Philadelphia Soul game notes

Published on February 25, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Philadelphia Soul (1-2) at Tampa Bay Storm (1-2)
Site: St. Pete Times Forum (20,082)
Officials: Referee: Wes Fritz, Umpire: Tony Payne, Head Linesman: Jim Hatfield
Line Judge: David Chesney, Back Judge: James Cole

TUNE IN:
TV: NBC Sports (WCAU)
Play-by-Play: Bob Papa
Color: Ray Bentley
Sideline: J.P. Peterson
RADIO: WNJC (1360-AM)
www.1360wnjc.com
Play-by-Play: Ari Wolfe
Color: Darrin Kenney

COACHES:
Soul: Michael Trigg, 71-68 regular season, 3-7 postseason (74-75 overall)
Storm: Tim Marcum, 134-49 regular season, 25-8 postseason (159-57 overall)

THE MATCHUP:
In a battle of two teams looking to reach .500, the Soul will be the second expansion team the Storm will have faced in the last two weeks. The Soul are coming off their first win against the Columbus Destroyers while the Storm are looking to rebound from a two-game losing streak.

SERIES NOTES:
This is the first meeting of the Storm and Soul.

PHILADELPHIA SOUL SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Date Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
2/8 NEW ORLEANS 3:00 L-34-42/L1
2/15 at Dallas 4:00 L-47-51/L2
2/21 COLUMBUS 7:30 W-56-34/W1
2/29 at Tampa Bay 3:00
3/7 CHICAGO 12:00
3/13 at Columbus 7:00
3/21 COLORADO 12:00
3/28 at Austin 3:00
4/4 DALLAS 12:00
4/17 at Carolina 7:30
4/24 NEW YORK 7:30
5/2 at Colorado 3:00
5/8 LAS VEGAS 7:30
5/15 CAROLINA 7:30
5/22 at San Jose 10:30
5/30 at New York 4:00

TAMPA BAY STORM SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Date Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
2/8 ORLANDO 3:00 W-52-41/W1
2/13 GEORGIA 7:30 L-62-70/L1
2/22 At Austin 3:00 L-48-56/L2
2/29 PHILADELPHIA 3:00
3/7 At New Orleans 12:00
3/14 NEW YORK 12:00
3/21 At Carolina 3:00
3/27 At Georgia 7:00
4/4 SAN JOSE 12:00
4/11 At Chicago 3:00
4/18 AUSTIN 3:00
4/25 At Columbus 12:00
5/2 At Orlando 3:00
5/9 LOS ANGELES 3:00
5/23 NEW ORLEANS 3:00
5/30 At Dallas 4:00

The Coaches Corner

MICHAEL TRIGG: Hired to guide the expansion Philadelphia Soul, Trigg (71-68 reg. season, 3-7 post season) spent the last six seasons with the Grand Rapids Rampage. Trigg has led his teams to eight playoff appearances and an ArenaBowl in 2001, when he was also named AFL Coach of the Year. A veteran of expansion endeavors, Trigg spent 1994 as the head coach and general manager for the expansion Fort Worth Calvary (1994) and as head coach of the Milwaukee Mustangs (1995-97) he turned a 0-12 team into a two-time playoff participant and set the AFL record for single-season turnaround as he guided the Mustang's from 4-8 in 1995 to 10-4 in 1996.

TIM MARCUM: Marcum, 134-49 regular season, 25-8 postseason (159-57 overall), the winningest head coach in Arena Football history. He enters the 2004 season having won seven ArenaBowl championships and has coached in ten of the league's 17 ArenaBowls. Marcum is the only coach in Arena Football history to lead three different teams to ArenaBowl championships (Denver, Detroit, and Tampa Bay), and is the AFL career coaching leader in victories (158), winning percentage (.742), games coached (213), and postseason victories (25).

A two-time recipient of the AFL Coach of the Year Award (1987 and 1998), Marcum has overseen the Tampa Bay Storm's development into the league's flagship franchise. He was the first coach in AFL history to win more than 100 games and has missed out in playing for the league championship only five times in his career. Incredibly, Marcum's AFL clubs have advanced to the postseason in every year he has coached.

What If...

If Philadelphia defeats Tampa Bay, it would...

