Storm Ready For New Season
Adam J Locascio
Saturday January 29, 2005
Week 1 gives the Storm an opportunity to avenge their playoff loss to the San Jose SaberCats; a game the Storm came very close to winning, despite the clanging of 12,500 cowbells.
But more importantly, the Storm have a chance to continue the success that they enjoyed the second-half of last season when they rattled off six-straight wins, rebounding from a 3-7 start to make it back to the playoffs.
After playing some mix-and-match with their personnel in the opening weeks of 2004, the Storm seemed to find their groove. The growing pains were inevitable after the Storm won their fifth ArenaBowl title and the vultures of free agency flocked to Tampa Bay.
"We won a championship, and everyone wants your players when you win a championship," said coach Tim Marcum.
After losing six starters to free agency, the Storm plugged those holes with mixed results. Some player stuck, others were jettisoned (including five kickers). But the players that stuck made their impacts and cemented their place on the roster.
"Our guys that we lost were not loyal to Tampa Bay, loyal to their fellow teammates. They just went for the money. Not so this year," said Marcum.
Marcum brings back almost the entire roster that took the field in the playoffs against San Jose. Apparently, the loyalty Marcum spoke of was apparent in the fact that the team enjoyed almost no turnover from the previous season.
The Storm really seemed to catch fire after quarterback Shane Stafford returned to the helm. Stafford had briefly lost his starting job after a dismal outing against the New Orleans VooDoo where he tossed three interceptions, all of which were returned for touchdowns.
"He wasn’t playing relaxed and having fun," said Marcum of Stafford’s first-half performance. "When he came back, he had already lost his job; he didn’t have to worry about losing it again. And we protected him better, too."
Stafford enters the season the clear-cut starter, but Pat O’Hara returns as his backup along with former NFL vet Stoney Case. Stafford gets to return to the field with all of his weapons from last year as well. Specialists Freddie Solomon and Clif Dell, join Ironmen David Saunders, and TT Tolliver to form one of the deepest receiving cores in the league. Behind Stafford, fullbacks David White and Umar Muhammad return to batter opponents near the goal line.
On the other side of the ball, a fearsome defense returns with some added bite. Lineman Kelvin Kinney returns healthy after an injury-shortened 2004 to anchor defensive line that might be one of the best in the league. Joining him are second-team All-Arena selection Nyle Wiren, Ernest Certain, Louis Williams, Rod Williams, and former Miami Hurricane Mike Lawson.
This group looks to continue what it started last season. Wiren moved up to second on the Storm’s all-time sack list with a career high 6.0 sacks last season. Certain found a knack for jumping on the loose football as he led the AFL in fumble recoveries. Lawson, who joined the team late last season, adds depth and size to a group that averages 6’5" in height.
If opposing quarterbacks manage to get the ball over the line, they will have to contain with a secondary that is anchored by two former receivers. Jonathan Ordway took over as a defensive specialist in Week 4 last season and has yet to give up the position. Tramain Jones, a John Lynch-type hit master, posted career highs in tackles, interceptions, and pass breakups.
Most importantly, the Storm resigned their most recognizable player in Ironman Lawrence Samuels. Samuels, the top AFL free agent at his position, will roam the middle of the field in his 11th season with Tampa Bay and is on pace to become the Storm’s all-time reception leader. He enters the season 45 catches behind Storm legend Stevie Thomas.
"Stevie taught me the game," said Samuels, "but it’s not about the numbers. It’s about the W’s and L’s."
The team will have little time to warm up as their Week 1 match-up is against the defending champion San Joe SaberCats – the same team that ended their win streak last season and knocked them out of the playoffs.
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.
