Tampa Bay Storm game notes

April 27, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


WEEK 13
TAMPA BAY STORM (5-7)
at
ORLANDO PREDATORS (6-5)
May 2, 2004 3:00 pm NBC Sports
TD Waterhouse Centre (16,613)
Orlando, Fla.

THE SERIES
Overall record: Series tied, 17-17
Regular Season: Storm lead, 14-13
Playoffs: Predators lead, 4-3
Last Meeting: Tampa Bay won 52-41
(at Tampa Bay, Feb. 8, 2004)

RADIO – 620 AM WDAE
Jack Harris, play-by-play
Jason Dixon, analyst

TV – NBC Sports (News Channel 8)
Bob Papa, play-by-play
Pat Haden, analyst
Lewis Johnson, sideline

2004 STORM SCHEDULE/RESULTS
DATE OPPONENT RESULT
Feb. 8 Orlando Predators W, 52-41
Feb. 13 Georgia Force L, 62-70
Feb. 22 at Austin Wranglers L, 48-56
Feb. 29 Philadelphia Soul W, 40-37
Mar. 7 at New Orleans VooDoo L, 43-55
Mar. 14 New York Dragons L, 35-40
Mar. 21 at Carolina Cobras L, 43-54
Mar. 27 at Georgia Force W, 53-24
Apr. 4 San Jose SaberCats L, 55-62
Apr. 11 at Chicago Rush L, 36-51
Apr. 18 Austin Wranglers WOT, 58-52
Apr. 25 at Columbus Destroyers W, 46-36
May 2 at Orlando Predators 3:00 pm
May 9 Los Angeles Avengers 3:00 pm
May 23 New Orleans VooDoo 3:00 pm
May 30 at Dallas Desperados 4:00 pm
All times Eastern and subject to change

WAR ON I-4 RESUMES WITH TEAMS' PLAYOFF LIVES IN THE BALANCE

With both teams still battling for their postseason lives, the Tampa Bay Storm and Orlando Predators renew the War on I-4 Sunday afternoon at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando. The 35th installment of the AFL's most storied rivalry will go a long way in determining each team's playoff future. The Storm have won two consecutive games since declaring the remainder of the season must-win contests, while the Predators have won three straight games to turn around their slow start to the season. Tampa Bay is looking to win its fourth consecutive game against the Predators and sweep the regular season series from Orlando. The teams faced off in Week 1 of the season, with the Storm taking a 52-41 victory.

BIG SECOND HALF LIFTS STORM PAST DESTROYERS, 46-36

The Tampa Bay Storm scored the first 15 points of the second half to turn a five-point halftime deficit into a 10-point lead en route to a 46-36 victory over the Columbus Destroyers last Sunday afternoon. Tampa Bay struggled through much of the first half after the Destroyers scored backto- back touchdowns to start the game. In fact, the Storm did not score their first offensive touchdown until Andre Bowden scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left in the second quarter. Bowden's touchdown, along with TT Toliver's 58-yard kickoff return for touchdown, allowed the Storm to stay close to the Destroyers. In the second half the Storm turned the tide, scoring a touchdown to open the third quarter and taking their first lead of the game. On the next possession Kelvin Kinney intercepted a pass in the endzone for another Storm score that pushed Tampa Bay's lead to two possessions. The Storm never trailed after that and crusied to the victory. Toliver's return marked his third kickoff return for touchdown in the past two weeks. Shane Stafford was efficient from under center, completing 18-of-26 passes for 212 yards.

BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU KICK TO HIM

Tampa Bay Storm WR/DB TT Toliver showed again last week against Columbus why he is one of the most feared kickoff returners in the AFL. Toliver returned a kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown, marking the third time in the past two weeks that Toliver scored on a kickoff return. In the Storm's previous game against Austin, Toliver matched a career high by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns.

Toliver's 58-yard effort against the Destroyers also matched his career long kickoff return. He also posted a 58-yard return in Week 11 against Austin. This season Toliver ranks fifth in the league in kickoff return yards and kickoff return average.

Toliver had returned 44 kickoffs for 933 yards, an average of 21.2 yards per return. His three kickoff returns for touchdowns are the fourth-highest total this season in the AFL.

