Denton to get a chance at QB

Adam Candee

Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003 | 10:04 a.m.

Coach Frank Haege busted open the box of playbooks for the beginning of Las Vegas Gladiators training camp on Monday.

Local product Jon Denton was one of those who received one.

The former Green Valley and UNLV standout quarterback has signed with the Arena Football League franchise, giving him a ride with the team at least through training camp.

Haege said the team will keep four quarterbacks through training camp, including incumbent starter Jay McDonagh and journeyman Ed Collins. With McDonagh locked into the starting spot, the competition will be among the other three signal callers for the backup and practice squad jobs.

"(Jon) is doing very well," Haege said. "There's a good chance he could end up being that third quarterback, or even the No. 2."

Denton will get the opportunity to resurrect his career over the next two weeks, as the Gladiators race through training camp at the Sam Boyd Stadium practice fields in preparation for their Feb. 2 opener at Los Angeles.

After a weekend mini-camp for rookies and Monday's opener of full squad practice, Haege was pleased with the team's progress. For now, the squad is being fed a heavy diet of base formations and plays, as well as the standard gut-busting conditioning the accompanies the start of practice.

"Everything looks pretty good and things are going in the right direction," Haege said, adding that practice facilities and meeting rooms are in great condition.

Haege said about half of the team's 20 active roster spots are locked down, with competition still open for a number of jobs. He plans to use this first week to "find out who fits in and who doesn't."

While the second-year coach of the city's new Arena Football League franchise is thrilled to get on the field for two weeks of two-a-day practices, he still cannot believe the whirlwind that blew his franchise -- and his life -- from New Jersey to Las Vegas in the span of just a month.

"It was a huge challenge and process to get everything moved and set up in such a short period of time both professionally and personally," Haege said from his home Monday night.

With a quick laugh, he added, "I don't even know where my forks are right now."

The Gladiators practice from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and again from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. They practice only in the morning on weekends, and all practice sessions are open to the public.