AFL: Iladel Leader Ready For 2006 Season
Jarrod Rogol
December 06, 2005
Photo: Tony Graziani
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Soul
Contains exclusive comments from Quarterback Tony Graziani
The Liberty Bell, Philly Fanatic, Philly Cheese Steak, Freedom and Independence Hall. All of these items are linked to the "City of Brotherly Love," or as ESPN's Stuart Scott would say, "Iladel."
Arena football fans during the 2004-2005 season, saw their Soul end in third place in the Eastern Division of the National Conference with a record of 6-10-0 and a 1-5-0 Divisional Record. This off-season, the Soul have gone out and brought in many weapons including: Ironman of the Year (FB/LB) Chad Dukes, (K) Todd France, (OL/DL) Donny Klein who was picked up via trade from Utah for Tim Sender, and (OL/DL) Ernest Allen and E.J. Burt.
The Soul who ranked seventh in 2005 with 90 passing TD's, and fifteenth in total Receiving Yards with 4,281, made their biggest pickup as of Press Time, by acquiring (WR/LB) Aaron Boone. "Aaron, along with other players we've picked up make us a much more athletic team," said Tony Graziani, about how he will feel to have Boone with the Soul.
Picking-up solid players doesn't come cheap though when taking about team chemistry. Graziani though believes that it will be a strong team once everything falls into place. "Personally and as a whole, for this season I think the biggest challenge for me and the team will be getting use to the new personnel, the faster we gel the better our season will be."
When it comes to the talent and leadership of Graziani, coaches around the league this off-season have told me, "Graziani is a 'Top Tier' Quarterback, who's ability will take control if you let him have a single inch." Graziani is very humbled by these comments saying, "I'm very honored, I feel that I play the best I can each week. I've done a lot this off season, training wise and have been able to add a solid amount of arm strength." Of coarse being that "Jaws" Ron Jaworski is Soul President that doesn't hurt when it comes to advisement for Graziani. "Jaws gives me tips on the QB position as a whole such as: getting my drop, and cadence."
The "Graz Workout Programs"
IN SEASON
Weights: Maintain strength with low weight and high reps and high weight and low reps
Cardio: Wind sprints with team following practice.
Diet: Loading up of carbs.
Supplements: Cyotmax before and during games for energy.
OFF SEASON
Weights: Gain as much weight and strength 3phases. 1) Building strength lifting 4 times a week. 2) Max strength lifting 3 days a week with heavy weight and low reps. 3) Is strength transfer 3 days a week with combination lifts.
Cardio: Treadmill 30 minutes or sprints 3 days a week
Diet: Loading of carbs and protein.
Supplements: Protein shake before workout and fruit smoothie after.
The Soul organization doesn't only aim to take care of business on the field, they also do a lot in the community, "Two or three times a week we are out in the community. We work with groups like the Northen Home (* Writer Note: this was the organization featured on MTV's Real World), and Habit Humanity. Bon Jovi and Craig Spencer really push community involvement and they do a lot themselves in the community. This is one of the big items that drew me to Philadelphia was the amount of importance that the Soul place on the community," said Graziani.
SOUL 2006 SCHEDULE
*All Times (EST)
1/29 Tampa Bay Storm 3 p.m.
2/05 Los Angeles Avengers 1 p.m.
2/11 at Orlando Predators 7:30 p.m.
2/19 New York Dragons 1 p.m.
2/26 Colorado Crush 1 p.m.
3/05 at Las Vegas Gladiators 6 p.m.
3/13 at Kansas City Brigade 8 p.m.
3/18 at Columbus Destroyers 7 p.m.
3/25 at Dallas Desperados 8 p.m.
3/31 Austin Wranglers 7 p.m.
4/9 Chicago Rush 1 p.m.
4/14 at Nashville Kats 8 p.m.
4/21 Columbus Destroyers 7 p.m.
4/29 at New York Dragons 7 p.m.
5/6 Dallas Desperados 7 p.m.