PROTECTING THE FOOTBALL

The Tampa Bay Storm played their Week 12 game against the Columbus Destroyers last weekend without committing a turnover. The contest marked the first time this season that the Storm did not commit a turnover in a game. It was also the first time that the Storm failed to throw an interception in a game since Tampa Bay's Week 6 contest against the New York Dragons. Additionally, Shane Stafford's interception-free ballgame was just his third game this season that he did not throw an interception and the first since the Storm's game at Austin on February 22.

For the season the Storm are +5 in turnover margin. That total is the fifth-best in the AFL. The Storm are 4-2 this season and 117-13 all-time when their opponents have more turnovers in a game. Conversely, Tampa Bay is 0-3 this season and 26-48 alltime when committing more turnovers than its opponent in a game.

It will again be important for Stafford to protect the football this weekend against the Orlando Predators. The Predators' defense features defensive specialist Kenny McEntyre, who last week became the AFL's career leader in interceptions after picking off a pair of passes against Dallas quarterback Glen Gauntt. The Orlando defense has also been bolstered by the return of defensive specialist Damon Mason, who starred alongside Kenny Mac when the Predators' made consecutive ArenaBowl appearances in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Mason returned to Orlando on April 14 after being released by the Carolina Cobras. In two games back with Orlando, Mason has recorded 9.0 tackles and a pass breakup.

WORKING EFFICIENTLY

While Storm quarterback Shane Stafford's passing yards numbers have not been eyepopping over the past few weeks (211 yards vs Austin and 212 yards at Columbus), he has become a more efficient thrower since making his return to the starting line-up. After completing just 14-of-30 passes (46.7%) in his return as a starter on March 27 at Georgia, Stafford has completed over 60% of his passes in each of the four games since.

Last week against Columbus, Stafford was 18-for-26 (69.2%). And in the previous game against Austin, Stafford completed 72% (18-of-25) of his throws. Prior to being benched in Week 5, Stafford had completed at least 60% of his passes just twice in five games. For his career, Stafford has completed 62.3% of his throws.

AFL STANDINGS

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
SOUTHERN DIVISION
Team Overall Div.
New Orleans VooDoo 9-2 3-1
Austin Wranglers 6-5 3-2
Orlando Predators 6-5 2-3
Tampa Bay Storm 5-7 3-3
Georgia Force 4-8 2-4

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
EASTERN DIVISION
Team Overall Div.
Dallas Desperados 6-5 4-2
New York Dragons 6-5 2-3
Philadelphia Soul 5-6 4-2
Carolina Cobras 4-7 3-2
Columbus Destroyers 3-8 1-5

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL DIVISION
Team Overall Div.
Chicago Rush 7-4 3-1
Colorado Crush 8-4 3-3
Indiana Firebirds 6-6 3-2
Detroit Fury 4-7 2-2
Grand Rapids Rampage 1-10 1-5

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
WESTERN DIVISION
Team Overall Div.
San Jose SaberCats 9-2 3-0
Los Angeles Avengers 7-4 2-2
Arizona Rattlers 7-5 1-2
Las Vegas Gladiators 4-7 1-3

AFL THIS WEEK

Saturday, May 1
Columbus at Carolina, 7:30 pm
Austin at Grand Rapids, 7:30 pm
New York at Dallas, 8:30 pm
Arizona at Los Angeles, 10:30 pm
New Orleans at San Jose, 10:30 pm

Sunday, May 2
Tampa Bay at Orlando, 3:00 pm
Indiana at Las Vegas, 3:00 pm
Philadelphia at Colorado, 3:00 pm
Chicago at Detroit, 3:00 pm
BYE: Georgia

