Tampa Bay Football History Network - 2010 Tampa Bay Storm

2010 Tampa Bay Storm

The new look Arena Football League returned to action with fifteen teams made up of former af2 teams and newcomers using old AFL names. A new business model would keep down costs and revert back to the early days of the league, when players made a few hundred dollars a game. After a year away, Tampa Bay Storm head coach and general manager Tim Marcum said, "We're back, and we're happy.”

Some recognizable names returned to the Storm. Quarterback Brett Dietz, wide receiver Hank Edwards, lineman Tim McGill, linebacker Terrence Royal, wide receiver Tyrone Timmons and kick returner Sedrick Robinson all played for the 2008 team. A couple of interesting newcomers were former Florida State QB Drew Weatherford and former South Florida receiver DeAndrew Rubin. The most familiar name, Lawrence Samuels, would return after the first game.

Other newcomers are a new ownership group. Todd Boren, an investment banker and owner of a money management firm, is the now the Team President and managing partner. The other partners in the group are Orlando based lawyer Michael O’Quinn, Steven Jones who is a partner in a Orlando based restaurant and nightclub group, and local real estate and business management consultant Robert Dison. Boren commented, “The 2010 Tampa Bay Storm is locked and loaded and ready to kick off another season of In Your Face Football and the Storm has, hands down, the greatest fans in arena football… period. We look forward to having you with us as we strive for our sixth world championship.”

The previous owner, Dr. Robert Nucci, would end up filing a lawsuit. The suit claims that information about the league’s debt was intentionally withheld when he purchased the team for $9.6 million. Nucci, who was the owner for one season before the AFL suspended operations, named former Storm owner Peter “Woody” Kern, head coach Tim Marcum, the new ownership group and the new league itself in the litigation. The lawsuit, filed in June, claims those involved knew about the former league's insolvency and deceived him into buying a worthless franchise.

The Storm opened the season at Tulsa with Tyrone Timmons (11 receptions for 181 yards with 5 TDs) and Hank Edwards (9 catches for 137 yards with 3 TDs) each going over 100 yards receiving. Brett Dietz (25 of 44 for 346 yards) tossed eight touchdown passes, but turnovers and mistakes cost Tampa Bay. It was a back-and-forth game, until Talons defensive back B.J. Barre forced a fumble and later intercepted Dietz. Tulsa QB Justin Allgood (26 of 36 for 274) also threw for eight scores with Donovan Morgan (9 catches for 120 yards) hauling in four second half TDs. The Storm was penalized ten times for 56 yards and lost the first meeting between the two teams 69-58.

Tyrone Timmons (11 catches for 108 yards) and Hank Edwards (7 receptions for 100 yards with a TD) would again have 100-yard games in the home opener. Brett Dietz (30 of 45 for 320 yards) hooked up with Timmons on four of his six scoring passes and Cleannord Saintil added a pair of TD runs. Collin Drafts (21 of 30 for 212 yards with an INT) did throw for four Dallas scores, however, the Storm topped the Vigilantes 54-41. Tim Marcum talked about the crowd of 14,122. "It was just so fun out there tonight, strategizing. And winning is fun, but it was even more fun just to see the way the community welcomed us back. This is a football city, man. What a crowd, my goodness."

The Storm were in position to win the game at Milwaukee, before turnover killed them. On the first possession of the second half, Tampa Bay had a 41-31 lead over the Iron. Brett Dietz (21 of 34 for 316 yards) threw for seven touchdowns, but had two second half interceptions. Cleannod Saintil caught nine passes for 128 yards with four Tds and two rushing touchdowns gave him six Storm scores. Tyrone Timmons has seven receptions for 118 yards and two TDs. Milwaukee QB Chris Greisen (26 of 41 for 270 yards) also threw for seven scores with Tiger Jones and Damian Harrell each catching three TD passes. The Storm lost the first meeting between the two teams 72-61. Tim Marcum commented, “We shot ourselves in the foot.”

