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Philadelphia Soul game notes

January 27, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release


Philadelphia Soul (0-0) v. Austin Wranglers (0-0)
Site: Frank Erwin Center (14,866 capacity)
Officials: Referee: Steve Pamon; Umpire: Jeff Carr; Head Linesman: Brent Durbin;
Line Judge: R.G. Detillier; Back Judge: Tony Lombardo
COACHES:
Soul: Michael Trigg, 75-77 regular
season, 3-7 postseason (78-84 overall)
Wranglers: Skip Foster 8-8 regular
Season (8-8 overall)

THE MATCHUP:

The Soul look to open their second season with a win over the Austin Wranglers, a team they lost to 65-60 in their first-ever meeting last season. The Soul, 5-11 a year ago, had an impressive offseason, signing key components from around the league. With the additions of QB Tony Graziani and OS Steve Smith the Soul have created some high expectations throughout the league and are Danny White's pick in AFL Magazine to win ArenaBowl XIX. The Wranglers are coming off an 8-8 inaugural season and looking to make a stir in the Southern Division with the addition of QB John Fitzgerald.


TUNE IN:
TV: NBC Sports
Play-by-Play: Bill Weber
Color: Mike Pawlawski
Sideline: Roger Wallace
RADIO: WNTP (990-AM)
Play-by-Play: Ari Wolfe
Color: Bill Osborn

PHILADELPHIA SOUL SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Date Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
1/30 @ Austin 12:00 p.m.
2/6 @ Chicago 1:00 p.m.
2/13 Nashville 3:00 p.m.
2/20 @ New Orleans 12:00 p.m.
2/27 Dallas 3:00 p.m.
3/6 New York 12:00 p.m.
3/11 @ San Jose 10:30 p.m.
3/20 Tampa Bay 12:00 p.m.
3/27 Grand Rapids 3:00 p.m.
4/3 @ Columbus 12:00 p.m.
4/10 @ Colorado 1:00 p.m.
4/17 Las Vegas 1:00 p.m.
4/24 @ New York 1:00 p.m.
5/1 Orlando 1:00 p.m.
BYE
5/15 Columbus 1:00 p.m.
5/22 @ Dallas 3:00 p.m.

AUSTIN WRANGLERS SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Date Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
1/30 Philadelphia 12:00 p.m.
2/6 @ Tampa Bay 12:00 p.m.
2/11 Los Angeles 8:30 p.m.
2/19 @ Grand Rapids 7:30 p.m.
2/25 Georgia 8:30 p.m.
3/4 @ Las Vegas 10:00 p.m.
3/13 Dallas 4:00 p.m.
3/19 New York 8:30 p.m.
3/25 @ Orlando 7:30 p.m.
4/1 New Orleans 8:30 p.m.
4/8 @ Georgia 7:30 p.m.
4/17 Tampa Bay 1:00 p.m.
4/22 @ Arizona 10:00 p.m.
4/30 @ Columbus 7:00 p.m.
5/7 Orlando 8:30 p.m.
5/14 @ New Orleans 8:00 p.m.
BYE


What If...

If Philadelphia defeats Austin, it would...
· Give the Soul their first win over Austin
· Give the Soul their first season opener win
· Give the Soul their first win against an AFL Southern Division opponent

The Coaches Corner

Michael Trigg: After guiding the expansion Philadelphia Soul to a 5-11 Inaugural Season mark, Trigg (75-77 reg. season, 3-7 post-season) enters his 17th year of Arena Football. Prior to joining the Soul, Trigg spent six seasons as head coach in Grand Rapids, guiding the Rampage to the playoffs in five of his six years. His team won ArenaBowl XV in 2001 as Trigg was named AFL Coach of the Year. A veteran of expansion endeavors, Trigg spent 1994 as head coach of the expansion Fort Worth Calvary and 1995-97 as head coach of the Milwaukee Mustangs. He turned a 0-12 team into a two-time playoff participant and set the then-AFL record for single-season turnaround as he guided the Mustangs from 4-8 in 1995 to 10-4 in 1996.

Skip Foster: Foster is entering his second season as a head coach in the AFL, coming off of an impressive 8-8 campaign in the Wranglers inaugural season. Under his leadership the Wranglers became one of the top offensive teams in the league, remaining in the top three for total offense for 15 weeks. Before joining Austin and the AFL, Foster had an impressive career in arenafootball2, becoming the second most winning coach (44-10) in league history.

