Storm Stalling?
(April 21, 2003)

The Tampa Bay Storm seemed to be a roll. They brought an eight game winning streak and the best record in the Arena Football League into Sunday's game against Colorado. They took a big early lead and fans might have felt comfortable switching over to watch the Lightning in the playoffs. While the local NHL team posted a triple overtime, playoff series clinching victory at Washington, the Storm suffered a fourth quarter collapse.

Things seemed to be going great. The eight game winning streak included games against top teams like Grand Rapids, Orlando, Arizona and Georgia. The Storm was dominating and had not allowed over forty points in six consecutive games.

While the eighth straight victory came against Carolina, a chink in the armor may have appeared in Charlotte. The Cobras are the currently the worst team in the league and remain win-less. The Storm fell behind 17-0 and needed overtime to defeat Carolina. Maybe a wake-up call? When 1-10 Colorado came to town and the Storm jumped to a 21-0 lead, it appeared that they may have gotten the message. Apparently not. The Crush scored four touchdowns in the final quarter, including the last with two seconds left, and the winning streak was over. Of course, everyone chasing the Storm won, so there is no breathing room.

Three of the final four games are on the road and there are no more against a 0-12 Carolina or 2-10 Colorado. Next Sunday, the Storm are in Long Island to play the New York Dragons (5-7). It gets tougher after that with games at Dallas (7-5), a home game against San Jose (8-4) and the season finale at Georgia (7-5).

At 9-3, the Storm are tied for the AFL's best record and assured of making the playoffs. They are one game ahead of Orlando in the Southern Division. Home playoffs games and the number seed could be the key to the team winning a fifth league title. Another winning streak could accomplish that task. The Storm have the talent and we will find out if they have the fortitude.

Will the Storm win another Arena Bowl championship? Hey, the Bucs are world champions, and the Lightning won the NHL's Southeast Division title, so even casual fans can believe. And a web site named the "Tampa Bay Football History Network" will somehow work in comments about hockey.