Storm hire Wilson as director or personnel

Posted Nov 30, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Nov 30, 2011 at 03:40 PM

The Tampa Bay Storm has hired David Wilson as their Director of Player Personnel, the team announced. The move will take some responsibility off the shoulders of head coach Dave Ewart, who over the years has handled signing players to the team.

Wilson’s last coaching stint was working as the special teams coach and recruiting coordinator for Georgia Tech. Prior to Georgia Tech, Wilson coached at Mississippi State as the director of football operations, recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach, served two one-year stints with Florida State, was the assistant head coach at Nicholls State and Troy State, where he was a part of the 1984 Division II National Championship team.

For more Storm news, follow me @NickWTampaTrib

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Tampa Bay Storm sign former Bucs returner Mark Jones

Posted Nov 14, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Nov 14, 2011 at 11:58 AM

The Tampa Bay Storm has signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers returner Mark Jones, who was drafted by the Bucs in 2004. In 2005, Jones he led the Bucs with an NFL-best 51 punt returns for 492 yards.

In October of 2007, Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury while with the Bucs and was placed on the IR.

Jones, who played at Tennessee, also played for the Giants, Panthers, Chargers and Titans in the NFL.

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Tampa Bay Storm unveil new logo, uniforms

Posted Nov 5, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Nov 5, 2011 at 10:02 PM

The Tampa Bay Storm unveiled their new logo and uniforms today at the St. Pete Times Forum during its Storm Fan Fest.

You can view the digital preview of the team’s new gear and logo here.

The Storm also announced the signing of defensive back Riley Swanson, who played the last two years with the Arizona Rattlers.

Below are photos from the Storm’s Fan Fest, which can be viewed on the team’s website. You can follow more information about the Storm on my Twitter feed @NickWTampaTrib or Facebook

WEB: Tampa Bay Storm Logo and Uniform Unveil - Images by Bill Wickett

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Storm sign two defensive lineman, prepare for Storm Fest

Posted Nov 3, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Nov 3, 2011 at 08:15 PM

On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Storm announced the signing of defensive linemen Eugene Kinlaw and Jimmy Saddler-McQeeun. to the roster announced Head Coach Dave Ewart.

With their addition, the Storm currently have 25 players on its roster and can only bring 35 players to camp. The team will hold an open tryout on Saturday morning at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Kinlaw played at Troy and spent 2010 season with the Calgary Stampede of the Canadian Football League. Saddler-McQueen, who played for Texas A&M, was recently waived by the Dallas Cowboys. He originally signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted rookie free-agent in April of 2010.

Also on Saturday, the Storm will host Storm Fest 2012 at the Forum Saturday at 6 p.m. During the event, fans will have to opportunity to meet team President Derrick Brooks and Storm players, get a first peek at the new logo and uniform design, tour the arena and learn about new season ticket member benefits. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Tampa Bay Storm t-shirt featuring the new logo.

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AFL’s Chicago Rush offer Terrell Owens a contract

Posted Oct 26, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Oct 26, 2011 at 02:13 PM

The Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League have offered injured NFL All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens a contract for the 2012 season, the league announced today.

According to the press release, Owens would be offered the standard player agreement. Players in the AFL make only $400 a week.

“We feel that this is an ideal time to approach the future NFL Hall of Famer,” said Rush General Manager and President Gene Nudo in the release. “It would be a fantastic honor to add Terrell to our current roster for the 2012 season.”

Owens, 37, ranks second in NFL Career Receiving Yards with 15,934.

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Storm re-sign DL Royal, add more players to 2012 roster

Posted Oct 20, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Oct 20, 2011 at 06:15 PM

The Tampa Bay Storm have resigned former Wharton HS and USF linebacker defensive lineman Terrence Royal and have acquired defensive back Lendy Holmes, defensive lineman Pernell Phillips, center Wondell Rutledge and offensive lineman Julius Wilson.

Here are the bios on the four news players, courtesy of the Tampa Bay Storm PR:

Holmes (6-1, 215 lbs., Oklahoma) last played with the Sacramento Lions of the United Football League.  Prior to that he spent two seasons with the Washington Redskins (2000-2010) and appeared in eight games.  Holmes originally went to Oklahoma as a wide receiver but was converted to cornerback prior to his sophomore season.  In 51 career games with the Sooners he recorded 205 tackles, nine interceptions - returning one for a touchdown and a sack.  He also had four kick returns for 66 yards and added two receptions for 19 yards.

Phillips (6-1, 290, Central State (OH)) began his professional career in 2009 with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009.  After his release he played in the UFL with the California Redwoods and then went on to play with the Cincinnati Commandos in 2011.  He led the Commandos to the Ultimate Indoor Football League Championship we he led the League with 26 tacles for a loss, was second with in the League with 12 sacks, fourth in the league with 48 tackles and added seven blocked kicks.

