Chemistry key element in Soul
March 6, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
Head coach Bret Munsey played college ball at Concord College, a NCAA Division II school in West Virginia, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Only by the looks of things on the field with the Soul heading into the 2007 campaign, you'd think he might have trained in the science of chemistry. After all, chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms.
The same could be said athletically speaking for head coaches, in that they carefully describe the properties (players) they study in terms of quantities (rosters), with detail on the level of molecules (talent) and their component atoms (potential).
Enter Munsey, the mad scientist who's developed the type of team chemistry championship seasons are made of; meet the 2007 Philadelphia Soul.
"I think the chemistry is great, the energy level is fantastic and we're ready for this season," said Munsey, who begins his second year with the Soul with Friday's season-opener in Nashville. "I went out and spent some money on some guys who might not have had experience, but those guys stepped it up and had wonderful camps and will go into Week 1 up for the challenge."
Seventeen newcomers highlight the upgraded roster, and the biggest story this season is a revamped offensive line that will have quarterback Tony Graziani staring downfield, rather than the rooftops of arenas.
"We feel if he is healthy and playing well, he gives us a great chance to compete and play for a championship," Munsey said. "If he is hurt or not playing well, we're an average football team."
Graziani, who is entering the final season of a three-year contract, returns to Philadelphia as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the league after completing 232 of 389 passes for 2,989 yards with 41 touchdowns last season.
Unfortunately, he suffered two injuries last season and was forced to miss four games. This season, with a reinforced line that includes Martin Bilba, Mike Mabry and Phil Bogle - a trio of behemoths that cumulatively weigh roughly 925 pounds.
"I looked for big things on the guys on the line, and I am pleased with their performances," Munsey said.
And with that protection, Graziani is expected to go up top to a revamped receiving corps that includes Larry Brackins, Sean Scott and J.J. McKelvey
"I can tell how our offense took to Coach Maynor's scheme very well," defensive veteran Mike Brown said. "Everyone really clicked, and it showed in the scrimmage against New York."
Brown wasn't only speaking about the aerial show the Soul put on, in slaying the Dragons in last month's exhibition.
Brown, a defensive back who was named to the AFL Ironman team last season and who led the team with 1,957 all-purpose yards, said he accepts the fact his days of being a role player have somewhat evolved into a leadership role he relishes along with backfield-mate Eddie Moten.
"Coach has been more receptive to my ideas, which is a show of mutual respect, and I can just tell this season Eddie and I are on the same page so much more - the chemistry is just eerie," Brown said. "I can sense it in team meetings, that we're thinking the same things, when I am talking or he is talking - it's as if we can finish each other's sentences.
"Then you throw Johnnie Harris in the mix, it's as if he's been here all along, because he brings in a lot of experience."
Harris, who has won two ArenaBowl championships with Tampa Bay and the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1998, joins the Soul after spending last season with Grand Rapids, while solidifying one of the stingiest defensive backfields in the league.
"With the angles of the games you need experience, and we have three guys who know the game well," Munsey said. "Eddie Moten, who is coming off a huge season for the Soul; Mike Brown is a returning two-way guy who has gotten better and is always known as a guy who will come up and hit you; and, Johnnie Harris, who I am very excited to have, as he is one of those players quarterbacks try to avoid."
Toss in a defensive line that is quick off the ball with the likes of Felipe Claybrooks, Dwayne Missouri and Bryan Save, and Philly's pressure will likely get stronger with each game.
"We felt it was important to have a good scrimmage against New York," Munsey said. "I wanted rookies to come out feeling good about their skills. I feel that happened. There is room for improvement, but overall up front ... they were fantastic.
"With the group of guys we have, this is a great locker room. Just a good group of people and if they can play as well on the field as they've developed in camp and bonded, I look for good thing's from this team."
Just as any mad scientist might with a chemistry project like this.
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