And so it ends. . .

There isn't a word in the English language that can properly describe the feeling that courses through an athlete when his or her season comes to an end. For a perscribed period of time -- in this case, 18 weeks -- there is always another game, another practice, another film session ahead. Every Monday is like the Monday before, every Friday like the Friday before, ever week like the week before.

Then, in a matter of moments, it is over, and suddenly, all that is left is the realization that for the first time in five months, there is nothing in front.

This is the feeling that enveloped the Storm locker room after the team's 56-55 loss to Columbus Saturday afternoon. Wide receiver Lawrence Samuels sat on a folding chair in front of his locker, his uniform still on, his head in his hands, a used towel draped over his name plate. Linebacker Torrance Marshall slammed his shoulder pads on the ground with a thud. Lineman Marcus Owen sat and stared blankly ahead.

In sports, every season is link a fingerprint: unique and self-contained. Something always changes. Players come. Players go. Coaches are promoted. Owners sell teams. In the Arena League, all of these things happen with more frequency than most professional sports, and so the uncertainty at the end of the season is heightened.

Some questions the Storm now are left to answer:

Will any of the veteran players decide to retire?

Tom Briggs told me after the game that he plans on returning for one more season, but his contract is up with the Storm, and he said it's way too early to tell whether he'll be back. Lincoln Kennedy said he doesn't know whether or not he'll be back for another go-around in the Arena League. Earlier in the season, Lawrence Samuels said he and his wife would sit down at the end of the year and talk about his future.

How many players will be back?

Most of these guys, like Briggs, are signed to one-year contracts. Dietz is signed through next season, though the Storm could choose to beef up his salary to make it more commensurate with an AFL starter. Terrill Shaw only signed a one-year contract. T.T. Toliver is already gone. The team certainly would like to keep Hank Edwards, though the rookie's performance dropped off toward the end of the season (he split time with Karl Williams in Saturday's loss to the Destroyers).

What about the coaches?

Marcum will be back, not that his job was ever in jeopardy. Don't be surprised if offensive co-ordinator Pat O'Hara gets a chance to be a head coach this year. He's got a huge upside, but might have to wait another year before getting his shot.

Who will own the team?

Woody Kern was at the game Columbus, but it might have been his last one as an owner. The team is still actively looking for a buyer, and would like to complete a sale by the start of next season.

What's next?

The players and coaches have meetings and exit interviews Tuesday. They'll then go their separate ways until next season.

Countdown to Kickoff: Columbus, Playoffs, Today

Some quick observations from the press box at the St. Pete Times Forum:

*Either it's a late-arriving crowd, or a no-arriving crowd. Twenty minutes before kickoff, the place isn't even a quarter full.

*Word here is that former Storm wide receiver Freddie Solomon won't play.

*Keep in mind that the regular season meeting between these two teams very much jump-started the Storm's end-of-season tear. I was talking to Storm coach Tim Marcum earlier this week and asked him what went through his head when John Kaleo went down in the first half of that game. He said the answer wouldn't be suitable to print. But Brett Dietz proved himself capable in that game, and has grown as a player ever since. It'll be interesting to see how much both teams have changed since that first meeting back in April.

*Just an interesting note. Word here is that the Orlando Predators' bus broke down en route to its playoff game against Philadelphia yesterday. That probably wasn't the reason for the Predators' loss, but it's interesting because wide receiver T.T. Toliver mentioned the Storm's transportation problems in Austin as a reason why he didn't feel as if the team treated its players as professionals.

*Quick prediction: I'm saying Storm 70, Destroyers 60 in a barn burner.

AFL All-Rookie Team shocker: Dietz named to squad

In one of the most stirring upsets in all-AFL rookie team history, Brett Dietz was named to the team over Rohan Davey and the guy wearing the baseball hat at the end of Grand Rapids' bench.

OK, so Dietz was pretty much a shoo-in.

