First playoff spot part of Las Vegas’ game plan

Brian Hilderbrand

Saturday, April 1, 2006 | 7:21 a.m.

One game into the second half of the Arena Football League season, the Las Vegas Gladiators possess a less-than-stellar 4-5 record but sit in second place in their division.

In other words, things could be worse.

"They certainly could be," Gladiators head coach Ron James said. "And they could be better."

The truth, however, is that if the season were to end today, the Gladiators would qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their four seasons in Las Vegas.

"We're in sole possession of second place right now in our division," James said. "That might not sound great at this point of the year, but we're a little over halfway through the year and it doesn't put us in a bad spot, either.

"If the playoffs were to start this week, we would be in. If we're saying that same thing when we're into week 15, we're feeling pretty good about where we're at. Right now, we're just feeling like it's a work in progress."

Heading into Sunday's 3 p.m. contest against the division rival Los Angeles Avengers at the Thomas & Mack Center, James said he is "comfortable" with the personnel changes he has made the past few weeks - some of which rid the team of players who refused to grasp the team concept.

"I'm very pleased with the attitude of the team," James said. "We had a tough loss (to Arizona) a couple of weeks ago where we didn't play very well and that, to me, was an eye opener; it was more of an attitude change that we needed, so personnel-wise, it dictated some of the moves that we made.

"The core group that we have in the locker room is pretty tight and they're a resilient bunch."

'Ugly win'

James said he learned some positive things about his team during its 49-47 victory Friday night at Utah - the Gladiators' first road victory of the season.

"First, I think we showed the ability to win a close game on the road," James said. "We found a way to win on the last play of the game - that's another positive. We also showed what I challenged them the week prior about: If one side of the ball lets down, whether it's offense or defense, another group picks it up. In that case ... the special teams picked it up.

"That's how good teams win: They find a way to win."

Lineman Steve Konopka blocked a Utah field-goal attempt with 10 seconds remaining in the game to preserve the Gladiators' victory.

Off the net

-7

The Gladiators' turnover margin, which ranks 16th in the 18-team AFL