Philadelphia Soul game notes
May 18, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Philadelphia (6-9) vs. Dallas (7-7-1)
Site: American Airlines (16,971 capacity)
Officials: Referee: Riley Johnson; Umpire: Rick Nelson; Head Linesman: Julian Mapp; Line Judge: Darrel Leftwich; Back Judge: Rich Wilborn.
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, 4-5 regular
season; 0-0 postseason; 4-5 overall
Dal: Will McClay 14-18-1 regulars season; 0-0 postseason; 14-18-1 overall
THE MATCHUP:
Sunday's Eastern Division battle between the Philadelphia Soul (6-9) and Dallas Desperados (7-7-1) will be all about pride, as both teams are officially eliminated from playoff contention. The Desperados are coming off a 63-56 loss to the Georgia Force and are now 1-5-1 in their last seven games after starting the year 6-2. Dallas looked like a leading contender in the National Conference through the first half but has struggled since the midway point. The Soul fell a week ago to the Columbus Destroyers, 55-52 on a late field goal from Steve Videtich. They'll be looking for their second divisional win this season.
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. L, 51-37/L3
4/30 Orlando 7:00 p.m. W, 64-60/W1
BYE -
5/15 Columbus 1:00 p.m. L, 55-52/L1
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, 55-45/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. W, 72-43/W3
3/5 New Orleans 8:30 p.m. L, 53-51/L1
3/13 @ Austin 4:00 p.m. W, 52-28/W1
3/183/25 @ Los AngelesColorado 10:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. W, 72-50/W2L, 66-58/L1
BYE
4/8 Nashville 8:30 p.m. T, 41-41
4/15 @ San Jose 10:30 p.m. L, 83-71/L1
4/22 @ Columbus 7:00 p.m. W, 55-33/W1
4/29 New York 8:30 p.m. L, 65-57/L1
5/7 @ Las Vegas 10:30 p.m. L, 58-38/L2
5/14 @ Georgia 7:00 p.m. L, 63-56/L3
5/22 Philadelphia 3:00 p.m.
If the Soul defeat the Desperados, it would...
· Give the Soul their second win over an Eastern Division opponent this season.
· Extend the franchise mark for wins in a season to seven.
· Even the teams' all-time series at 2-2.
The Coaches Corner
James Fuller: Now in his eighth year of Arena Football, James Fuller (4-6 reg. season) was named the Soul's interim Head Coach on Feb. 28 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.
Will McClay: McClay began 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.
2005 Standings
Philadelphia Soul â 6-9 (3rd in Eastern Division)
Dallas Desperados â 7-7-1 (2nd in Eastern Division)
2005 Record When...
Wachovia Center 4-4
On the Road 2-5
Score First 3-2
Opp. Score First 3-7
Leading at Half 6-1
Trailing at Half 0-6
Tied at Half 0-2
Friday 0-1
Saturday 2-0
Sunday 4-8
On NBC 4-7
Hammond/Haden 0-4
Hammond/Bentley 0-2
Papa/Bentley 2-1
Papa/Pawlawski 1-0
Weber/Pawlawski 1-0
On FSN/CSN 1-1
Vs. Eastern 1-4
Vs. Central 2-2
Vs. Western 0-2
Vs. Southern 3-1
January 1-0
February 1-3
March 2-2
April 2-3
May 0-1
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 is third in the AFL in TD passes with 84.
· He is also second among all passers on 3rd down with a rating of 114.5.
· For the 2005 season, Graziani has completed 301 of 504 passes for 3,906 yards and 14 INTs.
· As 2004 All Arena First Team QB, he threw a career-best of 99 touchdowns.
Ex-Cowboy Back in the âBig D'
Soul K Tim Seder returns to Dallas where he spent parts of the 2000 and 2001 seasons kicking for the NFL's Cowboys. In 2000 he his 25-of-33 field goal attempts for 102 points. In 2001 he made 11-of-17. Seder was a perfect 50-for-50 in XPAs in the NFL.
