Storm Suffering from Déjà Vu
Adam J Locascio
Tuesday February 24, 2004
And just like last year, they’re sitting pretty at 1-2.
The questions that developed during the off-season still remain after seemingly being answered in the Storm’s lone victory over the Orlando Predators in Week 1. Who will generate the pass rush with the losses of BJ Cohen and Al Lucas? Who will be the shut-down defensive back after the losses of Corey Sawyer and Omarr Smith?
As predicted, the Storm are not having trouble scoring points. Quarterback Shane Stafford returned to the helm of the Storm and did so with a bullet. Through Week 2, he was tied for the league lead in touchdown passes and finished Week 3 with 18 total touchdowns, one interception and two 300-yard passing games. Stafford has been extraordinarily adept at spreading the ball around to all his receivers making it virtually impossible to key on one man.
If there is a knock on Stafford, it’s the fact that he’s been in position to win or tie both Storm losses but unfortunately could not slam the door. However, in Stafford’s defense, he should not be asked to win each game single-handedly every week. Special teams has to give him a short field and kicker Ian Howefield has to connect on his extra points.
Offensive specialist Freddie Solomon is out to prove that, unlike “Tainted Love,” he’s no one-hit wonder. Through two weeks, Solomon was leading the league in total points scored, and even racking up an amazing five touchdown grabs in a Week 2 loss to the Georgia Force.
But like my dad used to say when he coached our Little League team, “you can give up five runs. You just have to score six.”
Unfortunately, the Storm haven’t been listening to my dad.
While the scoreboard has been reminiscent of Vegas slot machine, the Storm defense has only been a shadow of versions past through three games. The pass rush has not generated any sustained pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and the secondary is still looking for its first interception.
Historically, head coach Tim Marcum has built championships with defense. This season, the Storm have been unable to get that big stop and have been forced to rely on outscoring opponents; a strategy that has not been successful thus far.
However, the news is not all bad, as relief may have arrived. Lineman Shawn King made the most of his Arena Football debut against the Austin Wranglers, picking up a touchdown on a kickoff that clanged off the iron and teaming with lineman Ernest Certain to pressure quarterback John Kaleo. Although neither recorded a sack, King and Certain constantly hit and harassed Kaleo most of the afternoon.
King was such a disruptive force, at one point he drew two penalties, a personal foul face-mask and a holding call, on the same play.
While the pieces are in place for a revamped pass rush, the secondary is starting to set off some alarms. While the free agent signings in the off-season were heralded as genius, little remains of Marcum’s prize pack of specialists. Elijah Williams was forced to retire due to a leg injury. Hurley Tarver was waived before the season started. Former first-round NFL draft pick Antonio Langham started the season on injured reserve and was waived right before the Austin game.
Defensive specialist Shea Showers is starting to gain some respect between the walls, because fewer throws are heading his way. Del Lee has been getting the majority of the work. He has had his moments, but for the most part he has not been able to shut down opposing receivers. The unlikely star of the group has been wide receiver/defensive back Antoine “TT” Tolliver, who already has garnered one Ironman of the Game award for his performance against Orlando.
The season is still young, but the questions linger. Questioning Marcum’s Arena Football savvy is the equivalent of asking Pavrotti, “are you sure you know how to sing?”—reserving judgment at this juncture is probably in order. One thing is for sure, if the defense does not live up to their half of the on-field bargain, this Storm is going to turn into a depression really fast.
Adam J. Locascio is a financial advisor in the Tampa Bay area and a Board Member of the Tampa Bay Storm Surge Fan Club. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Phoenix and is a six-year season ticket holder for the Tampa Bay Storm.
