Rattlers Fall Short Against Rival
Patrick Daly
Thursday February 16, 2006
The offense showed some consistent life for the first time this season. Unfortunately, it was the defense that took a step back in failing to stop the San Jose SaberCats most of the evening. But it’s not something the team will dwell on since you can’t change the past.
"You can’t do anything about the games you’ve lost," said Rattlers head coach Gene Nudo. "You can do nothing about the play that happened. You can only look forward, and I’ll look forward to playing Utah right now."
Getting quarterback Sherdrick Bonner back in the lineup definitely paid dividends and, despite the loss, he got good protection most of the night and made throws that neither Travis Cole or Dennis Gile are ready to make yet.
"He did well and the protection was very good," said Nudo. "They did what they had to do."
Bonner felt that that success was due to the play calling, which took pressure off the line, with protection a crucial part of the gameplan.
"I feel like, when we put our linemen in good positions, they can do things for us," said Bonner. "We had a couple breakdowns and I had a couple breakdowns, but overall they played an excellent game against a good pass rush."
While the Rattlers haven’t tallied a win yet, this past week was a step in the right direction. That doesn’t erase the fact that the team is 0-3, but teams in the Arena Football League are close enough that some wins and losses are separated only be desire.
"I feel we’ve taken some steps each week," said Bonner. "It feels like we’re getting closer. Each week is a tough challenge, but the more we play together the better we’ll be and the more guys are going to push each other. We’ve just got to keep fighting through."
In terms of next steps, the Rattlers just need to keep working and avoid losing hope this early in the season.
"I see guys battling out there," said Bonner. "Even on the last play of the game they were out there trying to get a stop and trying to keep them from getting positive yards. There were guys out there selling out; they didn’t just mail it in. They’re out there trying to make a play. I know it’s a loss, but that’s a positive sign for us and I feel we’re going in the right direction."
Shakes Still Rattles and Rolls
Calvin Schexnayder had some of his best seasons in an Arizona Rattlers uniform, including winning an Offensive Player of the Year award in 1998. His career with the Rattlers eventually ended with a knee injury suffered in a late season game against the San Jose SaberCats in 2001.
Now, five years later, Schexnayder sports San Jose’s familiar green helmet and he returned to do damage against his former team with nine catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday night in the 58-50 win, the SaberCats’ first win on the season. Schexnayder’s performance played a significant role in an important win for San Jose.
"I think it’s really important," said Schexnayder. "Getting the first win, and getting it here (in Arizona) on the road is good. We knew it was going to be a hard fought battle. We thought they would throw in a few curve balls."
Schexnayder’s contributions have been limited over the past few years, with injuries and a lack of opportunity playing a role in his lower production. However, this season with San Jose losing some key players, including one of their top offensive threats in WR/LB James Roe, Schexnayder has gotten his chance. So far, he’s made the most of that opportunity.
"I’ve been real fortunate," said Schenayder. "I got back to some basic things. I worked out with my buddy, Herb Duncan, a former Rattler. We just went back to some old philosophies and some new things that he wanted to try on me. It’s gotten some focus and some discipline back."
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.