Philadelphia Soul game notes
May 12, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Philadelphia Soul (5-8)
Vs. Carolina Cobras (4-9)
Site: Wachovia Spectrum (16,105)
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Perry Havener Umpire: Tom Laverty
Head Linesman: Royce Cooley
Line Judge: David Meslow
Back Judge: Dino Paganelli
TUNED IN:
RADIO: UPN-57
Play-By-Play: Ari Wolfe
Color: Darrin Kenney
Sideline: Rhea Hughes
WNJC (1360-AM)
www.wnjc1360.com
Play-by-Play: Jacob VanRyn
Color: Jon Runyan
COACHES:
Soul: Michael Trigg, 75-74 regular season, 3-7 postseason (78-81 overall)
Cobras: Ron Selesky, 6-13 regular season (6-13 overall)
THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP:
The Soul are looking to rebound from a 63-35 loss to the hands of the Las Vegas Gladiators last week while Carolina comes in also off a loss, 61-39 at the New York Dragons.
The Soul are seeking revenge against a week eleven 63-59 loss when they traveled to face the Cobras. Both teams have lost their last two contests.
Next week the Soul will travel to face San Jose on Saturday, May 22 and then travel to New York to finish the regular season against the Dragons on May 30th. The Cobras will host Grand Rapids next week and finish the regular season on the road against the Georgia Force.
PHILADELPHIA SOUL SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Date Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
2/8 NEW ORLEANS L-34-42/L1
2/15 at Dallas L-47-51/L2
2/21 COLUMBUS W-56-34/W1
2/29 at Tampa Bay L-37-40/L1
3/7 CHICAGO W-53-47/W1
3/13 at Columbus W-43-41/W2
3/21 COLORADO L-33-40/L1
3/28 at Austin L-60-65/L2
4/4 DALLAS W-47-31/W1
4/17 at Carolina L-63-59/L1
4/24 NEW YORK W-60-58/W1
5/1 at Colorado L-58-40/L1
5/8 LAS VEGAS L-63-35/L2
5/15 CAROLINA 7:30
5/22 at San Jose 10:30
5/30 at New York 4:00
CAROLINA COBRAS SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Date Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
2/8 at Dallas W-67-41/W1
2/13 at Columbus W-54-53/W2
2/21 ARIZONA L-38-45/L1
2/28 ORLANDO L-43-59/L2
3/7 at Austin L-55-56/L3
3/13 DALLAS L-52-77/L4
3/21 TAMPA BAY W-54-43/W1
3/27 at New Orleans L-31-48/L1
4/4 NEW YORK L-41-57/L2
4/11 at Indiana L-31-65/L3
4/17 PHILADELPHIA W-63-59/W1
5/1 COLUMBUS L-52-60/L1
5/8 at New York L-39-61/L2
5/15 at Philadelphia 7:30
5/22 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30
May 30 at Georgia 4:00
THE LAST TIME...
The last time these two teams met was April 17, 2004 in Charlotte. Carolina handed the Soul a 63-59 loss. Todd Hammel completed 17 of 29 pass attempts for 255 yards. Sean Scott led the Soul in receiving with seven receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown.
WHAT IF...
If Philadelphia defeats Carolina, it would...
· Give Philadelphia their first franchise victory over the Carolina Cobras
· Split the series at 1-1
· Give Soul head coach Michael Trigg a 79-81 overall career record, including the post season
· Give Philadelphia a 2-0 record at the Wachovia Spectrum
THE COACHES CORNER...
MICHAEL TRIGG: Hired to guide the expansion Philadelphia Soul, Trigg (75-74 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.
RON SELESKY: Selesky (6-13 overall) was named head coach of the Cobras on April 15th after returning to the Cobras for the 2004 season after serving as head coach and director of football operations for the AFL's Buffalo Destroyers last year. He previously was a member of Carolina's original coaching staff in 2000 as an assistant coach and director of player personnel. Prior to joining the Destroyers, Selesky served as assistant head coach and director of player personnel for the Tampa Bay Storm for two months after stepping down as head coach of the arenafootball2's Albany Conquest in September 2002. He earned 2002 af2 Coach of the Year honors guiding the expansion Conquest to a regular season mark of 13-3 and the Northeast Division title. Albany advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2002 Arena Cup playoffs. Selesky joined the Conquest after leading the expansion af2 Louisville Fire to a 6-10 mark in 2001. He was the director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Storm from 1997 to 1999. With the Storm, his teams compiled a 31-11 regular season record and earned a berth in the 1998 ArenaBowl.
