Gladiators make roster moves, Dolezel placed on IR
February 9, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Las Vegas, NV, February 9, 2005 â The Las Vegas Gladiators announced today they have placed QB Clint Dolezel (finger) OL/DL's Steve Konopka (groin) and Rick Cunningham (bilateral leg strain) on the injured reserve. They have signed QB Craig Whelihan and activated OL/DL Karl Bates, DS Chameion Sutton and promoted OL/DL William Mayes from the practice squad.
QB Rod Robinson will make his first career start in the AFL on Friday, February 11, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. against the New York Dragons. Robinson appeared in seven games for the Gladiators last season and completed 7-of-10 passes for 88 yards. He also rushed the ball 11 times for 37 yards with one touchdown.
Whelihan (6'5", 225, Pacific) comes back to Las Vegas after competing in training camp for the Gladiators and will back-up Robinson. In 2003 he played with the Indiana Firebirds in four games. He went 42-of-73 for 613 passing yards with eight touchdowns. During 2001 he logged an 8-5 record as the starting quarterback for the Orlando Predators in his first Arena Football League season. He completed 224-of-377 for 3,004 yards and 60 touchdowns. Prior to joining the AFL, he played for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL in 1998 and completed 149-of-238 passes for 1,803 yards and eight touchdowns.
Bates (6'4", 275, Kentucky Wesleyan) will see his first action since playing for the now defunct Detroit Fury in 2004. In 2004 he played in 10 games with Detroit recording 12.5 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss of 19 yards, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. During the 2003 season, Bates played in eight games and finished with four total tackles, 3.5 sacks and recovered one fumble. In his first season with the Gladiators in 2002, Bates played in 13 games for the Gladiators and recorded 11 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for a loss and one safety. At the end of the 2001 season the Gladiators chose him in the Dispersal Draft from the now defunct Houston Thunderbears on December 10. He played and started in 14 games and recorded 12.5 tackles, one tackle for a loss and one pass breakup.
Sutton (5'11", 185, UNLV) entered the 2003 season in the Arena Football League on the Gladiators practice squad and worked his way onto the playing field after five weeks into the season. In his first game he was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game after leading the team with 9.5 total tackles and one pass breakup. He finished the season playing in only five games due to injury and recorded 16.5 total tackles, one pass breakup and five kick returns for 75 yards.
Mayes (6'3", 280, Louisiana Tech) was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. Last season, he played in six games and recorded four total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss of 14 yards, one sack for a loss of 10 yards, two fumble recoveries, one recovered fumble and one blocked field goal attempt. He previously played in af2 with the Birmingham Steeldogs for three seasons including being named to the All-af2 First-Team in 2003.
The Gladiators return home next week to face the New York Dragons on Friday, February 11, at 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. The game will be heard on ESPN Radio 920 with Andrew Siciliano and Mike Pritchard handling the call. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Gladiators office at 702-731-4977 or logging onto www.lvgladiators.com.
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