GAMEDAY: Storm Fast Facts

TODAY’S GAME

Storm (0-0) at Kansas City Brigade (0-0)
When: Today, 6 p.m.
Site: Sprint Center

Last meeting: April 29, 2006: Tampa Bay 58, Kansas City 44

THE STORM
Tampa Bay is the longest-tenured team in the AFL -- and the only remaining charter team. The franchise started as the Pittsburgh Gladiators and was one of the four original teams – along with the Denver Dynamite, Chicago Bruisers and Washington Commandos. Tampa Bay has won five AFL Championships, which is tops in league history. The Storm were 9-7 last season.

THE BRIGADE

Kansas City enters its third season off the franchise’s first playoff appearance. It was 10-6 last year. After calling Kemper Arena home for the first two seasons, the Brigade have moved into the Sprint Center for 2008. The Brigade has won four of its past five regular season games and six of the past eight.

A LITTLE ABOUT TIM MARCUM

Storm coach Tim Marcum is the most successful coach in AFL history. Period. He actually was a member of the inaugural AFL Hall of Fame Class of 1998. Entering his 20th season Marcum boasts a career record of 166-74 (.692) and has the fourth best career winning percentage among coaches. In the postseason, he’s 25-11 (.694). Marcum is the all-time leader in postseason wins, ArenaBowl appearances (10) and ArenaBowl Championships (7). He has been named AFL Coach of the Year twice (1987, 1998).

NEW RULE FOR ’08, PART I

This season, the "jack" linebacker can roam freely from sideboard to sideboard within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage once the play begins. In the past, the jack linebacker was prohibited from leaving an imaginary box between the defensive tackles behind the line of scrimmage until after the ball was thrown.

NEW RULE FOR ’08, PART II

A coach-to-player communication device for a defensive player will be allowed this season. In the past, only the QB had worn a special helmet that allowed him to hear the coach.

HE CERTAINLY CAUGHT ON

Storm receiver Lawrence Samuels needs one catch to become the third player in AFL history to record 900 career receptions. He’s also a strong defender. Samuels is the AFL’s all-time  leader in fumble recoveries with 34.

HEY STORM, WATCH OUT FOR THIS GUY

Brigade receiver Charles Frederick was Co-AFL Rookie of the Year (along with Storm QB Brett Dietz) last season after leading the Brigade with 1,518 total yards and 41 touchdowns. His 41 touchdowns were the second most by a rookie AFL history, and the most since 1994.

SACK LUNCH, ANYONE?

Storm defensive lineman Tom Briggs is the AFL sacks leader among active players. He need one sack to become the second player to record 47 sacks in AFL history.