Sunday, February 29 2004
Kevin Pakos - S&E News
Prince Bonner - Dragon Slayer!
(Note to the Human Society: No Dragons
or Snakes were harmed in any way during
this production at America West Arena. In
fact we watched as the Dragons were gently
loaded onto their transport vehicle that
was waiting to take them home, pretty sure
the baggage compartment had air slots.)
A game is just a game, right, I mean
there will be another one next week to
play. So why worry, there is always more
to play, more time, more days, more games,
more, well, don't tell that to Sed Bonner
or Hunkie Cooper. After an OFER start and
some re-focus time with the rest of the
fellas the Snakes now believe that every
game is their last. And they have played
like it for the last two weeks.
Today, the Dragons flew in from their
Lair on the Long Island in New York. They
had planned to dine on the carcasses of
flame cooked Rattlers. Their leader, Aaron
Garcia a former Rattler, was long ago
banished to the far reaches of North
America. He was confident that he
and the others that the Snakes had thrown
out of the Pit could find the fire to
prove themselves mighty.
But alas, Garcia was once again brushed
aside by the Valiant Prince Sherdrick
Bonner. For the last three weeks Prince
Bonner was struggling, but on this day he
returned to what made it all work back in
the day. Yes, he called on the Magic,
Hunkie Magic Cooper. The man that time
steps aside for when he enters the Arena
of Battle. The man that believes thoughts
of getting it done tomorrow are useful
only to those who also dream of yesterday.
Today, this battle, is all he needs to
know.
Together they vanquished former team
mates, coaches and friends that returned
with something to prove. The Dragons you
see, are a team with many that once were
Rattlers. Their head coach Todd Shell, a
much respected leader has the Dragons
playing better than ever. Players like Ken Talanoa,
Corey Brannon and Kelvin Ingram
wanted to give the Rattlers the wrath of
their fire. Ahhh, Kelvin, when the season
began he was in the Copper Teal and Black.
On this day he was on fire in the White,
Black and Red. Surely, if he showed the
fire then, that he showed today, a Rattler
he would stay. During the game Ingram could be seen
challenging the Rattlers bench and their
management. He did make some great plays.
A few words from him and a photo are
below.
 |
RR: I noticed that after some plays
you made that you were celebrating and
waving at the Rattlers bench:
KI95, "It was matter of letting them
know they made a mistake. I ain't mad
at nobody, that's part of the
business. But to get released, I
thought I didn't play that bad. I just
wanted to come out here and perform
for those guys, letting them know,
they really made a mistake. I'm not
sorry, they have a lot of players on
this (Dragons) team. It's the nature
of the business." RR: How was
the transition from AZ to NY: .
KI95, "We both have great
quarterbacks, but AZ has so many
veterans and we have so many young
guys. We will pull it together, it is
not over yet. |
 |
Just a few games ago this Rattler team
was being criticized, booed, put down. By
the fans, some in the media and of course
all the other teams were certainly wanting
their decline to be true. The cruel irony
of competition is that beating a foe that
is no longer up to the challenge, is not a
badge of honor or courage. But there is
good news for all the teams the Rattlers
face the rest of this year. You beat this
team, you got a solid gold win to be proud
of.
Magic is the power behind the legends
and lore of all great battles and kingdoms
of times past. When in need, the rulers
would summon the wizards and magicians to
give them insight, wisdom and an unfair
advantage. Sometimes they called on them
in time to save the kingdom. Remember,
magic only works if you use it. If it is a
Genie from a bottle you want, well that is
just wishful thinking.
Today Prince Bonner and his
court of royal advisors, led by King
Danny, saw fit to bestow upon him his
spell caster. They sent Magic into the
game and victors again they became. Let's
go over a little of what the games
Ironman, Hunkie Cooper did today.
Two rushes - Two touchdowns. Four
catches for 42 yards - One touchdown. On
defense he was in the mix all over the
field and had an interception. This fourth
quarter INT lead to a Randy Gatewood
touchdown and put AZ in control when they
needed it most. The thing with Hunkie is
passion. If you watch the game but don't
take time to notice who it was that just
went flying to the ball like a missile on
kick offs and on defense, then you
probably don't realize that #14 just
forced another opponent to change
direction. They don't keep stats on play
disruptions in the AFL, if they did, then
his stats in that category would be out of
reach for any player for the next 20
years. He takes no play off and backs away
from nothing on the field. Many players
that make much more than he in the NFL
have half his courage and desire.
Hunkie spoke at the press conference after
the game.
|
 |
They had you go in early, did that
help your confidence? I don't
think my confidence has ever been
challenged. All I know is I can
control, when I am in there, is the
way I play the game, the way I
approach the game. It's gonna be the
way I always have. When you get 19,000
yards on a 50 yard field you don't
doubt yourself. You just know that it
is going to be a situation where you
have to make a play and you do it.
