Storm re-signs WR Edwards

According the AFL's official Web site, the Storm has re-signed standout wide receiver Hank Edwards.

The move comes as no surprise.

Last week, Storm coach Tim Marcum told reporters from the Times and Tampa Tribune in a joint interview that giving Edwards a better deal was a top priority during the offseason. Edwards had one year left on his contract, but Marcum said he hoped to essentially rip that one up and give him a new one.

Apparently, that's what happened.

In his second year with the team and first full AFL season, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Edwards caught 85 passes for 1,341 yards and 30 touchdowns.

O'Hara interviews with Avengers

Storm offensive coordinator Pat O'Hara has interviewed for the vacant head coaching position with the Los Angeles Avengers, Tampa Bay media representative Jim Robinson confirmed Monday. O'Hara, 39, just completed his third season as offensive coordinator with the Storm.

In 2007, he interviewed for head coaching positions at Arizona and Grand Rapids.

The fact O'Hara has ties to Los Angeles might work in his favor. Before embarking on a lengthy playing career in the Arena Football League (with Orlando, Toronto and Tampa Bay), he was a quarterback at Southern California.

Robinson said O'Hara interviewed last week. Los Angeles, which closed its regular season two weeks ago with a 72-47 loss at Tampa Bay to finish 5-11, fired Ed Hodgkiss three days later.

O'Hara is considered one of the top young assistants in the league. Tampa Bay ranked seventh in scoring this season.

Marshall, Samuels on AFL Ironman team

The AFL has named two Storm players -- RB/LB Torrance Marshall and WR/LB Lawrence Samuels -- to the 2008 All-Ironman team. Marshall is a first-time pick; Samuels was chosen for the second straight season.

Marshall (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) set a franchise record with 23 rushing touchdowns, which tied for the league lead. On defense, he had 24 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

Samuels (6-2, 210) led the team with 121 receptions (for 1,197 yards and 16 touchdowns). He added 39 tackles and four interceptions on defense.

You can find the complete Ironman team HERE.

Storm assistants could be HC candidates

Teams typically lose players to free agency during the offseason, but Storm coach Tim Marcum might have to worry about losing his assistants, too. Marcum said this week that assistant head coach Dave Ewart and offensive coordinator Pat O'Hara would each be strong candidates to be head coaches in the league.

Ewart once was head coach of the AFL's Florida Bobcats; O'Hara is considered to be one of the league's top young assistants.

Of Ewart, Marcum said: "Dave has taken the bad situations (with past head coaching jobs) and turned out some good football teams. It's very possible Dave Ewart could be a head coach. And he's going to be a very doggone good one."

Already this week, two head coaching positions have opened up.

Will Samuels return? Marcum thinks so

At some point in the very near future, Storm WR/LB Lawrence Samuels, who without question is one of the greatest players ever to compete in the AFL, will make a decision. The 38-year-old will either play a 16th season or step down.

Samuels gave no hints at any point during the season, or after last week's season finale, what he might do. When asked, he simply said him and his wife would talk things over and decide what path to follow.

Storm coach Tim Marcum said he hasn't yet talked to Samuels about the future. But when asked what he thought Samuels, the AFL's all-time receptions leader, might do, he said his gut told him a return to the field is possible, if not likely.

"I think Lawrence still wants to play football," Marcum said.

If so, then the question becomes this: Would he play here?

"As always, he's going to play here if the numbers are right ... absolutely," Marcum said.

Marcum: Edwards "has earned" extension, raise

Think Storm WR Hank Edwards was outstanding this season?

You aren't alone.

Storm coach Tim Marcum feels the same way, and because of it he said this week "a priority is to re-sign and extend Hank Edwards."

Edwards, who in his second year with the team and first full AFL season caught 85 passes for 1,341 yards and 30 touchdowns, has a contract through the 2009 season. But Marcum thinks he deserves a bump in pay and would like to get that taken care of soon.

"He's earned it." Marcum said. "He's got another year left, but it's at a number that's low. It's too low and he needs to be rewarded. He needs to be taken up. And that being said, we need to tear (his current contract) up and add on to it. We want it to be right. Right for him and right for the team."

 

Samuels honored ... again

Even at 38, Storm WR/LB Lawrence Samuels remains one of the AFL's best players. Proof of that came today when Samuels was named AFL Ironman of the Month for June.

"What more can I say about Lawrence?" Storm coach Tim Marcum said in a release. "He really picked up his play and helped us out a lot this season. He has a knack for making plays."

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Samuels had five TD receptions, seven tackles, one pass broken up and one interception in three June games. In a Week-16 loss to San Jose, he recorded 11 catches for 94 yards and three scores, to go along with 2.5 tackles.

McGill receives All-Arena honor

Storm noseguard Tim McGill, a force on the line throughout the season, has been named to the All-Arena second-team squad. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound McGill, a former Illinois standout, finished with 15.5 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles.

"Tim is definitely deserving of this award," Storm coach Tim Marcum said. "He was a beast on the defensive line this season and will help anchor our line next season."

McGill is signed through 2010.

To see the complete All-Arena squad, go HERE. Former storm WR T.T. Toliver was a first-team selection.

A new logo for the Storm in '09? You never know

In the AFL, a team can't just change it's logo and/or colors on a whim.

There's a process.

For starters, it has to inform the league more than a year in advance it wants to switch things up. Storm owner Robert Nucci confirmed Tuesday the franchise has started the process. But, he added, that doesn't guarantee a change will be made. It only means a change is under consideration.

