Author: rwoodh1

Around the League: Trimester Review

ICYMI: All you need to know to catch up to Week 7 in the 2014 AFL Season.

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 By Ryan Woodhatch; Rowan University
Make sure to check out the  2014 “Way too early” Award Predictions and more fun AFL Facts

Arena Football fans! We have completed 1/3 of the season and I am here to give you a recap of what you have seen so far and who have been the shining stars and blundering duds of this 2014 season.

Teams have been sorted into categories based on their performance. (Heads up, not all of it’s good)

Lets get it going.

The Jamarcus Russell’s

In light on the NFL Draft right around the corner (if you haven’t heard the Draft is tomorrow, then you obviously haven’t watched ESPN’s non-stop 3 month dissection) it simply felt right to name this portion after your favorite 2007 1st pick draft bust Jamarcus Russell. The man is the epitome of leisurely starts and disappointment (Sorry, Jamarcus).

San Antonio Talons (1-7)

This was a team that won 10 games last year and nearly won the 2013 Central Division, capping off great victories against Tampa Bay (twice), Chicago, Cleveland, and the Soul. They even won the Central back in 2012!  What happened??

The Talons have lost 3 games this year by 3 points or less (LA KISS, Iowa, Tampa Bay) and two more games which were made close enough to pull out a victory. That being said, San Antonio is not going to get a pass for their record.

QB Shane Boyd and this offense are failing to score and aren’t stopping anyone on defense. It doesn’t look like this team will be able to pull out of their mid-year slump with Arizona surging to a quick 7-0 record within the western division.

New Orleans VooDoo (1-5)

New Orleans has not finished with an above .500 record in the existence of the franchise. That reeks of Cleveland Browns type management and simply a roster that is not designed to win.

A shining hope for this franchise is that they are in the American Conference South, a division which no one seems to want to win thus far, but don’t expect anything different from this team the rest of the season.

LA KISS (2-5) & Portland Thunder (2-5)

The two new AFL franchises as of 2014  are going to get a pass this time, seeing that gathering a new batch of players from scratch is a difficult thing to do at any level of pro-sports.

Their records are in no way impressive, but with the success of the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA and a lack of an NFL team in Los Angeles, its easy to see these two franchises being hot spots for premier players and they could be thriving as soon as next year.

 

Blowing the Roof Off With Mediocrity

Iowa Barnstormers (4-3)

Flashes of brilliance and long lasting gleams of uninspired play.

The Barnstormers have an above .500 record, but the wins have been pedestrian. Close victories over new franchises in Portland and Los Angeles, and an ugly 1 point win over San Antonio have led the Barnstormers to second in the East division.

But Iowa can’t seem to find its groove in 2014. Losses came to solid teams in Philly, Cleveland and Spokane, but the Barnstormers didn’t just lose, they got absolutely ran out of the arena.

Can Iowa turn things around?

Absolutely. QB Carson Coffman is having a career year with 34 TDs and just 7 Interceptions and seems to have a connection like no other with WR Marco Thomas, resulting in 18 touchdowns.

They can right the ship, but Coffman will have to be the Captain.

Tampa Bay Storm (3-5)

This team made the playoffs with a 7-11 record last season. Should that be allowed?

Tampa Bay fans should hope fellow teams are simply worse than them  this season, so they can sneak in the playoffs on a terrible technicality once again.

 

Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.

Enjoyed The Shawshank Redemption analogy?

If I have to explain what it’s from, does it take some spark from it?

Never-mind. Back to Football.

Pittsburgh Power (4-3)

They have matched their win total for 2013.

I repeat, it is week 7 and the Pittsburgh Power have matched their win total for 2013.

If that doesn’t give the Steel city hope, go watch the Penguins in the playoffs, then when Sid and the boys are done, tune in to this decent Power squad that is dying for a better home audience (average 2014 Power attendance is 5,649, which is nearly 3,000 below the league average, COME ON PITTSBURGH).

San Jose SaberCats (5-3)

Orlando Predators (5-3)

Jacksonville Sharks (3-5)

Five losses for the Sharks looks way worse than it actually is.

This team is losing dogfights. Other than a blowout 38-63 loss to Arizona, this team is keeping pace with every opponent and is losing by less than a 8 point margin on a game to game basis.