STORM RECORD WHEN ...
ALL TIME 2004
Leading after 1st quarter 85-19 1-1
Trailing after 1st quarter 42-34 2-5
Tied after 1st quarter 19-10 2-1
Leading after 2nd quarter 120-16 4-2
Trailing after 2nd quarter 15-41 1-4
Tied after 2nd quarter 11-6 0-1
Leading after 3rd quarter 120-10 4-2
Trailing after 3rd quarter 21-49 1-4
Tied after 3rd quarter 6-4 0-1
Tampa Bay scores first 85-20 2-2
Opponent scores first 63-43 3-5
Tampa Bay more tot. yards 109-29 2-5
Opponent more tot. yards 38-34 3-2
Tampa Bay more pass yards 101-32 2-6
Opponent more pass yards 46-31 3-1
Tampa Bay more rush yards 103-21 2-2
Opponent more rush yards 45-41 3-5
Tampa Bay more turnovers 26-48 0-3
Opponent more turnovers 117-13 4-2
Tampa Bay 300 yd passer 13-10 0-3
Opponent 300 yd passer 14-9 0-1
Tampa Bay 30 yd rusher 34-3 0-0
Opponent 30 yd rusher 9-9 0-0
Tampa Bay 100 yd receiver 73-32 2-6
Opponent 100 yd receiver 43-33 1-4
Tampa Bay 200 yd receiver 0-0 0-0
Opponent 200 yd receiver 1-2 0-0
Tampa Bay two 30 yd rushers 4-1 0-0
Opponent two 30 yd rushers 1-1 0-0
Tampa Bay two 100 yd rec. 4-4 0-1
Opponent two 100 yd rec. 1-2 0-0
Tampa Bay 300+ pass yds 12-10 0-3
Opponent 300+ pass yds 15-9 0-1
Tampa Bay 50+ rush yds 24-2 0-0
Opponent 50+ rush yds 10-8 0-0
Tampa Bay 70+ points 8-0 0-0
Opponent 70+ points 0-2 0-1
Tampa Bay 60+ points 39-1 0-1
Opponent 60+ points 7-13 0-2
Tampa Bay 50+ points 84-10 3-2
Opponent 50+ points 32-32 1-6
Tampa Bay 40+ points 125-27 5-5
Opponent 40+ points 60-52 2-7
Games decided 17+ points 65-16 1-0
Games decided 3 pts or less 17-11 1-0
TB holds opp. under 20 pts 23-0 0-0
TB held under 40 points 25-34 0-2
TB held to 30 pts or less 8-9 0-0

Home 81-29 3-3
Away 66-34 2-4
Overtime 5-5 1-0
Thursday 3-3 0-0
Friday 35-14 0-1
Saturday 82-32 1-0
Sunday 20-14 4-6
Monday 6-1 0-0
January 1-0 0-0
February 3-4 2-2
March 6-3 1-3
April 9-9 2-2
May 29-12 0-0
June 36-14 0-0
July 40-12 0-0
August 22-8 0-0
September 1-0 0-0

HOME COOKING

Playing in front of numerous family members and friends in the city in which he resides in the offseason, Storm lineman Kelvin Kinney had a successful homecoming last Sunday at Columbus. Kinney recorded his first career interception in the third quarter, picking off Ryan Vena's pass in the endzone for a touchdown. The score put Tampa Bay on top by ten points and gave the Storm a two-score advantage and a lead which they never relinquished. Kinney, who also recorded two solo tackles in the game, was named the Defensive Player of the Game.

DELL TOPS 3,000

Storm WR/DB Clif Dell hauled in three passes for 45 yards last week at Columbus. In doing so Dell topped the 3,000 receiving yards mark for his career. This season Dell has been a big-play guy for the Storm, catching 25 passes for 363 yards. His 14.5 yards per catch average leads the team, and his seven touchdown receptions give him almost one touchdown for every three catches.

Dell currently has 3,033 career receiving yards on 226 career catches. He has also scored 56 receiving touchdowns in his career, many of which came as a member of the Orlando Predators. Dell, who will face his former squad this weekend, played with the Predators from 1999-2002.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

A week after seeing their total defense rank drop from No. 1 in the league to No. 3, the Tampa Bay Storm turned in an impressive defensive effort against the Columbus Destroyers, holding them to just 36 points and 206 yards of total offense. The effort allowed the Storm to move up one spot to No. 2 in the AFL in total defense. They now reside behind only the Orlando Predators' defense in that category.

The 36 points allowed by the Tampa Bay defense also allowed the Storm to move up to No. 2 in scoring defense. Tampa Bay is also behind only Orlando in that category. The 36 points scored by Columbus is the second-fewest given up by Tampa Bay this season. The Storm gave up just 24 points at Georgia on March 27.

In the Storm's five wins this season, the Tampa Bay defense has allowed an average of 38.0 points per game. Contrast that to the seven games which the Storm have lost (55.4 points per game), and it's easy to see that the play of the Storm defense is likely to dictate the game's final outcome.

STILL IN THE HUNT

After recording back-to-back wins against Austin and Columbus, the Storm are still very much in the hunt for a postseason berth that would extend the team's league-record streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 14 seasons. But, in order to do that, the Storm still likely need to win out, leaving every remaining game on the schedule a must-win ballgame.

