Rattlers Need to Regroup Following 0-2 Start
Brian Knapp
Tuesday February 17, 2004
Those fans who were excited for the return of key veterans like Bonner and Cooper following last year’s loss in the ArenaBowl, are now feeling a little unsettled following two embarrassing home losses. The Rattlers have only scored 63 total points in their first two games, being outscored in six of eight quarters.
“Our defense is playing well enough for us to win,” Cooper said. “We need to get something going offensively. We’re just not doing it.”
Following Arizona’s 17-point loss to the Detroit Fury Friday night, the air seemed to fly out of America West Arena quicker than the fans could reach the exits.
Despite the lack of, well, everything in the fourth quarter, the Rattlers did show some improvement from the Week one loss to the Avengers. Arizona outscored Detroit 17-3 in the second quarter to take a 4-point lead into halftime. Unfortunately, the Rattlers were unable to capitalize on their first drive of the second half, blowing a chance to take a two score advantage.
The missed opportunity left the door wide open for head coach Tom Luginbill’s Fury to sneak in and take the momentum. The Rattlers would head into the final quarter with a 31-27 lead, but were outscored by the Fury 21-0 in the final frame, falling 48-31.
The key momentum swing came midway through the fourth quarter when the Rattlers missed nine chances to score. Following a three and out possession, kicker Nelson Garner missed an 18-yard field goal that was recovered by wide receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood. The Rattlers were awarded the ball on the Detroit three yard line, again went three and out, and again settled for a missed Garner field goal.
“There’s obviously a toughness problem on this team, or we would be able to put the ball in the end zone from the one yard line,” White said. “I think that that, above all else, was the toughest part of this game for me.”
Junior Lord and Herman Bell each caught 5-yard touchdown passes from QB Andy Kelly in the fourth quarter. Kelly led the Fury with 204 yards passing and four touchdowns. Detroit put the final touches on the game when Cameron Chance picked up a fumble by offensive specialist Siaha Burley, and scampered 22 yards for the touchdown.
Despite the loss, Burley had another outstanding outing for the Rattlers with 117 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Now, let’s get this straight, the Rattlers (0-2) will head to undefeated Carolina (2-0) next week for a match-up with the Cobras. Did I miss something? Eight months ago, the Rattlers were preparing for the ArenaBowl while the Cobras were sulking over an 0-16 season.
“Carolina is playing good football right now,” Cooper said. “We just need to go down there and put together a win.”
According to head coach Danny White, some things will need to change in order to turn this season around quickly. Considering only eight teams will qualify for the playoffs this year, as opposed to last year’s 12, no team wants to be in the division cellar, which is where the Rattlers reside heading into week three.
“It’s to that point now where, in our division, we can’t afford to get any further behind,” White said. “We’re going to find out where the problem is, and were going to do something about it.”
Cooper strongly believes that this team will gel, and is relying on veteran leadership to get the season on the right track.
“I think we just need to get going,” Cooper said. “We’ve got a good football team. This is unfamiliar territory for us so we’ll see what kind of character we have right now. There’s no reason to panic, we just need to find the glue.”
Brian Knapp was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2005.
