Gladiators optimistic about 2005

Adam Candee

Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005 | 9:29 a.m.

What: Las Vegas Gladiators training camp

Where: Sam Boyd Stadium

When: Today through Jan. 23

If you go: 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.; practices are open to the public at no cost. For daily updates, call 731-4977.

On the Web: lvgladiators.com

Full of talent and out of excuses, the Las Vegas Gladiators open training camp today at Sam Boyd Stadium trying to improve upon two mediocre seasons in town.

The Gladiators field their most skilled roster since coming to Las Vegas from New Jersey weeks before the 2003 season, bringing back most of the core group that won five of its final six games to finish 8-8 for the second consecutive year.

Las Vegas missed the playoffs and fired head coach Frank Haege after the season, replacing him from within by promoting assistant coach Ron James. By giving players the coach they wanted and keeping most of the roster a year after overhauling it, owner Jim Ferraro sends a clear message that the time to win is now.

Quarterback Clint Dolezel, who adds offensive coordinator responsibilities this season, feels the Gladiators are ready to avoid the slow start that doomed last year's squad because of the team's experience together. With a roster including just seven returning players and constant injury problems, the Gladiators scuffled out of the gate to a 3-5 mark.

"People don't realize how much that really means to play together," Dolezel said.

Fantastic finishes -- for opponents -- haunted the Gladiators. Las Vegas allowed Colorado two touchdowns in the final minute of a season-opening loss, squandered a late lead the next week against Los Angeles and gave up a game-winning touchdown pass off the net to Chicago with no time left.

"You take a play or two out of those games and we're looking at 11 wins," Dolezel said.

Dolezel brought offensive specialist Terrill Shaw with him from Grand Rapids last year, but quickly developed a productive rapport with Marcus Nash when Shaw was injured in training camp and eventually cut. Dolezel and Nash became the most formidable connection in the league, as Nash shattered the league record for receptions with 154 for 1,771 yards and tied the league record with 46 touchdown catches en route to league offensive player of the year honors.

Last year's turnaround coincided with the return of wide receiver and return specialist Coco Blalock, who provides the team with a game-breaking speed threat. Las Vegas added former league Ironman of the Year Dameon Porter (41 receptions, nine TDs) from Austin and receiver Junior Lord (46 receptions, 11 TDs) from Detroit to add depth to a group of receivers that Dolezel feels will force defenses to "pick their poison."

"If we're not the best receiving corps in the league, I want to see who is," Dolezel said.

James said the Gladiators almost have too much talent at the skill positions, which will eventually force him to cut some solid players when rosters must be trimmed down to 24 players on Jan. 24. Las Vegas will bring 37 players into camp.

"The biggest battle for us right now is going to occur with the wide receiver/defensive back corps," James said. "We're just so loaded right now."

Las Vegas struggled on defense during its bad stretch in 2004 as injuries to standout cornerback T.J. Hill and others forced inexperienced players into action. By season's end, though, defensive coordinator Stan Davis brought the patchwork unit together and it allowed less than 40 points in four of the final six games.

"Another year with Stan, I think, is the biggest thing for us," Dolezel said. "They look like they just stepped off last year's field. They looked really good."

Just making the playoffs will be harder than ever this year. Only division winners and a pair of wild-card teams in each conference will get into the eight-team playoff. The Gladiators play in the Western Division, easily the league's toughest with defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose, title game finalist Arizona and Los Angeles. Even with a .500 record, Las Vegas finished last in the division in 2004.

The Gladiators open the regular season at the Thomas & Mack Center on Jan. 30 against Los Angeles.