But it's still a pretty nice honor for a guy who started the season on Kansas City's practice squad.

Dietz was also named the league's rookie of the month for June, his second straight month winning the honor. He completed 86-of-134 passes for 1,132 yards, 24 touchdowns and only one interception in the month.

Seth Marler also was named kicker of the month for the second straight month.

Kudos!

Briggs could play Saturday

Veteran defensive end Tom Briggs said his chances of playing are still 50/50, but I get the feeling that it's going to take something stronger than a sprained MCL to keep him off the field Saturday. Briggs, who hurt the knee against Grand Rapids two weeks ago, practiced for most of Tuesday's two-hour session.

Briggs has five sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss this season. He missed the season finale against Austin.

Da-da-da. . .Da-da-da (That's how I imagine the SportsCenter theme song would read)

For the first time this season, the Storm will be televised on ESPN. The legendary broadcasting tandem of Merrill Hoge and Mark Jones will be calling the game between Tampa Bay and Columbus, with kickoff slated for Saturday at noon.

Some quick Monday evening updates: veteran defensive end Tom Briggs is questionable. Briggs missed last week's game after suffering a sprained MCL in a win over Grand Rapids two weeks ago. . .Former Storm WR David Saunders didn't play in the Storm's 34-32 win over the Destroyers April 29. Saunders, who played for the Storm from 2002-05, has 68 catches for 550 yards and 18 touchdowns this year.

Storm lock up No. 3 seed with 55-51 win

By DAVID MURPHY
Times Staff Writer
Two months ago, a scene like this seemed relegated to scrapbooks of Storm seasons past: Tim Marcum, sharpie in one hand, plastic cup in the other, signing his last autograph, then winding his way back to the locker room for a quick wardrobe change and a victorious night on the town.

Yet an hour after the Storm capped its remarkable resurgence with a 55-51 win over Austin in its regular season finale, that is exactly how it unfolded: the long-time coach glided off the field, swapped his navy Storm shirt for a Tommy Bahama button down, and savored one of the most improbable postseason berths in franchise history.

"We're going to enjoy this one for 24 hours," said Marcum, whose team will host Columbus in the first round of the playoffs Saturday, "then we're going to focus on Columbus."

The stakes weren't huge Saturday night. Even if it had lost, the Storm still would have hosted a playoff game. Still, this was a win the team very much desired.

Fullback Torrance Marshall scored on a 1-yard run with eight seconds remaining and defensive back Jeroid Johnson intercepted Austin quarterback Lang Campbell on the game's final play to seal the victory.

The Storm, which missed the playoffs last season and started this year 0-5, heads into the postseason as the No. 3 seed in the National Conference.

"We promised ourselves we were going to win this game," said Johnson, who had two earlier interceptions overturned because of penalties.

Saturday night's game didn't play out exactly as hoped. Wide receiver Terrill Shaw was one of the few players who turned in a strong performance Saturday,  finishing with 12 catches  for 181 yards. In the first quarter, he made a juggling catch on fourth down while being hit by a defender, helping set up a field goal by Marler.

Shaw also caught a 40-yard touchdown  from Dietz, and drew a couple of pass interference penalties.

Otherwise, the team's performance was, at best, up and down.

Defensive tackle Tim McGill, who has played a big role in the team's revival, had a quarterback pressure that led to an interception by Traco Rachal, but also had a roughing-the-passer penalty that negated an interception by Johnson.

Dietz, who has been nothing short of outstanding throughout the Storm's late-season run, was shaky at times. His 40-yard touchdown pass to  Shaw in the second quarter was a lesson on how to throw a deep ball. Earlier, on a fourth-and-3 play in the first quarter, he found Karl Williams open deep down the right sideline for a 39-yard touchdown  that gave the Storm a 10-0 lead.

But Dietz also overthrew Shaw twice on the game's first possession, and finished 19-of-30 for 262 yards and five touchdowns. Nevertheless, the Storm heads into the postseason with wins in eight of its last nine games and plenty of confidence.

