UNIONDALE, NY — Rohan Davey declined to excuse his turnover-filled performance against the Soul. Making just his third start in the Arena League, the quarterback is still adjusting to the 50-yard field and modified rules the indoor game provides.

But after fumbling three times during a 65-60 loss to undefeated Philadelphia, Davey placed the blame on himself and not on his adjustment to a new league. He will look to atone for those miscues this week as the Dragons look to bounce back from a 1-3 start with a victory over 1-3 Grand Rapids this Saturday at Van Andel Arena.

“It ain't an adjustment to nothing,” Davey said. It's the same thing from outdoor to indoor. You have to protect the football. I feel like it’s progressing. I just don’t like the turnovers. That’s the only thing in my game right now that I have to totally eliminate.”

Davey, who backed up Tom Brady on the Super Bowl-winning Patriots from 2002-2004, knows about playing in pressure situations. He led LSU to an SEC championship his senior season in 2001, taking over the program after Josh Booty graduated and went to the NFL.

But six years after leaving college, the soon-to-be 29-year old, started this season as Leon Murray’s backup. Murray struggled during the season opener in Dallas, forcing coach Weylan Harding to go with the AFL rookie in the second half of a blowout.

In his three starts since that relief appearance, Davey displayed progress. He recorded eight touchdowns and 375 passing yards on 25-35 against the Soul. He also forced throws at times, tossing two interceptions while losing two fumbles in the pocket. In all, the Soul generated five turnovers, though Harding was optimistic the defeat will be a learning experience for his new passer.

“At every point in time is a learning process,” Harding said. “The fact that we were able to put up the points that put up against them [the Soul] shows that he is making a progression.

“When kids learn how to walk, they are going to scrape their knees sometimes before they learn to walk upright and run. He’s getting to that point. We believe in him and we’re behind him.”

Davey possesses decent size at 6-2, though he looks heavier than his listed 245 pounds. The Soul managed to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage, and his lack of mobility hurt him on the first play from scrimmage when Bryan Save forced a fumble that slipped out of Davey’s hands. Felipe Claybrooks recovered or the defensive touchdown, giving Philadelphia an early lead they would not relinquish.

“In all the games which we lost, I’ve turned the ball over,” Davey said after the defeat. “We lose this game right here by five and we commit five turnovers, so you do the math and turn it around, and we win the football game.”

After playing 30 minutes against the Desperados last month, Davey said it was difficult initially to get acclimated to the speed of the Arena League. He looked more comfortable last weekend, throwing three touchdowns each to Mike Horacek and Kevin Swayne.

Another four-turnover performance from Davey could be too much to overcome against the Rampage, and the former Patriot and Arizona Cardinal said ball control will be a priority.

Harding insisted he is comfortable waiting for Davey to develop. Aaron Garcia remains out indefinitely after fracturing his tibia 13 months ago. Garcia might not ever play professional football again, so it will be up to Davey, a Miami, Fla. native, to lead the Dragons to their third consecutive playoff appearance.

Horacek, who led all team receivers with 11 catches for 188 yards last game, said he has full confidence his team will shake off the slow start and make a push in a division that features 4-0 Philadelphia and 5-0 Dallas.

“We’re going to make the playoffs, no doubt about that,” he said. “There’s no panic button there. We started out 2-2 last year. So there’s no panic here. We got the talent. We are more talented than we were last year.

“We just have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. As soon as we do that, we can beat anybody.”

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