Rutledge, (6-2, 325, Toledo) who was born in Germany and did not come to America until the sixth grade, spent the past two seasons playing in the Indoor Football League.

Wilson (6-5, 310, Alabama-Birmingham) spent the past two seasons (2010-11) in the AFL playing with South Division rival Orlando Predators. A local product out of Bradenton Southeast H.S., he began his professional career with Miami Dolphins in 2007.  He then went on to play with the St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers until his release in 2009.  From there he played two seasons in the UFL with Florida Tuskers (2009) and Omaha Nighthawks (2010).  While at UAB he earned All-Conference USA honors his junior and senior seasons.

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Storm release 2012 schedule

Posted Oct 8, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Oct 8, 2011 at 01:25 PM

The Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League have released their 2012 schedule. The Storm open the season on Sunday, March 11 at the Allstate Arena in Chicago aginst the Chicago Rush. Tampa Bay will play its home opener on Friday, March 16 against South Division rival Georgia at the St. Pete Times Forum. 

The Storm will also make five appearances on the NFL Network. Two of the five games will be home games, the season-opener March 16 against Georgia, and on April 27 against the Kansas City Command.  The other three games are April 6 at New Orleans, April 20 at Philadelphia and June 15 at Orlando. 

Tampa finished 7-11 last season.

Week; Date; Opponent

1           Sunday, March 11               at Chicago Rush
2           Friday, March 16               GEORGIA FORCE - (NFLN)
3           BYE WEEK
4           Friday, March 30               JACKSONVILLE SHARKS
5           Friday, April 6                   at New Orleans VooDoo - (NFLN)
6           Friday, April 13                 CLEVELAND GLADIATORS
7           Friday, April 20                 at Philadelphia Soul - (NFLN)
8           Friday, April 27                 KANSAS CITY COMMAND - (NFLN)
9           Saturday, May 5                 ORLANDO PREDATORS
10           Saturday, May 12               at Georgia Force
11           Monday, May 21               at Cleveland Gladiators
12           Friday, May 25                 MILWAUKEE MUSTANGS
13           Saturday, June 2               at Jacksonville Sharks
14           BYE WEEK
15           Friday, June 15                 at Orlando Predators - (NFLN)
16           Saturday, June 23               SAN ANTONIO TALONS
17           Saturday, June 30               PHILADELPHIA SOUL
18           Saturday, July 7                 at Pittsburgh Power
19           Saturday, July 14               NEW ORLEANS VOODOO
20           Saturday, July 21               at Spokane Shock

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Storm re-signs ex-FSU receiver De’Cody Fagg

Posted Sep 29, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Sep 29, 2011 at 07:13 PM

The Tampa Bay Storm has re-signed former Florida State receiver De’Cody Fagg, the team announced Thursday.

Fagg, who saw limited action last season with the Storm while he recovered from a knee injury, was a star at FSU and suffered knee injury at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2008. Fagg later trained with the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins in 2009 before playing the 2010 IFL season with the Chicago Slaughter.

The Storm also signed kicker Juan Bongarra, who played with the Tulsa Talons last season.

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Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL will hold open tryouts

Posted Sep 26, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Sep 26, 2011 at 02:52 PM

The Tampa Bay Storm will hold an open tryout on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the St. Pete Times Forum starting at 9 a.m.

Current Storm players that earned a spot on the team after attending an open tryout include All-AFL receiver Hank Edwards and last year’s rookie standout Michael Lindsey.

Interested players can pre-register at http://www.tampabaystorm.com.  The cost is $60 for pre-register and $70 on the day of tryouts.  Payment must be made by cash or money order.

On Monday, the AFL’s three-week exclusive team re-signing period ended, which starts the frantic free agency period. The Storm were able to re-sign nine players from the 2011 roster, most recently retaining defensive back Erick McIntosh. Over the past two seasons, McIntosh has recorded 142 tackles, 24 deflections, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

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Storm resign Grothe, Lindsey

Posted Sep 16, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Sep 16, 2011 at 03:50 PM

The Tampa Bay Storm have retained four more players from this past season for the 2012 campaign.

On Friday, the team announced it has resigned former USF quarterback Matt Grothe, receiver/return specialist Michael Lindsey, kicker Craig Camay and defensive back Tavious Polo.

Grothe played in the final two games of the season for the Storm and finished with 440 yards and 10 touchdowns. Assuming he attends training camp, its a strong possibility he will be the team’s starter in 2012.

Lindsey, who attended St. Pete Gibbs High, set a franchise record for kickoff return yards in a season with 1,745.

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