"There's no immediate decision to change the logos or jerseys, although we always look at logos and things," Nucci said. "Every team owner does that. We might (get a new logo). It's a good logo (now), but we may do something about it. It's one thing to look at, but it's certainly not the highest thing on the agenda."

Samuels wins weekly award

Veteran Storm WR/LB Lawrence Samuels was named AFL Ironman of the Week following his performance in Saturday's rout over Los Angeles. He recorded a game-high 11 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns -- and had a first-quarter interception. "Lawrence just keeps going and going," Storm coach Tim Marcum said in a release. "He is a legitimate candidate for Ironman of the Year." Samuels finished the season with 121 catches for 1,191 yards and 16 touchdowns. With 1,022 receptions, he's the AFL's career leader.

Owner: Marcum contract extension imminent

Storm coach Tim Marcum, who has only one year left on his contract with the team, said Monday he would like to coach Tampa Bay beyond the 2009 season.

Apparently, he will get his wish.

Storm owner Robert Nucci told the Times on Tuesday he expects to have a contract extension with Marcum negotiated sometime in the next "month or two," and possibly sooner than that.

"Coach Marcum is my friend," Nucci said. "He is an inspiration to me and to the team. He is my coach. He is my guy. He was my guy this year. He's going to be my guy next year. And it's my intention to have him as my guy, my coach into the future. I see a truly great future with Coach Marcum and the Tampa Bay Storm. I don't see anything that's going to change that."

In 14 seasons with the Storm, Marcum is 143-81 with three AFL titles. Tampa Bay went 8-8 this season and missed the playoffs for only the second time in franchise history.

"We're going to address (Marcum's contract situation) in the near future," Nucci said. "We're certainly not going to let this go into the next season or close thereby."

Help ... from an objective set of eyes

During the offseason, the Storm coaching staff will step back and re-evaluate the video from all 16 of the team's 2008 games. Then, the group will do something kind of neat; it will have coaches not on the staff do the same thing.

"Sometimes you're so close to it week in and week out that you make excuses for them," Marcum said. "What I like to do is, I like to have some of my buddies come in who don't know (much) about the players in terms of their personality or whatever and give an objective eye."

One of those "buddies" could potentially be Jim Bates, a longtime NFL assistant who worked with Marcum at the University of Florida and in the USFL.

Advice ... from the players

Who should the Storm go after during free agency? To answer that question what he believes is the best way possible, Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum will seek advice from a unique source.

His current players.

"We'll ask our guys, 'Give me your three best receivers in the league, or five best receivers ... or five best centers. Who's the toughest center you played against?" Marcum said. "We'll get that list from our players because nobody knows players better than when you've played against them. So we'll get that list to go along with our list."

And?

"Then we'll go to work on it," Marcum said. "We'll try to make some judgments based on that."

What's next for the Storm coaching staff? Work, what else

The Storm's on-field season ended last Saturday. Its off-field work never really ends.

This week, there is much for coach Tim Marcum and his staff to do. Such as ...

-Conducting exit physicals Tuesday.

-Helping players with their living arrangements (almost all live in team housing during the season).

-Watching tape of other teams to evaluate players about to become free agents. The group started with Utah and will go through every team in the league one by one.

"We can't just deflate the balls, tie the shoes together and say, 'it's done,'" Marcum said.

You're the GM; what's your move?

Pretend for a moment your name is Tim Marcum and you're the coach/GM of the Storm. Your team just went 8-8 and failed to make the playoffs for only the second time in franchise history.

The goal?

To come back strong next season.

How would you make this happen? Would you keep most of the team intact? Would you tell a handful of guys to take a hike? Would you go out and find some veterans? Or would you be on the hunt for young talent?

These are the decisions Marcum faces. And they aren't easy ones.

The truth is, the Storm missed the playoffs by a whisker. Despite that, anyone who watched the team play knows it played only two or three complete games and seemed to be missing something for most of the season.

If you were Marcum, what kind of offseason moves would you make?

Storm signs ex-Gator Lewis

Storm coach Tim Marcum already has an eye on the future. DB Reggie Lewis, who has spent the past few weeks with the practice squad, has been signed by the team through 2009. He also got moved up to the active roster this week. Whether Lewis, a former Florida Gator, will play tonight against Los Angeles remains to be seen. But the Storm saw enough of him in practice to want him back next spring. "He's got potential," Marcum said. "He's got speed and I think he's going to be tough enough. He's got a good sense of what's going on." The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Lewis started his Gator career at WR before moving to cornerback. He played for Florida's 1996 national championship squad. In fact, in Florida's win in the title game against Ohio State, he had a first-quarter interception.

Robinson looking for more history

A week ago, Sedrick Robinson became the AFL's all-time leader in career kickoff return yards. Now, he has a chance to reach another milestone. With 21 return yards Saturday against Los Angeles, Robinson will pass the 10,000-yard mark for his career. Only three other professional football players have done that. They are:

1. Brian Mitchell, NFL: 14,014
2. Allen Rossum, NFL: 10,520
3. Mel Gray, NFL: 10,250

For the mathematically challenged, Robinson has 9,979 career return yards.

Around the AFL

This week's news & notes ...

-On the all-time all-purpose yards list, Phily WR Chris Jackson and Arizona WR Siaha Burley need only 28 and 59 yards, respectively, to pass Eddie Brown, who is fourth on the career list. Brown had 16,437 all-purpose yards. Barry Wagner tops the list with 21,054.