Start the Season Off Right

On Monday, January 17th the Philadelphia Soul kicked off the season with the 2005 Pep Rally at the Wachovia Spectrum. For the second straight year, Philadelphia players and coaches were introduced to Soul season ticket holders. Co-owners Jon Bon Jovi and Craig A. Spencer and Team President Ron Jaworski each addressed the crowd. The night wrapped up with a special performance by BON JOVI.

Tale of the Tape

Philadelphia Category (Rank) Austin
737 (15th)790 (10th) Scoring OffenseScoring Defense 764 (13th)793 (12th)
3962 (17th)4400 (17th) Total OffenseTotal Defense 4363 (6th)4242 (12th)
58-71-81.7% (13th)59-76-77.6% (1st) Red Zone OffenseRed Zone Defense 63-76-82.9% (12th)59-70-84.3% (12th)
3649 (13th)4107 (17th) Pass OffensePass Defense 4002 (9th)3867 (12th)
313 (10th)293 (7th) Rushing OffenseRushing Defense 361 (8th)375 (14th)
737 (15th)66/89 (17th) ScoringScoring (Kicking) 764 (13th)84/97 (12th)
94/1707 (9th)18.2 (9th) Kickoff ReturnsKick Return Average 90/1441 (18th)16.0 (18th)
-18 (17th)13/31 (14th) Turnover MarginField Goals +5 (8th)8/18 (11th)
12 (16th)12 (7th) Sacks BySacks Against 19 (3rd)25 (18th)
46/99 (12th)8/17 (13th) Third Down ConversionFourth Down Conversion 60/122 (6th)21/43 (12th)
114-691 (4th)155-990 (1st) Penalties (# - Yards)Opp. Penalties (# - Yards) 124-738 (10th)119- 691 (15th)

2004 Standings

Philadelphia Soul – 5-11 (5th in Eastern Division)

Austin Wranglers – 8-8 (4th in Southern Division)

2004 Record When...

Wachovia Center 3-3
Wachovia Spectrum 1-1
On the Road 1-7
Saturday 3-5
Sunday 2-6
On NBC 2-3
On UPN-57 2-2
Vs. Eastern 4-4
Vs. Central 1-2
Vs. Western 0-2
Vs. Southern 0-3
February 1-3
March 2-2
April 2-1
May 0-5

The Soul's new Money Man

· In October, Tony Graziani signed the wealthiest contract in AFL history. As the most coveted free agent on the market, Graziani's addition sent waves through the National Conference.
· For the 2004 season, Graziani completed 333 of 510 passes for 4,265 yards with only five INTs.
· As 2004 All Arena First Team QB, he threw a career-best of 99 touchdowns and added four rushing scores.
· Graziani is one of just four players in League history to account for more than 100 touchdowns in a single season.
· His 99 TDs were third-most by a QB in League history.
· His signing should greatly improve the Soul's turnover margin – which was 3rd worst in the league a year ago at -18; L.A. led the League at +15.

Quick Starters

Graziani and Head Coach Michael Trigg have been successful in season openers throughout their AFL careers.

Graziani is 3-0 in season openers, tallying 22 TDs and just two interceptions. He has completed 69 of 106 passes at a 65 percent clip.

As a head coach, Trigg is 6-5 in his team's first game of the year including wins in four of his last five.

Scott's the Heart of the Soul

· Philadelphia-born wide receiver/linebacker Sean Scott was named Team MVP by his peers for the Soul's Inaugural Season and looks to be even more of a force in '05.
· His 56 catches were third on the team despite playing just 12 games and his 16 TDs tied for second.
· A graduate of Millersville (PA) University, Scott is a reliable two-way player for the Soul.
· Playing linebacker he led the team with three forced fumbles, made 21 tackles and collected 0.5 sack and one fumble recovery.
· His tough play twice earned him US Army Ironman of the Week honors (Week 5 vs. Chicago and Week 6 vs. Columbus).
· At 6-foot-2, 200 lbs., Scott provides a big target for Graziani and is noted for his ability to catch the ball in traffic.
· Scott is one of the Soul's most active members of the community, having made 25+ appearances at schools, hospitals and charitable events a year ago.
· Honored by March of Dimes as "Philadelphia Soul Athlete of the Year."

Good Things Come in Small Packages

· At just 5-foot-9, Steve Smith is not one of the biggest offensive specialists in the League. But he is one of the most explosive.
· Smith led the Grand Rapids Rampage with 59 catches for 658 yards and 10 TDs last season.
· His five kick return TDs led the league.
· Smith's speed gives Graziani a wide receiver who can stretch the field and make big plays.

