Gladiators camp notes
January 14, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
The Gladiators will take on the Arizona Rattlers in a five-quarter scrimmage on Monday at 2:00 PM at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Gladiators were able to get inside the Thomas & Mack Center for the first time in 2006 for practice on Friday. Emphasis was placed on the kicking game with incumbent Mark Lewis and former af2 kicker Eric Houle getting work both on PAT/field goals and kickoffs.
Also benefiting from the practices inside were return specialists Coco Blalock, Kevin Prentiss and newcomer Ivory McCann. Each was able to take kickoffs off the net for the first time this camp.
The Gladiators will practice on Sunday in the T&M from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM then 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM.
Marlion Jackson arrived for his first day of camp on Friday after being excused from the first week for personal reasons. Jackson came in weighing 260 lbs. at the fullback/linebacker spot, still retaining his 4.3 speed.
The Gladiators offensive/defensive line came in at an average weight of 301 lbs. and their FB/LB tipped the scales at 274 lbs.
The quarterback competition in camp is fierce with three
candidates vying for the job. Craig Whelihan, who has been taking most of the first-team reps, former af2 champion Brian Jones and newcomer Jason Fife have all looked solid in practices and in a controlled scrimmage with Colorado. Each quarterback threw at least one touchdown pass during the scrimmage.
The Gladiators signed WR/LB Maurice Bryant, who played with them in 2004, to a contract on Friday. Bryant had 34 receptions for 349 yards and 9 touchdowns in 10 games in 2004.
Lineman Steve Konopka sprained his right ankle during the two-team practices with Colorado. Konopka will be out between two and four weeks.
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