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Despite lapses, Storm manages to stay perfect

By JOHN C. COTEY

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 15, 2001

Though off to its best start since 1996 and coming off its best performance of the season, the Tampa Bay Storm remains an enigma.

Is it the team that struggles with opponents for three quarters, or the one that destroys opponents in the fourth?

Is it the team led by a quarterback that has completed 54 percent of his passes, or the one whose quarterback has 25 touchdowns and no interceptions?

Is it the team with a defense that gives up a lot of yards, or the league's most opportunistic defense?

Those questions and more could be answered in the next few weeks as the Storm's schedule stiffens with games against unbeaten Grand Rapids and down-but-far-from-out Orlando.

For now, coach Tim Marcum and his players are satisfied with the team's a 4-0 record and place atop the Southern Division.

"We are making the big plays when we have to," receiver/linebacker Bernard Edwards said. "We're making things happen."

Those things included two fumbles (caused by hard hits by Tommy Henry and Sir Mawn Wilson), an interception (by Jami Oats) and a safety (by Rod Williams, his second this season). The result was Saturday's 70-33 win over Toronto.

"Those were hustle plays," Marcum said. "We're getting to the ball and forcing those turnovers; we'll take them. When you do that, good things happen."

Now that San Jose has lost and Grand Rapids has yet to prove it's a top-tier team, the Storm has emerged as ArenaBowl favorites. After playing expansion Detroit this week, the Storm gets its first national television game May 25 against the Rampage, the only other unbeaten team.

HOT PACE: What more can be said about receiver James Bowden? He continued his assault on the Storm record books Saturday with a performance befitting a player who has emerged from obscurity to one of the league's most dangerous players.

With six catches for 99 yards and three touchdowns, Bowden is on line to set records in all three categories. At his current pace, he would finish with 102 catches, 1,431 yards and 35 scores.

Providing he keeps up his pace despite a series of nagging injuries, Bowden also will set team records for all-purpose and kickoff return yardage (and league records as well), total touchdowns and points scored.

BOWDEN II: Linebacker/fullback Andre Bowden will be activated this week, Marcum said, leaving a decision to be made regarding linebacker/fullbacks Devon McDonald and Nyle Wiren. Marcum said he is considering using McDonald as a lineman to keep him in the lineup.

NO PICKS: John Kaleo's 25-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio makes him the only regular starting quarterback in the league who hasn't been picked off.

Those interested in Kaleo's take on his hot start can tune in Tuesdays at 8 p.m. to his radio show on 1340-AM WTAN.

NOISY: The crowd of 12,654 against Toronto was the Storm's biggest and loudest this season.

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