Sports stats

Philadelphia Soul game notes

February 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Philadelphia (2-2) vs. Dallas (3-1)
Site: Wachovia Center (17,639 capacity)
Officials: Referee: Bill LeMonnier; Umpire: Mike Delaney; Head Linesman: Allen Baynes; Line Judge: Dana McKinzie; Back Judge: Billy Beckett

TV: NBC Sports
Play-by-Play: Tom Hammond
Color: Pat Haden
Sideline: Lewis Johnson
RADIO: Soul Radio Network
WNTP 990-AM (Phila.)
106.7 FM WDOX (Atlantic City)
Sirius Satellite Radio – 127
Play-by-Play: Ari Wolfe
Color: Bill Osborn

COACHES:
Soul: Michael Trigg, 77-79 regular
season, 3-7 postseason (80-86 overall)
Desperados: Will McClay, 9-11 regular season

THE MATCHUP:

The Soul look to rebound after last week's loss at New Orleans to move to 3-2. Philadelphia is at .500 after falling to the VooDoo last week. The Soul have been led by the impressive play of Tony Graziani, who has thrown an AFL-leading 27 touchdowns on the season. Sean Scott has been a menace on both sides of the ball for the Soul. He is third on the team in tackles with 17 and is second on the team in receptions (22), yards (295) and touchdowns (10). Dallas missed the playoffs last year for the first time in franchise history, finishing 6-10. However with the great play of Clint Stoerner, their first-year QB, the Desperados look to make a push in the AFL playoff race.

PHILADELPHIA SOUL SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

PHILADELPHIA SOUL SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Date Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
1/30 @ Austin 12:00 p.m. W, 66-35/ W1
2/6 @ Chicago 1:00 p.m. L, 51-41/ L1
2/13 Nashville 3:00 p.m. W, 59-48/W1
2/20 @ New Orleans 12:00 p.m. L, 61-47/L1
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.

DALLAS DESPERADOS SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
1/30 Chicago 3:00 p.m. W, 66-65/W1
2/6 @ New York 1:00 p.m. L, 45-55/ L1
2/13 Columbus 3:00 p.m. W, 35-31/W1
2/17 Orlando 8:30 p.m. W, 42-28/W2
2/27 @ Philadelphia 3:00 p.m.
3/5 New Orleans 8:30 p.m.
3/13 @ Austin 3:00 p.m.
3/18 @ Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
3/25 Colorado 8:30 p.m.
BYE
4/8 Nashville 8:30 p.m.
4/15 @San Jose 10:30 p.m.
4/24 @ Columbus 1:00 p.m.
4/29 New York 8:30 p.m.
5/7 @ Las Vegas 10:30 p.m.
5/14 @ Georgia 7:30 p.m.
5/22 Philadelphia 1:00 p.m.

If the Soul defeat the Desperados it would...

· Mark the franchise's second win against Dallas.
· Be the Soul's first division win this season.
· Make the Soul 2-0 at the friendly confines of the Wachovia Center this season.
· Move the Soul into at least a second place tie with the Desperados

The Coaches Corner

Michael Trigg: After guiding the expansion Philadelphia Soul to a 5-11 Inaugural Season mark, Trigg (77-79 reg. season, 3-7 post-season) is in 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.

Will McClay: McClay begins the 2005 AFL season with his feet firmly planted on the ground after being thrust into the role of head coach just three days before the kickoff of the 2004 season. McClay was named Desperados head coach on Feb. 5, 2004 after former head coach Joe Avezzano announced his resignation to return to the NFL. In McClay's second season at the helm of the Desperados, he will be looking to improve upon last season's 6-10 finish and restore Dallas to the successes the team enjoyed in their first two seasons in the league. McClay is also currently a scout for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. Prior to working with the Cowboys, he was Assistant Director of Pro Scouting for the Jacksonville Jaguars. McClay has been involved with the AFL for 11 seasons as a player/coach.

Philly Phlavor

Two players on the Soul's active roster are Philadelphia natives: Sean Scott and Keita Crespina. Scott, last year's Soul MVP, grew up in Overbrook and attended Millersville University in Lancaster. Crespina, who grew up in North Philly and continues to reside there, graduated from Temple University and was voted the Owls' MVP in 1992.

Soul WR/DB Rob Milanese is a rookie and a graduate of Penn, where he holds the school record in receiving yards.