With QB R.J Archer coming back from injury, this team could be headed in the right direction, but they need to start winning these close games.

Philadelphia Soul (3-4)

Is this the same team that made the ArenaBowl the previous two seasons?? Should fans be flipping cars and burning couches along Broad Street??

No.

Relax.

Philadelphia started slowly last year with an unimpressive 3-4 record, then caught fire late in the season winning 9 of 10 games, absolutely storming into the playoffs. I wouldn’t be surprised if this team had the same path in mind.

QB Dan Raudabaugh has been plagued with early season interceptions, most coming in the first quarter.

Raudabaugh made his turnovers the vocal point of last weeks post-game against the Iowa Barnstormers,  “I gotta clean those up if we want to win these games. It’s definitely fixable, and I need to get the ball to my receivers quicker and make better decisions, simple as that. I know we got in it us, we just got to produce.”

Wide Receivers Tiger Jones and 2013 Rookie of the Year candidate Ryan McDaniel are still making electrifying catches and showing that defenses cannot stop them when their both on.

With defensive players coming back from injury such as James Romain and Bryan Robinson, this team is strengthening as the season progresses.

“We need to play good defense late in games and it seems we are getting the production as of late,” Soul Head Coach Clint Dolezel said after last weeks home game against the Iowa Barnstormers.

Don’t be surprised if you see the Soul at the top of the East in coming weeks.

 

The Contenders

Spokane Shock (5-2)

The Shock are continuing their dominance from last seasons impressive 14-4 record.

Spokane’s two losses came to the next two teams below, who are both undefeated. If the Eric Meyer led Shock can get over the hump and start to beat the best teams, expect to see this team in the playoffs making a serious push for the ArenaBowl.

Cleveland Gladiators (6-0)

If not for Arizona’s early season domination, Cleveland would reign supreme over the AFL through week 7.

The Gladiators won only 4 games last season and are off to the best start in franchise history. The only issue with this 2014 team is that Cleveland plays to the level of their opponent, similar to the 2013 New York Knicks team (Forgive me for the cross-sports analogy) playing up to the level of the Miami Heat, and down to the level of the Milwaukee Bucks.

One week they score 37 against New Orleans, the next they explode for 63 against a solid Pittsburgh Power.

Great quarterback play by Shane Austin has led them to their undefeated record, with only 2 interceptions and emphasis on protecting the football.

Plain and simple, Cleveland doesn’t play flashy football, but they get the job done.

And they do it well.

Arizona Rattlers (7-0)

Two time defending ArenaBowl Champions.

Nothing has changed in 2014. Arizona is the best team in the AFL once again.

Lead by early MVP candidate QB Nick Davila and three receivers with over 10 touchdowns (Purify, Poots, Winsor) they have been scoring an average of 64 points a game and aren’t letting off the throttle.

Defense is not often praised in Arena Football but this defense has come up big when called upon. Huge OT stops against Philadelphia in the home opener and holding Jacksonville to a season low 38 points have given this unit confidence while peaking to mid-season form.

Expect to see this team late in the playoffs, with anything short of the ArenaBowl being a failure.

 

Need more AFL Trimester Reviews?

Check out my award predictions

 

Soul Defense Dominates 43 Year Old QB Garcia

 

Aaron Garcia warms up pregame against the Soul in Philadelphia

Aaron Garcia warms up pregame against the Soul in Philadelphia

Legendary AFL quarterback Aaron Garcia got the start on saturday for the Jacksonville Sharks at the age of 43.

Let me repeat that: Aaron Garcia is 43 years old and is starting in the AFL!

Garcia was activated from the Refused to Report is in early April and has assumed the starting role against the Philadelphia Soul on saturday.

I know it’s on your mind and yes; Garcia played as if a now 44 year old (and recent grandfather) Brett Favre had stepped on the field.

Old. Slow.

The Philadelphia defense got after Garcia the entire game combining for a season high 5.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

“The defense played well all night long…They had to earn all the points they got tonight,” Philadelphia Coach Clint Dolezel said postgame.

From the defensive line to the secondary, the Soul found ways to tourment Jacksonville receivers and running backs, while giving up a season-low 256 total yards.

