Grading the Soul’s Off-Season
Jason Moyer
Sunday February 10, 2008
The following is a quick synopsis of player movement for the Philadelphia Soul.
Top 3 Additions:
1. WR Chris Jackson – Jackson signed with the Soul after spending last season with the Georgia Force. While with Georgia, he helped quarterback Chris Griesen set the AFL record for touchdowns in a season with 117. He compiled 145 receptions, 1915 yards and 47 touchdowns.
2. QB Matt D’Orazio – It is difficult to say that signing a backup quarterback is a season making acquisition, but consider the fact that the Soul had a record of 9-3 in games which starting quarterback Tony Graziani started and finished but were winless in the six games that he was hurt makes the signing of a quality backup a must for a team with aspirations of a long run in the playoffs.
3. DB Chris Royal – Royal played last year with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers of arenafootball2 where he accumulated 14 interceptions during the season and another two in the playoffs. Royal should add depth to a secondary that already boasts one of the league’s best in Eddie Moten.
Other players to watch:
WR/DB Larry Kendrick – Kendrick played last season with Chris Royal in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton where the two helped the Pioneers reach the ArenaCup. He is a versatile player who was probably the best athlete on the team and should help on kickoff returns and adds depth to several positions.
OL Steve Edwards – Edwards has NFL experience with the Chicago Bears and New York Giants. He will add depth to one of the best offensive lines in the league that allowed only nine sacks.
Top 3 Losses:
1. DL Dwayne Missouri – The first player ever signed by the Soul will blaze a new trail in Utah this season. Missouri totaled six sacks and 18 tackles last season and is the Philadelphia’s all-time sack leader with 18.
2. OS Charles Pauley – Pauley turned into Graziani’s favorite target last year enjoying his best season in the AFL with 103 receptions, 1457 yards, and 27 touchdowns. His speed allowed Philadelphia to stretch the field for other players. Pauley will join the defending conference champion Columbus Destroyers.
3. WR Sean Scott – A fan favorite and local player, Scott had been with the team since their conception. However, with the development of Larry Brackins, Scott became expendable and was allowed to leave. Soul fans will be able to see him when he returns to Philadelphia with the Cleveland Gladiators.
Other losses:
WR J.J. McKelvey – McKelvey will join Dwayne Missouri in Utah. He was traded for OL/DL Steve Konopka.
WR Jerrian James – Although James was not a featured player with the Soul, the experience that he was able to pass along to younger players will be missed.
Best Move – Resigning Tony Graziani and reuniting him with old friend Chris Jackson. In their last season together in Los Angeles during the 2004 season, Graziani finished with 99 touchdowns while suffering only five interceptions. Jackson was responsible for 44 of those scores and gives Philadelphia a game breaking wide receiver for the first time in the team’s existence.
Worst Move – Trading J.J. McKelvey to Utah for Steve Konopka. After losing Sean Scott through free agency, the Soul could have used McKelvey for depth at the WR/LB position. Konopka is a high energy player who would have added to the play of the line, but was released on Jan. 29th, basically giving McKelvey to the Blaze for nothing.
So, what grade do they get?
(C) - While adding Jackson to the fold will help the offense, the loss of four proven WR’s (Pauley, Scott, McKelvey, and James) may not balance out.
In addition, the Soul did very little to help the defensive side of the ball. Although Royal had an excellent season in af2, it is difficult to tell how he will fair in the bigger league. Losing Missouri without adding another pass rusher may put too much pressure on the defensive backs.
The release of Steve Konopka and the refusal of WR Chris Horn to report certainly lowers the team’s performance. However, the development of Larry Kendrick and WR Kenny Henderson could even out those apparent mistakes.
After two consecutive playoff appearances, the Soul will look to take the next step toward a championship this season beginning on March 1st against the Orlando Predators.
Jason Moyer is an elementary school teacher in the western New Jersey area. He is an avid follower of the Arena Football League and has been covering the Philadelphia Soul with ArenaFan.com since 2005. Jason resides in Whitehall, PA with his wife and daughter.
