The OSC interview: Philadelphia Soul Quarterback Matt Sauk

by Fran Stuchbury
November 1, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul


Former Louisville Fire quarterback Matt Sauk recently signed with the Philadelphia Soul. He's is being reunited with Soul head coach Brett Munsey who coached him when he played for the Tennessee Valley Vipers, and Tony Graziani whom he backed up with the Los Angeles Avengers during the 2002 season.

This past season while with arenafootball2's Fire, Matt put up outstanding numbers, setting league records with touchdowns (99), yards (4,489) and completions (408). His performance earned him af2 Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Fran Stuchbury: How did you get involved in playing in af2?

Matt Sauk: Nashville Kats current Offensive Coordinator Dean Cokinos coached me over in Germany on a club team. He was good friends with the Kats head coach (Pat) Sperduto, who gave me a try out. I made the team, then right before the playoffs I was cut from practice squad. That next year Coach Munsey I believe called Sperduto and asked him about me. He gave him the thumbs up, and that is how I ended up in the af2.

FS: You played under Soul coach Brett Munsey when you were at Tennessee Valley. How did you like dealing with him as a head coach?

MS: He was great. The one thing of many things I liked about Munsey was that he allowed his coaches to coach. He would ask questions and add some insight, but he had enough trust in them to do what they needed to do. He was always fair, a good players coach. Always was willing to help when the situation called for it.

FS: Who was the best WR/OS you played with at the af2?

MS: There was two, Kelly Fields (TV) and Rob Mager (Fire). Both of those guys every single game put heart and soul into every single game. Those two were the type of guys that when you threw a bad ball they would dive or make every effort to make that catch for you. But not only were they good on the field, but they were solid people off of it.

FS: How did you like your experience as a backup QB with the Los Angeles Avengers during the 2002 season? How much did you learn from current Soul starting QB Tony Graziani while you were there?

MS: I enjoyed being Graziani's backup. That was a main reason for me coming to Philadelphia. We got along very well, and had fun. It was competitive as heck, but we both were nice towards each other. You do not see that often when two players are as competitive as Graziani and I are in football. The biggest thing I learned from Graziani was the touch pass on certain throws. Graziani has outstanding touch, and uses it well.

FS: Do you feel af2 players should make more money or is the chance to move up to the AFL enough incentive?

MS: Without a doubt they deserve more money. They have not received a pay raise since its inception. I think you still want to keep it low, but $200 a game is a joke.

I really do feel $300 is fair and should not cause any more harm to the owners' budget. If the owners cannot make it on $300 a week, I doubt they can do it with $200 a week. I think when they created this league they didn't imagine people would be playing in it for two to four years or more. But people do, because usually it is the local guys that stay and play. Local guys bring in fans, so why not give them incentive to stay in the league.

FS: Did you like playing with the Louisville Fire this past season? How did you like playing with coach Tommy Johnson? How were the fans in Louisville?

MS: I would have to say this past season was the most fun I have ever had playing football. The guys that we had were so fun to be around on and off the field. Coach Johnson is like Munsey in that he does his thing, and he lets the coaches do theirs. He is a fair man that does not scream and yell. I think I can honestly say I have seen him lose his cool three times in the two seasons I was there, and it was for a good reason. He is the type of coach that if you don't get it done, you will not be there too long. He doesn't scream he just expects you to do it the right way.

The fans in Louisville were great. We would get between 7 and 10,000 fans a game which is just great in af2. The only thing is those 7 to 10 were in an arena that held 20,000. So even with that high amount, it still looked empty. But overall they are great and they really support their team.

FS: Were you honored to be named 2005 af2 Offensive Player of the Year?

MS: Without a doubt! You always have high personal goals when you come into a season and to reach that one was amazing. At my age in the af2 with guys around you that are 21, 22, 23 years old it was a great accomplishment.

FS: Did you like the idea of having a neutral site ArenaCup? Did you like the atmosphere in Bossier City?

MS: I do like it. I think the fans do not, but if you ask any player I would guess they would say yes they like it. All the events, the fans that showed up made the experience a blast.

FS: Are you happy to see the Tennessee Valley back in af2 next season?

MS: Yes! They should have never left af2. They were a staple to the league, and to leave to that other league was not a good decision. The fans also showed their displeasure by not going to the games. It is nice to see that the fans did care what type of product they put out there and because of them I think it helped bring back TV to af2.

FS: After your playing career is over do you have any interest in getting involved in coaching?

MS: I would love to coach in the AFL or af2. The arena game is just so much fun. The guys you are around are so hungry to move up that they put their bodies on the line for $200 a week. It reminds you of college kids, to see that fire inside of them is cool. I am hoping that someone will give me a chance to be an offensive coordinator one day. I know I will not let them down.

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 November 1, 2005


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