AFL'S ALL TIME COACHES...
COACH TEAM WINS THIS WEEK
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 165 BYE
Danny White Arizona 132 at Detroit
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Chicago 82 vs. Dallas
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 78 vs. Carolina
(Includes post season)
EASTERN DIVISION STANDINGS...
Team Record This Week
New York 8-5 vs. Los Angeles
Dallas 6-7 @ Chicago
Philadelphia 5-8 vs. Carolina
Carolina 4-9 @ Philadelphia
Columbus 4-9 Vs. Grand Rapids
TALE OF THE TAPE...
Philadelphia Category (Rank) Carolina
46.5 (16) Scoring Offense 47.6 (13)
48.7 (9) Scoring Defense 55.7 (19)
259.5 (11) Total Offense 250.6 (16)
274.1 (16) Total Defense 266.4 (9)
74.6% (11) Red Zone Offense 83.3% (3)
69.5 (2) Red Zone Defense 82.3% (18)
240.2 (11) Pass Offense 240.7 (10)
256.3 (17) Pass Defense 243.3 (10)
19.3 (10) Rushing Offense 9.9 (19)
17.8 (7) Rushing Defense 23.1 (13)
77/1391 Kickoff Returns 84/1486
18.1 (9) Kick Return Average 17.7 (12)
92/1591 Combined Returns 88/1595
17.3 Combined Return Average 18.1
-15 (17) Turnover Margin +1 (11)
8/21 Field Goals 14/35
8.0 (17) Sacks By 12.0 (5)
9.0 (7) Sacks Against 17.0 (14)
50.6% (40/79) Third Down Conversion 40.4% (36/89)
38.5 (5/13) Fourth Down Conversion 53.3% (8/15)
96/588 (10t) Penalties (#-Yards) 116/726 (17)
125/775 (1) Opp. Penalties (#-Yards) 110/654 (7)
DIRECT CONNECTIONS...
· Soul kicker Ken Hinsley played at Western Carolina University in North Carolina from 1995-98, owns the school record for career punting average (42.8) and ranks fifth on the school's all-time scoring list with 189 points.
· Cobras' QB Matt Nagy hails from Manheim, PA and starred at University of Delaware, a short drive from Philadelphia. Nagy set over 20 passing records for the Blue Hens including career passing attempts (895), completions (502), yards (8,214) and touchdowns (58).
· Soul OL/DL Patrick Scott spent the 2001 season with the Carolina Cobras
· Soul WR/DB Keita Crespina played alongside Cobras WR/LB Sir Mawn Wilson with the Tampa Bay Storm in 2002. Crespina also spent time with Cobras OL/DL Otis Moore with New Jersey in 2000 and 2001.
IN THE RED ZONE...
The Soul defense is ranked second in the league in red zone defense. Soul opponents have had 59 possessions inside the 10-yard line which have led to 41 TDs and four field goals for 293 points.
Rank Team Poss Pts TD FG TD%
1 SJ 55 285 38 6 69.1
2 Phi. 59 293 41 4 69.5
3 NY 66 325 46 3 69.7
4 Orl. 56 289 40 5 71.4
5 GR 61 326 44 9 72.1
WHO DROPPED THEIR FLAG?...
In two weeks the Soul went from being the 4th least penalized team in the AFL to being tied for the 10th least penalized team. Against Las Vegas the Soul committed eight penalties for 49 yards. The Soul are still the least penalized team in the Eastern Conference as four of the five most penalized teams are in the East.
Team No Yds Avg./G
Top Four
Indiana Firebirds 85 483 34.5
Los Angeles Avengers 90 511 39.3
Colorado Crush 83 542 41.7
Detroit Fury 92 545 41.9
Philadelphia Soul (10t) 96 647 49.8
Bottom Five
New York Dragons 107 702 54.0
Chicago Rush 121 738 56.8
Carolina Cobras 115 756 58.2
Dallas Desperados 132 817 62.8
Columbus Destroyers 127 819 63.0
NOW TAKE THAT FLAG OUT...