Tale of the Tape

Philadelphia Category (Rank) Dallas
55.3 (7th)44.6 (9th) Scoring OffenseScoring Defense 55.0 (12th)47.0(5th)
294.0 (6th)285.5 (9th) Offense (Yards/Game)Defense (Yards/Game) 286.0 (7th)222.0 (2nd)
8-11 –72.7% (6th)15/21 – 71.4% (11th) Red Zone OffenseRed Zone Defense 13/21 – 61.9% (13th)12/17-– 70.6% (9th)
279.5 (5th)251.3 (9th) Pass OffensePass Defense 254.8 (11th)203.3 (1st)
14.5 (11th)34.3 (13th) Rushing Offense (Yards/Game)Rushing Defense (Yards/Game) 31.3 (3rd)18.8 (8th)
67 (16TH) First Downs 78(8th)
15.0 (4th) Average Starting Position (after kickoffs) 9.7 (15th)
-1 (T-9th)2/5 Turnover MarginField Goals +2 (7th)2/7
1 (16th) 2 (5th) Sacks BySacks Against 6 (4th)3 (10th)
10/22- 45.5% (10th)3/7- 42.9% (13th) Third Down ConversionFourth Down Conversion 14/28- 50.0% (5th)4/6-66.7% (2nd)
31-47.5 Penalties (# - Avg. Yards/Game) 35-72.7
25:41 Time of Possession (Avg.) 28:54

2005 Standings

Philadelphia Soul – 2-2 (3rd in Eastern Division)

Dallas Desperados – 3-1 (1st in Eastern Division)

2005 Record When...

Wachovia Center 1-0
On the Road 1-2
Score First 2-0
Opp. Score First 0-2
Leading at Half 2-0
Trailing at Half 0-2
Friday 0-0
Saturday 0-0
Sunday 2-2
On NBC 2-2
Hammond/Haden 0-2
Papa/Bentley 1-0
Weber/Pawlawski 1-0
Vs. Eastern 0-0
Vs. Central 1-1
Vs. Western 0-0
Vs. Southern 1-1
January 1-0
February 1-2
March 0-0
April 0-0
May 0-0

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.
· Graziani is tied for the league lead in touchdowns with 27 and has a QB Rating of 110.
· He is currently on pace to throw 108 TDs this season – which would set an AFL single season record.
· 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.

Day of Rest?

The Soul play a league-high 15 of their 16 games on Sundays this season. Philadelphia will also be featured 14 times on NBC, also most among all AFL teams.

Smith Surpasses the 3,000 Mark

With his 145 yards receiving in New Orleans on Sunday, Soul OS Steve Smith surpassed the 3,000 receiving yards mark for his career.

Scott's the Heart of the Soul

· Philadelphia-born WR/LB Sean Scott has been the Soul's Ironman through the first four weeks of the season, winning US Army Ironman of the Game honors three times.
· His 17 tackles are third most on the team while his 22 catches for 295 yards and 10 TDs are each second.
· For his performance in Chicago in Week 2, Scott was named the AFL's US Army Ironman of the Week for the second consecutive week.
· With the award, Scott became the first AFLer to win back-to-back US Army Ironman of the Week honors since Chicago's Dameon Porter in Weeks 7 and 8 of 2001.
· His career-best five TDs were a career best and tied a franchise high.
· His 10 TDs are currently third most in the AFL.
· Scott was named Team MVP by his peers for the Soul's Inaugural Season and appears to have picked up where he left off.
· His 56 catches were third on the team despite playing just 12 games and his 16 TDs tied for second.

Smith Scores Four More Times

Just a week after being elected Offensive Player of the Week by the AFL Writers Association, Smith followed up his dashing debut in Philadelphia with a four-TD performance against the VooDoo. He also narrowly missed a kickoff return for a TD before being stopped at the New Orleans one yard line. Smith now has 11 receiving touchdowns and one kickoff return score.

Graziani Vs. the Desperados

Tony Graziani is 92-for-143 (64%) for 1,165 yards in four career games against the Desperados. He has thrown a remarkable 24 touchdowns and just three interceptions and is 2-2 in the four contests.

Scott Collects 1,000th Career Yard

Soul WR/LB Sean Scott recorded his 1,000th career receiving yard in Sunday's loss in New Orleans. He caught seven passes for 105 yards in the contest and now has 1,015 yards and 26 touchdowns in just 16 games played in his young career.

Fan Favorites Return to Action

The Soul got a boost this past Sunday, welcoming back FB/LB Chris "Soul Train" Ryan and OS Tyronne Jones to action from injuries. These fan favorites from 2004 improve the Soul's depth.

Approaching Milestones

· Soul QB Tony Graziani is just four TD passes away from his 300th career TD pass.
· Graziani will surpass 14,000 career passing yards with 474 more.
· Soul OS Tyronne Jones is just four catches away from 500 career receptions.
· Soul WR/LB Sean Scott is 22 receptions shy of the 100th for his career.
· Soul FB/LB Marlion Jackson needs 17 more rushing yards for 100 on his career.

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's 259 all-purpose yards a week ago are the Soul's most this season and his 808 total yards place him second in the AFL – just 10 yards behind League-leader Siaha Burley.
· His 12 TDs are also second best in the League
· His 448 receiving yards rank third as do his 112.0 receiving yards per game.
· Smith's five TDs in Week 1 set a career and franchise record.

