Soul Activate Graziani, Brown, Davis
Published on June 4, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (Wednesday, June 4) - The Philadelphia Soul activated quarterback Tony Graziani, defensive back Mike Brown, and linebacker Rod Davis off Injured Reserve, placed linebacker Anthony Dunn on IR and signed linebacker Craig Kobel to the active roster on Wednesday.
The Soul also announced on Wednesday the signing of linebacker Durand Roundtree to the practice squad.
Graziani, the leader for many of the Soul's career passing records, hasn't been healthy since Week 3 when he sprained a ligament in his left knee after being hit late by New York's John Nixx. In four games this season, Graziani has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 1,017 yards with 27 TDs and 3 INTs.
Soul head coach Bret Munsey has not announced whether Graziani or Matt D'Orazio will start at quarterback for the Soul's game at Dallas on Saturday. D'Orazio has completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 2,698 yards with 58 TDs and 4 INTs, while also rushing for a team-record 201 yards and 8 TDs in relief of Graziani, who is officially listed as questionable on Wednesday's injury report.
Brown, listed as doubtful on Wednesday's injury report, missed the last four games with a hamstring injury. Despite missing the time, he continues to lead the team with five interceptions. He has also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns.
Davis has contributed two interceptions and a defensive touchdown in his AFL rookie campaign, but has missed the last five games with a dislocated elbow. Davis is listed as questionable on Wednesday's injury report.
Dunn, the starting MAC LB, is expected to miss the rest of the 2008 regular season after tearing his spleen. Dunn was tied for second on the team with 5 sacks this season and was named the Defensive Player of the Game twice for Philadelphia.
Kobel played with the Utah Blaze in 2006, registering 6.5 tackles and a rushing TD. After completing his collegiate career at South Florida, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but was released prior to the start of the season. He was also signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in January, 2007 and spent time with the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europa before being released.
The Philadelphia Soul (10-3), YOUR Team...YOUnited, will resume play against the first-place Dallas Desperados (11-2) on June 7 at 8 p.m. The Soul won their first match-up of the season, 57-28 in Philadelphia, a game which both teams entered undefeated. Since that win the Soul are 1-3 and have fallen into second-place. This meeting will go a long way in deciding the eventual Eastern Division champion. The game can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet and heard live on 950 ESPN and at www.950ESPN.com.
The Soul are celebrating their fifth anniversary this season. The team has drawn an AFL-best 514,226 fans combined during the past four years. Following last season, the Soul were recognized with the Commissioner's Award as the Organization of the Year and were an honorable mention for the PRISM Award in the category of fan appreciation. Season tickets for the Soul's 2008 season are on sale now. For more information call (888) PHIL-AFL or log on to www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 4, 2008
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- Georgia's Greisen, San Jose's Floyd, Dallas' Pettis, Georgia's Jones and San Jose's Haglund Earn Pla - AFL I
- Soul Activate Graziani, Brown, Davis - Philadelphia Soul
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- Dallas Hosts Philadelphia in Heavyweight Matchup - AFL I
- Cleveland Gladiators to Visit Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital - Cleveland Gladiators
- All-Time Great Barry Wagner Officially Retires - AFL I
- Soul Game at Dallas to Air Live on Comcast Sportsnet - Philadelphia Soul
- Two Teams Can Clinch Playoff Berths In Week 15 - AFL I
- Utah Blaze To Visit Primary Children's Medical Center - Utah Blaze
- Blaze, Avengers Meet on ESPN2 - Utah Blaze
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