Philadelphia Soul game notes
Published on March 19, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
WEEK 4 - SOUL VS. CRUSH: THE FACTS
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2007
Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET
Site: Wachovia Center
Officials: Referee: Tom McCabe, Umpire: Paul Frerking, Head Linesman: Rod Pearson, Line Judge: Bob McElwee, Back Judge: Tony Lombardo
THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...
On SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia with Ari Wolfe handling the play-by-play.
THE GAME CAN BE SEEN...
Live on AFLNet with Mike Golic and Mike Greenburg handling the call.
THE SERIES - SOUL VS. CRUSH
This week's game between Philadelphia and Crush will be the fifth meeting between the two teams. The Crush hold a 4-0 record against the Soul after defeating them last season at the Wachovia Center in Week 5, 48-33. Crush quarterback John Dutton threw six touchdown passes and helped lead the Crush from behind in the second half after being down 28-21 at halftime. Dutton connected with wide receiver Damian Harrell four times for touchdowns.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
If the Soul win, it would
- Give the Soul a 1-4 record vs. Colorado
- Give the Soul a 3-0 overall record
- Give the Soul a 1-0 home record
SCHEDULES
Philadelphia Soul (2-0)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
-- BYE -- -- --
March 9 @ Nashville 8:00 W 63-30
March 15 @ Grand Rapids 7:00 W 69-40
March 22 Colorado 7:00
April 1 @ New York 1:00
April 9 Georgia 7:30
April 16 @ Dallas 8:00
April 23 @ Columbus 7:30
April 30 @ Chicago 7:30
May 5 Kansas City 7:00
May 14 New York 7:30
May 21 New Orleans 7:30
May 27 @ Austin 4:05
June 1 Dallas 7:30
June 9 @ Tampa Bay 7:30
June 16 Columbus 7:00
June 21 Orlando 7:00
All Times EST
Colorado Crush (2-1)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
March 4 Grand Rapids 1:00 L 42-44
March 10 Kansas City 7:00 W 44-40
March 16 Arizona 7:00 W 56-54
March 22 @ Philadelphia 5:00
April 1 Nashville 1:00
April 6 @ San Jose 8:30
April 15 @ New York 11:00 AM
April 20 Las Vegas 7:00
April 27 @ Kansas City 6:00
May 7 @ Chicago 6:00
May 11 @ Nashville 6:00
May 18 Columbus 7:00
May 26 @ Grand Rapids 5:00
June 4 @ Utah 8:30
-- BYE -- -- --
June 18 Chicago 7:00
June 25 Dallas 7:00
THE SOUL'S GAME @ GRAND RAPIDS (Week 3)
Offensive Player of the Game: Tony Graziani (PHI)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Eddie Moten (PHI)
Ironman of the Game: Mike Brown (PHI)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Tony Graziani threw five touchdown passes -- all in the first half -- to help the Philadelphia Soul beat the Grand Rapids Rampage 69-40 on Thursday night in the Arena Football League.
Graziani was 16-of-23 for 217 yards, and Charles Pauley led the Soul (2-0) in receiving with six catches for 128 yards and two TDs.
Matthew Sauk threw three TD passes for the Rampage (1-2).
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Philadelphia 14 27 14 14 69
Grand Rapids 16 3 7 14 40
THE COACHES
Bret Munsey (2nd Season) (11-7 regular season) (1-1 postseason)
Bret Munsey became the third head coach for the Philadelphia Soul and helped led them to their first postseason last year. He compiled a 9-7 regular season record for the first winning season in the Soul's three-year history. Following the 2006 season, he received a two-year contract extension through the 2008 season.
Munsey, 38, came to 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 his final two seasons there.
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.
Mike Dailey (11th Season) (101-64 regular season, 36-17 postseason)
Mike Dailey enters his fourth season in Colorado and 11th as head coach in the AFL, after becoming the Crush's second head coach on June 26, 2003. Dailey joined the Crush following 13 seasons in the Albany/Indiana Firebirds organization, including the final seven as head coach.
One of the most successful and well-respected coaches in AFL history, Dailey's teams have compiled an overall record of 99-64 record, a winning percentage of 60.7. His teams have also made eight postseason appearances and he has won five division titles and two championships. This season, Dailey is posed to become only the fourth head coach in AFL history to surpass the 100 win mark. He currently stands as the league fourth all-time winningest coach.
In 2005, under Dailey's guidance, the Crush captured their first Central Division title en route to claiming a 51-48 victory in ArenaBowl XIX giving Colorado their first AFL championship in only their third year of existence. The Crush finished the year with a 13-6 mark, which included a franchise record seven-game winning streak during the regular season.
