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Storm dominate Predators in scrimmage, suffer serious injuries

January 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA, FL -- The Tampa Bay Storm closed out their 2005 training camp with a spirited scrimmage against the Orlando Predators. But it was not all good news for Tampa Bay, who left the scrimmage with a lengthy list of injuries.

The Storm scored six offensive touchdowns against the Orlando defense, highlighted by three scoring passes by quarterback Shane Stafford and touchdown runs by fullbacks Jeff Cogell and Elfrid Payton. Backup quarterback Stoney Case also tossed a touchdown pass.

The Storm defense collected five stops against the Orlando offense. Two of the stops came on interceptions. WR/LB Kenny Christian picked off a Ryan Schneider pass and returned it for a touchdown, and rookie WR/LB Ronney Daniels also recorded an interception.

Orlando's offense scored on four drives, two of which came after Storm defenders missed tackles. The Orlando defense had four stops, including two interceptions.

The Storm, who went into the scrimmage without quarterback Pat O'Hara (death in family), WR/LB David Saunders (ankle), and FB/LB Jarrod Penright (illness), lost WR/DB T.T. Toliver on the Storm's first offensive possession with an apparent torn MCL. Toliver's injury came as he was returning the Storm's initial kickoff of the game.

Tampa Bay also lost FB/LB David White (high ankle sprain) and OL/DL Rod Williams (finger).

"Defensively we made some plays," Marcum said after the scrimmage "I think we found a couple of guys, but we didn't come out of the scrimmage very good injury-wise. There were some positives, but losing T.T. for an extended length of time is certainly devastating"

The scrimmage was also marred by a fight that sent one Storm player to the hospital. The scuffle came after tempers flared between the two teams during a one-on-one segment involving the teams' FB/LBs and linemen. During the fight Storm lineman Rasheid Simmons was knocked to the ground. Orlando lineman Patrick Scott then sucker punched Simmons as he lay helmetless on the ground.

Simmons was down for nearly 30 minutes without movement in some of his extremities. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later reported full movement in his arms and legs.

The Storm now must reduce their roster to 24 players before the end of the day Monday. Tampa bay currently has 37 players on their training camp roster.

Among the players who made good final impressions on Marcum were FB/LB Elfrid Payton and WR/DBs Lynaris Elpheage and Lawrence Richardson. Payton had three sacks in the scrimmage, and both Elpheage and Richardson caught passes offensively and were credited with pass breakups on defense.

"Payton impressed me, there's no doubt about it," said Marcum. "He was back there in the backfield all day long. Now we just have to see if we can find a place for him to play on offense."

Payton is no stranger to sacking the quarterback, as he is just four sacks shy of becoming the Canadian Football League's career sacks leader.

The Storm will have a team meeting and make their final roster cuts on Monday before beginning preparations for their season opener against San Jose on Tuesday morning.

The five-time World Champion Storm open the 2005 season against the defending ArenaBowl champion SaberCats on Sunday, January 30, at 3:00 pm in the St. Pete Times Forum. Tickets for the 2005 season are on sale now at the St. Pete Times Forum Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. Tickets are also available by calling (813) 301-6600 or online at www.tampabaystorm.com.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 22, 2005


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