Richard Obert

azcentral sports

Rattlers defense had six stops versus Portland two weeks ago and eight against Spokane last week.

Rattlers have had to reshuffle its offensive line because of injuries.

The team had a day off the field Wednesday, doing film study and internal meetings.

It took about seven games, but the Rattlers' defense is starting to catch up to its high-powered offense, creating turnovers and taking the pressure off of quarterback Nick Davila and his deep receiving corps.

The Rattlers (9-0) had six stops two weeks ago in Portland and eight stops last week at home against Spokane. They created a total of 10 turnovers.

Coach Kevin Guy figured there would be a bit of a lag to start the season on defense after losing defensive coordinator Omarr Smith to the San Jose SaberCats (where he is being groomed to be the next head coach) and All-Arena safety Virgil Gray in free agency to the Pittsburgh Power.

"When you lose a defensive coordinator and a safety, there is going to be a transition," Guy said. "I think we're growing as a defense."

Cornerback Marquis Floyd has had four interceptions in the past two games. Cornerback Arkeith Brown had two interceptions and Demar Dorsey and Isaac Remington each had an interception in the 70-38 rout of the Shock last week.

Offense got a little sloppy last week with two uncharacteristic interceptions on successive possessions. Some of that had to do with timing with the receivers.

"As a quarterback, you can't throw interceptions to the jack (linebacker), and I threw two of them," Davila said. "Defense played great."

Remington turned his interception into a touchdown, followed by safety Jeremy Kellem returning a fumble recovery caused by linebacker Tyre Glasper 43 yards for a score.

Reshuffled line

With center Jeff Maddux out with a knee injury, Sherman Carter returned to the Rattlers last week and played well, Guy felt.

"He's a wider body and he's good at blocking the bull rusher," Guy said.

Guy rotated rookie Keith Williams inat guard with Michael Huey and Cornelius Dixon.

Davila felt a little more pressure than usual against Spokane, but he felt the pockets were clean, for the most part.

"I'm just going to go with what I feel, and I felt the pocket was clean all night," Davila said. "I just have to make some throws. It starts with me."

Davila had a couple of passes dropped. People were lined up wrong at times.

"We have to get better," Davila said. "That's not what we expect. And that's not how we're going to do things."

Off day

The Rattlers didn't practice Wednesday, as they prepare to travel to Anaheim to play the LA KISS on Sunday night.

Guy felt the players, nursing injuries and aches and pains, needed a physical day off. But they were involved in a three-hour meeting and film study Wednesday.

"I thought it was productive," Guy said. "It's going to be a shorter week next week (with San Jose on May 31). You have to be smart about it."