Storm Same Team?
(March 8, 2004)

The Tampa Bay Storm started the 2004 Arena Football League season with a 52-41 victory over arch-rival Orlando. The team has lost three of the next four games, including two losses to expansion teams, and finds itself in sole position of last place. Just as the Bucs found out, it is tough to play as defending champions.

The season started with so much promise. The victory over the Predators made it seem as if the team could weather off-season losses like John Kaleo, Bj Cohen, Al Lucas, Omarr Smith and Corey Sawyer. Then things took a turn for worse.

A loss to Georgia and a loss at expansion Austin, with John Kaleo at quarterback, dropped the Storm to 1-2. They got even with a 40-37 victory over the expansion Philadelphia Soul, then lost 55-43 at New Orleans yesterday. The Voodoo jumped to a 31-7 lead against the defending champions and head coach Tim Marcum replaced Shane Stafford with Pat O'Hara at quarterback. O'Hara will get the start for this Sunday's home game against New York.

The defending Arena Bowl champions are 2-3 and struggling. The Storm could be facing the same fate as the Buccaneers, missing the playoffs after winning a title. Comparing the 2003 team and the 2004 team, Storm receiver/defensive back T.T. Toliver said, "There's really no difference. We've just got to come and work hard. That's all. Ain't no difference. Same team."

The 2003 team started the season slow at 1-2, went on an eight game winning streak and finished as league champions with a 15-4 record. Same team? We'll see.