Soul training camp position breakdown: wide receiver
February 8, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
The Arena Football League is well known for its pass-first mentality and wide receivers usually fill the stat sheet with great numbers. This season isn't going to be any different; it could actually see more players contributing bigger numbers since most of the receivers aren't going to have to worry about learning the defensive playbook. For the Soul, they have two out of six receivers coming back from last year's squad and the average height this season is listed at 6'2". Last season, they entered camp with an average height of 6'0".
Coming to Philadelphia for Larry Brackins (6'4", 221, Pearl River CC) is another opportunity to play professionally after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005. He was invited back to training camp in 2006, but was released before the 53-man roster was set. Now, he joins the Soul as one of the biggest receivers in the AFL alongside J.J. McKelvey.
Two seasons in af2 has finally helped Steve Gonzalez (6'0, 180, Menlo College) reach the next level in the indoor game. He comes to Philadelphia after an impressive season in Manchester with the Wolves where he ranked fifth in the League in receptions (118) for 1,355 yards with 44 touchdowns. He also posted great numbers returning kicks and was recognized as one of af2's elite receivers. While with the Wolves, Gonzalez played alongside current rookie Brian Mance and was the replacement for new teammate J.J. McKelvey.
As a true rookie, Larry Kendrick (6'0", 210, Mississippi) enters his first professional training camp. He comes to the Soul after playing college football at Ole' Miss and Pearl River Community College. While at Pearl River, he was an All-American wide receiver and played with current Soul wide-out Larry Brackins.
Last seasons leading receiver, Sean Scott (6'2", 200, Millersville), has been a mainstay in Philadelphia the past three years. He is one of only two players on the team from the inaugural season (Dwayne Missouri) and enters his fourth training camp with high expectations. On offense, Scott finished his 2006 campaign with 87 receptions for 999 yards with 17 touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 35 times for 115 yards with seven scores. He was awarded with Ironman of the Game honors five times and Offensive Player of the Game honors once.
After spending his rookie season with the Soul playing both the WR/LB position and the now extinct OS position, J.J. McKelvey (6'4", 225, Clemson) looks to build on an injury plagued year. He began to catch his stride before spraining his ankle in Week 9 against the Dallas Desperados forcing him to miss five games. He still excelled in the 11 contests he participated in with 36 receptions for 589 yards with 12 touchdowns. During the off-season he went back to his second home of New Hampshire and worked for the af2's Manchester Wolves.
Entering only his second professional training camp, DeQawn Mobley (6'2", 210, Texas A&M) will look to make his first professional team after having an outstanding collegiate career as an Aggie. He spent two seasons in the Lone Star State and caught 35 passes for 546 yards for a 15.6 yard average with three touchdowns in 22 games. Mobley received an invite to training camp with the New York Jets last season.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 8, 2007
- Nudo Pleased with First Day of Practice - Arizona Rattlers
- Storm sign three on defense - Tampa Bay Storm
- Coaches give insight into training camp - San Jose SaberCats
- VooDoo to hold Select-A-Seat events New Orleans Arena February 9-10 - New Orleans VooDoo
- VooDoo make additions to bring training camp roster to 37 - New Orleans VooDoo
- Three free agents join Brigade to restock training camp roster - Kansas City Brigade
- Columbus Destroyers To Open Training Camp on Friday, February 9 at Columbus FieldHouse - Columbus Destroyers
- Predators Open Training Camp Friday - Orlando Predators
- Soul training camp position breakdown: wide receiver - Philadelphia Soul
- Columbus Destroyers Statement on the Passing of Matt Pagel - Columbus Destroyers
- Kats Insider Mike Keith on Kats WR Nate Poole - Nashville Kats
- Gladiators Training Camp: Day Four - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Rattlers Offer Fans a Football Fix - Arizona Rattlers
- McMillen officially back with Rush - Chicago Rush
- Kats Assistant General Manager Darryl Hammond Takes on Roll as Kats Color Analyst - Nashville Kats
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