Gladiators need defensive heart to take on Soul

Saturday, March 4, 2006 | 7:19 a.m.

Heading into Sunday's showdown with the Philadelphia Soul at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Las Vegas Gladiators are ranked 16th in the 18-team Arena Football League in scoring defense.

But the Gladiators yielding a whopping 57.2 points a game has less to do with their 1-4 record and three-game losing streak than the number of times the team has turned over the ball. Las Vegas goes into Sunday's 3:30 p.m. contest leading the league in turnovers (17) and is ranked last in turnover margin (-6).

"Obviously, our point totals that we're giving up aren't what we would expect defensively with some of the players that we have," Gladiators head coach Ron James said. "But in all fairness, the turnovers are the big issue. Defensively, you're going to give up points when you're turning the ball over and giving the other team more opportunities (and) that's what we've been doing."

Despite the Gladiators' sluggish start, James said no one on the team is reaching for the panic button.

"This is really the time to get back to basics and make sure that we're carrying out the fundamental issues of football," James said.

Pocket change

James said he was pleased with rookie quarterback Jason Fife, who made his first start in last weekend's 55-48 loss to the Dallas Desperados. Fife replaced Craig Whelihan, who started the first three games for the Gladiators.

"I think the quarterback change has been a positive one," James said. "I think the team has rallied around the new guy, and I think Jason showed a lot of promise and a lot of poise in a number of situations."

Fife, who will start Sunday against Philadelphia, helped slice a 48-21 Dallas lead to 55-48 by rushing for a touchdown and passing for three others in the final 15 minutes.

Fife completed 24 of 36 pass attempts for 299 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for a pair of scores.

Off the net