Tampa Bay is currently two games out in the loss column of the eighth and final playoff spot. However, with their win at Columbus, the Storm moved ahead of Georgia, Detroit, and Carolina in the postseason race. With five weeks remaining in the regular season, here are the current league standings:

1. New Orleans (9-2)
1. San Jose (9-2)
3. Colorado (8-4)
4. Chicago (7-4)
4. Los Angeles (7-4)
6. Arizona (7-5)
7. Austin (6-5)
7. Dallas (6-5)
7. New York (6-5)
7. Orlando (6-5)
11. Indiana (6-6)
12. Philadelphia (5-6)
13. Tampa Bay (5-7)
14. Carolina (4-7)
14. Detroit (4-7)
14. Las Vegas (4-7)
17. Georgia (4-8)
18. Columbus (3-8)
19. Grand Rapids (1-10)

* The top eight seeds make the playoffs. Teams with identical records are listed alphabetically.

TOUGH TEST

The Tampa Bay offensive line faces a tough task this weekend when it goes up against the league's best pass rushing unit. The Predators lead the league with 21 quarterback sacks this season. That total is four more than the next best team and nine better than the Storm's season total of 12 quarterback sacks.

The Storm offensive line, however, has done a pretty good job in protecting the quarterback this season. The Storm have allowed seven quarterback sacks and rank sixth in the league in the sacks against category. The Storm did not allow a quarterback sack in their Week 1 contest against the Orlando Predators earlier this season.

WAR ON I-4 RESUMES

The storied rivalry between the Tampa Bay Storm and Orlando Predators, dubbed the War on I-4, resumes on Sunday as the two arch rivals meet for the 35th time. The series, which began in 1991, is amazingly close, as each team has won 17 games. The Storm hold a slight 14-13 advantage in 27 regular-season contests. The Predators, however, have a 4-3 advantage in the postseason. Tampa Bay leads the series' all-time points scored race, 1,442 – 1,399.

Tampa Bay has won three straight contests in this series, including a 52-41 win in Week 1 of the 2004 season. The three-game winning streak marks the first Storm three-game winning streak against Orlando since a five-game winning streak that stretched through parts of the 1994, 1995, and 1996 seasons.

GAME FACE ON

As the calendar turns to May, it's no surprise that the Tampa Bay Storm have begun to play better football. The Storm are noted for their late-season success, with proof coming in a league-record five ArenaBowl championships.

WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF GAME
Week 1: Shane Stafford. TB
Week 2: Stafford, Solomon, TB
Week 3: John Kaleo, AUS
Week 4: Lawrence Samuels, TB
Week 5: Aaron Bailey, NO
Week 6: Lincoln Dupree, NYD
Week 7: Jarrick Hillery, CAR
Week 8: David White, TB
Week 9: James Roe, SJO
Week 10: Etu Molden, CHI
Week 11: John Kaleo, AUS
Week 12: Shane Stafford, TB
Week 13:
Week 14:
Week 15:
Week 16:
Week 17:

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF GAME
Week 1: Shea Showers, TB
Week 2: Rod Williams, TB
Week 3: Cedric Walker, AUS
Week 4: Nyle Wiren, TB
Week 5: Lamont Moore, TB
Week 6: Rodney Filer, NYD
Week 7: Jack Walker, CAR
Week 8: Ernest Certain, TB
Week 9: Omarr Smith, SJO
Week 10: Corey Sawyer, CHI
Week 11: Lawrence Samuels, TB
Week 12: Kelvin Kinney, TB
Week 13:
Week 14:
Week 15:
Week 16:
Week 17:

IRONMAN OF THE GAME
Week 1: TT Toliver, TB
Week 2: Markeith Cooper, GEO
Week 3: Darryl Hammond, AUS
Week 4: Lawrence Samuels, TB
Week 5: Lamont Moore, TB
Week 6: Lincoln Dupree, NYD
Week 7: Jarrick Hillery, CAR
Week 8: Lawrence Samuels, TB
Week 9: TT Toliver, TB
Week 10: Bob McMillen, CHI
Week 11: TT Toliver, TB
Week 12: TT Toliver, TB
Week 13:
Week 14:
Week 15:
Week 16:
Week 17:

STORM INJURY REPORT

Player Injury Status
S. King Calf Questionable
D. White Hamstring Questionable
M. George Clavicle Out – On IR
B. Proctor Thumb Out – On IR

