Category: Los Angeles KISS

The Storm Look Ready to Surge

Yes, there are only five teams to contest the season (which, as the schedule was released, will be a unique grind thanks to 14 games and four bye weeks, but that’s an article for another day).

But, with the recent signings that the Tampa Bay Storm have made over the past few weeks, the Storm could be favorites to at the very least contend for the ArenaBowl title.

Starting under center, the quarterback competition will be one of the fiercest in the league thanks to the signings of Randy Hippeard and Pete Thomas. Two quarterbacks with playoff experience, Hippeard was in the conversation for league MVP thanks to 65 touchdown passes in only 12 games before a season-ending injury in 2016, and at a career 63.9% completion rate and 116.3 passer rating, the time away from Tampa bay has helped him hone his game.

As far as Thomas, although he was a backup for the Los Angeles KISS, when pressed into starting duty late in the season, he also showed capability with his arm (42 touchdowns, eight interceptions), but also showed some scrambling ability and extended several plays despite finishing for -6 yards on the ground.

No matter who’s throwing the ball, despite the loss of Kendrick Ings, another prodigal son returns to the Storm in Joe Hills. Even with the likes of Erik Meyer heading up north to play for the Washington Valor, Hippeard and Hills could be the biggest QB/WR threat in 2017, especially with a little streak looking to be preserved…

Not to completely ignore the defensive side of the ball, the Storm shored up their front five thanks to adding Dexter Jackson at MLB and two 300+ pound linemen from American Samoa who both recently spent time in the Canadian Football League, OJ Mau and Ino Vitale, creating both size and youth along the defensive line that will make their secondary’s job all the easier.

Also, like the Arizona Rattlers last season, this year Tampa Bay has a near perfect schedule working for them. The four bye weeks are timed so the two-thirds of the season will create a good rhythm (three games, bye, three games, bye, three games, bye), and the longest road trip is only two games (Weeks 5 and 6, then again Weeks 14 & 15), compared to a three-game home stand from late May through mid-June. In an even bigger favor, only one game will not be on a Saturday night with a 7 p.m. ET kickoff (Week 5’s game at the Baltimore Brigade is Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET).

Going into training camp on March 17, the Storm should be favored in a majority of their games. Will this be like the infamous Jacksonville Sharks team predicted to run the table? No. Thankfully. However, a 9-5 or 10-4 season isn’t out of the question, and hosting ArenaBowl XXX is also a good possibility. While the other four teams will have something to say about that, 2017 will be another year where talk will be surrounding the Sunshine State.

Storm Bolster Both Sides of the Ball

On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Storm announced three signings to the roster: wide receiver LaMark Brown, offensive lineman Dave Lefotu, and defensive back Shaine Boyle.

Brown (6’4″, 225 lbs.) is the latest player to make the journey across I-4, having spent the last two seasons with the Orlando Predators. In eight games in 2016 (seven starts), Brown caught 41 passes for 492 yards and five scores. In his career, Brown has played 19 games (14 starts), catching 81 passes for 981 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also spending time on defense, Brown has a total of 21.0 career tackles and a fumble recovery.

As vice president of football operations, Jeff Gooch said:

“LaMark is a playmaker. He embraced his role with the Predators last season and we hope to see him expand his game with the Storm.  We’re looking forward to seeing him get out there and compete on the field.”

A native of Hazelwood, MO, Brown played collegiately at Minnesota State – Mankato, and began his professional career in 2012 with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, who signed him as an undrafted free agent rookie.

To give their quarterbacks some protection, the Storm also signed Dave Lefotu, who has experience with various other indoor leagues. Lefotu (6’3″, 320 lbs.), a native of Waipahu, HI, enters his rookie season with Tampa Bay after 44 appearances (24 starts) in four seasons at the University of Hawai’i, where he won the Western Athletic Conference Championship in 2010.

“Dave brings a big body to the offensive line,” said Gooch.  “We struggled to protect our quarterback last season and felt we needed to address those issues.  We believe that Dave fits that need.”

Finally, to add some strength to the secondary, the Storm signed Shaine Boyle. Boyle (5’10”, 190 lbs) will play for his third AFL team in his three-year career, starting with the LA KISS in 2015 before spending 2016 with the Portland Steel. Last season, Boyle made eight appearances (all starts) for Portland, finishing third on the team with 38.0 tackles. A two-way player, Boyle added a half tackle for loss, an interception, a pass breakup, two fumble recoveries, and returned 20 kickoffs for 492 yards and three scores.

