Philadelphia Soul game notes
March 27, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
WEEK 5 - SOUL @ DRAGONS: THE FACTS
Date: Sunday, April 1, 2007
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
Site: Nassau Coliseum
Officials: Referee Bill LeMonnier, Umpire: Mike Delaney, Head Linesman: Allen Baynes , Line Judge: Dana McKinzie, Back Judge: Billy Beckett
THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...
On SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia with Ari Wolfe handling the play-by-play and director of communications Brian Sternberg as the color analysis.
THE SERIES - SOUL VS. DRAGONS
This week's game between Philadelphia and New York will be the seventh meeting between the two teams. The Dragons hold a 4-2 record against the Soul after splitting their two games last season. New York pulled off the victory last year in Long Island after Philadelphia tried to make a comeback in the second half that fell short. New York came away victories with a 65-58 win behind quarterback Nick Browder's seven touchdown passes. Five touchdown passes were to wide receiver Kevin Swayne who finished with eight receptions for 66 yards.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
If the Soul win, it would
- Give the Soul a 3-4 record vs.
- Give the Soul a 4-0 overall record
- Give the Soul a 3-0 road record
SCHEDULES
Philadelphia Soul (3-0)
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 W 71-47
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
New York Dragons (1-2)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
March 4 Dallas 12:30 L 7-60
-- BYE -- -- --
March 18 @ Chicago 3:00 L 40-61
March 23 @ Tampa Bay 7:30 W 59-52
April 1 Philadelphia 1:00
April 7 @ Grand Rapids 7:00
April 15 Colorado 1:00
April 20 @ Orlando 7:30
April 28 Arizona 7:00
May 4 @ Columbus 9:00
May 14 @ Philadelphia 7:30
May 20 Kansas City 1:00
May 28 @ New Orleans 8:00
June 2 Austin 7:00
June 9 Orlando 7:00
June 18 @ Dallas 8:30
June 25 Columbus 7:00
THE COACHES
Bret Munsey (2nd Season) (12-7 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.
Weylan Harding (3rd Season) (21-14 regular season, 0-2 postseason)
Weylan Harding is in his third season as the head coach of the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. As Dragons head coach, Harding oversees all aspects of the franchise's football operations.
Last season, Harding and his staff - assistants Jerome Brown, Chad Lindsey and Tony Kimbrough - led the Dragons to their second consecutive 10-6 record and a berth in the Arena Football League playoffs. The 20 wins compiled by Harding in his first two seasons as a head coach set a new standard for the AFL, which is in its 21st season. After missing the playoffs in 2004 under a previous coaching regime, the Dragons have been revitalized under Harding and his staff, qualifying for the postseason in 2005 and 2006.
In his rookie season in 2005, Harding took the Dragons to the Eastern Division Championship with a 10-6 record. He was also a runner up for Coach of the Year honors and mentored All-Arena and All-Rookie sensation DS Billy Parker. Running the Dragons' defense, Harding's defensive backs led the league in interceptions with 28.
Before joining the Dragons in August 2005, Harding spent the previous three seasons as the Columbus/Buffalo franchise's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. After his career as an AFL player concluded, Harding took his first coaching assignment with the Destroyers as their defensive backs coach for the 2000 season. Under his direct guidance, DS Prentice Taylor was an All-Rookie selection. The following season he mentored the defensive backs for the Rochester Brigade of arenafootball2, including former San Francisco cornerback Dwaine Carpenter who later followed him back to Buffalo. The Destroyers brought Harding back as their defensive coordinator in 2002. 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, four in scoring defense with 46.9 yards per game and fourth in team interceptions with 21. He made the move with the franchise to Columbus for the 2004 season.
As a player, Harding was a defensive specialist for the Iowa Barnstormers - now the Dragons - Nashville and Portland before retiring as a player with Buffalo in 2000.
Harding had a standout collegiate career at Iowa State University where he was a key component to their defensive unit in the early '90s. At Iowa State, Harding majored in English.
Coach Harding resides on Long Island year-round.
