Tampa Bay Football History Network - 2008 Tampa Bay Storm

2008 Tampa Bay Storm

After trying to sell the team for several years, Tampa orthopedic surgeon Bob Nucci became the majority owner of the Tampa Bay Storm. Dr. Nucci paid $9.6 million for 51 percent of the team with Woody Kern, principal owner for the last thirteen years, remaining a minority owner. At a December press conference announcing the ownership change Nucci said, "The Tampa Bay Storm is the most storied franchise in the AFL and I am excited to join a championship atmosphere. I look forward to taking hold of the mantle of championships Mr. Kern carried and continuing the legacy." Kern commented, "I have truly loved my ownership of the Storm and the wonderful relationship the team has with the Tampa Bay community."

David Saunders returned to the team after two seasons in Columbus and the Storm also signed free agent receiver Sedrick Robinson from Austin. Two former USF lineman joined the team. Kenyatta Jones, the Bulls first ever NFL draft pick in 2001 and winner of a Super Bowl ring with New England, and Terrance Royal.

Torrance Marshall lead the way at Kansas City with four short touchdown runs, while Brett Dietz (18 of 25 for 193 yards) tossed a pair of TD passes and ran for a score. The Brigade gave the Storm all it could handle as John Fitzgerald (25 of 40 for 296 yards with 2 INTs) threw for five TDs with Mike Horacek (7 receptions for 149 yards) on the receiving end of three scores. Tampa Bay escaped with a 51-49 victory when Peter Martinez missed a 37 yard field goal on the game's final play.

Brett Dietz (21 of 34 for 190 yards with an INT) threw seven touchdown passes in the home opener against Georgia. While Hank Edwards, Sedrick Robinson and Terrill Shaw each had a pair of TD catches, a couple of big plays turned the tide. Robinson returned a bounce off the nets for a Storm TD and lineman Tom Briggs had a score on a juggling interception. The Force ran up some big numbers, as Chris Greisen (30 of 42 for 319 yards) threw for five TDs and ran for two scores. Carl Morris (13 receptions for 133 yards) caught three TD passes and Troy Bergeron (12 catches for 138 yards) two, but mistakes killed Georgia. Four turnovers, including two interceptions, and 14 penalties for 108 yards hurt the Force. After a 69-48 victory Tim Marcum stated, "This time last year they were hiding all the sharp objects from me. This is a much better football team."

The second quarter doomed the Storm at New Orleans. Three turnovers helped the VooDoo out-score the visitors 34-0 in that period and lead 48-14 at the break. Danny Wimprine (18 of 35 for 222 yards) threw seven touchdown passes and hooked up with James Jordan (7 receptions for 112 yards) on four scores. While Brett Dietz (27 of 44 for 328 yards) tossed five TD passes, all to Hank Edwards (12 catches for 189 yards), he was intercepted twice and fumbled twice. Dietz was also sacked four times with Michale Spicer recording a New Orleans record three sacks. Before it was over, the Storm had allowed the most points in franchise history in a 76-55 defeat. Tim Marcum was left to say, "Every way that you can possibly screw that thing up, we did."

Two fumbles, and eleven penalties, were the difference at Philadelphia. Brett Dietz (31 of 46) threw for 400 yards and six touchdowns. Lawrence Samuels (10 receptions for 109 yards) had three TD grabs, while Brent Holmes (9 catches for 109 yards), Hank Edwards (7 receptions for 122 yards) and David Sauders also caught a TD pass. Matt D'Orazio (25 of 35 for 296 yards) tossed seven TD passes and ran for another Soul touchdown. Larry Brackins (10 receptions for 139 yards) and Chris Jackson each hauled in three TD passes. Lineman Anthony Dunn had three of Philadelphia's four sacks and also forced a fumble. Tim McGill, who recorded two sacks in the 59-51 defeat, remained optimistic. "We're getting better and I think we're going to be a dangerous team."

The Storm finished a win-less three game road trip game with a loss at Columbus. Brett Dietz (26 of 40 for 290 yards) and Destroyers QB Matt Nagy (22 of 32 for 223 yards) each threw six touchdown passes, however, Dietz has a key interception with two minutes left. David Saunders caught three scoring passes for Tampa Bay, while Derek Lee (11 receptions for 76 yards) had four TD catches for the home team. After the 51-49 defeat, Tim Marcum commented, "We're just not doing anything well."

