Storm Mid-Season Report
(March 23, 2006)

At the midway point of the 2006 Arena Football League season, the Tampa Bay Storm have a 5-3 record and are on pace to make the playoffs. Looking at the first half of the season provides some clues as to the possibility of a fifth Arena Bowl title.

Considering five of the first eight games were at home, the Storm may have hoped for a better start. A sluggish opening game loss at Philadelphia, a heart breaking overtime loss to Orlando and a spanking at the hands of Dallas account for the defeats. Now, five of the last eight will be played on the road.

The Storm find themselves within one game of Southern Division leading Austin (6-2) with a victory in hand. The game at Austin may be key to deciding the division champion. Dallas leads the Eastern Division and the National Conference at 7-1, and has a victory over the Storm, so catching them may be difficult. This year's playoff format is similar to the NFL with six teams from each conference making the playoffs and the division winners getting a first round bye.

Six of the nine National Conference teams will make the postseason and only Kansas City (1-7) is out of the hunt. Dallas is 7-1, Austin is 6-2, the Storm is 5-3 and five teams (Georgia, Orlando, Columbus, New York and Philadelphia) are 4-4. While Tampa is currently the third seed, it is easy to come up with scenarios for them not making the playoffs.

If the Storm are going to make a championship run, the defense may have to step up. Only four teams have allowed more points than Tampa Bay. The play of the lineman will also be a key. The Storm has only recorded four sacks, three by Ernest Certain, in eight games. There has also been some injuries. Pardon the pun, but the season may be on the line.

Offensively the Storm has played well. Quarterback Shane Stafford is becoming a star and has completed 65% of his passes with 44 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Lawrence Samuels continues to be the ironman, leading the team in receiving and picking off three passes. With Freddie Solomon nursing a foot injury most of the first half of the season, free agent acquisition Bobby Sippio has stepped up with fifteen TD catches. Demetris Bendross has also been a significant contributor. Bill Gramatica, of USF and NFL fame, was on the verge of losing his place kicking job, but he has improved in recent games.

On the surface, there are factors that would seem to make it tough for the Storm to win the AFL title. Injuries, only three home games and potential road playoff games will have to be overcome. That said, it is never wise to sell a Tim Marcum coached team short. Speaking of selling, another tidbit coming from the first half of the season. This week it was revealed that owner Peter "Woody" Kern would like to sell the team. Kern has said that there is no hurry for the sale and that he wants to sell to local investors.