Rattler Returns to Fold as Arizona Gets Set for Oklahoma
Patrick Daly
Friday May 11, 2001
Arizona went a long way to improve the defense even further this week by signing defensive specialist Ricky Parker. Parker rejoins the Rattlers after playing for the XFL Los Angeles Xtreme, where he helped earn a share of one million dollars as champions of the now-defunct league. Parker led the Xtreme in tackles and recovered two fumbles during the league’s ten game regular season. Parker will compete with Jerrick Bledsoe for the starting defensive specialist spot alongside Cecil Doggette. At 6’1”, Parker has the height to go up against the league’s taller receivers.
In order to make room for Parker, the Rattlers released wide receiver/defensive back Nian Taylor, but don’t be surprised if Arizona signs Taylor to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Taylor recorded three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown against Los Angeles.
Continuing the injury saga, Kyle Pooler was placed on injured reserve, ensuring that he’ll miss another week, which leaves the kicking duties to Ignacio Brache for at least one more game. Brache was inconsistent against Houston, sending the ball out of bounds twice on kickoffs while missing two out of seven extra point attempts. On the plus side, Brache has hit all three field goal attempts over the last two games, including a 55-yard try last week against the ThunderBears.
The Rattlers have also lost starting lineman Stacy Evans for at least two weeks after placing Evans on injured reserve. Evans was to undergo surgery on Thursday to correct a hernia and will most likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Oscar Sturgis.
In Oklahoma, Arizona will face a team that comes off its worse loss. The Wranglers were embarrassed by San Jose last weekend, 73-17. Wranglers Head Coach Bob Cortese has challenged his team to rebound this week and put the team’s worst ever loss behind them.
Oklahoma quarterback Ron Lopez has struggled in the early stages of the season, but has the experience and ability to turn things around quickly. Lopez also has more than capable offensive weapons in Lamont Cooper, Bobby McGowens and Carlos Johnson. Arizona will see yet another familiar face this week in former Rattler Shawn Parnell. He spent the 1997 and 1998 seasons with Arizona and starts at defensive specialist for the Wranglers.
The question of who starts at quarterback still remains for Arizona. After a strong game in Los Angeles, Rattlers quarterback Chad May struggled against Houston last week. Chad DeGrenier stepped in and rallied the team to get the win against Houston. Expect May to start, but White could be quick to go to DeGrenier should the Rattlers start slow.
Overall, Arizona needs to keep doing what it’s been doing. The Rattlers need to continue to force turnovers, put pressure on Lopez and keep the mistakes to a minimum. This formula has worked for two weeks, and no matter who starts at quarterback, Arizona needs to score and do it early.
Patrick Daly has been an Arena Football League enthusiast since he first stumbled across the late-night ESPN broadcasts and has followed the Arizona Rattlers since their inaugural season in 1992. He graduated from Arizona State University with an engineering degree and is currently a member of a web development team for Direct Alliance in Tempe. Patrick currently resides in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, Arizona with his beautiful wife, son and a very large football helmet collection.
