Ouch

Angel · February 9th, 2004, 07:59 AM

. . . . . For the fourth straight year, Arizona dropped their first game, this time to the Los Angeles Avengers, 51-32, in front of 14, 343. The Avengers QB threw for 214 yards and six touchdowns to lead them to a season opening win. Sherdrick Bonner struggled for the Rattlers, throwing a team record four interceptions in the loss.

Early it looked like it might be a defensive duel; both teams went scoreless through most of the first quarter. LA broke through at the 3:43 mark, when Graziani found Chris Jackson for a 13-yard touchdown pass, and an early 7-0 lead. Arizona answered right back with a Siaha Burley 25-yard touchdown catch, but Nelson Garner missed the extra point, he would miss all three of his PATs. Turnovers were the downfall of the Rattlers, as Arizona turned the ball over five times, resulting in 28 Avenger points.

Bryan Henderson was a bright spot for the defense, tying a team record with two quarterback sacks. Henderson also recovered a fumble. Siaha Burley had six catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns in his Rattlers debut. The Rattlers can’t dwell on this game, as they play again this Friday night against the Detroit Fury at America West Arena. Kick-off is set for 7:00 PM. . . . .

I now see how important preseason can be, we did have any preseason action and boy did it show. On a side note besides still HATING on sides kicks I also really dislike the new color of the ball. . . . that puppy is hard to track in the stands I can’t imagine how hard it is to use on the field.

SweetD · February 9th, 2004, 08:49 AM

LA is a very good team I am actualy suprised we did ok. The int's killed us.

Yuma · February 10th, 2004, 08:17 AM

Noone is mentioning that AZ has had it's fourth difficult season opener in a row. Other elite teams get cream puffs to start their season with, we always get a San Jose, or LA! WAy to start the year against a division foe who is ranked as one, if not the best, teams in the AFL! Does the AFL hate AZ?

AZCB34 · February 10th, 2004, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yuma
Noone is mentioning that AZ has had it's fourth difficult season opener in a row. Other elite teams get cream puffs to start their season with, we always get a San Jose, or LA! WAy to start the year against a division foe who is ranked as one, if not the best, teams in the AFL! Does the AFL hate AZ?

I think it has less to do with the matchup but rather the Rattlers look unorganized and uninspired to me. Maybe they should have had a preseason game or two or scrimmaged against another team (I don't know if LA did or didn't). Maybe they would have played with more precision and authority. Not saying they would have beaten LA...because as you point out, LA is a damn good team...but the Rattlers looked horrible out there.

As for the AFL hating AZ, I don't buy that since they seem to showcase AZ alot on their national games carried by NBC.