Storm

Storm loses Case as swoon continues

QB is hurt in the first half, team falls to 1-6.

By DAVID MURPHY Times Staff Writer
Published April 15, 2007

ORLANDO - If ever there were a poster boy for the Storm's season, this was it: Stoney Case standing in the bowels of Amway Arena, wearing street clothes and a somber expression, his right arm immobilized by a sling.

Two hours before, the quarterback and his teammates reached critical condition at the same pivotal moment, and with a 61-37 loss Saturday night to their archrivals ensuring the franchise's worst seven-game start, all that remained was a 90-minute ride home and a little bit of reflection.

"I can play through pain," said Case, who could miss a significant amount of time after separating his shoulder in the second quarter. "But this is something completely different."

The play that might have ended Case's season - and, for that matter, the Storm's - happened with 9:30 remaining in the second quarter. The 1-6 Storm already had struggled to move the ball against a Predators defense that entered the game ranked first in the Arena League in points allowed - and as Greg White swooped in from Case's blind side, he ensured those struggles would continue.

The Predators defensive end crunched the quarterback as he cocked his arm to throw and returned the ensuing fumble for a touchdown, giving Orlando a 14-3 lead.

Case, meanwhile, lay flat on his back like a chalk outline at midfield, unable to move his right arm.

For the second straight week, he had separated his shoulder. This time, it would cost him more than the final moments of an already-decided game.

"I think he's done for the season," coach Tim Marcum said. "It's hurt pretty bad."

Case will have an MRI exam on Monday morning. Marcum said the team likely will bring in another quarterback.

Even with Case's injury, the game played out in a fashion that has become typical for this year's team. The Storm turned the ball over four times and allowed the Predators to score 23 of their points on defense - 14 on two touchdowns off fumble recoveries, seven on a mishandled kick recovered for a touchdown and two on a third-quarter safety.

The Predators took a 35-9 lead into halftime.

"It's 14-9, and then the next thing you know, it's 35-9," said quarterback John Kaleo, who completed 22 of 29 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns in relief of Case.

One week after dominating the line of scrimmage in a win over New Orleans, the Storm struggled mightily at the point of attack. The hit on Case and the safety represented two of the Predators' three sacks.

The Storm failed to generate much of a pass-rush against former teammate Shane Stafford, who completed 19-of-26 passes for five touchdowns and one interception.

David Murphy can be reached at dmurphy@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1407.

[Last modified April 15, 2007, 01:07:11]