Storm

Marcum takes some of blame in loss

By FRANK PASTOR
Published April 19, 2006

After reviewing videotape of the Storm's 60-59 loss to Austin on Saturday, coach Tim Marcum came to one inescapable conclusion.

His team deserved better.

From the officials and, Marcum admitted, from himself.

Missed calls and miscommunication cost the Storm a game it played well enough to win and might have needed to keep a 15-season playoff streak alive.

Tampa Bay (6-6) fell one game behind Georgia, New York and Philadelphia (all 7-5) for the final spot in the National Conference with four to play.

"It was unfortunate that that game was taken from those guys," Marcum said.

The problems started early, as Austin (8-4) turned onside kick and net recoveries into a 13-0 lead before the Storm touched the ball. Marcum said the onside kick caught him off guard but Tampa Bay's Tramain Jones recovered the ensuing kick off the net before the Wranglers' Dane Krager wrestled it away.

"They just piled in there on the kid and took it away from him," Marcum said. "I said, "My guy had it.' (The referee) said, "He didn't have it long enough."'

The Storm bounced back to take a five-point, second-quarter lead and was driving for more. But Shane Stafford's 7-yard scramble and incompletion in the final 19 seconds ended the half.

Marcum said he should have instructed Stafford not to run with the ball on the next-to-last play. He yelled to Stafford to spike the ball and set up a field goal attempt before the final play but was not heard.

"It's just poor coaching," Marcum said. "I take responsibility before the half. I should have gotten that over to Shane."

Marcum also accepted blame for the secondary being in the wrong coverage on Kevin Nickerson's 35-yard touchdown with 45 seconds left in the game and receiver/defensive back Leroy Smith leaving the field before Austin's final drive, forcing offensive specialist Demetris Bendross to play defense.

But bad calls by the officials were responsible for three fourth-quarter plays that allowed Austin back in the game, Marcum said.

A pass interference penalty against receiver Lawrence Samuels, who was engaged by a defender as he tried to get into his route, negated a Bendross touchdown early in the quarter.

A touchback was called instead of a safety after Austin kick returner Sedrick Robinson took two steps out of the end zone before retreating and being tackled on the Wranglers' next-to-last drive.

And Samuels, the jack linebacker, was flagged for being out of the box when Austin's John Fitzgerald threw incomplete on a two-point conversion play with five seconds left. Marcum said Fitzgerald left the box first, allowing Samuels to roam wherever he wants.

Given a second chance, Fitzgerald ran for the winning conversion on the next play.

"It was just about as bad a handled game officiating, I just can't tell you," Marcum said.

HOLE TO FILL: Receiver/defensive back Lynaris Elpheage is doubtful for Saturday's game at Orlando with a high ankle sprain sustained during a 9-yard touchdown catch with about four minutes remaining. Possible replacements include Jeff Sanchez, who played the first eight games, and practice squad player Floyd Young, who was with the Bucs from 1997-2000.

GETTING ACCLIMATED: Former Bucs defensive end Steve White was limited to about 10 plays, all on defense, in his first Arena game. He did not record a stat but effectively used the "mirror" technique, in which he gains separation from a blocker and puts his hands in the air, to force an incompletion.

"He's a liability on offense right now, but we're going to have to play him," Marcum said. "We've got to have a pass rush."

SIPPIO SHOWS: Hours after he was activated, former Storm receiver/linebacker Bobby Sippio caught seven passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns in Chicago's 61-42 loss to Arizona on Saturday. Claimed off waivers on March 29, Sippio missed two games after first refusing to report to the Rush.

[Last modified April 19, 2006, 01:59:13]