Quarterback Shaun King's criticism of Las Vegas Gladiators teammates and coaches has been addressed and handled "internally," coach Danton Barto and general manager Sam Jankovich said Tuesday.
Both attempted to defuse a controversy that potentially could have torn apart the club.
Advertisement
"It was inexcusable," Jankovich said. "That will not be tolerated here. What happens within the organization stays within the organization.
"That could've been, probably was, very destructive. Danton had taken it under control immediately."
After the Gladiators lost 68-41 at Arizona on Friday to fall to 1-3, King said:
"We don't pay a lot of attention to detail during the week, and it shows in the game. There are a lot of things we need to get fine-tuned, and it starts with how we approach the game. Good teams, when they do things wrong, they get them corrected. We let a lot of things go, and it shows.
"We've got to make a commitment. Everybody's got to do their job, and that starts with the coaches. If we're not doing something right, it's the coaches' responsibility to make sure everyone's doing what they're supposed to. Otherwise, they can't hold anybody accountable when it looks like that out there."
King was not available for comment Tuesday, but Barto said the two talked for three hours Monday night about many issues and that they are "on the same page." Barto said King will start Sunday's 3 p.m. home game against Utah.
"It's forgiven, it's under the bridge," Barto said. "I don't hold a grudge about it. There's no rift between me and Shaun King. It's frustration, and we're working together harder than ever to make this team better."
• SECONDARY SWITCH -- Even though the Gladiators traded for Dahnel Singfield two weeks ago to play safety, they are moving Earthwind Moreland back to that position from cornerback.
Eddie Canonico, a Durango High School graduate, will play one cornerback spot, and the other is undetermined.
Barto said he didn't want to single out Singfield, a member of last season's Arena Football League All-Rookie Team but that "since we got him, he hasn't had great games."
So Moreland benefits.
"Being in the middle, you get a lot more opportunities to make plays, but that really has never been my focus," Moreland said. "I want to play wherever I can to help the team."
• WELCOME BACK -- King's protection should get a significant boost with the return of guard Tupe Peko, who has not played this season because of a pectoral muscle injury.
"The guy's our best lineman," Barto said. "We've needed that guy."