Soul opponents have been flagged a league high 125 times for 775 yards, an average of 59.6 yards in penalties per game.
No. Yards Avg/G
Philadelphia Soul 125 775 59.6
New York Dragons 113 766 58.9
Arizona Rattlers 120 738 52.7
LAST BUT NEVER LEAST...
The Soul have had the opportunity to win or tie on final drive of the game in five of their eight losses.
Game Final Diff Ball
2/8 NEW ORLEANS 42-34 8 Yes
2/15 @ Dallas 51-47 4 Yes
2/29 @ Tampa Bay 40-37 3 Yes
3/21 COLORADO 40-33 7 Yes
3/28 @ Austin 65-60 5 No
4/17 @ Carolina 63-59 4 Yes
5/1 @ Colorado 58-40 18 No
5/8 LAS VEGAS 63-35 28 No
PLAYOFF PICTURE PAGE...
Here's the Playoff Picture for the AFL:
The top eight teams make the playoffs. Listed are the teams in order of their record, with the overall record of their remaining opponents and the opponents winning percentage.
Indiana's remaining opponents have the best record with 18-8 for a .692 winning percentage.
Overall
Team Record Remaining Pct.
San Jose 10-3 20-20 .500
Chicago 9-4 22-18 .550
Colorado 9-4 20-20 .500
New Orleans 9-4 20-20 .500
Arizona 9-5 14-12 .538
Austin 8-5 21-18 .538
New York 8-5 19-20 .487
Los Angeles 7-6 21-18 .538
Orlando 7-6 23-16 .590
Indiana 7-7 18-8 .692
Tampa Bay 7-7 15-11 .577
Dallas 6-7 20-20 .500
Las Vegas 6-7 21-18 .538
Georgia 5-8 21-18 .538
Philadelphia 5-8 22-17 .564
Carolina 4-9 11-28 .282
Columbus 4-9 13-26 .333
Detroit 4-9 19-21 .475
Grand Rapids 1-12 12-27 .308
KICKIN' IT...
Soul opponents average drive start begins on the 11.3 yard-line, the best start for a defense in the league.
Rank Team Opp. Avg. Start
1 Philadelphia 11.3
2 San Jose 11.5
3 New Orleans 12.3
4 Dallas 12.4
5 Arizona 12.7
PUT THE COVER ON...
The Soul ranks #1 in the AFL in kickoff coverage. Not only does the Soul defense start at the league best 11.3 average yard line, the Soul have covered 74 kickoffs and allowed 1,153 yards and 0 touchdowns for a 15.6 yard return average. Only three teams have not allowed a TD return, Philadelphia, New York and San Jose.
SACK-RIFICING QBs...
In the first six weeks of the season the Soul allowed six sacks and only had one. Since week seven, the Soul have recorded seven sacks and have only allowed three.
Sacks Allowed SacksBy SackMargin
Weeks 1-6 6 1 -5
Weeks 7-13 3 7 +4
WHO IS MARLION JACKSON?...
In his first game on the active roster Marlion Jackson scored four touchdowns, three through the air and one on the ground which caused nearly everyone in the Arena to ask, "Who is Marlion Jackson?"
Jackson was originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 2000 but was released in the preseason. Jackson was then signed to the New York Jets practice squad and was elevated to the active roster for the final two regular season games but was inactive.
Jackson spent the 2001 season on the Jets practice squad and was then out of football for 2002 after being waived by the Jets following training camp.
Jackson was discovered by the Soul at the open workout at Temple University in November and spent the first 12 weeks on the Soul practice squad.
LET THE RECORD SHOW...
This week marks only the third time all season that the Soul have faced a team with fewer wins. Twice this season the opposing team has been Carolina. The other team was Columbus in week six. Below is a breakdown of the Soul and their opponent's record heading into each week.
Game Opp. Soul
2/8 NEW ORLEANS 0-0 0-0
2/15 at Dallas 0-1 0-1
2/21 COLUMBUS 1-1 0-2
2/29 at Tampa Bay 1-2 1-2
3/7 CHICAGO 4-0 1-3
3/13 at Columbus 1-4 2-3
3/21 COLORADO 4-2 3-3
3/28 at Austin 4-2 3-4
4/4 DALLAS 5-2 3-5
4/17 at Carolina 3-7 4-5
4/24 NEW YORK 6-4 4-6
5/1 at Colorado 8-4 5-6
5/8 LAS VEGAS 5-7 5-7
5/15 CAROLINA 4-9 5-8
IN A RUSH FOR PAYDIRT...
