Soul candidates for 2014 league awards
Tuesday July 29, 2014
Philadelphia Soul Members Up For AFL's Annual Recognition
PHILADELPHIA (July 28, 2014) – Every year, the Arena Football League recognizes standout players and staff that have successfully worked hard throughout the season. These Philadelphia Soul staff members and players have shown an immense amount of dedication and enthusiasm in each job they have taken on. Below are the 2014 league awards to watch out for the Philadelphia Soul in 2014.
Commissioner's Award (Organization of the Year): Philadelphia Soul
Led by the Ownership of Co-Majority owners, Craig Spencer and Ron Jaworski; and members of the ownership group: Pete Ciarrocchi, Cosmo DeNicola and Marty Judge, the Philadelphia Soul have become one of the premier franchises in the AFL since coming into the League in 2004. On the field, the team qualified for the postseason for the third straight year by clinching the final spot in the American Conference playoffs this past weekend. Off the field, the Front Office is led by VP/COO John Adams and General Manager Tom Goodhines. The Soul have gone the extra mile to get involved in communities throughout the Philadelphia and South Jersey regions. The Soul franchise led the project to expand the AFL to China in the 2013 season. Before home games this season, the Soul host "Town Takeovers" where the organization and players hold a public walkthrough practice in Philadelphia, surrounding towns and South Jersey. They are free and open to the public and include a wide variety of fan interaction. The Soul have helped raise awareness for a variety of causes, including: COPD, the Jason Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Support Staff of the Year:
The Philadelphia Soul won this prestigious award in 2013. The support staff of the Philadelphia Soul consists of experienced and dedicated members of the Football Operations department that includes: Equipment Management, Training, Medical, Scouting/Player Personnel and Video. The staff is under the direction of General Manager Tom Goodhines and the Support Staff is composed of: Head trainer, Jason Kopec; Equipment manager, Brandon Mango; Director of Player Personnel Lou Russo; and Video staff, Phil Bogle and Tyler Newhart.
Executive of the Year: Tom Goodhines
Goodhines is in his fourth season as General Manager with Philadelphia. During his career, he has been involved with the sport of Arena Football since 1995 (19 seasons) as either a member of the media or with league/team personnel. Under Goodhines' watch, the Soul won the Eastern Division back-to-back (2012-13) as well as back-to-back American Conference Championships for the first time in franchise history as well as a third consecutive playoff appearance in 2014. The Soul are 46-32 (.590 winning percentage) during Goodhines' tenure as the team's General Manager. Goodhines was key in putting the pieces in place for the franchise's on-field successes (hiring Clint Dolezel as head coach, retaining free agents Dan Raudabaugh, Tiger Jones, Bryan Robinson, Brandon Perkins, Derrick Ross, Rayshaun Kizer, Brennen Carvalho, Wayne Tribue and Markee White). Goodhines serves on both the AFL Hall of Fame Committee, Silver Anniversary Committee and led the football operations for the AFL Global project in China in 2013. Prior to his time in Philly, he played a key role in Utah winning the prestigious Commissioner's Award in 2006 and oversaw the staff that won Support Staff of the Year (Utah, 2006-07) two straight seasons and also helped lead the Soul earn the award in 2013. The two-time Executive of the Year finalist also worked in the League Office from 2001-05. Goodhines oversees all elements of Football Operations and Player Personnel, while directing all Communications, PR efforts and trade partnerships. He also serves as the team color commentator on television broadcasts, while frequently appearing on the Soul's weekly show, "Soul Insider." He also serves as an alternate for the owners on the AFL's Board of Directors representing the Soul at League meetings.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Phil Bogle
In Phil Bogle's third season as assistant coach and second season as assistant head coach with Philadelphia, the Soul offensive line ranked No. 1 for sacks allowed (7) and the Soul's defensive line ranks No. 7 for sacks (27). It is the third time in his AFL coaching career that his offensive line led the League in sacks allowed. During his playing days, Bogle played for the Soul in 2007-08, when he was awarded First-Team All-Arena OL both seasons, All-Rookie Team in 2007 and winning the ArenaBowl with Philadelphia in 2008. In 2010, he played with Larry Brackins and Dan Raudabaugh where he won Second Team All-Arena OL.
