Gladiators sign four to kick off 2007 roster
October 10, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
LAS VEGAS, NV, October 10, 2006 - With the new rules allowing free substitution in the Arena Football League now firmly in place, the Las Vegas Gladiators began the process of puzzling together their 2007 roster by adding four former NFL players. Inking contracts with Las Vegas were defensive lineman Zach Ville and Louis Gachelin, fullback Charles Stackhouse and defensive back Javon Johnson. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
"This just the start to what we are trying to do here," said Gladiators new head coach Danton Barto. "We are going to stockpile talent and make this the most competitive training camp this team has ever had."
Ville (6-1, 291 Missouri) originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Kansas City in 2005. He spent his entire rookie season on the Chiefs practice squad before signing with the Rhein Fire for the 2006 NFL Europe season. He Appeared in eight games (six starts) for the Fire, recorded 16 tackles (14 solo), 2.0 sacks (-13.0 yards) and two passes defended. At Missouri, Ville played in 24 games (22 starts) in two seasons, recording 85 tackles (47 solo), 22 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and 13 QB pressures for the Tigers.
Gachelin (6-1, 284, Syracuse) was an All Big East nose guard for the Orangemen in 2003. He signed as an undrafted free agent and played for the New England Patriots during their 2004 Super Bowl season and signed with the Tennessee Titans prior to the 2005 season. Gachelin was once named the strongest man in football after benching 600 pounds.
Stackhouse (6-2, 252, University of Mississippi) played in all 16 games for the New York Giants in 2002. The fullback caught 13 passes for 88 yards and three touchdowns, before moving on the the Minnesota Vikings in 2003, playing in 14 games for the Vikings.
Johnson (5-10, 180, Iowa) signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2005 following a record breaking career at the University of Iowa. At Iowa, the first team all-big ten selection garnered 17 interceptions over the course of his career. He also led the Big 10 in punt returns, averaging 17.4 yards per return.
The 2007 season marks the 5th Anniversary of the Gladiators in Las Vegas. Season tickets for the 2007 Las Vegas Gladiators home schedule are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Las Vegas Gladiators office at 702-731-4977.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 10, 2006
- Gladiators sign four to kick off 2007 roster - Las Vegas Gladiators
- SaberCats sign four - San Jose SaberCats
- Rattlers Sign Two Former Sun Devil Standouts - Arizona Rattlers
- Crush sign three free agents - Chicago Rush
- Blaze sign wide receiver Aaron Boone - Utah Blaze
- VooDoo add DE Henry Bryant and WR Anthony Hines - New Orleans VooDoo
- Preds release Hamilton - Orlando Predators
- Rush adds three to 2007 roster - Chicago Rush
- Desperados to hold open tryouts - Dallas Desperados
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
