PHOENIX — With about one-third of the Utah Blaze players and three-quarters of its coaching staff former Arizona Rattlers, there are still many close friendships between personnel from the two franchises.
But don't expect linemen Ernest Grant and Vince Amey to be exchanging Christmas cards this holiday season.
Utah's Grant and Arizona's Amey were at the center of a couple of ugly post-game incidents following the Rattlers' 57-34 playoff victory Saturday. It started on the field at the conclusion of the game when some trash talking turned into pushing and shoving and alleged spitting. Grant actually threw a punch at Amey.
Grant's teammate Orshawante Bryant quickly pushed him away toward the locker room and order was quickly restored on the field.
But Amey apparently wasn't finished. He entered the Blaze's locker room — where he was outnumbered about 20 to 1 — and a verbal confrontation ensued, although no punches were reportedly thrown.
A few minutes later, Rattlers coach Gene Nudo came to the Blaze locker room to apologize to Blaze coach Danny White for Amey's actions. Amey returned to apologize personally to White, his former coach with the Rattlers.
"A lot of times you get into a situation when your blood is boiling and you feel like everything went wrong and emotions overtake you and you say and do things you shouldn't do," said Blaze lineman Hans Olsen. "I try to keep my distance from those type of things because it just shows disrespect to the team that just won and it shows that you can't win with good honor. It's embarrassing both ways."
FIRST ACTION: Defensive specialist DaQu'an Davis was picked up by the Blaze midseason as a free-agent acquisition, but spent all of the season on the team's practice squad. He had never even dressed for a game — until Saturday, when he started as a defensive specialist.
The move looked brilliant early, as Davis, a 27-year-old rookie picked off a tipped Sherdrick Bonner pass and returned it 32 yards to the Arizona seven.
Davis' interception set up Utah's second touchdown of the game, giving the Blaze a 14-7 lead. Utah didn't trail again until the fourth quarter.
KELLY'S FUTURE: Veteran quarterback Andy Kelly, the AFL's all-time leader in touchdowns and passing yards, is not about to retire. Kelly, who turns 38 in three weeks, wants to add to his records next season.
"With this feeling I have in my gut after this loss, I want to get back out there on the field and play," said Kelly. "I plan on playing again."
He knows, however, that his playing days in Utah may be over. The Blaze, by signing Joe Germaine to a two-year contract extension last week, have indicated that Kelly is not in their long-term plans.
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com