Philadelphia Soul (8-8 in 2007, lost in 2nd round to Georgia)
Click Here to Buy Mike Rose’ Arena Football Picks

Odds to win ArenaBowl XXII: +1000

A team full of hype last season, the Philadelphia Soul failed to live up to expectations in the regular season despite starting 4-0. However, QB Tony Graziani did lead the Soul the deepest into the playoffs they have ever been, where they ran into the buzz saw otherwise known as the (14-2) Georgia Force.

2007 Highlight: With a home playoff game on the line, Philly’s Week 17 showdown with the Orlando Predators saw a team record 17,643 cheer them on in the Wachovia Center. The hometown faithful were disappointed to see the Soul fall behind 35-21 late in the 2nd quarter, but a 34-7 scoring run put the Soul ahead for good. The next week, the Soul met the Preds again, where they advanced into the 2nd round of the playoffs for the 2nd time in team history.

2007 Lowlight: The 4-1 Soul took on the 6-0 Dallas Desperados in an Eastern Division showdown in Week 7. Dallas QB Clint Dolezel became the first person to throw for 800 touchdowns in AFL history that night, but the more disturbing news was that Tony Graziani suffered a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the next four games. Philly lost that night 51-41, and proceeded to lose the next four games without “Graz” under center.

Key acquisition: WR Chris Jackson (145 receptions, 1915 yards, 47 TDs in 2007 for Georgia). For a team that has never truly had a force as a receiver, Chris Jackson should immediately become a fan-favorite in Philadelphia. While playing with Graziani in Los Angeles in 2003 and 2004, Jackson registered 90 TDs and over 3500 total yards.

Key loss: FB/LB Idris Price (8 rushing TDs, 41.5 tackles, and 2 sacks in 2007). Price was a prize free agent signing from Orlando in 2007, and immediately made a huge impact on both sides of the ball for the Soul. Replacing the 4th leading tackler and 3rd leading rusher on the team should prove to be a difficult task for Philly.

2008 Preview: Adding Jackson and having a healthy Graziani should make the Soul a dangerous team in 2008.If Graziani can’t avoid the injury bug, the team signed a great insurance policy in former Chicago QB Matt D’Orazio. DS Eddie Moten returns to captain the secondary, which should once again be a strength of the Soul.

2008 will be a success if… Jackson puts up a monstrous season. Suddenly an offense that was very good with Graziani under center (64.1 PPG in games he started) becomes outrageous by adding Jackson. If those two return to the form of four years ago, the Soul could put up numbers that have never been seen before in league history.

Once again, the Soul are a team full of hype and on a mission that must end in a championship. Head Coach Brett Munsey has to be considered on the hot seat if this isn’t the year the Soul make a deep run into the playoffs.

Prediction: 12-4, 2nd place Eastern Division

CLICK HERE FOR WINNING ARENA FOOTBALL BETTING PICKS & ODDS