Cleveland Gladiators host New Orleans VooDoo in Arena Football

Cleveland Gladiators defensive backs Marrio Norman (1) and Dominic Jones celebrate after Norman intercepted a pass against the New Orleans Voodoo on June 14 at Quicken Loans Arena. Norman, second in the AFL in interceptions, was signed by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. The Gladiators open the playoffs Saturday against Philadelphia.

(Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Days before their first-round playoff game, the Cleveland Gladiators lost a key player to the Baltimore Ravens, who signed safety Marrio Norman on Monday.

The Gladiators (17-1) play host to Philadelphia on Saturday as the Arena Football League playoffs begin. Cleveland is the No. 1 seed.

Last week, Gladiators coach Steve Thonn said Norman was one of the most improved and valuable players on the defense.

"He works real well with Dominic Jones as the safety. Those two are usually right next to each other, communicate a lot and disguise their coverage a lot,'' Thonn told The Plain Dealer. "A lot of his interceptions are when he leaves his man to help out somebody else and go back in the zone. He has such good ball skills that he's able to make the catch.''

Norman (6-1, 205 pounds) is tied for second in the Arena Football League with 12 interceptions. He is the Gladiators' second-leading tackler (78 tackles, 35 assists) and second in passes broken up (19).

Baltimore cut wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard to make room for Norman. The Ravens need secondary depth because cornerback Ladarius Webb has an injured back and Aaron Ross is headed to injured reserve with an Achilles injury.

Norman, 27, had a mini-camp tryout with Baltimore earlier, but was not signed, the team's website reported.

Norman played college ball at Costal Carolina and was All-Big-South as a junior in 2007. He has played four years in the AFL, but saw little action last year because of injuries.