Saturday could be a learning experience for two Arena Football League teams at two drastically different places in their evolutions.
On one end of the spectrum are the Arizona Rattlers, winners of the last three Arena Bowls. They visit the expansion Las Vegas Outlaws, who are hoping for their first victory in their second game. That's good entertainment value for a game nationally broadcast on ESPN2.
The Outlaws are owned by former Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil, who put together quite a Las Vegas-style show in the season opener. Carrot Top appeared for the coin toss, and Neil's performance of the national anthem went viral online -- probably not for the best of reasons.
Expect Arizona to see this as nothing more than an opportunity to give an upstart franchise a lesson in winning.
The Rattlers' chase for their fourth consecutive title began swimmingly last week. Coach Kevin Guy's squad opened the year with a 60-43 home win over the Spokane Shock, and the team hopes that solid performance will carry over.
The Outlaws debuted last week in a 59-41 loss to the San Jose SaberCats. A 28-0 deficit didn't help matters, but the offense led by quarterback J.J. Raterink finally found a rhythm to outscore San Jose 28-17 in the second half.
RATTLERS at OUTLAWS
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: ESPN2
Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila was his solid self, throwing for 246 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Without three receivers -- the injured Kerry Reed, Rod Windsor and Maurice Purify -- Arizona must have liked that Chase Deadder and Jared Perry combined for four scores and 171 yards. Deadder could become a favorite target of Davila's thanks to his 6'5 frame.
Meanwhile, fullback Mykel Benson made his impact near the goalline, scoring three touchdowns on just seven carries.
Former Rattlers receiver Tysson Poots, who grew up just outside Las Vegas, left Arizona for Las Vegas this offseason and made an immediate impact in the new team's debut last weekend. Poots recorded seven catches for 123 yards and three touchdowns.
Las Vegas defensive back Donovan Henley, from Chandler, Ariz., also played for Arizona in 2014.
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