2006 Tampa Bay Storm

The Storm signed several free agents including kicker Bill Gramatica, who played for the University of South Florida before moving on to a four-year career in the NFL with the Arizona and Miami. Another key acquisition, WR/DB Bobby Sippio played with the Dallas Desperados the last two years. Former Florida State cornerback Leroy Smith, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears, former Florida lineman Thaddeus Billard, who played the last two years with Las Vegas and lineman Buck Gurley, who played for Orlando and was with the Buccaneers, were also signed. The team lost some players including Clif Dell who rejoined Orlando after three seasons with the Storm. David White and Matt George decided to retire.

With head coach Tim Marcum in Tampa serving the balance of a two game suspension for salary caps violations, the Storm traveled to Philadelphia for the season opener. Shane Stafford threw touchdown passes to Freddie Solomon (6 receptions for 122 yards) and Lawrence Samuels, yet the Storm trailed 14-13 after the first quarter. The Soul out-scored the Storm 21-0 in second to take a 35-13 advantage at the half. Stafford (23 of 43 for 285 yards with 5 TDs) tossed a pair of third quarter TD passes to Bobby Sippio, but the Storm was shutout in the fourth quarter with Stafford throwing two interceptions. Soul QB Tony Graziani (19 of 34 for 283 yards) threw for three scores and ran for another, as Philadelphia ran for 50 yards and set team records for rushing attempts (16) and rushing touchdowns (4). Storm rookie kicker Bill Gramatica missed all three field goal attempts and misfired on one of his five extra points tries. Kicking for the Soul was former Buccaneers kicker Todd France, who went 7 for 7 on conversions and his one field goal in three attempts was a 49 yard boot. After the 52-34 loss, Storm interim head coach Dave Ewart said, "You can't put a goose egg up. You can't afford to get down by 20 points and that is what we did."

The Storm trailed 36-28 in the third quarter, then scored 23 consecutive points. One key play was an Ernest Certain sack of Rampage quarterback Jose Davis (20 of 34 for 202 yards with 4 TDs) for a safety. Shane Stafford (26 of 37 for 271 yards with an INT) had a big night with four touchdown passes and two TD runs. Lawrence Samuels caught ten passes for 146 yards with two scores and Ronney Daniels had the other two TD grabs. The Storm left Grand Rapids with a 51-38 victory.

Tim Marcum attended a couple of Storm practices, so the league suspended him for an additional week and the team's home opener. The game against Georgia had plenty of offensive highlights. Shane Stafford (26 of 35) threw for 328 yards, five touchdowns and also ran one in for a score. Lawrence Samuels had ten receptions for 107 yards with two TDs and he intercepted a pass. Bobby Sippio caught six passes for 114 yards with two scores and had a TD run. The Force countered with Matt Nagy (27 of 37 for 332 with 2 INTs) tossing six TD passes and running for one score, while Derek Lee caught 16 passes for 157 yards with three TDs. The outcome would not be decided until Georgia failed on a two point conversion with no time left on the clock. Sippio said of the 61- 60 victory, "It was a wonderful game. We made it closer than it should have been."

Tim Marcum returned to sidelines against Orlando and mistakes helped the Storm fall behind early. Tampa Bay had four fumbles, two recovered for Orlando touchdowns, and a 26-0 run gave the Predators 33-7 second quarter lead. Now with Orlando, and before suffering a season ending knee injury, Clif Dell had a TD catch and scored another by recovering the ball off the nets on a kickoff. Joe Hamilton (20 of 34 for 292 yards) finished with six TD passes and Jimmy Fryzel (11 receptions for 158 yards) caught three of them. The Storm tried to battle back with Bobby Sippio (10 receptions for 136 yards) and Demetris Bendross each catching a pair of TD passes, but the second TD grab of the day by former USF Bull DeAndrew Rubin made it 61-42 in the fourth quarter. Lawrence Samuels (15 catches for 182 yards), who earlier passed Tracey Perkins for the team record for career tackles (352), powered into end zone with no time on the clock for his third TD reception of the game. While the Storm finished with -6 yards rushing, Shane Stafford had big game. The Storm QB threw for a team record tying eight touchdowns, set a team record with 36 completions in 52 attempts for a Storm record 458 yards. Stafford also followed up the last Samuels TD with a run for the two point conversion to cap an amazing comeback and send the game to overtime tied at 64-64. In OT, Bill Gramatica missed a 39 yard field goal and Jay Taylor was good on a 17 yard attempt. The 67-64 defeat snapped a twelve game home winning streak. Samuels commented, "It's disappointing that we fell short, but the turnovers hurt us."

