Keeping Dolezel is top priority for Gladiators

Adam Candee

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

Clint Dolezel basically controlled the Las Vegas offense in both of his two years with the Gladiators, making the plans and calling the plays.

Even as a free agent this summer, it appears that Dolezel still controls the team's plans on the open market.

The wooing of free agent players began this morning, as the contact period began for Arena Football League teams looking to reshape their rosters. Players cannot sign with teams until Sept. 14, but many will reach verbal agreements to either re-sign or move to a new squad during the next two weeks.

For the Gladiators, that process hinges on Dolezel's decision. A Texas native and offseason resident, Dolezel, 35, talked about moving closer to home at the end of the Gladiators' third consecutive 8-8 season.

Gladiators general manager Dan Dolby has not spoken with Dolezel in the past two weeks, but said he has no indication if the quarterback will come back. If Dolezel re-signs, his salary is likely to be at least $150,000 - similar to what he made last season - which would eat up a significant portion of the $1.7 million salary cap.

If Dolezel signs elsewhere, though, Dolby and owner Jim Ferraro can scrap the paint-by-numbers for some creative brushstrokes.

"Getting Clint is a priority," Dolby said. "But without having that big contract, it would allow us to spend more money in other places. It's that fine line you walk."

Dolezel did not return a call seeking comment on his plans.

Dolby plans to be in contact quickly with his top targets, with the highest priority beyond Dolezel being improvement on the offensive and defensive lines.

"We'll be talking to quite a few guys early in the morning," Dolby said. "It will be fast and furious, but in these two weeks, nothing can be signed. The first in doesn't always win."

The Gladiators also have 15 free agents of their own to address. Dolby is targeting a pair of veteran defenders as his main concerns.

"T.J. Hill is a big priority," Dolby said. "He's a veteran guy who really came around (last) year. He's a really valuable two-way player. Wilky Bazile is a big priority also."

Defensive specialist Marvin Taylor and fullback/linebacker Frank Carter are also important free agents for Las Vegas.

Fired nearly three weeks ago by Las Vegas, Davis is set to become the defensive coordinator for the Grand Rapids Rampage. Head coach Sparky McEwen said Tuesday that he is thrilled to be adding a coach who led the Gladiators to the top of the defensive statistics in 2004 and 2005.

"I was actually shocked that he was going to be available," McEwen said. "He's arguably the No. 1 or No. 2 defensive coordinator in the league the last two years."

Gladiators head coach Ron James cited the team's inability to get defensive stops in the latter part of last season as one reason for Davis' dismissal. McEwen, though, feels that Davis is just the man to steal a stop or two, even citing it as a reason for his hiring.

"If you really think about it, the past couple of years, he's been the best at that," McEwen said.

Davis did not return a call seeking comment.