-San Jose DB Clevan Thomas is one INT short of breaking a tie with Wagner to gain sole possession of third on the all-time INT list. Both have 48.

-How consistent has Dallas been? With a win this week, the team can become the first in AFL history to record 13 or more regular-season wins in three separate seasons.

-Georgia WR Troy Bergeron needs nine catches this week to become the first player ever in the AFL to post 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons.

-Cleveland RB Marlion Jackson and Tampa Bay RB Torrance Marshall each need two rushing TDs to reach 25 for the season. That would mark the first time two backs have achieved that feat in the same season.

-Utah LB Kelvin Morris already has set a rookie best with six fumble recoveries. With one more, he can set the league record.

-With 15 points, San Jose kicker A.J. Haglund will set the AFL record for points in a season by a kicker. He has 171 right now.

Storm custom bike to be unveiled

Storm owner Dr. Bob Nucci has partnered with Vinnie DeMartino and Cody Connelly of V-Force Customs to build a custom Storm chopper to help children with orthopedic needs. They will unveil the bike Saturday before the Storm's season finale at the St. Pete Times Forum against Los Angeles.

"The building of this bike is such a win-win opportunity for both the Tamps Bay Storm fans and the Shriners organization that team owner Dr.Nucci didn't hesitate to stamp his approval and have Nucci Spine institute fund the project," Storm President and COO Jim Borghesi said in a release. "Teaming up with the V-force customs Vinnie and Cody to build this one-of-a-kind bike also shows that we wanted this to be done first class all the way. Hopefully the end result is that our fans have something to be proud of and the money raised for the Shriners Hospitals."

This is the first themed bike built by DeMartino and Connelly, formerly of the TV show American Chopper. The bike, named Storm-ONE, and its tour, "Ride out the Storm," is the initial project of the Tampa Bay Storm Foundation. The foundation will tour Storm-ONE and raffle it off, with proceeds going to charity (the Shriners Hospitals for Children is the main beneficiary).

Beginning Saturday, fans can purchase raffle tickets for an opportunity to win the chopper. Tickets are $50. The Tampa Bay Storm Foundation has established a website, www.RideOutTheStorm.org, to allow fans to track the bike during its travels and to purchase raffle tickets. Information also can be found on online at www.borntoride.com.

The Tampa Bay Storm Foundation will begin the tour with an appearance immediately following the game at Andreychuk's Grille. The bike can be seen June 24 at Party Like a Rockstar, benefiting the DeBartolo Family Foundation, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. 

Briggs done for season

Defensive end Tom Briggs, who played a key role when the Storm got hot in the second half of the season, will miss Saturday's season finale at home against Los Angeles, Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum said. Briggs hurt his ribs last week against San Jose and missed the entire second half. Subsequent X-rays revealed the ribs had been broken. Briggs, a 12-season AFL veteran, had 19.5 tackles with four sacks this season.

The latest playoff scenarios ...

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
CHICAGO RUSH
Has clinched a first-round bye.

SAN JOSE SABERCATS
Has clinched a first-round bye.

ARIZONA RATTLERS
Has clinched a first-round home game.

UTAH BLAZE
Utah clinches a first-round home game:
1) UTA win + LAA loss
2) UTA win + GRA win
3) UTA win + two COL wins
4) LAA loss + GRA loss + one COL loss

GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE
Grand Rapids clinches a first-round home game:
1) GRA win + UTA loss + one COL loss

COLORADO CRUSH
Colorado clinches a first-round home game:
1) COL two wins + UTA loss

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS
Los Angeles clinches a first-round home game:
1) LAA win + GRA loss + one COL loss

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
PHILADELPHIA SOUL
Has clinched at least a first-round home game.

DALLAS DESPERADOS
Has clinched at least a first-round home game.

GEORGIA FORCE
Has clinched a first-round bye.

ORLANDO PREDATORS
Orlando clinches a first-round home game:
1) NYD loss + CLE loss

NEW YORK DRAGONS
New York clinches a first-round home game:
1) NYD win + NVD loss

NEW ORLEANS VOODOO
New Orleans clinches a first-round home game:
1) NVD win + NYD win
2) NVD win + CLE win

CLEVELAND GLADIATORS
Cleveland clinches a first-round home game:
1) CLE win + NYD loss + NVD loss

Briggs status not known

Defensive end Tom Briggs missed the second half of Saturday night's game with a rib injury, the extent of which isn't known. Briggs, a longtime AFL star who played at West Virginia, had played a big role in the team's recent surge. He was expected to have the injured area X-rayed soon. When I talk to Storm coach Tim Marcum later today I'll be sure to get an update.

No playoffs for Storm

When the Storm left for home after Saturday night's 73-70 loss at San Jose, the team believed it still had an outside shot at making the playoffs. But Sunday afternoon, the organization learned that wasn't the case.

The Storm (7-8) was under the presumption that if it beat Los Angeles this week, it could get in. But only if New Orleans (8-7) lost to Grand Rapids (5-10) and Cleveland (8-7) fell to Columbus (3-12) on the same night.

Wrong.

Based on all possible scenarios for the upcoming week, the AFL determined Sunday the Storm had been eliminated. The problem for the Storm? Point differential.

Although Tampa Bay had the tiebreaker with Cleveland because of a head-to-head win, it lost the tiebreaker with New Orleans. The teams split two regular-season games -- New Orleans won 76-55 at home and the Storm won 41-37 at home. That gave New Orleans the point differential edge, which was the tie-breaker after head to head.

