glads-dieker-td-2013-jg.jpg

With a year under his belt, much is expected of Gladiators QB Chris Dieker this season. The Gladiators open the season Saturday at Pittsburgh.

(Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer)

Gladiators coach Steve Thonn feels the experience his young roster gained last season will pay off this year.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At the conclusion of training camp last season, Gladiators coach Steve Thonn privately wondered about his team's viability given a lack of Arena Football League experience -- particularly at the all-important position of quarterback.

The Gladiators did, indeed, struggle. They were unsettled at quarterback and underperformed in other areas en route to a 4-14 record.

At the conclusion of camp this year, Thonn publicly is more optimistic. He thinks he has his quarterback and knows he has more players with AFL credentials. So Thonn predicts -- expects -- big things from his roster.

"I've told the guys: 'We can beat any team on the schedule,''' Thonn said. "Obviously, games aren't won on paper; you have to play the games. But we're much better equipped right now than we were 12 months ago, or at the end of last season.

"Last year, we had young guys and a lot of uncertainty. This year, we've got the core back that we wanted, and we've added AFL guys. We're not dealing with getting our feet wet and growing pains anymore."

The Gladiators open the season Saturday in Pittsburgh. The home opener is April 4 against Iowa.

Thonn enjoyed camp in large part because of what he saw from third-year quarterback Chris Dieker. Last season, Dieker began as backup to Brian Zbydniewski but eventually took over when the offense sputtered under Zbydniewski. Dieker appeared in 10 games, completing 225 of 354 passes for 2,442 yards, 43 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He dealt with shoulder and elbow injuries.

Dieker proved to be a dual threat. He had 67 rushes for 272 yards and 17 touchdowns.

"Chris did a pretty good job last year, and I'm expecting a lot more this year,'' Thonn said. "This is his first year being a starter from the beginning, and he's healthy and excited. What I really like is, he knows my offense now. Camp was great because you had a quarterback who knew what I was going to say next. He's much more comfortable with what he's doing in all areas.''

Thonn was pleasantly surprised last season by how well the 6-5, 240-pound Dieker scrambled.

"He doesn't look like a guy who can run the ball, but he's actually one of the best in our league at it,'' Thonn said. "When we get near the goal line, it's hard not to want to give it to him.''

Dieker's backup is Shane Austin, who completed 106 passes in eight games for Pittsburgh last season.

"Shane put a lot of pressure on Chris in camp, which is fine,'' Thonn said. "Chris is the No. 1 guy, but we feel good about Shane, too.''

Dieker's top two receivers from last season, Dominick Goodman and Thyron Lewis, return. Goodman and Lewis combined for 243 receptions, 2,697 yards and 50 TDs.

The defense is young but features a solid secondary, Thonn said.