How Long is the Tunnel?
Jason Moyer
Wednesday May 16, 2007
When a team in any sport is looking for the light at the end of a tunnel, do they really know just how long the tunnel runs? The Philadelphia Soul lost their sixth consecutive game in Week 11 to the visiting New York Dragons 69-49 and have to start asking themselves that question.
“Tonight for the first time we didn’t play any phase of the game well,” observed Head Coach Bret Munsey. “Offense, defense, and special teams we just didn’t play well. That was disappointing.”
Despite their worst performance of the season, Coach Munsey still expressed signs of optimism.
“At the end of the day, we’re still in the playoffs and still in control of our own destiny and we’ve got to take advantage of that,” stated Munsey. “We got guys getting healthy and coming back. We’ve got [Larry] Brackins and Tony [Graziani], I think Mike Brown after a week will be a little bit better and hopefully we can get the ball rolling.”
A season filled with injuries claimed yet another victim as backup quarterback Juston Wood went down with a possible ACL or MCL injury.
“I went back side and threw the short ball out to [Charles] Pauley, but as soon as I threw it I stepped into a guy,” explained Wood. “He came into my knee and I immediately felt the pop and knew something was wrong.”
According to Coach Munsey, Wood is expected to be out for the remainder of the season.
Even with the possible return of Graziani to the lineup, will the Soul be able right the ship and make a playoff run?
“I can’t put that much pressure on the guy,” commented Munsey. “We still have to improve in other areas for us to win football games. He’s going to bring us confidence and I hope he’s going to get in the huddle and we’re going to feel good about having him in there. But at the end of the day, I got to have other people stepping up and right now we’re just not getting that.”
For a team that is in the middle of a six game losing streak and has just admittedly played their worst game of the season, one has to wonder…is that really a light at the end of the tunnel or are they only half way there?
Inside the numbers
Juston Wood (PHI) completed 17 of 30 passes for 204 yards with four touchdowns and one interception before leaving with an injury.
Leon Murray (PHI) filled in with six completions on 18 attempts. He threw two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Charles Pauley (PHI) collected seven passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Pauley now has 1,075 yards for the season and is closing in on the Soul’s single season record of 1,443 set by Steve Smith in 2005.
Aaron Garcia (NY) is alive and well after breaking his leg last season. He finished the game 22 of 34 for 264 yards and eight touchdowns to earn Offensive Player of the Game.
Mike Horacek (NY) caught seven balls for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
Munsey on his team
“You hope that we got the right guys in the locker room. I got some guys that are busting their tails. I feel great about those guys. Then I got some guys that maybe need to focus in a little. We’ll deal with that this week. I’ll say this, we’re going to come out and fight our butt off. It will be a little bit of a new look for us.”
Munsey on the losing streak
“There’s a little anger. We have to find ways with our injuries, without our injuries to find ways to win at the end of the day. We haven’t been able to do that.”
Juston Wood’s disappointment
“I know it was a great opportunity. It’s an amazing organization, amazing fans, and nobody wanted to win more than I did. The talent on this team is better than 4-6 and I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to help them get a couple of more wins.”
Next week’s game
The Soul will be back in action on Monday, May 21st against the New Orleans VooDoo. The game kicks off at 7:30 and will be televised on ESPN2.
