LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – Even when his team struggled, there was no question that Arizona Rattlers offensive specialist Siaha Burley was becoming one of the league's biggest stars.

And now he is the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA) Player of the Year.

"It's a great honor to earn the award," Burley said. "I could not have had the season I did without my teammates, especially quarterbacks Sherdrick (Bonner) and Joe Germaine. I wish our season had gone a little bit better, it certainly didn't turn out like we hoped, but I am proud of what I was able to accomplish.

Arizona offensive specialist Siaha Burley is the AFLWA Player of the Year

"Any time you can get as many touchdowns as I did, that means you were doing something right, and I am thankful that I was able to stay healthy and play the way I did. I just wish we could still be playing right now."

The Rattlers finished strong, winning six of their final eight games to end 7-9, beating playoff teams Chicago and San Jose along the way. However, they failed to qualify for the postseason after appearing in the previous three ArenaBowls.

As for Burley, he set a team record with 45 touchdown catches, just one short of the league record. He also caught 117 passes for 1,542 yards, and finished with 2,314 all-purpose yards.

"Siaha is certainly deserving of the award for the season he had," Rattlers general manager Gene Nudo said. "In my mind, he is the best OS in the AFL, and his 45 touchdowns will certainly lay claim to that. He made the big catch for us all season, and really showed what an outstanding football player he is."

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.

AFLWA Players of the Year:
2005: Siaha Burley, OS, Arizona Rattlers
2004: Marcus Nash, OS, Las Vegas Gladiators