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The Rattlers parted ways with longtime quarterback Sherdrick Bonner and made former Austin Wranglers quarterback Lang Campbell their first pick of the Arena Football League's dispersal draft Friday.
Bonner, who had played for the Rattlers since 1993, plans to sign a free-agent contract with the Chicago Rush, Rattlers coach Kevin Guy said.
Meanwhile, the status of receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood, who twice was named Arena football's Ironman of the Year, was unclear.
Guy said he has not spoken to Gatewood, who began his Rattlers career in 1995, but had heard that Gatewood was retiring.
Guy said he met with Bonner this week, and the two decided it was best to go separate ways.
Bonner, 39, who holds every Rattlers passing record, led the team to two ArenaBowls. He was the ArenaBowl Most Valuable Player in 1994 when the Rattlers upset the Orlando Predators. Bonner was injured in the 1997 semifinals and didn't play in the championship game against the Iowa Barnstormers. The Rattlers won that game.
Bonner shared offensive-coordinator duties last season and passed for 4,036 yards and 83 touchdowns.
"Sherdrick has done so much for this franchise," Guy said. "He's been a great leader. We wish him all the best. We'll always keep the door open for him."
Last season, when the Rattlers were a franchise-worst 4-12, Bonner said he would retire as a Rattlers player, but that was before the team made major off-season changes.
Gene Nudo was let go as coach and was replaced by Guy. Skip Foster was named offensive coordinator and Bobby Hernreich sold the majority of team ownership to Brett Bouchy.
The Rattlers had the second pick in Friday's dispersal draft. The 17 teams chose players from the Wranglers, who moved to af2, and the Nashville Kats, who folded.
Campbell started eight games and completed 66 percent of his passes with a 111 passer rating last season for the Wranglers. The 26-year-old, who threw 41 touchdowns passes and had 11 interceptions, was in the Cardinals' training camp during the summer.
Defensive lineman Joe Minucci was the first overall selection of the draft, taken by Cleveland, which acquired the pick via trades with Colorado, Chicago, New York and Utah.
The Rattlers also picked receiver/defensive back Kevin Nickerson, defensive lineman Bernard Thomas and wide receiver James Terry.
Bonner, who had played for the Rattlers since 1993, plans to sign a free-agent contract with the Chicago Rush, Rattlers coach Kevin Guy said.
Meanwhile, the status of receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood, who twice was named Arena football's Ironman of the Year, was unclear.
Guy said he has not spoken to Gatewood, who began his Rattlers career in 1995, but had heard that Gatewood was retiring.
Guy said he met with Bonner this week, and the two decided it was best to go separate ways.
Bonner, 39, who holds every Rattlers passing record, led the team to two ArenaBowls. He was the ArenaBowl Most Valuable Player in 1994 when the Rattlers upset the Orlando Predators. Bonner was injured in the 1997 semifinals and didn't play in the championship game against the Iowa Barnstormers. The Rattlers won that game.
Bonner shared offensive-coordinator duties last season and passed for 4,036 yards and 83 touchdowns.
"Sherdrick has done so much for this franchise," Guy said. "He's been a great leader. We wish him all the best. We'll always keep the door open for him."
Last season, when the Rattlers were a franchise-worst 4-12, Bonner said he would retire as a Rattlers player, but that was before the team made major off-season changes.
Gene Nudo was let go as coach and was replaced by Guy. Skip Foster was named offensive coordinator and Bobby Hernreich sold the majority of team ownership to Brett Bouchy.
The Rattlers had the second pick in Friday's dispersal draft. The 17 teams chose players from the Wranglers, who moved to af2, and the Nashville Kats, who folded.
Campbell started eight games and completed 66 percent of his passes with a 111 passer rating last season for the Wranglers. The 26-year-old, who threw 41 touchdowns passes and had 11 interceptions, was in the Cardinals' training camp during the summer.
Defensive lineman Joe Minucci was the first overall selection of the draft, taken by Cleveland, which acquired the pick via trades with Colorado, Chicago, New York and Utah.
The Rattlers also picked receiver/defensive back Kevin Nickerson, defensive lineman Bernard Thomas and wide receiver James Terry.
I am not surprised to see Shedrick moving on, however I am surprised that it will be with another team most likely as the backup. I figured when Sed stopped playing he would move into a role with the Rattler organization in the front office or as a coach. Hopefully Sed will come back to the Rattlers after his playing days are over.
