PHOENIX — With so many ties between the established Arizona Rattlers and the second-year Utah Blaze, it's sort of like a sibling rivalry.
And so far, the big brothers have been too much for the little brothers.
Overall, both teams had similar records a year ago. But all three times the Rattlers played the Blaze in 2006, Arizona came out victorious — and one of those games was in the Arena Football League playoffs.
Utah has 10 players and coaches that formerly earned paychecks while with the Rattlers — including Danny White, who coached Arizona for 14 years years. Some of the Blaze mainstays who were once Rattlers are wide receiver Siaha Burley, quarterback Joe Germaine, WR/DB Orshawante Bryant, WR/LB Tom Pace and DB Clarence Lawson.
The Blaze will have their fourth crack at the Rattlers on Saturday in Phoenix.
"We need to get one against those guys," said Bryant.
The Blaze and Rattlers run similar systems, so there shouldn't be too many surprises come kickoff.
"They know what we're going to do, and I think we have a good feeling for what they're going to do," said Arizona coach Gene Nudo.
The Blaze and Rattlers were on opposite ends of close games last week in their respective 2007 season openers. Utah won on a last-play field goal against the New Orleans VooDoo. Arizona lost a shootout, 69-65, against the Georgia Force.
"They are going to be determined now to bounce back," said White. "A loss always provides a little more incentive in practice. They will be out to prove that they are better than they showed last week."
The Rattlers are led by a pair of veterans — quarterback Sherdrick Bonner and wide receiver Randy Gatewood, who passed Utah defensive coordinator Hunkie Cooper for the Rattlers' all-time lead in receiving yards in last week's game. Gatewood has scored a team-record 207 touchdowns in his 12-year career.
Both Utah and Arizona had outstanding offensive games in their openers, but their defenses left something to be desired. Bonner, now in his 15th season in the AFL, threw eight touchdown passes in the opener. Utah scored nine touchdowns and a field goal last week and was held scoreless on just one possession.
"They've got an excellent quarterback, their receivers make plays and I'm very impressed with their defense," said Nudo of the Blaze. "They get after the quarterback and that's a big concern of mine."
A big concern for the Blaze is the health of receivers Aaron Boone and Burley. Both missed practice this week while nursing injuries, although Burley is expected to play tonight. Boone, who suffered a sprained right ankle in the win over New Orleans, is listed as questionable for the game. Blaze veteran Justin Skaggs is expected to take Boone's place in the lineup if needed.
"They've got three games on us to zero," said Skaggs. "Last year they just seemed to have one up on us. It was frustrating. But hopefully we're going to go pay them back this year."
Blaze on the road
Utah Blaze (1-0) at Arizona Rattlers (0-1)
Today, 7 p.m.
U.S. Airways Arena
TV: FSN (tape-delayed 9:30 p.m.)
Radio: 1280AM
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com