The Storm attracted more than Arena league followers while putting together a 14-4 record and reaching the ArenaBowl for the sixth time.
Two players caught the eye of NFL scouts.
Receiver/defensive back Antoine "T.T." Toliver and offensive/defensive lineman Al Lucas were invited to try out for the Packers at the conclusion of the Arena season.
The speedy Toliver had 12 tackles, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns in four regular-season games. He averaged a team-best 24 yards on 11 kickoff returns.
Lucas, 6 feet 1, 300 pounds, was named to the all-rookie team after making 191/2 tackles and 11/2 sacks in 13 games.
Each has spent time in the NFL.
Toliver, 26, earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Bucs practice squad last season and was on the Rams (2000-01) and 49ers (2002) practice squads.
Lucas, 24, had 491/2 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a sack with the Panthers from 2000-01.
He was the fourth pick in the NFL Europe free-agent draft but stayed with the Storm because he thought the Arena league and its NBC television contract gave him the best chance to return to the NFL.
One player who has gotten NFL attention in the past and still might is receiver/linebacker David Saunders, the Storm's MVP last season. Saunders, 27, caught 38 passes for 440 yards and 11 touchdowns and made 15 tackles and a fumble recovery in 11 games.
HONORED: Toliver, Arizona quarterback Sherdrick Bonner and Rattlers receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood respectively were named defensive player, offensive player and ironman of the week for their performances in this past weekend's semifinal games.
Toliver had 61/2 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown in Tampa Bay's 60-50 win over Orlando. He caught two for 46 yards and two touchdowns and returned three kickoffs for 81 yards.
In Arizona's 66-49 victory over defending champion San Jose, Bonner was 21-of-30 for 321 yards and tied the playoff record with eight touchdowns.
Gatewood had 238 all-purpose yards, including 12 receptions for 227 yards and five touchdowns. He made a tackle and an interception.
LOOKING GOOD: Coach Tim Marcum likes the way his team is playing heading into the ArenaBowl.
The defensive line sacked Orlando's Jay Gruden twice and forced him into two interceptions, while the offensive line gave John Kaleo time to throw five touchdowns.
If there's an area of concern, it's the secondary.
"I thought that Jay picked on our backside guys a little bit," Marcum said. "He (converted) a third down, a fourth down, ran a post route on Third and 20. We've got to get better at defending that route."
TICKET INFO: Tickets for the ArenaBowl at the St. Pete Times Forum on June 22 can be purchased at the Times Forum box office or any Ticketmaster location or by calling 813 301-6600 or logging on to www.tampabaystorm.com
Tickets cost $16.75 for general admission terrace, $21.75 for club end zone, $26.75 for lower level end zone, $31.75 for red zone, $36.75 for club sideline, $41.75 for trenches and $106.75 for front row and XO Club.