With a 48-34 lead after three quarters, it looked as if the skid would end with a home game against Arizona. Brett Dietz (24 of 32 for 367 yards) threw for six scores and ran for two more, while Hank Edwards (7 receptions for 164 yards) caught three touchdown passes. Rattlers QB Lang Campbell (24 of 39 for 247 yards) threw for eight TDs with Siaha Burley (10 catches for 107 yards) on the receiving end four times and Trandon Harvey hauling in three TD passes. Arizona began its comeback with the game's lone turnover, a kickoff recovery for a TD, and scored another TD with 3.7 seconds left. A two point conversion provided Arizona's margin of victory. The Storm's ten penalties for 57 yards gave the Rattlers plenty of second chances in a 63-62 loss. Tim Marcum commented, "We had total control of the game. That is about as bad as it gets. We've spent a lot of money on our defensive team. We not getting our money's worth."

New Helmets, Never Mind

It was announced that the Storm would change helmets for the 2008 season.
The new look was to eliminate the words Tampa Bay Storm and only have a larger hurricane swirl. The team colors were to remain the same. The Storm is the last team in the league to incorporate text in the their helmet logos. It was to be the fourth change in helmets in the team's history.
It could have been change of heart, or a matter of not having enough advance time, but when the season opened, Tampa Bay was wearing the same old helmets. Maybe next year?

A team record tying fifth straight loss took place against New York. Brett Dietz (26 for 40 for 334 yards and 6 TDs) was picked off twice, had a fumble returned for a touchdown and was sacked for a safety. Hank Edwards (10 receptions for 149 yards) and Terrill Shaw each had two TD catches, however, the Storm were never in the game. The Dragons did not turn the ball over and Aaron Garcia (22 of 26 for 254 yards) threw for seven scores. Jason Williams (8 catches for 105 yards), Chris Anthony and Kevin Swayne each hauled in a pair of TD passes for the visitors. After a 66-47 loss, Tim Marcum said, "I had such high hopes for this team. I thought we would be much better than this."

The Storm broke a streak of five straight games without forcing a turnover, a league record, at Orlando. The defense forced three fumbles and Tom Briggs and Lawrence Samuels each returned an interception for a touchdown. While Brett Dietz (17 of 31 for 171 yards) tossed two TD passes and Torrance Marshall ran for a pair of scores, The Predators kept it close. Shane Stafford (25 of 32 for 266 yards) threw for five scores with Chas Gessner (11 catches for 110 yards) and T.T. Toliver each on the receiving end twice. Even with 12 penalties for 97 yards, Tampa Bay held on for 48-41 victory. Samuels commented, "This is five weeks of frustration lifted off our backs." Briggs added, "Hopefully we just build on this momentum."

A Monday night home game against Chicago was tied at the half, before a key turnover game the Rush the momentum. Lawrence Samuels (9 catches for 100 yards) he tied AFL record with 128 straight games with a reception and caught two of Brett Dietz's (21 of 36 for 290 yards with 1 INT) three TD passes. Torrance Marshall returned a fumble for a score, and ran for two more, while Terrill Shaw caught seven passes for 129 yards. Chicago QB Russ Michna (18 of 32 for 184 yards with 1 INT) ran for two touchdowns and tossed four TD passes with Travis LaTendresse on the receiving end three times. Storm mistakes, including 14 penalties for 71 yards, could not be overcome in a 51-46 loss. Tim Marcum was left to say, "Something got to happen. We've got to catch fire."

The Storm won an exciting game, that came down to the final play, against New Orleans. The home team made plenty of mistakes, including 13 penalties for 64 yards, before Traco Rachal intercepted Danny Wimprine (23 of 41 for 240 yards with 3 TDs) in the end zone as time expired. Brett Dietz (22 of 32 for 274 yards) tossed four TD passes with Lawrence Samuels (11 catches for 111 yards), who set the league record for consecutive games with a reception, hauling in a pair of scores. While Torrance Marshall ran for two Storm TDs, Sale Key (11 catches for 96 yards), Javarus Dudley (7 receptions for 103 yards) and former USF star DeAndrew Rubin each had a touchdown grab for the VooDoo. After the 41-37 victory, Rachal remarked, "We don't have any more chances to mess around." Dietz said of the victory, "Finally."

Tampa Bay forced six turnovers, including four interceptions of James MacPherson (26 of 35 for 268 with 6 TDs), at Grand Rapids. The Storm was down 21-7 after the first quarter, then scored the next 21 points and never trailed after that. Chris Johnson caught three touchdown passes and Cole Magner (15 receptions for 175 yards) grabbed a pair to keep the Rampage in the game. Brett Dietz (20 of 40 for 293 yards with an INT) threw for five scores with Hank Edwards accounting for two TDs and Sedrick Robinson catching five passes for 101 yards and a score. Torrance Marshall ran for two touchdowns in a 58-50 Storm victory. Tim Marcum observed, "We have to start making a move if we're going to have any chance of getting into the playoffs."

