Soul's Secret Weapons: Breen, Bell and Thomas
Published on July 15, 2015 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (July 15, 2015) -- The Philadelphia Soul have had a historical season this year, currently 13-2 and undefeated at home. During their game against the Cleveland Gladiators (7-8) this past weekend, the Soul clinched the top seed in the American Conference and earned home field advantage during the playoffs. Obviously the Soul's success can be credited to their versatile roster and hardworking staff, but the team has also acquired some key players who've had prior experience in the NFL, especially OL Shannon Breen, MLB Beau Bell and WR Marco Thomas.
OL Shannon Breen started off his football career at West Virginia Wesleyan University where he was awarded D2 All American, 1st Team All-WVIAC and Second Team All- WVIAC. He was also selected to play in both the Cactus Bowl and All-American Bowl in 2011. In 2013, Breen participated in workouts with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and the Cleveland Browns before joining the AFL's Cleveland Gladiators for the 2013 season.
MLB Beau Bell attended University of Nevada Las Vegas before being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Since moving to the AFL in 2011, Bell made First Team All-Arena with the Los Angeles Kiss in 2014. Bell has recorded 14 tackles, 10 assists and two sacks with the Soul this season despite a few nagging injuries.
WR Marco Thomas was a member of Western Illinois University Leathernecks, where in 43 games he caught 109 passes for 1,691 yards and 11 touchdowns. Thomas was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He also spent time with the New York Jets, the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers. Thomas currently leads the Soul receivers with 131 receptions for 1,557 yards and 35 touchdowns.
The three players got the opportunity to speak about their time and experiences with the NFL.
Q: What is the most important lesson you've brought from the NFL to the AFL?
BB: Professionalism, for me personally. When you get to the NFL, the standards are incredibly high. I can only speak for myself, but when I first got there I didn't know what being a professional entailed. Going there, and seeing how the older guys prepared and trained, really helped me become a professional.
MT: I agree, it definitely helped me gain professionalism, but also taught me how to be a student in the game. You get there and you don't really know what to expect, but it's a lot of studying. You stay after every practice watching film, and that's one thing that is carried over here. Being able to study your opponent is important, and we spent that much-needed time watching film.
Q: Do you feel you have been a role model when it comes to professionalism for your teammates?
BB: I hope so, I try my best and I don't try to tell people what to do or anything, but I just try to lead by example. From studying to treating my body, coming in early and doing the things that need to be done to be the best for yourself and your team.
SB: I think all three of us, being older guys especially, we try to lead by example. We try to show the younger guys what to do to win games and how to prepare themselves to win games. That's the most important thing- getting the younger guys excited for the games and preparing them properly.
Q. What is the biggest adjustment you have faced coming from the NFL to the AFL?
MT: For me, just the size of the field. As a receiver, you go from having a lot the space to work with to having a much smaller space. Your brain definitely has to adjust to it, because everything happens a little quicker in the AFL. I was always able to focus on being fast on the big field, but now over time here I have learned to be more deceptive with my speed. I've learned to choose when I want to run fast, and when I want to run a little slower. I've learned to pace myself, which has been crucial since everything moves a little faster.
SB: There are a lot of different techniques, for the linemen especially, so it's been about transitioning from playing outside to playing inside. It's about learning the techniques and trying to get better at them everyday.
Q: Do you think that being in the NFL in generally has made you a better player for the AFL?
MT: That's a good question and I think so. There are some things we were learning in the NFL, like professionalism, that has been carried over. Those things have definitely helped the transition. I think once you get to a certain stature you can't go backwards. You can't, you'll always have that competitive nature in you so if you were once the best among the best, you will always been driven to stay the best. That's one thing that the NFL allows you to attain. So while you're in the AFL, you know that you were once at a level where you were the best so you should keep the right mentality that stops you from going backwards.
Q: How does being a small fish in a big in the NFL compare with being a big fish in a small pond in the AFL?
MT: Honestly, any pond is great, it's just good to be in the pond and be able to play. They both have their perks and I've really enjoyed both, so honestly I just love the game of football and just to be able to do it as a career is awesome.
BB: That is what it comes down to, anytime you get to be in that pond like Marco said, any time you get the opportunity to play it's a blessing. There are so many people out there who wish they could do this; I know so many ex-players who want to continue playing football after the NFL but they can't due to injury, or their family situation. So we're just blessed to be able to put these pads on.
The Soul travel to Jacksonville to face the Sharks (7-7) for the third time this season on Saturday, July 18. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Arena Football League Stories from July 15, 2015
- Sharks Add Defensive Back Keon Lyn - Jacksonville Sharks
- Soul's Secret Weapons: Breen, Bell and Thomas - Philadelphia Soul
- San Jose SaberCats vs Portland Thunder Game Preview - San Jose SaberCats
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