2015 Soul roster sees facelift heading into training camp

When the Philadelphia Soul open their 2015 training camp this week, they will be without eight major players that have helped them reach the playoffs three straight seasons.

Fullback Derrick Ross, wide receivers Tiger Jones and V’Keon Lacey, defensive back Rayshaun Kizer, center Brennen Carvalho, lineman Jason Holman, defensive lineman Bryan Robinson and linebacker Brandon Perkins have left the Soul, either to signings/trades with other teams or currently sit as free agents.

The most surprising move the Soul made this offseason however was the trade of Ross to the L.A. Kiss in exchange for linebacker Beau Bell, who is considered by many across the league to be the best linebacker in the AFL.

The announcement of the trade was not surprising at the time, as Ross made it clear on social media that a change in Philadelphia was coming:

Ross’ tenure in Philadelphia was nothing short of legendary, becoming the AFL’s all-time rushing leader with 2,260 yards and 142 touchdowns in his four seasons playing Arena ball, three in Philadelphia.

While Ross criticized the Soul’s front office, and maybe rightfully so, there’s always two sides to every situation and Ross has spoken out against team authority on social media before, notably criticizing the coaching staff for not giving him the ball in their loss to the Arizona Rattlers in Arena Bowl 26.

Nonetheless, Ross was a class act for the fans on and off the field, making himself a fan favorite and will certainly be missed in Philadelphia.

The Soul have brought in Tommy Taggart from the defunct rival Pittsburgh Power, who rushed for 167 yards last season averaging 2.5 yards per game and scoring 10 touchdowns.

Brennan Carvalho has been another key to Philadelphia’s success the past few seasons, standing tall as one of the best centers in the league, but after returning to the Arizona Rattlers this past offseason, the Soul grabbed Shannon Breen from the Cleveland Gladiators in his replacement. Breen was named to the All-Arena Second Team last season, and started all 18 games for the Cleveland Gladiators last year, who finished with the best record in the regular season before falling to the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Bowl.

The Soul have preached for two years now about bringing in young talent, which has resulted in the departure of wide receiver Tiger Jones, who was named All-Arena each of his three seasons with Philadelphia, along with teammate receiver V’Keon Lacey, who averaged just shy of 11 yards per reception last season.

Also gone from the Soul this offseason is defensive back Rayshaun Kizer, the third All-Arena player to leave the Soul after signing with the three-time defending world champion Arizona Rattlers. Kizer has brought in 29 interceptions the past three seasons with the Soul, and last year set the record for interceptions in a playoff game with four.

Here is a further look at the Soul 2014-15 offseason moves:

Notable losses from 2014 roster:

Derrick Ross-  L.A. Kiss

Tiger Jones-  Jacksonville Sharks

V’Keon Lacey-  Portland Thunder

Rayshaun Kizer-  Arizona Rattlers

Brennen Carvalho-  Arizona Rattlers

Jason Holman-  Jacksonville Sharks

Free agents unsigned:

Bryan Robinson

Brandon Perkins

Key additions for 2015 season:

Linebacker Beau Bell

Fullback Tommy Taggart

Center Shannon Breen

Wide receiver Shaun Kauleinamoku

Wide receiver Tyrone Goard

Wide receiver Dominique Curry

Defensive lineman Justin Lawrence

Offensive lineman Keith Newell

The Soul are set to begin training camp this week, with field practice beginning today and full-padded action beginning Tuesday, March 10. Quarterback Dan Raudbaugh is returning for his third season in Philadelphia, and some members of past teams such as Joe Goosby, Kent Richardson, James Romain and others still remain.

When Philadelphia kicks off their 2015 season in Orlando against the Predators Sunday, March 29, it’s unsure yet if the Soul will be a better or worse team than the one that lost on a last-second field goal to the Gladiators in the opening round of the playoffs last season, but one thing is for sure: they will be a different team.