That was nothing short of what I have
done for twelve years. It's just been
so long since I have done it, or, had
the opportunity to do it. We finally
came together as a team a little bit
tonight, a little better timing. We
are still not where we need to be, the
offense picked up and the defense
dropped off. We kind of over corrected
a little bit. But I think were ok. |
| Is it
unspoken between you and Danny in
trying to get you involved, do you
have to wait it out, do you try and
talk to him or do you just see what
happens weekly? This is his
football team, I've been in the past a
real big part of it. I think my role
has changed from his point of view.
But from the players, I think they
feed of my fire and what I bring to
the game. If it's touching the
football, if it's making the play on
defense. I've made plays, the first
game I had an interception for a
touchdown, second game I had a fumble
recovery, third game I didn't get to
play much. I am not going to question
him, he has been in this game just as
long as I have. I know that
sooner or later he is going to realize
that I can still play this game. I am
not going to let him put a cap on my
effectiveness. Like I said, the only
thing I can control is my attitude.
When you have played at a high level
for so long and you know a game, I'd
think they would want you out there
with them. It takes the pressure off.
I have been the ringleader for a long
time. There is going to be a changing
of the guard one day, but it is not
going to be this day.
You have now won two in a row
after an 0-2 start, has this built
confidence at the team level? When
you start out 0-2 it only goes up,
that is the good thing about being at
the bottom, you can't get any lower.
You just fight, you are down there in
the dirt and you are fighting,
fighting, and that's what we continue
to do. Last year we were down, what, 4
games. We didn't wait four games to
have this speech that I had this year
after the second game. Not to say that
this speech made any difference. But
it's made a difference. |
PAADOW AWARD: Goes this week to
a big guy, #89 Wendall Gaines. He
plays O and D line and while he gets
little attention, he delivers each week.
Today he made a big impact with a second
quarter 13 pass reception from Tom Pace.
Just like that PAADOW the entire
house is rocking. Wendall knew it
was good, the photo of his reaction is
below. On defense he was one of the top
tacklers.
The scoring for the Rattlers went like
this:
Cooper 9 yard pass from Bonner - Garner
Kick is GOOD..........
Gaines 13 yard pass from Pace - Garner
Kick is GOOD.......
Cooper 3 yard run - No kick
Pace 4 yard pass from Bonner - two point
try denied.
Kelly 1 yard run - Garner Kick is
GOOD..........
Cooper 1 yard run - Garner Kick is
GOOD.........
Gatewood 25 yard pass from Bonner - Garner
Kick is GOOD.....
Burley 16 yard pass from Bonner - no
kick
Defensive play of the Day: That
goes to Orshawante OBWONCANOB Bryant
for his leaping knock the ball away from
the Dragon in the end zone in the fourth
quarter. OB got a flag for the play but it
was a lousy call. But even so, the penalty
stopped a score that could have given the
Dragons a way back into the game. In the
AFL, there is never too little time on the
clock to score a couple or three TD's and
one at that point would have hurt the
Rattlers. The fact that he was able to get
turned around and make the leap to get
back into the play was amazing, it was
pure talent.
Rookie on Deck: AJ Novak
got to play for the first time, he
formerly known as Rookie, is now a full
fledged Rattler. But more importantly, he
drew first blood as a member of the
Wolfpack, the 12 Legged Beast
that is the FB/LB. Check the Wolfpack
Report later in the week for more.
The Warrior: Siaha Burley
had another great game and acknowledged
that he appreciated his fans and that it
helped having them there. Siaha had 8
catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. He
also added 81 yards on 3 kick returns.
Parkers Points: Ricky Parker was
on the turf from start to finish and it
was good to see his energy in the game. He
is a vet and, when he is in the game is an
impact player. He is a fan favorite and
plays with a passion like Cooper,
Gatewood, Tucker and Bonner. I would
hate to have Danny White's job,
when he put Parker in he had to
remove a very good Clarence Lawson.
No matter what he does, someone gets
burned. But as for the Irrepressible
Ricky, we hope he has many more starts.
The Dragons did have to adjust for the
change, they had prepared all week with
Lawson in mind.
Offensive Player of the Game: Siaha The
Warrior
Burley
Ironman: Hunkie MAGIC Cooper
Defensive Player of the Game: Wendall
Punisher Gaines
| |
| Arizona
Rattlers 2-2 |
7 |
19 |
14 |
13 |
53 |
| New York
Dragons 2-2 |
14 |
14 |
7 |
6 |
41 |
|
|
Don't
forget, the AFL is on NBC every Sunday.
The
Rattlers quest for a third straight
ArenaBowl began February 8, when they took on the Los Angeles Avengers at
America West Arena. For season ticket
information, call 602-514-TDTD or visit
azrattlers.com
|
