Marshall gets ESPN love ... a little anyway

In an ESPN piece highlighting the Top 10 BCS bowl performances of all time, the Oklahoma defense's throttling of FSU in a 13-2 win at the 2001 Orange Bowl ranked No. 2. Writer Ted Miller mentioned Storm FB/LB Torrance Marshall, a Sooner standout that night, in the article but said "this was really about a brilliant scheme enacted flawlessly by an entire unit." Marshall earned game MVP honors after recording six tackles and an interception.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Military night out

The Storm and the Special Operations Warriors Foundation are teaming up to host Military Night Out when Tampa Bay faces Orlando on June 7 at the St. Pete Times Forum in “The War on I-4.” “The armed forces do a heck of a job of keeping us safe,” Storm coach Tim Marcum said in a release. “They put their lives on the line day in and day out. I think it is great that we can partner up with Special Operations Warrior Foundation to help give back to those who gave of themselves to keep us safe.”

Military Night Out is an opportunity for local businesses to sponsor military personnel to attend the game. There are five sponsorship levels one can participate in, ranging from $150 to $2,000. At each level, a minimum of 25 percent of the sponsorship will be donated to the Special Operations Warriors Foundation.

“The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is proud to team up with The Tampa Bay Storm,” John T. Carney, Jr., SOWF President said in a release. “Not only is Military Night Out a wonderful way to show our men and women serving in the military that the Tampa Bay community supports them and their families, but it also raises funds that will provide a college education for some very deserving children.”

--KEITH NIEBUHR

AFL approves instant replay

This just in from the AFL ...

In New York today, the league unanimously approved the use of instant replay for the 2008 playoffs. In the AFL's 22-year history, it has never been in place.

“The coach's ability to challenge a call on the field that could ultimately decide the outcome of a game is not only great for the game, but is also great for the fans,” Dallas Desperados Chief Operating Officer Shy Anderson, who also serves as Chairman of the AFL Rules and Competition Committee, said in a release. “We are able to make this happen because of the great partnership that we have with the leader in sports broadcasting – ESPN. We are extremely proud that the AFL continues to improve its game for the fans where possible.”

Here's how it will work per the AFL's official release:

-Each coach will have a total of two (2) challenges per game that can be used at anytime during regulation. An additional challenge will be granted if the game requires overtime. Challenges remaining from regulation will not “roll over” into overtime.

-Coaches will be equipped with a red “challenge” flag to be thrown on the field to alert officials that they wish to challenge a play. No play may be challenged after the ensuing play has begun.

-Reviewable plays include: scoring, change of possession, fan interference and, at the referee’s discretion, game administration.

-Once a review begins, the referee will have 90 seconds to determine whether the call on the field will be upheld or if there is “indisputable visual evidence” to overturn it.

The playoffs begin June 27. ArenaBowl XXII is July 27.

"I'm excited about instant replay," Storm coach Tim Marcum said. "This will aide the referees to ensure they make the right calls on the field."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

AFL to make major announcement today

Word just came that the AFL is expected to make a major announcement sometime this afternoon. The question is, what will it involve? Here are a few possibilities ....

-New TV deal: Right now, the league has one in place with ESPN. Might it be extended?

-Replay: The league doesn't have it. It should have it. Could this be added? And if so, when would it start -- immediately? In the playoffs? Next season?

-The league is folding: Not likely. I just talked to a Storm PR rep as he literally was stepping onto the plane for the team's trip to Grand Rapids.

-Expansion: Always a possibility. Right now, the AFL has 17 teams. If it's adding, where would a team go? How about a place like Virginia Beach that has a mid-sized population and rabid fan base?

-Contraction: Bye bye Utah! Hey, you never know, right? Franchises seem to come and go in this league.

Just as soon as I know something, I'll post it ... stay tuned!

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Playoff-clinching scenarios

Thanks to the Storm's PR department, we have the current playoff-clinching scenarios for this week's games ...

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
CLINCHED:   Chicago Rush - playoff berth
ELIMINATED: None

THIS WEEK:
CHICAGO RUSH
   Chicago clinches division title:
    1) CHI win + COL loss

SAN JOSE SABERCATS
   San Jose clinches playoff berth:
    1) SJ win + ARI loss + COL loss + KC loss

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
CLINCHED:   None
ELIMINATED: None

Here's a link to the AFL's current standings.