Players to Watch

Philadelphia

#7 – QB Tony Graziani
All eyes are on Graziani, who makes his Soul debut today. Anxious to get his Philadelphia career underway, Graziani is armed with a wealth of talented receivers, led by Sean Scott, Steve Smith and Terrill Shaw.

#84 – OS Steve Smith
Smith is another Soul player making his debut after being one of the team's key offseason additions through free agency. He is likely to be a key contributor in the return game in addition to his big-play capabilities as an OS.

#9 – DS Joe Todd
Todd returns as DS for the Soul and will be counted on to lock down the Wranglers' receiving corps. His 75.5 tackles placed him among League leaders in the category and his two interceptions were second best on the team.

#97 – OL/DL Arnold Miller
Miller was a member of the 2004 All-Rookie team, finishing with 12.5 tackles. Along with OL/DL Dwayne Missouri, Miller will be counted on for his pass rushing skills off the edge.

Austin

#93 – OL/DL Tom Briggs
Widely regarded as one of the top two-way linemen in the League, Briggs was a 2004 All-Arena First Teamer and anchors one of the Wranglers' strongest positions.

#4 – QB Bobby Pesavento
Pesavento takes over the reigns for the departed John Kaleo. In his third-year, he has completed 18 passes on 42 attempts for 216 yards and three TDs in limited playing time.

#99 – OL/DL Bryan Henderson
Another 2004 All-Arena First Team selection, Henderson was a significant offseason addition via free agency (Arizona) and further solidifies both sides of the line of scrimmage for Austin.

#80 – OS Tacoma Fontaine
A pleasant surprise in 2004, Fontaine was an All-Rookie selection for the Wranglers. His 21 TDs and 1,076 yards led Austin, and he will be teamed this season with Ira Gooch, who was added through free agency.

He's "Eligible"

Soul WR/LB Sean Scott was featured in the November 2004 issue of Main Line Today as one of the Philadelphia area's "20 Most Eligible Singles."

NFL Experience

Several Soul players boast NFL experience:
Donovan Arp - Wash, Car, Tenn
Cyron Brown - Den
Marvin Brown - KC, Bal, Cle
Keita Crespina - Phi, Ari
Winfield Garnett - Minn, NO, Sea
Tony Graziani - Atl, Cle
Marlion Jackson - NYJ, Den
Marcus Knight - TB, Oak
Tim Levcik - Mia, Pit
Arnold Miller - Cle
Dwayne Missouri - Bal
Dwayne Sabb - S.D., Buf, NE
Derek Schorejs - Cin, Cle, NYJ, Jax
Sean Scott - Phi
Terrill Shaw - KC
Charles Stackhouse - NYG, Min

Penn Grad's Got Soul

When Soul rookie WR/DB Rob Milanese makes his AFL debut today, it may not be the first time Philadelphia football fans have seen him in action. Milanese graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where he tore up the Ivy League from '99-'02 as a Quaker.
· The 5-foot-9 wideout finished his career as Penn's all-time leader in receiving yards and third in catches.
· He became the first-ever Penn receiver to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a single season.

Poised for Sophomore Success

Both the Austin Wranglers and Philadelphia Soul enter year two of their brief histories. The Wranglers, fresh off an 8-8 inaugural campaign, are expected to battle the Tampa Bay Storm, New Orleans VooDoo and Orlando Predators for Southern Division supremacy in the National Conference.

The Soul harbor lofty expectations as well. Danny White (AFL Magazine) picks Philadelphia as his preseason ArenaBowl XIX favorite and the Soul should compete for the Eastern Division crown.

‘Soul Train' De-railed

Soul FB/LB Chris "Soul Train" Ryan is expected to miss four to six weeks with a broken finger on his right hand. He is currently on the injured reserve list.

‘7-11' Closed

Soul OS Tyronne Jones, who teammates call "7-11" because he is "always open," will miss this week's game with a hamstring injury. He is currently on the injured reserve list.

S3

The Soul are deep at the receiver position. Sean Scott, Terrill Shaw and Steve Smith make up a lethal triumvirate of S's available to Graziani. Scott was the Soul's 2004 Team MVP, Shaw was ArenaBowl XV MVP and Smith led the AFL in kickoff returns for TDs a season ago.

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