Published on March 9, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release


SOUL @ BRIGADE: THE FACTS

Date: Monday, March 13, 2006
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
Site: Kemper Arena (Kansas City, MO)
Officials: Referee: Bill LeMonnier, Umpire: Mike Delaney, Head Linesman: Rusty Baynes, Line Judge: David Meslow, Back Judge: Barry Anderson

THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...

On SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia with Ari Wolfe handling the call. Also, online at www.philadelphiasoul.com.

THE GAME CAN BE SEEN...
This week's game will be televised on Comcast SportsNet live with Dave Armstrong doing the play-by-play and Gary Reasons providing the color commentary. Danni Boatwright will report from the sidelines.

THE SERIES - SOUL VS. KANSAS CITY

This will be the first meeting between the Soul and Brigade. This is Kansas City's inaugural season.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

If the Soul win, it would
- Give the Soul a 1-0 record vs. the Brigade
- Give the Soul a 4-3 overall record
- Give the Soul a 1-2 road record

THE SOUL'S GAME vs. Las Vegas
Offensive Player of the Game: Jason Fife (LVG)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Steve Konopka (LVG)
ARMY Ironman of the Game: Joe Douglass (LVG)

LAS VEGAS, NV - Jason Fife threw for five touchdowns and ran for another as the Las Vegas Gladiators posted a 67-49 victory over the Philadelphia Soul.

Fife completed 18-of-28 passes for 174 yards and did not throw an interception for the Gladiators (2-4), who won despite getting outgained by over 100 yards (361-242).

Tony Graziani gave the Soul (3-3) a 7-6 lead with a seven-yard pass to Marcus Knight with 6:53 left in the first quarter before Fife threw three straight scoring strikes to put the Gladiators ahead for good and added one more with 47 seconds remaining in the half that made it 33-14.

Graziani was 22-of-46 for 346 yards and six touchdowns but threw a pivotal interception late in the third quarter that Joe Douglass returned 47 yards for a score to push Las Vegas' advantage to 47-21.

Marcus Knight had nine receptions for 131 yards for Philadelphia, which fell to 0-3 all-time against Las Vegas.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Philadelphia 7 7 7 28 49
Las Vegas 14 19 14 20 67
THE COACHES


Brett Munsey (First Season)

Bret Munsey becomes the third head coach for the Philadelphia Soul, as the organization heads into its third season in 2006. With an extensive coaching background, this will be Munsey's first head coaching position in the League.

Munsey, 37, joins the Soul after serving on Orlando's staff for three seasons under Jay Gruden. After joining the Predators in 2003 and serving as the team's offensive coordinator and wide receivers/defensive backs coach, he was promoted to assistant head coach in August of 2003. This role also included his director of player personnel and defensive coordinator roles throughout the last two seasons.

In 2005 the Predators finished with a 10-6 regular season record and lost in the conference finals to the Georgia Force. The team ranked third in the League in scoring defense (47.2 ppg), fifth in total defense (269.2 ypg) and second in pass rating defense (98.9).

In his role as defensive coordinator, Munsey organized Orlando's defensive game plans and served as defensive backs coach. His 2004 defense ranked first in the league in scoring defense (43.1), total defense (236.8 ypg) and pass rating defense (95.7).

The Soul look to capitalize on Munsey's defensive knowledge. Philadelphia was the worst in the League against the run last season, allowing 576 yards. They also allowed the second most touchdowns in the League and made the least amount of tackles. Cutting down on stats like these are Munsey's top priority.

In his role as assistant head coach, Munsey handled several administrative duties for the Predators - including planning and conducting training camp, tryouts and player housing. He was also in charge of recruiting and handled contract compliance with the League.

In his first season with the Predators, Munsey served as offensive coordinator and coached the wide receivers and defensive backs.

Munsey came to the Predators from the Carolina Cobras, where he served as defensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Cobras were ranked in the top five in the Arena Football League in many defensive categories and came within one play of earning a spot in the semifinals.

Prior to his stint in Carolina, Munsey served as head coach and director of football operations for the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the af2. During his first season as a head coach, Munsey led his team to a 14-2 regular season record (15-3 overall). His defense ranked in the top five in all major categories and three defensive players were named to the "All-af2" team.


Following that outstanding season, Munsey was named "af2 Coach of the Year" in a vote by his peers.

