Journey Through Camp Continues; Day 7 Complete
Published on March 6, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (March 6, 2013) - The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, continued practice today at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. With the fifth day of practices completed, both sides of the ball are gelling together and look impressive as the players are becoming familiar with their role on the team.
The passing game looks sharp as QB Dan Raudabaugh (6'3", 230, Miami (OH)) continues to build chemistry with his new receiving targets: Jackie Chambers (5'10", 188, Lane College), Tyrone Collins (6'0, 200, Wagner), Ryan McDaniel (6'3", 200, Samford), Alvance Robinson (5'9", 170, Alabama St.), Armand Robinson (6'0", 200, Miami (OH)), and Andre Thurman (6'0, 185, Arizona).
Veteran WR Tiger Jones (5'11", 195, Louisville) reported today to make his training camp debut. After the return of LB Brandon Perkins (6'1", 245, Kansas) and David Richardson (6'2", 205, Cal Poly) yesterday, all expected Soul players are present.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: OL/DL SIOELI FAKALATA (6'3", 340, New Mexico St.): Rookie OL/DL Sioeli Fakalata joins the Philadelphia Soul after graduating from New Mexico St. in 2011. In his college career, Fakalata started 30 of 51 games. Fakalata played on defense in his freshman and sophomore years before switching over to offense his junior and senior years. As an offensive lineman, Fakalata recorded 157 knockdowns and allowed only six sacks in 24 games. Defensively, he recorded 37 tackles, 4 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Being a coach at this camp is like looking at football from a different angle," explains Soul assistant coach and former NFL Detroit Lions DB Don Malloy. "As a young guy, you just look at camp as playing football. But as you get older, you see camp more from a coaching perspective. The camps are similar to the NFL; the training is the same, just not as tedious and not as long. I'm very impressed with the secondary. Having Kizer and Stevenson on the field is like having coaches on the field. They help guide the younger players in learning the system. I expect this team to make it to the ArenaBowl and bring it home."
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY: New WR Jackie Chambers (5'10", 188, Lane College) faced much adversity in his lifetime. Chambers is from Liberty City, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Miami, FL. Chambers' father, who also played football, passed away when Chambers was 14-years old. But this wasn't all of the challenges of his life; both of Chambers' parents were deaf.
With both of his parents' deaf, Chambers had to learn how to communicate using sign language. Due to his situation, Chambers was able to be a master at reading play calls on the field. Chambers earned a scholarship to the University of South Florida, where he would be named to the Rookie of the Year team in 2004. He tied a lead in the Big East for punt return yardage (11.6) and finished No. 9 in kick-off return yardage (18.5) during the 2005 season. Chambers would then graduate and finish his college career at Lane College.
Chambers played the 2012 season with the Kansas City Command, recording 58 catches for 751 yards and 7 touchdowns and returning 56 kickoffs for 1,163 yards and two touchdowns. Chambers is continuing his strive to make his dreams come true.
Arena Football League Stories from March 6, 2013
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- SaberCats Add Six to 2013 Roster - San Jose SaberCats
- Utah Blaze Announce Ownership Change - Utah Blaze
- Journey Through Camp Continues; Day 7 Complete - Philadelphia Soul
- Kicker Nich Pertuit Returns to SaberCats - San Jose SaberCats
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- Sharks Training Camp Report - March 5 - Jacksonville Sharks
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