Soul ready for practice; Add Brackins to mix

Friday March 1, 2013

 With Physicals Complete, Team Ready For 2013

PHILADELPHIA (March 1, 2013) – The 2012 American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, completed their player physicals to begin practicing at training camp. The Soul also announced the addition of team career record-holding wide receiver, Larry Brackins (6’4”, 220, Pearl River CC), to the training camp roster. Brackins, entering his sixth season, joins the Soul for third consecutive season and fifth season total.

Brackins, a member of the 2008 ArenaBowl Champion team and former NFL fifth round pick, looks to continue his legacy as a Philadelphia Soul. He currently holds the following career records: most touchdowns in a career (75), most total points in a career (450), second in career receptions (224), and third in career receiving yardage (2,839).

After completing the physicals, the team is now prepared to hit the field and begin practice. Tomorrow, they will begin non-padded practices at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia. The team will continue non-padded practices until Tuesday, when contact-practices begin.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PERK: LB BRANDON PERKINS (6’9”, 240, Kansas): Today is Brandon Perkins birthday, the Soul linebacker turns 28. Perkins enters his third consecutive season with the Soul and sixth season in the AFL. Perkins broke into the Soul record-book during the 2011 season when he recorded the most sacks in a game (3). Perkins has 67.5 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 28 games during his two seasons with the Soul.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “These past couple days have been great,” said Soul assistant head coach, Phil Bogle. “Coming back to Philadelphia, always feels like I’m coming back home. It’s the city where I started in this league and won the ArenaBowl. This feels like homecoming to me. You can definitely feel the excitement in the air from these players. Everybody seems anxious and ready to start. I’m looking forward to a tough, competitive camp.”

STUDENT BECOMES TEACHER, AGAIN: Phil Bogle, former AFL and NFL player, returns to the coaching staff for the second time. As a line coach during the 2011 season, Bogle helped coach the Soul to being the No. 2 best overall defense (269.4), No. 2 best rushing defense (15.7), and No. 3 best pass defense (253.7) of the AFL.

During his two seasons as a player for the Soul, Bogle was a two-time OL All-Arena First-Team, made the All-Rookie team in 2007, and was a member of the 2008 ArenaBowl XXII Championship team. Bogle continued his AFL career with the Dallas Vigilantes in 2010. He spent time in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes (2009), in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2006 and ‘08), Cleveland Browns (2005), San Diego Chargers (2003) and in the NFL Europe with the Hamburg Sea Devils (2006).

TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Saturday, March 2: Non-padded Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 3: Non-padded Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Monday, March 4: Non-padded Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 5: First day of Padded Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 6: Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 7: Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Friday, March 8: First Cuts Practice – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, March 9: Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 10: Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Monday, March 11: Practice – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 12: Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 13: Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 14: Practice – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Friday, March 15: Practice – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, March 16: Scrimmage against Pittsburgh Power – 8:30 a.m to 10:30 a.m.
Final Cuts
END OF TRAINING CAMP

*All times subject to change, Contact the Soul PR Department to confirm times and dates.
**All practices at the Philadelphia Eagles’ NovaCare Facility unless otherwise noted.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA SOUL

The Philadelphia Soul are presented by Parx Casino. They capped their seventh Arena Football League season by capturing the 2012 American Conference championship. The Soul will open their season on Saturday, March 23 in a re-match of ArenaBowl XXV when they travel to Phoenix to play the Arizona Rattlers on CBS Sports Network. For 2013 season tickets, contact the Soul sales department at (215) 253-4900 ext. 3, or request contact from a representative by filling out the form on www.philadelphiasoul.com. Follow the Soul on Facebook at facebook.com/soul and Twitter at twitter.com/soulfootball.