By The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. - T.T. Toliver has a bittersweet feeling about his chance to make history in the ArenaBowl. The wide receiver/defensive back can become the first player ever on teams that won a Super Bowl and Arena League championship in the same year when he takes the field for the Tampa Bay Storm against the Arizona Rattlers on Sunday.

Toliver, who spent the latter part of the NFL season on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad, is thrilled about the prospect - even though he's miffed about not receiving a ring for his contributions to the Super Bowl champs.

"I'm really disappointed about that," said Toliver, who was told that he wasn't with the Bucs long enough to receive one of the $16,000 diamond-studded rings players received during a lavish ceremony last weekend.

"I worked hard like everybody else, but to not get a championship ring? Come on. That's kind of low class, I think. I was out there working like everybody else, doing what we had to do to get prepared. I even stayed afterward (this offseason), trying to help myself stick with the team."

Toliver signed with the Bucs on Dec. 4 and spent four regular season and three playoff games, including the Super Bowl, on the practice squad. To qualify for a championship ring, the Bucs said he needed to be with the club for a minimum of 10 games.

The former Bethune-Cookman basketball star and one-time high school teammate of Vince Carter insisted he isn't bitter, saying he remains grateful for the chance to be part of a team that made a Super Bowl run.

"That's something as a kid you always dream about," said Toliver, who ran plays with the scout team in practice, usually portraying the opponent's top receiver, including Jerry Rice before the Super Bowl.

"I didn't get a ring, but I helped contribute to that. That's something they can't take away. I know I was a part of it. As long as I know, that's good enough for me. All I can do now is look forward, keep pushing and keep working."

The Bucs released Toliver on April 22, but he wasn't out of work long. He made his Arena League debut with the Storm last year and coach Tim Marcum was pleasantly surprised when be became available for a second stint.

Toliver appeared in the Storm's last four regular-season games and was voted Arena League defensive player of the week after assuring Tampa Bay's sixth trip to the ArenaBowl by returning an interception for a touchdown to seal 60-50 playoff semifinal victory over Orlando.

Toliver, a quarterback in high school and junior college, had never played defense before being pressed into duty because of injuries last year.

"He's really a heck of an offensive threat with his speed and he's learning how to play defensively," Marcum said. "I think he'll get a chance to go back to the NFL. But if he doesn't, he could be a heck of a two-way player in this league."

Toliver, who's also been on practice squads in St. Louis and San Francisco, is optimistic about his chances of getting back into the NFL. But right now, he's focused solely on the ArenaBowl.

Winning a ring with the Storm would ease some of the frustration of being denied by the Bucs.

"I'll never forget the feeling I have now, even if I'm 65 years old," Toliver said. "But winning this game, you just don't know how much that would mean to me. I don't have a Super Bowl ring, but it still would be pretty nice to make history."

ARENA COACH KILLED: Orlando Predators coach Fran Papasedero, 34, was killed in a crash after losing control of the car he was driving.

JAGUARS: Offensive tackle Sammy Williams signed a one-year, $555,000 contract with Jacksonville.

PACKERS: Green Bay signed running back Adam Tate, who was the second-leading rusher for the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe.

SEAHAWKS: Seattle signed kicker Josh Brown to a three-year deal worth $948,500. It includes a $38,500 signing bonus.

DOLPHINS: Oronde Gadsden, Miami's top receiver in 2000 and 2001, re-signed for one year for a base salary of $530,000.

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