The Half Perfect Storm
(June 4, 2001)

The Tampa Bay Storm are the Arena Football League's only undefeated team and have finished the first half of the season with a perfect 7-0 record. This is a far cry from the 2-5 record they had halfway through last season. What has made the difference and what can we expect the rest of the way?

It was anticipated the offense would be more stable with quarterback John Kaleo and offensive specialist James Bowden here from the start of the season. Kaleo has had some huge games. He threw seven touchdowns opening night against Florida, seven at Milwaukee, eight at Grand Rapids and seven against Carolina. Kaleo has thrown forty-two TD passes with just three interceptions. Bowden has been a key part of the turn around with a record shattering pace for all purpose yards. He scored six times at Grand Rapids and had five touchdowns against Carolina. The effect of losing Lawrence Samuels to free agency was debated prior to the season, however, Bernard Edwards scored three times in the season opener and has fit in well.

The Storm have played some tough teams. They won a close one over Nashville (6-2) and handed Grand Rapids (6-1) its only lost of the season in a battle of the league's last unbeaten teams in Michigan. Carolina (4-3) is the other team Tampa Bay has played with a winning record. The record for the teams played in the first half of the season is 24-27 (.471). The Storm played four home games and three on the road. The record for teams in the second half of the season is an almost identical 24-28 (.462). Thanks to the Houston team playing one of their home games in Tampa, the Storm will play four home and three road games during the season's second half.

The second half is highlighted by two games against arch rival Orlando (4-3). The Predators started the year with three losses, but have won their last four. The teams meet for a nationally televised game in Orlando this Sunday. The Storm also have to visit Nashville (6-2) and Florida (3-4). In addition to playing Orlando, another national television game on July 1 in Tampa, Arizona (4-3), Houston (2-6) and New Jersey (1-7) will visit the Ice Palace.

The best start in Tampa Bay history was 8-0 in 1996. That team went on to a 12-2 regular season and was the last Storm team to post an Arena Bowl championship. The 1998 team also won a dozen games, but lost the title game. We will see where this 2001 team fits in beginning this Sunday, in Orlando, on the National Network (TNN) at 3:00 pm.