Day 12 of Camp: Players Push On
Published on March 11, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (March 11, 2013) - The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, continue on their journey to finalize their 2013 team roster. Both defense and offense are learning how one another plays, and who they have to beat to make the final roster.
Quarterbacks Steven Gachette (6'1, 195, Southwest Baptist) and AFL rookie Ryan Porter (6'4, 217, Missouri State) are battling it out to gain a spot along side veteran Dan Raudabaugh (6'3, 230, Miami (OH)). Drills with the wide receivers and running plays continue to show who will be the dominant competitor and reader on the field.
Fighting for an official spot as an offensive lineman with the Soul are returnee Brennen Carvalho (6'1, 310, Portland State), rookie Sioeli Fakalata (6'3, 340, New Mexico State), returnee Christian Johnson (6'4, 330, Kentucky), former Pittsburgh Power Jason Jones (6'4, 340, Idaho), and rookie Jason Townson (6'4, 315, Tennessee State). The drills continue to get tough as they now know one another's strengths and weaknesses.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: LB/DL CALVIN FANCE (6'1, 245, ANGELO STATE): LB/DL Calvin Fance enters Soul training camp as a rookie in the AFL. In 2012 he played in the LSLF with the New Mexico Stars. During 2010-2011 he was in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and previously in 2010, he played in the IFL for the San Angelo Stampede. At Angelo State Fance earned Division II All-American honors after leading the nation with 14 sacks as a senior (2009).
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Coach Bogle has been a great coach so far this camp," said veteran OL Brennen Carvalho. "He's worked us players hard and it's resulted in great competition with us offensive lineman. The toughest guy for us to guard, hands down, is always Dustin Barno because he has the best hands. For the 2013 season the offensive line has set high goals, we have to run the best plays but can't expect anything because we're always up against great players. Things will fall together as the game is played; we just have to put our best foot forward."
NFL EXPERIENCE COMMON ON SOUL: Out of the current roster of 28 men, about 14 of them have had previous NFL experience whether it was training camps, practice squad or active. No matter what status, any level of NFL training will contribute to how they play at camp.
The player with most NFL experience is kicker Carlos Martinez (5'8, 180, Buena Vista). He was with the Kansas City Chiefs (2009), Dallas Cowboys practice squad (2006-07), Atlanta Falcons pre-season (2006), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004), and the Philadelphia Eagles pre-season (2003). Veterans consisting of NFL experience are: DL Dustin Barno (6'3, 285, East Stroudsburg) who attended the Tennessee Titans camp in 2003; WR Larry Brackins (6'5, 225, Pearl River C.C.) who was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005 at training camp and pre-season; OL Brennen Carvalho (6'1, 310, Portland State) who was with the Green Bay Packers practice squad in 2008; WR Tiger Jones (5'11, 195, Louisville) was with the Washington Redskins in 2005 and attended the Philadelphia Eagles training camp in 2012; DB Rayshaun Kizer (5'10, 190, Walsh) was with the New York Jets during 2007 pre-season; DL Bryan Robinson (6'3, 290, Wesley) was picked up by the Arizona Cardinals in 2008 as a free agent; and FB Derrick Ross (6'0, 250, Tarleton State) was with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006.
Other players with NFL experience include: rookie DL Morkeith Brown (6'5, 255, Temple) who attended the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp, Cleveland Browns training camp and two workouts with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012; WR Jackie Chambers (5'10, 188, Lane College) attended the New Orleans Saints rookie camp in 2009; DB David Richardson (6'2, 210, Cal Poly State) played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2004-07; WR/KR Alvance Robinson (5'9, 170, Alabama State) had workouts with the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings in 2006; DL Lawon Scott (6'2, 305, Mississippi) was picked up as a free agent from the Dallas Cowboys in 2011; WR Andrae Thurman (6'0, 185, Arizona) played for the Green Bay Packers from 2004-05.
Arena Football League Stories from March 11, 2013
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- Day 12 of Camp: Players Push On - Philadelphia Soul
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