Philadelphia Soul game notes
Published on March 1, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
SOUL @ GLADIATORS: THE FACTS
Date: Sunday, March 5, 2006
Kickoff: 6:30 PM ET
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
Officials: Referee: David Lambros, Umpire: Al Granado, Head Linesman: Mike McCabe, Line Judge: Wayne Mackie, Back Judge: Dino Paganelli
THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...
On SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia with Jacob VanRyn handling the call. Also, online at www.philadelphiasoul.com.
THE GAME CAN BE SEEN...
This week's game will be televised on OLN with Ari Wolfe (Play-By-Play) and Charles Arbuckle (Color Analyst) handling the game.
THE SERIES - SOUL VS. GLADIATORS
0-2
This will be the third meeting between the Soul and Gladiators and first in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has beaten Philadelphia the previous two meetings. Last season, Las Vegas came from behind in the fourth quarter when former Gladiator's quarterback Clint Dolezel found Joe Douglass for a 27-yard touchdown with one second remaining in the game.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
If the Soul win, it would
- Give the Soul a 1-2 record vs. the Gladiators
- Give the Soul a 4-2 overall record
- Give the Soul a 1-1 road record
THE SOUL'S GAME vs. Colorado
Offensive Player of the Game: Damian Harrell (COL)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Delvin Hughley (COL)
ARMY Ironman of the Game: Ahmad Hawkins (COL)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush (4-1) utilized a strong passing attack to defeat the Philadelphia Soul (3-2) in front of 16,617 fans at the Wachovia Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Crush were led by quarterback John Dutton who completed 27-of-44 passes for 261 yards with six touchdowns despite one interception. He connected with OS Damian Harrell for a game-high 11 receptions for 122 yards and four touchdowns.
Philadelphia quarterback Tony Graziani completed 20-of-35 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Colorado 7 14 13 14 48
Philadelphia 14 14 7 3 38
THE COACHES
Brett Munsey (First Season)
Bret Munsey becomes the third head coach for the Philadelphia Soul, as the organization heads into its third season in 2006. With an extensive coaching background, this will be Munsey's first head coaching position in the League.
Munsey, 37, joins the Soul after serving on Orlando's staff for three seasons under Jay Gruden. After joining the Predators in 2003 and serving as the team's offensive coordinator and wide receivers/defensive backs coach, he was promoted to assistant head coach in August of 2003. This role also included his director of player personnel and defensive coordinator roles throughout the last two seasons.
In 2005 the Predators finished with a 10-6 regular season record and lost in the conference finals to the Georgia Force. The team ranked third in the League in scoring defense (47.2 ppg), fifth in total defense (269.2 ypg) and second in pass rating defense (98.9).
In his role as defensive coordinator, Munsey organized Orlando's defensive game plans and served as defensive backs coach. His 2004 defense ranked first in the league in scoring defense (43.1), total defense (236.8 ypg) and pass rating defense (95.7).
The Soul look to capitalize on Munsey's defensive knowledge. Philadelphia was the worst in the League against the run last season, allowing 576 yards. They also allowed the second most touchdowns in the League and made the least amount of tackles. Cutting down on stats like these are Munsey's top priority.
In his role as assistant head coach, Munsey handled several administrative duties for the Predators - including planning and conducting training camp, tryouts and player housing. He was also in charge of recruiting and handled contract compliance with the League.
In his first season with the Predators, Munsey served as offensive coordinator and coached the wide receivers and defensive backs.
Munsey came to the Predators from the Carolina Cobras, where he served as defensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Cobras were ranked in the top five in the Arena Football League in many defensive categories and came within one play of earning a spot in the semifinals.
Prior to his stint in Carolina, Munsey served as head coach and director of football operations for the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the af2. During his first season as a head coach, Munsey led his team to a 14-2 regular season record (15-3 overall). His defense ranked in the top five in all major categories and three defensive players were named to the "All-af2" team.
Following that outstanding season, Munsey was named "af2 Coach of the Year" in a vote by his peers.
Ron James (Second Season)
Ron James is entering his second season as head coach of the Las Vegas Gladiators. In his first year as head coach the Gladiator teams ranked #1 in total offense and #1 in total defense Arena Football League and finished with an 8-8 record.
Prior to becoming the head coach, James served as assistant head coach/line coach and special team's coordinator for the Gladiator organization from 2001-2004.
Coach James has nine years of AFL experience having served as the line coach and player personnel director with the Houston Thunderbears from 2000-2001 and as an assistant with the Albany Firebirds in 1990 and 1991.
In addition to coaching in the AFL, James has coached a combined total of 14 years on the collegiate level.
In 1998 and 1999 Coach James served as the Admissions Support officer and assistant football coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
From 1993 thru 1998 James coached at Kentucky Wesleyan College. While at KWC James served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 1993. The following season James was promoted the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator and coached the secondary. He remained in that position until 1998.
Among the other college stops were stints as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Hartwick College from 1992-1993. Prior to that, James was the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at St. Lawrence University from 1989-1992. Additionally James coached at Siena College from 1986-1989 as the linebacker coach and also served as JV Head Coach in 1989.