Confused? So was I. And for that matter, so was the Storm.

San Jose 73, Storm 70

This was one that got away.

As has been the case in practically every Storm defeat this season, turnovers were the difference Saturday night. During its 73-70 loss at San Jose, Tampa Bay had two interceptions and one fumble, and each was costly.

"We had our opportunities and didn't take advantage of them," Storm said Tim Marcum told the Times via cell phone moments after the game.

The most crucial miscue arguably was a second-quarter interception that was thrown by Storm quarterback Brett Dietz. With the Storm (7-8) leading 14-7, it recovered a fumbled San Jose kickoff return at the Sabercats 6. But with a chance to pull ahead by two scores late in the first quarter, a Dietz pass was picked off in the endzone.

"We had a chance, but gave it right back to them," Marcum said.

San Jose (10-5) scored a game-tying touchdown a few minutes later. Then things quickly got worse.

On Tampa Bay's next possession, Dietz was blindsided from behind and fumbled the ball. San Jose recovered it for a touchdown, and just like that it was 21-14 Sabercats.

From there, the Storm had to play catch-up the rest of the way. And couldn't.

Two things hurt Tampa Bay's comeback efforts.

The first: San Jose got the ball to start the second half. When it scored a touchdown on its first third-quarter possession, the Storm fell behind by 10.

The second: In the fourth, Dietz was intercepted on a play in which the Storm thought there was pass interference. Soon after the play occurred, San Jose took a 66-49 lead.

Dietz finished with a career-best 10 TD passes. Storm receiver Hank Edwards had five touchdown catches. On defense, cornerback Jeroid Johnson intercepted two San Jose passes.

"It's totally frustrating," Marcum said. "It has been an up-and-down nightmare season."

You can find the complete box HERE.

Storm lose game, not playoff hopes

The bad news for the Storm is that it lost at San Jose 73-70 Saturday night. The good news (and there is a little bit of it) is that there still is an outside chance the team could reach the playoffs.

But it needs help. And a lot of it.

"I'm not quite sure with all the scenarios, but I still think there's an outside chance," Storm coach Tim Marcum said after Saturday's defeat.

First and foremost, the Storm (7-8) must take care of business by beating Los Angeles (5-10) at home Saturday night. It also would need New Orleans (8-7) to lose to Grand Rapids (5-10) and Cleveland (8-7) to lose to Columbus (3-12) on the same night.

Based on records alone, and the fact both New Orleans and Cleveland are playing at home, the odds don't look good. But hey, this is the AFL and anything is possible, right?

New York also is 8-7 and plays Philadelphia (12-3) next Sunday at home, but it beat the Storm earlier the season and would have the edge against Tampa Bay in head to head.

If Tampa Bay, Cleveland, New Orleans and New York all finish 8-8, things get tricky. In fact, as of late Saturday night, neither the Storm PR department nor yours truly knew who would emerge if that happened.

We'll try to sort this out sometime Sunday.

Stay tuned. And thanks for being patient.

Current Standings

Top six teams in National Conference make the playoffs; one week remains in the regular season.

EASTERN DIVISION
Philadelphia Soul 12-3 
Dallas Desperados 12-3
New York Dragons 8-7
Cleveland Gladiators 8-7 
Columbus Destroyers 3-12

SOUTHERN DIVISION
Georgia Force 10-5 
Orlando Predators 9-7 
New Orleans VooDoo 8-7 
Tampa Bay Storm 7-8

Robinson becomes all-time leader in kickoff returns

When the Storm's Sedrick Robinson returned a kickoff 18 yards in the second quarter, he became the Arena Football League’s all-time kickoff return leader with 9,821 yards. He needed 41 yards entering the game to surpass former Arizona great Hunkie Cooper (9,810 yards). Here all the all-time leaders:

CAREER KICKOFF RETURN YARDAGE
Player                                  Yards
Sedrick Robinson                   9,821         
Hunkie Cooper                       9,771
George LaFrance                  9,077
Steve Papin                           8,511
Ron Carpenter                      7,127

Samuels makes 1,000th career catch

At San Jose on Saturday night, wide receiver Lawrence Samuels caught a 6-yard pass from Brett Dietz with 5:02 left in the first quarter to become the first player in Arena Football League history to record 1,000 career career catches. He joined some pretty elite company.

CAREER RECEPTIONS
Player                                  REC
Jerry Rice – NFL                     1,549
Cris Carter – NFL                    1,101
Tim Brown – NFL                    1,094
Marvin Harrison – NFL            1,042
Terry Vaughn – CFL                1,006
Lawrence Samuels – AFL       1,000

AFL milestone in reach for TBT grad

How well has Tampa Bay Tech grad Tyrone Timmons performed since being signed to the Tampa Bay Storm's active roster a few weeks ago?

Well, consider this:

In three games with the team, Timmons has three TD caches in each. If he does it again Saturday night at San Jose, he can join Eddie Brown and Troy Bergeron as the only players in Arena Football League history to catch three touchdowns in each of their first four games.

You can find Timmons' stats HERE.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

AFL to Marcum: You were right

After the Storm's 56-55 loss at Georgia two weeks ago, Storm coach Tim Marcum was adamant that the officials missed a call that cost Tampa Bay the game. In the final minute, Tampa Bay quarterback Brett Dietz threw an interception that enabled the Force to mount a game-winning drive (it won by scoring on the final play). Marcum said the play shouldn't have counted because Georgia blitzed two linebackers on the play, when AFL rules specifically state only one is allowed to on a play.

