It`s Time to Roll with the Soul
Craig T. Mackey
Friday January 30, 2004
The obvious question that a typical Philadelphia fan is asking is: what should we expect from the Soul this year? If recent history is any indicator, then you should not expect that much. The last six franchises that have entered the AFL have an average record of 5-9 in their first season.
The first season is always the toughest. Philadelphia fans should be patient because this team will give us reason to hope. Coach Mike Trigg is not new to expansion. This is the third franchise that he has led in their first year.
He was the coach of the Fort Worth Cavalry, which folded after their only season, and the Grand Rapids Rampage. The job he did with the Rampage is the reason Philly fans should be excited. Grand Rapids went 3-11 that season, but then went 8-6 in their second year and won the ArenaBowl in just their fourth year.
Trigg is optimistic about the Soul’s chances in their first year.
“I do not see why we should not be competitive this year,” Trigg told reporters at last night’s scrimmage. “We are very deep at the receiver position.”
The AFL is all about speed and having a deep receiving rotation will be a huge advantage. This would be Andy Reid’s dream: all passing. You may see a few runs a game, but where is the fun in that?
The receiving corps is led by Ricky Ross, a quick receiver who possesses great cutback ability. If last night’s scrimmage is any indication, this kid is going to be special. The first play of the game was a quick screen to Ross that he took to the house. Ross will also be the return man. Tyronne Jones is another receiver that turned heads last night by hauling in three touchdowns during the scrimmage.
Other receivers that look to keep the Soul competitive this year include Sean Scott, Derin Graham and Keita Crespina. Crespina and Scott are both local products. Crespina is Temple graduate and Scott played in the Philadelphia Catholic league with Archbishop Carroll.
Another key ingredient that will help this team become successful is a good kicking game. Remember there are no punts in this league, so it is that much more important to have a strong reliable kicker. The Soul feel they have that in Brian Gowins.
Gowins played with Trigg in Grand Rapids the last four years, where he holds the franchise record for consecutive field goals made. Gowins was voted Kicker of the Year after the 2001 season. He also has NFL experience, playing two games with the Chicago Bears during the 1999 season.
The quarterback will be Nick Browder. Browder also came to the Soul via Grand Rapids. This will be his first year as a starter, but Trigg is confident that he can handle the job. If he does falter, the Soul have an experienced backup in Todd Hammel.
This is the fourth different team coached by Mike Trigg that Hammel has played for. Eagles fans can probably best relate Hammel to Doug Pederson. Pederson came with Reid to provide that veteran leadership McNabb needed and Trigg hopes Hammel can do the same.
“Coach Trigg looks to me as sort of a coach on the field,” Hammel told me before last night’s scrimmage.
Coach Trigg will look to other players to do the same as he has brought quite a few players over with him from the Rampage; 10 to be exact.
Their defense should also be strong point. They brought in coach James Fuller to lead them. Fuller was the defensive coordinator with the Oklahoma Wranglers in 2000, where he had the top ranked defense in the league. Now Fuller and the Soul hope that he can duplicate his success here in Philadelphia.
Remember, patience is going to be a requirement. The game is not the same as the NFL and the rules will take time to learn and understand. For now, just sit back and enjoy the game.
Jon Bon Jovi’s involvement may grab women’s attention at first, but the play on the field should eventually grab everyone’s attention. This is affordable football that you can enjoy with your family.
As for records, I think that the Soul can finish .500. Anything better than that would be icing on the cake. Anything worse can be expected—remember they are an expansion team. Either way, come February 8th, get ready to roll with Soul.
Craig T Mackey is a an engineer in Philadelphia. He is a huge philadelphia sports fan. He has worked for NFL Films in the past and is a 1999 graduate of Penn State University with a bachelors degree in journalism.