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 PHI - Tony Graziani
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
ADT Defensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 BYE ---
2 @ NAS PHI - Eddie Moten
3 @ GRR PHI - Eddie Moten
4 COL PHI - Eddie Moten
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 PHI - Mike Brown
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
SOUL @ DRAGONS
BY THE NUMBERS
Statistical SOUL DRAGONS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Offense/Total Yards/Game 15 279.0 (837) 17 245.7 (737)
Offense/Yards/Play 3 7.9 16 5.6
Offense/Rushing Yards/Game 6 24.7 (74) 10 18.3 (55)
Offense/Passing Yards/Game 14 254.3 17 227.3
Offense/Passing Yards/Play 2 9.3 17 5.7
Offense/Intercepted 4 1 19 7
Offense/Sacks Allowed 6 1 18 7
First Downs 16 18.0 (54) 17 16.0 (48)
Offense/3rd Down Pct. 1 12-of-16 (75.0) 19 6-of-18 (33.3)
Offense/4th Down Pct. 1 1-of-1 (100) 18 1-of-6 (14.3)
Kickoff Return Average 5 18.9 (11-208) 8 17.8 (18-321)
Offense/Points/Game 2 67.7 (203) 19 35.3 (106)
Field Goal Pct. 8 50% (1-of-2) 3 75.0% (3-of-4)
Penalties/Game 12 8.7 4 6.7
Penalties Yards/Game 12 48.3 (145) 6 40.3 (121)
Defense/Total Yards/Game 8 279.7 14 293.0
Defense/Yards/Play 2 5.4 12 6.5
Defense/Rushing Yards/Game 3 4.0 (12) 14 26.0 (78)
Defense/Passing Yards/Game 14 275.7 11 267.0
Defense/Interceptions 3 6 5 4
Defense/Sacks 4 5 18 1
Defense/First Downs/Game 3 18.3 6 20.0
Defense/3rd Down Pct. 3 40.0% (10-of-25) 17 60.0%(12-of-20)
Defense/4th Down Pct. 4 37.5% (3-of-8) 9 60.0% (3-of-5)
Defense/Kickoff Return Average 6 16.1 (21-339) 5 15.5(16-248)
Defense/Points/Game 2 39.0 (117) 13 57.7 (173)
Defense/Penalties/Game 10 7.7 18 6.0
Defense/Penalty Yards/Game 9 47.0 12 43.7
Points/Game Differential 1 +28.67 19 -22.33
Give-Aways/Take-Aways 3 5/11 (+6) 19 5/13 (-8)
MILESTONE WATCH
PLAYER MILESTONE CURRENT NUMBER TO GO
Tony Graziani 2,000 Completions 1,554 446
Sean Scott 300 Receptions 226 74
3,000 Receiving Yards 2,639 361
Eddie Moten 200 Total Tackles 192 8
Johnnie Harris 300 Total Tackles 262.5 37.5
100 Pass Breakups 73 27
SOUL'S NOTES AND TRENDS
WELCOME BACK
QB Juston Wood will take on his former team this week when the Soul travel to New York to take on the Dragons. Wood played in the Big Apple last season after replacing starting quarterback Aaron Garcia due to injury. He completed 40-of-58 for 382 yards and five touchdowns despite four interceptions.
MO-TOWN
Eddie Moten had seven pass breakups last week in Philadelphia's win over Colorado, putting him third in the League for most breakups in a single game while setting a franchise record. He has 15 breakups so far this season and 51 for his career.
STREAK!
Speaking of Eddie Moten, he extended his streak of consecutive games with an interception making it six dating back to last season. Last year, he tallied 13 to tie the record for most picks in a season and he has three so far this season in as many games. The record for most consecutive games with an interception is nine by Chris Poston (6/27/1992 - 6/11/1993).
TONY THE TIGER
Tony Graziani set a franchise record last week after throwing nine touchdown passes against the Colorado Crush. Prior to his nine touchdown performance, he through eight touchdowns three different times for the Soul all during the 2005 season.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
The Soul finally came away with a win against the Colorado Crush, 71-47, last week for the first time in five opportunities. They also scored more than 70 points for just the second time in franchise history (75 - New York, 2/19/06).