· Give Philadelphia their first win over the Storm
· Give Philadelphia their first winning streak in franchise history
· Place Philadelphia at the .500 mark for the first time in franchise history
· Give Philadelphia their first win against a Southern Division team

Direct Connections

· Soul head coach Michael Trigg played under Storm head coach Tim Marcum in 1989 with the Detroit Drive. The two shared in a championship as the Drive defeated the Pittsburgh Gladiators in ArenaBowl III 39-26.
· Soul WR/DB Keita Crespina spent the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Storm and was voted Storm Ironman of the Year in 2002. Storm WR/LB David Saunders was born in Philadelphia and was named Storm MVP in 2002. Crespina and Saunders were also teammates with the New Jersey Red Dogs/Gladiators.
· Soul WR/LB Gary Compton (IR) was acquired by the Storm in a trade following the preseason. Compton recorded 14 receptions for three TDs last season with the Storm.
· Storm OS Freddie Soloman played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995-98
· Storm QB Shane Stafford is a native of Sinking Spring, PA outside of Reading in Berks County. Stafford attended Wilson High School in West Lawn, PA.

Tale of the Tape

SOUL STORM
137 (13) Total Points Scored 162 (4)
127 (4) Total Points Allowed 167 (18)
258.3 (10) Total Offense 271.0 (5)
229 (12) Pass Yds/Game 252.0 (6)
29.3 (4) Rush Yds/Game 22.7 (7)
277.3 (16) Total Defense 272.7 (14)
242.3 (12) Def Pass Yds/Game 257.7 (17)
35.0 (19) Def Rush Yds/Game 15.0 (5)
15.3 (3) Opp. Kickoff Returns 20.6 (13)

(Parenthesis indicates league ranking)
as of 2/23/04

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches

COACH TEAM WINS THIS WEEK
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 159 vs. Philadelphia
Danny White Arizona 124 vs. New York
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Chicago 75 at Indiana
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 74 at Tampa Bay
(Includes post season)

Red Zone Enforcers

The Soul defense is ranked first in the league in red zone defense. Soul opponents have had nine possessions inside the 20-yard line and have only given up three TDs and 26 points.
Rank Team Poss Pts TD FG TD%
1 Phi. 9 26 3 2 33.3
2 Aus. 10 41 5 2 50.0
3 LV 13 64 8 3 61.5
4t Det. 12 58 8 1 66.7
4t GR 15 77 10 3 66.7


Movin On Up

Here's a look at where the Soul ranks among the league leaders:

Nick Browder:
· 3rd Down Passing – 3rd (10-18-155, 3 TDs)

Ken Hinsley:
· Touchbacks on Kickoffs – 3t (6 TB)

Tyronne Jones:
· Leading Scorers, Nonkickers – 4t (7 TDs, 42 pts)
· Kickoff Returns – 3rd (5-137 yds, 1 TD)

Chris "Soul Train" Ryan:
· Leading Rushers – 3rd (12-47 yds, 3 TDs)
· 3rd and 1 Rushing – 1t (3-3)

Joe Todd:
· Interception Leaders – 1t (2 INTs)

Soul Defense:
· #1 defense inside the 20 – (9 possessions, 26 points, 3 TDs, 2 FGs)


Player Highlights Against Tampa

WR/LB Ricky Ross:
Ross recorded a career high 197 return yards against the Storm on February 23, 2003 while with the Grand Rapids Rampage. Ross also tallied a career high 18 points scored on two return TDs and one receiving TD.

OS Tyronne Jones:
In 2002, while with the Georgia Force, Tyronne Jones recorded five receptions for 91 yards and three TDs the first time the two teams met (6/29/02). The next time they met, (7/20/02) Jones recorded seven receptions for 99 yards and three more TDs.

Makin' Plays

Nick Browder entered the Soul inaugural season without much history. Through four years in the AFL, Browder completed 51 of 91 attempts for 651 yards. In his first two games with the Soul, Browder has completed 61 of 99 pass attempts for 709 yards and 13 TDs.

Browder Comp Att. Yds TDs
2000-2003 51 91 651 9
2004 61 99 709 13

That's a First...

