Bogle a boulder on offensive line

Walking to football practices at Spring Valley High in New York, Phil Bogle would pass a mural dedicated to alumnus and former Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner.

Bogle vowed that someday he, too, would have a mural dedicated to his successes as a professional football player.

After four seasons in and out of the NFL, Bogle is still motivated by that mural of Joyner and has begun to paint his portrait of success as a 6-foot-3, 322-pound offensive lineman for the Soul of the Arena Football League.

"He was an idol to us all," Bogle said of Joyner, who spoke to his senior class. "He was basically the only one who made it out and went on professionally. Spring Valley is a small place, but he showed you can make it out of there. If you focus, you can do it."

Bogle, 27, will be responsible for protecting quarterback Tony Graziani's blind side in one of the Soul's most important games in team history tonight when the Soul play the Georgia Force in the AFL's National Conference divisional game in Atlanta.

If the Soul win, they advance to Saturday's conference championship game.

Bogle has been a large part of the Soul's successful offensive line, which has allowed only nine sacks all season.

Bogle achieved the rarity of making first-team all-Arena squad as a rookie. He and fellow linemen Martin Bibla and Bryan Save were selected to the all-rookie team as well.

"Phil and Martin Bibla are the two greatest offensive linemen to play in this league," Soul offensive-line coach Pat Downey said. "They have dominated this league. It's very rare for three players to be [honored]."

The Soul must contain Force defensive lineman Jermaine Smith, who has 71/2 sacks this season. Bogle has yet to allow anyone to bulldoze him.

"He's got the most vicious punch around the league," Downey said of Bogle. "He's a mauler. He's very physical."

The worst thing for the Soul may be how well Bogle has played. Downey said NFL coaches tell him they could welcome Bogle back.

"It's my opinion he could start for half the teams around the [NFL]," Downey said.

Bogle does not seem to dwell on what is ahead.

"The NFL is a great experience," he said. "Right now, I'm here with my family, the Philadelphia Soul, and I'm loving it. . . . Philadelphia could be my home for the next couple of years."

Stability would be welcome after Bogle's journey of highs and lows.

Plans of playing with Donovan McNabb at Syracuse were dashed when his scholarship was revoked after the NCAA Clearinghouse noticed a discrepancy on his transcripts. Bogle had been enrolled and practicing.

With no signs of a timely resolution, Bogle joined Division II New Haven instead. He said he never considered transfer opportunities.

"I guess I'm one of those loyal people," he said. "Once I start something, I've got to finish it."

Bogle finished and wound up starting for the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003, opening holes for running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

After a knee injury and a change in staff, the Chargers released Bogle the next season. He bounced around in NFL camps for the Browns and Buccaneers, and played for the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europe last season.

Bogle said he enjoyed the European experience, but not the pay.

Rule changes that no longer require players to compete on both offense and defense made the AFL a possibility for him.

Bogle and his retired father, Glen, share a home in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Bogle said he also helps provide for his half-sister Julisha. Bogle's mother, Paulette, died of a brain tumor before Bogle was a teenager.

He credits his father for keeping him and his siblings on the right path.

"He was strong," Bogle said. "He pushed us through. He kept us focused. My family is all I have. They're my support."

"I had to keep him out of trouble," said Glen Bogle, a retired electrician who was born in Jamaica. "He's got a great attitude. I did my best."

Bogle said the worst thing he did was buy his father a big-screen television.

"He's a couch potato now" and does not come to Soul games, Bogle said, instead watching them on the 56-incher and calling Bogle afterward.

Bogle's mother continues to inspire him as well.

"I think he plays for her every time he steps on the field," Downey said.

Graziani said he realized quickly Bogle was a great fit.

"We knew he had something special the first day of camp," said Graziani, who has been sacked twice. "He was just controlling his side of the line of scrimmage. I was pretty happy since he's on my blind side."

That is what the Soul require and expect tonight from Bogle.

"He's as good as they get in this league," Soul coach Bret Munsey said. "He's a great leader and that's what we're going to need."

What: Divisional round of Arena Football League playoffs.

When: Tonight at 7.

Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta.

TV/radio: ESPN2; WPEN-AM (950).

Regular-season records: Soul, 8-8. Force, 14-2.

Coaches: Soul, Bret Munsey (17-15). Force, Doug Plank (33-15).

Last week: The Soul beat Orlando, 41-26, in the wild-card round. The Force had a first-round bye.

Series: The series is tied, 1-1.

Previous meeting: After winning four in a row, the Soul suffered the first of six consecutive losses, falling to the Force, 57-49, in Week 6.

Key injuries: For the Soul, DL Delbert Cowsette and QB Juston Wood (knee) are out. FB Matt Bernstein (shoulder), DL Jason Davis (knee) and WR Scott Vines (hamstring) are doubtful. WR Larry Brackins (knee) practiced this week and is listed as questionable with OL Kevin Chiasson (back).

For the Force, DB Willie Gary (knee) and FB/LB Matt Huebner (knee) are out. OL James Clark (toe), K Keith Gispert (groin), OL Shane Grice (ankle), WR Brent Holmes (ankle), WR Derek Lee (thigh) and DB James Whitley (shoulder) are doubtful.

Streaks: The Soul have won three in a row. The Force have won their last five and are 8-0 at home.

Points per game: Soul, 55.4. Force, 62.9.

Points allowed per game: Soul, 50.6. Force, 52.2.

Key performers: The entire Soul defense was superb last week, holding Orlando to only six second-half points. Force quarterback Chris Greisen has thrown for an AFL all-time high of 117 touchdowns this season.

Fast fact: The Force's only losses were at the Columbus Destroyers in Week 5 and at the Los Angeles Avengers in Week 12.

Did you know? The Soul are the only team in the league playing its 18th game in as many weeks; their bye was in Week 1.

- Shannon Ryan

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