Brutley okay to play

Storm coach Tim Marcum said today that DB Daryon Brutley has been cleared by doctors to play Friday at Grand Rapids. He sustained a concussion last Monday against Chicago and did not play in the Storm's win four days later over New Orleans. Brutley is likely to start at cornerback. He has nine tackles this season.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Rachal named AFL defender of the week

How big was Traco Rachal's final-play interception in last week's win over New Orleans? Well, on Tuesday the Storm DB was named AFL Defensive Player of the Week.

Actually, Rachal made more than one big play in the game. The Texas A&M-Commerce alum registered a week 11-high 12.5 tackles and had a pass breakup, too.

But it was his pick that undoubtedly led to him receiving this award. On fourth-and-goal from the Storm 9, Rachal jumped high into the air in the corner of the endzone to make the crucial pick of a Danny Wimprine pass. The play just might have saved the Storm's season (we'll know for sure in a few weeks).

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

More on Mr. Storm (AKA Lawrence Samuels)

In last week's win over New Orleans, Storm legend Lawrence Samuels set an AFL record by catching a pass in his 129th straight game, surpassing Cory Fleming. His streak began April 15, 2000 at home against the New England Sea Wolves (who could forget that team, right?) with three receptions for 26 yards.

Now for the neat part ...

Samuels, with 971 receptions, is just 20 shy of Barry Wagner’s AFL leading 991. And perhaps more impressive, he needed only 29 more to become the sixth player in professional football history to accumulate 1,000 career receptions.

Here are the all-time leaders ...

Player                          League               Receptions
Jerry Rice                     NFL                     1,549
Chris Carter                  NFL                     1,101
Tim Brown                    NFL                     1,094
Marvin Harrison             NFL                     1,042*
Terry Vaughn               CFL                     1,006
Barry Wagner                 AFL                    991
Darren Flutie                 CFL                     972
Lawrence Samuels        AFL                      971*
Allen Pitts                      CFL                     966
Damien Harrell              AFL                      958*
Andre Reed                  NFL                      951
* active

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

AFL news & notes

A few tidbits from around the league ...

-Desperados QB Clint Dolezel made history Saturday night, becoming the first player in professional football history to surpass 900 career passing touchdowns as Dallas beat Grand Rapids 65-54.

-Georgia rallied to score the game's final 22 points to defeat Philadelphia 63-62 Monday. The Force trailed by 21 with less than three minutes to play when QB Chris Greisen’s 1-yard TD run sparked the remarkable comeback. The bad news for the Storm: It dropped Tampa Bay (4-6) a full game behind Georgia (5-5) in the race for 3rd in the Southern Division.

-The Chicago Rush (8-2) became the first team to clinch a playoff berth with San Jose’s (6-5) 63-42 defeat of the Arizona Rattlers (4-6) on Friday. Chicago, which beat the Storm last week, leads the Central Division.

-The Philadelphia Soul announced its next two home games, originally scheduled to be played at the Spectrum, have been moved to the Wachovia Center. The latter is the newer -- and nicer -- of the two.

-After getting a 35-point victory over Grand Rapids a week ago, Colorado fell by the same spread to Utah, 71-36 on Saturday. The Crush (4-6) is now 0-3 all-time against the Blaze (2-9), which is the only team in the AFL it hasn't beaten.

McGill signs contract extension

Two weeks ago, Storm coach Tim Marcum said if the team had a midseason MVP it would be noseguard Tim McGill. Apparently, that wasn't coach speak.

On Monday, the team announced it has re-signed McGill through 2010.

“Tim has been a big bright spot this season on the defensive line," Marcum said in a release. “He gives us a big push in the middle and anchors our defensive line.”

McGill (6-foot-3, 310-pounds) is a second-year Storm player. He previously spent time in the NFL. McGill leads the Storm with four sacks after tying for the team lead in 2007 with five.

“I really like Tampa and the coaching staff,” McGill said. “It feels good to sign this deal. It gives me some stability.”

Related content:
Storm nose guard McGill toils amid porous defense

--KEITH NIEBUHR