TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

A Conversation With Tyrone Timmons

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

Tampa Bay Storm rookie receiver Tyrone Timmons is certainly making the most of his opportunities through the first three games of his professional career.

The former Tampa Bay Tech standout has just 13 receptions on the season, but nine of them have been for touchdowns. In Saturday's 71-61 victory over rival Orlando, Timmons became just the sixth player in Arena Football League history to catch three or more touchdowns in each of his first three games in the league, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

With the Storm (7-7) in contention for a playoff berth and eyeing a crucial game Saturday at San Jose (9-5), Timmons is hoping he can continue providing that big playmaking ability.

You've certainly had a knack for making the big play through your first three weeks. Tell me, what's the secret for getting into the end zone?

Just working hard every day in practice and just seeing the same thing over and over and over, and just trying to capitalize and just try to use my body to shield off defenders and make the big play.

Is that how you're going to make your mark with this team over the final few weeks?

Definitely. That's my role; my role is inside the 20 yard line. I figure I have to make the play because that's when Coach Tim Marcum calls my name. I accepted it and I'm rolling along with it.

How exciting has it been to start your professional career here in your hometown?

It's big because my grandma Lucille Page, on my mom's side, she never got a chance to see me play. She never could make it out to Mississippi to see me play at Mississippi Valley State. For her, last week was her first time seeing me play. And then all of my other family that couldn't make it to Mississippi to see me play, friends, coaches, everybody gets a chance to see me play now.

What has been your most memorable moment through your first three weeks?

I'd say the first touchdown that I caught May 23 at home against Cleveland because I kept dreaming about it over and over. Before the game, me and Hank Edwards were riding to the game talking about it, and I kept seeing myself catching that fade, keeping the defender off me and catching it with one hand. I kept seeing it. In the dream, it was with my right hand, but in the game it was with my left.

Lawrence Samuels, a teammate of yours, in all likelihood will become the sixth player in professional football history to amass 1,000 receptions for his career Saturday at San Jose Samuels has 998 for his career. As a young receiver, how much can you learn from him and how much do you envy that type of production in a career?

That just shows you longevity, man. Over and over I see him, and I just try to mimic a lot of things that he does, the way he uses his body because I fit his frame. Just watching him, talking to him, he gives me little tips and secrets and he basically just keeps me up. He's the one that really keeps me from worrying in the game, from thinking too much. I talk to him and he's just like, 'Man, play. Just make plays. If you get in trouble, you get in trouble, but just make plays.' He's the one that's really been keeping me on steady.

Long term, can you see yourself staying the AFL or do you have bigger aspirations?

I just take it day by day, you know. If I end up staying in arena football, I just want to be the best. If I end up going to the NFL, I want to be the best. Either way, I want to be the best.

Adam Adkins

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT