Post by DiamondThief on May 30, 2016 13:53:08 GMT -8
Tampa Bay Storm at Portland Steel
What: The Steel are finally back home and face the Tampa Bay Storm.
When: Friday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. (PT).
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter; Portland, Oregon.
Regional Media: Radio - 750 The Game.
National Media: Stream - ESPN3/WatchESPN.
This season: July 23 - Storm at Steel (CBSSN).
Series History: Series tied 1-1. Each team has won in the other's home arena.
Note: The Storm was a name used by Portland's World Football League team in 1974-75.
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HELPFUL LINKS
Arena Football League Schedule and Results 2016
Portland Steel Schedule 2016
Portland Steel Season Preview 2016
SUMMARY
The Storm are 1-7 overall, 0-4 on the road and 1-3 in inter-conference play. They are coming off a 63-56 home win over the Arizona Rattlers on May 29. They are averaging 36.4 points per game and are allowing 53.1 points per game.
The Steel are in 0-8, 0-1 at home and 0-4 in inter-conference play. They are coming off a 54-42 road loss to the Los Angeles KISS May 28. They are averaging 35.2 points per game and are allowing 63.9 points per game.
BREAKDOWN
First Downs per game - Storm 15.5; Steel 18.9.
Yards per Game - Storm 246.4; Steel 268.4.
3rd Down Conversion - Storm 32%; Steel 43% .
4th Down Conversion - Storm 25%; Steel 41%.
Total Tackles - Storm 225; Steel 158.5.
Total Sacks - Storm 5; Steel 10.
Fum Rec - Storm 5; Steel 5.
Interceptions - Storm 6; Steel 3.
Had Intercepted - Storm 12; Steel 20.
Note that the Steel and the Storm have each played eight games.
TAMPA BAY STORM
Storm QB Jason Boltus (photo courtesy oursportscentral.com.com)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - T.T. Toliver (WR)
3 - Gerald Young (WR)
4 - Rick-J Hill (DB)
5 - James Harrell (DB)
6 - Jonathan Bane (QB)
8 - Adam Kennedy (QB)
10 - V'Keon Lacey (WR)
11 - Phillip Barnett (WR)
16 - Jason Boltus (QB)
17 - Mike Washington (WR)
18 - Cameron McGlenn (DB)
19 - Craig Peterson (K)
21 - Cortez Stubbs (DB)
23 - Nick Addison (DB)
50 - James Gordon (DL)
54 - Padric Scott (DL)
55 - Dominie Pittman (DL)
60 - RJ Bibbs (OL)
70 - Isaiah Shelton (OL)
72 - Anthony Parker (OL)
73 - Tyler Moore (OL)
79 - Ben Ossai (OL)
93 - Everett Dawkins (NG)
94 - James McClinton (DL)
99 - David Washington (NG)
Lawrence Samuels - Head Coach
Dean Cokinos - Defensive Coordinator
Shane Stafford - Assistant Coach
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Jason Boltus 1,149
Passing TDs - Jason Boltus 21
Passing Ints - Jason Boltus/Jonathan Bane/Adam Kennedy 4
Rushing Yards - Jason Boltus 47
Rushing TDs - Jason Boltus 4
Receptions - T.T. Toliver 53
Receiving Yards - T.T. Toliver 777
Receiving TDs - T.T. Toliver 12
Tackles - Cortez Stubbs 43
Sacks - James Gordon/James McClinton 2
Interceptions - Cortez Stubbs 3
KO Return Ave. - Gerald Young 20.0
KO Return TDs - Gerald Young/Mike Washington 1
* Not on active roster
Note: Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Roster information is gathered from the AFL's official website, which is not updated on a consistent basis. Updates will be provided here as soon as they become available.
