Rattlers Down, Not Out
Brian Knapp
Wednesday April 2, 2003
The Rattlers have been given what seems like too many perfect opportunities to turn some L’s into W’s so far this season. Both Arizona’s defense and offense have been unable to capitalize when given the chance to win a game.
But the fact of the matter is that this team that used to hold the title of Goliath is now looking up at opponents through the eyes of David.
The Rattlers, shaking off their last second loss to San Jose the week before, seemed confident and ready to take on the Storm in week nine. “We’re still very confident in our ability,” Rattler QB Sherdrick Bonner said. “We just got to go in (to Tampa Bay) with that same attitude.”
Unfortunately, for Bonner and company, one solid half of football was all Arizona could muster against a brutal Tampa Bay team. Arizona played excellently on both sides of the ball in the first half, scoring 26 points in the second quarter and taking a four-point lead into the half.
However, like a piñata at a birthday party, the Rattlers got knocked around in the second half until the Storm got their candy: a brand new, shiny “W”. Arizona was outscored by 33 points in the half, and in two weeks found themselves going from an exciting 4-3 record to a disappointing 4-5.
Now, despite all the criticism that the Rattlers have faced so far this season, there is one thing that cannot be taken away. A chance. Over the past 13 seasons the Rattlers have proven to opponents and fans alike, that no matter what their record may show, they will not lie down.
Although this team is lacking their regular superstar offensive specialist, i.e. Chris Horn, Arizona has more than plenty of weapons helping them match-up with opponents on both sides of the ball.
Veteran WR/DB Randy Gatewood who is a threat not only to catch touchdowns, but also to intercept the other team’s chance at one of their own, is one of many receivers that can help get the job done for Arizona. “We (veterans) try to put everybody in the position to understand what it’s going take (to win),” Gatewood said.
Other veterans like WR/LB Hunkie Cooper and OL/DL Mark Tucker help motivate this team both mentally and physically giving the Rattlers an advantage in the experience and talent categories.
Also, good news for the Rattlers is the return of both OL/DL Wendell Gaines and DS Kelvin Hunter from the injured list.
Overall, the Rattlers are not where they’d like to be. However, according to my schedule there are still seven games to be played. This is the Arena Football League, and no one knows which way the ball is going to bounce come kick-off time.
The Rattlers next opponent, the Orlando Predators visit the “Snake Pit” this weekend clinging to a 6-3 overall record. Not only would this victory boost Arizona’s morale, but it would also pull Arizona within one game of Orlando. The Rattlers should view these next couple of games as playoff games, from a playoff standpoint -- must wins.
“The next three to four weeks will be very pivotal for positioning going into the playoffs,” Rattler head coach Danny White said.
Brian Knapp was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2005.
