Storm Open 2004 Training Camp January 18

Published on January 15, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA, FL -- The defending world champion Tampa Bay Storm begin preparations for defense of their 2004 training camp on Sunday, January 18, 2004, with a single practice session at the St. Pete Times Forum.

The Storm will begin training camp with 36 players, including 19 who return from last season's ArenaBowl championship squad. The team will workout at 10:00 am on the Plaza outside of the arena.

The Storm return all of their receivers from last season, including ArenaBowl Game MVP and Ironman of the Game Lawrence Samuels, along with Freddie Solomon, TT Toliver, Clif Dell, David Saunders, Gary Compton, and Tramain Jones. The Storm also added four-year NFL veteran Elijah Williams at the wide receiver/defensive back spot.

Tampa Bay also returns all three of its fullback/linebackers in David White, Basil Proctor, and Andre Bowden, the AFL's second leading all-time rusher.

While the Storm have much of their championship roster returning, they must replace a few vital cogs from the 2003 squad. Quarterback John Kaleo signed with the Austin Wranglers in the offseason. But the Storm have plenty of pro football experience ready to fill his shoes. Shane Stafford, who started for the Storm for much of the 2002 season and spent last year in NFL Europe, returns to the Storm, as does 2003 ArenaBowl hero Pat O'Hara. Also in the mix at quarterback is Stoney Case, a six-year NFL veteran.

Along with the quarterback position, Tampa Bay will be looking for new starters along the line of scrimmage and in the defensive secondary. Offensive/defensive linemen BJ Cohen, Al Lucas, and Eric Thomas are gone via free agency, as are Troy Wilson and Sai Poulivaati, who retired following last season. Kelvin Kinney, Nyle Wiren, Darion Conner, and Ernest Certain return, as do a host of newcomers at the OL/DL position, highlighted by Shawn King, a former NFL second round draft choice and a six-year NFL veteran.

Both of Tampa Bay's starting defensive specialists signed free agent contracts with other teams this past offseason. The Storm signed Arena Football veterans Del Lee and Carlos James in the offseason, along with former first round draft pick Antonio Langham. Tampa Bay also returns Hurley Tarver and Jonathan Ordway at defensive specialist.

After using a team record six kickers in 2003, Tampa Bay will turn to one of those players again in 2004 to try to shore up the kick game. Ian Howfield, who proved by far to be the Storm's top kicker last season, returns in 2004 and will get the first crack and becoming Tampa Bay's full time kicker in 2004.

Beginning Monday, January 19, the Storm will workout twice daily leading up to their January 25 scrimmage against Orlando. The scrimmage, which will be the center of Tampa Bay's Storm Fest activities, begins at 5:00 pm inside the St. Pete Times Forum.

All Storm workouts are open to the public and the media.

The Tampa Bay Storm kick off the 2004 season on Sunday, February 8, when they host the Orlando Predators at 3:00 pm in the St. Pete Times Forum. Storm season and individual game tickets are available at the St. Pete Times Forum Box Office or by calling (813) 301-6600. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.tampabaystorm.com.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 15, 2004


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