Rattlers pipe in noise to emulate atmosphere for SaberCats
Rattlers coach Kevin Guy piped in loud noise in his team’s only practice this week in preparation for the San Jose SaberCats.
Included on the soundtrack was the SaberCats’ famed cow bells clanging.
“We’ve got to get ready for that atmosphere,” Guy said.
The last time he had noise piped into practice was last August, when the Rattlers were getting ready to travel to Cleveland to play in the ArenaBowl.
With more than 18,000 fans looking on, the Rattlers quickly quieted the Gladiators' crowd in a 72-32 rout.
For the Rattlers (13-3) to get home-field advantage throughout the Arena Football League playoffs, they not only have to go in San Jose on Friday and beat the SaberCats (15-1), but they need to beat them by 23 points and need the LA Kiss to beat the ‘Cats in the final week of the regular season.
MORE:Complete Arizona Rattlers coverage
In a tie-breaking scenario, the Rattlers have to beat San Jose by 23, because in the teams’ only other meeting, the SaberCats beat the Rattlers in Phoenix by 22, 56-34, on May 2.
“We’ve got an outside chance to get home-field advantage,” Guy said. “Until that is out of the question … it doesn’t matter whether we get it or we don’t, we want momentum going into the playoffs.”
Last year, at this time, the Rattlers stumbled down the stretch into the playoffs, losing three of their last four after winning their first 14 games.
The start of that tailspin was a 62-33 loss in San Jose, where quarterback Nick Davila had his worst game as a Rattler, completing 8 of 22 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown.
Davila, who has thrown five interceptions in the last three games, is hoping to get back to form. He showed glimpses of being last year’s league MVP, passing for 244 yards and seven TDs in a 68-55 victory Sunday over the LA Kiss.
“There’s nothing that needs to be said,” Davila said about going into San Jose, needing a big victory. “Everybody knows what it means.”
The SaberCats are second by the smallest of margins to the Philadelphia Soul in scoring, averaging 59.1 points. They lead the league in defense, allowing just 37.2 points a game.
Davila didn’t play in the loss in May, nursing a foot injury.
San Jose has not played a game since July 18, a game in which it needed overtime at home to beat the Portland Thunder 55-49.
The Rattlers took Monday and Tuesday off, which could be a huge advantage.
“I’ve seen it work for you and work against you,” Guy said. “It depends on the mindset. Players have to show up with energy. They have to lock in.”
Return game
Guy believes cornerback Arkeith Brown is a capable replacement for A.J. Cruz off the net on kickoff returns. Cruz returned six kickoffs for touchdowns in 12 games, before he signed this week with the NFL's Chicago Bears. Cruz’s six returns for TDs tied a single-season franchise record with Virgil Gray.
“He can do it, no question about it,” Guy said. “He’s just as talented. If we block for him, he can make plays.”
Guy said he wasn’t surprised that the Bears signed Cruz, who was turned into a receiver this year by the Rattlers. Cruz played defensive back in college at Brown.
“He’s got some growing to do as a receiver,” Guy said. “But as a kick returner, he’s as good as anybody in the business. AJ is the type of kid you can fall in love with his work ethic and his personality and attitude. He still has to grow as a football player. He understands that. He’s still developing. He is transitioning into being a receiver. He’s made some jumps there. Good for him. It’s an opportunity. Let’s see what happens. We’re pulling for him.”
Rattlers (13-3) at San Jose SaberCats (15-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: SAP Center, San Jose.
TV: CBS Sports Network.
SaberCats update: This is the Arena Football Hall of Fame Game. Former Rattlers defensive coordinator Omarr Smith, an assistant head coach of the SaberCats, goes into the AFL Hall of Fame this weekend as a defensive back for the SaberCats. San Jose has allowed more than 50 points only once this season, in a 70-58 victory over the Gladiators. Ken Fontenette leads a fast, physical defense with 12 interceptions and 115 yards in returns. Francis Maka and Jason Stewart have combined for 20.5 of the team’s league-leading 40 sacks.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Despite its league-leading record, the SaberCats have been vulnerable at times at home, losing to the Kiss 48-42, and needing OT to beat Portland, 55-49, two weeks ago in their last game. But the SaberCats, when things are rolling, are the most dominant team in the league. And when they get the Rattlers at home, they treat it like it is their ArenaBowl, playing their best game with the crowd getting into it. It will take the Rattlers’ best effort to win, especially on the offensive line, because if the SaberCats get to QB Nick Davila, it could be over early for the Rattlers. The Rattlers will continue to roll out jumbo receivers, such as Chase Deadder and Dan Buckner, to get them ready for the playoffs. But they need to get Kerry Reed going on offense, and wide receiver Rod Windsor will need another big game to have a chance. Even with that, a short week may be too much to ask for the Rattlers to play lights out and win this.
Prediction: SaberCats 51, Rattlers 39
OBERT’S AFL RANKINGS
No. 1 San Jose SaberCats 15-1
No. 2 Rattlers 13-3
No. 3 Philadelphia Soul 13-3
No. 4 Orlando Predators 10-6
No. 5 Jacksonville Sharks 9-7
No. 6 LA Kiss 4-12
No. 7 Cleveland Gladiators 7-9
No. 8 Spokane Shock 6-10
No. 9 Tampa Bay Storm 6-10
No. 10 Portland Thunder 4-12
No. 11 Las Vegas Outlaws 5-10-1
No. 12 New Orleans VooDoo 3-12-1
Reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.