Raudabaugh Out To Prove That He Is Amongst AFL's Elite

Adam Markowitz
Wednesday August 14, 2013

The Philadelphia Soul have put up their share of numbers that have impressed over the course of the last several years. They scored the most points in league history in 2012, they have a receiver in Tiger Jones who has posted at least 2,000 yards in two straight seasons, and they have arguably the best fullback in league history in Derrick Ross rumbling for at least 500 yards every season. And yet, the argument can still be made that Dan Raudabaugh, the pivot man of the bunch, is fighting for the right to be called an elite quarterback in this league. With a win on Saturday over the Arizona Rattlers, Raudabaugh will certainly be able to put himself in a class with Nick Davila, Aaron Garcia, and the rest of the greats in this game, but a loss, and he'll surely revert back to just being another one of those quarterbacks who puts up great numbers.

For a man that has thrown for 301 touchdowns and over 14,000 yards over the course of the last three seasons, it's amazing to think that Raudabaugh isn't really thought of as truly elite at this point. The only others that can boast they have thrown for at least 14,000 yards and at least 300 touchdowns in the last three seasons are Nick Davila (15,258 yards, 340 TDs) and Aaron Garcia (15,087 yards, 342 TDs). Raudabaugh has never been on the All-Arena team, and he has never won an MVP award either. In fact, he has never won a single postseason award in his career.

The fact that he guided a team to 68.2 points per game in 2012 doesn't seem to matter. Neither does the fact that he has led the Soul to at least 60 points in 23 games over the course of the last two seasons. Neither do the 13 games last season with at least six touchdown passes and the eight more games with at least six TDs that he had this year.

Raudabaugh just needs to win the big game.

"This is a statement game, a career-making game," said Philly.com's Vaughn Johnson.

"To me, this postseason has come down to whether Dan Raudabaugh can play at an elite level. He has great numbers… and he is now a two-time ArenaBowl participant. If he is playing at an elite level, the Soul can beat anybody."

Last season's ArenaBowl was a bit of a disaster for Raudabaugh, who tossed three interceptions. In the postseason in his career, Raudabaugh is averaging 255.3 yards per game with a 37/6 TD/INT ratio. Most importantly, he only has a 4-2 record in those six games and is just 2-2 against teams with records above .500 in the second season.

In a chat with Philly.com last season, Head Coach Clint Dolezel was asked about the performance of his quarterback after throwing 115 touchdown passes in the regular season. "I'm not surprised about [Rauabaugh's success] at all… He had a similar season [in 2011], but part was because I was a little more cautious with him last year. We've opened a play book this year… Dan has been extremely valuable to us."

There are times that a quarterback is only as good as the pieces around him. Raudabaugh has the best offensive line in the AFL, he has the best fullback in league history, and he has an NFL caliber wide receiver along with some other great weapons on the offensive side of the ball. He has the confidence of his Hall of Fame head coach and of his teammates. Now, it's time to go out there and win.

"It's definitely not going to be easy, "said Raudabaugh following his team's American Conference Championship Game victory over the Jacksonville Sharks.

There are only 19 different men who have started ArenaBowls and have proven to capture the Foster Trophy. It is an elite group of players in and of itself, and even some of the best in league history were never able to get the job done. Aaron's Garcia's career wasn't complete until he won the ArenaBowl in 2011. Clint Dolezel's career would have had a huge hole in it if not for his title with the Grand Rapids Rampage in 2001. Nick Davila would have question marks around him if not for his championship season last year.

And now, it's Dan Raudabaugh's turn. Over 1,100 completions, almost 15,000 passing yards, and over 300 touchdown passes are great, but none of those stats are as great as the Foster Trophy will be on Saturday. It will be then, and only then, that Raudabaugh can truly write his name in the history books as one of the elite quarterbacks in Arena Football League history.