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Brigade Battle Dallas in Preseason Scrimmage

February 13, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


The 2008 Kansas City Brigade had an eye opening experience in their first action of the season in a scrimmage against the Dallas Desperados. Kansas City and Dallas both got a chance to knock off some rust during a Tuesday afternoon workout. The Desperados looked as though they were maintaining the form they had last year, when they posted a 15-1 record. With many of their starters returning, Dallas came out strong. The Brigade maintained their composure and showed signs of the potential they have for the upcoming season.

Kansas City had impressive showings on both the offensive and defensive lines. Defensive ends Chris Demaree, and the newly acquired Joe Woolridge, were able to provide the needed pressure on the Dallas quarterbacks. The offensive line managed to limit the pressure that the high powered Dallas DL brought.

The Brigade passing game showed signs of promise, including impressive touchdown receptions from Jerel Myers and raining co-rookie of the year, Charles Frederick. However, the offense still needs to work on their timing and pass patterns.

A secondary bolstered by free agent acquisitions such as Monty Montgomery and Jerald Butler found Dallas' lethal passing attack tough to contain.

Coach Porter was optimistic about the performance. "When you win the battle at the line of scrimmage, the rest will fall into place. I think we are able to learn a lot about this team after the time we spent in Dallas. With the talent we have, the cohesiveness of the skilled players will come with time."

The Brigade have challenged themselves this pre-season and this trial by fire should certainly give them a gauge on what needs to be done to compete with the elite in the AFL. The meeting with Dallas was the first of their difficult tasks. The team travels to San Jose this weekend to scrimmage the defending Arena Bowl champions, the San Jose SaberCats.

The Brigade does not face the Desperados during the season, but each team would certainly be hopeful that they two could face-off in the final game of the season at the 2008 ArenaBowl.

Training Camp Notes

The team arrived home late due to travel, so Coach Porter announced there will be no practice Wedesday, 2/13. Practices at the KC Soccerdome on Thursday and Friday, 2/14 and 2/15, will be 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. +. An excellent time for interviews will be just before or after practice. Any time that members of the media find fit their tight schedules, The Brigade will make it work. Media members should feel free to contact the team, and if coverage was planned for Wednesday, Coach Porter said he would have players available.

The team will have a 6 a.m. practice on Saturday, and leave for San Jose, California on Sunday.

The team made the following roster moves (Updated roster with number will follow):

ADDITIONS:

Thabiti Davis - WR/LB, 6-3, 215 pounds, Wake Forest, 5 years AFL exp. Career numbers: 471 receptions, 5,173 yards, 86 receiving td's.

James McCoy - DB, 5-10, 185 pounds, North Carolina A&T, AFL Rookie

Joe Woolridge - DL, 6-2, 290 pounds, Western Kentucky, AFL Rookie

Mike Sutton - DL, 6-4, 272 pounds, LSU, 5 years AFL exp. Career numbers: 71 career tackles, 8.5 sacks, 8 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 blocked kicks, 1 interception.

RELEASED:

Bobby Payne - DL

Melvin Williams - OL/DL (Attended Kansas State)

Jerome Stevens - OL

Travis Cole - QB

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 13, 2008


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