Who wants a piece of the Storm now?

Adam J Locascio
Sunday June 10, 2007

Okay. Now who wants to play the Storm?

The Tampa Bay Storm, who became something of a punchline in the first six weeks of the season, has mounted a monumental comeback that turned a 0-5 start into a playoff berth and quite possibly a home playoff game. 

Sure, they don’t have the inflated records of a Georgia or a Dallas who are basically untouchable in the National Conference, but they can lock down the top-seeded wild card position with a little help from the weakened Orlando Predators. 

As the AFL moves toward the playoffs, the term “battle-tested” gets tossed around an awful lot. It’s meant to imply that there are teams without fantastic records, which might have a better shot at playoff success. How’s this for overcoming adversity? 

• After starting the season in an 0-5 hole, the Storm have won seven of their last nine, including three of four on the road (the lone loss coming to Georgia).
• The Storm lost season-starting quarterback John Kaleo to injury, followed by back-up quarterback Stoney Case. The Storm literally went to the Kansas City Brigade’s practice squad for Brett Dietz, their current starter who started the resurrection of their season. 
• The Storm’s leading receiver, TT Toliver, threw a tantrum and walked out on his teammates after telling Head Coach Tim Marcum that he didn’t want to play anymore. Toliver was placed on the “left squad” list and is not able to play anywhere this season unless the Storm trade or release him. Thanks for your help, TT. Maybe the Storm can trade him for a less troubled receiver. Say, Rae Carruth?
• Tragedy strikes the Storm family when Caroline Wiren, wife of lineman Nyle Wiren and former co-choreographer of the Storm Dancers, passes away in April due to complications from birth of her first son, Clay.
• The Storm, no stranger to problems on special teams, have some kicker issues and go through two before settling on Seth Marler.
• Lineman Rod Williams flirts with tragedy after suffering from a collapsed lung during the Georgia Force game in Atlanta. Williams required surgery and was in the intensive care unit. Thankfully, he is expected to make a full recovery.
• The father of FB/LB Torrance Marshall passes away earlier this season. 

But for all that has happened to the Storm this season, they did have a little luck on their side. Receiver Karl Williams, who was considered a novelty signing in the off-season due to his connection to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been a very serviceable receiver. Receiver Hank Edwards, after struggling to crack the starting line-up, has exploded in his first two games as a starter. Lineman Lincoln Kennedy, more famously known for his NFL commentating, proved he has something in the tank and has been a monster at the tackle position. And what about Brett Dietz? After losing Shane Stafford to free agency, and Kaleo and Case to injury, coach Marcum pulls a rabbit out of his hat and finds a gem.

And the Storm are back in the playoffs after their 69-59 win over the Philadelphia Soul. Who wants to draw the Storm in the playoffs right now?  Is anyone thinking the Storm are just an easy “W” or speed-bump on the schedule? 

Hardly. Now the Storm are in the playoffs, the season certainly seems a lot easier.