Off-season roster report

Just got this update from the Storm (this is straight from a press release)...

Tampa – The Arena Football League recently announced that the free-agency signing period for the 2009 AFL season will begin Wednesday, Oct. 15.  Teams will be permitted to contact free agents beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1.

There are currently 171 AFL players available for free agency, including 2008 AFL MVP Matt D’Orazio who led the Philadelphia Soul to its first ArenaBowl title this past season. There are seven current free agents who played with the Tampa Bay Storm this past season; DL Tom Briggs, QB Stoney Case, K Seth Marler, C Marcus Owen, DB Traco Rachal, WR Lawrence Samuels and LB Nyle Wiren.

The Storm cannot renew talks with these players or any other free agent until the start of October.  That does not mean that League rosters will remain static until that time as teams are able to make trades. The dead period for trades starts approximately in mid-season and ends the Monday after ArenaBowl.

Here's a look at the Storm ...

Returning Players: Here is a breakdown of the 20 players currently under contract from this past season; five defensive backs, four defensive lineman, four wide receivers, three offensive lineman, three fullback/linebackers and one quarterback.

Quarterback (1) – Brett Dietz: Dietz (16 games-16 starts, 377 com., 586 att., 4,574 yd., 86 td., 12 int.) just completed his second season. The 2007 AFL Rookie of the Year did not suffer a sophomore slump as he led the most prolific offense in franchise history as the team set a franchise record for touchdowns scored and total points. Along the way, Dietz tied the franchise single-season mark for touchdown passes thrown (86) and became the fastest quarterback in League history to reach 4,000 yards passing.

Free agent
Stoney Case: A four-year AFL veteran, Case backed-up Dietz the entire season and started three games in 2007. 

Fullback/Linebackers (3) Torrance Marshall, Terrence Royal and Phil Glover

Marshall (15-15, 73 att., 100 yd, 23 td., 24 tkl, 2 sk., 1 fr) set the franchise single-season rush touchdown mark for the second consecutive season. A fiery player, he plays on both sides of the ball and earned Ironman of the Month in April of 2008 and All-Ironman honors this past season. Royal (2-2, 1 att., 2 yd, 0.5 tkl) is an exciting young player with local roots. The team will look for increased production from him in 2009.  Glover (9-9, 8 att., 11 yd., 3 td., 10.5 tkl., 2 sk, 3 fr) came over in a mid-season trade with the San Jose SaberCats. He teamed up with Marshall to play Mack line backer and fullback. 

Free Agent: Nyle Wiren. An 11-year veteran, he is the third all-time sack leader in franchise history.  He played in 11 games this past season and recorded a career high 22.5 tackles.

Wide Receivers (4) – Hank Edwards, Sedrick Robinson, Terrill Shaw and Tyrone Timmons

Edwards (14-14, 85 rec., 1,348 yd., 30 td.) and Timmons (5-0, 23 rec., 267 yd., 13 td.) are quietly emerging as the best young duo of receivers in the AFL. Edwards, a tall speedy receiver, finished second in the AFL in yards per catch and earned Storm Offensive Player of the Year. Timmons joined the active roster late in the season and made an immediate impact as one of only six receivers in AFL history to record three or more touchdown receptions in his first three games. Shaw (9-9, 42 rec., 654 yd., 10 td.) is the wily veteran of this group. Despite fighting through various injuries this season he proved he can still play at a high level, as 36 of his 42 receptions went for first downs, proving he is still a go-to-receiver.  Robinson (12-5, 44 rec., 450 yd., 5td, 67 kor., 1,119 yd., 1 td) is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.  The AFL all-time kick off return yardage leader has more returns for a touchdown than anyone else. He finished this past season with six 100-yard return games.

Free Agent: Lawrence Samuels. The AFL’s all-time leading receiver just finished his 14th season in the AFL.  He is the franchise leader in numerous categories and one of the faces of the franchise.  While a free-agent, expect to see him in a Storm uniform next season.

Offensive Line (3) – Emmanuel Akah, Kenyatta Jones, Tom Kaleita

For the first time in several years the majority of the offensive line is set to return for another season.  Akah (11-11, 2 sk.) was the surprise rookie lineman that jumped onto the line after an injury to Jones.  Akah had a solid rookie season on the left side. Jones (9-9, 2 sk.) started off well until he suffered a season ending injury. With the off season to heal and deal with issues he should return to be a dominate force on the line. Kaleita (12-12, 5 sk.) over came an injury to his right wrist his rookie season and led all lineman in receptions. He is a big lineman that has the ability to get down field.

Free Agent: Marcus Owen. Owen manned the center of the offensive line for the Storm the past two seasons. He has the ability to play on both the offensive and defensive line (nose tackle); and is a tremendous special teams player. No one in the AFL has more blocked kicks over the past three seasons than Owen.

Defensive Line (4) – Ernest Certain, Clifford Dukes, Kelvin Kinney and Tim McGill

Certain (6-1, 2.5 tk.) is the most versatile lineman on the team as he can line up in eight different positions.  Dukes (1-1, 1 tk) is a promising young talent that will return after seeing action in one game.  Kinney (14-14, 15 tk., 7.5 tfl, 4.5 sk., 2pbu, 1 fr, 1 blk) is the veteran of the group and led the team in sacks this past season.  McGill (15-15, 14.5 tk., 6.5 tfl, 4 sk., 3 ff) is a disruptive force up the middle that manhandles opposing centers.  He led the team in pressures and is the most disruptive lineman of the group.

Free Agent: Tom Briggs. Briggs is third all-time in the AFL in sacks and has the second most sacks on the team over the past two seasons.

Comments

[greenfacedman]

Torrance Marshall is a once in a lifetime player,his heart is so great it would take two ordinary men to hold it. I'm glad you(Storm) have decided to keep Torrance,when he left OU,a big chunk of heart left with him. OU's defense at times(since) has been good,just not Torrance Marshall great. right now OU is struggling at the LB position. The coachs have done a remarkable job in keeping holes filled and "making do". As an avid OU fan I believe that Torrance Marshall would be an outstanding LB's Coach,asst/coach at OU if given the opportunity. Whether he would even consider the idea or not is unknown,but I can tell you that the NEED is there! His inspiration and drive I feel would rekindle a fire that has long since gone out in the OU defense.If you read this Torrance,let it be known that you are not forgotten and will always be remembered as one of the greatest LB's OU ever had.Maybe you ought to give coach Stoops a call,you never know.

BOOMER SOONER!!!