UNBEATEN
Philadelphia will enter Week 5 of the season undefeated as they travel to New York to take on the Dragons. This is the first time in Soul history they have gone undefeated in the first four weeks.
O SUNNY DAY
This week marks the first Sunday game of the Philadelphia season. They will travel to Austin in Week 13 for their second and final Sunday game when they take on the Wranglers.
HEY PAULEY
Charles Pauley tied a team record last week with 11 receptions against Colorado (Mike Brown, vs. Austin, 3/31/06). Pauley also crushed a Soul record for most receiving yards in a game with 202. The previous record was set by Steve Smith with 145 yards on 2/20/05 against the New Orleans VooDoo.
3 for 3
For the third week in a row, Tony Graziani and Eddie Moten were been named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game. Moten was later recognized by the League for his play in Week 2 against Nashville.
SPEEDY SUCCESS
The win in Week 4 giving the Soul their third victory of the season is the fastest the Soul have reached three wins in franchise history. Tying a record from last season where they also reached three wins by Week 4. This season the Soul have reached this milestone once again in spite of having a bye their first week. In their inaugural season they had to wait six weeks and in 2005, it wasn't until Week 8 they saw three wins.
G-WHIZ
For the eighth time with the Soul, Tony Graziani surpassed 300 passing yards in a single game (313) giving him 740 passing yards this season and 20,390 for his career.
HIGH SCORE
In the previous three games, the Soul have scored more than 60 points per game. Last season, they only surpassed 60 points once and that was against the Dragons when they posted a franchise record with 75 on 2/19/06.
STREAK!
In each game this season, Philadelphia has gone on scoring streaks putting up numbers in bunches. They started at Nashville during Week 2 when they scored 28 unanswered. They then traveled to Grand Rapids and scored three touchdowns (21 points) before the Rampage got on the board again and then this past week versus the Crush when they came from behind to take the lead by scoring 28 consecutive points.
MARCH MADNESS
After a month of play, the Soul remain undefeated. It is the first month in franchise history Philadelphia has not lost a game. The closest the team came before was last season when they went 3-1 during the month of May. Their only loss was in the National Conference Divisional Round game during the playoffs against the Orlando Predators on 5/28/06.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Soul will travel to New York on Saturday to play the Dragons, a team they have never successfully defeated on the road. Philadelphia is 0-3 in Long Island against the Dragons and are 2-4 overall against them in the past three years with their only victories coming in Philadelphia.
WAY TO RECOVER
Brian Mance scored his second career touchdown last week by recovering a fumble in the end zone following a kickoff. His only other touchdown this season was against Nashville in Week 2 when the same exact thing occurred.
L BOOGIE
In his first game in Philadelphia, Larry Brackins had six receptions for 78 yards with three touchdowns. Prior to playing in Philly, he caught five balls for 87 yards and one touchdown.
MILESTONE
With 76 kick return yards last week, Mike Brown surpassed 1,000 career return yards and now has 1,050 in his three-year career.
TRIFECTA
The Blue and Grey have started the season with three wins under their belts and all three victories came against teams from the Central Division. This week's game will be the first for the Soul against an opponent in its own division.
HOO-RA, HOO-RA, RUTGERS, RA
Two former Rutgers alumni will be facing each other this week when the Soul face the Dragons. Raheem Orr and New York's Val Barnaby played together from 2002-03 for the Red Scarlet Knights.
PERFECT 10
Head coaches' Bret Munsey and Weylan Harding are two of the only coaches in AFL history to record 10 or more victories in their first season as a head coach with postseason games included.
- Bret Munsey (2006-Philadelphia Soul, 10-7)
- Doug Plank (2005-Georgia Force, 13-6)
- Weylan Harding (2005-New York Dragons, 10-7)
- Jay Gruden (1998-Orlando Predators, 12-5)
- Fran Curci (1991-Tampa Bay Storm, 10-2)
- Perry Moss (1988-Chicago Bruisers, 11-2-1)
COMPLETE OPPOSITES
Philadelphia has defeated their opponents by an average of 28.67 points a game to lead the League in point differential while New York is last in the League after being beaten by an average of 22.33.
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