The Soul are tied for 4th place in the AFL in rushing TDs with 25 TDs in 108 rushing attempts. Chris Ryan leads the team in rushing TDs with 13 while Travis McDonald and Ricky Ross each have three. Nick Browder and Derin Graham have each added two while Tyronne Jones and Marlion Jackson have one each.
KEEP YOUR RECEIPT FOR RETURNS...
The Soul have the 3rd most missed field goal return yards in the Arena Football League with 200 on 11 returns. Tyronne Jones is ranked 5th in the AFL in MFG returns with six for 129 yards and one TD.
HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT...
Joseph Todd ranks 5th among league leaders in combined tackles with 70.5, Todd has 60 solo stops and 21 assists. Todd is also ranked 8th in the league in solo tackles and is ranked 2nd in passes defended with 21.
MAKING THE MOST...
Todd Hammel is tied for 1st in the league in passing yards per catch. Hammel has completed 106 passes for 1,486 yards for a league high average of 14.0 yards per catch. Hammel also ranks tied for 3rd in the league in passing yards per attempt with an average of 8.2 yards per attempt.
THE M.A.S.H. UNIT...
The Soul have suffered debilitating injuries in the last few weeks. Against Las Vegas the Soul deactivated three regular starters due to injury.
Tyronne Jones (concussion), Travis McDonald (groin), and Corey Mayfield (knee), were all deactivated for the game against Vegas.
The Soul also suffered another injury during the game when Ricky Ross was lost for the second half with a right knee sprain. Ross is listed as doubtful for this weekends contest.
GIVE ME A RING...
The Soul have eight players with AFL Championship experience as well as Head Coach Michael Trigg and assistant Head Coach Robert Smith.
PLAYER TEAM YEAR
Nick Browder Grand Rapids 2001
Gary Compton Tampa Bay 2003
Keita Crespina Tampa Bay 2003
Corey Mayfield Grand Rapids 2001
Ricky Ross Grand Rapids 2001
Chris Ryan Grand Rapids 2001
Travis Seaton San Jose 2002
Robert Smith (coach) Grand Rapids 2001
Joseph Todd Grand Rapids 2001
Michael Trigg (coach) Grand Rapids 2001
THAT'S A FIRST...
First coin toss (2/8/04) â Soul won, elect to receive
First kickoff return (2/8/04) â Ricky Ross, 28-yard return
First play (2/8/04) â Derin Graham, 8-yard rush
First pass (2/8/04) â Complete to Derin Graham for 9-yards
First TD (2/8/04) â Nick Browder to Tyronne Jones for a 7-yard TD with 11:29 left in the first quarter
First rushing TD (2/8/04) â Browder 1-yard run with 13:11 remaining in the 4th quarter
First tackle (2/8/04) â Mike Harrison and Travis Seaton stop VooDoo kick returner Aaron Bailey after a 19-yard return
First FG Attempt (2/8/04) â Ken Hinsley's 25-yard attempt blocked by Gaylon Hyder
First TD against the Soul (2/8/04) â 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) â Browder's pass intercepted by Monte Montgomery at the New Orleans 2 yard-line
First Interception (2/15/04) â 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) â Tyronne Jones 54-yard return against Dallas
First successful field goal (2/21/04) â 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.
First 100-yard Receiver (3/7/04) â Ricky Ross pulled in eight receptions for 102 yards and two TDs
First Sack (3/13/04) â Eric Gohlstin sacked Columbus Destroyers QB Ryan Vena in the 2nd quarter of the Soul's 43-41 win at Columbus
MILESTONES...
Tyronne Jones
o needs 38 kick return yards to reach 600 on the season and 90 to hit 5,000 for his career
o needs 13 receptions to reach 500 for his career
o needs 21 yards receiving to reach 900 on the season
o needs two yards rushing to reach 100 for his career
Travis McDonald
o needs 9 more tackles to reach 100 for his career
Ricky Ross
o needs 30 yards to hit 2,000 receiving yards for his career
o needs 44 receiving yards to reach 800 on the season
Gary Compton
o needs nine more tackles to reach 200 for his career
DeAuntae Brown
o needs 8.5 more tackles to reach 100 for his career
o needs 9.5 tackles to hit 70 for the season
MOVIN' ON UP...