"We made some mistakes," veteran wide receiver Lawrence Samuels said, "but we came out victorious."

David Murphy can be reached at dmurphy@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1407.

Playoff game will be next Saturday

Just a quick update: the playoff game at the St. Pete Times Forum will be next Saturday, either at 12 noon or 3 p.m.

The Storm, which leads Austin at halftime 25-20, can clinch the No. 3 seed with a win over Austin, thanks to Orlando's loss to Philadelphia last night.

At the No. 3 seed, the Storm would almost certainly host Columbus, which it beat earlier this season at teh St. Pete Times Forum.

Fist Full Of Dollars and $115 K for Two: Notes From Wednesday's Practice

Tim McGill doesn't need an agent: he's got masking tape.

The Storm defensive tackle was one of several players who jokingly wrote salary demands on his helmet during practice Wednesday. McGill, who had two sacks and two forced fumbles versus Grand Rapids, wore a piece of masking tape across his helmet with "$115,000 X 2" written in black magic marker. He also made a fake advertisement for nutritional supplement Endo Rush.

"I'm trying to get an endorsement deal," he joked.

Wide receiver Karl Williams' tape said, "Fist full of $," while defensive back Jeroid Johnson's reportedly said, "Pay me in Pennies."

No word if coach/GM Tim Marcum will put a piece of tape on his forehead that says "Go to H---!"

BRIGGS UPDATE: Veteran defensive end Tom Briggs wasn't at practice Wednesday and won't be on the field Saturday when the Storm plays Austin. It remains to be seen whether he'll be back in time for the teams' Wild Card playoff game the following weekend.

Briggs injured his knee in the Storm's win over Grand Rapids last weekend. He had two MRIs Monday, the second of which revealed a second-degree MCL sprain. The good news? The ACL is OK.

"He's a tough son of a gun," coach Tim Marcum said.

Other notes from practice: It still is unclear when the Storm will host its first playoff game. Marcum said on his radio show Tuesday night that it will be Saturday, but nothing is set in stone. The AFL did release the divisional round schedule, but the wild card round will have to wait until this weekend's games shake out. . .Linebacker Torrance Marshall was named the AFL's Iron Man of the week. Big ups to both he and defensive tackle Tim McGill, who had another monster game, tallying a couple sacks and a couple forced fumbles.

Briggs Doubtful for Saturday

A knee injury will likely sideline veteran defensive end Tom Briggs for Saturday's regular season finale against Columbus, and it remains to be seen when, exactly, he'll be able to return to the field. Briggs, who injured the knee in the Storm's 69-40 win over Grand Rapids last weekend, had two MRIs today, but his prognosis is unclear.

Briggs is tied for the team lead in sacks with 5.0, and second in tackles for loss with 6.5.

He'll likely be replaced by Clint Mitchell, a former University of Florida standout.

Homeward bound: Storm at home for first playoff game

Well, the Storm will be home for the playoffs -- the first round of them anyway.

The win over Grand Rapids locked up a home game in the wild card round. The opponent will either be Philadelphia or Columbus, two teams the Storm has already defeated at home this season.

Here's the game story from the Rampage game. Stay tuned tomorrow for some complete next-day notes and musings.

www.sptimes.com/2007/06/17/Sports/Storm_clinches_home_p.shtml

OK, let's talk about something other than former wide receivers

Believe it or not, I'm tired of writing about the T.T. Toliver situation. And I'm sure most of you out there in Times nation are tired of reading about it.

What do you say we move on?

Let's not forget that this team has won six of its last seven games and seven of its last nine since starting 0-5.

So, let's talk playoffs (insert obligatory Jim Mora reference here).

What's known: The Storm clinched a playoff spot with its win over Philadelphia last week.

