Storm Contenders in 2006?
(January 23, 2006)

The Tampa Bay Storm are always contenders for the Arena Football League championship and the league's 20th season should be no exception.

With quarterback Shane Stafford returning, along with receivers Freddie Solomon and Lawrence Samuels, the Storm should have an explosive offensive. Free agent receiver Bobby Sippio, who played for Dallas the last two seasons, should lessen the impact of losing of Clif Dell to Orlando. Adding veteran free agent linemen Buck Gurley from Orlando and Thaddeus Bullard from Las Vegas should also help. Since David White has retired, the plan is for Umar Muhammad and Nyle Wiren handle the rushing duties. Another factor will how Bill Gramatica, who played at USF and in the NFL, will adapt to kicking indoors.

The fact the AFL is celebrating its 20th season is quite an accomplishment. While it may never grow in popularity to be considered one of the major leagues, the AFL has found a niche. As usual, there some changes in store for the AFL. Eighteen teams will play this season with the Utah Blaze and Kansas City Brigade the new expansion teams. Due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans VooDoo will not compete in 2006. The league has promised to bring future Arena Bowls to New Orleans. For the second straight year the title game will take place at a neutral site and again it will be Las Vegas.

The playoffs have changed to resemble the NFL format with the National and American Conferences not facing each other until Arena Bowl XX. Division winners will get a first round bye and four wildcard teams from each conference will make the postseason. After a sixteen week season, only three teams in each conference will not make the playoffs.

The Storm won its record fifth championship in 2003, but has lost on the road in the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons. This Sunday, in a game scheduled to be telecast by NBC, the team begins its quest for another title in Philadelphia.