Safety Rayshaun Kizer, who made a game-ending goal line tackle, commented on the defenses stellar performance, “It’s a matter of pride, our defense is about getting stops and forcing our way of football and thats what we did tonight.”

Turnovers plagued the game early on as Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh threw an opening drive interception, only to be followed by a Garcia interception on the following possession.

But the Soul got on the board first after Tiger Jones caught a beautiful lob from Raudabaugh in the corner of the endzone and shortly after, Cornerback James Romain recovered a fumble and took it to the house to make the game 14-0.

Bruising FB Derrick Ross showed off his power recording 3 touchdowns for the night and a thunderous run at the end of the third quarter, bringing back memories of  Marshawn Lynch in the  2011 Divisional round against the New Orleans Saints.

When asked about his Lynch-esque carry, Ross had one word to describe what was going through his mind, “Run.”

After 3 first half interceptions from QB Dan Raudabaugh,the second half was turnover free for the Soul keeping the Philly ahead  and not allowing Jacksonville to have the lead once in the entire game.

A 49 yard 3rd quarter touchdown to Ryan McDaniel and a late TD to Tiger Jones capped off a convincing 54- 41 Philadelphia victory.

Next week the Soul will be hosting the Iowa Barnstormers on Sunday April 27th at the Wells Fargo Center and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.

Home Sweet Home

The Soul Are Back in Philly

The 2014 AFL season is finally making it’s way to South Broad Street as the Philadelphia Soul will be hosting the Jacksonville Sharks on April 19th in the Soul’s home opener.

The Soul (1-3)  went on to win their first game of the season after defeating the Orlando Predators 69-59 in Orlando on Thursday night. QB Dan Raudabaugh displayed a flawless performance completing 20-22 passes for 254 yards and a stunning seven touchdowns with no interceptions and WR Ryan McDaniel caught nine receptions for 113 yards and three total touchdowns.

Philadelphia will be hoping to replicate their impressive performance next  Saturday as festivities at the Wells Fargo Center will begin at 6:00 pm with the Soul unveiling  their 2013 American Conference Championship banner.

Starting 0-2 Isn’t All That Fun

The first two weeks of the AFL season have not gone as planned for the defending American Conference champion Philadelphia Soul, as the team has dropped to 0-2 in league standings.

WEEK 1 – ARIZONA RATTLERS 62, PHILADELPHIA SOUL 55

(PHOENIX, AZ) – The Arizona Rattlers delivered the Soul their first loss of the season in a thrilling overtime game that gave fans and players a reason to be hopeful. Philly Coach Clint Dozell commented on the 62-55 loss stating, “We played a solid game but we have to learn how to finish games — mentally”, according to the Philadelphia Soul website.

Philadelphia FB Derrick Ross punched in two late 1 yard touchdowns, the second coming with :23 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

23 seconds was more than enough for the defending champion Arizona Rattlers.

Arizona QB Nick Davila fired a 34-yard TD strike to WR Tyson Poots with eight seconds remaining, sending the game to overtime tied at 55-55.

Davila found Poots again for an 8-yard touchdown on the first drive of overtime, leading to the Rattlers defense forcing a game-ending turnover as Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh threw an interception to Defensive Player of the Game LB Jeremy Kellem.

But the Soul loss didn’t come without accomplishment.

Philadelphia FB  Derrick Ross recorded a team record six rushing touchdowns to go along with his 46 yards on 12 carries for the evening. Other standouts included Tiger Jones who continued his dominance as an elite AFL wide-out with 101 receiving yards and a touchdown.

WEEK 2 – SAN JOSE SABERCATS 70, PHILADELPHIA SOUL 33

(SAN JOSE, CA) – The San Jose Sabercats came ready to play in the March 23rd showdown in San Jose.

The Soul found their way to an early lead with an 18-yard TD run by FB Derrick Ross but San Jose responded quickly with a TD strike from Rookie QB Nathan Stanley to WR Rod Harper. Philadelphia made the game interesting with a  2 yard touchdown reception from Tiger Jones to the end of the first half, closing the margin to a 35-27 San Jose lead.

Oh how the game changed in the second half.

San Jose went on to outscore the Soul 21-0 in the third quarter, and did not take their foot off the gas in the fourth scoring another pair of touchdowns to finish the game with a whopping 70-33 victory over Philadelphia.

