Rattlers veterans are on alert that no position is safe as champions open training camp

When the Rattlers open camp Friday in Mesa at Gene Autry Sports Complex, competition will be found everywhere, even at quarterback.

Coach Kevin Guy wants even the face of the franchise, quarterback Nick Davila, to feel the heat.

That's why the Rattlers brought in former Tennessee-Chattanooga star B.J. Coleman to push Davila in camp.

"Complacency is one thing you worry about – with players and staff, everyone in the organization," Guy said. "At the end of the day, you can't be satisfied with what you accomplished in the past. It's a new year and you've got to get your minds right and get focused, compete for another championship."

This is why Guy, who also is the general manager, piles up titles – he is never satisfied.

After the Rattlers went to Cleveland in August, and, before more than 18,000 fans, dismantled the Gladiators 72-32 for a third consecutive ArenaBowl championship, Guy was going to work on a fourth consecutive championship, tweaking his roster.

Defensive back Rayshaun Kizer, who had an Arena Football League playoff-record four interceptions for the Philadelphia Soul in a first-round loss to Cleveland last season, was signed as a free agent.

The fullback position was upgraded with the free-agent signing of Mykel Benson, who made second-team All-AFL last season for the San Antonio Talons. He had 15 rushing touchdowns and five receiving TDs last season.

Receiver Rod Windsor and Ironman Kerry Reed both were re-signed this week, after they went through extensive physical therapy since last season and became medically cleared.

Guy hopes to re-sign veterans Anttaj Hawthorne (the Rattlers' career sacks leader) and Marquis Floyd (the AFL Defensive Back of the Year last season) early in camp.

Gone is receiver Tysson Poots, who signed with the new Las Vegas Outlaws.

Receiver Maurice Purify still is on injured reserve since undergoing knee surgery late last season.

Those two guys, along with Floyd, were the Rattlers' best players on kickoff coverage.

Special teams will be emphasized in camp, Guy said.

Guy also will line up potential kickers after Craig Ratanamorn decided to retire two weeks ago.

"For us, we need to get better this year on special teams," Guy said. "I do not like where we were last year. We didn't have a solid return game last year.

"We're going to have competition at the kicker spot. We'll have three or four kickers in and it will be winner take all."

With Poots leaving and Purify not medically cleared, the Rattlers will rely on Windsor and Reed to guide the young receivers in camp along.

The secondary once again will be loaded with Arkeith Brown, Jeremy Kellem and the expected return of Floyd. With Kizer in the mix, the Rattlers will be able to move Kellem to jack linebacker (like an extra safety) and keep Reed fresh on offense.

"We feel we've got a lot of competition in the secondary," Guy said. "We feel like we've got good competition everywhere. We'll see new faces at receiver without Poots and Purify. We've got our work cut out to develop there. But there is a lot of competition. I feel good about the guys coming to camp.

"The veterans are on alert. They know they have to be prepared and perform well to keep their jobs."