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Kansas City Brigade game notes

April 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


AT A GLANCE
Game: Kansas City Brigade (2-10) vs. Nashville Kats (7-5)
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2006
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (CST)
Site: Gaylord Entertainment Center (15,711)
Officials: Referee-Riley Johnson, Umpire-Rick Podraza, Head Linesman-Allen Baynes, Line Judge-Paul Engelberts, Back Judge-Bud McCleskey
Television: The game will be broadcast live on Metro Sports and the WB Kansas City with Duke Frye doing the play-by-play and Jayice Pearson the color commentary. Danni Boatwright will patrol the sidelines.
Radio: The Brigade's flagship station, 97.3 MAX FM, will broadcast the game live with Chris Gervino handling the play-by-play and Stan Weber supplying the color analysis. The station will air a half-hour pre-game show beginning at 6:30 a.m.
Series record: The teams have never played
Last meeting: This is the first-ever meeting
Series streaks: The teams have never played
_________________________________________________________

OVERVIEW
The Brigade hits the road after a 1-2 home stand that produced the team's second win of the year. The stay in "The Hangar" also helped the Brigade find some confidence as all of the midseason additions made an impact in a blowout win and two narrow defeats. Kansas City will need its recent boost of confidence as this week is especially trying. The team's normal preparation schedule has been up in the air because the game against Nashville, originally scheduled for Friday, was on Tuesday night changed to Saturday to accommodate the NHL playoffs schedule of the Nashville Predators.

The two best defenses in the league will square off in what is sure to be a tightly-contested affair. The Brigade offense must be efficient and not turn the ball over in order to maximize its possessions. Chris Sanders, Aaron Boone, Jerel Myers and the rest have been on a tear of late and must continue to produce to take the pressure of the Brigade defense. Kansas City's offensive line is developing into one of the best in the league but will be tested by a Kats unit with the most sacks in the league. Sanders has the ability to scramble away from pressure, but he must maintain his composure and decide whether running or passing is the smartest decision.

The Brigade defense will have to be stout against a Kats offense that runs the ball better than just about any other team in the league. While Kansas City's defensive line has proven it can get pressure on the quarterback, it will be the line's ability to hold its gaps and stop the run that will determine the Brigade's success. If the Kats are forced to pass, the secondary will have opportunities to make plays. Nashville quarterback Clint Stoerner has battled injuries and is capable of a big game, but he has been prone to interceptions this season.



UP NEXT
After the Nashville game, Kansas City visits the Sunshine State to face the Tampa Bay Storm. It will be the Brigade's second-to-last division game of the season. The Brigade could get a road win against a Storm team that has been up-and-down of late. Kansas City will then return to "The Hangar" for the home finale against Orlando before the regular season finale at Utah.

THE SCHEDULES
All times CST
2006 Kansas City Brigade (2-10)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 29 at Dallas Lost 58-44
Feb. 3 at Orlando Lost 48-41
Feb. 12 AUSTIN Lost 37-33
Feb. 19 COLUMBUS Won 45-24
Feb. 24 at Georgia Lost 51-19
Mar. 5 TAMPA BAY Lost 69-59
Mar. 13 PHILADELPHIA Lost 54-24
Mar. 18 at Austin Lost 64-37
Mar. 24 at New York Lost 54-48
Apr. 1 GEORGIA Lost 55-47
Apr. 9 LOS ANGELES Won 62-45
Apr. 16 COLORADO Lost 55-49
Date Opponent Time (CST) TV/Radio
Apr. 22 at Nashville 7:00 p.m. MS, WB62/97.3 FM
Apr. 29 at Tampa Bay 6:30 p.m. MS, WB62/97.3 FM
May 6 ORLANDO 7:00 p.m. FSN/97.3 FM
May 12 at Utah 8:00 p.m. MS, WB62/97.3 FM

