VOORHEES, N.J. -- On one side of Broad Street at the NovaCare Complex, there’s an organization in flux at the quarterback position with yet another potential training camp controversy brewing.
On the other side at the Wells Fargo Center, there’s the Soul with the reigning Arena Football League MVP under center in Dan Raudabaugh.
Two opposite ends of the spectrum that proves just how valuable it is for an organization to find its franchise quarterback. As owner Ron Jaworski so often boasts, the Soul and their 70.0 winning percentage since 2004 — the best professional mark in the city — has much to do with the play of their field general.
Since the arrival of Raudabaugh, the Soul have amassed a 37-22 record and made it to the ArenaBowl twice (both losses). The team has been in the postseason each season with Raudabaugh.
“His skill set is superior to any quarterback in this league and his knowledge of the game is also superior to anyone playing,” Jaworski said. “It’s the culmination of intelligence and talent to where Dan is as the best in the league.”
A few years back, Jaworski held a pro day for his now-28-year-old quarterback with NFL scouts watching. Raudabaugh “lit it up,” according to the former Eagles quarterback. He made every throw from every angle. The fact that he is still playing in the AFL “boggles” Jaworski’s mind. The ESPN analyst studies quarterbacks for a living and says the Soul gunslinger can make throws some of those around the NFL can’t.
Perhaps there’s some bias in there, but the fact of the matter is that in a league where players flip teams every two to three years, the Soul were fortunate enough to have a franchise quarterback fall into their laps when he followed head coach Clint Dolezel from Dallas to Philadelphia five years ago.
ArenaBowl favorites and the top two teams generally considered by those around the league are the Soul and Arizona. Both franchises have the longest tenured quarterbacks with Nick Davila entering his seventh season with the Rattlers.
“It’s no coincidence,” Dolezel said. “You’re good because of your quarterback. If you don’t have a quarterback, you’re going to be an average team at best. You have to have a trigger man who can get it done.”
Raudabaugh has proven to be that of a trigger man, tossing 119 touchdowns last season — 18 more than the next closest.
His growth and increased confidence over the years has a lot to do with the trust Jaworski and Dolezel have shown in him. Having someone like “Jaws” watching his every move and providing pointers during practices has really elevated his game.
“It makes you come out and play passionate for him,” Raudabaugh said. “This is a top-notch organization. They’re going to do all the things right and bring in the best players.
“I just got to deliver the ball in the right spot, right time. When I’m doing a good job, it’s like artwork.”
With no quarterback controversy to worry about, all of the Soul’s attention is on making the most of Raudabaugh’s artwork and bringing home their second championship since 2008.