Friday, Feb. 11, 2005 | 10:22 a.m.
7 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center Radio: ESPN 920-AM
To borrow from Wesley Snipes in "Major League," the Gladiators tend to start the season like Hayes and finish it like Mays.
The Gladiators are trying to avoid a start like the movie's Cleveland Indians. With starting quarterback Clint Dolezel likely out for the next month, Las Vegas is in danger of starting its third season in town much like the first two -- that is, in a huge hole.
The Gladiators host the New York Dragons tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center, and they need to improve a stagnant offense both to score more points and to keep quarterback Aaron Garcia and the New York offense off the field.
The task of jump-starting the offense falls to backup quarterback Rod Robinson, who will make his first Arena Football League start. Las Vegas has scored touchdowns on just 10 of its 23 possessions through two games, which equates to a league-worst percentage of 43.48.
The number is slightly skewed by the fact that the Gladiators (1-1) played much of last week's 66-31 loss at San Jose without injured offensive specialist Marcus Nash, while Dolezel battled the effects of the broken middle finger on his throwing hand that sent him to injured reserve.
Nash will play with a deep bruise in his right knee suffered going over the wall at San Jose, but the Gladiators will be playing at less than full strength in any case. It's a test that Gladiators head coach Ron James embraces, in large part because he must.
"I really believe we're going to find out how much of a team we have this week," James said. "I think a lot of teams, when they lose a quality player, it tightens the ranks."
James must hope that happens in order to avoid fighting yet another battle from behind in the standings. With inconsistent quarterback play causing major problems, the Gladiators struggled to a 3-4 record in 2003 before recovering to 8-8 and making the playoffs. Last season, a group of new players beset by injuries scuffled to a 3-5 start, then rallied to win five of its last six games in a failed run to a postseason berth.
Las Vegas opened this year with a mediocre 46-37 win against Los Angeles before losing last week to the SaberCats.
"Last week, our preparation was not on the money," James said. "It showed in the game."
James said the team prepared for the Dragons (1-0) with better focus and intensity in this short week. Dolezel is focusing only on his offensive coordinator responsibilities, and he said that the opportunity to watch the game from the sideline could be helpful for him upon his return.
That is certainly the half-full glass approach to the end of his string of 70 consecutive starts. Dolezel expressed confidence that he can work out a scheme that will bring out the strengths of Robinson, who has thrown 14 passes in 18 games with the Gladiators.
Robinson is not concerned about the start, saying he really does not feel pressure to keep Las Vegas from a standings freefall.
"It's just like life," Robinson said. "You just take one day at a time."
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