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Philadelphia Soul game notes

April 20, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release


QUICK FACTS:
New York (6-5) vs. Philadelphia (5-7)
Site: Nassau Coliseum (17,500 capacity)
Officials: Referee: Pat Garvey; Umpire: Tom Laverty; Head Linesman: Bill Ward; Line Judge: Wayne Mackey; Back Judge: Dino Paganelli

TV: NBC Sports (WCAU-10)
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)
Play-by-Play: Ari Wolfe
Color: Bill Osborn

COACHES:
Soul: James Fuller, 3-4 regular
season; 0-0 postseason; 3-4 overall
Dragons: Weylan Harding, 6-5 regular season; 0-0 postseason; 6-5 overall

THE MATCHUP:

The Philadelphia Soul (5-7) look to rebound from one of the franchise's most disappointing losses when they take on the division rival New York Dragons (6-5) today. Both teams continue to battle for the Eastern Division title along with fellow rival Dallas Desperados. The Soul dropped a heartbreaker to the Las Vegas Gladiators this past Sunday when Clint Dolezel tossed a 27-yard winning TD strike with just :01 remaining. The Dragons lost their third straight game, falling to the Orlando Predators who have now won six consecutive contests against New York.

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. L, 72-43/L2
3/6 New York 12:00 p.m. L, 61-54/L3
3/11 @ San Jose 10:30 p.m. L, 52-26/L4
3/20 Tampa Bay 12:00 p.m. W, 69-63/W1
3/26 Grand Rapids 7:00 p.m. W, 64-41/W2W
4/3 @ Columbus 12:00 p.m. W, 62-45/W3
4/10 @ Colorado 1:00 p.m. L, 77-56/L1
4/17 Las Vegas 1:00 p.m. L, 56-44/L2
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.

NEW YORK DRAGONS SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
BYE
2/6 Dallas 1:00 p.m. W, 55-45/W1
2/11 @ Las Vegas 10:00 p.m. L, 37-41/L1
2/19 Nashville 7:00 p.m. W, 62-49/W1
2/27 Arizona 3:00 p.m. W, 61-37/W2
3/6 @ Philadelphia 12:00 p.m. W, 62-54/W3
3/12 Georgia 7:00 p.m. W, 53-51/W4
3/193/26 @ Austin@ Columbus 8:30 p.m.7:00 p.m. L, 47-57/L1W, 56-55/W1
4/2 Chicago 7:00 p.m. L, 43-44/L1
4/10 @ Los Angeles 3:00 p.m. L, 35-66/L2
4/15 @ Orlando 7:00 p.m. L, 60-72/L3
4/24 Philadelphia 1:00 p.m.
4/29 @ Dallas 8:30 p.m.
5/7 Columbus 7:00 p.m.
5/15 @ Tampa 1:00 p.m.
5/21 Colorado 7:00 p.m.

If the Soul defeat the Dragons, it would...

· Even the teams' season series at 1-1
· Be the Soul's first-ever win in New York.
· Move the Soul to within ½ game of the Dragons in the standings.

The Coaches Corner

James Fuller: Now in his eighth year of Arena Football, James Fuller (3-4 reg. season) takes over as the Soul's interim Head Coach after more than a season as the team's defensive coordinator. His time with the Soul follows a two-year stint as head coach of the Bakersfield Blitz (af2). Fuller spent two seasons with the Oklahoma Wranglers and established himself as one of the top coaches in Arena Football. His team ranked number one in total defense and pass defense in 2000 while he served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Previously, Fuller spent two years as an assistant defensive coach for the Portland Forest Dragons of the AFL, where he played in 1998. An 8th round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers and coach Bobby Ross in 1992, he went on to play for the New Orleans Saints under Jim Mora and the Philadelphia Eagles under Ray Rhoades. Fuller was an All NFL-Europe free safety for Scotland under Jim Criner before a knee injury ended his career.

