think I improve each week I go out," said Marinovich, who played in both Avengers exhibition games. He was selected as the most valuable player of the first, throwing two touchdown passes in a 54-47 victory at Arizona on March 27. Free on $50,000 bail, Marinovich is scheduled to be arraigned May 16 in Culver City Municipal Court. He served three months in jail in 1998 after pleading guilty to growing marijuana.
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