Storm Changes for 2007
(February 26, 2007)

The Tampa Bay Storm had made the playoffs a record fifteen straight years, every season of the team's existence, until last year. There have been many off season changes, as the team attempts to add to league record five Arena Bowl titles. The Arena Football League has also seen changes with a season that begins this weekend.

After a disappointing 7-9 record, only eleven players return from last year's team. Shane Stafford tested the free agent market and will now be quarterbacking the Orlando Predators. Others that have moved on include defensive back Jonathan Ordway, wide receiver Freddie Solomon and running back Umar Muhammad.

John Kaleo and T.T. Toliver head a list of players who return to Tampa Bay. Kaleo, who spent last year with Columbus, was the quarterback the last time the Storm won the title. Toliver was the Nashville Kats leading receiver last season. Receiver is a deep position with Terrill Shaw, Dallas' leading receiver from last year, and former USF Bull Huey Whittaker joining the team. Lawrence Samuels and Demetris Bendross return, and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Karl Williams was placed on recallable waivers.

Jarrod Penright returns at the fullback/linebacker position and will be joined by nine year AFL veteran Rodney Filer. Lynarise Elpheage and Leroy Smith return to the defensive backfield, and new additions Jeroid Johnson and Bo Rogers should compete for starting time. The line will have familiar names like Ernest Certain, Nyle Wiren and Rod Williams. Bill Gramatica returns for his second year as the Storm kicker.

With the end of the television agreement with NBC, the AFL has pushed back the start of the season to March. ESPN2 will be the primary television network with ABC broadcasting this Sunday and the Arena Bowl. ESPN2 will share the playoffs with ESPN. ESPN2 will broadcast mostly weekly Monday night games and the Storm will not appear on national television. The Storm has signed a multi-year agreement with Bright House Network to broadcast up to ten games a season on its Catch 47 channel. This year all home game and the game at Orlando are planned, but an additional road game could be added to the schedule.

Another huge change for this season is allowing free substitutions. Some players will continue to play both ways, however, there has been plenty of discussion about an end to true ironman football. The New Orleans Voodoo are back and the 2007 Arena Bowl will be played in New Orleans.

The Storm defeated Orlando 28-17 in a scrimmage back on February 16th. Friday Shane Stafford leads his Predators into the St. Pete Times Forum for real. As Tim Marcum begins his thirteen season as the Storm's head coach, we soon will find out the result of the off-season maneuvering.