Storm’s Jackson has breakout performance

Posted May 7, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated May 7, 2011 at 12:00 PM

Seeing an increased role due to the absence of injured receiver Hank Edwards, former South Florida receiver Amarri Jackson had his best game of the season in Friday’s 63-61 loss to the Orlando Predators with 10 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns, along with one rushing touchdown and returning an attempted lateral for another score.

With 2:47 left in the fourth quarter, Jackson snatched the ball from the hands of an Orlando defender in the air and held on to it as he landed in the end zone for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 63-54. Tampa attempted a two-point conversion to try to cut it to seven, but the pass attempt fell incomplete.

“Those are tough shoes to fill, to fill Hank’s shoes,” Storm coach Dave Ewart said. “Amarri has got some talent and everybody saw that here tonight. He’s a great person, he’s a great kid and he does everything right so you only wish for the best with a guy like that.”

Jackson’s numbers should increase over the next few weeks as Ewart said Edwards is on the injured reserve list and could be out for at least four weeks with a hand injury.

Rookie quarterback Brian Zbydniewski could also see more action with starting quarterback Grant Gregory still battling a high ankle sprain.

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Storm’s Whittaker named AFL Offensive Player of the Week

Posted Apr 27, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 27, 2011 at 11:39 AM

Tampa Bay Storm receiver Huey Whittaker has been named the AFL’s Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week.

On Saturday, Whittaker, who played at South Florida, caught 15 passes for 193 yards and five touchdowns in the Storm’s 61-67 loss to Dallas. Whittaker currently leads the Storm with 54 catches for 600 yards and 10 touchdowns.

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Storm resign defensive lineman Smith

Posted Apr 22, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 22, 2011 at 08:41 AM

The Tampa Bay Storm have resigned defensive lineman Jermaine Smith. Smith returns for his ninth season in the AFL and second with Tampa Bay.  Smith was named second-team All-Arena last season after finishing second on the Storm and eighth in the AFL with seven sacks.  He currently ranks first all-time in the AFL with 53.0 tackles for a loss, second with 12 career blocked kicks and is tied for fifth with 44.5 career sacks.

Meanwhile, defensive lineman Greg Taplin was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.  He currently is third on the team with two sacks.

The Storm play the Dallas Vigilantes on Amalie Motor Oil field at the St. Pete Times Forum on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

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Storm open tryout a success

Posted Apr 13, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 13, 2011 at 11:08 AM

This past Saturday, the Tampa Bay Storm held open tryous at the sports complex in Progress Village in Tampa and head coach Dave Ewart said he found a few players who will have a chance to compete for a spot on the roster.

“We had about 20 guys,” Ewart said. “We found a couple of guys here in the area that had a little bit of college experience we’re going to bring in next for Two-a-days and let them compete.”

Tampa (1-3) travels to Philadelphia this week to take on the Soul (1-3) on Friday at 8 p.m.

“None of them are going to play on Friday,” Ewart said. “We didn’t have anyone of that caliber. We had some new guys we were working on prior to our bye week.”

One new player in particular this season is defensive lineman Tim McGill. McGill, (6-foot-2, 345 lbs.) returned to the team on Friday for his fourth season with the Storm.  Last season, McGill earned First-Team All-Arena honors and was a finalist for the 2008 AFL Defensive Player of the Year.

In other Storm news, defensive backs Kreg Brown, Ken Heatly and Justin Hannah along with quarterback BJ Hall have been placed on reassignment; LB Eric Ortiz has been activated from injured reserve; WR Decody Fagg has been activated.

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Storm’s Ortiz idolized Brooks, still does

Posted Apr 12, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 12, 2011 at 06:09 PM

Tampa Bay Storm linebacker Eric Ortiz was all smiles Tuesday during the press conference introducing Derrick Brooks as the new Storm team president.

That’s because Ortiz, now in his second year with the Storm, has studied Brook’s entire career.

“He’s inspired my football career,” Ortiz said. “Everything I see him do, on and off the field, I try to emulate.”

He wears No. 55, just as Brooks did, and tried to wear it in college at Belhaven University but an upper classman had already claimed it.

“I found out this morning when my brother called me and I thought it was a joke,” Ortiz said. “I’m probably happier than anybody on the team.”

Ortiz said having Brooks with the franchise will elevate the team’s confidence after a rough 1-3 start to the season.

“Our confidence is sky high,” he said. “Our president has been there, he’s been through the gauntlet.”

In a meeting prior to Tuesday’s press conference, Ortiz said the former All-Pro linebacker gave pointers on how to improve, on and off the field. Ortiz said he can’t wait to play in the presence of his idol and plans to uphold the significance of the position and jersey number.

“I’m excited for him to see me wearing his number,” he said. “I’m be (representing) his number.”

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Storm will hold open tryouts

Posted Apr 2, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 2, 2011 at 12:08 PM

Coming off its third straight loss of the season, the Tampa Bay Storm will use its bye weekend to hold open tryouts on Saturday, April 9.

The tryouts will be held at the Larry Sanders Progress Village Sports Complex in Tampa. Those interested can pre-register online for $60 or pay $70 at the gate. Payment at the gate is cash only.

Registration and the park will open at 9 a.m.

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Storm partner with Amalie Motor Oil

Posted Mar 22, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Mar 22, 2011 at 03:48 PM

The Storm announced today that it has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Amalie Motor Oil.

According to a press release, Amalie will earn the naming rights to the Storm football field, to be called Amalie Motor Oil Field, for each of the next three upcoming seasons.

 

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Dukes, Whittaker pick up AFL Week 1 honors

Posted Mar 15, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Mar 15, 2011 at 02:07 PM

Tampa Bay linebacker Cliff Duke and receiver Huey Whittaker have been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and JLS Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 1 of the 2011 AFL season.

Dukes (6-3, 280, Michigan State) recorded a team-record 4.0 sacks against New Orleans. He also collected 5.0 tackles and a safety in the Storm’s 46-40 win. The Storm came away with six sacks in Week 1. Whittaker (6-5, 215, South Florida) caught 10 balls for 80 yards against the VooDoo and recorded the sixth-highest reception total in the League.

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Storm trim roster; acquire QB Hall from Iowa

Posted Mar 8, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Mar 8, 2011 at 11:36 AM

The Storm have released eight players and placed two on the physically unable to perform list to get down to the league mandated maximum 24 players, the team announced.

The eight players released were: defensive back Reggie Myles, fullback Michael Merritt, offensive linemen George Bussey, Kristoffer Doura and Jerome Dunbar, quarterback Jevan Snead and wide receivers Carlos Everett and Daryl Jones. Wide receiver Frank Murphy and offensive lineman Jarrod Holt were added to the physically unable to perform list.

In addition, the Storm traded future considerations to Iowa for former Troy quarterback B.J. Hall and traded future considerations to Dallas for former Florida State receiver Corey Surrency.

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Storm add several players to roster

Posted Mar 3, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Mar 3, 2011 at 10:42 AM

On the eve of playing in their second preseason game of the 2011 season, the Tampa Bay Storm acquired four players Wednesday, adding to an already talented receiving corps with the signing of WR/DB Markihe Anderson and Pat Clark along with kickers Kyle Chilton (Clearwater High) and Massimo Scaccia.

On Tuesday, the team signed offensive linemen Tom Kaleita and Ryan McDonald. In other transactions the team placed defensive back Ken Heatly and defensive lineman Cedrick Fisher on the PUP list.

The Storm host the Orlando Predators tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Also, the Storm will offer 50 percent discounts on all food and drinks during the game tonight. The preseason game is free for all fans. Following the game, the team will have an autograph session on the field for the fans.

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