First coin toss (2/8/04) – Soul won, elect to receive
First kickoff return (2/8/04)– Ricky Ross, 28-yard return
First play (2/8/04) – Derin Graham, 8-yard rush
First pass (2/8/04) – Complete to Derin Graham for 9-yards
First TD (2/8/04) – Nick Browder to Tyronne Jones for a 7-yard TD with 11:29 left in the first quarter
First rushing TD (2/8/04) – Browder 1-yard run with 13:11 remaining in the 4th quarter
First tackle (2/8/04) – Mike Harrison and Travis Seaton stop VooDoo kick returner Aaron Bailey after a 19-yard return
First FG Attempt (2/8/04) – Ken Hinsley's 25-yard attempt blocked by Gaylon Hyder
First TD against the Soul (2/8/04) – Four-yard rush by Dan Curran with 13:45 left in the second quarter. Brian Schmitz point after attempt failed.
First turnover (2/8/04) – Browder's pass intercepted by Monte Montgomery at the New Orleans 2 yard-line
First Interception (2/15/04) – Joe Todd intercepts Dallas QB Glen Gauntt in the Soul endzone with 1:21 remaining in the 1st quarter.
First Kickoff Return for a TD (2/15/04) – Tyronne Jones 54-yard return against Dallas
First successful field goal (2/21/04) – Ken Hinsley kicked a 24-yard field goal for the first of the season, and his career with 9:34 left in the first quarter.

2004 Record When...

Wachovia Center 0-1
Wachovia Spectrum 1-0
On the Road 0-1
Saturday 1-0
Sunday 0-2
On NBC 0-1
On UPN-57 1-1
Vs. East 1-1
Vs. Central 0-0
Vs. West 0-0
Vs. South 0-1
February 1-2
March 0-0
April 0-0
May 0-0
Score first 1-1
Opp Score first 0-1
Plus turnover ratio 1-1
Even turnover ratio 0-0
Minus turnover ratio 0-1

Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive
Player of the Game

2/8 NEW ORLEANS Aaron Bailey (NO OS)
2/15 @ Dallas Jason Shelly (Dal WR/LB)
2/21 COLUMBUS Nick Browder (Phi QB)

ADT Defensive Player of the Game

2/8 NEW ORLEANS Monte Montgomery (NO DS)
2/15 @ Dallas Kevin Aldridge (Dal FB/LB)
2/21 COLUMBUS Joe Todd (Phi DS)

US ARMY Ironman of the Game

2/8 NEW ORLEANS Keita Crespina (Phi WR/DB)
2/15 @ Dallas Will Pettis (Dal WR/DB)
2/21 COLUMBUS Ricky Ross (Phi WR/LB)

Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive
Player of the Week

Week 1 Matt Nagy (Car QB)
Week 2 Markeith Cooper (Geo OS)
Week 3 Nick Browder (Phi QB)

ADT Defensive Player of the Week

Week 1 Omarr Smith (SJ DS)
Week 2 Kevin Ingram (LA WR/DB)
Week 3 John Moyer (Chi OL/DL)

US ARMY Ironman of the Week

Week 1 Will Holder (NYD WR/DB)
Week 2 Kevin McKenzie (Col WR/DB)
Week 3 Rashied Davis (SJ WR/DB)

Players to Watch...

Philadelphia

QB Nick Browder:
In his first year as a full time starter, the four year veteran of the Arena Football League has completed 61 of 99 pass attempts for 709 yards and 13 TDs in his first year as a full time starter.

FB/LB Chris "Soul Train" Ryan:
The "Soul Train" has rushed 12 times for 47 yards and three TDs and leads the AFL in 3rd down rushing.

OS Tyronne Jones:
A six year AFL veteran, Jones is tied for 4th among league leaders in scoring with seven TDs for 42 points. Jones currently leads the team with 18 receptions for 171 yards and 6 TDs.

WR/LB Ricky Ross:
Ross, the team's second leading receiver has hauled in 16 passes for 204 yards and four TDs.

DS Joe Todd:
Todd has recorded an interception in consecutive games. Against Columbus, Todd picked off John Rayborn in the Soul endzone which led to a Tyronne Jones touchdown.