“We were beat in every phase of the game,” said Soul Coach Clint Dozell, according to the Philadelphia Soul website.

Philadelphia will have a bye week to recover after a tough 0-2 start to their 2014 season.

The Soul will make their to Tampa Bay to play the Tampa Bay Storm on Friday, April 4th.

Philly Coaches Finalize 2014 Roster

Soul Roster down to 24

Teams in the AFL made their final cuts this weekend in preparation for next Saturdays 2014 season kickoff.

The Philadelphia Soul cut LB Nick Haag, OL Jason Jones, OL Jordan Mosley, DB Thyrell Lewis, DB Raymond Little, and open-tryout standout WR Darryl Shine. The Soul also activated K Carlos Martinez and DL Bryan Robinson, both returning from the 2013 roster.

Philly is looking to defend their 2013 American Conference championship on Saturday, March 15th at 9 p.m against the Arizona Rattlers, a rematch of previous two ArenaBowl Championships, where Arizona took home to title  72-54 in 2012 and 48-39 in 2013.

The Rattlers are heading into the 2014 season looking to become the second team in history to win the ArenaBowl in three consecutive years. The Detroit Drive, now known as the Massachusetts Marauders, won the ArenaBowl title from 1988- 1990

Philadelphia is taking the field with 14 returning players from last seasons roster and are hoping to recapture their first title since 2009.

SOUL TRAIN: Philly Edition

Cuts, Trades & Updates: Training Camp Week 2

Week two of Soul training camp began Monday at the NovaCare Center in South Philly as cuts slimmed down the roster to 28 players.

The six players cut from the roster last week include OL Lemone Buford, WR Damion Clark, OL Brandon Grier, DB Jacobi Jenkins, FB Jeff Link, and DL Justin Young.

Among the players still on the training camp roster include Former Temple wide receiver Darryl Shine (5-10, 170), the only player invited to training camp from open tryouts.

The Soul also traded WR Andrae Thurmon to the Portland Thunder for OL Wayne Tribune over the weekend.

Final cuts will take place on Saturday, March 8th, as coaches will determine the official 24 man roster.

Profile: Former Navy WR Mario Washington

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Name: Mario Washington

Age: 25

Hometown: Shelby, NC

Position: WR/DB/KR

College: Navy/California University of PA

 

Mario Washington has been there.

Played big-time college football, climbed the ladder, was a projected starter at wide-out for the Midshipman, and delivered a promising 2009 junior season before his dismissal from the Naval Academy in 2010.

His goal in 2014: To play football again.

Washington was at the Novacare Center in South Philly for Soul open tryouts last Saturday to prove just that.

Q:  After you left the Naval Academy, did you continue to pursue your football career?

A: I left Navy around the end of ’09 and I transferred to California University of Pennsylvania. Both places I played receiver and returner and in my last year at Navy I played a little bit of corner too.

Q: What have you been doing ever since your college football career ended at Cal PA?

A:  I got called up to the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes but I tore my groin back in training camp. I’m just trying to bounce back from that and make the most of what I have left.

Q: Have you had an issue with injuries in the past?

A: A few minor injuries but it’s football. My torn groin was my first big injury in my playing days and in college I didn’t have any big injuries. Having that groin injury in Montreal was only a minor setback and I’m still out here workin’.

Q: Why tryout for the Philadelphia Soul?

A: It’s an opportunity. I’m still trying to pursue my goals. They got a good team here in Philly, great coaches and I wouldn’t mind being apart of what they have going on here.

Q: How do you see your football career playing out?

A: I’ve been playing this day by day, that’s how I like to do things. But of course the ultimate goal for any football player out here is the NFL. I’m here today though for the Philadelphia Soul and I’m hoping they give me a shot to succeed.

In his two seasons with the Midshipman, Washington posted 12 receptions for 221 yards, along with 37 punt returns for 151 yards.

Washington delivered a  productive senior season  at Cal PA with 48 receptions for 660 yards and 2 TD’s along with 482 kick return yards.

“The NFL is the goal, and I’m hoping it’s the future,” Washington concluded.

As of Saturday February 23rd, Washington has not received an invite to Soul training camp.