Storm Not Dead Yet?
(May 1, 2007)

The Tampa Bay Storm are down, but not technically out. This proud franchise, winners of a record five Arena Bowl championships, has struggled the past two seasons. The team's 2007 playoff chances may not be dead yet, but they are on life support.

The Storm are 2-6 at the midway point of the 2007 season. The team also finished the second half of 2006 at 2-6, so they have been losing three of four over the last sixteen games. What is going on with the most fabled franchise in AFL history? If things do not turn around, and fast, there will be ample discussions this off-season. Sale of the team and Tim Marcum moving on could become talking points. Lets not give up yet and save that debate for another time.

The season began spiraling out of the control from the get-go. A team record five straight losses to start the season. Injuries were a factor, but there were other issues. The offense could not score and the Storm is averaging a league low 44 points a game right now. There has been a hint of a spark with two victories in the last three games.

The schedule and the playoff format make it possible that Tampa Bay could return to the playoffs. Six of the nine National Conference teams will make post-season and only three teams have a winning record. Dallas and Georgia are 8-1 with only 5-3 Orlando appearing to have a shot at their division leads and a first round playoff bye.

Of the eight games remaining for the Storm, only one team on the schedule has a winning record (Georgia). The drawback is that five of the games on road and only three are in Tampa. Five victories might put the Storm in the playoffs, six would for sure. If they can turn 2-6 into 6-2, Tampa Bay will make the post-season. 5-3, maybe they're in.

It is a tall order Storm fans, but don't call the undertaker just yet.