Avenger Canonico to tackle old team

The Durango High School graduate returns to the Orleans Arena for the first time since Las Vegas (1-8) traded him to the Los Angeles Avengers (4-4). Canonico said he expects the usual group of 30 to 40 family members and friends who watched him play here before will swell to 50 or 60 for today’s game.

His new team has two things the Gladiators can no longer claim: Canonico and a legitimate shot to make the Arena Football League playoffs.

Canonico still might be with Las Vegas if he hadn’t been removed from the starting lineup April 20 at Colorado. That followed a similar benching March 23 at Arizona, when he was told it would not happen again.

After it did, Canonico requested a trade.

“I’m getting respect here” in Los Angeles, Canonico said. “I didn’t feel I was respected there.”

He said a certain level of trust evaporated in the Colorado game.

“And that was after a good game at Georgia, and I didn’t understand it,” Canonico said. “Nobody could understand it, so I knew it wasn’t just me.”

Gladiators coach Danton Barto did not deny Canonico’s account.

“We felt at the time (at Arizona) that we had made a mistake by sitting Eddie on the bench,” Barto said. “It was a mistake because the guys didn’t perform at a high level. But I think sometimes you say things to try to pick a player up.

“But in this business, everybody’s judged by every game. It wasn’t just him (at Colorado). We moved Earthwind (Moreland) out of the middle (defensive back) and tried some different things. I can understand how Eddie probably felt like this was probably it for (him).”

Canonico, who had 36 tackles and six pass breakups with the Gladiators this season — still second on the team in both categories — went into the Avengers’ starting lineup April 28 in his first game after the trade and made a team-high seven tackles against Grand Rapids.

“He never complained, he was a good guy, and that’s why I did a trade in the division,” Barto said. “I wouldn’t normally do that as a coach, but I felt he was a stand-up person.”

• NOTES — The Gladiators picked up defensive lineman Chris Eggleston and will put him in the starting lineup. Eggleston (6 feet 4 inches, 285 pounds) recorded 5 1/2 tackles, including a sack, batted down three passes and blocked two kicks with Orlando, which released him last week. … Offensive lineman Dan Koons was placed on injured reserve with a broken back, and fellow lineman Carlos Joseph will have knee surgery this week. … Wide receiver Travis LaTendresse, who has been on IR all season, will play today. … Fans who bring a children’s book in good condition will receive $5 off a Level 3 or 4 ticket. … Boyz II Men will sing the national anthem.