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Storm-Soul Preview

March 25, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


The Tampa Bay Storm return to play after their bye week and head to Philadelphia to take on the Soul in a nationally televised game Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN2. Tampa Bay looks to dismantle the highest-scoring offense in the league and will need big games from all components on the field to complete the task.

Before the bye week, the Storm fell in New Orleans 76-55 in a hard-fought battle. New Orleans applied pressure and took advantage, racking up four sacks and forcing four turnover to take the division lead. Saturday's game will be no less challenging, as Philadelphia is tied for the league lead with eight sacks and has yet to give up a sack all season.

Although early, the bye week came at an opportunistic time for Tampa Bay. The break came a week before playing arguably their toughest opponent all season and a week after a sprained ankle sidelined star kick returner Sedrick Robinson. Robinson is listed as day-to-day and should be ready to go against the Soul. The bye also gave Storm Head Coach Tim Marcum an extra week to prepare his team for a tough match-up in Philadelphia.

Tampa Bay is hoping Robinson will be ready to roll as kickoff returns will play a vital role in the outcome of Saturday's game. Philadelphia leads the league with an average of 23 yards per kickoff return, but the Storm are third in defending the return, allowing only 14.6 yards per attempt. Tampa Bay sits in eighth place with an 18-yard average kickoff return and Philadelphia is just behind the Storm in defending the return at 16 yards per attempt.

Despite losing starting quarterback Tony Graziani to a knee injury against New York in Week 3, the Soul have not missed a beat. Starting their backup QB Matt D'Orazio in his place last week, the Soul rolled to a 71-34 win over Los Angeles, with D'Orazio throwing eight touchdown passes.

The Storm are looking for a repeat performance of their game against the Soul last season, where a 69-59 victory in Week 15 clinched a playoff spot for Tampa Bay. Philadelphia is the most penalized team in the league, and the Storm will need to stay disciplined in hopes of capitalizing on Soul penalties. Tampa Bay has been penalized 119 yards to the Souls 257, which places the Soul last in the league.

Storm wide receiver Hank Edwards had a breakout game in Week 3, despite the loss, and set career highs with 12 passes caught for 188 yards and five touchdown receptions. Edwards came up big against the Soul last season, nabbing eight catches for 85 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Edwards and Dietz will need to be on the same page for Saturday's game in hopes of out-scoring the Soul. Last season's match-up was successful for Tampa Bay partially because the Storm scored on every offensive possession.

Dietz will need to maintain his composure and will look to his offensive line to fend off pressure from the strong Philadelphia defensive line. Avoiding hurries and sacks and giving Dietz enough time to find his receivers will help give Tampa Bay the advantage it needs over the strong Philadelphia offense. Stopping that offense will be key as well, and the defensive line will need to up its pressure on the Soul backup QB.

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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.

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