5/13 at Georgia Force 7 p.m.
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Soul
Contains exclusive comments from Quarterback Tony Graziani
The Liberty Bell, Philly Fanatic, Philly Cheese Steak, Freedom and Independence Hall. All of these items are linked to the "City of Brotherly Love," or as ESPN's Stuart Scott would say, "Iladel."
Arena football fans during the 2004-2005 season, saw their Soul end in third place in the Eastern Division of the National Conference with a record of 6-10-0 and a 1-5-0 Divisional Record. This off-season, the Soul have gone out and brought in many weapons including: Ironman of the Year (FB/LB) Chad Dukes, (K) Todd France, (OL/DL) Donny Klein who was picked up via trade from Utah for Tim Sender, and (OL/DL) Ernest Allen and E.J. Burt.
The Soul who ranked seventh in 2005 with 90 passing TD's, and fifteenth in total Receiving Yards with 4,281, made their biggest pickup as of Press Time, by acquiring (WR/LB) Aaron Boone. "Aaron, along with other players we've picked up make us a much more athletic team," said Tony Graziani, about how he will feel to have Boone with the Soul.
Picking-up solid players doesn't come cheap though when taking about team chemistry. Graziani though believes that it will be a strong team once everything falls into place. "Personally and as a whole, for this season I think the biggest challenge for me and the team will be getting use to the new personnel, the faster we gel the better our season will be."
When it comes to the talent and leadership of Graziani, coaches around the league this off-season have told me, "Graziani is a 'Top Tier' Quarterback, who's ability will take control if you let him have a single inch." Graziani is very humbled by these comments saying, "I'm very honored, I feel that I play the best I can each week. I've done a lot this off season, training wise and have been able to add a solid amount of arm strength." Of coarse being that "Jaws" Ron Jaworski is Soul President that doesn't hurt when it comes to advisement for Graziani. "Jaws gives me tips on the QB position as a whole such as: getting my drop, and cadence."
The "Graz Workout Programs"
IN SEASON
Weights: Maintain strength with low weight and high reps and high weight and low reps
Cardio: Wind sprints with team following practice.
Diet: Loading up of carbs.
Supplements: Cyotmax before and during games for energy.
OFF SEASON
Weights: Gain as much weight and strength 3phases. 1) Building strength lifting 4 times a week. 2) Max strength lifting 3 days a week with heavy weight and low reps. 3) Is strength transfer 3 days a week with combination lifts.
Cardio: Treadmill 30 minutes or sprints 3 days a week
Diet: Loading of carbs and protein.
Supplements: Protein shake before workout and fruit smoothie after.
The Soul organization doesn't only aim to take care of business on the field, they also do a lot in the community, "Two or three times a week we are out in the community. We work with groups like the Northen Home (* Writer Note: this was the organization featured on MTV's Real World), and Habit Humanity. Bon Jovi and Craig Spencer really push community involvement and they do a lot themselves in the community. This is one of the big items that drew me to Philadelphia was the amount of importance that the Soul place on the community," said Graziani.
SOUL 2006 SCHEDULE
*All Times (EST)
1/29 Tampa Bay Storm 3 p.m.
2/05 Los Angeles Avengers 1 p.m.
2/11 at Orlando Predators 7:30 p.m.
2/19 New York Dragons 1 p.m.
2/26 Colorado Crush 1 p.m.
3/05 at Las Vegas Gladiators 6 p.m.
3/13 at Kansas City Brigade 8 p.m.
3/18 at Columbus Destroyers 7 p.m.
3/25 at Dallas Desperados 8 p.m.
3/31 Austin Wranglers 7 p.m.
4/9 Chicago Rush 1 p.m.
4/14 at Nashville Kats 8 p.m.
4/21 Columbus Destroyers 7 p.m.
4/29 at New York Dragons 7 p.m.
5/6 Dallas Desperados 7 p.m.
5/13 at Georgia Force 7 p.m.
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