PORTLAND STEEL
Steel MLB Robert Hayes (photo courtesy Christopher Oertell/CJimagesNW.com)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Darron Thomas (QB)
2 - Arness Ikner (DB)
4 - Mike McMillan (DB)
5 - Tom Gilson (WR)
6 - Jared Perry (WR)
8 - Terrence Mitchell (DB)
9 - Sergio Gilliam (DB)
10 - Shane Austin (QB)
11 - Dexter Davis (JLB)
12 - Tyrone Goard (WR)
13 - Christian Wise (DB)
17 - Ernesto Lacayo (K)
20 - Bryce Peila (DB)
21 - Tim Shelley (DB)
23 - Reggie Wilson (DE)
59 - Viseisio Salt Jr. (OL)
64 - Jarien Moreland (OL)
66 - Deveric Gallington (FB)
72 - Duke Robinson (OL)
77 - Kevin Myers (C)
79 - John Collins (C)
80 - James Shaw (WR)
91 - Brandon Sesay (DE)
99 - Robert Hayes (MLB)
Darryl Thompson (WR)
Ron James - Head Coach
Will Mulder - Defensive Coordinator
Anthony Payton - Offensive Coordinator
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Shane Austin 819
Passing TDs - Shane Austin 14
Passing Ints - Shane Austin 9
Rushing Yards - Shane Austin 36
Rushing TDs - Shane Austin 3
Receptions - Tom Gilson 83
Receiving Yards - Tom Gilson 786
Receiving TDs - Tyrone Goard
Tackles - Mike McMillan 28
Sacks - Robert Hayes/Dexter Davis 3
Interceptions - Mike McMillan/Sergio Gilliam/Christian Wise 1
KO Return Ave. - Arness Ikner 18.4
KO Return TDs - Terrence Mitchell 1
* Not on active roster
Note: Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Roster information is gathered from the AFL's official website, which is not updated on a consistent basis. Updates will be provided here as soon as they become available.
ANGI'S TAKES
STORM
Tampa Bay shocked the Arena Football League universe with their seven-point win over the Arizona Rattlers. The team was winless at home playing against a team many consider a shoo-in to earn a berth in ArenaBowl XXiX. The Storm averaged just 33 points through their first six games, but have scored 63 in each of their last two. A win like that can turn a season around. Quarterback Jason Boltus was excellent in the game, throwing for 358 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for another. He will look to keep up the momentum against a Steel defense which has definitely struggled this season. Boltus has completed 54.8 percent of his passes this season for 21 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions in just four games. he is a threat through the air and on the ground. He also is a veteran who possesses the experience to handle difficult situations which the opposing defense may present. T.T. Toliver is the primary target, having caught 53 passes for 777 yards and 12 scores. He is averaging 97.1 yards per game and exploded for 186 yards on 9 catches and a pair of scores against the Rattlers. Phillip Barnett has caught 48 balls for 473 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. He chipped in with 61 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Rattlers. Julius Gregory, who caught 7 passes for 90 yards last week, has 223 yards and 4 scores in four games this season. He will be expected to fill out the receiving corps. The team acquired talented receiver Mike Washington, but is has been primarily delegated to kick return duties. In just two games, Delbe Alvarado is a perfect 18-18 on his extra point attempts. Cortez Stubbs leads the defense in tackles, interceptions and fumble recoveries, while James Harrell is second on the team with 31.5 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries. James Gordon and James McClinton each have 2 sacks on the season. Cameron McGlenn and Nick Addison also are players to watch on the defensive side. The Storm will look to build on their offensive momentum. They will allow teams to score, so there could be opportunities for the Steel, who have put up a season-high 50 points on the season. This could become a shootout. Player to Watch: Jason Boltus (QB). Wild Card: T.T. Toliver (WR)
STEEL
