Gladiators announce 2004 roster
Published on January 31, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Las Vegas, January 31, 2004 â In preparation for their season opener on Friday, February 6, the Las Vegas Gladiators trimmed its roster for the 2004 Arena Football League season to below the league limit by waiving eight players, trading one and placing three on Injured Reserve.
The 2004 Gladiators roster is composed of 19 AFL veterans and three rookies, and features seven players returning from the 2003 playoff team.
To get down below the AFL roster limit, the Gladiators waived QB Bob Bees; OL/DLs Vince Amey and William Mayes; WR/LB Lenny Ware; FB/LBs Brian Easter and Jimmy Freeman; and WR/DBs Mike Johnson and Chamieon Sutton. In addition, OL/DL Marcus McKenzie was traded to the Columbus Destroyers to complete the trade the Gladiators made for Bees on November 19 and WR/LB Maurice Bryant, OL/DL Rickie Simpkins and FB/LB Phil Glover were placed on IR.
The roster breakdown by position follows (returning players in bold): Kicker (1) â Daron Alcorn; Quarterback (2) â Clint Dolezel, Rod Robinson; Offensive Specialist (1) â Terrill Shaw; FB/LB (2) â Desmond Byrd, Frank Carter; WR/DB (3) â Cornelius Bonner, TJ Hill, Dennison Robinson; WR/LB (2) â Marcus Nash, Jeremy Wilkinson; Defensive Specialists (3) â Jeroid Johnson, Donald Malloy, Jeremy Unertl; OL/DL (8) â Thaddeus Bullard, Joe Burch, Rick Cunningham, John DeWitt, Furnell Hankton, Steve Konopka, Cedric Pittman, Steve Scifres.
The Gladiators will also have a four-man practice squad, but a player must clear waivers before being signed to the practice squad.
The Gladiators open the 2004 campaign on Friday, February 6, at the Colorado Crush. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 PM PT and can be heard on ESPN Radio 920 in Las Vegas with Andrew Siciliano and Mike Pritchard back to handle the call.
The Gladiators could have up to six games televised on NBC (KVBC-TV Channel 3 in Las Vegas) this season, including the home opener on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Thomas & Mack Center versus the Los Angeles Avengers.
Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League will begin its 18th season in February 2004, making it the second-longest running football league in U.S. history, trailing only the NFL. On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the AFL is America's fastest growing sport. The Austin Wranglers joins the Philadelphia Soul and New Orleans VooDoo as the three expansion teams added for the 2004 season. At least two more teams will be added in each of the next two seasons. A network-TV sport, the AFL will celebrate its second season on NBC in 2004.
Gladiators' 2004 season seats are on sale now. Fans interested in purchasing Gladiators' season seats can do so by calling the Gladiators office at 702-731-4977 or by calling 702-739-FANS.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 31, 2004
- L.A. Avengers acquire AFL star Joe Douglass - Los Angeles Avengers
- Gladiators announce 2004 roster - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Destroyers reduce roster to 24 - Columbus Destroyers
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