Brigade weekly update

Published on March 1, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


News and Notes

- Andy Kelly is still seventh in the league in yards, first in attempts and tied for first in completions. Kelly's 48-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith against Georgia was the second of that length of his career and he's thrown two 49-yard touchdown passes. One touchdown pass last week increased his career total to 733, still second all-time behind New York's injured Aaron Garcia with 757. Kelly continues to outpace all comers in career yards (37,978), completions (3,480) and attempts (5,580).

- Jerel Myers' 12 receptions against Georgia gave him four games with nine or more catches, an effort that leaves him tied for third in the league with 46 receptions. He is a nominee for AFL Rookie of the Month.

- Steve Smith's 48-yard touchdown catch was the longest of his six-year career. He has had a longer reception each season: 21, 33, 34, 45, 46, 48.

- Dawan Moss dropped one spot to sixth in the league in rushing with 58 yards.

- Denario Smalls remains in the top 15 in the league in solo tackles and total tackles.

- Tim Seder now leads the league in field goal attempts with 15 and his 53.3 percent accuracy is eighth, as is his point total of 42.

- The offense recorded 20 or more first downs for the fifth straight game and has now led in time of possession in four of five games. The defense held Georgia to less than 40 offensive points, the third game in a row the Brigade has limited its opponent's point total.

- B.J. Cohen was a member of Tampa Bay's 2003 ArenaBowl championship team, earning All-AFL and All-Ironman selections that year.

- Storm OL/DL Nyle Wiren, a nine-year AFL veteran, had a stellar collegiate career at Kansas State, leaving as the all-time leader in sacks and earning an All-Big Eight selection in 1994 and an All-Big XII selection in 1996.

- The combined overall record of the Brigade opponents this season is an impressive 16-9.

Ticket update

Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Storm is expected to be very well attended. Already 13,000 tickets have been sold, but over 3,000 seats are still available. The team is also anticipating, and welcoming, a good walkup crowd. For tickets, please call TicketMaster at 816-931-3330, go to the Kemper Arena Box Office, or call the Kansas City Brigade at 913-248-6250 (or www.kcbrigade.com).

Players spend off day in community schools

Football fans in the metro have shown their support for the Brigade and now players are giving back. This week four players spent time in local elementary schools to lead the schools' reading programs. Chris Morant visited Highlands Elementary in Mission, Lucas Yarnell stopped by Mize Elementary in Shawnee and Denario Smalls and Cliff Green made a trip to Ingels Accelerated Elementary in Kansas City, Mo. Upcoming appearances include at Barry Elementary School to recognize student achievement on standardized tests and "Reading Around the Bases" at the Negro League Baseball Museum.

Game preview: Offense vs. Defense

Tampa Bay Storm vs. Kansas City Brigade

Sunday, March 5, 3:00pm CT, at Kemper Arena

TV: The WB Kansas City and Metro Sports

Radio: 97.3 MAX-FM

Webcast: www.kcbrigade.com

The AFL's top offense and defense do battle in a divisional game, the Brigade's fourth in five weeks. The five-time ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm comes to Kansas City with the league's best offense, averaging 360 yards a game, including a league-high 348 passing yards. Quarterback Shane Stafford has certainly does his part, throwing for over 400 yards in consecutive games the last two weeks.

The Storm's high-powered attack will have to deal with a truly outstanding defense for the first time this season. The Brigade leads the league in total defense, allowing only 235 yards per game, including just 216 passing yards. It is the epitome of team defense, anchored by the secondary trio of Denario Smalls, Chris Pointer and Travis Coleman. Lineman Aaron Hamilton and B.J. Cohen have turned in strong efforts recently and the rotation of linebackers continue to put up steady performances.

The most important matchup to watch might be the Brigade offense against the Storm defense. Tampa Bay is 12th in total defense, giving up 265 passing yards a game, and has allowed more than 50 points three times this season. That could play right into the hands of a Kansas City offense looking to rebound from last week's low output. A strong protection scheme will be key to give Andy Kelly time to find go-to guy Jerel Myers and deep threat Steve Smith.

Roster moves

In addition to yesterday's trade with Grand Rapids for WR/LB Chris Brown, and subsequent release of Brian Poli-Dixon,, the team signed WR/LB Robert Garth to the practice squad on Wednesday.

ROBERT GARTH BIO

Ht: 6'4

Wt: 233

DOB: 10/2/77

Exp: R

College: New Mexico State

Other pro experience: Played for the Green Bay Blizzard of af2 from 2003-05...Holds five career Blizzard records: points, receptions, receiving yards, touchdown receptions and tackles...Also holds two single-season records: scoring and touchdown receptions...Prior to that he played for the Carolina Rhinos of af2...Signed with Detroit Lions as rookie undrafted free agent in 2000, and was with them for two seasons.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 1, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central