Storm

Storm rookie comes up big

Quarterback Brett Dietz plays well enough to help Tampa Bay win after John Kaleo gets hurt.

By DAVID MURPHY
Published April 30, 2007

TAMPA - He has won awards in Louisville, had a cup of coffee in Chicago, signed with Spokane and spent time in Kansas City.

During the past 12 months, Brett Dietz has honed several skills, not the least of which is transporting his belongings.

"I'm great at packing up my car, " the rookie quarterback said.

On Sunday, the engine was still warm from his latest move when he began making a case for a more permanent home, taking over for an injured John Kaleo midway through the second quarter and guiding the Storm (2-6) to a 34-32 win over Columbus at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Dietz certainly wasn't the reason the team claimed its second victory - credit a late interception by Khalid Naziruddin and a breakup of a two-point conversion pass by Traco Rachal with that - but his presence didn't hurt.

Despite missing a few reads and struggling at times with his accuracy, Dietz, 25, showed patience in the pocket and made a few nice throws, including a 27-yard touchdown to Terrill Shaw that gave the Storm a 24-20 lead early in the third quarter.

Kaleo's injury, which trainer Matt Benson estimated will sideline him for at least a few weeks, occurred when he planted his left hand on the turf after a hit. Minutes before, Dietz had been involved in an onfield promotion, throwing footballs into the stands during a timeout. But from the moment he buckled his chin strap, his demeanor impressed his teammates.

"He did a great job just staying calm, " said Shaw, who caught two TDs. "Typically, you don't expect a young guy to perform like that."

It isn't hard to see where that poise comes from.

Lightly recruited out of high school, Dietz starred at Division III Hanover Ind. College before moving on to a stint in a professional league in Finland. Next came a stint on the Storm practice squad, followed by a season with the af2's Louisville Fire, where he was named the league's rookie of the year. He spent training camp in Chicago, then signed with the Spokane Shock of af2 before landing on the practice squad of the Kansas City Brigade.

Dietz's numbers - 12-for-24, 165 yards, two touchdowns - weren't earth-shattering, but he avoided mistakes and assured himself at least one more game under center. Naziruddin's interception with 6:19 left and Rachal's deflection on Columbus' two-point conversion attempt with 27 seconds left sealed the win, and Dietz walked away with his first Arena League win.

"Right now, there's no choice: He's the quarterback, " coach Tim Marcum said, before pausing. "But I like him."

[Last modified April 30, 2007, 00:50:27]