Philadelphia Soul Weekly
February 25, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
FOR OPENERS
The Soul begin their 2008 campaign this Saturday when they host the Orlando Predators at 7 p.m. (et) at the Wachovia Center. Philadelphia is 3-2 all-time against the Predators, including the playoffs. Last year, the two teams battled twice times, with the Soul coming away with a pair of wins record. Philly came away with a 63-49 win in the regular-season finale and then beat the Preds 41-26 in the opening round of the playoffs.
GIVEAWAY
The first 10,000 fans to Saturday's opener will receive a Soul magnetic schedule courtesy of Executive Auto Body.
SOUL FALL SHORT IN SCRIMMAGE
The Soul lost to the New York Dragons 45-44 in a scrimmage last Wednesday. New York's Chris Onorato booted a 42-yard field goal as time expired to give the Dragons the one-point win. Philly led by as many as 10 points in the game and took a 24-14 lead into halftime of the contest as most of the expected starters played the opening two quarters. Soul starting quarterback Tony Graziani played the first half and tossed three touchdown passes compared to just one interception. Larry Brackins added a pair of touchdown catches for the Soul.
ROSTER MOVES
The Soul's roster now stands at the 24-man limit. Munsey made a number of moves in order to get to the limit, including waiving offensive linemen Jason Thomas, Jabari Levey and Van Nelson; defensive lineman Delbert Cowsette; defensive back Rob Keefe; and fullbacks Cory Anderson and Matt Bernstein. Munsey also traded former NFL wide receiver Chris Horn to the New Orleans VooDoo in exchange for defensive lineman Michael Landry and signed fullback John Peaua, who had been with Colorado.
Additionally, Munsey re-signed five players to undisclosed contracts. They are: linebacker Rod Davis, offensive lineman Steve Edwards, defensive back Dee Webb, defensive lineman George Gause and wide receiver Darius Watts.
ENTER LANDRY, PEAUA
Newly acquire DL Michael Landry joins the Soul after starting 15 games with the VooDoo last season. He ended the year with 18 ½ tackles, two for a loss. A year earlier, he was with the Brigade, playing in 13 games with 11 tackles and a half sack. He broke into the AFL in 2005 with New Orleans and made the All-Rookie Team with 16 tackles, 2 ½ sacks and three forced fumbles in 15 games.
Fullback John Peaua was in training camp with the Colorado Crush, but was released this past Friday. He spent the last four seasons with the Crush, playing in 50 games over that period. Last year, he scored a pair of touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. He broke into the league with Arizona in 2001 and spent three seasons in the desert.
LET THE MADNESS BEGIN
The start of the AFL season is quickly approaching. With high expectations this year, March will be full of madness for the Soul. The month starts off like a lion with the opener at home against the Orlando Predators on Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m. But with four additional games in March, the month will definitely not go out like a lamb.
INJURY REPORT
Currently there are no injuries of note for Munsey's squad.
LAST MAN STANDING
The Soul are currently being featured on ESPN.com and ESPN360.com with webisodes of "Last Man Standing." Each weekly webisode gives an in-depth look at the Soul's training camp and includes one-on-one interviews with players trying to make the starting lineup and others who are just trying to make the team. Here is a link to the most recent webisode, which hit the web last Tuesday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bank on it...
The first chance to meet the 2008 Soul team will come for fans on Tuesday, February 26 from 3-4 p.m. during the team's official Season Kick-off Pep Rally at the Commerce Bank located at xxxx Broad Street (located up the street from the Wachovia Center). The entire Soul team will be out there to meet and greet fans. Prizes and other great stuff will also be up for grabs.
Meet your new Soulmates...
The official Soulmate introduction party will be held on Wednesday, February 27 starting at 7 p.m. at the Chickie and Pete's in South Philly. Fans can come out and meet the newest members of the 2008 Soulmates dance team, while also catching up with the returning members.
AIR WAVES
All 16 regular-season Soul games and any playoff games will be broadcast on Sports Radio 950, which will also air all the games live on the web at www.sr950.com.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the Soul are still available. Starting at just $90 for a season ticket, the Soul are the best dollar value in town. Family four packs, which include 4 tickets, 4 sodas and 4 hot dogs, are also available at just $68. For more information call the Soul's ticket office at 888-PHIL-AFL.
SOUL.COM
Keep up with all the daily news on the Soul at www.philadelphiasoul.com.
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