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Bowden on the other side now

Andre Bowden, now with Carolina, faces his former Storm teammates.

By FRANK PASTOR
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 4, 2002

TAMPA -- Andre Bowden started his Arena Football League career with the Storm and hoped to end it in Tampa Bay.

But when he didn't hear from coach Tim Marcum after an all-league 2001 season, he knew it was time to look elsewhere.

In March, Bowden signed as an unrestricted free agent with Carolina, which plays 15 minutes from his childhood home of Apex, N.C. He faces his former team for the first time when the Storm (0-2) plays the Cobras (1-1) tonight in Raleigh.

"Things change, and I know it changed, and maybe (Marcum) decided to go in a different direction, which was okay with me," Bowden said. "I would have loved to finish up there, but unfortunately it didn't happen."

Bowden, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound fullback/linebacker, is the Storm's all-time leader in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns. He also is the team's career sacks leader.

But Marcum decided to add size and strength at the position. He traded for Basil Proctor (6-0, 275) and signed Deryl Lane (6-5, 280) to join Nyle Wiren (6-2, 250). "Things like this happen," Marcum said. "We're now into free agency and there are a lot of fresh faces each year, and that's where we are."

Marcum said Bowden's departure created an opportunity for Wiren.

"Nyle was always a guy who took a back seat to Andre and Les Barley when he was there," Marcum said. "Now, it's Nyle's turn, and we need Nyle rushing the passer not only from the linebacker position but from the defensive end position."

Bowden played with the Storm from 1991-93, then attended New Orleans Saints training camp in '94. He spent two seasons with the New England Patriots and one with the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World League before returning to the Storm for the final five games of '97.

Bowden, in his ninth year, trails only Barley in career rushing yards (1,382 to 1,114) and rushing attempts (425 to 384) in the league and San Jose's Barry Wagner in rushing touchdowns (79 to 75). Bowden's 31.5 sacks rank fourth all-time (San Jose's Sam Hernandez is first with 45.5).

But he said he doesn't concern himself with records.

"I just go out and play, and if it happens, it happens," Bowden said. "It's not something I thrive on or read about every day."

In Carolina, Bowden shares time with Marrio Grier, whom Marcum calls "probably the best runner in our league."

In two games, Bowden has rushed for 10 yards and two touchdowns on four attempts. He has 51/2 tackles and forced a fumble.

At age 34, he said he has nothing left to prove.

"It's just the love of the game, going out each day, each week and competing," he said. "I feel like maybe I can give back or talk to the younger guys, bring them along and maybe develop them. Show them some of the things I got from some of the players back in the day."

Bowden wants to play as long as he can, then pursue a coaching career.

He said he often thinks about how Arena football gave a little-known player from Fayetteville State who wasn't drafted or invited to many NFL workouts a chance to play professional football.

"That's something I sit back and think about every day," Bowden said. "I don't really know where I would be. This opened a lot of doors for me. I don't think I would change it for anything more in the world."

TONIGHT: STORM AT CAROLINA

WHEN/WHERE: 7; Entertainment & Sports Arena, Raleigh, N.C.

TV/RADIO: Sunshine Network; WDAE-AM 620. CQ JT with SOA

COACHES: Tampa Bay -- Tim Marcum (136-44, 14th season); Carolina -- Mike Neu (1-1, 1st season). NOTES: Tampa Bay enters its first road game and first Southern Division contest seeking its first win. A loss would match the worst start in team history and give the Storm eight losses in 11 games dating to last season. Tampa Bay started 0-3 in 2000 but finished 8-6 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. The Storm has not lost to Carolina in three meetings or failed to make the playoffs in 11 seasons. Tampa Bay wide receiver/defensive back Jason Kaiser (groin) was placed on injured reserve. Wide receiver/linebacker Sir Mawn Wilson (shoulder) also is out. Fullback/linebacker Basil Proctor will miss the game after the death of his mother. Carolina fullback/linebacker Andre Bowden is the Storm's all-time leading rusher and career sacks leader. Cobras quarterback Connell Maynor won ArenaBowl rings with Tampa Bay in 1995-96 and Orlando in 1998 and 2000. Storm special teams coach Doug Kay was Carolina's coach in 2000-2001 and led the Cobras to their first playoff appearance last season.

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