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Milestone Mania: Storm's Samuels, Marshall Set Records

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 4, 2008

Though Tampa Bay suffered a heartbreaking loss Saturday against Georgia, two players managed to shine during the Storm's setback.

Receiver Lawrence Samuels and fullback Torrance Marshall set Arena Football League records in Tampa Bay's 56-55 loss.

When the Storm host rival Orlando on Saturday, Samuels and Marshall will have a chance to extend their records, while new milestones also are on tap from Samuels and receiver Hank Edwards, who will return this week after missing the past two games with an injury.

When training camp began in February, second-year receiver Hank Edwards was in a battle just to land a roster spot. A few weeks into the season, however, Edwards' situation was vastly different.

Injuries ravaged the Storm receiving corps in the season's opening weeks, and Edwards was forced to fill the void.

"In the Arena Football League, you're always one play away from being that guy, from being in the position to carry the torch," Edwards said.

Edwards carried the torch high during his opportunity, and now he's in position to accomplish a personal milestone when he returns Saturday from a two-week absence following a foot/ankle injury.

Edwards, who leads Tampa Bay with 986 receiving yards this season, needs only 14 yards to become the ninth player in franchise history to post a 1,000-yard receiving season.

"Before the season I just wanted to be able to contribute," Edwards said. "As the opportunity has presented itself I've been able to make a few plays, and I would love to be able to keep making plays."

A GRAND ACHIEVEMENT

The 1,000-yard receivers in Tampa Bay franchise history:

Torrance Marshall was thrust into the role out of necessity, but he's been nothing short of outstanding while filling it.

When Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum was unhappy with the production at the fullback position early this season, he leaned Marshall, the team's top linebacker who played fullback in short-yardage situations the previous season, to step in and shore it up. And shore it up Marshall did.

Marshall set an AFL record during Saturday's loss to Georgia by scoring multiple rushing touchdowns in his sixth consecutive game, a streak that began during Tampa Bay's win at Orlando on April 26. Marshall had four rushing scores Saturday, extending his franchise single-season mark to 22, also tops in the league.

"We should probably give it to him more, don't you think?" Storm quarterback Brett Dietz asked rhetorically.

"He's a beast running the ball, and I know he's got the record now. When he gets the ball he's pretty tenacious so we like to give it to him around the goal line and just let him bust it in. Our big guys like that, too. It's a good change up for us. And I know other teams hate it, and that's why we like it."

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Most consecutive games with multiple rushing touchdowns in AFL history:

"That's the type of guy he is," Storm quarterback Brett Dietz said.

Nevertheless, the numbers keep piling up and Samuels keeps reaching milestones.

During Saturday's loss to Georgia, Samuels set the AFL mark for career receptions when he hauled in an 11-yard Dietz pass with 6:45 left in the third quarter. It was Samuels 992nd catch, moving him past former Orlando great Barry Wagner.

Samuels, who finished with 994 career receptions, can reach another milestone Saturday against Orlando. He needs six catches to become the sixth professional football player with 1,000 for his career.

"All he'll talk to you about is winning, and you know, that's the kind of guy I want to surround myself with and that's the type of professional that I want to be is like him," Dietz said. "I'm glad I get to practice with him and be with him every day, and for me to have a chance to get to throw him his 1,000th reception, you know, that would mean the world to me.

"I'd be able to tell my kids, my future grandkids, that I threw to a 1,000-reception receiver in pro football."

A GRAND MILESTONE

Professional football players with 1,000 receptions:

DOUBLE TROUBLE

A GRAND MILESTONE

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