Trainer of the Year: Jason Kopec
Philadelphia has suffered a high number of injuries throughout the 2014 season, but through the efforts of Jason Kopec, the team has been able to recover at top speed. Prior to joining the staff, Jason spent six seasons as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Camden Riversharks, where he was selected to serve as the Athletic Trainer for the 2009 and 2012 Atlantic League All-Star Games.
Equipment Manager of the Year: Brandon Mango
In Mango's fourth season with the Soul and second season as head equipment manager. In 2013, he was named Equipment Manager of the Year by the AFL. Mango was previously with the team for two seasons (2011-12) as an equipment intern. Previous to the Soul, Mango was the Home Clubhouse Manager for the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League. He also spent the 2012 NFL season as a member of the Dallas Cowboys Equipment Staff.
AFL MVP Candidate, Offensive Player of the Year Candidate and All-Arena: FB Derrick Ross
Soul FB Derrick Ross has been a force throughout the entire season and became the all-time leading rusher in AFL history. He now holds the League record of 141 rushing touchdowns in a career. He currently leads the league in rushing yards (480) and is No. 1 in rushing touchdowns (35). Ross recorded an individual game high rushing touchdowns (6) in Week 1 against the Arizona Rattlers. He became the first man in AFL history with 2,000 rushing yards in Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Storm.
Offensive Player of the Year Candidate and All-Arena: WR Tiger Jones
Soul WR Tiger Jones has been Raudabaugh's most reliable target all year. Jones has caught 114 passes for 1,643 yards and 33 touchdowns. Tiger is currently ranked No. 9 for receptions and reception touchdowns and No. 6 for reception yards.
Offensive Player of the Year Candidate and All-Arena: QB Dan Raudabaugh
The Soul's season-long success is due in large part to their quarterback, Dan Raudabaugh. He currently has 4,328 yards passing, 85 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 64.8 completion percentage and a quarterback rating of 112.46. All season he has contributed to the Souls' winning outcomes and has broken many records along the way. He broke the franchises career records for passing yards (13,715) and passing touchdowns (295). He is fourth in the league in passing yards this season and he also leads the league is completion percentage.
Defensive Player of the Year Candidate, All-Arena and Rookie of the Year Candidate: DL Teddy Jennings
DL Teddy Jennings has played a crucial role for the defense this year, even as a rookie. He ranks No. 4 in the league in sacks with 11, which also ties the franchise record for most sacks in a season (Bryan Robinson in 2013). He has also recorded the only safety for the team this season.
Offensive Linemen of the Year and Rookies of the Year: OL Adam Smith and Wayne Tribue
This season, the duo has allowed a league-leading six sacks on the season, one more than the franchise record set in 2012 (5). Their protection for Raudabaugh has been exceptional, allowing the Soul's total offense to be ranked 2nd in the league with 4923 yards.
All-Arena: DB Rayshaun Kizer
DB Rayshaun Kizer has been a force in the backfield ranking No. 4 in the league in tackles with 101, 94 of which were solo, and No. 8 in the league in interceptions with 9. Kizer has also set a career high this season with 35 pass break-ups.
All-Arena: LB Joe Goosby
LB Joe Goosby has put a solid season together in the 16 games that he played. The hard-nosed hitter recorded 58.5 tackles, two interceptions, four pass break-ups, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
All-Arena: LB Brandon Perkins
Perkins has been an anchor for the Soul defense, as he has played in every game so far this season. The Mack linebacker has 24.0 total tackles, 5.0 sacks and 7.0 tackles for loss on the season. Perkins also has two interception returns for 20 yards and one touchdown.
All-Arena: DB James Romain
Romain has put up impressive numbers throughout the 2014 season. He is currently ranked No. 2 on the team for total tackles (82.0) and forced fumbles (2). He leads the team on fumble returns (2 for 31 yards). He has also been one of the Soul's kick returners with 10 for 164 yards.
ABOUT PHILADELPHIA SOUL
The 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 2015 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.