What's unknown: Everything else. Right now, it's looking like the No. 3 or No. 4 seed, which would guarantee a home playoff game. Dallas and Georgia have already locked up the top two seeds (Dallas, at 13-1, needs one win to clinch home field advantage; Georgia would need to win out and have Dallas lose out). Orlando, at 8-6, needs one win to clinch the No. 3 seed. But its last two games -- against Georgia, and against 6-8 Philadelphia -- are both lose-able. The Storm, meanwhile, needs one win to lock up the No. 4 seed and guarantee a home game in the first round. With contests remaining against Grand Rapids and Austin, it would take a couple of upsets for that not to happen.

If Orlando and the Storm finish the season tied, Orlando gets the nod because of its season sweep of the teams' series. The Storm has tiebreakers of Philadelphia (6-8) and Columbus (6-8), but not over 5-9 New York, which beat Tampa Bay earlier this year.

So let's say the Storm gets the No. 4 seed. Who will it play? A lot depends on who wins the game between Philadelphia and Columbus this weekend. In all likelihood, the Storm will face the loser of that game in the first round. That is, of course, if New York doesn't slip past one of them in the final two weeks of the season.

Confused?

Toliver should play for Predators Friday

The plot officially thickened today as freshly released wide receiver T.T. Toliver signed with Orlando, sending the Storm's former No. 1 target 85 miles up I-4 to play for its arch-rival. The sixth-year player practiced with the Predators today and expects to play against Georgia Friday.

Orlando coach Jay Gruden said he will use Toliver at wide receiver, defensive back, and kick returner.

Gruden said he was first made aware of the Toliver situation by Predators quarterback Shane Stafford, who played with the wide receiver with the Storm from 2003-05.

"I really didn’t think I was going to get him," Gruden said. "Shane had called me, and asked if we’d be interested and I said, '(Shoot), yeah. Why not?'"

Gruden coached Toliver when Toliver was a member of the Buccaneers practice squad in 2003. Gruden is an offensive assistant with the team, coached by his brother, Jon.

Toliver, meanwhile, said he expects to win the grievance he has filed against the Storm, saying that he never used the words "I quit" when he met with Storm coach Tim Marcum two weeks ago. Marcum says Toliver left the team. Toliver says he simply asked for his release.

Toliver has been unhappy with the Storm since it traded for him in the offseason. The wide receiver said he and Marcum had a meeting at the beginning of the season to clear up some differences that remained from his first stint with the team (Toliver played for the Storm from 2003-05 before he was released), but that he soon realized that he was unhappy.

Toliver said he wasn't happy with the organization.

"They don’t treat you like you're pros," Toliver said. "We’re the only team that works for four or five hours. We work on concrete every day. There is so much stuff besides football that you have to worry about. When you are flying out (on a plane), you are worried about your flight being late. Stuff as a player you don’t have to worry about. I just got tired of it."

Toliver hasn't played for the Storm since being placed on the "Left Squad" list two weeks ago.

He has 98 catches for 1,206 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.

A long-time rival of the Storm, the Predators are 8-6 and one spot ahead of Tampa Bay in the National Conference Playoff race. Though it is unlikely that the two teams would meet before the National Conference championship, it isn't out of the question.

Storm coach Tim Marcum said Tuesday that he isn't concerned with the possibility of facing the Predators in the playoffs.

"I worry about a lot of things: world peace, our soliders in Iraq; I worry about my taxes on my house," Marcum said. "I worry about a lot of things. T.T. Toliver is not one of them."

Toliver was making $65,000 a year for the Storm, but says he took a pay-cut to play for the Predators. 

Toliver released; Could end up in Orlando

T.T. Toliver has officially been released by the Storm. That means he is now free to sign with any team, including one that plays just 85 miles up the road.

Storm coach Tim Marcum said that he expects Toliver to attempt to catch on with the Orlando Predators. Marcum said he has been told that the wide receiver has already contacted Predators coach Jay Gruden and quarterback Shane Stafford, both of whom have strong ties to the Storm organization.

Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Stafford said he doesn't know anything specific about Toliver's future in Orlando, but that he would be open to playing with his former teammate.

Toliver, who could not be reached for comment, and Stafford played together in Tampa for a few years and work out together in the offseason.

"If he lands on his feet and its here, great," Stafford said.

Orlando has blown out the Storm twice this season. The Predators are 8-6, and will likely host a first-round playoff game. The Storm, at 7-7, can clinch a home playoff berth with a win in either of its last two games. It's highly unlikely that the Storm and Predators would face each other before the National Conference Championship Game. Even if they do meet in the postseason, Marcum said he is not daunted at the prospect of facing his former receiver.

"I worry about a lot of things: world peace, our soliders in Iraq; I worry about my taxes on my house," Marcum said. "I worry about a lot of things. T.T. Toliver is not one of them."

Updated: Toliver released after meeting with Marcum, Johnson, Samuels

Erstwhile wide receiver T.T. Toliver was released by the Storm this afternoon, hours after meeting this morning with coach Tim Marcum and veteran players Lawrence Samuels and Jeroid Johnson. The quartet met early this morning for about 10 minutes.

Toliver, who came off the "Left Squad" list today, was not present at practice, though he came off the "Left Squad" list today.

Storm coach Tim Marcum says he discussed the situation with some of the team's veterans, then thought it over during practice. By the end of practice, he had decided to release Toliver.

"The benefit is that he’s not a distraction," Marcum said. "We’re going down the road. Boom. Just forget aobut it."

Toliver has not practiced since meeting with Marcum two weeks ago. What, exactly, was said during that meeting is the source of a grievance Toliver has filed with the AFLPA. Toliver says he never "quit" the team, and that the team was wrong for placing him on the "Left Squad" list. Marcum says Toliver quit, prompting the coach to place the receiver on the list, which bars a player from practicing, playing, or receiving a pay check for two weeks.

Marcum essentially had two choices: release Toliver, which would mean he'd be free to sign with any other team in the league (presumably, one the Storm could face in the playoffs); or keep him and work him back into the offense. Technically, the Storm could have kept Toliver on its roster and deactivated him. But that would have meant two things: paying a sizeable salary (Marcum says about $65,000) for nothing, and demoting either rookie Hank Edwards or veteran Karl Williams, both of whom have played well (Williams returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown last week, Edwards had three touchdown catches).

Before the Storm officially released Toliver, quarterback Brett Dietz said he would welcome Toliver back, but only if Toliver wants to be back.

"If he wants on board with us, I want him here," Dietz said, "but if he doesn't want on board, then we don't want him here."

Marcum to meet with Toliver Tuesday morning

This week will be an interesting one as far as the T.T. Toliver drama goes. The veteran receiver is expected to report to practice Tuesday morning and meet with Storm coach Tim Marcum. Toliver, if you'll recall, either left the team or was fired two weeks ago. Marcum says Toliver informed him that he was quitting the squad during a meeting May 28. The coach/GM then placed the wide receiver, who at the time was leading the team in every major receiving category, on the "Left Squad" list, which means a player can not have contact with the team for two weeks. The player also is not paid during that time period.

Toliver has since filed a grievance with the AFL Player Association claiming that he did not quit the team, and thus was placed on the "Left Squad" list improperly.

Toliver comes off the "Left Squad" list Tuesday. Marcum said that the wide receiver informed the team via a letter that he intended to report for practice Tuesday. The grievance is still pending and is expected to go before an arbitrator later this week. Marcum said he doesn't know how he is going to handle the situation with Toliver.

"Some of it may be up to him, some of it may be up to some of our guys," Marucm said. "I don’t know that this team wants him back."

Since Toliver plans on showing up at the St. Pete Times Forum, the team essentially has to either pay him or release him. It could conceivably allow Toliver back on the roster and keep him inactive, but that would seem to be a waste of money (Marcum has said Toliver is making $65,000 a year). However, if it released him, he'd be free to sign with any team in the league. It's hard to imagine a playoff team like Orlando not welcoming Toliver for the rest of the season.

