Graziani out 3-4 weeks

Monday March 17, 2008

Starting QB has MCL sprain

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Soul starting quarterback Tony Graziani is expected to miss the next three-to-four weeks with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Graziani suffered the injury during the Soul’s 63-42 win over the New York Dragons on Sunday.  An MRI exam on Monday confirmed the initial diagnoses and showed no further damage.

Graziani was injured on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Larry Brackins with 47 seconds left in the third quarter, as he suffered a late hit from New York Dragons defensive lineman John Nix, who was flagged for a roughing the passer penalty on the play and later ejected from the game for a separate incident.

Graziani finished the game 16-of-27 passing for 204 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. For the season, the veteran signal-caller has thrown for 732 yards with 20 touchdowns and two picks.

Matt D’Orazio is expected to step in for Graziani and lead the Soul. D’Orazio was an off-season free agent signing.  He started for the Chicago Rush the last two seasons, leading the Rush to the Arena Bowl XX title two seasons ago, earning Offensive Player of the Game honors in the process. He stepped in for Graziani this past Sunday and ended 6-of-10 passing for 68 yards. He led two scoring drives, running one in from one yard out to cap one of those drives.

The Philadelphia Soul (2-0), YOUR Team...YOUnited, continues the 2008 season at home against the Los Angeles Avengers on Thursday, March 20 at 10:30 p.m. (et). The game can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet and can be heard locally on Sports Radio 950 and on the web at www.sr950.com.

The Soul are celebrating their fifth anniversary this season. The team has drawn an AFL-best 514,226 fans combined during the past four years. Following last season, the Soul were recognized with the Commissioner's Award as the Organization of the Year and were an honorable mention for the PRISM Award in the category of fan appreciation. Season tickets for the Soul's 2008 season are on sale now. Tickets start as low as $90 for a nine-game plan including a postseason home game. For more information call (888) PHIL-AFL or log on to www.philadelphiasoul.com.