Kevin Porter (First Season)

Kevin Porter comes to the Kansas City Brigade with a reputation as one of the Arena Football League's finest young defensive minds, based on his experience of a five-year NFL playing career and coaching tenure in the Arena Football League and af2. In his first season as an AFL defensive coordinator, the VooDoo finished the season with the second ranked scoring defense in the AFL, surrendering only 721 points, the sixth ranked defense and the fourth ranked pass defense.

Porter is the winningest coach in af2 history with a 45-27 record. The head coach of the Macon Knights from 2001-03 before joining the VooDoo, Porter took his team to the ArenaCup 2003 championship final game. Porter started his coaching career as head coach of the Pensacola Barracudas, in 2000. As an af2 head coach, Porter took his teams to the playoffs all four seasons. Porter started his coaching career as the defensive backs coach of the AFL Orlando Predators in 1999.

A third round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1988, Porter was a four-year starter at strong safety for the Chiefs, recording 290 tackles, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries during his five year NFL career, which he closed out with the New York Jets in 1992. Prior to being drafted by the Chiefs, Porter was a four-year starter at cornerback at Auburn, where he was named honorable mention All-America as a senior.

SOUL'S NOTES AND TRENDS

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE
The Soul make their Monday night debut for the first time in franchise history at the Kemper Arena against the Kansas City Brigade this week. This also marks Philadelphia's second consecutive road game playing a team with only one win for the season. Last week, the Las Vegas Gladiators were 1-4 entering their game.

KICK ME A WINNER
Former Soul kicker Tim Seder joined the Brigade during the off-season after he appeared in nine games during his rookie season for the Soul. Seder made 6-of-16 field goals and managed 63-of-70 extra points.

MR. SMITH
Robert Smith, director of player personnel for the Brigade, spent his last two seasons with the Soul serving as assistant head coach as well as the director of player personnel. While with the Soul, Smith recruited free agents, evaluated new talent, and coordinated offseason combines.

MR. SMITH PART II
As the Soul travel to Kansas City this week, they are sure to run into OS Steve Smith. Smith spent the 2005 season in the City of Brotherly Love and played in 16 games. He caught 107 receptions for 1,443 yards with 28 touchdowns. He also returned 69 kicks for 1,425 yards with three for touchdowns.

WORKING WELL UNDER PRESSURE
Although last week's game against the Gladiator's did not result in a victory, the Soul topped the seasons' best for most points scored in a fourth quarter. Chad Dukes, Rob Milanese, Sean Scott and J.J. McKelvey all scored touchdowns tallying 28 points in the final quarter alone.

FIVE HUNDO
For the first time since Week 10 of last season, the Blue and Grey have a .500 record (3-3). Philadelphia defeated the Columbus Destroyers in convincing fashion, 62-45 to give them a 5-5 record.

REMEMBER THE TIME
The 1997 Utah State football season was a year of coming out for both Soul backup quarterback Matt Sauk and Brigade offensive specialist Steve Smith. They both lead the Aggies to the Humanitarian Bowl.

THREE DIGITS
Tony Graziani threw for more than 300 yards for the first time last week against the Gladiators as he went for 346 yards. Last season, he surpassed the 300 yard plateau four times.

ROAD WORRIES
The Soul hit the road for the second game of a four game road trip and are 0-2 on the road thus far this season. In team history, the Soul have compiled a record of 3-16 all-time away from Philadelphia.

GIVEN IT UP
Philly's defense let up a season-high 67 points last week to the Gladiators. It equaled the fourth highest in franchise history. Last season, the Soul allowed over 70 points three times.

THE BEASTS OF THE EAST
The Brigade have only defeated one team this season and it was to the Soul's Eastern Division rival Columbus Destroyers (45-24). Kansas City enters this weeks game with a 1-1 record versus the Eastern Division after losing to the Dallas Desperados on the road during the first week of the season (44-58).

FIRST TIME AROUND
Philadelphia is 1-2 against expansion teams since the Soul came into the League in 2004. Last season was their only victory and it came against the Nashville Kats in Week 3 in Philly with a 59-48 victory.

GETT'EM BOY
After recording two sacks against the Dragons in Week 4, the Soul have gone two consecutive games without recording a sack on defense. In their first four games, they tallied nine.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Graziani has faced an Andy Kelly lead time six times in his six-year career and has compiled a 2-4 record. Last season, they faced one another in New Orleans in Week 4 while Kelly was the field general for the New Orleans Voodoo. The Voodoo went on to defeat the Soul 61-47.

SOUL SURVIVOUR
CBS Survivor - Guatemala winner Danni Boatwright will be working this week's game as the sideline reporter in Kansas City while the Soul take on the Brigade.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 9, 2006


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