If not for two freak kickoff return plays, the Steel could have earned their first win of the season, over the KISS last week. They were in the driver's seat for most of the game. The Steel are coming off a brutal seven-game road trip and will be looking to get on track at the friendly confines of the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Shane Austin has been an improvement at the quarterback position, and will need to step it up even another notch against the Storm. Austin, who has completed 58.2 percent of his passes for 819 yards and 14 touchdowns in his three games with the Steel. The flip side of that is that he also has thrown 9 interceptions in that time, though he had just one of those late in the game against the KISS. The receiving corps resembles the walking wounded. Five receivers to wear a Steel uniform have gone down to injury; not including Darryl Thompson, who was scheduled to start last week, but tore his hamstring prior to the game. Tom Gilson has been magnificant, catching 83 passes for 786 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is averaging 98.2 receiving yards per game. Tyrone Goard, who had 437 yards on 47 receptions, scored 4 of his 11 touchdowns last week against the KISS. James Shaw should be penciled in as the third starter. Defensive back Christian Wise could see some time at receiver, as he has in the past two games. Wise, Mike McMillan and Arness Ikner make up the defensive backfield. The trio is improving, but still has issues covering the more quick receivers in the league. Sergio Gilliam is having a very productive season at the linebacker spot. The Steel will be without linebacker Tim Shelley, who was injured against the Steel. Robert Hayes, Dexter Davis and Brandon Sesay are a formidable trio up front. They will look to put pressure on Jason Boltus and do everything they can to make him uncomfortable. The Steel did a decent job at cutting down on their penalties against the KISS. Continuing that trend will be vital to the success of the Steel against the Storm. This game is a prime opportunity for the Steel to pick up the win over a team which has had its own struggles. Returning home could be a key to that. Player to Watch: Shane Austin (QB). Wild Card: Tom Gilson (WR).
SCtoC COMPUTERIZED PROJECTED RESULT
Storm - 50
Steel - 44
QUOTABLE
Storm WR T.T. Toliver on the win over the Rattlers
“I just go out there everyday and try to play my hardest. We came out today and executed our game plan. I’m excited for everybody.”
Steel MLB Robert Hayes on the loss to the KISS
“I personally think we outplayed them in every facet of the game. Special teams there in the fourth quarter; it was kind of bizarre, but we kind of took it to them. Our blue-collar mentality came out and it showed ... we're a team to be reckoned with.”
Hayes on preparing for this game
"We just have to focus on this week in practice and keep up this intensity going this week in practice that we have, come out and take it to Tampa. It is a must win. Every week is a must win. It's heartbreaking; all these games losing on the road. It's hard to win on the road, especially when you're going across country.
Hayes on playing the Storm
"People can finally get to feel what we've been feeling for the past seven; eight weeks now. It's time to dish out some good old fashioned Portland ass-whooping."
FEATURED SOCIAL MEDIA
OTHER AFL GAMES THIS WEEK
June 3 - Arizona Rattlers (6-3) at Cleveland Gladiators (5-4), 4 p.m.*
June 4 - Philadelphia Soul (7-2) at Jacksonville Sharks (4-4), 4 p.m. (CBSSN)
June 5 - Orlando Predators (7-2) at Los Angeles KISS (4-4), 3 p.m.*
* Game is available for streaming on ESPN3/WatchESPN
NOTE
Portland's Jamar Howard and Tampa Bay's Alfred Phillips in 2015. (photo courtesy Christopher Oertell/CJimagesNW.com)
The Steel and the Storm have only met twice, but it is an interesting history.
On May 3, 2014, Portland picked up its second franchise win, with a 61-42 decision over the Storm. Danny Southwick (now with the KISS) completed 24 of 33 passes for 307 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Eric Rogers (now with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers) caught 7 passes for 110 yards and 5 touchdowns. Joe Hills of the Storm (now with the Jacksonville Sharks) hauled in 7 catches for 104 yards and 5 scores.
Exactly 11 months later, on April 13, 2015, the Storm made their first -ever trip to Portland and came away with a 54-48 win. Jason Boltus went 23 of 40 for 294 yards and 6 touchdowns, while T.t. Toliver caught 9 balls for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns. For Portland, Kyle Rowley was 21 of 29 for 280 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Jamar Howard had a career game with 15 catches for 221 yards and 4 scores.
EXTRA
The Steel have suffered some serious injuries to their wide receiving corps. No fewer than 14 players have lined up that the position this season, including a couple of defensive backs. The following is a list of the fallen receivers, as well as their contributions to the team.
(Graphic courtesy SCtoC)
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Graphic courtesy of David.
