Events Calendar
In This Section
Doctor asked to help in Ohio execution attempt
Reports on consumer confidence, GDP tug at stocks
Boy left in truck, dad goes to strip club
Obama: U.S.-Indian ties help define 21st century
Investigators: Ky. census worker committed suicide
Consumer group warns about toy hazards
Police say census worker committed suicide, staged it to look like a slaying
Hispanic group sues Ohio over license plate policy
Albert Pujols wins second consecutive National League MVP Award
Most Read Stories
2 men shot during party in Fairlawn
Several people hurt in Akron crash
Cancellation of Christmas not an option
Akron man killed in crash on his street
Victim of beating in Kent last week is declared dead at Akron hospital
Police: Pennsylvania man killed misbehaving puppy before Steelers game
Akron Circle K store robbed for second time this month
KSU suspends basketball player
Akron Children's Hospital CEO, wife announce $1 million gift to support research
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Gas station robbery suspect caught
Zips coach to learn his fate soon
Blogs:
Pets:
A Dog Named Christmas – Pet for the Holidays
The Heldenfiles:
Viewing Notes
Patrick McManamon:
Of pass interference and alleged "fake" injuries
Akron Zips:
No. 1 Akron to play Stanford next
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Audio: Mangini disputes Poteat call, accuses Lions of faking injuries
Kent State Sports:
Flashes travel to Florida Atlantic
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeye Football – Present and Future
Varsity Letters:
Gulley to visit Central Michigan in December
All Da King's Men:
The Onion, By Any Other Name…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Glaring Contradictions
Akron Law Café:
Don't Try to Have Fun if you are Depressed
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
What Automotive Thing Are You Thankful For?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Tasty Confections Coming to Beachwood
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Monique asks how to get tickets for the Polar Express.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why I am Glad I live in NEO
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
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.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