Tampa Bay

QB Shane Stafford:
Stafford returns to the Storm after spending the 2003 season with the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe. Stafford was the Storm's starting QB in 2002 and has completed 65 of 103 pass attempts for 768 yards and 18 TDs.

OS Freddie Soloman:
Soloman, a former Philadelphia Eagle, leads the Storm with 19 receptions for 228 yards and 10 TDs. Last season Soloman broke Storm single season records for receptions (106) and receiving yards (1,553). Last week against the Austin Wranglers Soloman had four receptions for 43 yards and two TDs.

WR/DB Antoine Toliver:
The versatile Toliver leads the Storm in kickoff returns with seven for 135 yards and has also pulled in 11 receptions for 149 yards and four TDs.

WR/LB Lawrence Samuels:
A ten-year veteran of the AFL, Samuels has recorded 16 receptions for 186 yards and two TDs to be the second leading receiver on the Storm.

Hometown Debut

In the first Arena Football game of Sean Scott's career, he certainly didn't come down with a case of stage fright.

"He's an excellent ballplayer," said fellow WR/LB Ricky Ross. "It was fun, I enjoy playing with him. He's a big target, he matches up really well around the goal line area- it was fun."

Scott pulled in a team high five receptions for 67 yards and also recorded one TD. Scott also recorded one tackle on special teams.

Scott knows a thing or two about playing in front of his hometown, as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Scott hauled in an A.J. Feeley pass to lift the Eagles over the New York Jets in the 2001 preseason finale.

Born To Be A Philly QB

Nick Browder grew up idolizing former Eagles QB Randall Cunningham, he wore the same number and emulated his play on the field, but that's not the only Eagles QB Browder would become familiar with. When Browder was signed by the Soul there's no doubt he recognized Soul president Ron Jaworski, a former Eagles QB, and growing up in Waukegan, Il he was close in proximity to another Eagles QB, Donovan McNabb, who attended Mount Carmel High School outside of Chicago while Browder attended Waukegan High School.

Tricky Ricky

One of the first players acquired by head coach Michael Trigg was one of his most familiar faces... and hairdos. WR/LB Ricky Ross was picked up by Trigg on November 7, 2003, less than two months after the launch of the Philadelphia Soul and in the first game of the Soul's inaugural season, Ross proved to be a sound investment.

"Trigg has been my man from day one," said Ross. "I've been with him for four years. He's been loyal to me, so I'm going to be loyal to him. It's just a great place for us to have an opportunity to come and show our skills."

Ross has pulled in 16 receptions for 204 yards and four TDs in his first three games in gunmetal grey.

7-11 Jones

Soul OS Tyronne Jones was given the nickname "7-11" by OL/DL Madison Johnson when he noticed one thing in common with the convenience store and offensive specialist, they always seem to be open.

Jones has found himself on the receiving end of six TDs this season and leads the Soul in receiving with 18 receptions for 171 yards. Jones also ranks among the league leaders in scoring as he is currently tied for 4th place with seven TDs.

Trigg's Traveling Party

Soul Head Coach Michael Trigg didn't need a lot of time learning the names on the Soul roster, he's spent time with most of them in the past. The Soul have 12 players on the active roster that have spent time with Trigg, and all four members of the injured reserve are also Trigg veterans.

Here's a breakdown of Trigg's following:
#1 Ricky Ross
#4 Gary Compton (IR)
#5 Todd Hammell
#10 DeAuntae Brown
#12 Nick Browder
#13 Brian Gowins (IR)
#17 Brian Leigeb
#21 Joe Todd
#36 Chris Ryan
#44 Travis McDonald
#50 Madison Johnson (IR)
#73 Michael Harrison
#75 Eric Gohlstin
#81 Derin Graham
#90 Patrick Scott
#91 Corey Mayfield (IR)

"Soul Train" Still on Tracks

One of the most conspicuous players in the Arena Football League at 6-0, 315, Chris "Soul Train" Ryan is tied for the AFL lead in third-and-one rushing, converting two attempts for first downs. Ryan, who had the moniker "Soul Train" embroidered on the back of his jersey against the VooDoo, ranks third in the league in rushing and has rushed 12 times for 47 yards and three TDs.

Although the name is no longer on his jersey, "Soul Train" is still on the tracks.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 25, 2004


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