Storm "Ain't Good Enough"
(May 31, 2005)

Tampa Bay Storm head coach Tim Marcum knows Arena football. He helped develop the game, has coached in 245 AFL games, been to eleven of the first eighteen Arena Bowls and won eight championships. The Tampa Bay Storm have made the playoffs in every season of its fifteen year existence and won five Arena Bowls, both league records. When the Storm lost in the first round of the playoffs last Sunday at Georgia, Tim Marcum summed things up this way. "We had a good season, but around here, that ain't good enough."

The Storm's inability to win on the road this past season put them away from the Forum for the postseason. Historically, the Storm have played well on the road, but not this year. Even going undefeated at home (8-0) could not offset a 2-6 road record. The Storm have a great tradition, but they are now 6-7 in road playoff games.

Before the season, the 2005 Tampa Bay Storm looked like contenders. And if not for a couple of tough breaks, and key injuries, they might still be in the hunt. As soon as the season is over, the focus turns to the next. What about the 2006 Storm?

The Storm has a good group of core players returning. Among those who should be back is Shane Stafford. The Storm QB started strong, but seemed to make some mistakes down the stretch. He is a big strong kid who still has the potential to be a star in the AFL. The Storm may want to bring in a name QB to put some pressure on him. Despite a couple of poor efforts, including the playoff game, Matt George had a solid season and should return to kick next year. Veteran receivers Lawrence Samuels and Freddie Solomon, running backs David White and Umar Muhammad, defensive specialist Jonathan Ordway, and newcomers Lyraris Elpheage and Demtris Bendross should all be back.

Most notable on the Storm's list of free agents is Clif Dell. The former USF Bull had become one the team's most dependable receivers and his absence would be sorely felt. Nyle Wiren is a free agent, but the popular player has been injury prone the last couple of seasons. Backup quarterback Stony Case is on the list, but as mentioned it might pay to bring in another veteran. Decisions will also have to be made on Rod Williams, Ernest Certain and Jarrod Penright. When the Storm is looking for new players to bring into the next training camp, and this seems to a familiar refrain when talking football, lineman may be the biggest need.

Storm fans had some fun this year. Going 8-0 at home and averaging the largest crowds since the Thunderdome days (15,519) provided some excitement. The team keep its record playoff run alive. But, for the second consecutive year, a first round exit from the playoffs is, as coach Marcum put it, "around here, that ain't good enough."