Scott's the Heart of the Soul
· Philadelphia-born WR/LB Sean Scott has been the Soul's Ironman through the first 13 weeks of the season, winning US Army Ironman of the Game honors five times.
· However, Scott missed Sunday's game with a fractured finger.
· Despite being out of action, Scott is still third in the AFL with 13.5 special teams tackles.
· Scott is both second on the team in total TDs with 25 (14th in the AFL) and in receptions with 66.
· His 750 receiving yards are third on the team while his 42.5 tackles are fourth.
· 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.
Approaching Milestones
· Tony Graziani is 459 yards away from throwing for 17,000 yards in his career.
· Graziani is just 94 yards shy of 4,000 for the 2005 season, which would be the third time in his career he has surpassed the mark.
· Graziani is 355 yards away from setting his personal single-season mark for passing yards.
· Graziani needs seven more pass attempts to set his single-season mark.
· Steve Smith needs 38 receiving yards to reach 4,000 for his career
· Smith is just two receptions shy of 100 on the season
· Keita Crespina is 26 yards short of breaking his single-season career receiving yards mark of 166 set a year ago.
Marcus Knight Continues to Impress
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, the rookie's performance over the second half of the season has been particularly impressive. Knight has caught 21 touchdown passes from Graziani in that time. Below are his numbers in the nine games he has played this season.
Receptions Yards TDs
54 779 21
Local Connections
Soul kicker Tim Seder kicked as a rookie in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys in 2000 and spent part of the 2001 season there as well.
Eliminated from Playoff Contention
Following Week 16's events, the Philadelphia Soul are no longer in playoff contention.
Coleman Provides a Boost
Soul DS Calvin Coleman continued his solid play since being acquired in week 6 trade from New Orleans. Coleman once again helped lead the Soul defense as he recorded a game-high seven solo tackles and one pass breakup against Columbus on Sunday.
Graziani vs. Dallas
Tony Graziani has completed 106 of his 169 career passes against the Dallas Desperados. He has thrown for 1,356 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions. Graziani's teams are 2-3 in his five games against the Desperados.
2005 vs. 2004
Below are the numbers of Tony Graziani and his top two receivers through 15 games in 2004 in L.A. vs. his 2005 numbers with Steve Smith and Sean Scott:
2004
comp-att-yards-TDs-INTs
Graziani: 311-482-4,039-94-4
rec.-yards-TDs
Chris Jackson: 125-1,803-1
Greg Hopkins: 63-704-12
2005
comp-att-yards-TDs-INTs
Graziani: 301-504-3,906-84-14
rec.-yards-TDs
Steve Smith: 98-1,299-29
Sean Scott: 66-750-25
Philly Football's New Ironman
Following in the footsteps of another #7, Ron Jaworski, Tony Graziani has started 63 straight games â the second longest current streak in the AFL.
Results in the Red Zone
Phi offense TD%: 73.0 (10th)
Dal offense: TD%: 73.8 (8th)
Phi defense TD%: 78.9% (15th)
Dal defense: TD%: 78.7% (14th)
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 2,709 total yards place him first in all-purpose yardage.
· His 29 TDs are also tied for 10th-best in the League
· His 1299 receiving yards rank 10th in the AFL and his 98 catches are 12th. His 18 3rd down grabs are sixth.
· He ranks second in return yards (1,415).
· 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
· Chris Ryan's 16th rushing TD of the season in Week 16's loss set his own new single-season high.
· Steve Smith caught his 300th career reception in Week 12's loss.
· Tony Graziani surpassed the 15,000 career passing yards mark in Week 10 with a fourth quarter pass.
· Newly acquired kicker Tim Seder converted his first AFL field goal â a 25-yarder â 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.
