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Temple's DiMichele A Soul Man

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Quarterback Adam DiMichele was one of the players that helped turn Temple football around before graduating in 2009.  Since then, he has followed the dream of playing pro football and this season he's back in Philadelphia, serving as the back-up signal-caller for the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul.

This is not DiMichele's first taste of the indoor game.  He's also played arena football for a minor league squad in Erie, PA, and he says the smaller, faster game does take some getting used to.

"It's different at first," DiMichele says.  "Obviously, there's different angles.  You've got to be a lot quicker with the ball and you have to think a little bit quicker as well.   The transition was a little different at first, but I think I've come a long way since the beginning of camp here.  Once you get comfortable with the offense and understand what defenses are doing and learning from guys like we have here, things get a little easier each and every day."

Listen to Matt Leon's interview with Adam DiMichele:

The 26-year-old DiMichele has played in nine games with the Soul here in 2012 as the back-up to one of the AFL's best signal-callers in Dan Raudabaugh.  In those nine games, he has completed 12 of 21 passes for 160 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.  He says he is happy to get the chance to come back to the city where he played his college ball.

"I still have some friends at Temple University.  It's just so much more comfortable, I've been here before and I know how things go.  And again, the fans are great here, so it's pretty easy for me."

In addition to his arena experience, DiMichele has also gotten a taste of the NFL with some quick cups of coffee with the Eagles and he also has traveled north of the border to try his hand in the CFL.  He says football has provided him quite a ride to this point.

"I'm kind of one of those guys that take things one day at a time and control what I can control.  That's kind of how I live my life.  I've been all over the globe pretty much, but this is a great stepping stone for me.  Get as much playing time as I can and hopefully win this championship.  That's what I'm looking forward to."

DiMichele and the Soul travel to Jacksonville on Saturday night.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.

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