Gladiators Busy Signing Talent
Marc Viquez
Thursday January 3, 2002
 James Bowden had a strong season for the Tampa Bay Storm in 2001 Image courtesy of Scott Audette |
A diverse background is what is arriving in the Garden State with improvements on both defense and offense. Robinson was the first Steamwheeler to join the Gladiators and is coming off a season that included 59 receptions, 660-yards, 15-touchdowns and 8-interceptions as a linebacker. Wilkinson has been a force in the two-year history of the Af2 and brings a two-year total of 36-touchdowns to New Jersey. Last season he recorded 20-touchdowns, 124-points and had 64-tackles as a linebacker
Ward and Carter bring together a heavy emphasis of solid defense should help improve a defense that ranked last in 2000. Haege has said that Ward has a special blend of pass rushing and protecting skills that are rare. Carter led Quad City with 2 blocked kicks and 8.5 sacks last season.
The interesting acquisition of McDonagh, who threw for an amazing 73-touchdowns last season, brings another strong arm to the team. A proven winner like McDonagh can’t sit on the bench all season.
Bowden is coming off his best season ever in the Arena Football League, leading Tampa Bay with 90-receptions, 1,205-yards, and 26-touchdowns. He also picked up 1,318 more yards on 60 kickoff returns. His impressive offensive numbers should help out on a team that did not have one player reach the 1,000 mark on receiving or kickoff returns. Jefferson, another touchdown threat, is fresh from the NIFL`s Billings Outlaws and led the league in touchdown receptions.
It looks as if the Gladiators have made great improvements on defense, offense, special teams, and perhaps somewhere else nestled in between. The addition of returning players, FB/LB George Del Ricco and OL/DL Otis Moore, has helped to solidify the teams` commitment for what could be a promising 2002 campaign.
A fan of the sport since 1990 Marc has covered both the New Jersey Gladiators and Cincinnati Swarm (Af2) for Arenafan Online. Marc now resides in Indianapolis after graduating with a Masters in Sports Management from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind. When not at a Firebirds game Marc can be found traveling the Midwest covering sports for various Internet and print publications.