Lawrence Samuels and Shane Stafford would again set records in a home game against Austin. Samuels scored a touchdown, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and surpassed Stevie Thomas as the team's career receiving yards leader (7,851). Stafford (26 of 41 for 424 yards with 7 TDs and 1 INT) became the first quarterback in league history to throw for 400 yards in back-to-back games. Demetris Bendross chipped in with 11 receptions for 182 yards with 2 scores and Bobby Sippio caught three TD passes. While Derrick Lewis caught 11 pass for 131 yards with a TD, the Storm defense intercepted John Fitzgerald (19 of 35 for 215 yards with 5 TDs) three times in a 58-48 victory. Stafford said of his record, "It's only one win. It's not like 400 yards equals four wins. I wish it did because we'd be 8-1 right now." Samuels commented on his record, "Stevie has been my mentor all throughout my career. He made big plays for this organization and I was just trying to follow in his footsteps." Tim Marcum praised Samuels, "He's just the best player to ever play in this game, in my opinion."

When the New Orleans team suspended operations due to Hurricane Katrina, most of the Voodoo players ended up in Kansas City. The stars in the game at the Kemper Arena were Bobby Sippio and Shane Stafford, as four times they hooked up on scoring plays. Sippio caught nine passes for 129 yards and also intercepted a pass. In addition to the four TD passes, Stafford (22 of 38 for 256 yards) was not picked off and ran for three scores. Bill Gramatica seemed to be getting the hang of the indoor game, going 9 for 9 on extra points and 2 for 2 on field goals, including a 47 yard boot. Brigade QB Andy Kelly (24 of 36 for 269 yards with 2 INT) did throw for six touchdowns with Steve Smith (11 catches for 124 yards) on the receiving end four times. The Storm scored on all eleven possessions in a 69-59 victory. Tim Marcum said of Sippio, "He's a player. That's why we got him in free agency."

The offense would be stymied against Dallas. The Desperados defense stopped the Storm seven times, forced four turnovers, held the home team to a negative 19 yards rushing, and had three sacks, including one for a safety. Clint Donzel (23 of 33 for 338 yards with 1 INT) threw for eight scores and became the third quarterback in league history to surpass 700 career TD passes. Terrill Shaw and Will Pettis each snared three touchdown passes. Shane Stafford (20 of 37 for 245 yards with 1 INT) did throw for five scores, but he also fumbled twice. Demetris Bendross (8 catches for 164 yards) caught two TD passes, including one from a league record tying 49 yards in the third quarter. Dallas led 20-7 at half and even with a dozen penalties cruised to a 64-35 victory. Tim Marcum said afterwards, "That was a good old-fashioned butt- kicking and we supplied the butt."

The Storm bounced back against New York. The defense stopped the Dragons six times and forced four turnovers. While Mike Horacek (9 receptions for 103 yards) and Maurice Brown each had two TD catches for New York, Nick Browder (23 of 36 for 293 yards with 6 TDs) was pestered all night. Tramain Jones intercepted the Dragons QB twice and Ernest Certain sacked him twice. Shane Stafford (29 of 38 for 258 yards with 2 INTs) threw for six scores with Lynaris Elpheage catching three TD passes. Bobby Sippio and Freddie Solomon, back after missing several games with a foot injury, each had a TD run and a TD reception. The home crowd went home happy after a 60-44 Storm victory.

Receiver Chris Jackson just about single-handedly defeated the Storm in Atlanta. Jackson caught ten passes for 124 yards with six TDs and added a seventh score by returning the second half kickoff 55 yards for a TD. Matt Nagy (23 of 27 for 237 yards) tossed eight TD passes, as Georgia scored on eight of nine possessions. Shane Stafford (25 of 40 for 316 yards) threw for five scores, ran for two more and set the team career completion mark (1,182). However, the Storm QB was intercepted once, lost a fumble and one of four sacks was in the end zone for a safety. Bobby Sippio caught three TD passes, Lawrence Samuels caught ten passes for 110 yards and Freddie Solomon had eight receptions for 109 yards with two TDs. There were three Tampa Bay turnovers in the 61-51 loss to the Force and Tim Marcum remarked, "We didn't play very well defensively. We didn't get a stop all game long."

Bobby Sippio criticized the team's play-calling, and despite eighteen TD catches in nine games, was released. The Storm did sign lineman Steve White, who played 94 games with the Buccaneers from 1996-2001.

Next up was the expansion Utah Blaze. Five stops by the Storm defense and eight touchdown passes by Shane Stafford (20 of 35 for 252 yards with 1 INT) was enough for the home team. Lawrence Samuels caught three TD passes and Freddie Solomon grabbed a pair of scoring passes. QB Jason Gesser (21 of 37 for 315 yards with 1 INT) threw for five TDs and three Blaze receivers, Siaha Burley (6 receptions for 122 yards), Tom Pace and Justin Skaggs, caught two TD passes. Tim Marcum was not totally satisfied after the 56-41 victory. "I feel like we're not jelling the way we should be at this time of year."

When San Jose came to town, the SaberCats tied a league record with six rushing touchdowns. As a matter of fact, quarterback Mark Grieb (20 of 36 for 223 yards with 1 INT) did not throw a touchdown pass. The Storm trailed 21-10 with 56 seconds left in first half, before Lawrence Samuels caught a TD pass and had an interception within a 12 second span to help Tampa Bay to a 23-21 advantage at the break. Freddie Solomon (8 receptions for 107 yards) grabbed two of the six TD passes thrown by Shane Stafford (23 of 59 for 252 yards with 2 INTs). The game was tied when former Storm defensive specialist Omarr Smith returned a pick 16 yards for the winning score. A fumble lead to a safety on the ensuing kickoff and a final score of 52-43. Stafford said of the loss, "We put ourselves in a hole. It's just real frustrating."