QB Stats 2004 vs. 2005

The Soul's top offseason priority was an upgrade at the QB position and the team's efforts appear to have paid off.

Through Week 4

2004:
Nick Browder – 78 of 130 (60 %); 17 TDs; 2 INT; 43.5 pts/game; 1 win.

2005:
Tony Graziani – 80 of 135 (62%); 27 TDs (league leader); 6 INT; 53.3 pts/game; 2 wins.

1,000 Completions Club

Soul QB Tony Graziani collected his 1,000th career completion two weeks ago on a pass to Steve Smith. In just his fifth year, the Oregon alum has already thrown for more than 13,000 yards and is just three TDs shy of the 300th of his career.

Players to Watch

Philadelphia

#7 – QB Tony Graziani
Armed with a wealth of talented receivers, led by Sean Scott and Steve Smith, Graziani is off to a torrid start in his first season with the Soul. #7 has thrown for 27 TDs (T-1st in the AFL) through two weeks, amassing a QB ratting of 110. He is currently on pace to throw 108 TDs on the season, which would break the AFL single-season mark.

#84 – OS Steve Smith
Smith continues to show fans why the Soul brought him to Philadelphia, as his electrifying play keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. His performance versus the VooDoo included the most all-purpose yards (259) by a Soul player all season and four TDs. He is second in the League in all-purpose yards with 808.

#9 – DS Arkee Thompson
Thompson, in his second year in the AFL, is making a name for himself as a top defensive specialists in the League. Leading the team in tackles (28) and interceptions (2), he has been a key contributor to the defensive play of the team.

#88 – WR/LB Sean Scott
Scott surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards in last week's loss in New Orleans thanks to a seven-catch, 105-yard effort. His 10 TDs are second on the team and fourth most in the AFL.

Dallas

# 12 – QB Clint Stoerner
In his rookie season in the AFL, Stoerner has led his Desperados to the top of the Eastern Division through the first month with a 3-1 record. He has completed 63 percent of his passes and tallied 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions

# 9 – WR/LB Jason Shelley
Shelley paces the Dallas air attack, collecting 398 receiving yards and five touchdowns through four games so far this season. He is sixth in the league in yards among receivers and is known for his ability to use his size (6-2) to make plays in traffic and in the red zone.

# 1- WR/DB Bobby Sippio
A top two-way player, Sippio is coming off a monster rookie season in which he led the Desperados in TDs with 35. He leads his team in scores again this year with six and has 298 receiving yards. Defensively, he has 10.5 tackles and three pass break-ups.

# 3 – WR/DB Will Pettis
A third-year player, Pettis is one of the most dynamic guys in the AFL. A season ago he led all players with 3,017 all-purpose yards and has picked up where he left off. A 2nd Team All-Arena player, he leads Dallas with 629 all-purpose yards and two interceptions.

Turnovers are Telling

The Soul are 6-4 all-time when the team ties or wins the game's turnover battle and 1-9 when they don't. They are 1-1 when winning the battle and 1-1 when losing it this season.

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
Wes Ours – Ind, Tenn, Pit
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

Soul rookie Rob Milanese recorded his second and third career TD catches this past Sunday. Milanese played at the University of Pennsylvania from '99-'02.
· His four TD catches and 211 receiving yards are both third on the Soul.
· 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.

2005 Award Winners

Offensive Player of the Game:
Week 1: Steve Smith (PHI)
Week 2: Raymond Philyaw (CHI)
Week 3: Steve Smith (PHI)
Week 4: Andy Kelly (NOV)

US Army Ironman of the Game:
Week 1: Sean Scott (PHI)
Week 2: Sean Scott/John Moyer (PHI/CHI)
Week 3: Sean Scott (PHI)
Week 4: Lamont Moore (NOV)

Defensive Player of the Game:
Week 1: Arkee Thompson (PHI)
Week 2: Russell Shaw (CHI)
Week 3: Arkee Thompson (PHI)
Week 4: Monty Montgomery (NO)

Results in the Red Zone

The Soul offense has been very productive in the Red Zone this season, converting on eight of 11 chances. Their rate of 72.7 percent is sixth best in the League. The Soul defense is ranked eleventh in opponents' red zone scoring.

Dallas is just 13-for-21 in the red zone (13 in the AFL) and the Desperados defense ranks ninth in opponents' red zone percentage.

Graziani's Greatness

Graziani has:
· Thrown more TDs (126) than any other AFL passer over the past two seasons. Aaron Garcia is second with 105.
· Thrown more TD passes of 25+ yards (30) than any other QB (Clint Dolezel is second with 28).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 22, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Philadelphia Soul Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central