Quarterback John Dutton will be back with the Gladiators for the 2011 season.
John Dutton will play a second season with the Cleveland Gladiators, after the Arena League announced some contract assignments for 2011 on Tuesday.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Quarterback John Dutton will be back with the Gladiators for the 2011 season.
Dutton was one of five players from the 2010 roster who were reassigned to Cleveland by the Arena Football League. Others include WR Victor Williams, FB Russell Monk, K Matt Denny and DB Joe Phinisee. The league also assigned rookie OL Carlos Downey to the Gladiators.
Dutton completed 446 of 696 passes for 5,104 yards and 100 touchdowns in 2010. In Week 7 against Tulsa, Dutton became the seventh AFL player to reach 30,000 career passing yards and the sixth to throw 600 career touchdowns. He threw for over 300 yards in nine of 16 games.
"It's exciting to have a core group of guys coming back," Gladiators coach Steve Thonn said. "They know what I expect from them and that will help with the new guys. Having John [Dutton] -- who is arguably one of the best all-time to play the quarterback position -- really helps us as well. We are excited for what is to come in 2011."