Rattlers back in comfort zone with return of receivers Rod Windsor, Kerry Reed
There was a dramatic change in the Rattlers from one week to the next.
Quarterback Nick Davila had his best game, completing 28 of 38 passes for 352 yards and seven touchdowns.
Plays were extended after catches. The Rattlers showed sure hands in the red zone. They were locked in.
That is what receivers Rod Windsor and Kerry Reed are able to do for the three-time defending ArenaBowl champions.
Playing their first game of the season in Arizona's 49-41 victory in Cleveland last week, Windsor and Reed scored all seven of their touchdowns.
It was vintage Rattlers football. Just like old times.
"I think we just got back to being comfortable," coach Kevin Guy said. "That's our comfort zone. These guys know the offense inside out. They know the reads. What we've been missing is the run after the catch, and Rod provided some of that.
"And winning down in the red zone. They did a better job winning those routes."
Windsor caught 13 passes for 168 yards and four touchdowns, while Reed hauled in seven passes for 87 yards and three scores.
They sat out the first two games, nursing injuries.
Windsor and Reed have been two of the Rattlers' more constant go-to players since Guy began this dynasty of reaching the Arena Football League championship game each of the past four years.
They've won the past three with Reed playing big parts in each of those.
Windsor missed the 2012 season because he was with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.
"I was tired out there a little bit because I missed most of training camp and the first two games," Windsor said. "I felt pretty good. I just have to get my wind up a little bit."
Guy kept Windsor off special teams to help keep him fresh on offense.
Reed, who played an Ironman role last season playing both receiver and jack linebacker, focused on receiver in his return.
"I just had to be patient, nurse the injury, and get back on the field," said Reed, who calls himself 100 percent healthy now. "I was able to get my feet wet again, get into the swing of things. It just felt good to get back with the other receivers."
Both believe they should be even better Saturday when the Rattlers (2-1) play the Portland Thunder (2-1) at 6 p.m. at US Airways Center.
Reed saw the frustration after the Rattlers lost to the expansion Las Vegas Outlaws 70-53. The Rattlers scored only 19 points in the second half of that game with dropped passes and difficulty scoring inside the 10.
"It's motivation for us both on offense and defense," Reed said. "We just come out and compete. We were super excited to be back with the fellows."
GAME BREAKDOWN
When the Rattlers are on offense, they're going to have to keep the Thunder linemen off of QB Nick Davila and try to stay away from jack linebacker Bryce Peila, who returned an interception and a fumble for touchdowns in last week's win against the Spokane Shock. Receiver Markee White will have to step up to keep pressure off of receivers Kerry Reed and Rod Windsor.
When the Rattlers are on defense, they need to get the outside pressure from the likes of Cliff Dukes and Marcus Pittman to get QB Kyle Rowley rattled. Rowley is off to a start reminiscent to his 2010 championship season under first-year Thunder coach Mike Hohensee. Rowley has five quality receivers. Last year, in a 52-48 playoff loss at Arizona, Rowley was intercepted by Marquis Floyd in the final minute.
Prediction: Rattlers 58, Thunder 53
Rattlers vs. Portland Thunder
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix.
TV: None.
Thunder update: The Thunder lost all four meetings against the Rattlers last season but each game got closer. QB Kyle Rowley, who led the Spokane Shock to the ArenaBowl title in 2010, had the Rattlers on the ropes last year in the playoffs, before being intercepted in the final minute of a 52-48 loss at US Airways Center. This is Portland's first road game of the season.
My AFL rankings after 3 weeks
No. 1 San Jose SaberCats 3-0
No. 2 Philadelphia Soul 3-0
No. 3 Las Vegas Outlaws 2-1
No. 4 Rattlers 2-1
No. 5 Cleveland Gladiators 2-1
No. 6 Portland Thunder 2-1
No. 7 Orlando Predators 2-1
No. 8 Tampa Bay Storm 1-2
No. 9 New Orleans VooDoo 1-2
No. 10 Jacksonville Sharks 0-3
No. 11 Spokane Shock 0-3
No. 12 LA Kiss 0-3