Versatility is Bowden's strong suit

Whether receiving or returning kicks, James Bowden has looked sharp in his short Storm stint.

By JOHN C. COTEY

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 17, 2000

TAMPA -- James Bowden had his best suit out and his sharpest pants pressed. He wanted to look good even if he was utterly dreading his job interview the next day.

But it was time. After being cut by two Arena teams and waiting for three weeks at home in North Carolina for another to call, Bowden, recently engaged, had to do what he had to do. His once-promising football career was going ... going ...

Brrrring!

It wasn't the governor, but Bowden felt like he had been granted a stay of execution: Old friend and Storm quarterback John Kaleo was calling to tell him he was needed.

"I did not want to go to that interview," Bowden said, laughing. "Thank God he called."

Soon after Kaleo's call came one from coach Tim Marcum, and Bowden was on the next plane to Tampa.

When the league names its top executive at the end of the season, Bowden might just sneak in a write-in vote for Kaleo, who urged Marcum to sign the 6-foot, 188-pound receiver.

In four games going into tonight's matchup against Nashville at the Ice Palace, Bowden has become the Storm's leading receiver (35 catches for 471 yards), top kick returner and single-game total yardage king. He set the team record in his second game with 283 total yards and broke it in its last with 346.

His receiving numbers are no surprise to Kaleo. Kaleo was Bowden's roommate last year with the New England Sea Wolves. But Bowden's aggressive kick returning has given the Storm something it has lacked since George LaFrance was in his prime.

"Last game we started at midfield, and (Florida) started at the 5 -- that's a big difference," Marcum said. "Oh, no question, he's been a big surprise. He broke George's record, then breaks it again; the guy's just done everything we've asked him to do, and more. We haven't had a guy like that who wants to take it from end to end like that in a while. He runs with no fear."

Not that fear is foreign to Bowden, who thought his professional career might be over a month ago. He was cut by New England before camp despite catching 136 passes for 1,723 yards and 25 touchdowns from 1997-99 for the Sea Wolves (formerly the New York City Hawks).

Orlando picked him up, and Bowden thought he had walked into the perfect situation. He was referred by former New York teammate and Predators quarterback Connell Maynor, had always put up good numbers against Orlando and was trying to make a team that did not have strong receivers.

He was cut after the second preseason game.

"That was a shock to me, and it was a shock to a lot of my teammates," Bowden said. "I thought that was the perfect situation."

If that seemed to be the right place at the right time, then Tampa was the wrong place at the right time. Granted, Jason Dulick, Harvey Middleton, Wayne Walker and Charles Wilson were injured when Bowden signed, but once they were healthy, how would Bowden fit into a crowded situation?

Just fine, it appears. Bowden has been so impressive (including his 12-catch, 175-yard effort vs. Florida) that Marcum entertained offers for Walker last week and would have traded him or Wilson for the right player.

"I didn't even know the personnel when I signed; I just tried to fit in," Bowden said. "It just happens a few records fell."

He is quickly becoming Kaleo's favorite target. In Bowden's first start, Kaleo threw to him almost exclusively during the first half. Bowden is averaging almost 10 catches a game. "He knows me, knows my patterns," Bowden said. "It has definitely helped having him here."

The same could be said by the Storm players of Bowden, who may have looked sharp in his interview suit but clearly prefers the way he looks in a football uniform.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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