Samuels, Wiren named to All-Arena team

Published on June 2, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release

TAMPA, FL -- Tampa Bay Storm wide receiver/linebacker Lawrence Samuels and and offensive/ defensive lineman Nyle Wiren were named to the Arena Football League's All-Arena team, it was announced Wednesday.

Both Samuels and Wiren received second-team All-Arena honors.

One of the premier Ironmen in the league, Samuels played in all 16 games for the Storm in 2004. He finished second on the team in receptions (81) and receiving yards (951) and third in scoring (70) and all-purpose yards (978). Samuels also recorded 27.5 tackles, seven pass breakups, five fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions on defense.

The 11th-year player moved into second place on the Storm career receptions list during the 2004 season. He also moved into second place on the team's receiving yards and interceptions list and fifth on the pass breakups list.

Wiren, who finished his seventh AFL season in 2004, recorded a career-high 6.0 sacks in 12 games. He played the last half of the year with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Despite the injury, Wiren put off season-ending surgery and managed to move up to second place on the Storm's career sacks list. In addition to his six sacks, Wiren led all linemen with 26.0 tackles and collected three forced fumbles and two pass breakups.

The award marks the second consecutive second-team All-Arena honor for Samuels. Wiren received an AFL postseason award for the first time in his career.

The Orlando Predators led all teams with five selections among the two All-Arena squads. The Los Angeles Avengers had three selections, while four teams, including Tampa Bay, had two.

The Tampa Bay Storm, seeded seventh in the AFL postseason, open the 2004 playoffs on Saturday afternoon when they take on the No. 2 seed San Jose SaberCats. The game kicks off at 2:45 pm Eastern and can be seen on NBC Sports (News Channel 8). The game can also be heard live on 620-AM WDAE.

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 2, 2004

• Sabercats' Smith Named to 2004 AFL First Team; Grieb Named to Second Team - San Jose SaberCats
• Drive to ArenaBowl XVIII Playoffs begin Saturday - AFL I
• Graziani and Ingram selected to AFL "All-Arena" first team - Los Angeles Avengers
• Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
• Samuels, Wiren named to All-Arena team - Tampa Bay Storm
• Briggs selected to All-AFL First Team - Austin Wranglers
• Los Angeles Avengers game notes - Los Angeles Avengers
• Floyd, Harrell named to AFL's All-Arena Second Team - Colorado Crush
• Orlando Predators game notes - Orlando Predators
• Moyer named First Team All-Arena - Chicago Rush
• San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
• Georgia Force's Gaines named to All-Arena Second Team - Georgia Force
• Preds lead Arena Football League with five on All-Arena Team - Orlando Predators
• Bryan Henderson named First Team All-Arena - Arizona Rattlers
• Arizona Rattlers game notes - Arizona Rattlers
• Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
• Desperados Pettis Named Second Team All-Arena - Dallas Desperados
• Marcus Nash earns First-Team All-Arena honors - Las Vegas Gladiators
• Arena Football League names All-Arena Teams - AFL I

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.

Other Recent Tampa Bay Storm Stories

• Tampa Bay Storm to Suspend Operations, Effective Immediately
• 2018 TAMPA BAY Storm Cheerleader PREP CLASS
• ALBANY AFL NAMES LES MOSS AS ASSISTANT HEAD COACH
• ALBANY AFL ANNOUNCES OPEN HOUSE EVENT AT TIMES UNION CENTER
• AFL Albany AFL Names Chris Thompson Director of Football