Storm Finalize Opening Day Roster

Published on March 29, 2010 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - The Five-Time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm have finalized the opening roster for the 2010 Arena Football League season, announced Head Coach and General Manager Tim Marcum.

"This is never an easy thing to do," said Marcum. "However, I am very excited to start the season with the group of guys we have now. We had some good competition at several positions and that made for some hard decisions."

Teams had to submit to the League office a final 23-man roster by 3:00 p.m. today. Several members return to the Storm from the previous season. On offense, Brett Dietz returns to lead an offense that averaged more than 70 points a game at the end of the 2008 season. Joining him as battery mates are receivers Hank Edwards, Tyrone Timmons and Sedrick Robinson. Emmanuel Akah and Tom Kaleita return to the offensive line to keep the pressure off of Dietz.

Defensively, nose guard Tim McGill returns to lead the pass rush and is joined by lineman Cliff Dukes and linebacker Terrence Royal while the lone returning defensive back is Reggie Lewis

New faces on the offensive side of the ball are backup quarterback Drew Weatherford, receiver John Roberson and linemen Robert Powell and Greg Hammond. The defense has several new faces with the addition of rookies Deonte Bolden, Anthony Ivy and Michael Hawthorne. They are joined by AFL veterans and Storm newcomers, defensive back Brandon Hefflin and defensive lineman Jermaine Smith. Garrett Rivas, a new face as well, will handle the kicking duties.

In other roster moves, the team placed three players on injured reserve: wide receiver DeAndrew Rubin, and defensive backs Daryon Brutley and James McCoy.  Three players were released today: quarterback BJ Hall and linebackers Dusty Bear and Eric Ortiz.

The Tampa Bay Storm open the 2010 AFL season on the road in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 8:00 p.m. (EST) as they look to de-claw the Talons. The game can be heard on 1250-AM WHNZ with Jack Harris calling the play-by-play and Jason Dixon doing color commentary.

The Storm return home to the confines of the St. Pete Times Forum for its home opener Friday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m.  To order tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Season Tickets start as low as $50! To be a part of all the hard-hitting action, call 813.301.6600 (season tickets), 813.301.6900 (group tickets) or visit www.tampabaystorm.com.

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