In his first season in Colorado, Dailey helped guide the Crush to the largest turnaround in AFL history, inheriting a 2-14 team and leading them to an 11-5 record in 2004, tied for the best in the league. He also led the Crush to their first playoff appearance and first win, advancing to the AFL Semifinals before falling nine yards short of up-ending top-seeded Arizona and earning a trip to ArenaBowl XVIII.
The Crush traded three players (Anthony Derricks, Delvin Hughley and Chris Janek) to Indiana for the rights to Dailey, whose Firebirds teams compiled a 63-46 record, a winning percentage of 57.8 in his seven seasons. In 1999 Dailey led the Firebirds to their only ArenaBowl championship and a regular season-playoff record of 14-3, best in franchise history. He was named AFL Coach of the Year following that standout campaign.
Before being named head coach of the Firebirds in 1997, Dailey served as an assistant in Albany for five seasons. He spent three seasons as the team's offensive coordinator, during which time the Firebirds led the league in scoring, with an average of 60.4 points per game. Dailey also coached the other side of the ball, serving as Firebirds defensive coordinator in 1992 and 1993.
Dailey began his AFL coaching career with the Washington Commandos where he served as offensive/defensive line coach in 1990. He joined the Firebirds organization in the same capacity in 1991.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Offensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 BYE ---
2 @ NAS PHI - Tony Graziani
3 @ GRR PHI - Tony Graziani
4 COL
5 @ NYD
6 GEO
7 @ DAL
8 @ CMB
9 @ CHI
10 KCB
11 NYD
12 NOV
13 @ AUS
14 DAL
15 @ TBS
16 CMB
17 ORL
Defensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 BYE ---
2 @ NAS PHI - Eddie Moten
3 @ GRR PHI - Eddie Moten
4 COL
5 @ NYD
6 GEO
7 @ DAL
8 @ CMB
9 @ CHI
10 KCB
11 NYD
12 NOV
13 @ AUS
14 DAL
15 @ TBS
16 CMB
17 ORL
Ironman of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 BYE ---
2 @ NAS PHI - Sean Scott
3 @ GRR PHI - Mike Brown
4 COL
5 @ NYD
6 GEO
7 @ DAL
8 @ CMB
9 @ CHI
10 KCB
11 NYD
12 NOV
13 @ AUS
14 DAL
15 @ TBS
16 CMB
17 ORL
MILESTONE WATCH
PLAYER MILESTONE CURRENT NUMBER TO GO
Tony Graziani 2,000 Completions 1,533 467
Sean Scott 300 Receptions 226 74
3,000 Receiving Yards 2,639 361
Eddie Moten 200 Total Tackles 185.5 14.5
50 Pass Breakups 44 6
Mike Brown 1,000 Return Yards 979 21
Johnnie Harris 300 Total Tackles 260.5 39.5
100 Pass Breakups 73 27
SOUL'S NOTES AND TRENDS
MO-MONEY, MO-MONEY, MO-MONEY
Eddie Moten recorded his second interception in as many games last week against the Grand Rapids Rampage. He has now caught an interception in five consecutive regular season games going back to last season. He has also tallied a pick for a touchdown in three (Week 14 @ New York, 4/29/06, Week 16 @ Georgia, 5/6/06 and Week 1 @ Nashville, 3/4/07).
FEELING A CONNECTION
For his second game in a row, Todd France converted on nine extra points, yet one of his attempts was wide left after a bad snap. On the season, he has made 18-of-19 PAT's and began the season connecting on his first 13.
TIME IS ON MY SIDE
In just two games this season for the Soul, they have won by an average of 31 points while controlling the ball on offense just more than 24 minutes a game. The Georgia Force are the only other team with less time of possession (22 minutes).
ROOKIE SENSATION
A first game for a rookie is always one to remember, but for Jason Davis it was a little different. Last week, he was in the right place at the right time on a missed field goal return by Mike Brown. After Brown took it off the net, he pitched it to Dwayne Missouri and he relayed it one more time to Davis. Davis then took it the rest of the way for a touchdown. The play was named the #2 play on ESPN's SportsCenter last Thursday night.
RUSH WEEK
Philadelphia recorded four touchdowns last week against the Rampage. Last season, they had four or more touchdowns in five different games including six in the final regular season game of the season (@ Georgia, 5/6/06).
