Wide receiver Peter Warrick introduces himself during a news conference at the Golden Nugget after being signed by the Gladiators. Photo by John Gurzinski.

Gladiators coach Danton Barto certainly didn't take a low-key approach in announcing his team's latest big-name signing.

He introduced wide receiver Peter Warrick on Thursday as "probably the biggest signing ever in the AFL."

That could be a lot to live up to, especially for someone who has never played a down of arena football.

But Warrick, the fourth overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, knows it's still a team game, even if the rules and field dimensions have changed.

"It's not all about me," said the 29-year-old, who spent six seasons in the NFL. "I can't do it all by myself. We need all of us. With these guys and the attitude that we have today (in minicamp), it was really unreal. Everybody wants to win."

Hungry to revitalize a franchise that has gone three seasons without making the playoffs, Las Vegas also signed former NFL quarterback Shaun King this offseason.

"We're going to kind of shock some people in this league," Gladiators general manager Sam Jankovich said.

Barto, brought in along with Jankovich after the Gladiators went 5-11 last season, is confident the former NFL standouts will make a smooth transition to the indoor game.

"That's always a question, but these guys have been successful at the highest level of professional football," Barto said. "That's my job. I've got to get them acclimated. I've got to get guys ready to play.

"I've brought guys in who have never played arena football before and have been very successful."

Warrick said he wasn't concerned about picking up the game.

"I think once I get it, I'm really going to get it," Warrick said. "That's kind of hard coming from the NFL to here. Plus, I don't know anything about it. I didn't even know how the ball looked.

"Today, we went out there and practiced for the first time and had fun. It's different. Everything is fast, but it's fun."

Barto first contacted Warrick shortly after he was cut by the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 2.

"He kept talking to me, and when it came down to a decision, I prayed about it with my family," Warrick said. "I made a decision based on what's best for Pete. My whole thing is come over here and help them win. I want to get back to the NFL, no doubt I do, but right now, it's all about the Las Vegas Gladiators."

Barto hopes signing Warrick is a step toward putting a winner inside the Thomas & Mack Center.

"I told this community when I first came here I was all about winning championships," Barto said. "I'm not your guy if you want to go 10-6. I think a lot of people have seen how we have changed our roster that are going, 'Well, well, well.' But I'm going to tell you, we're going to win football games."