Storm Use Lousy, Deflated Effort Late and Again Lose To Sharks
Connor Akeman
Sunday April 13, 2014
With a 60-41 loss on Friday night, it’s probably safe to say the Jacksonville Sharks have the Tampa Bay Storm’s number. With the loss, the Storm are now 1-9 all-time against the Sharks, 0-6 in Jacksonville. In fact, Tampa Bay’s only victory over the Sharks was back in 2012, a fluke win at the buzzer early in the season.
While the Tampa Bay offense once again came out flat to begin the game, the Storm managed to hover around and eventually lead, for the only time, 21-20 in the second quarter. The Sharks would continue to pull away late and the Storm wouldn’t help themselves any with mistake after mistake.
Tampa Bay managed to give up six sacks, fumble the ball four times, and QB Randy Hippeard threw three interceptions. With the combination of a lackluster defensive effort and plentiful amount of costly errors, the Storm would score a season low in total points.
For Tampa Bay however, this loss goes beyond the final score. Coming off a blowout, impressive win over a very talented Philadelphia team last week at home, I really thought this would be the game where the Storm finally broke through. After an all-around complete effort against the Soul, this team looked poised to finally get that signature win.
Well unfortunately for the Storm, it was yet another disappointing, and quite pitiful road loss in a meaningful game. Tampa Bay, again was unable to pull out the statement win and fell victim once more to a lack of discipline on the road. The Storm, time and time again, find a way to prove why they can’t be taken seriously as a legitimate contender and at this point find themselves desperate for a significant win.
Although it may seem unfair and harsh to jump on the Storm after such crucial losses, and then seem so lovable after hard fought victories, facts are facts. This team cannot win in the clutch. Tampa Bay is 3-8 in their last 11 meetings between both the Jacksonville Sharks and Orlando Predators. Two teams that if the Storm ever have hopes of winning the South Division again, must beat.
While I want to believe this year’s Storm team is better than last season’s, Tampa Bay continues to ride a rollercoaster. Big, complete wins followed by lousy, deflated efforts week after week. One thing the Storm can do? Prove me wrong with a win next week in Orlando.