Here's a look at where the Soul ranks among the league leaders:
DeAuntae Brown:
· Interception Leaders â 9t (3 INTs, 20 yds)
· Combined Tackles â 10th (66.5, 55 solo, 23 ast)
· Solo Tackles â 11th (55 solo)
Ken Hinsley:
· Touchbacks on Kickoffs â 13 (18 TB)
· Leading Scorers, Kickers â 14t (56/75 PAT, 8/21 FG, 80 pts)
Tyronne Jones:
· Missed field goal returns â 5th (6-129 yards, 1 TD)
· Leaders in All-Purpose yards â 10th (17 rush, 879 rec., 679 kick, 1,575 total)
· Kickoff Returns â 13th (28-550 yards, 2 TDs)
Travis McDonald:
· Leading Rushers â 28th (23-56-3TDs)
Ricky Ross:
· Kickoff Returns â 14th (30-587 yards)
Chris "Soul Train" Ryan:
· Fumble Recoveries â 4t (1 off, 3 def, 4 total fr)
· Leading Rushers â 16th (42-104-13TDs)
Joe Todd:
· Passes Defended â 2nd (21 PBU, 2 INTs)
· Interception Leaders â 14t (2 INTs)
· Combined Tackles â 5th (70.5, 60 solo, 21 ast.)
· Solo Tackles â 8th (60 solo)
Soul Defense:
· Defense inside the 10 â 2nd (59 possessions, 293 points, 41 TDs, 4 FGs)
OFF THE RECORD...
Wachovia Center 3-3
Wachovia Spectrum 1-0
On the Road 1-5
Saturday 3-3
Sunday 2-5
On NBC 2-3
On UPN-57 3-2
Vs. East 3-2
Vs. Central 2-2
Vs. West 0-1
Vs. South 0-3
February 1-3
March 2-2
April 2-1
May 0-2
Score first 3-3
Opp Score first 2-5
Plus turnover ratio 2-1
Even turnover ratio 1-1
Minus turnover ratio 2-6
Players to Watch...
Philadelphia
OS Tyronne Jones:
The seven-year veteran of the AFL, Jones is currently the Soul's leading receiver with 67 receptions for 879 yards and 16 TDs. Jones is also the team's leading return man with 34 combined returns for 679 yards and three TDs. Jones missed last week's game against Las Vegas due to a concussion he suffered against Colorado (5/1).
WR/LB Sean Scott:
Scott has continued his dominance at the WR/LB position throughout his AFL rookie campaign. After being deactivated for the first two games of the season, Scott, the team's third leading receiver, has since recorded 50 receptions for 624 yards and 12 TDs.
FB/LB Marlion Jackson:
The rookie fullback/linebacker recorded four touchdowns in his first game on the active roster and also added four tackles and a tackle for a loss.
Carolina
QB Rickey Foggie: The seven-year AFL veteran has been impressive in his first three starts of the season. Named as the Co-Offensive Player of the Game in the Cobras win over Philadelphia in his first start, he completed 22-of-31 passes for a season-high 338 yards and five touchdowns. He followed that up with a 22-of-30 passing performance against the Destroyers, throwing for 232 yards and six touchdowns. Foggie currently ranks among the AFL's all-time leaders in all major passing categories.
OS Damien Groce: In 13 games, he has 68 catches for 822 yards and a single-season record 19 touchdowns. Groce had a career performance in his first start at offensive specialist against Philadelphia, setting career highs with eight receptions for 173 yards and three touchdowns. He currently ranks 9th in the AFL with 1,735 all-purpose yards and has set Carolina single-season records for touchdowns (21) and points scored (126)
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 12, 2004
- Every game counts in drive to ArenaBowl XVIII - AFL I
- AFL injury report - AFL I
- Philadelphia Soul release two veterans - Philadelphia Soul
- Marcum to join AFL on NBC this week - AFL I
- Detroit Fury game notes - Detroit Fury
- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Grand Rapids Rampage game notes - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Austin Wranglers game notes - Austin Wranglers
- Bowl with the 'Birds this Saturday - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Indiana Firebirds game notes - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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