DeAndrew Rubin came up big with 9 catches for 184 yards and four scores against Arizona. Brett Dietz (19 of 32 for 184 yards) threw for 9 touchdowns with Hank Edwards and Tyrone Timmons each grabbing a pair of TD passes. The Storm had a 41-28 third quarter, however, the visitors got back into the game. Rattlers QB Nick Davila (27 of 47 for 314 yards) threw for seven TDS and rushed for a score, while J.J. McKelvey caught 13 passes for 127 yards and three scores. Tampa Bay hurt themselves with sixteen penalties for 117 yards and it came down to Arizona missing a two-pint conversion with 7.4 seconds on the clock. The 62-61 victory came Tim Marcum 200 career AFL wins.

The first game against the new Jacksonville Sharks featured a name not new to Arena Football. Quarterback Aaron Garcia (Garcia 17 of 44 for 342 yards with INTs) lead the visitors with five touchdowns passes.with his favorite targets being Jomo Wilson (10 receptions for 148 yards with 3 Tds) and Sale Key (12 catches for 120 yards with 2 Tds). Brett Dietz (22 of 35 for 293 yard with 2 INTs) matched the five TD passes with DeAndrew Rubin (8 receptions for 147 yards) and Tyrone Timmons each catching a pair of scoring passes. In a game with eleven lead changes, the Sharks edged the Storm 46-43.

The Storm traveled to Bossier City for the first meeting with the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings. Brett Dietz (34 of 41 for 398 yards with 6 TD and 1 INT) spread the ball around with Sedrick Robinson catching 11 passes for 149 yards, Tyrone Timmons with 10 receptrions for 88 yards with 2 touchdowns, and DeAndrew Rubin hauling in 7 passes for 116 yards with three scores. Terrence Royal had a TD catch and a scoring run. The favorite receiver for Raymond Phil yaw (20 of 36 for 245 yards with 3 TD and 2 INTs) was Randy Hymes (6 receptions for 115 yards with 1 TD). The home team was bale to move the ball on the ground with Byron Douzart rushing for 74 yards and Williams Marshall running for two scores. In the end, it was a Dietz to Timmons TD passes with 7 seconds left that provided the winning margin in a 48-44 Tampa Bay victory.

The War on I-75 was renewed in Orlando. Brett Dietz (22 of 30 for 304 yards with 2 INTs) threw seven touchdown passes with Hank Edwards (104 yards receiving) and DeAndrew Rubin each catching three and Tyrone Timmons (102 yards) the other. Defensively, Cliff Dukes recorded two of Tampa Bay’s three sacks. The Storm lead 55-29 in the fourth quarter, but the Predators did not roll over. Nick Hill (31 of 47 for 393 yards with 1 INT) tossed six TD passes with Bobby Sippio (12 catches for 170 yards) and T.T. Toliver (10 receptions for 135 yard) hauling in three each. When Sippio scored for the fourth time on a run, Orlando had pulled to within 55-50. Terrance Royal had his second TD run of the night and the final score was 62-50.

The Storm made plenty of mistakes in the first meeting with the Oklahoma City. While Yard Dawgz QB Tommy Grady (18 of 36 for 192 yards) threw four touchdown passes, three Storm turnovers and 14 penalties for 111 yards keep the game close. Bret Dietz (18 of 35 for 226 yards with 2 INTs) threw for six scores and his favorite target was Hank Edwards (102 yards receiving) with four TD catches. Oklahoma City failed on a two-point conversion with 9 seconds left and Tampa Bay had a 50-48 victory.

