Morgan looking to be another major threat for Soul

Saturday, March 5, 2011
Posted: 12 p.m.

By Jabari Young
CSNPhilly.com Contributor

Donovan Morgan blames himself.

Ask about any of his brief NFL stints and why he isnt currently on an NFL roster, he wont tell you about the politics of the league, or go into the numbers game, or talk about the odds are not in his favor. Instead, the 28-year-old Soul wide receiver will place the blame on himself.

Im my worst critic, Morgan said. It wasnt a team. It wasnt my play. It was memy attitude.

Whether it was his mouthing off to a coach, or not running back to the huddle when I was supposed to, that negative attitude may have been the reason that he missed out on a roster spot with the New York Jets, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills, the teams who gave Morgan a look.

It was a hard road, Morgan said about his ups and downs in the NFL. I learned that its not all about Donovanto be humble. You have to realize that its just not about one person, but its about the whole organization, the whole team.

With me going through those phasesgetting signed, then getting releasedit taught me that. Overall it made me a better athlete. A better son, father, husbandwhatever the case may be.

But now, Morgan is a changed man. You may see him running back into the huddle when its his turn to get a rep and not mouthing off to any coach. Instead, Morgan is taking his humble attitude into the 2011 season with the Soul, hoping to help the team capture another AFL championship.

There is no doubt Morgan is a player. Last season he was second in the AFL with 52 touchdowns while finishing with 123 receptions and 1,707 yards for the Tulsa Talons. Go back further and youll find he was the 2008 AFL Rookie of the Year, when he finished with 111 receptions for 1,281 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Chicago Rush.

His coach then: Mike Hohensee. The current Soul head coach said Morgan has had a great camp with the Soul and hes hoping that will carry over into the regular season.

I think hes one of the dominant receivers in the league, Hohensee said. He understands who he is and what his role is on this team, and hes accepted it.I think hes going to bring something special to Philadelphia.

It was Hohensee who Morgan credits for helping him become more humble.

Morgan recalled his time in Chicago when Hohensee put him with the third-string wide receivers. He had no confidence that he would make the team, but Morgan received a phone call from Hohensee informing that wasnt the case. Instead, Morgan made it through the Rushs final cuts, and from that point on it was smooth sailing.

I think he was humble when he first joined the Rush, Hohensee said. Morgan kind of hit rock bottom and nobody believed in him. He came out to Chicago and did some special things and came a long way within that year in 2008, and I think hes kind of built on that since.

Morgan said his biggest strength on the field is his ability to catch and go. I can catch the hitch and take it to the house. Add that with his ability to block down field for his fellow receivers and the Soul appear to have no problems scoring through the air.

His weakness: Field awareness, which he is still working on in the Souls West Coast offense.

One strength Morgan may have forgotten to mention was his route running. Whether in motion or coming off the line, Morgans speed and crisp cuts are certainly an attribute to his game.

He goes hard, defensive back Tanner Varner, one of the players defending Morgan in practice, said. His route running is so smooth and he is so fast. Its hard to cover him.

Said quarterback Justin Allgood about Morgan: Very dynamic. Good thing about him is he can take you deep, he can be a possession receiver. Hes kind of got all the tools.

Last season, Allgood and Morgan seemed to have a connection with Tulsa, helping the team finish 10-6, good for fifth-best in the league. So far the duo is still trying to reconnect that chemistry to help the Soul.

Its still there, Morgan said. Allgood is trying to learn the steps that Coach Hohensee wants him to take.Its kind of hard for him right now, but hes getting it.Hes learning, were all learning.

Added Allgood about the pair attempting to get back on the same page: I think so. Last year it was a different offense, different routes and concepts. We have to readjust ourselves to this offense.

With Morgan added to a group of wideouts that includes Larry Brackins (107 receptions, 1,395 yards 29 touchdowns with the 2008 Soul) Mike Brown (60 returns for 1,105 yards and three touchdowns with the 2008 Soul), the Soul appear to have some outside weapons for Allgood.

Morgan will have some friendly competition as Brackins is no slouch. Last season, Brackins recorded 61 receptions for 734 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Dallas Vigilantes. Certainly an off year when compared to that 2008 season with the Soul.

Hes a playmakerhe can go get the ball. Hes fast, big, physical, Brackins said of Morgan. It reminds me of a mini-memyself.

Told of the mini-me comment from Brackins, Morgan laughed before making his own comparison.

Nah, hes a mini-me. Hes just taller, thats all.

While on the subject of comparisons, Morgan was asked to compare his game to any NFL wide receiver. Donovan Morgan, he said humorously before adding, A lot of people say Im similar to Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Asked if that comparison was due to his similar hair style, Morgan agreed. I think so, he said. But I think Fitzgerald, Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, and Broncos wide receiver Jabar Gaffney. I think its a mixture of a lot of those guys. I learned from all those guys, so I can bring that to the indoor game and be dominant.

If history serves as a reference, Morgan should continue to put up dominate numbers this season for the Soul.

Afterward, another shot at the NFL just may be in the worksso long as his attitude stays the same.

Jabari Young is a production assistant at Comcast SportsNet. E-mail him at jabariyoung@hotmail.com