2006 SEASON
Offensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 TB Tony Graziani (PHI)
2 LA Matt Sauk (PHI)
3 @ ORL Jerrian James (ORL)
4 NY Tony Graziani (PHI)
5 COL Damian Harrell (COL)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 TB Kevin Gaines (PHI)
2 LA Ernest Allen (PHI)
3 @ ORL Jermaine Mays (ORL)
4 NY Ernest Allen & EJ. Burt (PHI)
5 COL Delvin Hughley (COL)
Army Ironman of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 TB Sean Scott (PHI)
2 LA Kevin Ingram (LAA)
3 @ ORL Clif Dell (ORL)
4 NY Sean Scott (PHI)
5 COL Ahmad Hawkins (COL)
MILESTONE WATCH
PLAYER MILESTONE CURRENT NUMBER TO GO
Tony Graziani 400 Touchdown Passes 371 29
1,500 Completions 1,331 169
Sean Scott 200 Receptions 152 48
100 Total Tackles 74.5 25.5
Marcus Knight 100 Receptions 98 2
Kevin Gaines 500 Total Tackles 445 55
Reggie Doster 300 Total Tackles 270 30
Ernest Allen 200 Total Tackles 176.5 23.5
Also:
-Tony Graziani is the only quarterback in League's history to throw 90 or more touchdown passes in three consecutive seasons.
-Kevin Gaines is fifth all-time in interceptions (38).
SOUL'S NOTES AND TRENDS
THE STARTING POINT
Soul quarterback Tony Graziani may not remember his first time in Las Vegas, considering it was his birthplace. Although, he has faced Las Vegas four times in his career and once in the Thomas & Mack Center. While playing at the Mack, he was a member of the Los Angeles Avengers and led them to victory, 62-55 after completing 23-of-30 passes for 265 yards with seven touchdowns.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
WR/DB Mike Brown is no stranger to the city of lights. Although the wide receiver/defensive back was born in Maryland, he currently resides in Las Vegas during the off-season and was close to signing the Gladiators in 2003 before being picked up by the Orlando Predators.
YOU BETTA RECOGNIZE
Las Vegas Gladiators FB/LB Marlion Jackson was acquired from the Soul last season on March 17 for future considerations. While with the Soul, he rushed the ball 22 times for 54 yards and caught five passes for 40 yards with one touchdown. On defense, he tallied 19 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, one blocked kick and three fumbles recovered.
CENTURY MARK
Marcus Knight is only two receptions away from hitting the milestone of 100 receptions in his career. He recorded 64 catches last season and has 34 in the first five weeks thus far this season.
REMEMBER ME?
Soul DS Eddie Moton played collegiate football with Gladiators DS Nick Davis at Texas A&M Kingsville. The duo met up again in 2004 when they played under current Gladiator's special teams coach Gary Gussman while with the Rio Grande Valley Dorados of af2. Gussman was the head coach for one season while in Grande Valley and registered a 6-10 record. While with the Dorados, Moten was named the team's Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
BLIMEY
The Soul offensive line gave up their first sack of the season in Week 5 when Colorado Crush FB/LB John Peaua took Tony Graziani down for no loss last week.
FAMILIAR FACES
Soul OL/DL Mike Mabry and the Gladiator's Marlion Jackson played together in the Atlanta Falcon's training camp in 2005. Mabry was released prior to the final 52-man roster was announced and Jackson was released one day after the final roster was put together.
BACK-TO-BACK
Soul defensive backs Kevin Gaines, Mike Brown, Reggie Doster and Eddie Moton have had their work cut out for them. Last week, they faced the 2005 Offensive Player of the Year, Damian Harrell of the Colorado Crush and this week they will face 2004 Offensive Player of the Year, Marcus Nash in Las Vegas. Last week, Harrell caught 11 passes for 122 yards with four touchdowns.
MOVING ON UP
DS Kevin Gaines moved into âsoul' possession of fifth on the all-time interception list last week when he picked off Colorado Crush QB John Dutton. He needs five more interceptions to tie Tracey Perkins for fourth on the all-time list with 43.
FIRST FOR EVERYTHING
This is going to be the first time the Soul will travel to Las Vegas in its three year history. The Gladiators have traveled to Philadelphia twice since the Soul's inception in 2004.
TAKE THAT
Just five games into the 2006 season, the Soul's defense has racked up eight interceptions. Kevin Gaines leads the team with three, followed by Mike Brown with two while Eddie Moton, Reggie Doster and Season Scott; each with one.
WILD WILD WEST
The Soul have compiled a 1-4 record all-time record against teams in the Western Division. Philadelphia's only victory came earlier this season against the Los Angeles Avengers in Week 2 when the Soul defeated the Avengers 47-33 at the Wachovia Center.
ROAD TRIP
The Blue and Grey will start a four game road trip this week when they travel to Las Vegas. They will continue the following three weeks in Kansas City, Columbus before finishing up at Dallas. The next time they will come home will be March 31 against the Austin Wranglers. The Soul will be traveling to its farthest destination of the season this week to take on the Gladiators.
WIN WIN
When Philly wins the turnover battle they have found a way to win the game. They are 3-0 when they have forced more turnovers on defense than their opponents. Las Vegas ranks last in the League in turnovers with 17. The Soul are ranked fourth with nine.
EDDIE THE CRUISER
Eddie Moten surpassed 100 tackles in his career last week as he recorded four total tackles against the Crush. In his first season, he tallied 71.5 tackles and he is currently ranked 10th in the League this season with 30.5 tackles.
FEEL THE RUSH
Philadelphia leads the League with an average of 38.2 yards per game. They have gained 191 yards on the ground and are led Sean Scott. Scott has ran for 76 yards and is ranked fourth in the League.
FORMER TEAMMATES
Tony Graziani and Gladiators WR/LB Joe Douglass will reunite this week after playing together while they were teammates with the Los Angeles Avengers in 2004.
Las Vegas OS and Soul OL/DL Cyron Brown were teammates with the Denver Broncos championship team in 1998.
Also, Soul OL/DL Ernest Allen played under Vegas coach Gary Gussman in 2002 while with the Orlando Predators. Gussman was the special team's coordinator in Orlando.
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