Players to Watch
Philadelphia
#7 â QB Tony Graziani
Armed with a wealth of talented receivers, led by Sean Scott and Marcus Knight, Graziani continues to put up big numbers. For the season, #7 has thrown 84 TDs (3rd in the AFL), amassing 3,906 passing yards (6th) and a QB rating of 112.2 (11th).
#21 â DS Eddie Moten
An AFL rookie, Eddie Moten is having an impressive first year for the Soul. His 58 solo tackles place 10th in the League and he leads the team with 65.5 total tackles. Moten's four interceptions are second on the team and tied for 15th in the AFL.
#84 â OS Steve Smith
Another notable offseason acquisition by the Soul, Smith is a dynamic playmaker who can score from anywhere on the field. His 2,551 all-purpose yards give him a comfortable lead on the rest of the League and he leads the Soul in receptions (98), receiving yards (1299) and TDs (26). He ranks 10th overall in the league for leading scorers.
#12 â WR/LB Marcus Knight
After being inactive through the season's first five games, Knight has caught fire since entering the lineup. In eight games of play, he has tallied 54 catches for 799 yards and a very impressive 21 touchdowns. Knight's play five weeks ago earned him his first-ever US Army Ironman of the Week award. He also scored the game-tying touchdown with just: 13 in Week 12's loss to Las Vegas.
Dallas
#12 â QB Clint Stoerner
Clint Stoerner is new to the AFL but does not lack in football experience. Finishing his collegiate career at Arkansas second in the team's history in completions (528) and attempts (1,023), Stoerner has had a very strong rookie season in the AFL. He has thrown 71 TDs (10th), totaling 3,688 yards (9th) and has racked up a QB rating of 110.2 (13th).
#45 â FB/LB Duke Pettijohn
Pettijohn is in his 4th season with the Desperados and has established himself as one of the top FB/LB players in the league. In the 2005 season Pettijohn has averaged 3.8-yards-per-carry, rushed 200 yards and has scored seven touchdowns.
#9 â WR/LB Jason Shelley
Shelley came onto the AFL scene in 2002 and has performed well as a two-way player after five years of professional outdoor football. As an OS last season he lead the team in receptions (103) and receiving yards (1,034) setting franchise records. This season #9 has made 90 catches for 1,120 yards and 24 touchdowns.
#3 â WR/DB Will Pettis
Along with Jason Shelley and WR/DB Bobby Sippio, the three have formed one of the League's leading receiving threats. Last season, Pettis finished second on the team for receptions (95), third in receiving yards (1,076) and touchdowns (20). Pettis has continued to play well in his fourth season with 87 receptions for 971 yards and 14 touchdowns. Pettis ranks 20th overall in scoring by non-kickers.
Turnovers are Telling
The Soul are 9-9 all-time when the team ties or wins the game's turnover battle and 1-12 when they don't. They are 5-6 when winning or tying the battle this season but just 1-4 when losing it.
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 â Bal
Wes Ours â Ind, Tenn, Pit
Sean Scott - Phi
Tim Seder -- Dal
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 15 Games
2004:
Nick Browder, Todd Hammel & Tim Levcik â 276 of 474 (58%); 3,498 yards; 62 TDs; 19 INT; 45.5 pts/game; 5 wins.
2005:
Tony Graziani â 301 of 504 (60%); 3,906 yards; 84 TDs (3rd in League); 14 INT; 52.6 pts/game; 6 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)
Week 13: Aaron Garcia (NYD)
Week 14: Tony Graziani (PHI)
Week 15: BYE
Week 16: Matt D'Orazio (CLB)
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)
Week 13: Billy Parker (NYD)
Week 14: Marcus Knight (PHI)
Week 15: BYE
Week 16: Jeremy Unertl (CLB)
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)
Week 13: Chris Anthony (NYD)
Week 14: Mario Branch (PHI)
Week 15: BYE
Week 16: Brandon Hefflin (CLB)
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 18, 2005
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