TALE OF THE TAPE

STORM PREDATORS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Total Offense 10 259.6 9 261.7
Total Defense 2 242.8 1 238.3
Passing Offense 9 248.8 17 219.8
Passing Defense 3 225.3 1 217.6
Rushing Offense 18 10.8 1 41.9
Rushing Defense 5 17.4 10 20.6

TRACKING THE STORM

Following the week listed, the Storm ranked:
TOTAL TOTAL
OFF. DEF.
Week 1: 5 6
Week 2: 12 14
Week 3: 5 14
Week 4: 5 13
Week 5: 7 6
Week 6: 7 3
Week 7: 7 2
Week 8: 7 1
Week 9: 7 1
Week 10: 7 1
Week 11: 8 3
Week 12: 10 2
Week 13:
Week 14:
Week 15:
Week 16:
Week 17:

The Storm finished the month of April with a 2-2 record and are 9-9 all-time in April. But things seem to always get better for the Storm in May, a month in which the Storm have a 29-12 all-time overall record. Tampa Bay will have to add to that mark this month if they intend to continue their playoff streak.

BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND

The Tampa Bay Storm and Orlando Predators contest on Sunday will be a rematch of the Week 1 encounter that saw the Storm claim a 52-41 victory. In that game, Storm quarterback Shane Stafford, who was named Offensive Player of the Game, completed 15-of-29 passes for 158 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 23 yards, including a one-yard score. Freddie Solomon led the Storm with seven catches for 66 yards and three touchdowns. TT Toliver had a pair of receptions for 34 yards, while former Predator Clif Dell added two catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. AFL rookie Joe Hamilton, playing in his first AFL game, was 23-of-40 for Orlando. He had 270 yards passing and four touchdowns, three of which went to Cory Fleming. Fleming finished with 13 catches for 151 yards. The Storm defense held Orlando to 3-of-6 on third down plays and 0-for-2 on fourth down tries. Those fourth down plays both came in the first half, when the Storm took control of the contest in jumping out to an early 24-10 lead.

Tampa Bay has had success in rematches this season. The Storm are 2-0 in those games, defeating the Georgia Force and the Austin Wranglers. In both instances the Storm avenged losses from earlier in the season. Against Georgia, the Force won 70-62 in Week 2 before Tampa Bay claimed a 53-24 win in Week 8. Against Austin, the Wranglers downed the Storm 56-48 in Week 3 before the Storm turned the tables on them, picking up a 58-52 overtime win in Week 11.

THE GRUDEN FACTOR

After originally retiring as a player following the 1996 season, Jay Gruden left the Storm as the team and AFL's all-time leading passer in nearly every statistical category. After spending a season as an assistant coach in Nashville, Gruden surfaced as the head coach of the hated Orlando Predators. Since then, Gruden and his former coach Tim Marcum have had some outstanding battles.

Marcum and the Storm are 9-8 since Gruden went to Orlando in 1998. The teams are 6-6 with Gruden as the Predators' head coach (1998-2001, 2004). Tampa Bay holds a 3-2 advantage in games in which Gruden was on the Predators' roster as a quarterback (2002-03).

STORM OVERTIME HISTORY

Tampa Bay's Week 11 win against the Austin Wranglers improved the Storm's overall record in overtime to 5-5. It was also Tampa Bay's first overtime game this season.

The Storm have now won two straight overtime contests, including last year's 45- 38 win over the Carolina Cobras. Tampa Bay's last overtime loss came in Week 3 of the 2003 season, when it dropped a 61-55 decision at Las Vegas.

In other Storm overtime facts, Tampa Bay is 5-3 in overtime in the regular season. The Storm have been involved in the only two overtime games in AFL history, losing both of those contests (1992 at Orlando, 1997 at Arizona). Tampa Bay is 5-1 all-time in overtime when scoring the first points of the extra period.

The Storm are 4-5 in overtime when receiving first. In fact, last Sunday's game against Austin marked the first time that the Storm have ever kicked off to begin an overtime period. Tampa Bay is 4-1 in overtime games played at home, and 1-4 in overtime games played on the road.

SOLOMON PLAYING LEAP FROG AGAIN

Storm offensive specialist Freddie Solomon recorded his third game of the season with over 100 receiving yards in Week 11 against Austin and his second such game in three weeks. Solomon tied a Storm season high with nine receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. The nine receptions gave Solomon 168 for his career, allowing him to move past James Bowden into fourth place on the Storm's career list.