Weylan Harding: Harding is in his first season as the head coach of the Dragons. He joined the team from Columbus, where as the Destroyers' defensive coordinator he established a reputation as a highly-regarded defensive coach. He feels it is a great honor to coach the team he once played for and that it his passion to bring a championship to the franchise that started him on a path from player to coach in the AFL. Harding has spent the last three seasons as the Columbus/Buffalo franchise's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. In 2003 the Destroyers' defense finished as the top-ranked unit in the AFL, allowing only 219.1 yards per game. His unit also finished second in the league in total defense with 238.5 yards per game, and fourth in scoring defense.

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.

2005 Standings

Philadelphia Soul – 5-7 (3rd in Eastern Division)

New York Dragons– 6-5 (2nd in Eastern Division)

2005 Record When...

Wachovia Center 3-3
On the Road 2-4
Score First 2-2
Opp. Score First 3-5
Leading at Half 5-1
Trailing at Half 0-6
Friday 0-1
Saturday 1-0
Sunday 4-6
On NBC 4-6
Hammond/Haden 0-3
Hammond/Bentley 0-2
Papa/Bentley 2-1
Papa/Pawlawski 1-0
Weber/Pawlawski 1-0
On FSN/CSN 1-1
Vs. Eastern 1-2
Vs. Central 2-2
Vs. Western 0-2
Vs. Southern 2-1
January 1-0
February 1-3
March 2-2
April 1-2
May 0-0

Tracking the Soul's New Superstar

· 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 leads the AFL in TD passes with 71.
· In his last five games, he has 31 TDs and only two INTs.
· He is currently on pace to throw 95 touchdowns this season.
· For the 2005 season, Graziani has completed 238 of 397 passes for 3,179 yards and 11 INTs.
· As 2004 All Arena First Team QB, he threw a career-best of 99 touchdowns.

Soul = Road Warriors?

After managing just one road win a season ago, the Soul have doubled that total this season. Philadelphia is 2-4 at visiting arenas this season and will look to set a franchise mark with a third road win when they take on the Dragons in New York on Sunday.

Scott's the Heart of the Soul

· Philadelphia-born WR/LB Sean Scott has been the Soul's Ironman through the first 12 weeks of the season, winning US Army Ironman of the Game honors five times.
· Last Sunday, Scott grabbed three receptions and had a tackle and a fumble recovery before leaving the game late in the second quarter with a rib cage injury.
· Scott leads the AFL with 13.0 special teams tackles.
· Scott leads the team (10th in the AFL) with 24 TDs and is 2nd w/ 60 catches.
· His 42.0 tackles and 698 receiving yards are second on the team.
· 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.

Soul Defense Forcing Turnovers

The Soul defense has picked up the pace over the last several games. In Week 10's win over Columbus, the unit forced three turnovers, including two interceptions. The team also forced six fumbles, which was a franchise record. Over the last five weeks, the Soul defense has forced nine turnovers.

Marcus Knight Impresses Early

Despite not making his Soul debut until Week 6 of this season, Knight has been a solid addition to the team's receiving corps. An ex-NFLer who played with the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, performance over the last several weeks has been particularly impressive. Knight has caught 16 touchdown passes from Graziani in that time. Below are his numbers in the seven games he has played this season.

Receptions Yards TDs
36 554 16

Battle of Strengths?

Sunday's Matchup has the potential to be a high-scoring affair, as two of the AFL's top offenses take stage. The Soul offense averages 53.0 points per game – sixth best in the League; meanwhile, New York puts up 51.8 points each contest – ranking seventh.

Day of Rest?

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

Coleman Provides a Boost

Soul DS Calvin Coleman – acquired in Week 6 in a trade with New Orleans – has provided an instant boost to the Soul defense. He has interceptions in two of the last five games and his four picks on the season put him in a tie with Eddie Moten for the lead on the Soul.