"They brought a linebacker that is ineligible to rush the passer on our last play and forced Brett to throw an interception," Marcum said at the time. "It's bull----. That's what it is. When the umpire can't make that call, some changes have got to be made in this league. We lost the game because they allowed (Georgia) to fire the linebacker that caused the interception.."

In protest of the call, the team submitted a complaint to the league.

This week, Marcum heard back. And guess what ... he was right.

"I got an email back from the league saying there was a mistake and it had an effect on the play" Marcum said.

That was it.

"What else can they do?" Marcum said. "In my opinion, the guilty party, if he's going to miss something that simple, he should never officiate. All we ask for is accountability. From our players, coaches and league officials. If you're not getting the job done, get someone else in there."

Storm Schedule/Results

Regular Season
March 01: @ Kansas City Brigade W 51-49
March 07: Georgia Force W 69-48
March 16 @ New Orleans VooDoo L 55-76
March 29 @ Philadelphia Soul L 51-59
April 05: @ Columbus Destroyers L 49-51
April 13: Arizona Rattlers L 62-63
April 18: New York Dragons L 47-66
April 26: @ Orlando Predators W 48-41
May 05: Chicago Rush L 46-51
May 09: New Orleans VooDoo W 41-37
May 16: @ Grand Rapids Rampage W 58-50
May 23: Cleveland Gladiators W 58-48
May 31: @ Georgia Force L 55-56
June 07: Orlando Predators W 71-61
June 14: @ San Jose SaberCats 10:30 p.m.          
June 21 Los Angeles Avengers 7:30 p.m.

Robinson a special player

The Storm acquired Sedrick Robinson during the offseason to make big plays, and he hasn't disappointed. A week ago, Robinson's electrifying kickoff return for a touchdown as the clock struck 0:00 to end the first half, probably was the difference in the game (a 71-61 Storm win).

This week, Robinson can make history.

He needs only 40 kickoff return yards to surpass Hunkie Cooper and become the AFL’s all-time kick return leader. He currently has 9,771 return yards.

For the record, Robinson already ranks first in return TDs with 29.

Regarding last week's memorable return, Storm coach Tim Marcum said, "It couldn't have happened at a better time. We had to have a play and he came through. We blocked a few people, but most of it was on him."

Rush featured in “This is SportsCenter” Promo

ESPN has debuted the latest “This is SportsCenter” on-air promotional spot -- “Scheduling Conflicts” – this week, and it includes the AFL's Chicago Rush. The newest installment in the award-winning campaign features the Rush as the team arrives for practice at an ESPN Digital Center studio set while SportsCenter anchor John Anderson tries to wrap up an on-air segment. The spot marks the first time Arena Football has been featured in the “This is SportsCenter” campaign. The Rush will appear in an additional “This is SportsCenter” spot June 22 during ESPN's final regular-season AFL telecast between the Rush and Dallas.

A perfect 10 for Marshall?

Torrance Marshall already owns the franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a season (he has 23), but now he could be about to join an elite club. The Storm RB/LB needs one rushing touchdown on Saturday at San Jose to become the fifth player in AFL history to have one rushing TD in 10 consecutive games. With 100 yards on 72 carries (he typically only carries the ball on goalline situations), Marshall ranks just 14th in the league in rushing. However, he's first in rushing TDs. How's that for efficient?

Storm to hit road early, come back late

To make sure jet lag isn't an issue when it plays at San Jose on Saturday night, the Storm will fly out of Tampa at 6:45 a.m. Friday and arrive out west at 10:57 a.m. local time. Not long after landing in San Jose, the team will have its usual meeting and walk-through practice, then pretty much call it a day. That will give the players a ton of free time before the game, which starts the next day at 7:30 on the west coast.

"It's a long time," Storm coach Tim Marcum said. "But I like the fact that you get there and you have time to get used to their time. The earlier we can get there the better."

Players kill time differently.

Quarterback Brett Dietz typically relaxes in his hotel room. Wide receiver Hank Edwards is on the other end of the spectrum. He usually gets a veteran player to show him around.

"I like to find someone who knows the area and do something local," Edwards said. "I'll walk a couple blocks to eat. Then I try to get out and about to see the city. I've never seen San Jose."

The game should end around 10:30 local time. The team will depart for home from San Francisco two hours later and arrive back in Tampa early Sunday.

AFL News & Notes

-Philadelphia Soul WR Chris Jackson needs 131 all-purpose yards to pass Eddie Brown and move into fourth place all-time with 16,438 in his career.

-Chicago Rush WR Damian Harrell needs 16 receiving yards to become the third player in AFL history to record 13,000 for his career. Harrell also needs 11 receptions to pass Barry Wagner and move into second place all-time with 992 career catches (he would trail only the Storm's Lawrence Samuels).

-Chicago FB Dan Alexander can become the fastest player in AFL history to reach 950 career rushing yards with 23 when the Rush faces the Georgia Force on Saturday. Alexander currently has 927 yards in 46 career games and can pass Chad Dukes, who reached the 950-yard milestone in 49 career games.

-Chicago Rush WR/DB Dennison Robinson needs two interceptions to break the AFL record for interceptions in a single-season with 14. Ahmad Hawkins (Nashville, 2007), Eddie Moten (Philadelphia, 2006) and Clevan Thomas (San Jose, 2003) each had 13 in a season.

-Colorado Crush DB Rashad Floyd needs eight tackles to pass Barry Wagner and move into second place all-time with 743.

