Bonner Searches for Third Title

June 21, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

As he has seen the League go through a positive transformation over the years, Bonner has maintained a consistently high level of play. Since leading the Rattlers to the ArenaBowl championship in 1994, his name has been included among the sport's elite -- a group that he says gets bigger and more competitive each year.

"There is some unbelievable talent in this League," Bonner said. "Every year it gets better and better. Guys aren't leaving for other Leagues now. They're choosing to stay here. Along with that has come a lot of parity – 14 of the 16 teams had a legitimate chance to win the championship this year.

While that may have been the case early last month, on Sunday only two teams will have a shot at the world title as Bonner's Rattlers take on head coach Tim Marcum and his Tampa Bay Storm.

Bonner foresees a dogfight.

"I know it's going to be a physical game," he said. "I'm expecting it, because they're very physical upfront. We need to make good decisions. With a pass rush like that you can't afford to make mistakes or take too many chances. I need to stay in rhythm and make positive plays.

On the flipside, the Tampa Bay defense knows that putting pressure on Bonner is one of the main keys to victory.

"You just try to get to him as much as you can, but he's especially hard to get to," said Tampa Bay lineman SAI POULIVAATI, who probably knows more about playing against Bonner more than any member of the Storm, facing the Rattlers twice a year from 1998-2001 while with the San Jose SaberCats. "Sherdrick is so tough and has that quick release. That combination makes him very difficult to deal with.

In the 2003 regular season, Bonner was nearly impossible to deal with, setting Rattler records with 3,692 passing yards and 88 touchdown tosses on his way to First Team All-Arena honors. In the process, he became the third man in AFL history to surpass the 25,000-yard passing plateau and the 500-touchdown pass mark.

At ArenaBowl XVI last season, he was 14-of-32 for 172 yards and one touchdown (with an interception) as Arizona lost for the first time in three championship game appearances. The Rattlers, who lost 52-14, were down 45-0 in the fourth quarter before Bonner threw a 30-yard touchdown pass with 9:24 left.

"We didn't play our game that day and that hurt me for the entire offseason," Bonner said. "That's why the guys worked as hard as they did and were so focused this year.

The 2003 season started slow as the Rattlers stumbled to a 4-5 record. That fifth loss, ironically, was here in Tampa. Bonner looks back on that game as a critical turning point.

"Tampa gave us a good beating," he said of the 68-39 loss at the St. Pete Times Forum. "At that point everyone just took a look in the mirror and really rededicated themselves. We've been taking care of business ever since.

The Rattlers went on to win nine of their next 10 games, capped off by a 66-49 semifinals victory over San Jose that clinched yet another trip to the ArenaBowl for Bonner.

Knowing that these games are hard to come by, he feels fortunate and blessed.

"You've got to have a lot of luck to get to a championship game," said Bonner, who was forced to watch the ArenaBowl from the sidelines in 1997 after breaking a leg in the playoffs. "To win one was great. To win one from the sidelines was even greater because the guys really picked up their games. Last year was really disappointing, so for us to get back here means a lot.

With all these accomplishments, one can only wonder when Arizona's most prolific passer will close his chapter in Arena Football history. A win would give Bonner his third championship ring, and who wouldn't like to go out on top?

"I don't know," he said. "I'm not really concerned with that or thinking about it. It's the last thing on my mind right now. I'm just going to try and enjoy myself on Sunday.

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