Graziani tosses 8 TD passes as Soul romp

He promised to be more of a leader and take a vocal role this season, and so far, Soul quarterback Tony Graziani has kept his end of the bargain.

In last night's Arena Football League home opener, Graziani continued his torrid start by throwing for eight touchdowns and no interceptions in the Soul's 71-47 win over the Colorado Crush before 14,721 at the Wachovia Center.

The Soul are 3-0. This marks only the second time in the four-year history of the franchise that they have won three straight games.

It also marked the first time the Soul had beaten Denver in five tries, giving part-owner Jon Bon Jovi some bragging rights against Denver co-owner John Elway.

Despite the presence of the famed owners, this night belonged to Graziani.

The quarterback completed 21 of 31 passes for 305 yards. He may be credited with a ninth touchdown pass because the Soul scored on a fumble that could be changed to a TD pass upon league review.

"I feel great and I am really comfortable in the offense and with the receivers," Graziani said. "I am not used to protection, and if I'm going to get it, that's great because the guys up front are playing well."

Conversely, Colorado (2-2) saw its quarterback, John Dutton, throw three costly interceptions.

Largely because of the improved play of the line, Graziani has thrown 18 TD passes and just one interception this season. During his first two years with the Soul, he threw 26 interceptions, too many in a league in which possessions are coveted.

"I think we have the best offensive line in the league," Soul coach Bret Munsey said.

Center Mike Mabry is the lone returner to the line. Fellow linemen Martin Bibla and Phil Bogle are in their first Arena League season after making a combined 34 NFL starts.

Wes Ours, a 300-pound fullback, also has played a vital role in pass protection.

"Phil [Bogle] and I should be playing in the NFL, as well as a lot of us," said Bibla, who started 21 games for the Atlanta Falcons. "This is our opportunity to prove ourselves."

While the line has made Graziani more comfortable, the receivers also have done their part. Newcomer Charles Pauley had 11 receptions for 202 yards and four touchdowns, giving him nine TD receptions this season. Rookie Larry Brackins contributed six receptions for 78 yards and three touchdowns.

And despite surrendering 47 points, the Soul's defense played well. Eddie Moten, who entered the game with a league-leading eight pass breakups, added seven more along with an interception, picking off a pass in his sixth straight regular-season game.

Colorado's Damian Harrell had 14 receptions for 181 yards and three touchdowns, but Moten and Co. held the dangerous receiver relatively in check. Harrell has caught a TD pass in 69 consecutive regular-season games, extending his Arena League record.

"Moten did a great job," Harrell acknowledged.

After falling behind by 13-0 and 27-14, the Soul heard the displeasure from the home crowd.

"They were booing us - our home opener and down 13-0 and we deserved to be booed," Munsey said. "We got booed at home by the Philadelphia fans, and I am proud of my men [that they] hung there and got a big win."