2006 Nashville Kats (7-5)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 28 at New York Won 57-28
Feb. 3 COLUMBUS Won 53-27
Feb. 12 at Chicago Lost 56-55
Feb. 18 COLORADO Won 58-36
Feb. 25 GRAND RAPIDS Won 47-31
Mar. 4 at Arizona Lost 51-49
Mar. 10 at Utah Lost 63-34
Mar. 17 CHICAGO Won 48-47
Mar. 25 SAN JOSE Won 51-48
Apr. 1 at Colorado Lost 77-47
Apr. 9 at Las Vegas Won 58-44
Apr. 14 PHILADELPHIA Lost 49-33
Date Opponent Time (CST) TV/Radio
Apr. 22 KANSAS CITY 7:00 p.m. AFLNET
Apr. 29 at Grand Rapids 7:00 p.m.
May 6 at Los Angeles 9:30 p.m.
May 13 TAMPA BAY 7:00 p.m.

2006 STANDINGS
This season the playoffs will be separated into conferences with division winners receiving first round byes. The next four teams with the best records within each conference qualify for the postseason

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Southern Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
Austin 8 4 .666 600 573
Orlando 8 4 .666 604 563
Georgia 7 5 .583 665 549
Tampa Bay 6 6 .500 641 651
Kansas City 2 10 .166 508 614

Eastern Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
x-Dallas 10 2 .833 683 516
New York 7 5 .583 628 651
Philadelphia 7 5 .583 566 547
Columbus 5 7 .416 540 523

AMERICAN CONFERNCE
Central Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
x-Colorado 9 3 .750 673 631
Nashville 7 5 .583 590 557
Chicago 4 8 .333 584 637
Grand Rapids 3 9 .250 531 652

Western Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
Arizona 7 5 .583 576 570
San Jose 6 6 .500 653 651
Las Vegas 5 7 .416 615 646
Utah 4 8 .333 653 674
Los Angeles 3 9 .250 595 700

WEEK 13 SCHEDULE (all times CST)

Friday, April 21
Columbus at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.
Utah at Colorado, 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 22
Kansas City at Nashville, 7 p.m.
Dallas at Georgia, 3 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Orlando, 6:30 p.m.
New York at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.
Austin at San Jose, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 23
Arizona at Grand Rapids, 1 p.m.
Las Vegas at Chicago, 2 p.m.

THE COACHES
Kansas City-Kevin Porter, first year
2-10 overall
Kevin Porter comes to the Brigade as its first head coach with a reputation as one of the AFL's finest young defensive minds. In his first season as the defensive coordinator with New Orleans in 2004, the VooDoo finished second in the league in scoring defense, surrendering only 721 points, sixth in rushing defense and fourth in passing defense.

Porter's previous head coaching experience was in arenafootball2 with the Macon Knights and Pensacola Barracudas. He is the winningest coach in af2 history with a 45-27 record and he led his teams to the playoffs every year, including a trip to the 2003 ArenaCup with Macon. Porter started his coaching career as the defensive backs coach of the Orlando Predators in 1999.

Porter was a third round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1988 NFL Draft and played five years at strong safety, the last two with the New York Jets. He recorded 290 tackles, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Porter was an honorable mention All-America as a senior cornerback at Auburn.

Nashville-Pat Sperduto, fifth year
45-32-1 overall
Pat Sperduto was at the helm of the original Kats teams from 1999-2001 and led them to back-to-back appearances in the ArenaBowl in 2000 and 2001. He joined the staff of the NFL's Tennessee Titans after the Kats were sold and moved to Atlanta in 2001. He was hired to oversee the startup process of a new AFL team to be placed in Nashville and last season returned to the sidelines as head coach of the new Nashville Kats.

Sperduto replaced Eddie Khayat as head coach in 1999 and posted the best record of seven AFL coaches who took over new teams in 2000. Sperduto spent his first two years as defensive coordinator of the Kats and was elevated to assistant head coach in 1998. He is a three-time ArenaBowl champion, winning twice as a player for the Tampa Bay Storm (1991 and 1993) and once as an assistant coach with the Storm (1994).

Sperduto began his professional career as a player with the Canadian Football League's British Columbia Lions before playing for the Storm from 1991-93. He was an assistant with the Storm in 1994 and defensive coordinator and director of player personnel with Connecticut in 1995 before joining the Nashville Kats staff in 1997 as the defensive coordinator and player personnel director.

