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Sudden problems crop up

By JOHN COTEY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 19, 2001

How is James Bowden?

That was the question of the day in the Storm's offices Monday after the star's injury in Friday's loss to Arizona -- just edging out: "Why have we lost two in a row?" "Why is John Kaleo suddenly throwing interceptions?" and "Where can we find some new defensive backs?"

All need answers if the Storm (7-2) is to snap its losing streak Monday against Florida and stay in the hunt for the league's No. 1 playoff seeding.

Most important is Bowden's health. The 6-foot, 180-pound offensive specialist was tackled from behind by Rattlers' 6-5, 300-pound lineman Oscar Sturgis on a kickoff return in the second quarter, and landed so hard on the ball beneath him that he bruised his sternum and possibly separated cartilage.

"I'd say he's very questionable and probably doubtful for Monday," coach Tim Marcum said. "He's awfully, awfully sore."

Marcum said that Harvey Middleton, who was impressive last year in a starting role before getting hurt, or Gunnard Twyner would replace Bowden if necessary.

MORE QUESTIONS: Bowden's status for Monday is unclear, but defensive specialist Jamie Coleman's status for the season is unclear: Marcum said he was going to suspend Coleman "with the possibility of releasing him for conduct detrimental to the team."

That conduct essentially was telling Marcum he couldn't play on short notice and throwing the Storm's defensive gameplan into a state of confusion. Marcum had to activate the previously scratched Middleton and switch Pierre Hixon to defensive specialist, and the substitution pattern was exacerbated after Bowden went down.

Coleman told Marcum he had aggravated a turf toe injury, after practicing all week for the responsibility of slowing down Arizona's Calvin Schexnayder.

"He couldn't go, but he took all the snaps and all the reps all week," Marcum said. "I can't tell you what people have played with; this is football. But I can tell you it's a lot worse than turf toe. We don't play anyone if we even thought they were hurt, but let me know before (the brink of the game)."

Coleman wasn't helped by the play of backfield mate Tommy Henry, who proceeded to get torched by Schexnayder for 13 catches, 163 yards and five touchdowns. Four of those scores came with Henry on him, including a 40-yard screen pass, a fourth-down conversion and the winner in overtime.

"I knew good and well that was not going to be a good matchup, that Tommy would not be able to match up with Calvin Schexnayder," Marcum said. "That's why all week long we worked Jamie Coleman out at that position."

Coleman might not be the last to go, either. Marcum is very unhappy that his defensive backs have allowed Orlando's Siaha Burley and now Schexnayder to almost single-handedly outscore the Storm the past two weeks.

Marcum said he plans on bringing in some defensive backs this week, but admits in Arena Football, good ones are hard to find.

SCREEN: Opponents watching the tape of Arizona's victory will come to the conclusion that a three-step drop and quick short passes are the way to beat the Storm. The Rattlers got their first score on a 10-yard pass in which Schexnayder scored untouched. They also scored on Chris Horn's 45-yard screen pass, then Schexnayder's 40-yarder that broke a 42-42 tie with five minutes left.

"We're not knocking any balls down," Marcum said. "They probably ran a 70-30 ration of three-step drops to five steps, and if we can't knock balls down, we're going to be in trouble."

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