Rule substantially changes strategy

League insiders call it the "Elway Rule" and predict it will have a profound affect on arena football.

The AFL has always boasted that most of its players had to play both offense and defense during the game. In fact, one of the most prestigious awards was the Iron Man of the Year, which recognized the best two-way player.

But that's gone now, thanks in large part to a movement led by Colorado Crush owner John Elway, the former Denver Broncos quarterback.

Previously, coaches had been restricted to one substitution per position, per quarter. Now, thanks to the "Elway Rule," free substitution is allowed.

"It will allow teams to put their eight best offensive and eight best defensive players on the field," said Ron Jaworski, the president and general manager of the Soul. "It'll change the game and at the start, it will be trial and error. It puts a little more pressure on the coaches to develop the right strategy."

Soul coach Bret Munsey thinks the biggest impact will be felt near the goal line where a running play becomes more of an option.

"In the red zone, you can get creative," Munsey said. "Especially with the running game. Now, you can take out a receiver or two and put in a fullback. It creates mismatches and makes it tough on the defense."

Here are some other things to note as the Soul begins its fourth season tomorrow:

Philadelphia feels it significantly upgraded its offensive line by bringing in Martin Bibla and Phil Bogle. Both have NFL experience and both are expected to help steady center Mike Mabry protect quarterback Tony Graziani, the team's most valuable asset. Graziani missed four games last year with injuries and too often was knocked on his asset.

Wide receiver Larry Brackins and fullback George Layne are also new on offense. Veteran Johnnie Harris will help Mike Brown and Eddie Moten in the defensive backfield and Felipe Claybrooks and Bryan Save will help out up front.

The Soul lost defensive linemen Ernest Allen to Georgia and E.J. Burt to Chicago respectively. Allen was second-team All-Arena in 2006. Defensive back Reggie Doster is playing for Grand Rapids. Popular wide receiver Rob Milanese, from Penn, was not re-signed.

As long as the field dimensions remain the same, the AFL will always be a quarterbacks' league. Philadelphia has one of the best in Graziani, who can be a free agent after this year. The team signed Juston Wood, who played in seven games for New York as a rookie last season.

The Week 1 bye was no blessing, but it was necessary because the Soul share the Wachovia Center with the Sixers and Flyers, the more prominent tenants. The uncertainty of the arena's availability during the NHL and NBA playoff seasons (no, seriously) helped create the unusual bye. The Soul also play six of its first eight on the road and play four consecutive Monday night games in April.

Twice, the Soul will have just 4 days of preparation between games. The Friday, June 1, game here against archrival Dallas follows a Sunday game the previous week and the season finale against visiting Orlando on Thursday, June 21, comes after a Saturday game.

Philadelphia will appear on ESPN2 a league-high six times during the regular season.

The AFL Writers Association in the preseason had the Soul ranked seventh in the 19-team league and third in the nine-team National Conference, which, if correct, should mean a second consecutive playoff berth. Eastern Division opponent Dallas was ranked first, followed by Colorado and Chicago.

New Orleans is back after a year hiatus. The VooDoo will play in the National Conference's Southern Division with Kansas City moving to the American Conference's Central. The Eastern Division - Soul, Dallas, Columbus and New York – remains in tact.

Just like the NFL. Six teams from each conference qualify - the two division winners and the next four teams with the best records. The wild-card round begins the weekend of June 29. ArenaBowl XXI will be held in New Orleans on Sunday, July 29. *