Soul Come Up Just Short in Tampa
Craig T. Mackey
Friday March 5, 2004
Most Soul fans, and I am included, were probably happy with the decision to go for the first. After all, Ken Hinsley has not given us any reason for hope. Hinsley did connect on a 42-yard field goal in the first quarter, but he missed a 22-yard attempt right before the half. Remember, he also missed a short field goal attempt against Dallas in a similar situation and we all know that one cost the Soul as well.
Hinsley’s struggles can also be a reason to second guess Trigg. Trigg did trade veteran kicker Brian Gowins earlier this week and said that he was confident that Hinsley could get the job done. Gowins, who was on the injured list all season for the Soul, made his season debut for Las Vegas in their win over New Orleans.
This is all beside the point, and the fact is that the Soul missed a great opportunity to get their first road win. They went toe to toe with the Tampa Bay Storm, who are the defending champs and could have easily won the game. Trigg’s decision is not what lost the game, missed opportunities and mistakes are.
The Soul were called for pass interference three times and one really hurt them. The Soul had just scored on Keita Crespina’s 32-yard touchdown to cut the Storm lead to 27-24 late in the third quarter. Tampa was driving, but they then were faced with a fourth-and-one on Philadelphia’s 13-yard line. Storm quarterback Shane Stafford overthrew Freddie Solomon and the Soul thought they had made a big stop. Instead, Soul defensive specialist DeAuntae Brown was called for pass interference on a ball that was clearly uncatchable. That penalty, and a personal foul on defensive coordinator James Fuller for arguing the call, gave the Storm a first-and-goal at the Philadelphia 3-yard line. Two plays later, Andre Bowden went in from one yard out to give the Storm a 34-24 lead. A stop there and the game could have been a lot different, but we can’t cry over spilled milk.
This game looked a lot like their other road game in Dallas in Week 2. Mistakes on the first possession would again put the Soul in an early hole. Dallas blocked a field goal for a touchdown and in Tampa Browder fumbled on the first play, setting up the Storm’s first score.
Another similarity is that they would again fall behind big in the second half. This time it would be 40-24. It was not as bad, but it is hard enough to win on the road, and it is even harder when you fall behind by double digits. The Soul just couldn’t come up with the plays that needed to win. They were one for six on third downs and they failed on both fourth down attempts.
The defense continued to play well, but they did struggle to keep Solomon in check. Solomon, who played four seasons with the Eagles in the late 90’s, continues to put up big numbers. He finished with three catches for 32 yards and touchdown and he also had two rushing touchdowns.
On the other side, the offensive line could not continue their strong play. Tampa Bay put pressure on Browder all day and sacked him twice in the first quarter. Browder was just not the same player as he was last week when he was the AFL Offensive Player of the Week. He finished 17 of 32 for 232 yards and four touchdowns, but he also lost two fumbles and threw one interception. Browder was playing without one his favorite weapons in Ricky Ross and he just could not get comfortable in the pocket, and the outcome proved that.
One positive continues to be the play of offensive specialist Tyronne Jones. Jones did all he could do in this one, including returning a missed field goal 41 yards for a touchdown and a receiving touchdown. The Soul had plenty of opportunities to win this game, but their inexperience showed. Remember, this is an expansion team and we as fans are going to have deal with their ups and downs. They have now played twice on the road and both were against playoff teams from a year ago. They played well in both games and had chances to win in both. This team has a good coach and a promising quarterback, and they will eventually win these close games.
Extra Soul
Coach Michael Trigg is now 2-8 versus his former coach Tim Marcum… Sean Scott had another solid outing with 3 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown… Terrell Adams, who made his Arena League debut in place of the injured Ross, finished with two catches for 18 yards… Jones has now scored at least two touchdowns in all four games this year… Brown had an interception in his second straight game… Crespina had a nice return to Tampa, finishing with 32 yards receiving and a touchdown. He also a tackle and pass break-up on defense.
Up Next
The Soul will return home this Sunday and try to win consecutive games at home as they take on the Chicago Rush. The Rush (4-0), along with San Jose, are one of the only undefeated teams that remain. The Rush are led by quarterback Raymond Philyaw and receiver Lindsay Fleshman. The game will be at the Wachovia Center at 12:00 p.m. and can be seen on NBC-10.
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.
