Last Day to Perform Before First Cuts
March 7, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (March 7, 2013) - The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, are nearing the first round of cuts that will take place tomorrow. The roster will be down to a 28-man roster and by the end of camp, a 24-man roster.
Standout players appealing to the Soul are WR/KR Alvance Robinson (5'9", 170, Alabama State), DL Morkeith Brown (6'5", 255, Temple) and DB James Romain (5'11", 175, Delaware State). Brown and Romain are both rookies coming into the Soul training camp, and Robinson has four years of AFL experience.
Leadership continues to show among the players with veteran WR Larry Brackins (6'5", 225, Pearl River C.C.) guiding other receivers and giving pointers. With the cuts tomorrow, all players gave their best effort today to show the coaches that they deserve a spot on the final 2013 roster.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: DB DARIUS PETTIGREW (6'1", 185, West Georgia): DB Darius Pettigrew comes in the Soul training camp as a rookie. He was previously with the UIFL Huntingdon Hammer (2011) for the last five games of the season where he had 5 interceptions, 13 pass break-ups and 1 fumble recovery. In the af2 he played with the Amarillo Venom (2009), Tulsa Talons (2009), and the Texas Copperheads (2008). With the Copperheads he had 7 interceptions in 10 games with 1 returned for a touchdown. He ranked No. 2 on the team in tackles (61), No. 5 on the team in all purpose yards, set and tied 3 single season game highs in second start of season with 3 interceptions in one game in 3 quarters. He recorded 105 interception return yards, and a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown. Pettigrew was voted mid-season MVP for the Copperheads.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Having the opportunity to go to the Eagles training camp gave me a great insight," said veteran WR Tiger Jones. "It taught me to be more physical and that's what I'm looking to do at this camp. Dan Raudabaugh and I have been working together on our timing, recognizing plays sooner and bettering ourselves overall. This season we have the same goals, to win the conference and then the ArenaBowl. Our focus is on our process - the little things everyday like working hard in practice, watching films and staying healthy."
TEAMMATES ONCE AGAIN: LB Joe Goosby (6'1", 235, Tulane) and LB/DL Calvin Fance (6'1", 245, Angelo State) reunite on the Soul, as they were once teammates together at Jersey Village High School in Jersey Village, Texas back in 2003. Goosby played safety and Fance a fullback. The team was close to qualifying for states after a great season. Together this season they will build-up and maintain the Soul's defense.
Goosby returns to the Soul after starting all games of the 2012 season where he recorded 96 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4 interceptions and 3 defensive touchdowns. Previously with the Dallas Vigilantes (2011), in nine games he started and finished fourth on the team with 51 tackles (43 solo), two interceptions and 15 pass breakups.
Fance is coming into the AFL as a rookie this year. He recently played in the LSLF with the New Mexico Stars (2012), the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2010-11), and in the IFL with the San Angelo Stampede (2010). At Angelo State he earned Division II All-American honors after leading the nation with 14 sacks as a senior (2009).
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