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Barksdale Returns to Command, Mizzou's Chavis Added

September 29, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release


KANSAS CITY - The Kansas City Command signed four more players today, including defensive back Rashad Barksdale, a starter in Kansas City's secondary last year, and former Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Tommy Chavis. The team also acquired defensive back James Rodgers, and kicker Gary Cimensia.

Barksdale, who was with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2007, joined the Command six games into last season and was an immediate starter. Despite missing the first one-third of the season, he finished second on the team with 81.5 tackles. Barksdale quickly gained a reputation as a big hitter who likes to make physical tackles, particularly in kick coverage. He saved his best performance for last when he racked up 14 tackles, a Command season-best, in the finale versus Tulsa. Last year was Barksdale's first experience in the Arena Football League, but he has been a professional football player since being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 6th round in 2007. He was released by the Eagles at the end of preseason camp and landed with the Chiefs, where he made 8 tackles. He has been a part of a total of five NFL teams, most recently going to camp with the Arizona Cardinals in the fall of 2010.

Chavis, a two-year starter for Missouri, played for the Indoor Football League champion Sioux Falls Storm last season. He tallied 50 tackles,16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two safeties last year with the Storm. His sack total led the league, even though he played in just 11 games, and helped earn him second-team All-IFL honors. In three IFL seasons, Chavis tallied 26.5 total sacks. As a Missouri Tiger, Chavis recorded 102 total tackles and eight sacks in his career. He earned 2007 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors as a junior when he tallied 42 tackles, including a season-high six stops against Texas A&M University, and five sacks. Originally from Orange, Texas, Chavis was a three-year starter who led Stark High School in sacks his final two seasons.

Rodgers spent time in training camp with the Denver Broncos last year after finishing a productive career at the University of Michigan. The four-year letterman played in 46 games for the Wolverines. He posted 40 stops, two tackles for loss, three interceptions and three pass breakups in his senior season.

Cimensia kicked for the IFL's Tri-Cities Fever in 2011. He converted 94% of his PAT attempts and 40% of his field goal tries, nailing a long of 56 yards. Cimensia's 2011 PAT percentage would have earned him the top spot in the Arena Football League last year in that category. His field goal percentage would have landed him in the top five in the AFL for 2011.

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