-Orlando Predators DB Kenny McEntyre needs one interception to break his tie with Paul Krause and move into second place all time for the most interceptions in professional football history with 82. Former CFL standout Less Browne had 87 to lead the list.

Storm to host free football clinic

The Storm and MetroPCS will host a free football clinic June 21 from 9:30-11 a.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum announced today. Boys and girls ages 7-15 are eligible to participate. The event will include various drills, instruction from members of the Storm, a question-and-answer segment and autograph session.

All attendees should wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes.

Check-in begins 9 a.m. at the XO VIP Club entrance on the West Plaza. Sessions will begin at 9:30 on the field; the children will rotate between stations. Parents are welcome to stay and watch from the stands.  All participants will receive a MetroPCS gift bag, which includes tickets the final regular-season game that evening against Los Angeles.

Jones in, Reed out

The Storm has activated defensive back Byron Jones off Injured Reserve (hamstring) and likely will start him Saturday night against San Jose in the secondary along with Daryon Brutley. Rayshun Reed is the odd man out, but not because he was performing poorly. Reed "tweaked" a hamstring Wednesday at practice, Storm coach Tim Marcum said. Repeatedly criticized earlier in the season, the secondary has come up big in recent weeks. It will be interesting to see how this switch affects things.

Postseason-clinching scenario for Week 16

The following is each team’s postseason-clinching scenario for Week 16:

The CHICAGO RUSH (10-4) clinches home-field advantage in the American Conference with the following scenarios:
1)       Chicago Rush win
2)       San Jose SaberCats loss

The COLORADO CRUSH (4-10) clinches an American Conference playoff spot with the following scenario:
1)       Colorado Crush win + Grand Rapids Rampage loss + Kansas City Brigade loss

The GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (4-10) clinches an American Conference playoff spot with the following scenario:
1)       Grand Rapids Rampage win + Los Angeles Avengers loss

The SAN JOSE SABERCATS (9-5) clinch the Western Division and a first-round bye with the following scenarios:
1)       San Jose SaberCats win
2)       Arizona Rattlers loss

The UTAH BLAZE  (5-10) clinches an American Conference playoff spot with the following scenarios:
1)       Colorado Crush loss
2)       Grand Rapids Rampage loss

The PHILADELPHIA SOUL (11-3) clinches the Eastern Division and home-field advantage in the National Conference with the following scenario:
1)       Philadelphia Soul win + Dallas Desperados loss

The GEORGIA FORCE (9-5) clinches the Southern Division and a first-round bye with the following scenario:
1)     Georgia Force win

The GEORGIA FORCE (9-5) clinches a National Conference playoff spot with the following scenarios:
1)       Tampa Bay Storm loss
2)       New York Dragons loss
3)       New Orleans VooDoo + Cleveland Gladiators loss

The NEW YORK DRAGONS (8-6) clinch a National Conference playoff spot with the following scenarios:
1)       New York Dragons win + Orlando Predators loss
2)       New York Dragons win + Tampa Bay Storm loss
3)       New York Dragons win + New Orleans VooDoo loss by two-or-more points + Georgia Force win + Cleveland Gladiators win

The NEW ORLEANS VOODOO (8-6) clinches a National Conference playoff spot with the following scenario:
1)       New Orleans VooDoo win

The CLEVELAND GLADIATORS (8-6) clinch a National Conference playoff spot with the following scenarios:
1)       Cleveland Gladiators win + Tampa Bay Storm loss + Georgia Force win
2)       Cleveland Gladiators win + Tampa Bay Storm loss + Orlando Predators loss

Meet Seth Marler

10 things to know about Storm kicker Seth Marler ...

1. In 2007, he ranked first in the AFL in field-goal percentage.

2. He was a second-team All-Conference USA player at Tulane as a senior.

3. He attended the same high school (Parkview High in Lilburn, Ga.) as Atlanta Braves star Jeff Francoeur. When Francoeur was a freshman, Marler was a senior.

4. As a junior at Tulane, Marler won college football's Lou Groza Award, which goes to the country's most outstanding kicker.

5. Marler is the sideline reporter for Tulane football broadcasts.

6. He's a member of both the North American Fishing Club and National Wild Turkey Federation.

7. Marler was a business major in college.

8. He spent three years with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-05). In 2003, he kicked a 53-yard field goal against San Diego.

9. Marler made 48 straight PATs during one stretch last year; that ranks as the second-longest streak in AFL history.

10. Among AFL kickers, he currently is third in scoring (123 points).

Storm alters the Storm's schedule

A big-time storm that made its way through downtown Tampa on Monday afternoon has thrown a little bit of a wrench into Tampa Bay's practice schedule this week. The team's practice turf, which is located outside and just west of the St. Pete Times Forum, was soaked by the rain and can't be used at the moment. The Storm had to practice Tuesday at Progress Energy Park in St. Pete. Today, it will practice at Tropicana Field.

Storm game on live TV

For those wanting to watch Saturday's big game at San Jose, which starts at 10:30 p.m., on live TV, we've got good news.

You can.

Catch 47 will air Tampa Bay’s game, it was announced late Tuesday night. The game originally was to be shown via tape delay the next day at noon.

“We wanted to make sure that our fans had the opportunity to cheer for us as we make our push to get into the playoffs,” Storm owner Dr. Bob Nucci said in a release. “They [the fans] do a tremendous job of supporting us at home. So we put in the extra effort and expenses to ensure that the fans have an opportunity to see us play live in San Jose.”

You can also follow the game on 620-AM.

