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Storm loses QB Kaleo, top lineman

John Kaleo says he wanted to stay but the offer was too low. Coach Tim Marcum disagrees.

The Storm lost two cornerstones of last season's ArenaBowl championship squad when quarterback John Kaleo and offensive/defensive lineman B.J. Cohen committed to other teams Wednesday.

Kaleo reached an oral agreement with Austin, and Cohen agreed to terms with New Orleans on the first day of the free-agent signing period.

"The era of John Kaleo as the starting quarterback is over," Storm coach and general manager Tim Marcum said.

In four seasons with the Storm, Kaleo ranks second all-time in completions (782), passing yards (9,971) and passing touchdowns (187).

Cohen earned second-team All-Arena honors after leading the Storm with seven sacks last season.

Money was the sticking point in both cases, Marcum said.

Kaleo said he would have preferred to stay in Tampa, where his wife works and he has a real estate business, but said the Storm did not offer market value.

"Ultimately, the Storm wanted to give me a nickel raise, and I've played for minimum wage long enough," Kaleo said. "I just thought with all the years and service I put into the Storm and the community, not only myself but some other guys, we deserved market-value contracts."

"I offered him what I thought was an excellent contract, in my opinion a doggone fair raise," Marcum said, "and he rejected it."

Neither would discuss terms.

Lineman Eric Thomas also signed with Austin.

The Storm reached oral agreements with free-agent wide receiver/linebacker Clif Dell, quarterback Pat O'Hara, lineman Rod Williams, fullbacks/linebackers David White and Basil Proctor and wide receiver/defensive back Hurley Tarver.

Shane Stafford is expected to replace Kaleo. Stafford started nine regular-season games in 2002 and helped the Storm to the second round of the playoffs. He played in NFL Europe last season and recently attended training camp with the Bucs.

The free-agent exodus is likely to continue. Defensive specialist Omarr Smith, a second-team All-Arena pick, and lineman Al Lucas are expected to sign with a West Coast team. Lineman Nyle Wiren also is believed to be leaning toward leaving.

"It stinks that we can't come back and defend our crown like we wanted to," Kaleo said.