Rattlers' run of championships could be threatened by 3 teams that loaded up

Rattlers coach Kevin Guy makes sure his players come into each Arena Football League season believing they are the hunters, not the hunted.

They've ridden that mindset to four consecutive ArenaBowl appearances, winning the last three and coming a play away from winning it all in 2011.

But, as usual, there are teams that feel they can catch them.

Last year, the Cleveland Gladiators rode the destiny theme to the championship game, securing a home game in the ArenaBowl, only to have their 18,000-plus fans muted by the end of the first quarter in the Rattlers' 72-32 rout.

The Gladiators pulled out miracle wins on their way to posting the best regular-season record in the AFL.

There are two less teams this season, and one expansion team in the Las Vegas Outlaws. But the 12 teams left, Guy believes, will make the league even more difficult to win.

"I think a lot of teams are deeper now," Guy said. "There are more players on the street. I have to give credit to San Jose and Jacksonville. They attacked free agency. We do it a different way. We bring players up in our system."

The Rattlers are motivated by how teams made offseason moves.

"It means we're doing the right thing," Rattlers defensive lineman Cliff Dukes said.

Here is a look at three teams that pose as the biggest threats to the Rattlers as they try to make it four championships in a row:

San Jose SaberCats

They were arguably the Rattlers' most difficult opponent last season when they beat the SaberCats in two close games but got blown out 62-33 in the third regular-season game. The Rattlers beat them in the semifinals 72-56. That only motivated the SaberCats to add quarterback Erik Meyer and his favorite target, Adron Tennell, from Spokane in free agency. Meyer is considered by some Arena experts to be the second-best quarterback in the league, behind the Rattlers' Nick Davila. When healthy, Tennell is as good as any receiver in the league. They also added safety Virgil Gray, who won a couple of rings with the Rattlers. They also return fullback Odie Armstrong, one of the league's best at his position. The defensive line, led by Jason Stewart, again will be a strong suit. The Rattlers get these guys twice in the regular season, including on a short week July 31 in San Jose, two weeks before the playoffs start.

Jacksonville Sharks

This team is absolutely loaded, possessing maybe the best offensive line and receiving corps in the league with a secondary that rivals the Rattlers. They were so deep at receiver that 6-foot-5, 230-pound Chase Deadder became expendable. He was dealt to the Rattlers late in training camp for nose tackle Nicolas Jean-Baptiste. The Sharks have five receivers who at one point in their careers made All-Arena. They're led by receivers Tiger Jones and Jeron Harvey, who have been big thorns for the Rattlers in recent years. Quarterback Tommy Grady comes in from Pittsburgh. They also have three offensive linemen who have made All-Arena. The additions of fullback Derrick Ross from the Philadelphia Soul and defensive back/kick returner Terrance Sanders from the Spokane Shock give this team everything. The Sharks' schedule sets up to give them a chance to not only come out of the East with the best record but a chance to run the table. They avoid the Rattlers and get the SaberCats at home.

LA Kiss

This might be the most improved team in the league with the addition of Matt Sauk as offensive coordinator, Adrian McPherson at quarterback and Donovan Morgan catching passes. McPherson is one of the better running quarterbacks in the league. Sauk will put him in position to make plays. Last year's 3-15 season that was chronicled on national TV in the cable series "Fourth and Loud," is out of head coach Bob McMillen's system. McMillen is too good a coach to go through another losing season. His defense is improved and the line play should hold up better. The April 25 game at home against the Rattlers will be a great indicator of how legit they are in their second season.