Soul position breakdown: quarterback and kicker

February 15, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release


This season, the Soul enter training camp after some big changes in the off-season with the most notable being at the offensive coordinator coaching position. Former Arena Football League veteran Connell Maynor, who ended his playing career with the Soul, joins the staff to take over the offensive play calling duties. He is the only player in the AFL to record more than 5,000 passing yards, 500 receiving yards, 400 rushing yards and 400 yards in kickoff returns in his career. Throughout his 12 year career, he was a part of three ArenaBowl Championships. Late last season Maynor played backup for injured quarterback Tony Graziani.

Last year quarterback Tony Graziani (6'3", 215, Oregon) helped lead Philadelphia to their first postseason appearance in team history and their first playoff win. He returns to the Soul for his third season ranking among the top quarterbacks in the League. After battling injuries throughout '06 he was forced to miss four games due to a dislocated index finger on his throwing hand and a torn hamstring. Graziani played 12 games and was named Offensive Player of the Game four times. He completed 232 of 389 passes for 2,989 yards with 41 touchdowns despite throwing 11 interceptions. He was named the Soul's Most Valuable Player as well as Offensive Player of the Game four times.

As Philadelphia fans learned last year, the position of backup quarterback is an important one. Juston Wood (6'1", 205, Portland State) comes to the City of Brotherly Love after playing for division rival New York Dragons last season. He entered his rookie season in the AFL with the Dragons after replacing injured quarterback Aaron Garcia. Garcia went down in Week 5 of the Dragons season after suffering a broken leg ending his season. Wood played in seven games and completed 40-of-58 passes for 382 yards with five touchdowns despite four interceptions.

Todd France (6'3", 200, Toledo) enters his second season with the Soul after having a very successful rookie year. He played 16 regular season games and two postseason games for the Soul and was named to the League's All-Rookie team. He ranked fourth in the AFL in scoring among kickers with 137 points. France connected on 95-of-103 extra points, was 14-of-33 on field goals and totaled 31 touchbacks. Last season he was the only kicker brought into camp after kicking in outdoor games for the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 15, 2007


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