Q&A with referee Bill LeMonnier

Officiating has been on my mind a lot these days, and there are two main reasons for that.

1. It was recently announced that replay will be used for the first time in the playoffs.

2. Storm coach Tim Marcum vented about a few missed calls last week.

With my interest sparked, I read this piece with official Bill LeMonnier at Arenafootball.com closely. In it, LeMonnier talks about everything from game preparation to the league's officials grading system. Check it out.

Rachal named AFL Defensive Player of the Week

How well did Storm defensive back Traco Rachal play in last week's win over Orlando?

On Tuesday, he was named AFL Defensive Player of the Week.

Rachal (6-foot-2, 200) registered 10.5 tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception in the win. On the first play of the second half, he recovered a fumble that led to a Tampa Bay score. Later, with Orlando threatening, he intercepted a Shane Stafford pass in the endzone with 48 seconds left to seal the victory.

Record watch: Tracking Mr. Samuels

With four catches in Saturday's win over Orlando, Lawrence Samuels now has 998 for his career. Here's a list of the top receivers in football (all leagues) history:

CAREER RECEPTIONS
Player                                    REC
Jerry Rice – NFL                      1,549
Cris Carter – NFL                     1,101
Tim Brown – NFL                     1,094
Marvin Harrison – NFL          1,042
Terry Vaughn – CFL                 1,006
Lawrence Samuels – AFL        998
Barry Wagner – AFL                 991
Damian Harrell – AFL             981
Darren Flutie – CFL                  972
Allen Pitts – CFL                      966

BOLD- active

TV/Radio update

For those wanting to follow Saturday night's game at San Jose, which starts at 10:30 EST, there is good news and bad news.

The good: You can follow the action live on 620-AM.

The bad: As of now, the game isn't scheduled to air live on TV. Instead, it will be shown via tape delay Sunday at noon on Catch 47 (hey, that's better than nothing).

If anything changes, I'll let you know ASAP.

Storm: Shaw loss is significant

When the Storm lost WR Terrill Shaw for the season in the past week with a broken right wrist (he's out at least six weeks), it might not have seemed too significant. After all, the team's other receivers --
Lawrence Samuels, Tampa Bay Tech grad Tyrone Timmons and Sedrick Robinson -- are all capable players. Samuels, as many of you know, is the AFL's all-time leading pass catcher.

Still ...

"It's a big deal," Storm coach Tim Marcum said.

Shaw has 42 receptions for 655 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. And he's probably the Storm's most dangerous playmaker. More than that, though, is this: Shaw and Tampa Bay QB Brett Dietz have developed a good deal of chemistry in the past 13 months. When Shaw was out earlier this season with another injury, the team struggled. It probably wasn't a coincidence.

"He's a go-to guy," Dietz said. "This year, we put him in motion a lot and put a lot on his shoulders. Not having him, other guys are going to have to step up."

And the No. 3 QB is ???

In case you hadn't noticed, the Storm currently has only two quarterbacks on the squad -- starter Brett Dietz and backup Stoney Case. Playing the role of devil's advocate (which apparently I do well), I asked Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum this week who would be the team's emergency quarterback should Dietz and Case both be either injured or ejected from a game.

"We might go with (WR) Hank Edwards," Marcum said. "He was a high school quarterback."

And how would the Storm fare with Edwards under center? Well, let's put it this way: According to Marcum, you better hope it never comes to that.

"We'd be up s--- creek," Marcum said.

Dish Network show to focus segment on Storm

Now is the Time for Miracles, a show that airs Wednesday nights at 11 on the Dish Network, was in town Friday to shoot a segment about the Storm that will run sometime in August. The show's host, evangelist Joan Pearce, met Storm coach Tim Marcum on a flight recently and he invited her to town. After Friday's practice, Pearce interviewed several players. The show will focus on players who rose from humble beginnings and how God has played a role in their lives. You can learn more about Pearce and her show HERE.

LB Glover listed as questionable

Linebacker Phil Glover, whom the Storm acquired from San Jose via trade in April, is questionable for Saturday's game at home against Orlando because of an ankle injury sustained last week at Georgia.

"It," Storm coach Tim Marcum said Friday, "will be a gametime decision."

Glover has 8.5 tackles, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. If he can't go, Marcum said Ernest Certain (back), a longtime Storm player, would take his place in the lineup. Certain has been on IR most of the season, but was activated Friday.

Jones still out

When the Storm plays Orlando on Saturday at the St. Pete Times Forum, it will be without OL Kenyatta Jones.

Again.

Jones (right calf), who has missed four straight games, appeared to be on his way to returning to the field, but it apparently won't happen Saturday. The one-time USF standout who later started for the New England Patriots has practiced all week but Storm coach Tim Marcum said Thursday that "he still isn't ready."

The good news?

Jones' replacement, Tom Kaleita, has performed well and the team is 3-1.

Samuels to reach milestone ... ANOTHER milestone

Storm WR/LB Lawrence Samuels is about to make history. Stop us if you've heard this before.

A week ago, he became the AFL's career receptions leader. Now, Samuels enters Saturday night's home game against Orlando needing only six catches to become the first player in AFL history with 1,000 career catches.

