Wednesday, August 27, 2008

NFL Comes Knocking for Two 2008 Soul Players

WR Larry Brackins and OL Phil Bogle both re-signed with the Soul for the 2009 season, but the two have been placed on the "other league exempt list" as they have signed with NFL teams.

Brackins signed with the New York Jets on August 19. He appeared in 15 regular season games and three post-season games and had a total of 107 receptions for 1395 yards and 29 touchdowns during the regular season. In the post-season he had 26 catches for 319 yards and eight touchdowns. Brackins was a former 2005 fifth round Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft pick out of Pear River Community College and returns to the NFL for the first time since joining the Soul in 2007.

Bogle was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 20. The two-time, first-team, All-

Arena performer on the offensive line was a finalist for the AFL 2008 Lineman of the Year. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games and all three post-season games for the Soul. As an eligible receiver, he helped the Soul offense during the regular season with seven catches for 60 yards and six touchdowns. Bogle played with the San Diego Chargers in 2003 and saw action in 16 games, with 13 starts. He played in the NFL the next couple of seasons, going from San Diego to the Cleveland Browns (2005), to Tampa Bay (2005, 2006) before being released before the 2006 season. Since joining the Buccaneers this season, Bogle has seen time in one pre-season game so far.

SOUL ROSTER FOR 2009 SEASON

The Arena Football League's re-signing period came to a close on August 10th for all teams. With a core group of players resigned or slated to return through two-year contracts, the Soul laid the foundation of the 2009 season. Currently under contract are: WR Chris Jackson, C Mike Mabry, OL Martin Bibla, DL Bryan Save, DB/KR/WR Mike Brown, DL Rod Davis, WR Kenny Henderson, K Connor Hughes, DB/KR Rob Keefe, DL Gabe Nyenhuis, OL Wes Ours and OL/DL Clifton Smith.

RE-SIGNINGS AROUND THE LEAGUE

The Soul weren't the only ones trying to re-sign as many key players as possible. Notable re-signings around the AFL are QB Jeff Garcia (New York), WR T.T. Toliver (Orlando), QB James MacPherson (Grand Rapids), Los Angeles' WR/DB Kevin Ingram and FB/LB Lonnie Ford and Chicago's QB Russ Michna and WR Donovan Morgan.

BRACKINS RETURNS TO PHILLY

Former Soul receiver, Larry Brackins, returns to Philly for the first time since joining the NFL when he signed with the New York Jets. The Jets take on the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, August 28th at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. The game will be broadcast on 6ABC and can be heard on 94 WYSP and 610 WIP.

FREE AGENCY SLATED FOR OCTOBER

The Arena Football League announced today that free agency for the 2009 season will begin on October 15. Teams will be allowed to contact players starting October 1, with signing beginning October 15. There are currently 171 AFL players available for free agency.

COACHES VISIT NFL TRAINING CAMPS

Now that the Soul's season has come to an end, the coaching staff has been taking trips to different NFL training camps. Over the past month, Head Coach Bret Munsey and OL/DL Line coach Mickey Mays have visited the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Buffalo Bills to name a few.

SOUL TO HOLD OPEN TRYOUTS THIS FALL

The Soul are in the process of solidifying dates and times for open tryouts to join the ArenaBowl XXII Champions for the 2009 season. The Soul are holding tryouts for every position while many around the area will be competing to become their very own Cinderella story. More information to follow once details are confirmed.

SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR A SPECIAL PRICE

To celebrate the Soul's ArenaBowl XXII 59-56 win over the San Jose SaberCats, the team is offering season tickets packages for the 2009 season for only $59. Tickets can be purchased by calling 888-PHIL-AFL.

  • Pittsburgh Penguins Re-Sign Connor James
  • Soul’s Fifth Annual “Soul Summer Slam” This Saturday
  • Soul Lineman Phil Bogle Signs with Buccaneers
  • Soul WR Brackins Signed by New York Jets
  • Pittsburgh Re-Signs Connor James
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