Long way back to Storm

After stints on NFL practice squads, including the Bucs, Antoine Toliver returns to Arena ball.

By FRANK PASTOR, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 27, 2003

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Talk about door-to-door delivery.

Ten minutes after the Bucs released Antoine "T.T." Toliver on Monday, the wide receiver/defensive back activated a phone chain that resulted in his return to the Storm.

When Toliver learned of the Bucs' decision, he called former Storm teammate Corey Sawyer. Sawyer phoned coach Tim Marcum, who got back to Toliver.

"He said he wanted me back," Toliver said.

Toliver met with Marcum Tuesday morning and practiced Wednesday. He will suit up for today's game at New York.

"It's good to have that added speed on the field," Marcum said. "It looks like he's picking up where he left off last year. He's going to help us in our return game, and he's a two-way player."

Toliver, 26, is not just a two-way player. He's one of the more exciting in the league.

A former Bethune-Cookman basketball player who played alongside Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter at Daytona Beach Mainland, Toliver was out of football when the Storm approached him about playing last season.

Though he was a natural receiver who had not played defense since high school, he led the Storm with two interceptions and had 391/2 tackles in five regular-season games after being pressed into duty as a defensive specialist.

He also made his mark on special teams, setting team single-game records for kickoff return (274) and total return yards (317), including touchdowns of 54 and 55 yards, in a 67-61 victory over Georgia that clinched a playoff spot.

Toliver was signed to the 49ers' practice squad after the season. He later served in the same capacity with the Bucs, simulating San Francisco receiver Tai Streets in practice the week of an NFC division playoff game. Toliver was on the sideline in San Diego when the Bucs beat the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.

"That's a dream come true," Toliver said. "You've got people who played 10-12 years and don't get a chance to go to the Super Bowl."

The Bucs signed Toliver to a reserve/future contact in January. He was in the team's offseason training program when he was released.

Though disappointed he didn't have more of a chance to prove himself in the NFL, Toliver said he is glad to be back with the Storm. He attended several home games this season and kept in touch with many former teammates.

"I like it here, too," Toliver said, "because it is where it all started for me."'

Toliver said there are similarities between Marcum and Bucs coach Jon Gruden.

"Both are going to get on you," Toliver said. "The thing I like about Coach Marcum is he's kind of a laid-back type of coach. He gets on you, but he'll compliment you when you do something right. They're both good guys."

Marcum, a former defensive assistant with the Falcons, said the experience should make Toliver a better player.

"Being in an NFL camp for that length of time, he was exposed to a lot of good football," Marcum said.

Toliver, who spent parts of the 2000 and 2001 seasons with the Rams, dreams of returning to the NFL. But he said his immediate goal is to help the Storm get to the ArenaBowl.

"It's all about coming back out there and having fun," Toliver said. "I love the game of football. Wherever I have to go to play, I'll go to play."

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