Here's a list of the top receivers in football (all leagues) history:

CAREER RECEPTIONS
Player                                    REC
Jerry Rice – NFL                      1,549
Cris Carter – NFL                     1,101
Tim Brown – NFL                     1,094
Marvin Harrison – NFL          1,042
Terry Vaughn – CFL                 1,006
Lawrence Samuels – AFL     994
Barry Wagner – AFL                991
Damian Harrell – AFL            976
Darren Flutie – CFL                  972
Allen Pitts – CFL                      966

BOLD- active

Preds to honor AFL legend

From a story in today's Orlando Sentinel, "The Orlando Predators announced the official retirement of Arena Football League standout Barry Wagner and will induct him into the Preds Ring of Honor at halftime of the regular-season finale against the New Orleans VooDoo on June 13."

Wagner is a true AFL legend.

He finished with 991 career receptions. That was a record until being broken last Saturday by Storm WR/LB Lawrence Samuels.

Here's a link to Wagner's page at Arenafan.com.

The following comes from a Predators' press release:
"The product of Alabama A&M University played for the Preds from 1992-1999 and led Orlando to their first ArenaBowl title in 1998. Wagner was the AFL's reining Ironman of the Year for six straight seasons (1992-1997). He still holds Preds single-season records for points scored (310) and rushing touchdowns (21).  He held the single-season record for All-Purpose yards (2,876) until current Preds wide receiver T.T. Toliver broke that record in Week 14 against the Arizona Rattlers.

"The IronMan" still holds seven Preds All-Time records including All-Purpose yards (14,134), rushing touchdowns (69), receptions (651), receiving yards (9,493), touchdown receptions (210), points scored (1,766), and forced fumbles (14).

"Barry Wagner is obviously the best player to ever wear a Predators' uniform and as an organization we feel it is important for us to send him out with a great celebration among those who admire him the most-Orlando Predators' fans," Preds media relations director Jason Lucas said.
Wagner has been a big part in some of the biggest moments in Preds history including the "Miracle Minute" in 1992 against the Detroit Drive when he scored two touchdowns and recovered an on-sides kick in the last 40 seconds of the game.  He scored the game-winning two-point conversion with 11 seconds left.  Wagner also intercepted Detroit's last gasp as the Preds won 50-49 against the defending World Champions.

"Anybody who played with or against Barry knows he was the best player to ever suit up in this league," head coach Jay Gruden said.  "It was always fun to watch him play, it wasn't fun throwing him interceptions and watching him score, but he was just a phenomenal player."

AFL award-voting open to fans

For the fifth straight season, fans can contribute toward selecting the AFL's year-end award-winners by voting online at www.arenafootball.com. Here are the categories:

-Kicker of the Year
-Lineman of the Year
-Rookie of the Year
-Coach of the Year
-ADT Defensive Player of the Year
-Offensive Player of the Year
-Ironman of the Year
-Champs Sports Quarterback of the Year

The collective fan vote in each category will be calculated into the final count, which includes voting from players, coaches and media. The AFL is the only professional league to allow voting from all four groups to determine its awards. Voters will be limited to one choice per category with voting ending on Sunday, June 22.

Shaw out ... probably for the season

The season of Storm WR Terrill Shaw is probably over, coach Tim Marcum said Tuesday. Shaw fractured his right wrist in Saturday's loss to Georgia and was seen at practice Tuesday with a bandage over the injured area. He had an appointment to see a doctor late Tuesday afternoon, but the prognosis wasn't good. Shaw has 42 receptions for 655 yards and 10 touchdowns, and an argument could be made that he is the Storm's most dangerous playmaker.

With Shaw out, the Storm will turn to Hank Edwards. And that's not a bad thing.

Edwards missed the past two games with a minor foot injury but should be 100 percent by Saturday, when the Storm plays host to Orlando. He leads the team in receiving yardage (979) and TD receptions (11). AFL career receiving leader Lawrence Samuels, Tampa Bay Tech grad Tyrone Timmons and Sedrick Robinson are the Storm's other receivers.

Marcum, Gruden to mix it up ... on the air

Storm coach Tim Marcum and Orlando coach Jay Gruden, whose teams meet on the field Saturday in a crucial AFL game, will share the spotlight tonight on Marcum's weekly radio show, which airs from 7-8 on 620-AM. Gruden, the brother of Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden, led the Storm to four ArenaBowl titles in six seasons under three different head coaches.

One of them was Marcum.

Marcum: Officials "missed" crucial call

In the Storm's 56-55 loss at Georgia on Saturday, no play was more costly to Tampa Bay than quarterback Brett Dietz's interception in the final minute, which enabled the Force to mount a game-winning drive (it won by scoring on the final play). Storm coach Tim Marcum says the play shouldn't have counted -- and he's pretty hot about it.

"The officials missed it," Marcum said Tuesday.

What did they miss? According to Tampa Bay, Georgia blitzed two linebackers on the play, when AFL rules specifically state only one is allowed to on a play.

"They brought a linebacker that is ineligible to rush the passer on our last play and forced Brett to throw an interception," Marcum said. "It's bull----. That's what it is. When the umpire can't make that call, some changes have got to be made in this league. We lost the game because they allowed (Georgia) to fire the linebacker that caused the interception.."

In protest of the call, the team submitted a complaint to the league Monday.

"That's just a blatant mistake," Marcum said. "It's a mistake, a dumb mistake, and there is no excuse for it. It forced Brett to throw off balance and the throw was late."

Marcum doesn't expect a remedy, just a letter from the league saying he was right. What, then, can come of his complaint?

"Get them better," Marcum said. "I've got a team to coach and they've got a team to coach. When I've got a guy on my team that doesn't play well, I get rid of them and get someone else in there. Their team should be held to that same scrutiny."

--KEITH NIEBUHR