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Brigade Make First Roster Moves Of The Regular Season

March 3, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


Unhappy with the way some things went on the opening weekend, Head Coach Kevin Porter has already made some roster moves. The Kansas City Brigade has placed WR Boo Williams and DL Neil Purvis on recallable waivers. The Brigade will have the option to trade either player if another team shows interest. Replacing Purvis will be veteran defensive lineman Gillis Wilson. Wilson, who signed with the Brigade on Monday, was a member of the Brigade in 2006. He played in the final eight games for the Brigade after being traded from the Georgia Force. Starting Mack linebacker Chris Avery has been placed on injured reserve. Avery sprained his right wrist, and will be able to be reactivated before the April 4th game at Georgia.

Head Coach Kevin Porter feels these early moves will improve the 2008 Kansas City Brigade. "We are very deep at wide-out and sometimes there are not enough footballs to go around," said Porter. "Rookie wide receiver James Robinson will need to step up for us, we think he is a guy who can stretch the field, he is a better fit for this team."

Gillis Wilson will replace Jerry Turner as starting defensive end. Turner will switch to Mack linebacker to fill in for the injured Chris Avery. "Gillis is a guy who is a big pass rusher, he brings some experience and he fits into what we are doing," said Porter. "Unfortunately for Neil he was the odd man out."

Kansas City fell to Tampa Bay 51-49 in the first ever Arena Football game in Sprint Center. The Brigade had a chance to steal a victory from the Storm but Peter Martinez's 37 yard field goal attempt sailed wide left as time expired. Newcomer Mike Horacek led the team with three touchdown receptions and 149 receiving yards. Quarterback John Fitzgerald threw for 296 yards and five touchdowns in his Brigade debut. Fitzgerald added two rushing touchdowns. However, it was Fitzgerald's two interceptions that proved to be costly. "In the AFL it is all about possessions, we lost the turnover battle three to one. We got some key stops on defense, but the turnovers really hurt," said Head Coach Kevin Porter.

The Brigade looks to pick up their first victory of the season when they travel to the Big Apple to take on the New York Dragons next Sunday. The Brigade is 0-2 all time against New York. "We just need to focus on getting better at practice this week. We are a team that still needs to improve and hopefully we can this week," said Head Coach Kevin Porter. Wide receiver Mike Horacek and defensive back Will Holder will face their old team for the first time since joining the Brigade.

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