Defensive penalties concern Rattlers coach
In one of the more penalized games in Arena Football League history, the San Jose SaberCats had 18 penalties in the Rattlers' 57-51 victory Saturday night.
The Rattlers' eight penalties pales in comparison, but it was reason for concern for coach Kevin Guy, because all eight came on defense, resulting in seven San Jose first downs.
It is something the Rattlers (4-0) will have to clean up before Saturday's game at US Airways Center against arguably the best team in the East, the Pittsburgh Power (3-1).
The Rattlers were especially punished for holding and interference calls last week.
"We're getting them into third down, into fourth down," Guy said. "We're playing good defense. But we have to get better at the little things. We gave them a first down on a second-and-25. We have to clean that up. It's attention to detail. It really comes down to a mind-set: Do you want to be special or do you want to be average? That's where our mind-set is right now."
The Rattlers got San Jose into four fourth-down situations, but a penalty or pass kept the drives alive.
"We've got to get better defensively on fourth down; we've got to get better defensively in the red zone," Guy said. "We had four stops the other night. We were getting five or six in other games. We're getting stops. But this is the difference between winning by 30 points and winning by a touchdown."
Mind game
When the SaberCats signed ex-Rattlers fullback Odie Armstrong late last week, Guy admitted it affected him.
"It affected me mentally from the standpoint that we were going to run over him," Guy said. "Whoever they were going to put on the field, it doesn't matter. Whoever is wearing a green jersey. It doesn't matter. Once Odie made the decision to go there, he wasn't a Rattler. It is what it is. We have to go play."
The Rattlers couldn't wait for Armstrong's knee to pass the entrance physical in camp, and, with rookie Alex Singleton having an impressive camp, Guy decided to go with Singleton to start the season. That opened up Armstrong to sign with any team.
Armstrong, a key part of the Rattlers' past three title game runs, ran nine times for 25 yards and a touchdown in his season debut against the Rattlers.
Hall-way
Even after All-Arena safety Virgil Gray left the Rattlers in the off-season and signed with the Pittsburgh Power, the Rattlers have depth at safety. Jeremy Kellem has done a good job getting most of the reps. There has been no drop-off when Vic Hall mans the middle.
Hall had a couple of crucial pass breakups down the stretch last week.
"One thing I can say, when Vic is on the field, we get stops," Guy said. "He's a smart guy. He's where he's supposed to be. He's helping us win games. He's very intelligent. He's still growing in the defense. This is not an easy defense to learn. We haven't had anybody come in there and pick things up as quick as he has."
Fast stat
Quarterback Nick Davila has completed 82 of 122 passes for 29 touchdowns. That's a touchdown pass for every 2.8 he completes, and one for every 4.2 pass attempts, best in the league.