OPEN SESAME
The Soul enter their fourth season opener this week and have compiled a 2-1 record since joining the AFL in 2004. Their lone loss came in the inaugural season with a loss to the New Orleans VooDoo (34-42).
STARTING THE RIGHT WAY
This is the second season under head coach Bret Munsey and the second season the Soul have started with a 2-0 record. The difference between seasons is seeing the Soul at home to begin the season last year during its first two games and watching them on the road this year.
CHARLES IN CHARGE
Charles Pauley has led the Soul the past two weeks in receiving and has tallied 10 receptions for 209 yards with five touchdowns. Last week against Grand Rapids, he caught six passes for 128 yards with two scores. Tony Graziani's first two passes to Pauley were caught for scores.
ELITE EIGHT
During Eddie Moten's first two seasons, he defended 18 passes each year. This season, he already has a league-best eight breakups. Each week against the Kats and Rampage, he tied a team record with four in a game he initially set last season against the Orlando Predators (2/26/06).
GET AT'EM
Dwayne Missouri has led the Soul in sacks the past two seasons. This year, he has started with a sack in each of his first two games.
SPECIAL PLAYER
Larry Brackins may be a wide receiver, but on special teams, he plays like a true defensive specialist to the arena game. He leads the League with 6.5 special teams tackles after recording four last week against the Rampage.
PUT IT ON THE BOARD
Philadelphia set a franchise record last week against Grand Rapids when they put up 41 points in the first half. The previous record was 34 (vs. New York 4/24/04).
COACH DOWNEY
Offensive/defensive line coach Pat Downey will see familiar faces when the Colorado Crush come to Philly this Thursday. Downey played in four games with the Crush during the 2004 season and recorded one fumble recovery.
MISSING MISSOURI
Dwayne Missouri will welcome former teammates and coach to Philadelphia this week. Missouri played seven games under Mike Daly during the Crush's inaugural season in 2003. He had 8.5 tackles, one for a loss, one sack, three breakups and three quarterback hurries.
CAMPARING THE DB'S
Rashad Floyd and Eddie Moten are two of the best defensive backs in the AFL. This week they will not be facing each other, but they will be watching one another first hand. Last season, Floyd was named to the All-Arena Second Team while Moten was an All-Arena First Team selection. Moten finished the season with 104 total tackles, 13 interceptions and 18 pass breakups while Floyd had 136.5 tackles, 10 interceptions and 15 breakups.
REMEMBER PHILLY?
Colorado Crush Executive Vice President Michael Young might seem a little familiar to some Philadelphia Eagles fans. He played wide receiver for the Eagles in 1993.
BLIMEY
Last season, the Blue and Grey gave up their first sack of the last season in Week 5 when the Colorado Crush came to town. FB/LB John Peaua took Tony Graziani down for no loss, but statistically it was called a sack.
HOMECOMING GAME
Colorado's OL/DL Dustin Barno returns to the Keystone State on Thursday when the Crush come to Philly to take on the Soul. Barno attended East Stroudsburg University from 1999-2002.
THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Philadelphia played their first Thursday game in franchise history last week against Grand Rapids and came away with the win (69-40). The Soul will have three more Thursday games this season including this week against the Crush.
PRIMETIME
This week will mark the first game Philadelphia will be seen on ESPN2 this season. They will be on a season-high seven times including their next home game against the Georgia Force.
DANCING
Tony Graziani maybe playing in a game this week for the Soul, but will be watching his college team going at it in the Sweet 16 when the Oregon Ducks take on the UNLV Runnin' Rebels.
MILESTONE
Seven-year AFL veteran Tony Graziani surpassed 20,000 passing yards for his career last week after he threw for 217 yards against Grand Rapids. He currently has 20,059 for his career.
SOUL SEARCHING FOR A CHANGE
This will be the fifth match-up between the Soul and the Colorado Crush. Philadelphia lost all four of the first four meetings by an average of 14 points.
PERFECTION
In Week 4 of the AFL season, there are only three undefeated teams. The Blue and Grey are one of those teams after winning consecutive games on the road to start the season following a bye. The other two teams are the Dallas Desperados (3-0) and Georgia Force (3-0).
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 19, 2007
- Soul and ProBuild host Toddy Bear Drive - Philadelphia Soul
- Destroyers open home schedule against defending ArenaBowl champion Chicago Rush - Columbus Destroyers
- AFL exhibit at Pro Football Hall of Fame completed - AFL I
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
- Rampage Release Quarterback Matthew Sauk - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Destroyers games to air on Columbus Sports Network - Columbus Destroyers
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