The Storm never trailed at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Brett Dietz (20 of 36 for 258 yards) threw for six scores with Hank Edwards (6 receptions for 112 yards) and DeAndrew Rubin each catching a pair. Michael Hawthorn retuned an interception for a score and Tampa lead Alabama 41-20, but the Storm let the Vipers back into the game after the break. Kevin Eakin (32 of 44 for 396 yards with 2 INTs) tossed seven touchdown passes with Larry Shipp grabbing 14 passes for 208 yards with four scores. After Tampa Bay won the first meeting between the teams 61-55, Tim Marcum commented, “We sure find a way to make it exciting. We played as well as we could in the first half, the second half was a different story.”

Even with fifteen penalties for 119 yards, the Storm routed Utah at West Valley City. Brett Dietz (23 of 37 for 323 yards with 1 INT) threw nine touchdown passes with Hank Edwards (14 receptions for 195 yards with 5 TDs) and Tyrone Timmons (9 catches for 117 yards with 3 TDs) each going over 100-yards in the receiving department. The Tampa Bay defense intercepted Brett Elliott (19 of 33 for 179 yards with 5 TDs) three times in a 65-40 victory over the Blaze.

Tampa Bay trailed Bossier-Shreveport 20-14 early in the second quarter, then the Storm poured it on. Brett Dietz (22 of 30 for 342 yards) threw for eight scores with Tyrone Timmons (9 catches for 106 yards) on the receiving end five times and Hank Edwards (10 receptions for 209 yards) three times. Edwards became the first player in Storm history to have 200 yards receiving in a single game. Defensively, Jeramine Smith had three sacks including one for a safety and Brandon Hefflin had two of the team’s three picks of Battle-Wings QB James Welker (14 of 33 for 239 yards with 4 TDs). Drew Weatherford (2 of 4 for 38 yards) saw action in the fourth quarter and tossed his first career TD pass. After a 78-39 victory, Tim Marcum commented, “It feels good, but we have a long way to go.”

Brett Dietz (24 of 31 for 359 yards) threw for eight scores and Chicago QB Russ Michna (26 of 38 for 334 yards with an INT) seven TDs in a game at Tampa. Hank Edwards (8 receptions for 172 yards) had four TD grabs, while Tyrone Timmons hauled in three. The Rush were lead by Marco Thomas (12 catches for 176 yards with 1 TD, four TD catches by Allen Turner and two scoring runs by Clifton Smith. The Storm held on for a 68-60 win and Tim Marcum said, “This was a wild one. We knew how good they were and it would be a tough one.” Dietz added, “The balls are bouncing our way, we’re feeling it and good things are happening.”

The Storm’s eighth straight victory would clinch a playoff spot. While Tampa Bay did have fourteen penalties for 108 yards, and Brett Dietz (20 of 31 for 329 with 6 TDs) was picked off twice, the team did post a relatively easy victory at Dallas. Hank Edwards (7 receptions for 133 yards) and Sedrick Robinson (5 receptions for 105 yards) each had a pair of TD catches in a 56-34 victory.

The winning streak would come to an end with a back-and-fourth battle at a sold-out Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The Storm knocked out Sharks starting QB Aaron Garcia (2 of 2 for 11 yards) early, however, Bernard Morris (21 of 40 for 199 yards) came on to save the day. Morris threw for four scores, ran for another, and did not turn the ball over. Brett Dietz (22 of 32 for 297 yards) threw for seven scores with Hank Edwards (7 receptions for 104 yards) and Tyrone Timmons each grabbing a pair. Dietz hooked up with Lawrence Samuels with 8.2 seconds left, but the Storm could not convert the two points and fell 49-47.

Alabama lead 10-0 after the first quarter and the crowd was getting a little nervous. The Storm then scored the next 33 points and cruised after that. Brett Dietz (19 of 31 for 190 yards) threw three TD passes, Tyrone Timmons had two TD catches and Eric Ortiz had a pair of scoring runs. The star for the Vipers was Dan Alexander, who rushed for 74 yards and 2 touchdowns. After a 53-29 victory, Timmons commented, “We’ve got four more to go. Beat Orlando, win in the first round, the second round and then take the championship.”

