The Cleveland Gladiators are coming off a very successful season where they won a playoff game. They lost the National Conference Game to the Arizona Rattlers. In 2017, things are looking different. Read more in our 2017 Cleveland Gladiators season preview.
2017 Cleveland Gladiators Season Preview
The Gladiators were led by quarterback Arvell Nelson throughout the 2016 season. He was a huge key to their success, making plays with both his arms and his legs. He threw for 3,425 yards and 73 touchdowns. Nelson also rushed for 211 yards and 11 touchdowns.
As of last week, however, the team confirmed that Nelson was cut after the first week of training camp. Quarterback Shane Boyd will be the team’s starter Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Storm.
Cleveland also added some talent in their wide receiving corp. Former Orlando Predators wide receiver Brandon Thompkins joined the team this off-season. They also lost defensive back Marvin Ross. The 2016 Arena Football League Ddefensive Rookie of the Year joined the Jacksonville Sharks, who joined the National Arena League.
The team will also be run by a new head coach. Ron Selesky was the team’s assistant head coach in 2016. He was promoted after it was announced Steve Thonn would not be returning to the team.
The 2017 Arena Football League season kicks off Friday night when the Washington Valor host the Baltimore Brigade at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Both teams are expansion teams founded by CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE) Ted Leonsis.
The 2017 season is the league’s 30th season. Five teams will compete for the Foster Trophy in ArenaBowl XXX. The game is set to be played on Saturday, Aug. 26.
The five teams are the Gladiators, Storm, Valor, Brigade and Philadelphia Soul. Jacksonville left for the National Arena League. The Rattlers left for the Indoor Football League. The Orlando Predators, Los Angeles KISS and Portland Steel all folded.
