Ask ArenaBoy
by Richard Giorgi
The Best Little Team in Vegas
Okay everyone, a simple show of hands here will do. Who overlooked the Gladiators offense coming into the season? Don't be shy now. You, in the back, get that hand up. I know you didn't pay them any attention in your draft either.
Well, now we've all learned our lesson, haven't we? Let's just state this plainly and in simple language even a commissioner can understand -- The Las Vegas Gladiators are not to be overlooked.
Sure they made some big offseason signings, agreeing to terms with Peter Warrick and Shaun King, but when Warrick didn't come to camp, how many of you looked at the Las Vegas lineup and said "Ah, whatever." I did. You did too.
But after last week's explosion at Grand Rapids, the Gladiators can no longer be ignored. In the Shoot-out-the-lights Western Division, the Gladiators definitely looked to be left behind, especially considering that the competition came from San Jose, Los Angeles, Arizona and Utah, four teams that can tack 70 on you at any time. Then the clouds parted and down came a 5'8", 155 pound rainbow from Mississippi State.
Yep... Kevin Prentiss.
Prentiss brought excitement back to Vegas last week with his 13 catch, 235 yard, 9 TD game. Never before in the history of the Arena Football League has a receiver caught as many TDs in one game as Prentiss caught last week. Only 5 times in Arena Football history has a receiver went for more yards in a game than Prentiss did last week. And never before in the history of Arena Fantasy Football has a player had me jumping up and down, shooting my friends IMs that said "7 TDs for Prentiss!" and "Guess who scored AGAIN!" and "Unbelievable... that's 9."
But some of the credit, as it always does in a team sport, goes to the supporting cast that Prentiss had to work with last week. His quarterback and complimentary receivers all played a large part in the record setting night.
Shaun King has adapted quickly to the shorter AFL field, throwing crisp, sharp, accurate passes, busting out with a 373 yard, 10 TD game in Week 2. King now has thrown for 648 yards and 11 TDs on the season, with a healthy 120.0 quarterback rating and a very good 64.1% completion rate. After only two games at the Arena level, King looks to have hit his groove, getting more comfortable with his receivers, using the corners and walls with a savvy of more experienced passers. And that's what he is, before we forget. King is an experience passer and a very intelligent person. He's learned the nuances of the indoor game and should only get better and more confident with time.
Once Warrick decided to not come into camp, the Gladiators made a strong move to improve their receiving corps by signing Thabiti Davis. Davis is a veteran of five AFL seasons, his best coming in 2004 for the Detroit Fury when he caught 127 passes for 1557 yards and 26 TDs. Davis moved on to New Orleans and then to Columbus, as his career seemed on the wane. This year Davis has played a supporting role to Prentiss, catching only 10 passes for 109 yards and one score. But Davis can play Possession Receiver without a complaint, bring a maturity to the Gladiators that is a calming presence.
Then the Gladiators took in another castaway, receiver Etu Molden. Molden's release in training camp by the Chicago Rush was a shock. Sure, Molden had been injured alot in 2006. But prior to that, Molden had averaged 100 catches, 1173 yards and 24 TDs a season. Personality conflict? Salary cap decision? Calling the coach a baldy? No one ever said, and the Gladiators didn't ask. So far this year, Molden has caught 17 passes for 204 yards. Even though he's yet to score, Molden has been a model citizen, fighting for yards, making the tough catch, getting the tough yardage on the ground, even playing some defense when necessary. Molden helped solidify the Gladiator receivers and it shows in the play of the entire offensive unit.
In a division that surely accentuates the score over the defense of that score, Las Vegas will be involved in plenty of high-scoring games. Come from behind, protect the lead, it doesn't matter. There will be points and points there will be. And any team that scores 79 points on any week, like the Gladiators did in Week 2, has to be taken seriously. Now the Gladiators get to play three of the next four at home, against New Orleans, at Arizona, against Utah and against Kansas City. None of those teams will be confused for a House of Bricks on defense. A House of Straw is more like it.
Can you sense the Las Vegas surge? Can you see it coming a mile away? Can you just smell the points in the air? Can you feel the momentum building to a crescendo? Yes, you can and so can all of Vegas.
And one last thing: How can you not love a team with a player named Earthwind Moreland? Earth, Wind, More Land. Who can be more environmental friendly that he? And you know what - the boy can tackle and has a nose for the interception. A defense to go with the offense? Well, not yet, but it's coming soon.
Rich Giorgi has been following the Arena Football League for 8 years and participating in arena fantasy leagues for 6 years. His writing also appears on the Arena Football Network. Contact Rich at info@arenafootballonline.com
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