Moten's Streak Snapped

Soul DS Eddie Moten's four-game streak with an interception was snapped in Week 12's loss to Las Vegas. Moten did record two pass breakups but did not grab an interception. He remains tied with Calvin Coleman for the Soul's team lead in INTs with four. His 54 tackles are tops on the team.

Record Watching

After 31 TDs in his last five games, Soul QB Tony Graziani is now on pace to throw 95 for the season. He threw a career high 99 TDs a year ago and may come within striking distance of his own career best again this season.

Local Connections

Soul OL/DL Eric Gohlstin and Corey Stone played for New York in both 2001 and 2002, protecting Aaron Garcia en route to his AFL-record 104 TDs in 2001.

Dragons QB Chris Boden is a graduate of Villanova while WR/DB DaShane Dennis went to Delaware State and then played for the Soul in 2004. OL/DL Joe Laudano went to Temple. FB/LB Kevin Clemens was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles briefly in 2003 and OS Kevin Swayne spent 1999 on their practice squad.

Graziani vs. New York Dragons

Tony Graziani is 3-1 in games against the New York Dragons. In those games, he has connected on 97 of 154 passes (63%), for 1,142 yards, 26 touchdowns and one interception.

2005 vs. 2004

Below are the numbers of Tony Graziani and his top two receivers through 12 games in 2004 in L.A. vs. his 2005 numbers with Steve Smith and Sean Scott:

2004
comp-att-yards-TDs-INTs
Graziani: 256-387-3329-75-2
rec.-yards-TDs
Chris Jackson: 100-1,478-34
Greg Hopkins: 48-541-11

2005
comp-att-yards-TDs-INTs
Graziani: 238-397-3,179 -71-11
rec.-yards-TDs
Steve Smith: 73-1,017-20
Sean Scott: 60-698-21

Philly Football's New Ironman

Following in the footsteps of another #7, Ron Jaworski, Tony Graziani has started 61 straight games – the second longest current streak in the AFL.

Results in the Red Zone

Phi offense TD%: 77.6% (5th)
NY offense: TD%: 6936% (12th)

Phi defense TD%: 78.0% (14th)
NY defense: TD%: 75.8% (12th)

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.
· His 2,219 total yards place him first in all-purpose yardage.
· His 22 TDs are also tied for 11th-best in the League
· His 1,017 receiving yards rank sixth in the AFL and his 73 catches are 13th.
· He ranks first in kick off return yards (1,127) and second in kickoff returns (53).
· Smith's five TDs in Week 1 set a career and franchise record, which was then tied by Sean Scott's 5-TD performance in Weeks 2 and 6.

Recent Milestones

· Steve Smith caught his 300th career reception in Week 12's loss to Las Vegas.
· Tony Graziani surpassed the 15,000 career passing yards mark last Sunday with a fourth quarter pass.
· Newly acquired kicker Tim Seder converted his first AFL field goal – a 25-yarder – in the Week 9 win over Grand Rapids.
· Scott caught the 100th pass of his career in the Soul's Week 9 win over Grand Rapids.
· Ryan picked up his 200th career carry in the first quarter of the Soul's 3/26 win over Grand Rapids.
· Graziani threw his 300th career TD in the Soul's loss on 3/6 to NY.
· Tyronne Jones caught his 500th career pass in the Soul's 3/6 loss to NY.

Players to Watch

Philadelphia

#7 – QB Tony Graziani
Armed with a wealth of talented receivers, led by Sean Scott and Steve Smith, Graziani continues to put up big numbers. He has thrown 31 TDs and only two INTs in the last five games. For the season, #7 has thrown 71 TDs (1st in the AFL), amassing 3,179 passing yards (3rd) and a QB rating of 113.3 (9th).

#88 – WR/LB Sean Scott
Sean Scott is coming off a rib cage injury that forced him to miss the second half of Week 12's loss. Scott won US Army Ironman of the Game honors for the fifth time in 10 games with his performance in Week 10's win over Columbus. His 21 TD catches lead the Soul while his 60 receptions are second. Scott's 42.0 tackles place him second on the team.

