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Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Copyright ? Las Vegas Review-Journal

SPOTLIGHT: LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS: Ware tries to catch on

Ex-Rebel receiver hopes to rekindle his football career in Arena League

By MARK ANDERSON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Lenny Ware acknowledged he was a little rusty and reeling, but the main thing was getting back on the field.

After more than a three-year absence from football, Ware suited up Tuesday as the Gladiators began minicamp with two-a-day workouts.

The former UNLV standout wide receiver is competing for a job at offensive specialist or at two-way positions involving receiver, linebacker and defensive back.

"I don't care where you put me," said Ware, 26. "At linebacker? OK, let's do it. A buck-79, I'm fixing to knocking somebody's head off. I'm just glad to be out here, overwhelmed. You see these guys, they're fresh out of (NFL) camp: `Yeah, I just got cut by Seattle.' 'Yeah, I just got cut by San Francisco.'

"Yeah, I just got cut by Alta Loma High School."

Ware was an assistant coach in Alta Loma, Calif., before returning to Las Vegas last July to give football another chance.

His journey actually began when his collegiate career ended after UNLV's 1999 season. Ware -- second in Rebels history with 161 receptions for 1,946 yards -- signed a free-agent contract with the Tennessee Titans after going undrafted.

But about 45 minutes into his first practice, Ware tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, ending his season. He rehabilitated the injury, but the Titans released him in March 2001.

Ware returned to Las Vegas to continue strengthening the knee but had difficulty. He had to abort a CFL tryout because the knee didn't hold up.

Figuring his playing career was over, Ware returned to his hometown of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., to teach and coach.

"That's what got me hungry for the game again, just sick about it," Ware said. "I had stopped doing anything for probably about two years, and then I said I've got to get back to it. I made up my mind. I made a definite plan. I put it all together, wrote everything out, told my wife (Amanda) what I wanted to do. She was behind me 100 percent."

They moved back to Las Vegas, and Ware began working with UNLV strength coach Mark Philippi. Not long afterward, Ware (6 feet 1 inch) called the Gladiators to ask about a tryout scheduled in October.

There were no 40-yard dashes or strength tests, just one-on-one drills and skeleton offenses. Even so, the Arena League team saw enough to sign Ware that day to a two-year deal.

"It's a miracle," he said. "There's just no way, coming out of not having played football since '99, you just come and show up to a workout and get signed that day."

Ware had so much trouble believing it, he asked defensive coordinator Stan Davis how it was possible. Davis told Ware that the coaches liked his route-running ability and that he had an intangible quality that also stuck out.

"I would've been happy with a two-day contract; just get me out here, please," Ware said.

He still has to make the team. The roster will be cut from 37 players to 24 by Jan. 30.

"I like him a lot," coach Frank Haege said. "He's a very smart player. He runs a great route. He's a good guy. So he's got a good shot."

? NOTES -- The Gladiators will have controlled scrimmages against the Colorado Crush on Jan. 21 and 22. The first-day scrimmages are at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Jan. 22 scrimmage is at 10 a.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. All are open to the public. The teams also meet in the opener Feb. 6 at Denver. ... Former UNLV players Michael Johnson and Chameion Sutton signed two-day waiver contracts, meaning they don't count against the 37-player roster. ... One of the more interesting battles appears to be at backup quarterback, where Roderick Robinson and Bob Bees looked sharp. ... Minicamp runs through Thursday, and full-squad practices begin Sunday.

Source: http://reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jan-14-Wed-2004/sports/22993374.html?imw=Y

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