The OSC Interview: Philadelphia Soul Head Coach Bret Munsey
by Fran Stuchbury
March 29, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul
OSC contributor Fran Stuchbury spoke to Philadelphia Soul head coach Bret Munsey following the team's 55-51 win over the Dallas Desperados Saturday. The victory improved the franchise's record to 5-4 in his first season as coach.
Fran Stuchbury: The past couple of weeks have been tough for the Soul. Are you pleased with how the team performed?
Bret Munsey: I've never been so proud of this group of guys. We started out the game with a fumble off the opening kickoff, they get it and we are down 7-0. Then WR/LB J.J. McKelvey gets hurt. Not only did they score right off of us, we also had substitution problems. Then OL/DL E.J. Burt got hurt about midway through the third quarter.
This team really stayed together and battled, and that's what we needed. We've been too high and low. We won some games by a lot of points and we lost some by a lot of points. We needed to win a close game and we did that tonight, and I think it will bring this team together.
FS: How was the performance of QB Tony Graziani?
BM: We challenged Tony this week, we put the heat on him a little bit, and I love it. He responded and came out and played as well as anybody. I think he is on a high right now. We're proud of him and hopefully we can carry this into the Austin game.
FS: Were you happy with the stops by the defense, especially the interception by DS Eddie Moten in the fourth quarter?
BM: Yes, Eddie Moten played his butt off. He's from this area and that was a great win for him, too. Defensively we knew this was going be a battle. Desperados QB Clint Dolezel is as good as they come. I'm just proud of the stops that we did get and offensively we got it going and it was a team effort.
FS: How big was the acquisition of former Soul OS Steve Smith from the Kansas City Brigade? How did he perform coming off a short week of practice?
BM: Steve is going give us a lot of juice and we brought him in, had two days of practice and put him in there and played OS. He's a little banged up, but we are happy with him. I think it's going help us out offensively down the road.
FS: How about the rivalry with the Dallas Desperados. Does winning on their home field intensify it?
BM: I'm sure it has, they're over there shocked. They lost a big one at home. This is a competitive league, every week you have to go to war. We're happy with everything.
FS: How about your next opponent, the Austin Wranglers, a team that plays solid defense?
BM: They play great defense, they got some guys up front that will bring it. Were going to enjoy this one tonight and focus on them this week.
If you have any questions or comments about this interview feel free to drop me an email at arenazone@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to get back to you.
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- The OSC Interview: Philadelphia Soul Head Coach Bret Munsey - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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