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By Times staff and wire reports
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 9, 2001
Storm seeks backup QB
TAMPA -- Storm quarterback John Kaleo is scheduled to have an MRI exam today to determine the extent of his separated shoulder, an injury that knocked him out of Tampa Bay's 70-47 win Saturday night against Houston.
Coach Tim Marcum said Kaleo still was in pain Sunday from the hit he took on a scramble midway through the third quarter. Though Marcum reiterated that Kaleo is expected to miss at least three weeks, he said that is just the minimum. He called Kaleo's injury "very serious."
Marcum spent the day trying to find a backup for new starter Shane Stafford, who threw five touchdowns in relief of Kaleo. Stafford is the only quarterback on the roster.
Marcum said he was turned down by former Florida and Marshall quarterback Erik Kresser, who has returned to school in Gainesville.
Marcum said he had calls in to former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Erik Whilhelm, former Gator Kerwin Bell and Ron Adams, a Storm backup from 1997-99. Whilhelm played for the Los Angeles Avengers and led them to three straight wins before getting cut last week.
Marcum said he hopes to sign someone today. The Storm plays at Nashville on Friday.
RECORD: The New York Dragons set a record for points scored in an Arena League game at 99.
The Dragons beat the Carolina Cobras 99-68 Saturday night at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. The former New Jersey Red Dogs scored 91 against the now-defunct Texas Terror on June 20, 1997. The 167 total points also was a league record.
SAINTS ON DEL GRECO'S LIST: If Al Del Greco had his druthers, he would be kicking field goals in the Superdome in the fall.
But like fellow veteran kickers Morten Andersen, Doug Brien and John Carney, he knows his future rests in the hands of others.
The 17-year veteran is among the free-agent kickers the New Orleans Saints have maintained contact with in case Jeff Hall, Jon Hilbert and Kris Stockton don't work out. "I don't have much choice but to wait and see what happens," Del Greco said.
Del Greco made 27 of 33 field goals last season for Tennessee, but missed late kicks in losses to Baltimore and Jacksonville.
REDSKINS: The team probably will wrap up a contract agreement with Pro Bowl kick returner Michael Bates early this week, the Washington Post reported.
SEAHAWKS: The team reached contract agreements with two draft choices, linebacker Orlando Huff and receiver Alex Bannister. Huff was a fourth-round pick from Fresno State; Bannister a fifth-round pick from Eastern Kentucky.
TITANS: Rookie receiver Justin McCareins agreed in principle to a three-year deal, the Tennessean reported. McCareins is a fourth-round pick from Northern Illinois.
- Staff writer John C. Cotey contributed to this report.