Soul add depth with five former NFL players
October 16, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul have signed former NFL players DB Dwight Anderson, DT Felipe Claybrooks, WR Darrell Hill and DE Ron Johnson. They have also signed DL Atlas Herrion, but have placed him on the team's Other League Exempt List after signing with the Houston Texans practice squad. As per club policy, terms of their deals were not disclosed.
Anderson (5'10", 185, North Dakota) comes to Philadelphia after playing with the St. Louis Rams. He played a total of 15 games over two seasons and recorded 16 total tackles while returning four kicks for a total of 71 yards. Prior to playing with the Rams, Anderson played in 17 games at South Dakota University and finished his collegiate career tallying 71 total tackles, six interceptions, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
Claybrooks (6'5", 275, Georgia Tech) joins the Soul after playing for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe and the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. In his first season with the Centurions in 2004, he set an NFL Europe record with 11 total sacks. Claybrooks has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns playing largely on special teams and seeing action in 11 games from 2001-2003. The former Yellow Jacket finished his college career tied for fourth on the school's all-time record list with 20 sacks and 37 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Hill (6'2'', 200, North Carolina) enters the Arena Football League with the Soul after playing with the Kansas City Chiefs the past two seasons after starting his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans. He saw action in 33 games with the Titans from 2002-04 and registered a career-high 15 special teams tackles to rank third on the squad in 2004. Following his days with the Titans, Hill entered training camp with the Chiefs the past two seasons, but was released prior to the 53-man roster.
Herrion (6'4", 305, Alabama) was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad on 10/9 and has been placed on the Soul's Exempt List. Before signing with the Texans, he entered the NFL with the Green Bay Packers in 2004 and played on the Cleveland Browns practice squad during the 2005 season. He started the 2006 season in NFL Europe with the Amsterdam Admirals. In college, Herrion played all five positions on the offensive line with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Johnson (6'2", 275, Shippensburg) is a former Philadelphia Eagle who saw action in three games at the defensive end position. While with the Eagles, he spent the majority of his time on the practice squad. Prior to to playing for the Eagles, he was named first team All-PSAC as a senior at Shippensburg University after recording 44 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Johnson led the team in fumble recoveries with four and returned one for 45 yards and ranked fourth in team history with 18 career sacks.
The Soul roster has 25 players with 11 returning players from the 2006 season (WR/DB Mike Brown, DB Clarence Curry, K Todd France, QB Tony Graziani, OL/DL Mike Mabry, WR J.J. McKelvey, OL/DL Dwayne Missouri, DB Eddie Moten, LB Raheem Orr, FB Wes Ours and WR/LB Sean Scott). They have four players they signed last season during the free agency signing period who entered NFL training camps this season (OL/DL Jason Davis, OS Isaac West, DS Aric Williams and DS Brandon Williams) eligible for Soul training camp. They also have one free agent (FB/LB Idris Price) and 9 total rookies (DL John Fields, WR Steve Gonzalez, DB Brian Mance, DT Bryan Save to go along with the four new players) who have been signed this season.
Season tickets for the Soul's 2007 season are on sale now. Tickets start as low as $96. For more information call (888) PHIL-AFL or log on to www.philadelphiasoul.com. The Soul are entering their fourth season in the AFL. In their three seasons, the Soul have sold out 93% of the venue while drawing a League best 387,491 fans combined.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 16, 2006
- Colorado Crush add four more to roster - Colorado Crush
- AFL free agency update - AFL I
- Storm Sign Barry Wagner - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul add depth with five former NFL players - Philadelphia Soul
- Destroyers sign QB Dreisbach, pair of defensive standouts - Columbus Destroyers
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