CLEVELAND, Ohio - The

will open the Arena Football League's 30th season at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Tampa Bay Storm in Quicken Loans Arena without last year's starting quarterback.

Arvell Nelson, who threw for 70 TDs for the Gladiators last season, was placed on recallable reassignment last Sunday. The Gladiators had 24 hours to pull him back off waivers, trade him or just let him go. Nothing happened over that 24-hour span which made Nelson, a graduate of Glenville High School, a free agent.

Nelson had been in camp with the Gladiators to that point and was optimistic about the upcoming season.

Nelson has been replaced by Shane Boyd, who played the last two seasons with the Arizona Rattlers. He passed for 581 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions over that span.

Boyd will inherit a receiving corp that returns from last season. Collin Taylor returns after catching 32 touchdowns last season. Quentin Sims (92 catches, 1,112 yards and 27 TDs) and Devin Wilson, who caught nine TDs last year, also return.

2017 Gladiators roster

2017 Gladiators schedule

2017 Arena Football League schedule

The AFL has been reduced to five teams (Gladiators, Storm, Philadelphia Soul, Baltimore Brigade, and Washington Valor) because of folding franchises and movement to other indoor leagues.

Because the league has been reduced, some of the best players from other teams have joined the five remaining. Brandon Tompkins, one of the best playmakers in the AFL over the past four years, joins the Gladiators. And so does Larry Brackens, a 6-foot-5 target for Nelson.

In addition, the Gladiators added defensive back Ray Kizer, who will play at home for the first time in his professional career. Kizer is a native of Euclid.

The upcoming season will be the first as a head coach for long-time assistant Ron Selesky. He replaced Steve Thonn, whose contract was not renewed.

Selesky, 51, was defensive coordinator and assistant head coach last season, his sixth with the Gladiators. He is also the director of football operations.

"We've got a great group of guys and a great coaching staff, why not be optimistic about the upcoming season," Selesky said.