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Three Storm players named to All-Arena teams

May 20, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA, FL -- The Tampa Bay Storm placed three players on the All-Arena teams announced Tuesday by the Arena Football League. All three Storm players received second-team All-Arena honors.

Lawrence Samuels was named the second-team All-Arena wide receiver/linebacker, while BJ Cohen was a second-team lineman and Omarr Smith was a second-team defensive specialist.

All three players are candidates for AFL postseason Player of the Year awards at their respective positions.

Samuels was named All-Arena for the first time in his 10-year career. Samuels, who has played nine of those ten seasons in Tampa Bay, set numerous single-season career highs this year and moved into second place on the Storm's all-time receptions list (393), passing Storm legend George LaFrance.

An Ironman of the Year candidate who played in all 16 regular season games for Tampa Bay, Samuels finished the season with 77 catches for 1,037 yards, both of which were career highs. He scored 128 points, which was a career high, including 18 receiving touchdowns, one interception return for touchdown, one fumble return for touchdown, a kickoff return for touchdown, and a two-point conversion. He also had 32.5 tackles defensively with four interceptions, 3.5 sacks, a tackle for loss, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. The four interceptions and 3.5 sacks were also career highs.

Cohen earned second-team All-Arena honors for the second time in his career. He was also named second-team All-Arena in 2000 while a member of the Orlando Predators. A Lineman of the Year candidate, Cohen finished fourth in the league with 7.0 sacks and led the AFL with 5.5 tackles for loss. He led all Storm linemen with 22 total tackles and had two interceptions, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. Cohen returned both interceptions for touchdowns, and his 7.0 sacks were a single season career high.

Additionally, Cohen caught two passes offensively for 28 yards. He scored a 14-yard touchdown on one of those receptions, giving him nine career touchdown catches.

Smith also earned his first-ever All-Arena honor. Playing defensive specialist for the first time in his career, Smith led the Storm in tackles (88.5), interceptions (8), and pass breakups (18). The Defensive Player of the Year candidate finished third in the league in tackles, first in fumble recoveries (5), third in passes defensed (26), and fifth in interceptions.

The three players placed by the Storm on the All-Arena teams was the second-highest total in the league. San Jose, who along with Orlando finished tied with the Storm for the best record in the league, had four players on the teams. Dallas also had three representatives.

The Storm, seeded second in the AFL playoffs, return to action on Saturday, May 31, after receiving a first-round playoff bye. Kickoff against the yet to be determined opponent is scheduled for 3:00 pm at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Tickets for the Storm's first playoff game are on sale now at the St. Pete Times Forum Box Office or at any TicketMaster location. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (813) 301-6600 or online at www.tampabaystorm.com.



Arena Football League Stories from May 20, 2003


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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