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Friday, February 13th,  2004                     Kevin Pakos - S&E News

     Detroit Shows AZ Wicked Mean Fury!

It was supposed to be a bad day in the Snake Pit for the visitors from Detroit. TheFury QB, the AFL's stat leader in nearly every category was supposed to go home as second fiddle to AZ's Snake Charmer and another AFL top gun, Sed Bonner. When it was all over the Fury had a three touchdown win and the Rattlers were skinned alive.

The Arizona offense again had an off night. In fact, they were downright invisible. How bad was it, not since 1993 has the team started with two losses. It was the first time the Fury beat the Rattlers. It was Detroits first win of the season. It was the first back to back home losses for the Rattlers since 2001.

Defense was again very good for Arizona forcing Kelly to throw a lot of bad passes and making big plays. Yet at the half it was only 17-13 in favor of the Rattlers. It was a good Lord that started things for the Fury in 3rd quarter. Junior Lord in fact, he caught an 8 yard pass to put Detroit up 20-17.

Play of the Day & PAADOW AWARD! I want to say the defense played well for the Snakes all day. But the Play of the Day and the PAADOW for making an impact has to go to Siaha Burley. He went high to catch a touchdown pass, was hit in mid air, then fell straight down on his ribs and back in a way the would have forced most players to drop the ball. You could hear the bone on board cracking sound when he fell. It did inspire the guys and proved that the man is tough. Hunkie Cooper kinda tough. Burley finished the night with 10 grabs for 117 yards and two TD's.

The Rattlers had some chances in this one, they got moving after the catch and it took some help from the good Lord again to put the Fury back in front 34-31. This one for Junior was a five yard grab.

What we saw next was a strange series that should have given the Rattlers the lead and control of the game. But a series of missed kicks, recovered and missed again kicks plus a bunch of short yardage runs by AZ that did not work left the Snakes dazed and confused. This was pretty much the end for the Rattlers. A last try to get back in it ended on a fumble at the AZ 22.

Missing from the Rattler defense was a pressure pass rush. They never did sack Kelly, but they did force him to throw some ugly passes. Much was made of Bonner's game last week and his struggle in this one, but Kelly did not look good at all. (20 of 39 for 204 yards and 4 TD's) Tonight he was lucky. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. For Detroit, this was their lucky day.

The Rattlers go next to the Snake Pit, (cheap knock off, copycat version) in Carolina to play a team that could not win last year and this year cannot lose. The 2-0 Cobras. The Rattlers have never started a season 0-3, don't think they will this year either.

Bonner passed for 18 of 34 and 240 yards and 2 TD's. They gave all the awards, the Baby Ruth, Defensive player of the game and the Ironman of the game to Detroit players. That stunk, but hey, history is written by the winners. But they should make the writers prove they actually watched the game, (not the other sports shows on the media TV's) before they let them vote. There were some great plays made by Arizona all day.

Don't forget, the AFL is on NBC every Sunday.

The Rattlers quest for a third straight Arena Bowl begian February 8. For season ticket information, call 602-514-TDTD or visit  azrattlers.com

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