Gladiators”D’ rates an ‘F’

1687047

Even by the high-scoring standards of the Arena Football League, the Gladiators’ defense has been abysmal.

That unit allows 62 points and 336.8 yards per game, each figure ranking next to last in the 19-team league. Meaningful stops have been few.

It could be worse, though.

There could be no hope for a turnaround. At least Gladiators coach Danton Barto, whose team plays the Kansas City Brigade (2-2) at 3 p.m. today at the Orleans Arena, said he sees signs of better days ahead for the defense and the entire team.

“We’re not putting teams away, and that’s execution in critical moments,” Barto said. “But I think if you went in that locker room now, guys believe that we can win. I can’t tell you that two weeks ago. I think guys were walking around thinking, What the heck’s going on?”

Most of the new-found optimism is traced to last Sunday’s 57-47 loss to the Western Division-leading Utah Blaze. The Gladiators (1-4) led twice in the third quarter, and their defense limited Utah in ways that many opponents had not done.

“They’re the best team on our side (American Conference), bar none,” Barto said. “They’re the best football team we’ve seen all year. I think everybody felt they left the game on the table.”

The Gladiators were at least partially done in by allowing three touchdowns on fourth downs, including two in the fourth quarter.

After watching videotape, Barto said the mistakes were correctable, pointing out the defensive backs tried to let the receivers catch passes short of the first-down marker and then stop them.

“If it’s fourth down-and-6, you’ve got to challenge the receiver and make him beat you,” Barto said. “If he catches it, he’s getting a first down anyway.”

Though the Gladiators’ defenders didn’t finish the job, they at least made Utah work for its rewards.

They repeatedly pressured Blaze quarterback Joe Germaine, with linebacker Sarth Benoit sacking him for a safety early in the third quarter to help spark a comeback.

“We got to the QB about seven or eight times and got contact,” Benoit said. “So we’re getting there.”

The defense has had other moments as well. It held New Orleans to 10 first-half points on March 18. Defensive back Earthwind Moreland’s two interceptions were key in a March 8 victory at Grand Rapids.

So maybe there are hints of future success, but it will take more than a play or two. It will take more complete efforts, and one today would be especially important.

“It would be huge, real huge,” Benoit said. “We know we need to go in and win this game. It’s all about us going out there and doing it and performing well.”

There is a sense of urgency for the defense and the entire team.

“The guys understand, we can’t afford to lose a game now,” Barto said. “We’ve got to win, and we’ve got to win now.”