Storm sign Bill Gramatica

Published on February 22, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - The five-time world champion Tampa Bay Storm signed kicker Bill Gramatica, Head Coach and General Manager Tim Marcum announced today.

Gramatica, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound kicker out of Kansas State is a one-year veteran. He returns to the Storm after a solid rookie season in 2006. Gramatica finished seventh in the League with 12 field goals and eighth with 94 point after attempts. He attended college locally at the University of South Florida. Gramatica holds the record for longest field goal in USF history as he connected on a 63-yard attempt against Austin Peay in 2001.

The Storm made an additional roster move today as they waived defensive lineman Ron Smith. A rookie out of Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee, Smith began his professional career in 2002 with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was one of 11 defensive lineman brought into training camp as Marcum seeks to improve the teams' pass rush.

Training Camp - With only one practice session left before the Storm sets its roster for the 2007 season the team was in high spirits. The defensive backfield looked sharp in three-on-three drills as ball hawking defensive back backs Lynarise Elpheage and Jeroid Johnson batted down several balls. Huey Whittaker jumped into the fray with a strong defensive presence at the Jack linebacker position. Defensive lineman Mark Word is starting to adapt to the indoor game as he frequently put pressure on the quarterback today.

The afternoon session was brief as the team practiced on grass. With jobs on the line, Marcum told the team he wanted them to be prepared tomorrow and to give it their all. The team will hold its final training camp session Friday, February 23 at 10 a.m. in the morning on the plaza at the St. Pete Times Forum.

The 2007 Storm Season, presented by Champs Sports, Where Sport Lives, will open March 2 with the War on I-4 against the Orlando Predators on Bill Currie Ford Field at the St. Pete Times Forum. Former Storm quarterback Shane Stafford returns for his first game against the Storm. For tickets call 813.301.6780 or visit www.tampabaystorm.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 22, 2007


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.

OurSports Central