Soul position breakdown: defensive linemen
February 13, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
When head coach Bret Munsey came to Philadelphia before the 2006 season, he was looked at as a defensive minded coach and quickly showed why. He immediately brought in some of the most well known defensive lineman in the AFL and turned the Soul into instant contenders. This off-season was a little different with the rule changes, but that didn't stop Coach Munsey from bringing the best talent he could in to compete for training camp.
With the All-time record for most sacks in a season (11) in NFL Europe Felipe Claybrooks (6'5", 275, Georgia Tech) joins Philadelphia after spending the past four seasons in the NFL and NFL Europe. He spent the majority of his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns before moving on to the NFL Europe where he played for the Cologne Centurions. He holds the individual record for most sacks in a single game for the Centurions with 3.5.
Jason Davis (6'1", 300, West Virginia) comes to the Soul after spending the past few seasons bouncing around the NFL. He attended West Virginia University where he played 41 games with 27 starts. He recorded 92 tackles, four sacks, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. Davis started all 13 games as a senior and tallied 28 total tackles, one sack one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.
After taking time off from football following college John Fields (6'4", 265, Central Washington) returned to pursue his dream of playing professional football. He joins the Black, Blue and Grey after spending last season in the af2 with the Everett Hawks. He played 11 games with the Hawks and recorder 25.5 tackles, 7.5 tackles for losses, five sacks, three breakups, two blocked kicks, two safeties and one forced fumble. Fields took time off from football after college.
Pennsylvania native Ron Johnson (6'5", 275, Shippensburg) joins the Soul after playing with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003 and during training camp in 2004. He spent the first four weeks of the 2003 season on the Eagles practice squad before he was promoted. Johnson appeared in three games with the Eagles predominantly on special teams. Johnson was named first team All-PSAC as a senior at Shippensburg after recording 44 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He led the team in fumble recoveries with four and ranked fourth in team history with 18 career sacks.
The only defensive lineman returning to camp this season is Dwayne Missouri (6'5", 280, Northwestern). He enters his fifth season in the AFL and third year with the Soul. He played all 16 regular season games last year tallying 21.5 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for losses, five pass break ups and two forced fumbles. In 2004, Missouri played 15 games for the Philadelphia and recorded 15.5 tackles, five sacks, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Bryan Save (6'1", 313, Colorado State) comes to Philadelphia after spending the past three seasons in the NFL and NFL Europe. He finished his collegiate career with 103 tackles, seven sacks, three fumble recoveries, four pass breakups and one touchdown. He played 40 career games and started 30 of his final 36 games at the nose guard position. Save earned All-Mountain West Conference accolades in 2003 as a 12 game starter who led the team with seven sacks. Save played with fellow Soul rookie Aric Williams in NFL Europe for the Cologne Centurions.
After being drafted in the 6th round by the Houston Texans, Keith Wright (6'2", 290, Missouri) spent four seasons in the NFL. He was a member of the practice squad for the Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. He played with current Soul teammate Jason Davis with the Houston Texans during his rookie season in the NFL in 2003. He also played with Soul teammate Phil Bogle during his stay in NFL Europe with the Hamburg Sea Devils last season. Wright started all 23 games while at the University of Missouri. He recorded 160 total tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception.
Gabe Nyenhuis (6'3", 269, Colorado) played with current teammates Martin Bibla, George Layne and Mike Mabry with the Atlanta Falcons in 2005. During his time in the NFL, he was a member of the practice squad for the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars. In 25 games for Colorado, he recorded 85 tackles 63 solos with eight sacks for minus 66 yards, 24 stops for losses of 108 yards, 24 quarterback pressures, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles 10 pass deflections and 10 third down stops.
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