"I just don't know what I'm going to do," Marcum said.

OTHER NOTES: Look for some changes in the secondary this week. "I'm not pleased with what's going on back there," Marcum said. Though DB Jeroid Johnson's job is safe, Khalid Naziruddin, Bo Rogers and Traco Rachal could see their playing time decrease. Alex Wallace, whom the team signed to the practice squad last week, will likely get an opportunity. Wallace started the season with New Orleans and was the defense player of the year in AF2 last year. . .A quick update on veteran lineman Rod Williams, who suffered a collapsed lung a couple weeks ago in a loss to Georgia. He's back home in Tampa, but likely won't be around the team in the near future as he recovers from surgery.

Hey, guys, the bandwagon just arrived! Hop on!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. . .

When everyone else was saying the Storm was dead at 0-5 YOU were standing by your team. YOU knew the playoffs were possible. YOU knew they'd be here, beating Philadelphia 69-59 and clinching a berth and coming oh-so-close to nabbing a home playoff game.

Right.

Anyway, in case you missed it, the Storm won, thanks in large part to Brett Dietz, Lincoln Kennedy, Terrill Shaw, the offensive line, the kicker, Lawrence Samuels, Hank Edwards, and the D.J. who plays the music between quarters.

Check out the coverage in tomorrow's paper.

Murphy out.

Storm Livin' on a Prayer tonight against Soul

Can the Storm lock up a playoff berth? Or will it go down in a Blaze of Glory?

If you are asking my professional opinion, here it is: I have no earthly idea.

My gut says it won't take a Miracle to knock off the Soul, but it will certainly take one of the team's better games of the season. Yes, Philly is 6-7, and yes, if the playoffs began today, the Storm would have the fourth seed. But keep in mind that the Soul played without all-everything quarterback Tony Graziani for four games, and since his return, the offense has been nothing short of spectacular. The Soul has scored at least 70 points in two of its last three games, and last week it came oh-so-close to knocking off league powerhouse and ArenaBowl favorite Dallas (the Soul lost, 59-56).

Some quick pre-game thoughts. . .

Hey, isn't that the same Larry Brackins. . .: Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. Bucs fans might remember the 6-foot-4 inch receiver the team drafted out of Pearl River CC in the fifth round in 2005. Well, Brackins' NFL career wasn't the stuff of legends -- he was released by the team twice -- but he's been on fire for the Soul lately. Brackins has led the team in receiving in each of the last three games and is averaging 14.4 yards per catch on the season. WR Charles Pauley is the Soul's statistical leader -- 84 catches, 1,245 yards, 24 touchdowns -- but keep an eye on Brackins.

Celebrity sightings: Ron Jaworski is in the house. Jon Bon Jovi isn't. Unless he's wearing a disguise.

Sack masters: I'll make a quick not-so-rosy point -- Philly enters the game third in the league in sacks. The Storm is 0-4 against the top two teams in the league (Georgia and Orlando). Protection will be key tonight.

Prediction: Philly 60, Storm 50.

Let the lobbying begin for Darren Hambrick's spot in the Storm's Ring of Honor

We kid, we kid.

Darren Hambrick officially has been released by the team after a grand total of two practices.

That's all I got (but if you crazy bloggahs have been paying attention, you'd already have known that Hambrick was gone).

In honor of 'Brick's departure, here's the first few stanzas from Ben Folds' Classic, "Brick."

Why? It's in my head.

6 am, day after Christmas
I throw some clothes on in the dark
The smell of cold, car seat is freezing
The world is sleeping and I am numb
Up the stairs to her apartment
She is balled up on the couch
Mom and Dad went down to Charlotte
They're not home to find us out
She's a brick and I'm drowning slowly
Off the coast and Im headed nowhere
Shes a brick and I'm drowning slowly

Answer: Beer, Soda and Michael Clayton

Question: What three things can you get your fill of at the Storm's pre-game tail-gate party this Saturday?

