Danny White became an Arena Football League coaching legend with the Arizona Rattlers, leading the team to five ArenaBowl appearances — and two championships — in 13 seasons with the franchise.
That doesn't mean the current Utah coach, now in his third year with the Blaze, has any extra motivation entering tonight's season-opener against his old team, however.
"There's a little bit of a rivalry, but not like it was (the first year)," said White. "They have different owners, different coaches and different players than when I was there. It's really just another team on our schedule. The only thing that makes it more special is that it's a team from our division."
But there is one particular Rattler who may have a little extra motivation playing the Blaze.
Siaha Burley, who set the all-time AFL record for receiving yards last season for the Blaze, signed a free agent contract with Arizona during the offseason. Burley, an Arizona native, had an offer on the table from the Blaze, but the Rattlers were willing to pay him more to return home.
"The fact that we're playing against Siaha pumps (the rivalry) up a little bit," admitted Blaze receiver Tom Pace, himself a former Rattler. "For us, it's a big rivalry. ... We can't lose to them any more. We've got to stop that."
The Blaze didn't have much success against the Rattlers in the first two years, going just 1-4. Arizona knocked the Blaze out of the playoffs in 2006 and then beat the Blaze again last year at EnergySolutions Arena.
It was a poor year for the Rattlers overall in '07, however, as they went just 4-12. As a result, the team has a new coach — Kevin Guy, who was the defensive coordinator for the champion San Jose SaberCats a year ago — and a bunch of new players.
With the acquisition of Burley and others, Arizona plans to turn things around in a hurry. To show how serious they are, the franchise has given their season-ticket holders a money-back guarantee. If the Rattlers fail to get to the playoffs, season-ticket holders will be given a full refund.
Of course, that's not going too far out on a limb, since 12 of the AFL's 17 teams will make the postseason. But a similar promise would have cost the Rattlers a year ago, as they were one of the few AFL teams to miss the playoffs.
Utah, meanwhile, has made the postseason in each of its first two seasons but has lost in road playoff games both times. This year the team's goal is to host and win at least one postseason game.
After not retaining Burley, Utah went after free agent offensive and defensive linemen in hopes of improving those problem areas from the first two seasons. Offensive lineman Devin Wyman and defensive linemen E.J. Burt and Dwayne Missouri are the most accomplished Blaze newcomers.
"We've gotten better on the lines on both sides of the ball," said White. "We're counting on being able to protect the quarterback and to rush the opposing quarterback better than we did last year."
Utah's offense will again be led by quarterback Joe Germaine, who set the all-time AFL season mark with 5,005 yards passing a year ago. Pace, Aaron Boone, Huey Whittaker and J.J. McKelvey are expected to be Germaine's primary targets.
And now, after nearly a monthlong training camp, the Blaze are eager to get their 16-game season going.
"We want to play somebody," said White. "It's been a long time. We're anxious to get going."
Season-opener
Arizona Rattlers at Utah Blaze Tonight, 7 p.m.; EnergySolutions Arena TV: KJZZ; Radio: 1230 AM
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com