The OSC interview: Philadelphia Soul President Ron Jaworski
by Fran Stuchbury
August 15, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul
OSC correspondent Fran Stuchbury had the opportunity to interview Philadelphia Soul President, and former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Ron Jaworski at the Soul Summer Slam party in Wildwood, New Jersey recently. Jaworski, who is entering his third season with the team, is involved with football operations and assists the organization on all strategic marketing opportunities. When Jaworski is not helping the Soul, he works with ESPN as an NFL analyst.
Fran Stuchbury: Are you happy with the turnout for this event?
Ron Jaworski: The city of Wildwood has been fantastic in helping us and supporting this event. This is a small way of the Soul saying thanks to our fans. We led the league in attendance our first two seasons. This is an opportunity for them to come down - fans to come down - to have some fun, meet our players, new coaches and our coaching staff. It's been a very successful event.
FS: What does Bret Munsey bring to the table as the new head coach of the Soul?
RJ: Passion, enthusiasm, organization, discipline,
dedication, and I can probably go on and on. We had a
very exhaustive, extensive search for the guy that is
going lead our football team over the next few years.
We spent about two months in an in-depth interview
process, and Bret came out with flying colors. We are
absolutely thrilled that he is our head coach.
FS: Will the Soul be aggressive during free agency in September?
RJ: We will be very aggressive. Besides Bret Munsey we hired Jim Kubiak as our offensive coordinator and Pat Downy to handle the offensive/defensive line. We got young aggressive guys that understand the Arena Football League game. They are now evaluating all the players that will be free agents in September. We got a good core of players and need to augment those players, and we believe we will win an ArenaBowl championship.
FS: You will be attending the ArenaBowl owners meetings this week. What rules would you like to see changed?
RJ: We have a lot of rule changes. I am part of the competition committee. We spent a lot time evaluating the game, how do we make the game better for our fans. We put together a proposal that will be voted on by the board of directors on Tuesday down at Atlanta that we hope will open up the game. A little more movement of the defensive side of the ball, some rules that will be unnoticed, but a big rule will be allowing the jack linebacker to move out of the box sideline to sideline. Another thing that has been discussed is unlimited substitution much like the NFL has or any outdoor level of outdoor football. There will be a lot of decisions made Tuesday in Atlanta.
FS: Wouldn't unlimited substitution take away from "Ironman Football," what the Arena Football League has been known for?
RJ: No question. That is one of the things some of the old guard of the Arena Football League is concerned about that. We are an Ironman game, six players play both sides of the ball, that it would change the game, the basic fundamental design of the game. The thing is we look at every part of the game. We have to evaluate every single part of the game. I'm not sure how that vote will go, I've heard a lot of good points, and I've heard a lot of bad points.
FS: Are you happy that new broadcast partner Q107 will be broadcasting Soul games this season?
RJ: Q107 is absolutely fantastic. Just a great signal to reach the great football fans down the Jersey shore. We couldn't be happier to have them part of our team, and once again Soul games will be broadcasted on the internet.
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.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 15, 2005
- Kats Extending Football Presence In Midstate - Nashville Kats
- Storm to host open tryouts October 9 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Gladiators' Marlion Jackson placed on exempt list after signing with Atlanta Falcons - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Rush introduces youth football Ironman award - Chicago Rush
- The OSC interview: Philadelphia Soul President Ron Jaworski - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
