The Storm made a series of moves Thursday, adding two defensive linemen while losing one of their top targets to a CFL team.

Greg Ellingson is getting a tryout with the Hamilton Tigercats of the Canadian Football League.

Also the Storm regain the services of top hitter in the secondary, Rashad Barksdale, after a month on Injured Reserve while losing Vance Cuff to injury.

Ellingson leads in receptions (71), yards (987) and is second in TD (16) to Joe Hills. With Ellingson out Jason Chery and Chris Davis, who have two touchdowns between them, will be on tap.

Tampa Bay is at Iowa Saturday night at 8 with air time 7:30 on sister station 1250 WHNZ.

Here is the full press release from the team on all the moves:

The Tampa Bay Storm is pleased to announce the acquisitions of defensive lineman Claude Davis and defensive back Jerrell Gavins.
 
“We are happy to add Claude and Jerrell to our defensive unit,” said Storm vice president of football operations Jeff Gooch.  “They bring experience with them which should benefit the team as a whole.”
 
Davis (6-foot-2, 257 lbs., South Florida) enters his first season in the AFL and played two seasons at USF.  The Lakeland, FL (Lake Gibson H.S.) native played in 24 games for the Bulls finishing his USF career with 17 tackles and 7 tackles for a loss, including six sacks.  Davis also forced two fumbles and had a fumble recovery.  He spent time at East Mississippi Community College before settling in at USF.
 
The former Bull began his professional career having spent time with the New York Jets (NFL) as an undrafted free agent.
 
Gavins (5-foot-8, 171 lbs., Boise State) played four seasons with the Broncos, starting 16-of-41 games.  He finished his collegiate career with 103 tackles including four tackles for a loss, seven interceptions and 14 pass breakups.  He also had seven kick returns for a total of 192 yards.
 
Defensive back Rashad Barksdale has been activated from injured reserve.  Prior to being placed on IR, he tallied 25.5 tackles, an interception, five pass breakups and returned a fumble for 12 yards and a touchdown.
 
Wide receiver Greg Ellingson has been placed on other league exempt.
 
Defensive back Vance Cuff has been placed on inactive reserve.
 
Offensive lineman Abdul Kuyateh has been reassigned.

After a great finish to the first half which saw them take the lead, the Storm had just as bad of a start to the second half Saturday. Philadelphia came up with consecutive stops to spark the Soul to a 73-55 win at the Forum.

Tampa Bay did not keep the Soul out of the end zone after halftime as Philly piled up six touchdowns on as many possessions. And a key overrule of an onside kick play really helped the Soul put things away.

That came after Philadelphia took a 52-41 lead. The Soul's kicker Carlos Martinez recovered it but on the field was called for touching it before the 10-yard line. Though replay seemed to not be conclusive the call was overturned and it was 59-41 on the next play.

Philly quarterback Dan Raudabaugh completed 20 of 23 passes for 297 yards and seven touchdowns. Adrian McPherson was only 19-of-35 and was sacked four times.

Tampa Bay falls to 6-4 and is now a game behind Jacksonville in the South Division. Philly improves to 5-4.

Derrick Ross won the battle of the league's top two rushers, ging for three scores giving him 92 in his short career. McPherson did have more yards (48) and two touchdowns.

A Ross screen pass TD made it 28-20 Philly with 55 seconds in the first half but Tampa Bay appeared to take over after that. Joe Hills recovered an onsides kick and scored, then the Storm recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Hills' receiving TD made it 34-28 Tampa Bay.

It was 34-31 at the half and the Storm started with the ball, but getting stopped on their first two possessions turned out to be the key.

Greg Ellingson and Hills both had nine catches, with Hills going for 131 yards and three TD, Ellingson 123 and two.

Philadelphia had four sacks and allowed none; the Soul have only surrendered two all year. 

The Governor's Press Office announced Friday that former Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy and linebacker Derrick Brooks will be presented with the State's prestigious "Great Floridian" award before the Tampa Bay Storm game Saturday evening at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Governor Rick Scott will be presenting the Bucs greats with the awards. 

From the press release: 

The “Great Floridian” designation is given in recognition of the outstanding achievements of men and women who have made significant contributions to the progress and welfare of Florida. Only 67 individuals since 1981 have been given this distinct honor, and those honorees represent former governors, artists, writers, civil rights activists, philanthropists, educators, athletes, military heroes, Florida Supreme Court Justices and other elected officials.

The Secretary of State selects no fewer than two “Great Floridians” from nominees made by a committee representing the Governor (1), each member of the Florida Cabinet (3), the President of the Senate (1), the Speaker of the House (1), and the Florida Secretary of State (1).