Solomon's touchdown reception with 28 seconds left in the game was also a milestone, giving him 50 touchdown catches for his career.

A NEW HOME

Former NFL quarterback Steve DeBerg, who began the season as the head coach of the Indiana Firebirds, has joined the Tampa Bay Storm coaching staff as an assistant coach. He is tutoring the quarterbacks and learning the game from Storm head coach Tim Marcum. DeBerg also coached quarterbacks in the NFL after his playing days and is known for mentoring young quarterbacks. In fact, he brought Adrian McPherson into the AFL. McPherson was recently named Rookie of the Month for the Firebirds and is a strong contender for Rookie of the year honors.

FASTEST TO 2,000 -- ALMOST

Solomon eclipsed the 2,000 career receiving yards mark in Week 8 against Georgia after hauling in four passes for 65 yards. That gave him 2,039 career receiving yards in 23 games played. Solomon's race to 2,000 yards was well ahead of that of former Storm great George LaFrance, who didn't reach 2,000 receiving yards with the Storm until his 30th game.

The only player in Storm history to reach the 2,000 receiving yards mark faster than Solomon was Stevie Thomas, the Storm's all-time receiving leader. Thomas, whose No. 20 was retired earlier this season by Tampa bay, reached 2,000 receiving yards in 22 games, just one game fewer than Solomon. Through 23 games Thomas had 2,120 yards, while Solomon was just 81 yards behind at 2,039.

RUSHING UP THE CHARTS

Tampa Bay FB/LB David White had a career day against the Georgia Force in Week 8. He scored three rushing touchdowns, tying a careerhigh in that category. He finished the game with 19 rushing yards on seven carries. White's three rushing touchdowns gave him 42 career rushing touchdowns and 21 rushing touchdowns as a member of the Storm. He moved ahead of Tony Jones into sole possession of fourth place on the Storm career rushing touchdowns list. White also moved past Tony Jones into fifth place on the Storm's career rushing yards list.

2004 STORM INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHS

SCORING
30, Freddie Solomon, vs Georgia, 2-13-04

PASSING YARDS
309, Shane Stafford, vs San Jose, 4-4-04

PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
8, Shane Stafford, vs Georgia, 2-13-04

RECEPTIONS
9, Lawrence Samuels, vs Philadelphia, 2-29-04, at
Carolina, 3-21-04; Freddie Solomon, vs Austin, 4-18-04

RECEIVING YARDS
149, Lawrence Samuels, vs Philadelphia, 2-29-04; at
Carolina, 3-21-04

RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS
5, Freddie Solomon, vs Georgia, 2-13-04

RUSHES
7, David White, at Georgia, 3-27-04

RUSHING YARDS
23, Shane Stafford, vs Orlando, 2-8-04; David White, at Austin, 2-22-04

RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
3, David White, at Georgia, 3-27-04

KICKOFF RETURN YARDS
218, TT Toliver, vs Austin, 4-18-04

MFG RETURN YARDS
32, TT Toliver, at Columbus, 4-25-04

ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
249, TT Toliver, vs Austin, 4-18-04

TACKLES
9.5, Jonathan Ordway, vs San Jose, 4-4-04; Tramain Jones, vs Austin, 4-18-04

FUMBLE RECOVERIES
1, numerous times

SACKS
1.5, Ernest Certain, at Georgia, 3-27-04

TACKLES FOR LOSS
1.5, David White, at Georgia, 3-27-04; Ernest Certain, at Georgia, 3-27-04

INTERCEPTIONS
1, numerous times

PASS BREAK-UPS
3, Del Lee, at Austin, 2-22-04; Tramain Jones, vs New
York, 3-14-04; Jonathan Ordway, at Columbus, 4-25-04

GOING THE OTHER WAY

AFL veteran Carlos James, an off-season acquisition by the Storm, picked up his first interception of the season in Week 8 against Georgia. The interception marked James' first interception since the 2002 season, but his 35th career interception. That tied James with Chris Barber for sixth place on the AFL's all-time interceptions list.

O'HARA REACHES A MILESTONE

Making his first start ever as a member of the Storm and his first AFL start since the 2002 season, quarterback Pat O'Hara reached a couple of milestones in Week 6 against the New York Dragons. O'Hara threw for 264 yards in the contest, a total that pushed him over the 13,000 career passing yards plateau. He also had three touchdown passes in the game, giving him his 225th career touchdown pass.

