ESPN AFL

The Soul earned the Commissioner's Award as the AFL organization of the year in 2007, and the team is well-structured with a real sense of community. The players, who probably are run better than any other team in the AFL, have high expectations every year. This year is no different. They have great ownership, led by legendary Jon Bon Jovi, who is more involved than you think and demands a lot from his staff. Craig Spencer handles a lot of the business side of the team; ex-NFL QB Ron Jaworski, who as team president evaluates players, is a great resource for the coaching staff.

Coaches and front office

Head coach Bret Munsey led the Soul into the playoffs the past two years and may have his best team this year. He comes from a strong defensive background but learned offense under Jay Gruden in Orlando, so he knows all facets of the indoor game. He has two new coaches in Mickey Mays (defensive line/player personnel) and Jerry Odom (assistant head coach) to work with returning offensive coordinator Connell Maynor. That's a considerable amount of change for a veteran football team.

Key players

QB Tony Graziani -- He passed for 2,841 yards and 64 TDs in only 12 games in 2007. When healthy, he can be very effective. The big question is, Can he get through a full season without injury at this stage of his career?

WR Chris Jackson -- He was the grand prize in free agency and gives the Soul the go-to guy the team has been looking for. Jackson caught 119 passes for 1,438 yards and 36 TDs for Georgia a year ago. He is smart, gets excellent separation, has excellent hands and should team with Graziani to become a dynamic duo.

WRs Larry Brackins and Kenny Henderson -- Both will be complementary receivers with the arrival of Jackson, but they are quality producers. Brackins is a big guy (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) who had 56 receptions for 786 yards and 20 TDs a year ago and is a good red zone target. Henderson, a free agent from New Orleans, had 75 receptions for 895 yards and 18 TDs and is also a quality kick returner.

OL Phil Bogle, Mike Mabry, and Martin Bibla -- They are the best offensive line in the league and Bogle and Mabry were on the All-AFL team a year ago. All three are big, athletic and excellent pass protectors. The Soul also recently signed ex-NFL player Steve Edwards to add physicality to the position.

DL Bryan Save and Gabe Nyenhuis -- They are solid players, but not flashy. They totaled only nine sacks a year ago, but the coaches are comfortable with their steady play.

QB Matt D'Orazio -- The former starter at Chicago had back problems in 2007. When healthy, he will provide excellent insurance as a backup to Graziani.

DBs Eddie Moten, Mike Brown and Brian Mance -- The three leading tacklers on this team are the heart of the Soul defense. They totaled 206 tackles a year ago and Moten added nine interceptions, while Brown tallied six and also doubled as a kick returner. The three are physical, are always around the ball, love to play press coverages and make a lot of game-changing plays.

Player to keep an eye on

OL/DL Anthony Dunn -- Although listed as an OL/DL, Dunn may get a shot at the mack linebacker. He played for Colorado in 2006 and 2007 and was on the All-Rookie team in 2006. A year ago, he posted 36 tackles and four sacks and at 251 pounds, he even returned kicks for Colorado. He has good speed and athleticism, and if he can make the transition to LB, he could be an impact player.

Outlook

This is a team that expects to win and compete for a championship every year; anything less is unacceptable. The team has kept its core players together, much like Dallas, but needs to win now while those veteran players are still productive. As always, the Soul was aggressive in the offseason, and the acquisition of Jackson might be the biggest free-agent move of the year. If Graziani stays healthy, he and Jackson could form a dynamic duo.

The team does have the best offensive line in the AFL, and pass protection should be one of its strengths. Though the receiving corps has a new look, its depth is good, and if the players jell early, this could be a dynamic offense.

Defensively, the strength is in the secondary -- the team has a physical group of DBs who love to intimidate with a lot of press coverages. Their pass rush is just adequate, but they get good play out of their linebackers.

This is a team that plays hard on both sides of the ball. If D'Orazio's back holds up, the former Chicago Rush signal caller could be a nice insurance policy. Philadelphia has its best team since 2003, but is in the same division as the best team in the league, Dallas. The Soul will reach the playoffs and could make a deep run, but not as the division winner.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.