The Bucs wide receiver will be signing autographs and participating in the coin toss prior to the game against the Philadelphia Soul.

Tickets for the game and tail-gate party start at $28 dollars. The tail gate will feature all-you-can-eat grilled food, beer and soda. . .and Michael Clayton. Though we don't know how good that will taste.

Clayton will sign autographs from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Storm pre-game tail-gate party located on the St. Pete Times Forum plaza.  Fans can gain admission to the tail-gate party and receive a ticket to the game for as little as $28.  Those in the tail-gate area receive all you can eat grilled food, sides and all you can drink soda and beer.

First drunkard to serenade Jon Bon Jovi with an a capella version of "Living on a Prayer" wins a special prize! (we kid).

For more info call 813.301.6780.

Wiren brings lift to Wednesday practice

Over the course of the past three weeks, nobody associated with the Storm has had much of an idea when veteran linebacker Nyle Wiren would return to practice. The team was happy to let him re-join the team on his own terms, and on Wednesday, he did. Coach Tim Marcum said Wiren's presence brought a notable lift to the team, and close friends Lawrence Samuels and Pat O'Hara each said they were happy to see him back on the practice field.

"I think it was really the way he wanted it: not a big deal," O'Hara said. "I don't think he wanted it to be a big deal. He picked up where he left off."

Wiren won't play this week, Marcum said.

Other Wednesday notes: Look for Hank Edwards to start this week. The rookie wide receiver had a great performance in the win over the Voo Doo, catching eight passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Karl Williams got the start last week. . .OL Lincoln Kennedy sat out practice Tuesday, but he isn't injured. The team is simply letting him rest during the week to keep him fresh. . .Bo Rogers started in place of Khalid Naziruddin against the VooDoo, but the Storm used a four-defensive-back rotation and Naziruddin still led the team in tackles.

Darren Hambrick, We Hardly Knew Ye

Looks like Darren Hambrick's attempt at a professional football comeback will have to begin somewhere else. The former Pasco High star and Cowboys linebacker has not practiced the past couple days, and is expected to be released sometime soon. According to Storm coach Tim Marcum, Hambrick wasn't satisfied with being a member of the Storm's practice squad He signed with the team last week, but was not activated for the team's game against New Orleans.

Case determined to return; Kaleo content to retire

Q: What has six eyes, six legs and four arms?

A: The trio of quarterbacks that was standing by a dasher board at the St. Pete Times Forum after practice Tuesday.

Current Storm starter Brett Dietz was flanked by the two men whose injuries led to his emegence as Stoney Case and John Kaleo visited practice. Case had surgery three weeks ago, but Tuesday was the first day he has been out of a sling. The former NFL journeyman, who separated his right shoulder in a loss to Orlando Apr. 14, still can't do much with his right arm. He has to eat with his left, drive with his left, brush his teeth with his left.

Not an easy thing for a guy who is admittedly un-ambidextrous.

"It's a struggle," Case said. "When you only have one arm, it makes you appreciate the other."

But he also said that he is determined to return next season.

When asked if he was coming back, Case quickly responded, "Definitely."

The same isn't true for Kaleo.

Even before he was injured, the veteran was treating this year as his last, and the injury hasn't changed anything.

"I'm done," said Kaleo, who played for 10 teams in 14 seasons and completed 133-of-199 passes for 1,464 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. "When the time is right, I'll (officially) retire."

Both Case and Kaleo said they've been impressed with the way Dietz has handled the team. In fact, Dietz was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week Tuesday for his performance against New Orleans. Dietz completed 23-of-30 passes for 315 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions in the 61-55 win over the Voo Doo.

Dietz has now completed 136-of-198 passes (68.7 percent) for 1,578 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions. His quarterback rating of 119.04 would rank seventh in the league if he had enough pass attempts to qualify.