“Shaine is a welcome addition to the Storm,” said Gooch.  “He played for Coach James last season and will help bolster our backfield.”

In his career, the Hahnville, LA, native as 74.5 total tackles (2.0 for loss), three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and the interception and two fumble recoveries from 2016.

After playing at the College of the Desert (CA), Boyle played his senior season at Faulkner. He played nine games, tallying 38.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

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Inside the Arena Interview Series: Former Wide Receiver Donovan Morgan

Former Los Angeles KISS wide receiver Donovan Morgan decided to hang up his cleats after this season, a year in which he played like he was in his prime. Morgan was a key cog in a KISS team that had their best season in franchise history. Despite playing in his last season, Morgan was still one of the best wide receivers in the AFL.

He finished the season ranked third in the league in touchdowns (41), and he placed fifth in receiving yards (1,462). After LA’s crushing loss to the Cleveland Gladiators in the playoffs, LA’s season was over, and Morgan’s career had come to a close. Morgan says he’ll miss the bond and the togetherness with the guys. He has no plans of slowing down, as he has already developed a plan for his career after football. He also plans to open a cycling gym and start a clothing brand, which are both named IDNYM LLC.

Before making a name for himself in Arena Football, Morgan started his football career in the NFL. From 2004-2006, he played for the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Houston Texans. Morgan says he learned a lot from two players in particular during his time in the NFL. He learned from legendary Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, and Jabar Gaffney, who he says it was his attitude that kept him from continuing in the NFL.

In the middle of his time in the NFL, Morgan also played for the Tulsa Talons of af2. He set af2 records with 346 points, 57 total touchdowns, and 54 receiving touchdowns, while earning af2 Rookie of the Year honors. After spending training camp with the Buffalo Bills, Morgan would never play in the NFL again. He would spend the rest of his career in the AFL, except in 2009, when he played in the CIFL since the AFL cancelled the 2009 season.

Morgan was named AFL Rookie of the Year in 2008 as a member of the Chicago Rush. Morgan would finish his career as a two-time member of the First Team All-Arena, and a three-time member of the Second Team All-Arena. He says that money-wise, he preferred the NFL. However, he enjoyed playing in the AFL because “you knew you were going to catch the ball”, as he put it.

Morgan finished his career by making a lasting impact on both the KISS and the AFL. He was honored with the Commissioner’s Award, an award that honors one player that helped grow the game.

Morgan was the star that helped grow professional football in Los Angeles. He is ranked fifth all-time in touchdowns (290), and ninth in receptions (907). He scored a touchdown in all but two games for the KISS. “Captain” Morgan’s advice to those that bounce around different leagues is: “believe, keep fighting, and never give up.

It’s DJ Stephens’ Time to Shine

The Los Angeles KISS know that they have a huge void to fill now that Donovan “Captain” Morgan has decided to hang up his cleats. The wide receiver was not only one of the best wide receivers in AFL history, but the impact that he made as a football player and leader will be deeply missed. Morgan ranked third in the league in touchdowns last season, and he ranked fifth in receiving yards.

Morgan is the single-season and career leader in all three major receiving categories for the KISS. He has the fifth most touchdowns of any other receiver in AFL history, and he’s scored a touchdown in all but two games he’s been in an LA KISS uniform.

Now that Morgan is gone, there is obviously a big hole at the receiver position that needs to be filled. While the KISS will most certainly look for potential replacements during the off season, they already have one player that has the potential to pick up where Morgan left off.

D.J. Stephens is a wide receiver that was one of the many players to come over from the folded San Jose SaberCats. Stephens started his AFL career with the San Antonio Talons, before he made his way over to San Jose where he won his first ever ArenaBowl. Stephens was LA’s second leading receiver, behind Morgan. Stephens played in 13 games last season, where he caught 77 passes for 915 yards and 16 touchdowns.

His yards per catch average was 11.9, which was the second best total on the team. Stephens had a fantastic season with the Talons in 2014, as he caught 66 passes for 938 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has caught 165 passes for 2,357 yards and 41 touchdowns over his five-year career. He is one of the most athletic players that the KISS have ever had, as his ability to play both sides of the ball, and his ability to return kicks make him an intriguing athlete.

Stephens has put up solid number throughout his career, and he did a solid job of producing even though he lined up opposite to Morgan last season. It would be optimal for the KISS to find another receiver to pair with Stephens, but he definitely possesses the skills and athleticism to be a number one receiver. While he’ll have big shoes to fill, Stephens has the chance to prove himself if he has a strong season next year.