Gladiators hoping to avoid 0-2 start

Adam Candee

Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 | 10:31 a.m.

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What: Gladiators at Arizona Rattlers

When: Sunday, Noon

Where: America West Arena, Phoenix

TV: NBC, Ch. 3

Radio: KENO 1460-AM

Line: Rattlers by 6; Total is 93 1/2

On the surface, a 60-48 opening loss to one of the league's better teams does not appear to be cause for great concern.

Don't tell that to Gladiators coach Frank Haege, though. He feels that Sunday's nationally televised game at Arizona already falls into the dreaded 'must-win' category.

"Our back's against the wall a little bit," Haege said.

Las Vegas (0-1) finds itself in that self-imposed position for a few reasons, not the least of which is the proximity of its Feb. 17 home opener. In the hope of drawing a large crowd for that Monday night game against Tampa Bay, the Gladiators feel that avoiding an 0-2 start is imperative.

In order to do so, Las Vegas must take better care of the ball after four turnovers last week, and the Gladiators will also need a much improved defensive performance after Los Angeles scored on nine of its 11 drives last Sunday at Staples Center.

"Defensive secondary-wise, we need to not give up the big play," Haege said. "We need to make them work for their scores."

Getting some pressure on Arizona backup quarterback Chris Hixson is one solution, considering that Avengers quarterback Tony Graziani enjoyed plenty of time to throw last week. Hixson makes his first career AFL start, in place of Rattlers all-AFL signal caller Sherdrick Bonner, who suffered a separated right shoulder in Arizona's 49-28 opening day loss to San Jose.

Arizona appeared in the ArenaBowl in 2002, losing to San Jose. The Rattlers feature former UNLV stars Hunkie Cooper and Randy Gatewood at wide receiver, and Arizona consistently draws some of the largest crowds in the league to the "Snake Pit," otherwise known as America West Arena.

"It's a tough place to play," Haege said. "It always has been."

Haege said that penalties (7 for 51 yards), dropped balls (six) and other mental mistakes plagued Las Vegas in its first game. Combine those miscues with the Gladiators' lackluster defensive performance, and Haege's concerns appear more justified.

"Just the fact that we played so poorly, everybody's a little nervous," Haege said. "If we come out and execute poorly again, it could be a long season."

Haege feels the team went through a strong week of practice, with an emphasis on moving at a quicker tempo to simulate game conditions. Both Haege and a number of players mentioned that not playing an exhibition game before last week's game may have caused the Gladiators to come out a step slow.

The Gladiators also announced Thursday that OL/DL Ramon Richardson was released. Richardson suited up for the Gladiators' opener last week.