Soul's Richardson, Robinson named to All-Arena Team

PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) - Philadelphia Soul defensive back Kent Richardson has been named first team All-Arena and his teammate, defensive lineman, Bryan Robinson was honored as part as the second team.

Richardson has had a breakout season by setting the Soul record for interceptions in a single season with 14 topping Eddie Moten's mark of 13 in 2005. In just his second AFL season, the West Virginia product allied 80 1/2 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 14 interceptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns, 15 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

A leading candidate for AFL Defensive Back of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, Richardson is tied for No. 1 in the AFL in interceptions (14), No. 4 in interception return yards (178), No. 5 in passes defended (29) and tied for No. 6 in interception return touchdowns (2). 

The second-year starter earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game four times, AFL Playmaker of the Game once and the League’s Defensive Player of the Week once in 2012.

"Kent Richardson is so deserving of this honor," said Soul head coach Doug Plank. "He is so consistent in his play. The team knows that if a ball hits him in the hands he’s going to catch it, and that gives the whole team confidence."

Robinson, meanwhile, also had a record-setting season, setting the AFL record for blocked kicks in a single season (7). He also finished tied for second in the league in tackles for loss with 13.0 and was No. 3 in forced fumbles (5) and No. 4 for sacks (10.0), a Soul franchise single-season record. 

"Robinson is another player that adds so much to not only our defensive, but our team as a whole," Plank continued. "I think he set the tone for the team in the first game of our season when he blocked New Orleans’ last second kick.  Robinson has added so much to this team with his athletic skill on the field and his vocal authority off the field."