FORMER TAMPA BAY TECH STAR SIGNED: The Storm signed a pair of players to its practice squad, including former Tampa Bay Tech receiver Tyrone Timmons. Timmons starred at Mississippi Valley State, the alma mater of NFL great Jerry Rice. At 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, he has NFL size, but went undrafted in April. Timmons caught 62 passes for 1,059 yards and eight touchdowns in 2005 as a junior at MVSU. As a senior, he caught 43 passes for 615 yards and seven touchdowns. DB Alex Wallace, formerly of the New Orleans VooDoo, also signed with the practice squad. Wallace had 19 tackles and an interception in five games this season for New Orleans.

Toliver has filed grievance with AFLPA

Looks like we haven't closed the cover on the T.T. Toliver saga yet. The erstwhile wide receiver has filed a grievance with the AFL Players Association claiming he was released, or "fired," by the team, and that he didn't quit, as the team has said.

If the league and the Players Association cannot come to a resolution, the conflict will go in front of an independent arbitrator. AFL spokesman Chris McCloskey said the process will likely conclude by the end of next week.

"It’s conceivable this could be resolved this week," McCloskey said.

According to Storm coach Tim Marcum, Toliver is claiming that he did not quit the team and should be declared a free agent. The Storm has placed him on the "Left Squad" list, meaning it retains its rights to the player. Players on the "Left Squad" list may not practice or play with a team for two weeks.

According to Marcum, Toliver was told by the AFLPA to show up at practice Thursday.

According to Marcum:

*Toliver showed up at practice Thursday claiming not to have quit.

*After being told he was not allowed to have contact with the team (the team has put Toliver on the "Left Squad list," meaning he can't practice or play with the team for two weeks), Toliver refused to leave.

*Toliver was eventually escorted out of the building by security.

“His whole purpose for quitting was he thought he could go right to the next team, not miss a beat, get with a playoff team, and he’ll never look back,” Marcum said. “He didn’t realize that when you quit. . .he’s still the property of the team.”

Toliver hasn't responded to repeated phone calls or text messages.

None of his teammates have suggested anything other than the fact that Toliver quit. Wide receiver Terrill Shaw said last week that Toliver had told him "what he was going to do," before his meeting with Marcum. But, Shaw said, he didn't know whether Toliver was serious or not.

"We all get frustrated with certain things at certain times, and we all play around and say things," Shaw said.

We'll update this situation a little later. . .

From Corbin Montgomery to Umar Muhammad

There's an interesting piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution today about former Storm and current Force linebacker Umar Muhammad. In it, the man nicnamed "Headache" opens up about a past that saw him "bouned between foster homes and state institutions."

And interesting perspective on an interesting guy. . .

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/06/03/0604umar.html

Dietz, Edwards, Shaw spark victory

Though a loss wouldn't have eliminated the Storm from playoff contention, it would have have gone a long way in doing so. Thus, for lack of a better term, we'll call it a must-win. And, despite the absence of its leading receiver, the Storm won.

Brett Dietz tossed eight touchdown passes -- and, more importantly, threw no interceptions -- and rookie Hank Edwards made an impressive debut as the Storm beat New Orleans 61-55.

Edwards, a rookie out of Texas Southern, has drawn rave reviews throughout the season for his performance in practice. The coaching staff has long wanted to find a way to get him involved in the offense, and the reason was apparent Saturday as he finished with eight catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Edwards, who has spent all season on the practice squad, was playing in place of T.T. Toliver, who quit Tuesday despite leading the team in every major receiving category.

With the win, the Storm improves to 6-7 and is right back in the thick of the playoff race. In fact, it received plenty of help this weekend. Philadelphia (6-7), Orlando (7-6), Columbus (6-7) and New York (5-8) all lost, meaning that if the season ended today, the Storm would be tied with the Soul for fourth place in the National Conference and the right to host a home playoff game.