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By JOHN C. COTEY
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 1, 2001
TAMPA -- When the Storm watched film of its loss three weeks ago to Orlando, it confirmed the team's notion that Predators defensive backs Kenny McIntyre and Damon Mason played the game outside the rules by holding Tampa Bay star James Bowden.
Nonetheless, Bowden finished with 12 catches, 190 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns, prompting Orlando coach Jay Gruden to remark: "Boy, if we weren't holding him, he might have scored nine touchdowns."
Gruden's comment was wholly sarcastic. Peeved at the post-game salvos lobbed by Bowden and quarterback John Kaleo, Gruden is eager to see how his team responds today in the rematch.
Both teams are banged up. According to Storm coach Tim Marcum, the Storm (8-2) will be without Bowden (though he still is listed as questionable), Pig Goff and Harvey Middleton. A host of others are nicked up.
Gruden said quarterback Craig Whelihan and offensive specialist Siaha Burley are nursing injuries, among others.
Orlando's 57-45 win on June 10 was typical of the Predators' recent dominance. They frustrated the Storm in goal-line situations, forcing field goals, and harassed Kaleo into three interceptions.
Afterward, Bowden suggested he was mugged. Kaleo blamed the picks on holding and said he was unimpressed with the Predators' vaunted tandem of Mason and McIntyre, widely regarded as Arena Football's best.
"He threw three interceptions and two of those were into double coverage," Gruden said. "I guess you have to blame someone. Sometimes, though, you have to point the finger at yourself and not blame the referees.
"But I like reading stuff like that. It's great to see guys whining about how the other team won, especially when you're the other team."
If the Storm-Predators rivalry -- still the fiercest in the league but nicer than during its heyday in mid '90s -- needed a boost, it got it.
"That's just added fuel to the fire," Mason said. "John Kaleo and James Bowden, I consider them two good friends but I ain't got any respect for those who cry and complain in the paper."
"That's the first time we've ever been told we hold," McIntyre said. "You always have excuses when you lose, though. They watched the film; they know the real truth. We'll solve all this (today)."
Mason covered Bowden one on one most of the game, and it matched two of the game's more physical players. Mason said Bowden jawed at him during the game about holding, but afterward they complimented each other.
"Then you see they bash you in the paper," Mason said. "I wasn't insulted; it just made me mad. There's no shame to my game." Mason won't get a chance for his rematch if Bowden is out. Still bothered by a rib injury suffered two weeks ago, Bowden did not practice this week and might not be ready to go.
"We expect him to play and we want him to play," McIntyre said.
Gunnard Twyner likely would start in Bowden's place. The rookie had four touchdowns and 204 yards offense Monday night against Florida, and presents a different style, offering more finesse and speed.
Twyner caught his first touchdown in the last meeting. And he saw enough of Mason and McIntyre to come up with a plan to beat them.
"I know they like to play physical with a lot of hands," Twyner said. "You just can't run into (Mason) every play; the referee is not going to call it and he's going to win. You have to stay away from them, use your feet, make moves and not let them get their hands on you."
Middleton, who replaced Bowden as the starter against Florida, reinjured the collarbone he broke last year and could miss the season. Marcum will look to Twyner, fellow rookie Clinton Hart and Sir Mawn Wilson to fill his depleted receiving corps.
Only Twyner, though, is an offensive specialist.
"They may think if JB's out it'll be easier," Twyner said. "I don't think they know what to expect.
"This is a game of opportunity, and if not me then someone else will step up and get the job done."
They'll have to do so against McIntyre and Mason, who say the Storm's complaints after the first meeting has done nothing to alter their style.
"All I'm saying is, expect the same thing," Mason said. "I'm standing my ground. If you're man enough, then beat us. Be prepared to get hit."
WHEN/WHERE: 4; Ice Palace, Tampa.
TV/RADIO: TNN; WDAE-AM 620.
RECORDS: Storm 8-2, Predators 6-4.
COACHES: Orlando -- Jay Gruden (41-20, fourth season); Tampa Bay -- Tim Marcum (134-39, 13th season).
SERIES: Orlando leads 14-13.
OUTLOOK: Tampa Bay ended a two-game slide by beating Florida last week; Orlando's six-game win streak ended when it committed nine turnovers in a loss to Milwaukee. The Storm could be without offensive star James Bowden, and will look to rookies like Gunnard Twyner (six touchdowns) and Clinton Hart. John Kaleo threw three interceptions in the last meeting, though he had a season-high 299 yards. He has thrown a career-best 60 touchdowns. He will be going against a defense that allowed less than 80 yards last week and leads the league with 19 sacks. The Storm signed defensive back Dwight Henry this week to help defend Orlando OS Siaha Burley, who was MVP last time against Tampa Bay after a five-touchdown performance. Tampa Bay is No. 1 in the playoff seeding; Orlando is No. 6.