"It's quite an honor," said D'Orazio, who will lead the Soul (15-3) into the July 27 ArenaBowl against San Jose (13-5) in New Orleans. "But the first thing you think of when you think of individual honors is the team around you. This is the essence of a team."

D'Orazio, who starred at Division III Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, threw for 3,331 yards and 72 touchdowns this season, with only four interceptions.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound D'Orazio was signed by the Soul before this season after the Chicago Rush decided not to re-sign him. He underwent back surgery shortly after last season.

The six-year veteran spent two seasons in Chicago and led the team to the league title in 2006. He passed for 3,552 yards and 63 touchdowns that year, with only five interceptions.

D'Orazio threw for a career-high 3,789 yards and 82 touchdowns last season, but he suffered from back problems. Quarterback Russ Michna impressed the Rush when he filled in for D'Orazio.

Michna led Chicago to the top playoff seed in the American Conference this year. The Rush were upset by the Grand Rapids Rampage in the second round of the playoffs.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hurt," D'Orazio said of his departure from Chicago. "I was sure a year ago that I was going back to Chicago, and then I found out I wasn't. I just kind of figured something would come up, and I was fortunate Philadelphia gave me the opportunity."

The 31-year-old D'Orazio turned out to be a critical pickup for the Soul, who entered the season with one of the AFL's top quarterbacks in eight-year veteran Tony Graziani.

When Graziani suffered a knee injury during the Soul's second game, on March 9, D'Orazio took over and led the team to seven straight victories.

"I didn't have much interest [from other teams], and I sought out Philadelphia," D'Orazio said. "I was ready to be the backup to Tony, and I still am. I thought this would be an excellent year; I just didn't think I'd have as big a role."