ArenaBowl XVII: Tampa Bay Storm vs. Arizona Rattlers
By Times Staff Writer
Published June 22, 2003
ARIZONA RATTLERS
1. PROTECT SHERDRICK BONNER: Bonner is talented, experienced and playing as well as at any time in his 10-year career, as his eight touchdowns in Arizona's semifinal victory against San Jose attest.
2. PRESSURE JOHN KALEO: Most Arena games are won or lost on the line of scrimmage. After getting 12 sacks during the regular season, Arizona has seven in three postseason victories.
3. USE ITS EXPERIENCE: Tampa Bay has plenty of veterans but few have played in an ArenaBowl. Though disheartening, Arizona's loss to San Jose last season could help, especially late in a close game.
4. MIX THINGS UP: Tampa Bay's pass rush is one of the most aggressive in the league. By mixing screens and misdirection plays with throws downfield, the Rattlers can keep the Storm's line off balance.
5. STAY CLOSE: If Tampa Bay has an Achilles' heel, it is special teams. Everything else being equal, a kick return for a touchdown or a couple of missed extra points could be the difference.
TAMPA BAY STORM
1. PRESSURE SHERDRICK BONNER: Tim Marcum put together the league's most potent pass rush for one reason - to win a championship. Anything less would be a disappointment.
2. START STRONG: Arizona is 9-1 since a 68-39 loss at Tampa Bay on March 28. An early Storm lead could make the Rattlers forget that.
3. CONTAIN ARIZONA'S PLAYMAKERS: Hunkie Cooper, Randy Gatewood and Orshawante Bryant combined for 63 touchdown catches during the regular season.
4. AVOID INJURIES: Especially to quarterback John Kaleo. Backup Pat O'Hara won two championships in Orlando, but he has thrown only 14 passes this season.
5. MAXIMIZE ITS OPPORTUNITIES: After going through six kickers, the last thing Tampa Bay wants is the ArenaBowl to come down to an extra-point kick. To limit that risk, it must make the most of its chances with the ball.
TODAY: ARENABOWL XVII
WHO: Storm vs. Arizona.
WHEN/WHERE: 5; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.
TV/RADIO: Ch. 8; WDAE-AM 620.
RECORDS: Arizona 13-6, Tampa Bay 14-4.
COACHES: Arizona - Danny White (128-58, 12th season); Tampa Bay - Tim Marcum (157-55, 15th season).
SERIES: Tampa Bay leads 6-4.
TICKETS: Sold out.
NOTES: Tampa Bay chases its fifth championship and first since 1996 in its sixth ArenaBowl appearance. Arizona is 2-1 in title games, last winning in 1997. The Storm defeated the Rattlers 68-39 on March 28, but Arizona responded with nine wins in 10 games. Rattlers WR/DB Randy Gatewood was the league's Ironman of the Year. Marcum and White rank first and second, respectively, in career wins. Arizona's 52-14 loss to San Jose in last season's ArenaBowl was the Rattlers' worst and the most lopsided in championship game. Arizona ranks first in the playoffs in scoring offense (68.3 points per game) and scoring defense (46.0). Tampa Bay is fifth in scoring offense (56.0) and third in scoring defense (49.0). Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner was MVP of ArenaBowl VIII. WR/LB Hunkie Cooper was Ironman of ArenaBowl XI. Storm defensive specialist Omarr Smith was Ironman of ArenaBowl XVI with San Jose.
