Storm

Team covets its QB; he eyes market

By FRANK PASTOR
Published May 17, 2006

TAMPA - To coach Tim Marcum, the Storm's most important priority this offseason has to be re-signing quarterback Shane Stafford.

"It's kind of like the Lightning: Go sign Brad Richards," Marcum said. "They've gotta do it."

Trouble is, it's uncertain what it will take to bring Stafford back for a sixth season. Stafford, who led the league in total offense (303.2 yards per game), said Tuesday he plans to test the free-agent market.

"I hope people understand - especially the people in this community because they've been so good to me - whatever happens, if I stay here, great, and if I leave it's strictly the business part of it," Stafford said.

"It's nothing against the Tampa Bay Storm and nothing against the Tampa Bay community. But, like I told Coach, Tampa Bay is the place I want to be, and if we can work things out I want to be here again."

Stafford, 30, holds team single-season records for completions (408), passing yards (4,793) and touchdown passes (86) and career marks for completions (1,357), passing yards (15,667) and passing touchdowns (289).

Marcum said he asked Stafford how much money it would take to keep him in Tampa, but Stafford would not give him a number.

Stafford, who earned a base salary of $56,000 - 11th among quarterbacks - said he would prefer the market determine his value.

"I just want to see what I'm worth," he said. "I don't want to put a number on me right now."

Stafford, who was playing in NFL Europe when the Storm won the 2003 ArenaBowl, also seeks his first championship. After it missed the playoffs for the first time in its 16 seasons, Tampa Bay (7-9) no longer automatically represents his best shot.

"If you look now, there are more teams consistently competing for championships," Stafford said. "It's no longer just the Tampa Bay Storm or the Orlando Predators.

"The parity in this league is so good and the level of competition has really evened itself out, and no longer is it one or two dominant teams."

The Storm has until June 30 to sign Stafford or he becomes a free agent. If he signs elsewhere, the team, which lost quarterback John Kaleo to free agency after 2003, will move on, Marcum said.

"We're not gonna close the franchise down if Shane doesn't sign back," Marcum said.

ON THEIR OWN: Also eligible for free agency are receivers/linebackers Lawrence Samuels and Huey Whittaker; offensive specialist Freddie Solomon; fullback/linebacker Umar Muhammad; linemen Nyle Wiren, A.J. Ricker, Rod Williams, Buck Gurley, Aaron Hunt and Thaddeus Bullard; defensive specialists Tramain Jones and Jonathan Ordway; receivers/defensive backs Lynaris Elpheage, Jeff Sanchez and Alphonso Roundtree; kicker Bill Grama tica and quarterback Pat O'Hara.

Marcum singled out Elpheage as a player he'd like to bring back. Hunt and Ricker showed promise in their first season, Marcum said.

Wiren, 33, said he is considering retirement after battling shoulder, back and ankle injuries in recent seasons.

Only fullback/linebacker Jarrod Penright, who faces offseason knee surgery; defensive specialists Floyd Young and Leroy Smith; linemen Ernest Certain, Ricky Hall, Mondre Dickerson and Craig Moore, and offensive specialist Demetris Bendross are under contract.

SALE UPDATE: Carr & Associates, the Tampa firm that serves as business and asset manager for Storm owner Peter C. "Woody" Kern, expects to receive written offers from parties interested in purchasing the team this month, Larry Carr said.

"We will not accept offers unless they show their ability to fund," Carr said.

About four local groups have been identified as potential buyers. Several have said their interest is conditional on Marcum returning as coach.

[Last modified May 17, 2006, 01:29:12]