Why to Watch
These are two quality teams with big stars on both sides and while the Force have been picked to reach higher expectations (ArenaBowl XXI ? New Orleans), the Rattlers always seem to find their way into the playoffs as either a dominant team or an overachieving team, but either way they are always a factor. The Force have a new quarterback in Chris Greisen, but he will be surrounded by arguably the best trio of wide outs in the AFL, while Arizona will be led by their two future Hall of Fame players in QB Shredrick Bonner and WR Randy Gatewood.
Keys to the Game
Rattlers secondary must find a way to contain the big three. AFL defenses had a tough enough time dealing with Jackson, Lee and Bergeron two years ago when all three were over 1,000 yards receiving. Now they will play pretty much every offensive down with the new rules which should cause some sleepless nights for opposing coordinators. The Rattlers secondary will be overmatched from a talent standpoint but games are still played on the field, so Arizona secondary must step up and avoid allowing the big plays.
Greisen must play within himself. The third year quarterback comes to Georgia with a lot of promise and expectations after sitting behind Clint Dolezel in Dallas and showing his talents in aF2. He may feel he has a lot to prove in his first start but the truth of the matter is Offensive coordinator Steve Thonn simply needs him to play with himself. He needs to manage this game by avoiding forcing the football and rely on his three great receivers Chris Jackson, Derek Lee and Troy Bergeron.
Win the battle up front. This applies to both clubs. Bonner is an all-time great but like all great pocket passers the way to get them out of rhythm is to get quick pressure. The Force are coming off their highest sack totals in team history and they got even better up front in the off season with the addition of Ernest Allen to go along with Jermaine Smith. The Rattlers need to also generate pressure on Greisen to see how he deals with the pressure but more importantly to help out their secondary which will be overmatched in this game.
Key Match Ups
Georgia DB Hamin Milligan vs. Arizona WR Randy Gatewood.
Gatewood was supposed to be getting older and allegedly losing a step or two, but he showed last season that those assessments were premature. Gatewood continues to simply just make plays. He has been a well-rounded receiver during his career. He is a very good route runner, smart, and physical. Expect Milligan to try and be physical with Gatewood, especially at the line of scrimmage to try and disrupt the timing between Gatewood and Bonner, especially since there is no clear cut number 2 receiver with Damien Groce (Columbus) gone and Curtis Fagan and Darrell Jones injured.
WR Chris Jackson vs. the Arizona Secondary
The Rattlers do not have enough talent or depth to stay with all three of Georgia?s talented trio, but with all do respect to Derek Lee and Troy Bergeron aka ?Thunder and Lighting,? Jackson is the straw that stirs the drink and he sets the tone for everyone else. When Georgia needs a big play in a key moment Steve Thonn will be calling his number. Arizona must look to contain Jackson and make someone else beat them. They also cannot allow him to run free in their secondary as they must challenge him at times with press coverage.
Georgia Offensive Coordinator Steve Thonn vs. Defensive Coordinator Michael Church.
Both coordinators bring a wealth of AFL experience into this match up. Thonn has been one of the best signal callers in the League and his offenses have put up huge record-setting numbers. Don?t worry about him dealing with a new inexperienced quarterback; just remember Matt Nagy was an unheralded backup to another all-time great in Aaron Garica before he came to Georgia. Church?s defense finished in the top 5 in almost every defensive category a year ago and his defense carried the Rattlers until the offense started to gel last season. The pressure will be on Church to figure out a way to slow down the Georgia receivers.
These are two quality teams with big stars on both sides and while the Force have been picked to reach higher expectations (ArenaBowl XXI ? New Orleans), the Rattlers always seem to find their way into the playoffs as either a dominant team or an overachieving team, but either way they are always a factor. The Force have a new quarterback in Chris Greisen, but he will be surrounded by arguably the best trio of wide outs in the AFL, while Arizona will be led by their two future Hall of Fame players in QB Shredrick Bonner and WR Randy Gatewood.
Keys to the Game
Rattlers secondary must find a way to contain the big three. AFL defenses had a tough enough time dealing with Jackson, Lee and Bergeron two years ago when all three were over 1,000 yards receiving. Now they will play pretty much every offensive down with the new rules which should cause some sleepless nights for opposing coordinators. The Rattlers secondary will be overmatched from a talent standpoint but games are still played on the field, so Arizona secondary must step up and avoid allowing the big plays.
Greisen must play within himself. The third year quarterback comes to Georgia with a lot of promise and expectations after sitting behind Clint Dolezel in Dallas and showing his talents in aF2. He may feel he has a lot to prove in his first start but the truth of the matter is Offensive coordinator Steve Thonn simply needs him to play with himself. He needs to manage this game by avoiding forcing the football and rely on his three great receivers Chris Jackson, Derek Lee and Troy Bergeron.
Win the battle up front. This applies to both clubs. Bonner is an all-time great but like all great pocket passers the way to get them out of rhythm is to get quick pressure. The Force are coming off their highest sack totals in team history and they got even better up front in the off season with the addition of Ernest Allen to go along with Jermaine Smith. The Rattlers need to also generate pressure on Greisen to see how he deals with the pressure but more importantly to help out their secondary which will be overmatched in this game.
Key Match Ups
Georgia DB Hamin Milligan vs. Arizona WR Randy Gatewood.
Gatewood was supposed to be getting older and allegedly losing a step or two, but he showed last season that those assessments were premature. Gatewood continues to simply just make plays. He has been a well-rounded receiver during his career. He is a very good route runner, smart, and physical. Expect Milligan to try and be physical with Gatewood, especially at the line of scrimmage to try and disrupt the timing between Gatewood and Bonner, especially since there is no clear cut number 2 receiver with Damien Groce (Columbus) gone and Curtis Fagan and Darrell Jones injured.
WR Chris Jackson vs. the Arizona Secondary
The Rattlers do not have enough talent or depth to stay with all three of Georgia?s talented trio, but with all do respect to Derek Lee and Troy Bergeron aka ?Thunder and Lighting,? Jackson is the straw that stirs the drink and he sets the tone for everyone else. When Georgia needs a big play in a key moment Steve Thonn will be calling his number. Arizona must look to contain Jackson and make someone else beat them. They also cannot allow him to run free in their secondary as they must challenge him at times with press coverage.
Georgia Offensive Coordinator Steve Thonn vs. Defensive Coordinator Michael Church.
Both coordinators bring a wealth of AFL experience into this match up. Thonn has been one of the best signal callers in the League and his offenses have put up huge record-setting numbers. Don?t worry about him dealing with a new inexperienced quarterback; just remember Matt Nagy was an unheralded backup to another all-time great in Aaron Garica before he came to Georgia. Church?s defense finished in the top 5 in almost every defensive category a year ago and his defense carried the Rattlers until the offense started to gel last season. The pressure will be on Church to figure out a way to slow down the Georgia receivers.