JOINING ONE OF THE GREATS

With his interception on against Philadelphia in Week 4, Lawrence Samuels tied former Tampa Bay Storm defensive specialist Johnnie Harris for second place all-time on the Storm career interceptions list. Samuels, with 18 career interceptions, is now second to only Tracey Perkins, who finished his Storm playing days with 34 career interceptions. Samuels joins some pretty elite company, as Perkins is one of just four players whose jersey number has been retired by the Storm and ranks fifth in AFL career interceptions and Harris has been a safety in the NFL since leaving the Storm after the 1998 season.

ANOTHER NUMBER GOES TO THE RAFTERS

At halftime of the Storm's Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Soul, the Tampa Bay Storm retired the No. 20 worn by WR/DB Stevie Thomas. Thomas is the Storm's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He is also second in all-purpose yards and missed field goal return yards, third in kickoff return yards and combined returned yards, fifth in interceptions, and ninth in tackles.

Thomas ranks fourth in AFL history in yards per catch, seventh in receiving yards, eighth in scoring, and eighth in receiving touchdowns. Thomas played for the Storm from 1991-1999, winning four championships with Tampa Bay. He won a fifth championship with the Orlando Predators in 2000 and concluded his career in 2001 with the New Jersey Gladiators.

MORE MILESTONES FOR SAMUELS

Tampa Bay Storm wide receiver/linebacker Lawrence Samuels hit two career milestones in the Storm's Week 2 loss to the Georgia Force and inched closer to overtaking one of the Storm all-time greats on the team's career receiving yards list. Samuels hauled in seven catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia. Those numbers allowed him to eclipse 400 career receptions and 5,000 career receiving yards. Samuels is second all-time in Storm history in receptions and ranks third in Storm history in receiving yards.

MOVING UP THE STORM CAREER CHARTS

Career Receptions
1. Stevie Thomas 519
2. Lawrence Samuels 463
3. George LaFrance 391
4. Freddie Solomon 171
5. James Bowden 160
6. David Saunders 116

Career Receiving Yards
1. Stevie Thomas 7,784
2. Lawrence Samuels 5,754
3. George LaFrance 5,392
4. Freddie Solomon 2,340
5. James Bowden 2,064
6. Wayne Walker 1,307
6. David Saunders 1,307

Career Receiving Touchdowns
2. George LaFrance 127
3. Lawrence Samuels 85
4. Freddie Solomon 51
5. James Bowden 35
6. Charles Wilson 30
7. David Saunders 27

Career Rushing Yards
4. Lynn Bradford 289
5. David White 230
5. Tony Jones 230

Career Rushing TDs
3. Cedric McKinnon 25
4. David White 21

Career Sacks
3. Deatrich Wise 13.5
4. Les Barley 12.5
4. Nyle Wiren 12.5
6. Sylvester Bembery 12.0
6. Joe March 12.0
6. Rod Williams 12.0
9. Darion Conner 11.0

Career Pass Breakups
5. Antoine Worthman 34
6. Lawrence Samuels 30

Career Tackles
1. Tracey Perkins 348.0
2. Lawrence Samuels 299.5
3. Tommy Henry 204.0
4. Andre Bowden 193.5

Career Interceptions
1. Tracey Perkins 34
2. Johnnie Harris 18
2. Lawrence Samuels 18

Career Kickoff Return Yards
2. James Bowden 2,210
3. TT Toliver 1,548
4. Freddie Solomon 1,350

HALF A CENTURY

When Clif Dell hauled in his 22-yard touchdown reception in Week One against Orlando, he recorded his tenth receiving touchdown as a member of the Storm and his 50th career receiving touchdown. Dell, in his second season with Tampa Bay, scored the touchdown against his former team and the organization for which he scored 40 of those 50 touchdowns.

Dell played with the Predators from 1999-2002, with his best career season coming in his final year in Orlando. That season he caught 76 passes for 995 yards and 22 touchdowns.

NEW FACES

Though the Storm return many of the impact players from last season's ArenaBowl champion team, there are a number of new faces on the Storm's opening night roster. Of the 29 players on the opening night roster (24-man roster and Injured Reserve), 13 of those players were not with the Storm for the ArenaBowl, including seven players who played in the game against Orlando. Those players who played last week but were not on the ArenaBowl roster include QB Shane Stafford, WR/DB Jonathan Ordway, OL/DLs Evan Pilgrim and Cyron Brown, DSs Shea Showers and Del Lee, and K Ian Howfield. Others new to the roster this season include QB Stoney Case, WR/DB Carlos James, OL/DLs Emil Ekiyor, Shawn King, and DJ Bleisath, and DS Antonio Langham.

