LAS VEGAS, Nev. (May 4, 2005) – No longer are the Kats the sure victory for teams needing to get into the postseason.

In fact, just about the last thing contenders want to see on their schedule is Nashville looming in the near distance.

That's because the expansion Kats have helped create a mess of an already busy playoff race. They have gone unbeaten in their past five games against a series of quality opponents.

The team that began the season 1-7 has tied Dallas and beaten Los Angeles, Tampa Bay and San Jose. All four teams have winning records and are vying for playoff spots.
How did this happen?

"We were never as bad as our early record indicated, and we are probably not as good as our record indicates us to be in the last month, but we are playing harder and playing better," coach Pat Sperduto said. "We've got a lot of young guys. We are using as many as eight or 11 rookies in games. I always knew they would start to pick up our system and start to click, and that has definitely been the case lately."

So the warning is out to Colorado and Chicago, teams battling each other for the Central Division title. Nashville plays both teams to close out the regular season.

"We know we can play with any team in this league," Sperduto said. "I have always felt that way. It's just easier to convince everyone else when you haven't lost in five game."

QUICK THOUGHTS

• Officials make mistakes, but there is no excuse for what happened with 17 seconds left in Las Vegas' visit to Chicago last Sunday. In going for two points to try to take a one-point lead, Gladiators quarterback Clint Dolezel had offensive specialist Marcus Nash open in the end zone. However, before Dolezel could get the ball there, Nash was hit from behind and the pass was incomplete.

This wasn't a borderline call. Pass interference was obvious.

But despite two officials being on top of the play, no flags came out, and the Rush emerged with a critical American Conference victory that put the Gladiators' playoff hopes in jeopardy. That a terrible non-call should have such ramifications is a shame.

It won't happen, but the entire officiating crew should have been given this upcoming weekend off. What definitely should happen, though, is the two officials on top of the play should not be allowed to work the postseason no matter how good the rest of their work might have been. It was too big of a mistake to let slide by.

• I run the weekly AFLWA Top 8 Poll, but my vote is as equal to everyone else. So I disagree with the results from time to time, which is good. The poll should create arguments because that's part of the purpose and most of the fun.

So I have my own arguments for and against how the poll currently reads.

First, there should be no No. 1. No team deserves it, and no teams keeps it for long anyway. That said, Georgia was as good a choice as any, the only club that can finish 12-4. The next three teams – Orlando, San Jose and Chicago – no problem there.

But Tampa Bay is where the difficulty begins, and not so much because of the ranking. It's the two first-place votes I don't get. Where is the evidence this team deserves such recognition? OK, the talent is as good as anyone's. That's not the contention. It's what Tampa Bay has – or hasn't – done with the talent. This is an inconsistent team that can't win on the road. No. 1? I don't think so.

My only other problem was with Nashville receiving a No. 1 vote. I don't care how hot the Kats are, a team with a losing record should not warrant being selected No. 1. While I have rejected ballots in the past for choices that were waaaaaay off, I let this one go, though, because at least an argument can be made. Just not with me.

Mark Anderson is the AFLWA executive director. He also covers the Gladiators for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.