Attempting to overcome the worst start in franchise history, the 0-4 Blaze made another deal on Thursday, acquiring veteran defensive back Eddie Canonico from the Los Angeles Avengers for future considerations.

To make room for Canonico, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound former Sacramento State star, the Blaze released rookie defensive back Carlton Brown.

"We are excited to have [Canonico] playing on our side instead of lining up against us," Blaze coach Danny White said.

Canonico had a team-high 26.5 tackles with Los Angeles in four games, and also had two interceptions and six pass breakups.

He will join an experienced secondary that includes Reggie Doster and Damon Mason, who was acquired from Orlando last week.

Georgia on the mind

Before their first season began, the Blaze were involved in an ugly brawl with the Force during a training camp scrimmage. However, both rosters have changed significantly since then, White said, and he doesn't expect that incident to have any bearing on the first regular-season meeting between the teams.

"But they are still a feisty bunch," White said. "That's kind of the way [Georgia coach Doug] Plank coaches. He wants guys that are chippy and are talkers and play with that kind of a nasty attitude. . . . We are going to caution our guys not to try to retaliate, because it is always the guy who retaliates that gets caught.

"We will be ready for them," White said. "Our guys are a little embarrassed right now, too. So I don't expect a lot of guys out there having fun. We are going to put the fun behind us and [we] have decided we need to win first and the fun comes later."

Briefly

Georgia has signed former Blaze quarterback Andy Kelly to back up Griesen. Kelly was brought in by the Blaze their first year after Joe Germaine was injured and Jason Gesser was ineffective, and helped lead them to the playoffs. . . . Germaine leads the league in passing touchdowns (26) and is second in passing yards (1,217).

drew@sltrib.com