Soul set to begin training for 2014 season

Saturday February 22, 2014

 Philadelphia Determined For ArenaBowl With Returning Players, New Additions

PHILADELPHIA (February 21, 2014) – The Back-to-Back American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul, presented by Parx Casino, began training camp on Thursday, Feb. 20, when all players were required to report. The practices for training camp will be held at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia beginning on Saturday, February 22.

Entering training camp, the Soul have 17 players from last season’s American Conference Championship team. The top returners of the 2012 season include: QB Dan Raudabaugh, FB Derrick Ross, WR Tiger Jones, OL Brennen Carvalho, DB Rayshaun Kizer and DL Bryan Robinson.

“It’s always important to have key players return to our team,” said Soul head coach, Clint Dolezel. “It makes our job a little easier as coaches heading into the season. But, at the end of the camp, we still need to pick 24 of these very talented players. This should be a very competitive camp and the guys will have to prove they have what it takes to help us get to the next level.”

Dolezel, entering his second season as the head coach of the Soul, assembled his coaching staff for the upcoming season. Two-time First Team All-Arena performer, Phil Bogle, begins his third year with the Soul as the assistant head coach, and veteran defensive coach Rod Miller will join Dolezel and Bogle as an assistant coach.

The team practices at Eagles’ NovaCare Complex starting on Saturday, February 22 until final cuts take place on March 7. The first cuts will reduce the roster to 28 players on February 28. The final 24-man roster will be announced on March 8 when training camp ends. The Soul open their 2014 season on Saturday, March 15 at 9 p.m. in Phoenix, against the Arizona Rattlers for an ArenaBowl XXVI rematch.

The 2013 training camp roster consists of 20 AFL veterans and 13 rookies. The All-Arena players on the Soul’s rosters are: three-time All-Arena WR Tiger Jones, three-time All-Arena DB Rayshaun Kizer, two-time All-Arena DL Bryan Robinson, three-time All-Arena FB Derrick Ross and All-Arena/Offensive Lineman of the Year finalist, Brennen Carvalho.

ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA SOUL

The defending Back-to-Back American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul are presented by Parx Casino. They capped their eighth Arena Football League season by capturing their second straight American Conference championship. For 2014 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.