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Brigade Prepares for Season Opener Against Tampa Bay Storm

February 29, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


The Kansas City Brigade Arena Football League team is preparing for the season opener this weekend against the Tampa Bay Storm. This home opener for the Brigade will also be their inaugural game in Sprint Center. Tickets are still available on line at www.kcbrigade.com or by calling 913-383-8020, and at Sprint Center box offices.

With spring like temperatures forecast for Saturday, officials are anticipating a large walk up crowd so fans are encouraged to secure seats ahead of time. Grand Avenue will be closed off to allow for a large pedestrian flow between Live Block and Sprint Center.

A pep rally will begin at 3 p.m. in Live Block and will feature performances by The Brigade Girls and the Stunt Team, an appearance by team owner Neil Smith and fan interactive games. Across the street at Sprint Center, SportsRadio 810 WHB will have the 810 tent, a football toss for prizes, mobile gaming station where people will play arena football on Playstation and a sign up for more prizes. 810WHB is the radio home of The Brigade.

Game time is 5 p.m. for what Brigade fans hope is an opening day victory.

NEW YEAR, NEW RULES

For 2008 the AFL has introduced the following rule changes: The "jack" linebacker can now roam freely from sideboard to sideboard within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage once the play begins. In the past, the jack linebacker was prohibited from leaving an imaginary box between the defensive tackles behind the line of scrimmage until after the ball was thrown. The league also approved a coach-to-player communication device for a defensive player this season. In the past, only the QB had worn a special helmet that allowed him to hear the coach.

MOVIN' ON UP

In 2007 the Brigade made the biggest improvement in wins from 2006 by finishing 10-6 after struggling to a 3-13 finish in their inaugural season. The seven game improvement was the fifth largest in AFL history and was the best since 2004.

2007 STATISTICAL COMPARISON

A look at the offensive and defensive league rankings of the Brigade and the Storm last season:

Brigade Offensive Category Storm

8 (296.8) Total Offense (yds/gm) 11 (287.1)

11 (52.5) Scoring Offense 15 (50.6)

7 (6.7) Yards/play 10 (6.5)

3 (24.6) Rushing offense 8 (18.6)

11 (272.3) Passing offense 12 (268.5)

5 (7) Sacks Allowed 9 (16)

8 (79.7) Redzone Offense 7 (84.3)

9 (20.5) First downs/game 13 (20.3)

5 (51.5% made) Third down efficiency 14 (46.2% made)

8 (58.8% made) Fourth down efficiency 6 (60.0% made)

11 (17.8) Kickoff return average 14 (7.1)

19 (27.3% made) Field goal percentage 2 (70.8% made)

18 (10.36) Penalties/game 17 (9.25)

11 (52.5) Points/game 15 (50.6)

Brigade Defensive Category Storm

1 (253.7) Total defense (yds/gm) 14 (300.0)

4 (48.5) Opp. Points per game 15 (50.6)

1 (5.5) Yards/play 13 (6.7)

18 (25.6) Rushing defense 11 (18.6)

1 (228.1) Passing defense 14 (281.4)

4 (19) Sacks 15 (13)

8 (18) Interceptions 4 (21)

12 (20.6) First downs/game 5 (20.1)

5 (+10) Turnover Differential 9 (+1)

14 (51.4%) Third down efficiency 2 (41.6%)

10 (53.8%) Fourth down efficiency 14 (62.1%)

16 (18.8) Kick return average 14 (17.1)

4 (48.4) Points/game 7 (51.6)

INJURY REPORT

The Brigade's updated injury information for Week 1:

Player Status

OL - Chris Cook (Calf) Probable

DL - Chris Demaree (Foot) Probable

WR - Charles Frederick (Groin) Probable

OL - Larrell Johnson (Knee) Probable

FB - Dawan Moss (Knee) Out

GETTING DEFENSIVE

The Kansas City Brigade boasted the AFL's best total defense in 2007, yielding just 253.7 yards per game. The Brigade also had the top ranked pass defense (228.1 yds/gm), and allowed the fewest yards per play (5.5). Kansas City ranked fourth in sacks (19) and fourth in points per game (48.4).

Brigade fans have become accustomed to watching a stingy defense as the Brigade ranked second in total defense in their inaugural season in 2006. Head Coach Kevin Porter's track record of success as a Defensive Coordinator in the AFL and af2 suggest the trend will continue.

STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION

Brigade WR Charles Frederick earned 2007 AFL Rookie of the Year honors by leading the Brigade with 1,518 total yards and 41 touchdowns. Frederick was named to the All-Rookie team, named the AFL Rookie of the Month for May, selected as the ADT Offensive Player of the Game twice (weeks 1, 13) and ADT Ironman of the Game three times (weeks 5, 9, 14). Frederick's 41 touchdowns are the second most by a rookie in AFL history, and the most since 1994.

Frederick wasted no time announcing his presence as he posted the second most rushing yards in Kickoff Weekend history by ripping off 60 yards in his first career AFL game against the defending champion Chicago Rush. It was the most rushing yards in a season opener since 1992.

Frederick earned a spot on the Brigade roster last season after leading the 2006 ArenaCup champions Spokane Shock in scoring. At the University of Washington Frederick was a four year letterman and was selected to the All-Pac 10 team in 2003.

Kickoff Luncheon A Victory

The first annual Kickoff Luncheon held last Tuesday was an overwhelming success. Over 200 members of the media and team sponsors attended at Garozzo's in Lee's Summit. Master of Ceremonies Stan Weber called on Lieutenant Colonel Eric Reinkober to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Brigade Player Kahlil Carter delivered the invocation.

Team owners Chris Likens and Neil Smith delivered their outlooks for the 2008 season, and expressed team gratitude for all the local media do to help Kansas City get to know their Arena Footgall League team. Executive Director Brad Likens introduced the Brigade Broadcast team and said the television schedule would be released on Friday (2/29) morning.

It was then that Head Coach Kevin Porter took the podium to deliver his outlook for a promising 2008 season. He introduced the starting roster of 24 players to the gathering, position by position, and discussing his expectations of and respect for each player.

After the program, coaches and players were on hand for radio and TV interviews before boarding the team bus back to the practice facility.

The K C Brigade is very grateful to everyone who attended and made this event such a great success. Thanks also goes out to Michael Garozzo and his staff.

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