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By George M. Thomas Beacon Journal sportswriter
POSTED: 05:32 p.m. EDT, Jun 29, 2008
The Gladiators have a quarterback trying to prove himself in the playoffs and a wide receiver facing a team that released him several weeks ago.
Monday night's game between the Gladiators (9-7) and Orlando Predators (9-7) at Quicken Loans Arena — the first round of the Arena Football League's playoffs — is shaping up to be a mini version of All My Children.
The Gladiators are fortunate to have acquired a quarterback of Raymond Philyaw's stature through free agency. One of the AFL's best quarterbacks, Philyaw led three previous teams to the playoffs, including the Kansas City Brigade. He brought to Cleveland impressive career stats, including a 65 percent completion rate on 1,725 of 2,652 passing for 20,581 yards, 381 touchdowns and just 44 interceptions.
This year, he added this stat line: 358 of 527 passes completed for 4,287 with 83 touchdowns and 10 picks. In the process, he led the Gladiators to the playoffs in their first season in Cleveland. The team endured a 2-14 record during its last year in Las Vegas.
Observers have to wonder whether Philyaw marches into this game with something to prove.
''I don't know if he does or not. He's had some success in the playoffs,'' Gladiators coach Mike Wilpolt said. ''He just hasn't been able to get over the hump in the conference championship game. He's had some injuries that affected that.
''He knows it's a big ballgame and big-time players show up in big-time games and that's what we expect from Ray.''
Philyaw confesses that showing other teams what they are missing might be on his mind.
''Inside, maybe, but it's bigger than me. It's about the Gladiators,'' Philyaw said. ''It's about the players and it's about us advancing to the second round. I don't need a chip. It's about the season in '08. It's about getting this team where we need to be.
''I could have a chip about a lot of things, but if I try to approach it like that, then I'm not going to play to my ability. I'll probably try to play outside myself.''
This week, that sentiment proves to be a common refrain. The Predators released wide receiver Ron Johnson in early June and the Gladiators promptly claimed the 6-3 wide receiver. There's a bit of tension in his voice when he talks about how the Predators let him go. But he doesn't think he has anything to prove.
''I don't have to. What's the point?'' Johnson asked. ''They already know what I can do. Honestly, it's like any other game. If you go in too emotional, you forget your game plan and you don't play your game.
''I'm just going to play my game and have fun, do what I've been doing and if I get a chance to do something big, I'm going to definitely make sure they know.''
Philyaw and Johnson realize they must play in the present and forget the regular season. Histories do not matter.
Johnson picked up on the fact that the Predators have a tendency to look past some games. He cautioned, however, against expecting that Monday night.
''I don't think they're taking Cleveland lightly because we've already beat them once and I think they're going to be pumped and ready to go,'' he said.
Marching orders
• Defensive lineman Joe Minnuci will be a game-time decision Monday night. He injured his knee against the Philadelphia Soul on June 14.
• The league selected fullback Marlion Jackson to the first team All-Arena team and wideout Otis Amey made the second squad.
• The game will air on ESPN2, the Gladiators' first nationally televised contest, beginning at 7 p.m.
The Gladiators have a quarterback trying to prove himself in the playoffs and a wide receiver facing a team that released him several weeks ago.
Monday night's game between the Gladiators (9-7) and Orlando Predators (9-7) at Quicken Loans Arena — the first round of the Arena Football League's playoffs — is shaping up to be a mini version of All My Children.
The Gladiators are fortunate to have acquired a quarterback of Raymond Philyaw's stature through free agency. One of the AFL's best quarterbacks, Philyaw led three previous teams to the playoffs, including the Kansas City Brigade. He brought to Cleveland impressive career stats, including a 65 percent completion rate on 1,725 of 2,652 passing for 20,581 yards, 381 touchdowns and just 44 interceptions.
This year, he added this stat line: 358 of 527 passes completed for 4,287 with 83 touchdowns and 10 picks. In the process, he led the Gladiators to the playoffs in their first season in Cleveland. The team endured a 2-14 record during its last year in Las Vegas.
Observers have to wonder whether Philyaw marches into this game with something to prove.
''I don't know if he does or not. He's had some success in the playoffs,'' Gladiators coach Mike Wilpolt said. ''He just hasn't been able to get over the hump in the conference championship game. He's had some injuries that affected that.
''He knows it's a big ballgame and big-time players show up in big-time games and that's what we expect from Ray.''
Philyaw confesses that showing other teams what they are missing might be on his mind.
''Inside, maybe, but it's bigger than me. It's about the Gladiators,'' Philyaw said. ''It's about the players and it's about us advancing to the second round. I don't need a chip. It's about the season in '08. It's about getting this team where we need to be.
''I could have a chip about a lot of things, but if I try to approach it like that, then I'm not going to play to my ability. I'll probably try to play outside myself.''
This week, that sentiment proves to be a common refrain. The Predators released wide receiver Ron Johnson in early June and the Gladiators promptly claimed the 6-3 wide receiver. There's a bit of tension in his voice when he talks about how the Predators let him go. But he doesn't think he has anything to prove.
''I don't have to. What's the point?'' Johnson asked. ''They already know what I can do. Honestly, it's like any other game. If you go in too emotional, you forget your game plan and you don't play your game.
''I'm just going to play my game and have fun, do what I've been doing and if I get a chance to do something big, I'm going to definitely make sure they know.''
Philyaw and Johnson realize they must play in the present and forget the regular season. Histories do not matter.
Johnson picked up on the fact that the Predators have a tendency to look past some games. He cautioned, however, against expecting that Monday night.
''I don't think they're taking Cleveland lightly because we've already beat them once and I think they're going to be pumped and ready to go,'' he said.
Marching orders
• Defensive lineman Joe Minnuci will be a game-time decision Monday night. He injured his knee against the Philadelphia Soul on June 14.
• The league selected fullback Marlion Jackson to the first team All-Arena team and wideout Otis Amey made the second squad.
• The game will air on ESPN2, the Gladiators' first nationally televised contest, beginning at 7 p.m.
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