The 200th victory in franchise history came at home. The Storm would fall behind early with Raymond Philyaw (21 of 27 for 206 yards) tossing three touchdown passes for Cleveland. Otis Amey (8 receptions for 106 yards) caught two scoring passes and Marlion Jackson ran for a pair of Gladiators TDs. Former Tampa Bay Tech star Tyrone Timmons caught three TD passes in his first AFL game and Terrill Shaw also hauled in three TDs. Torrance Marshall broke his own team record for rushing TDs in a season and with 2 scores tied the league record with five straight games with mutiple rushing touchdowns. Brett Dietz (28 of 43 for 297 yards with 6 TDs) said after the 58-48 victory, "The big difference is we're playing together. This is the first time the offense and defense played together."

The Storm had a 13 point lead with less than two minutes to go at Georgia. Brett Dietz (20 of 29 for 222 yards with 1 INT) tossed four TD passes, hitting Tyrone Timmons three times, and Torrance Marshall had four touchdown runs. The Force were lead by three scoring runs by Matt Huebner and three TD catches by Carl Morris (15 receptions for 157 yards). Quarterback Chris Greisen (31 of 39 for 286 yards with 4 TDs and 1 INT) ran for a fourth down TD to tie the game as time expired, then a Carlos Martinez PAT won it for Georgia. Each team was penalized 13 times in a 56-55 Tampa Bay loss. Lawrence Samuels, who set the AFL career receptions record (994), said "I don't play for records. I play to win and we didn't do it." Torrance Marshall, who has a league record sixth consecutive game with multiple rushing TDs, agreed "It doesn't mean anything if we lose."

As the first half expired in a home game against Orlando, Sedrick Robinson returned a kickoff 58 yards for a score and a 42-32 lead. Brett Dietz (24 of 32 for 298 yards with 1 INT) tied the team record with eight TD passes, a number equaled by Predators QB Shane Stafford (27 of 38 for 362 yards with 1 INT). Hank Edwards (9 receptions for 131 yards) had four TD catches for Tampa Bay, while Tyrone Timmons hauled in three. Levon Thomas had three TD grabs for Orlando, T.T. Toliver two and Kevin Nickerson caught 10 passes for 129 yards with a score. Each team was penalized 13 times, the Storm for 114 yards and Orlando for 130, in a 71-61 Tampa Bay victory. Traco Rachel, who recovered a fumble and had an interception in the final minute, commented "Our mentality is each game is a playoff game." Tim Marcum added, "We've got two to play and two to win."

The Storm had a chance to go up by two touchdowns in the first half at San Jose, before Brett Dietz was intercepted and lost a fumble on back-to-back series to give the SaberCats the lead. Dietz (25 of 43 for 309 yards with 2 INTs) did come back to throw a team record ten TD passes. Hank Edwards (7 receptions for 165 yard) caught five scoring passes and Lawrence Samuels (11 catches for 94 yards), who went over 1,000 receptions for his career, hauled in three TD passes. It was also a game were Sedrick Robinson began the AFL career leader in return yardage and Jeroid Johnson picked off Mark Grieb (26 of 38 for 274 yards with 9 TDs) twice. Cleannord Saintil (12 receptions for 107 yard) lead San Jose with four TD catches and James Roe had three. The Storm never gave up, scoring two touchdowns in the final minute of a 73-70 defeat. The loss eliminated Tampa Bay from playoff contention and left Tim Marcum to say, "This is terribly disappointing."

Los Angeles came to town for the season finale and the Storm lead 20-0 after the first quarter. Brett Dietz (27 of 39 for 327 yards) threw six TD passes Phil Glover ran for three scores. Lawrence Samuels (11 receptions for 99 yards), Tyrone Timmons and Hank Edwards each caught a pair of TD passes, while Samuels also picked off a pass. While the Avengers rushed for a total of -2 yards, Sonny Cumbie (18 of 31 for 273 yards with 2 INTs) did throw six scoring passes. Timon Marshall (9 receptions for 171 yards) not only had four TD grabs, but 211 yards in return yards. For the first time in team history the Storm scored 70 points in three straight games. After the 72-47 rout, Traco Rachel remarked, "You know what? There will be a next year."

Brett Dietz tied the team record with 86 touchdown passes, Torrance Marshall broke his own record with 23 rushing TDs and Seth Marler set a record for most extra points and attempts. The team scored the most points of any Storm team, but unfortunately allowed the most in franchise history. Tampa Bay also lead the league in attendance with a 16,793 average. It was a year were many records were set, but the only record that mattered kept the team out of the playoffs for the second time in three years.

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