It was 28-7 Orlando after the first quarter and Storm never threatened. Brett Dietz (32 of 49 for 398 yards) did throw for six scores, but his three interceptions could not be overcome. DeAndrew Rubin set Tampa Bay records for receptions (17) and receiving yards (245 yards) in the losing effort. Predators QB Nick Hill (19 of 26 for 284 yards) tossed eight TD passes with six going to T.T. Tolliver (9 catches for 123 yards). Kenny McEntyre had two picks for the visitors. The Storm were penalized 12 times for 91 yards, Orlando 11 times for 80 yards and an ugly incident saw Predators Bobby Sippio and Julius Wilson enter the stands. Both players were ejected from the game and ten fans were escorted out of the building. Tim Marcum stated, "There is no way that should ever happen. Players cannot go in the stands for any reason." On the 75-60 defeat Marcum added, Marcum “It was butt whipping and we supplied the butt.”

Brett Dietz was the first player in team history to pass for over 5,00 yards in a season (5,037) and the first to throw for 100 touchdowns (107). He also set a Storm mark for quarterback rating at 120.9. Hank Edwards and Tyrone Timmons had the best year of any receiving tandem in team history. Timmons set a new record for receiving yards (1,748) and Timmons set the mark for TD catches (37). The Storm lead the league by a wide margin in attendance, averaging 15,237 fans.

The playoffs opened at Tulsa and the Storm jumped to a 27-6 second quarter lead. Bret Dietz (22 of 29 for 263 yards) tossed seven touchdown passes with Tyrone Timmons grabbing three of the scores and Tampa Bay was up by 35 points in the fourth quarter. Erick McIntosh intercepted Justin Allgood (20 of 43 for 242 yards with 6 TDs and 3 INTs) twice. Donovan Morgan lead the Talons with four TD catches and Carlese Franklin lead all receivers with 8 receptions for 121 yards with a score. Eric Ortiz rushed for 2 Tds, and even 11 penalties for 78 yards could stop the Storm in a 68-38 victory.

A trip the ArenaBowl was on the line when Orlando came to town. Twice, Predators QB Nick Hill mishandled the center snap and the Storm lead 35-21 at the half. Tampa Bay offensive lineman Robert Powell returned a fumble for a TD and the Storm lead by 21 points late in the third quarter. Bret Dietz (24 of 46 for 260 yards with 2 INTs) threw seven TD passes, hitting Tyrone Timmons three times and DeAndrew Rubin caught 10 passes for 116 yards with a pair of scores. Terrence Royal added two scores on the ground. Hill (21 of 35 for 265 yards) would redeem himself after the early miscues and toss nine touchdown passes with T.T. Toliver (11 catches for 165 yards) having a huge night hauling in 7 TD passes. It came down to Orlando kicker Carlos Martinez missing a 49 yard field goal as time expired for the Storm to escape with a 63-62 victory. After the game Tim Marcum stated, “We don't hang conference championship banners in this house. We're about winning the next game."

Tampa Bay traveled to Washington state for ArenaBowl XXIII and the team‘s first ever meeting with the Spokane Shock. The Storm scored first and lead 7-6 after the first quarter, however, turnovers hurt and Spokane had a 20-7 advantage in the second. The Storm took 35-34 lead early in the third, then 21 unanswered points by the Shock put the game out of reach. Brett Dietz (29 of 40 for 306 yards with 4 TD) was picked off twice and lost a fumble, still Hank Edwards (11 receptions for 132 yards with 2 Tds) and Tyrone Timmons (8 catches for 107 yards with a TD) had decent games. Eric Ortiz ran for three Tampa Bay scores. Shock QB Kyle Rowley (24 of 32 for 237 yards) tossed nine TD passes with Huey Whittaker and Markee White each hauling in four touchdown passes. Rowley picked up game MVP honors in Spokane’s 69-57 victory.