Las Vegas defense in a rush to prove worth

Adam Candee

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 | 9:17 a.m.

New York quarterback Aaron Garcia ranks among the best in arena football -- that is, when he is actually given a chance to throw the ball.

It is exceedingly difficult to do so with Gladiators linebacker Frank Carter driving you into the turf, as he did on three consecutive defensive plays last Friday in Las Vegas' 41-37 win against the Dragons.

An exceptional pass rush is helping the Gladiators cover some blemishes, as the defense is succeeding in pressuring opposing quarterbacks into mistakes and forced throws. Las Vegas leads the Arena Football League with eight sacks, and Carter owns the league lead with five of those.

Carter came up the middle unblocked on consecutive plays, planting Garcia to the turf both times. The Gladiators' constant pressure created four sacks and forced New York out of its preferred deep-ball offense in favor of a quicker passing attack.

"I've been in the league eight years, and I've never seen a pass rush like that," Gladiators receiver/cornerback Dameon Porter said.

Carter earned league defensive player of the week honors for his beating of Garcia.

"When you play against a quarterback as talented as Aaron Garcia, you're not going to win unless you get great pressure on him," Carter said.

Despite being outscored by 22 points through three games and scoring a three-game league low of 118 points, the Gladiators are 2-1 heading into Sunday's home game against Georgia. The defense, buoyed by the pass rush, is largely responsible, leading the league in total defense at 226 yards allowed per game.

Considering that Georgia is averaging 10 more points per game (49.3 to 39.3) than the Gladiators, a similar defensive effort will be needed again this week.

Already without quarterback Clint Dolezel (broken right middle finger) and starting tackle/defensive end Steve Konopka, coach Ron James said he does not expect to have starting center/nose tackle Joe Burch, and he may also have to go without starting defensive specialist Cornelius Bonner.

Burch suffered a left knee injury when a Dragons player fell into his leg during an extra point try and is out 2-4 weeks. He missed six weeks last year with a fractured eye socket.

Lucas Yarnell -- a 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman -- replaces Burch on both sides of the ball.

Bonner is scheduled to have oral surgery Thursday for a root canal operation and is not likely to play. Chameion Sutton could injured reserve to replace Bonner.

Dolezel will be re-evaluated next week, but the Gladiators really don't expect him back until at least until March 4 against Austin. Konopka is not expected back this week.

Las Vegas also continues to await the return of defensive specialist T.J. Hill from a torn ACL suffered last season.