Ex-Rebels QB has Gladiators’ attention

Adam Candee

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004 | 9:04 a.m.

The sight of Jason Thomas zipping passes down the field at Sam Boyd Stadium isn't all that unusual.

That is, if it's the fall of 2002 and John Robinson is coaching his prized recruit on the UNLV football team.

So when Gladiators head coach Ron James stepped away from working with a group of linemen at Sunday morning's open tryout and walked across the field to investigate the strapping 6-foot-4 quarterback firing balls, he did a double take upon finding Thomas.

"I didn't realize it was JT until I got about 10 yards from him," James said.

Thomas impressed James enough to earn an invitation to the team's Jan. 4-5 minicamp, which will serve as a two-day competition between Thomas and former Missouri quarterback Kirk Farmer for a spot on the Gladiators' training camp roster. The winner will contend with Rod Robinson -- Las Vegas' No. 2 quarterback in 2004 -- for the backup job to starter Clint Dolezel.

Thomas, who is attempting a comeback after almost 18 months out of football, refuses to think that far ahead. After twice being waived from NFL training camps in the summer of 2003 after finishing his controversial career with the Rebels, Thomas is just grateful for the chance to put on a helmet and play.

"It's basically just the opportunity to play," Thomas said of his choice to try out with the Gladiators. "It's a game where quarterbacks can develop, receivers can develop and the clock in your head can develop."

Once ranked the nation's top pro prospect by draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., Thomas went undrafted after his senior season and accepted a position switch to tight end in exchange for a shot at an NFL career. That did not work out, but James made a point of telling Thomas that he will not be judged by his UNLV or brief pro history.

"Whatever your situations were in the past, you come in here with a clean slate," James said.

Thomas joined the Gladiators' twice-a-week offseason workouts this fall as part of his re-dedication to football. He is throwing with former UNLV teammate Troy Mason -- who also received an invite to Las Vegas minicamp -- and hoping that at 24 years old, his window of opportunity has not yet closed.

"I just want to be a part of the game," Thomas said. "I've got a lot I want to give to the game."

Thomas is committed to making the team as a quarterback, but he offered his services to James at other positions if necessary. James said that if Thomas makes it to training camp, it is possible he could stick with the team even if he does not best Robinson because the Gladiators have a number of two-way players who free up roster space.

"He said, 'Coach, use me any way you see fit,' " James said. "He's certainly a versatile athlete."

Farmer could be decent competition. He played his college ball at Missouri and spent the past couple of years bouncing around between the end of NFL rosters and NFL Europe. But Thomas comes in with the advantage of his local connection, with James having had the chance to see him a few times over the past couple of months.

"Jason is somebody we've had on our radar screen for a while," James said. "He's a local kid and he's got some ability."

Thomas' daughter, Jalynn, turns 3 years old today and her father knows that she is old enough to understand what he is doing. Thomas wants nothing more than for Jalynn to have a chance to cheer him on.

"I want her to see me play and say, 'go daddy, go daddy,' " Thomas said.com