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Arena football

Godsey to try for QB backup

TAMPA -- The Storm's search for a third quarterback brought the team to its back yard.

Former Jesuit and Georgia Tech quarterback George Godsey, a Tampa native, is expected to work out Thursday.

Tampa Bay has been without an emergency quarterback to back up John Kaleo and Pat O'Hara since the team released Anthony Buich last week.

"Let's take a look and see if he can do it," director of player personnel Mitch Matuska said.

Godsey, a 1997 Jesuit graduate, was the most accurate passer in Georgia Tech history, completing 63 percent. He threw for nearly 6,000 yards and 41 touchdowns in two seasons.

Godsey graduated in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He spent last season as a graduate assistant with the Yellow Jackets while he worked on his master's.

Former Florida State quarterback Marcus Outzen worked with the Storm on Friday, trying to come back from reconstructive elbow surgery. He was injured with Jacksonville of arenafootball2 last season.

"He wanted to see if he could do something, and he said he just didn't feel it," Matuska said.

RIDE 'EM, COWBOY: Ian Howfield's winning 23-yard field goal as time expired Sunday at Grand Rapids gained the veteran kicker instant popularity, but it did not guarantee him anything more than a spot for Sunday's home game against Detroit.

"We found a bull rider," coach Tim Marcum said. "That's what kickers are. You're only as good as your last rodeo."

Though longtime Storm kicker Mike Black could be ready to return from a knee injury in a few weeks, Marcum said Howfield is not keeping the seat warm until Black returns.

"It's his job," Marcum said of Howfield. "I don't operate around here like that."

NO BIG DEAL: Marcum said fullback David White was not injured seriously on a third-down play in which he threw the ball in the air and appeared to reach for his knee. Lawrence Samuels caught the ball and returned it for a touchdown.

Marcum said he doesn't know why White threw the ball.

"I don't care what happens," Marcum said. "If you've got the ball, you better continue to have the ball. We were lucky on that play."

SELECT COMPANY: Samuels had seven catches for 87 yards, giving him 403 catches for his career. His 338 with the Storm rank third all-time on the team, 53 behind George LaFrance. Stevie Thomas leads with 519.

"You catch 400 balls, I don't care what league you're in, that's a phenomenal event," Marcum said. "And he's been the backup most of his years. He played behind Stevie Thomas for five or six years, so he didn't get as many snaps as a lot of people have."

INJURY REPORT: Offensive/defensive lineman Troy Wilson is expected to miss Sunday's game with a partially torn meniscus. Wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders, the team's 2002 MVP, could play after missing the first three games with a leg injury.

HONORARY GUEST: The Storm will honor South Florida coach Jim Leavitt before Sunday's game. The team is offering discounted tickets for students and alumni. For details call (813) 301-6600.

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