The game at Austin ran in streaks early, then closed with a flourish. The Wranglers jumped to a 13-0 lead, which was followed by the Storm scoring 28 of the next 31 points for a 28-16 advantage. The teams would combine for 43 points in the game's final five minutes. The thing that hurt the Storm were 160 kick return yards by Sedrick Robinson and Kevin Nickerson catching 13 passes for 184 yards with three scores. Shane Stafford (29 of 44 for 303 yards) answered with a five touchdown, no interception performance. Lawrence Samuels had a dozen receptions for 134 yards with two TDs and Jarrod Penright ran for two scores. With five seconds left, John Fitzgerald (25 of 30 for 283 yards with 6 TDs and 1 INT) hooked up with Derrick Lewis for the second time of the evening and Austin was within 59-58. The Wranglers were stopped on a two point conversion, but the Storm's tenth penalty of the game gave them a second chance. This time, Fitzgerald ran it in for the two points and a 60-59 Austin victory. Tim Marcum said of the remainder of the season, "There's no doubt that we need to win four in a row to the make the playoffs."

The worst loss in franchise history would come at Orlando. The Storm was shutout in the first half, something that had not happened since 1991, and were held scoreless in the fourth quarter as well. The Tampa Bay offense was stopped seven times and the Storm were held to the lowest point total in team history. The Storm finished with 0 yards rushing and Shane Stafford (20 of 40 for 214 yards with 1 INT) threw two third quarter touchdown passes. Joe Hamilton (19 of 25 for 216 yards) lead the Predators with five scoring passes, Jimmy Fryzel caught three TD passes and Javarus Dudley two. Tim Marcum said of the 52-13 defeat, "I don't have anything hardly to say. It's a devastating loss. I'm embarrassed."

The Storm had a good effort of both sides of the ball in the home finale against Kansas City. The Tampa Bay offense scored on nine of ten possessions and the defense recorded four stops. Shane Stafford (24 of 32 for 314 yards) threw for six touchdowns without being picked off and ran for another score. Freddie Solomon (11 for 157 yards) caught three TD pass and Lawrence Samuels had two. Chris Sanders (30 of 43 for 282 yards with 1 INT) had four TD tosses, and Jerel Myers (14 for 149 yards) was on the receiving end twice, but it was not enough for the Brigade. Tim Marcum said of the 58-42 victory, "Hopefully, we can do that two more times."

The Columbus Destroyers jumped to 27-7 early second quarter lead and repeated comeback attempts by the Storm fell short. Shane Stafford (38 of 63 for 389 yards) threw for six scores, and set a franchise record for career touchdown passes (285), but his three interceptions sealed the visitor's fate. Freddie Solomon caught 14 passes for 160 yards and 2 TDs, while Lawrence Samuels had 10 receptions for 98 yards with a score. John Kaleo (14 of 23 for 226 yards) threw six TDs passes, however, he was not picked off. Carl Bond had 6 catches for 102 yards with 3 scores and Marcus Knight caught a pair of TD passes. The Storm were penalized eleven times for 85 yards, while Columbus was flagged ten times for 65 yards. Before the weekend was over, the 51-48 loss would eliminate the Storm from the playoffs. Tim Marcum had plenty to say about the franchise missing the postseason for the first time in its history. "It's worst feeling you could possibly have, I can't tell you - with the exception of losing a family member. When in the profession you're in, whatever you choose to do, you are unsuccessful and everybody in the world knows it. That's the difference between coaching and being an electrician, unless you electrocute somebody."

The season ended with a whimper at Nashville. While he did throw for four scores and ran for a TD, Shane Stafford (21 of 37 for 230 yards) was intercepted three times. Freddie Solomon caught eight passes for 102 yards with a touchdown and Lawrence Samuels had a pair of TD receptions. The Kats were lead by four TD passes by Clint Stoerner (19 of 29 for 256 yards), two TD catches and an interception by Darryl Hammond, two scoring runs by Frank Carter and two interceptions, one returned 30 yards for a TD, by Monty Montgomery. After a 66-50 loss ended the season, Tim Marcum remarked, "I can't put into words my disappointment."

Shane Stafford was a bright spot in a dismal season. He set single season records for TD passes (86), attempts (650), completions (408) and passing yards (4,795). Stafford also set new marks for career TD passes (189) and passing yards (15,669). He also became the first quarterback to lead the team in rushing, but his 57 yards were the lowest total ever by a Storm's leading rusher. The always consistent Lawrence Samuels scored a career high 22 touchdowns.

The Storm were fifth in the league in attendance and equaled the franchise record for worst road record (2-6). The 858 points allowed and 53.6 per game average were new highs for a Tampa Bay team.

Related Links

2006 Tampa Bay Storm Results

2006 Tampa Bay Storm Statistics

2006 AFL Southern Division Standings

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