Soul position breakdown: defensive backs
February 7, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
The secondary is one of the most important aspects of Arena Football since it is known as a passing game. With that said, head coach Bret Munsey focused on filling some of the holes opposing quarterbacks were able to pick apart last season. This years crop of DB's has more AFL knowledge than any other position the Soul have entering training camp as four of the seven players have played on the defensive side of the ball in this League.
Dwight Anderson (5'10", 185, South Dakota) was one of those guys Coach Munsey has heard about through the grapevine for the past few years and has now been given the chance to sign him. Anderson spent the past few seasons in the NFL with both the St. Louis Rams and also the Carolina Panthers. During his time with the Rams, he played in 12 games and recorded 11 total tackles and returned four kicks for 71 yards.
As one of the most recognizable players on the Soul roster this season, Mike Brown (6'0", 190, Charleston Southern) enters camp after being named to the AFL's All-Arena Ironman Team. He lead the Philadelphia in all-purpose yards (1,957), kick returns (36-746-2) and field goal returns (7-135) last season. In 15 games of action, he caught 79 passes for 939 yards with 12 touchdowns. He rushed the ball 35 times for 101 yards and four scores. Defensively, Brown recorded 45.5 total tackles, four tackles for losses, one sack, four interceptions and three pass breakups through the regular season. He was also named Offensive Player of the Game twice and Ironman of the Game three times. During the off-season he prepared himself to continue playing on both sides of the ball, but most of his time will be spent on defense stopping opposing wide receivers.
Last season was a learning process for Clarence Curry (6'1", 210, Villanova) as he spent most of the season on the inactive list. He only had the opportunity to play in one game and he tallied two tackles, but he was a player Coach Munsey saw something in and was re-signed for the 2007 campaign. During this off-season, Curry spent his time here in Philadelphia preparing for a much anticipated training camp.
Johnnie Harris (6'2", 210, Mississippi State) comes to the City of Brotherly Love as the second most experienced player on the roster behind only Tony Graziani. His journey to this point has been a little awkward after playing in the AFL from 1996-98 before going on to the NFL from 1999-2002 and then coming back to the AFL from 2003 until now. With his experience in both leagues, Harris brings a high football IQ to the field and will be looked at for his guidance from the other DB's this season. To go along with that experience, he has been recognized by the AFL twice as the League's Defensive Player of the Year in both '96 and '98.
Entering camp as the only player to play both the wide receiver and defensive back position, Larry Kendrick (6'0", 210, Mississippi) joins the Soul as a rookie straight out of college. He excelled on defense while playing at Pearl River Community College and was recognized as an All-American defensive back to go along with being named the NJCAA's Defensive Player of the Year following his second season. While at Pearl River, Kendrick was also an All-American wide receiver and played with current Soul wide-out Larry Brackins.
Jumping to the AFL for Brian Mance (5'11", 185, Clemson) is just another step for him in his football career since playing in af2 for the Manchester Wolves last season. He actually took the same road to the Soul as current teammate J.J. McKelvey after both playing together in college at Clemson and then moving on to play for the Wolves before coming to Philadelphia. With the Wolves, Mance totaled 67.5 tackles with four interceptions and broke up 10 passes in 13 games. He also joins former Manchester teammate Steve Gonzalez in training camp.
After a career season for Eddie Moten (5'10", 185, Texas A&M Kingsville) last year, he looks to come back to Philadelphia for his third year in the League and show everyone why he should have been named the AFL's ADT Defensive Player of the Year. With two years under his belt, he tied a League record with 13 interceptions and tallied more than 100 tackles. He also led the League in passes defended with 31 (13 interceptions, 18 breakups) and was recognized as the ADT Defensive Player of the Game six times and received League honors as Defensive Player of the Week once. During the off-season he had workouts with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, but was hampered by a sprained ankle.
Aric Williams (5'11", 175, Oregon State) is one of the players Coach Munsey signed before the 2006 season, but was later placed on the Other League Exempt List when he was signed by the Washington Redskins. After a solid training camp with the Skins, he was allocated to NFL Europe to play for the Cologne Centurions. While with the Centurions, he recorded 18 total tackles with six pass breakups and played alongside current Soul teammate Bryan Save. Coach Munsey signed him originally after seeing him go through training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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