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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Defense Leads Storm Playoff Drive

April 23, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – Offense wins games, defense wins championships.

No one believes that theory like Tampa Bay Storm head coach TIM MARCUM, who owns six AFL championship rings with three different teams.

The League's No. 2 playoff seed entering Week 13, Tampa Bay has clinched a playoff berth and continues to storm toward the postseason in search of its fifth ArenaBowl championship. If history proves correct, the team's top-ranked defense will lead the drive. Marcum's 1995 and 1996 ArenaBowl championship teams boasted the AFL's best defensive units in their respective seasons.

This Sunday on NBC (3 p.m. ET), the defensive-minded Storm will face the high-octane offense of the New York Dragons, who are guided by the AFL's all-time passing touchdowns leader AARON GARCIA (530) and the League's top scorer this season, offensive specialist MIKE FURREY (276 points). The Dragons' top-ranked offense racks up 312.6 yards per game.

Tampa Bay, however, owns the stingiest scoring defense, giving up just 41.2 points per game and allowing scores on an AFL-best 55 percent of their opponents' possessions. The Storm is No. 3 in total defense, allowing only 249.3 yards per game. The team has the No. 1 red-zone defense, permitting the opposition to score on 40-of-55 opportunities (72.7 percent), and holds the second-best turnover margin (+12). Tampa Bay is tops on 3rd- and 4th-down opponent conversions – allowing advancement on just 34.1 percent of attempts (28-of-82).

According to Marcum, great defense in Arena Football starts with a good pass rush.

"That's the formula we've always used, from the days of (Arena Football Hall of Fame lineman) JOHN CORKER in Detroit to the days of SYLVESTER BEMBERY and WILLIE WYATT here in Tampa Bay," Marcum said. "I think we have some outstanding pass rushers on this team who are playing at a very high level right now. When you get guys like KELVIN KINNEY and B.J. COHEN flying at the quarterback, it makes him get rid of the ball a step quicker than he wants to. And if he doesn't, he'll pay the price."

Tampa Bay's line boasts a fierce pass rush and equally rigid front line of protection for quarterback JOHN KALEO, allowing only six sacks to date (No. 3, AFL). Linemen Cohen and SAI POULIVAATI frequently beat their opposition around the corner to collapse the pocket.

"Defensively, Tampa Bay is very strong up front. I would attribute most of their success to the fact that they bring a lot of pressure and protect well," said Georgia Force head coach MARTY LOWE. "They are probably the best as far as up-front personnel and probably the best in the League.

Quarterback pressure is a specialty of the Storm, Kinney and AL LUCAS (currently on injured reserve) rank among the AFL's top sack duos, combining for seven of the team's 19 sacks (No. 2, AFL). Tampa Bay has recorded 11 quarterback hurries. Cohen gets a hand up in front consistently, snaring two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), breaking up passes and blocking kicks.

"Tampa Bay has an excellent defense," said Indiana head coach MIKE DAILEY, who's Firebirds were held to 20 points this season against the Storm. "They do a tremendous job of rushing the passer and coverage. With a combination of both, they give a tough time to the offensive minded teams that they face."

This Sunday, the Storm faces one of the League's most heavily loaded offenses in New York, which has won five of its last six games. The Dragons implementing their passing game 94 percent of the time. Garcia – the AFL's top-rated passer – connects with his intended receiver at a rate of 68.8 percent, best among all quarterbacks (minimum 100 attempts). In 12 games, he has racked up 3,757 yards and 86 touchdowns, both League bests to date.

Tampa Bay will work to contain New York receivers by utilizing some of the AFL's best defenders. The Storm leads the AFL in interceptions with 19 (tie, Georgia) and owns the No. 2-rated pass defense by holding teams to 242.5 passing yards per contest.

"We have some pretty good guys in the secondary," Marcum said. "OMARR SMITH and COREY SAWYER are veterans and know what they're doing back there. That allows me to mix up coverage and confuse the quarterbacks, which I think is why we've been able to pick off so many passes this season."

Smith and Sawyer have not only combined for 13 picks so far this season (two returned for scores), but have also broken up 24 passes, more than half of the team's total. Defensive backs and specialists are charged with stopping as many as four receivers at a time, including one with a running start. They face opposing passes close to 40 times per game.

If Marcum's mantra holds true -- defense wins championships and defense begins with a good pass rush – Tampa Bay's big "D" could steer his Storm team through its 17th consecutive playoff appearance ... and drive them to ArenaBowl XVII.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 23, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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