TRUE IRONMAN

Tampa Bay Storm lineman Kelvin Kinney embodies the Ironman image that the Arena Football League has come known for. Kinney, who is one of the top pass rushers in the AFL and has become one of the Storm's top pass blockers, has spent precious little time away from the football field in the past few years. From 2001-2003 Kinney played in 94 football games, an average of over 30 games per year. In 2001 Kinney was literally rushing the passer non-stop, beginning the year with the XFL's Las Vegas Outlaws. After 10 games with them, Kinney moved on to the AFL, where he played in 11 games for the Detroit Fury. After the Fury's season was over in July, it was on to the Canadian Football League, where Kinney played in 13 games for the Toronto Argonauts. In 2002 Kinney played in 28 games, 14 with the Fury and 14 with the Edmonton Eskimos. And in the 2003 calendar year Kinney added 32 more games played, 17 with the Tampa Bay Storm and 15 with Toronto and Edmonton of the CFL.

Kinney's year-round exploits have not slowed his production at all. In what will go down as his most successful year ever as a professional football player, Kinney recorded 6.0 sacks and won an AFL championship with the Storm in 2003 and then went north to wreak havoc in Canada. Splitting time between Toronto and Edmonton, Kinney recorded 12.0 sacks and won a Grey Cup championship with the Eskimos. The 2003 CFL championship game marked the third straight championship game that Kinney played in. He was with Edmonton in 2002 for their Grey Cup loss, and then followed that performance up with back-to-back championship game wins in Tampa Bay and again with Edmonton.

SUPER TIES

The 2004 Super Bowl pitted the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers, a matchup which featured some strong loyalties among members of the Storm. Tampa Bay's roster features three of players with ties to the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Quarterback Shane Stafford was signed by the Patriots in January 2003 and allocated to NFL Europe by the Patriots, where he played the 2003 season. FB/LB Andre Bowden enjoyed a three-year stint from 1994-96. Antonio Langham played for the Patriots in 2000 and also played under current Patriots head coach Bill Belichick while with the Cleveland Browns in 1994 and 1995. And, while not having direct ties to the two Super Bowl teams, Storm defensive specialist Del Lee played for Belichick while both were with the New York Jets in 1999. The Storm roster also features a pair of former Panthers in linemen Darion Conner and Shawn King. King was a second round draft choice by Carolina in the 1995 NFL draft, the 36th overall selection.

BACK-TO-BACK FACTS

It has proven to be extremely difficult to repeat as ArenaBowl champions, but there is a precedent for repeating, especially when Storm head coach Tim Marcum is involved. The last team to repeat as ArenaBowl champion was Tampa Bay, who under the guidance of Marcum won back-to-back ArenaBowls in 1995 and 1996. The only other team to repeat was the Detroit Drive, which actually won three straight ArenaBowl titles from 1988-90. In two of those seasons – 1988 and 1989 – Marcum was the Drive's head coach. The closest a team has come to repeating as of late was the Orlando Predators, which won two titles in three seasons. The Predators claimed the 1998 and 2000 championships, with Albany downing the Predators in 1999 to avoid a repeat champion.

ARENABOWL HANGOVER?

The Tampa Bay Storm have had mixed success in the years following ArenaBowl championships. Following the team's first title in 1991, the Storm advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs, only to lose in overtime to Orlando. Following the 1993 championship, the Storm put together what was then their worst season ever, finishing 7-6 overall and exiting the playoffs after a first-round loss to Massachusetts. The Storm followed up their 1995 championship with a repeat performance in 1996, but the 1997 season saw another average campaign, as the team finished with a 9-7 overall record.

PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS

The Tampa Bay Storm placed one player on the first-ever Preseason All-AFL team and was selected to finish second in the league. The two preseason "polls" were taken by the newly-formed Arena Football League Writers Association. Lawrence Samuels was selected as the preseason All-AFL pick at the WR/LB position. Also on the team was former Storm lineman BJ Cohen, now of the New Orleans VooDoo. The Storm placed second in the AFLWA's preseason picks as the eventual ArenaBowl champion. San Jose finished first in the voting, followed by Tampa Bay, Arizona, Los Angeles, and Orlando.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 27, 2004


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