2013 Review: Tampa Bay Storm

The main goal of the 2013 season for the Tampa Bay Storm was not to just compete, but to end a two-year playoff drought. A few notable offseason acquisitions, the retirement of Stephen Wasil, and a youth movement created a scent of mystery for this year. A former AFL quarterback, Adrian McPherson was brought in to direct an offense headlined by Joe Hills. The Storm also retooled their defense with many young players in hopes of turning things in the right direction.

The Storm began the year with a disappointing 64-55 vs. Jacksonville in their opener, but responded by winning their next two games. Through the first part of the season Adrian McPherson dazzled with incredible runs, moves, and plays that had led Tampa Bay to a stretch where they won five of six games and entered week eight with a 5-2 record. The Storm's hot start was cooled in San Jose when a dominate pass rush had its way to neutralize McPherson's versatility and cruised to a 64-34 win. The Storm never regained their dominance from the first month and a half of the season, splitting their next three games after the loss in San Jose and then finishing the regular season with seven straight losses.

Tampa Bay entered June with a 6-4 record, and thanks to a last-second touchdown hookup by McPherson and Joe Hills in Iowa moved them to 7-4. This ended up being the Storm's final win in 2013 as injuries derailed the roster. Two weeks after the thrilling win, Adrian McPherson suffered what ended up being a season-ending leg injury in a week thirteen loss at New Orleans. This was the biggest of many injuries that plagued the Storm defense and turned the receiving core into a revolving door. By season's end the Storm that were 5-2 were a fraction of themselves by seasons' end with a 7-11 finish that earned them the final playoff spot in the American Conference. Despite all the struggles and new faces, Randy Hippeard did a solid job in taking over at quarterback until he was banged up in a week eighteen loss. Shane Boyd then started the final two games, both against Jacksonville. The Storm ended the regular season with a 52-44 loss at Jacksonville, but had a chance at redemption in the conference semifinals. Boyd had the Storm clicking on all cylinders through the first three quarters, and the defense made a few clutch plays to create a 22-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Everything pointed to a huge upset, but a dismal period that saw Jacksonville rattle off 36 points while holding Tampa Bay to just fourteen allowed the top seed to escape with a 69-62 win that ended the season for the Storm.

The Good from 2013:
- Adrian McPherson's MVP-caliber season through thirteen games
- What the team looked like when they were healthy
- A 5-4 road record
- Ending a two-year playoff drought
- Joe Hills being named to First-Team All Arena
PLAYER STATS
- Adrian McPherson 238-385, 3151 yds, 59 TD, 5 Int; 428 rush yds, 31 TD (13 games)
- Randy Hippeard 111-186, 1310 yds, 24 TD, 4 Int; 10 rush yds, 5 TD (10 games)
- Joe Hills 133 rec, 1861 yds, 42 TD (16 games)
- Michael Lindsey 73 rec, 820 yds, 12 TD; 90 kick-ret, 1537 yds, TD (17 games)
- Greg Ellingson 71 rec, 987 yds, 16 TD (10 games)
- Chris Davis 71 rec, 759 yds, 11 TD (14 games)
- Chris Smith 70.5 tackles, 8 Int (16 games)
- Jean fanor 66.5 tackles, 5 Int, 2 FF, 2 Fumb Rec, Def TD (17 games)
- De'Audra Dix 5 Int, Fumb Rec (7 games)
- Rashad Barksdale 70 tackles, 2 Int, FF, 3 Fumb Rec, Def TD (13 games)
- Vance Cuff 50 tackles, 2 Int, FF, Fumb Rec, Def TD (12 games)
- Juan Bongarra 91-106 PAT, 1-6 FG (29) (17 games)
- Sack Leaders: Pernell Phillips (5), Demarcus Tyler (5), Rodney Beamon (4)
- R.J. Roberts 27 tackles, 3 sack,s 2 FF, 3 Fumb Rec (10 games)
TEAM STATS
- Seventh scoring offense 53.3 ppg
- Fifth rushing offense 28.7 ypg
- Seventh pass offense 258.6 ypg
- Fifth total offense 287.2 ypg
- Seventh pass defense 257 ypg
- Eighth total defense 279.3 ypg
- Fourth pass effciency 112.9
- Third turnover margin +14
- Third red zone offense 81/94
- Fourth red zone defense 83/107

The Bad from 2013:
- Losing the last eight games of the season
- Losing to Jacksonville all three times
- A 2-4 division record
- A 2-7 home record
PLAYER STATS
- All the injuries that derailed both sides of the ball; mainly the season-ending injury to Adrian McPherson
- The loss of Greg Ellingson to the CFL in the first half of the year
TEAM STATS
- Ninth in scoring defense by allowing 54.4 ppg
- 11th in opponent passer efficiency of 108.2
- 11th in opponent 3rd down conversions at 48.9%
- Second-fewest sacks with 18
- Allowed 2nd-most sacks with 51
- Second-worst opponent 4th down conversions 19/35

Final Take:
Tampa Bay's 2013 season looked like a promising one until injuries derailed the team and forced key lineup changes. Adrian McPherson was on pace to capture this year's MVP, but with his season limited to thirteen games we were all deprived of his playmaking ability. Joe Hills continued his climb to the top class of receivers in the AFL, while some young defensive backs also made their name known across the league. Ultimately, this Storm team never gave regardless of who was able to suit up and accomplished their goal of returning to the playoffs.

2013 Finish: 7-12 (2-4 in South), Lost in Conference Semifinals

For more on the Tampa Bay Storm:
http://www.arenafootball.com/
http://www.arenafootball.com/teams/aflstm/
http://www.tampabaystorm.com/
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/03/2013-arena-football-season-kickoff_23.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-afl-season-frist-quarter-anaylsis_29.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/06/2013-afl-season-midway-report-south.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/07/afl-turning-into-home-stretch.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/08/afl-playoffs-conference-semifinals-recap.html
http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/stats/2013/CONFSTAT.HTM