Storm Not Adverse to Playoffs?
(June 25, 2007)

It was an understatement when Tampa Bay Storm veteran receiver Lawrence Samuels said of the 2007 season, "We overcame a lot of adversity."

Back in March, it had to be a long flight back from San Jose for the 0-5 Storm. However, the team would stage the best comeback in team history going 9-2 the rest of the way and winning eight of the last nine. But that does not tell the whole story of adversity.

Rodney Filer looked to be the answer at running back. He ran for 94 yards and nine touchdowns before suffering a season ending injury in the fourth week. Enter Torrance Marshall who set a Storm record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 17. Bill Gramatica was the opening day kicker, he was replaced after the first game by Matt Leach, then Seth Mahler played the last 12 games and became the most consistent kicker in team history. Demetris Bendross was traded, T.T. Toliver left the team, and Terrill Shaw picked the slack at wide receiver. Newcomers Jeroid Johnson, Tom Briggs and Tim McGill solidified the defense.

Adversity defined the quarterback position. John Kaleo returned as the starter and struggled. Backup Stoney Case was injured, then Kaleo returned before he was injured. This brought rookie Brett Dietz, who was on Kansas City's practice squad, in as the new starting QB. Dietz responded by throwing 47 TD passes with 7 interceptions and a 7-1 record as the starter. If that was not enough, Dietz set team records for completion percentage (65.3%) and QB rating (118.9).

Another type of adversity hit the team hard on a personal level. The popular Nyle Wiren's wife Caroline died while delivering the couple first child. "Shocking and unbelievable" was how head coach Tim Marcum described the loss.

Injuries are part of the game and give an opportunity for other players to step up. The 2007 Tampa Bay Storm proved that point. They are on an improbable roll going into the postseason. Columbus will be in town this weekend to open the playoffs and it will take three victories to make the Arena Bowl in New Orleans. After what we've seen this season, nothing is impossible.