#24 – DS Calvin Coleman
A second-year player out of Montana, Coleman came over in a trade with the New Orleans VooDoo four weeks ago. In nine games this season, he has racked up 42.5 tackles, four interceptions and five pass breakups.

#12 – WR/LB Marcus Knight
After being inactive through the season's first five games, Knight has caught fire since entering the lineup. In seven games of play, he has tallied 36 catches for 554 yards and a very impressive 16 touchdowns. Knight's play three weeks ago earned him his first ever US Army Ironman of the Week award. He also scored the game-tying touchdown with just :13 left last week.

New York

#8 – QB Aaron Garcia
In his 10th year in the AFL, Garcia is one of the League's all-time greats. A year ago he became the first pro football player to throw for 600 career TDs. Through the first 12 games of the season Garcia has been stellar, completing 234 of 350 passes for a completion percentage of 66.9 (5th in AFL). His 121.7 passer rating is second in the League, and his 2,839 yards and 59 touchdowns rank in the top 10 respectively.

#27 – WR/DB Corey Johnson
A six-year veteran out of the University of Georgia, Johnson has made a name for himself in the defensive secondary. Thus far he is tied for first in the League with six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Johnson has also shown his ability to make plays in the open field, ranking fifth in the AFL in combined kick returns with an average of 22.3 yards and three TDs.

#7 – DS Billy Parker
Regarded as one of the top defensive specialists in the League, Parker has lived up to the hype. His awareness and ability to follow the ball have allowed him to post solid numbers through the first 12 games. Parker is second on the team with a total of 66.5 tackles (7th in AFL), and his five interceptions are tied for fourth in the League.

#1 – WR/DB Mike Horacek
Garcia's most frequent target, Horacek has put up consistent numbers throughout the first 12 weeks of the season. His 61 receptions (t-21st in AFL), 839 yards (16th) and 21 TDs (t-11th) are all team highs.

Turnovers are Telling

The Soul are 9-6 all-time when the team ties or wins the game's turnover battle and 1-12 when they don't. They are 3-3 when winning the battle and 1-4 when losing it this season.

NFL Experience

Soul players boasting NFL exp:
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
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
Sean Scott - Phi
Tim Seder -- Dal
Terrill Shaw - KC
Charles Stackhouse - NYG, Min

QB Stats 2004 vs. 2005

The Soul's top offseason priority was an upgrade at the QB position. Here's a breakdown of the position's play in 2004 vs. 2005:

Through 11 Games
2004:
Nick Browder and Todd Hammel – 200 of 344 (58.1%); 2,525yards; 44 TDs; 10 INT; 47.4 pts/game; 5 wins.

2005:
Tony Graziani – 238 of 397 (60%); 3,179 yards; 71 TDs (1st in League); 11 INT; 53.0 pts/game; 5 wins.

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)
Week 5: Clint Stoerner (DAL)
Week 6: Mike Horacek (NY)
Week 7: James Roe (SJS)
Week 8: Tony Graziani (PHI)
Week 9: Tony Graziani (PHI)
Week 10: Tony Graziani (PHI)
Week 11: John Dutton (COL)
Week 12: Clint Dolezel (LVG)

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)
Week 5: Duke Pettijohn (DAL)
Week 6: Sean Scott (PHI)
Week 7: Matt Kinsinger (SJS)
Week 8: Keita Crespina (PHI)
Week 9: Marcus Knight (PHI)
Week 10: Sean Scott (PHI)
Week 11: Kevin McKenzie (COL)
Week 12: Cornelius Bonner (LVG)

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)
Week 5: Jermaine Jones (DAL)
Week 6: Chris Angel (NY)
Week 7: Tremain Mack (SJS)
Week 8: Eddie Moten (PHI)
Week 9: Calvin Coleman (PHI)
Week 10: Eddie Moten (PHI)
Week 11: Rashad Floyd (COL)
Week 12: Steve Konopka (LVG)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 20, 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.

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