Soul training camp report

The Soul released seven players Friday to meet the league deadline.

Going forward, the team's schedule will change for the rest of camp.

The Soul were having two-a-day practices every day during the first week. With fewer bodies in camp, the coaching staff decided to move two-a-days to every other day, with once-a-day practices sprinkled in between.

Monday was a one-practice day for the team.

A fast-paced, two-hour session had some highlights and lowlights - typical for a team that has been together a little more than a week.

At the end of the day, Dolezel said he was happy with how the team practiced.

"We improved," Dolzel said. "When we do have one practice, I want a nice, fluid tempo and go into each drill as fast as they can ... It's just a matter of doing things right."

The tempo of practices can be quick when you have 12 players on the roster who are back from last season, and are used to the head coach's tendencies. The Soul have that luxury right now.

"It's always nice to bring a nucleus back," Dolezel said, though he added that "we've got a lot of new guys in to push those guys for certain spots."

Because of his solid core of returning players, Dolezel believes his team is further along now than where it was at this time a year ago.

Among the nucleus of players is quarterback Dan Raudabaugh, who is entering his third full season in the AFL - all with Dolezel.

Dolezel has been more than just a coach to Raudabaugh during his AFL career. He has been a mentor, and is slowly but surely turning Raudabaugh into an extension of himself on the field.

Dolezel has laid down many challenges before Raudabaugh in the past, but during this offseason he laid down one that had nothing to with the timing, accuracy or precision of a throw. He challenged Raudabaugh to take control of the team.

"[Clint] put a little more on my shoulders, too," Raudabaugh said. "He said, 'I need you to step up and get these guys right if you see something wrong or see that something is out of whack.'"

Raudabaugh has apparently accepted this challenge. because it showed during Monday's practice.

He seemed to be in complete command. He was mostly sharp during his reps, and in between reps he would give pointers to anyone that would listen: quarterbacks, receivers and even defensive backs.

"In order to be successful you have to encourage everyone and help everyone," Raudabaugh said. "We don't want any weak links on this team. I think the rookies are starting to respond and are starting to see that we're a tight-knit family [with a] winning culture here, and want to keep that going."

While the Soul have a lot of familiar faces on the roster, don't expect Dolezel to play favorites. He has already cut one of his former players from the then-Indoor Football League's San Angelo Stampede Express. Dolezel said he will play the best player for the position, no matter the personal history he has with them.

"Everyone knows me," he added. "If they don't know me, they learn real quick that's best players are going to play and right now we got some young guys pushing some vets."

The Soul will be required to cut down to 24 players by March 16. On that day, they'll host a scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Power at 8:30 a.m. at the NovaCare Complex.

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Observations from Monday's practice

Christian Johnson is banged up a little bit, but according to Dolezel it doesn't appear to be serious. Jason Jones is currently receiving Johnson's reps during practice.

When Johnson returns he will join Brennen Carvalho and Sioeli Fakalata on the offensive line. Fakalata has impressed so far and has earned first team reps. He has also shown an ability to catch the ball and get up field for yards, which he did during Monday's practice.

Andrae Thurman and Alvance Robinson are the other two starting receivers opposite Tiger Jones. Larry Brackins, Jackie Chambers and Ryan McDaniel are currently the second group of receivers.

A possible reason why Chambers is working with the second team is because of his inconsistent hands. He let two passes get into his body during drills, dropping them both.

The backup quarterback battle is still seemingly undecided. Ryan Porter worked with the second team offense during individual passing drills, but Steven Gachette worked the second team offense during the team portion of the practice. Both had their ups and downs during Monday's practice, but the main issue Dolezel was constantly stressing to them is timing. Both players were late on a couple of reads.

"They're both improving everyday - slowly," Dolezel said after practice. "I'd like them to be a little further along then what they are right now, but I think Steve played well today, and that may push Ryan a little more tomorrow."

Derrick Ross and Tombe Kose are the team's fullbacks at the moment. Kose's days on the team may be winding down, and it really has nothing to do with his talent level. The Soul will need a backup to Ross, but they will probably look to convert someone to fullback to backup Ross in order to get the most out of a roster spot - much like what the Soul did with Melik Brown last season.

The leader in the clubhouse in that category looks to be defensive end Bryan Robinson, who took third team reps at fullback during the team portion.

The third defensive back spot is seemingly David Richardson's to lose. James Romain and Darius Pettigrew are receiving reps, but not as many as Richardson. The defensive backs overall looked good Monday.

Joe Goosby is the only Jack linebacker, and took every rep at the position Monday.

Fomer Temple football player Morkeith Brown is receiving first team reps on the defensive line. He does not have the build of a typical defensive end in the AFL, which could be a very good thing. Most defensive ends are in the AFL are large and strong whereas Brown looks like a prototypical NFL defensive end. He should pose a different challenge for opposing teams.