Graziani's return stirs the Soul

The return of quarterback Tony Graziani energized the Soul's offense last night. It also did wonders on the other side of the ball.

After missing most of the last five games with a sprained left shoulder, Graziani enjoyed a successful return in a 78-34 win over the New Orleans VooDoo before an announced crowd of 15,054 at the Wachovia Center.

It was the highest-scoring game in the Soul's four-year Arena Football League history. The previous mark came in a 75-59 win over New York on Feb. 19, 2006.

The Soul (5-6) snapped a six-game losing streak and remain alive in the playoff race with five games left. Six teams in the National Conference will earn a playoff spot, and the Soul are tied with Tampa Bay for the fifth spot.

Graziani completed 7 of 15 passes for 81 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

"We played well on defense, but the whole mind-set of [Graziani] being in the huddle, practicing and the whole belief of the team was the difference tonight," Soul coach Bret Munsey said.

Graziani said he was 100 percent, although he was not very believable. He left midway through the third quarter with the game well in hand, not wanting to risk further injury.

"There was no injury," Graziani said. "We were up five possessions with a quarter and a half left and there was no need to stay in there."

He was heartened that the team received a major boost upon his return.

"I am a little bit cocky and brash, and think guys feed off that and I love it," Graziani said. "I love being The Guy."

Just as impressive was the Soul's defense, which scored three touchdowns and a safety. In the first half, Eddie Moten scored on a 50-yard interception return and Dwayne Missouri recovered a fumble that he forced in the end zone. It was Moten's third interception return for a touchdown this season, which leads the league.

Defensive back Mike Brown added another touchdown in the second half, scoring on a fumble recovery, and Missouri was credited with the safety.

New Orleans (4-7) was supposed to have a quarterback on par with Graziani, but 39-year-old Andy Kelly looked his age. Kelly is so old that he competed at the University of Tennessee three seasons before Peyton Manning arrived on campus.

Now in his 14th year, Kelly extended his arena league record of passing for at least 2,500 yards to 11 consecutive seasons. But last night, he often overthrew receivers who seemed too busy hearing footsteps.

The Soul are well aware that Chicago won the Arena Football League title last season despite a 7-9 regular-season record. They realize that there is still plenty of time to salvage the season, especially if Graziani remains healthy.

Game summary, E5.