LOCAL ANGLE
OL/DL Aaron McConnell had a historic career at Pittsburg State. He is the only player in Gorillas history to earn All-American and All-MIAA honors in each of his four seasons. As a senior McConnell was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and was an AP first team selection.

STATISTICAL COMPARISON
A look at the offensive and defensive league rankings of the Brigade and the Kats:
Brigade Offensive Category Kats
11 (279.9) Total Offense 15 (257.8)
16 (5.7) Yards/play 11 (6.2)
9 (16.8) Rushing offense 3 (30.5)
10 (263.1) Passing offense 17 (227.3)
15 (4.3%) Pct. of INT/attempt 18 (5.3%)
7 (2.01) Sacked/100 pass plays 13 (3.58)
2 (21.4) First downs/game 14 (18.3)
14 (43.2% made) Third down efficiency 15 (39.7% made)
10 (47.4% made) Fourth down efficiency 14 (40.0% made)
15 (16.1) Kickoff return average 9 (17.0)
15 (37.5% made) Field goal percentage 10 (45.5% made)
14 (7.8) Penalties/game 15 (8.0)
18 (42.3) Points/game 12 (49.2)

Brigade Defensive Category Kats
2 (258.7) Total defense 1 (256.6)
3 (5.9) Yards/play 1 (5.2)
15 (22.8) Rushing defense 10 (20.0)
1 (235.8) Passing defense 2 (236.6)
18 (1.3%) Pct. of INT/attempt 11 (2.6%)
9 (3.18) Sacks/100 pass plays 1 (4.13)
10 (19.6) First downs/game 13 (20.3)
14 (50.0%) Third down efficiency 17 (54.6%)
Brigade Defensive Category Kats
10 (50.0%) Fourth down efficiency 15 (56.5%)
7 (16.7) Kick return average 13 (18.3)
16 (61.9%) Field goal percentage 1 (31.3%)
3 (7.9) Penalties/game 6 (7.6)
9 (51.2) Points/game 5 (46.4)

ROSTER MOVES
The Brigade's updated roster information for Week 13:
Move Date
QB Chris Sanders re-signed 4/18
OL/DL Gillis Wilson re-signed 4/14
FB/LB Chris Morant activated from injured reserve and placed on recallable waivers 4/13
WR/DB Jacques Rumph activated from injured reserve and placed on recallable waivers 4/13

INJURY REPORT
The Brigade's updated injury information for Week 13:
Player Injury Status
OL/DL Jon McCall Shoulder IR-Apr. 29
WR/LB John Booth undisclosed IR-Apr. 29
FB/LB Dawan Moss Ankle IR-Apr. 21
OL/DL Chad Pegues Knee IR-Apr. 21
DS Denario Smalls Knee IR-Apr. 21
DS Cliff Green Achilles IR-out for season
WR/LB Nathan Black Knee IR-out for season

POINTS OF INTEREST
- Aaron Boone has captured the hearts of Kansas City fans with a outstanding three-game stretch. "AirBoone Express" has recorded at least 10 receptions, 100 yards and two touchdowns in his first action in front of the home crowd.

- Chris Sanders used his legs and arm once again last week to have a part in every Brigade touchdown. He recorded a rushing touchdown for the fifth straight game and now has nine on the season, which is top-five among AFL quarterbacks.

- Jerel Myers is now seventh in the league with 92 receptions. With a nifty touchdown reception against Colorado, he has scored one in 10 of the Brigade's 12 games.

- Myers also has the distinction of completing the team's first two-point conversion of the season last week. The Brigade was previously 0-5 on two-point attempts.

- On the season the Brigade has more total yards, first downs and time possession than its opponents. The team has also outscored its opponents by 19 points in the fourth quarter this season.

- The Brigade was a perfect six-for-six on third downs, the first time the team has converted every attempt in a game this season. The previous best was two-for-three against Los Angeles in Week 11.

- Kansas City was down 25 points in the final quarter and clawed back to make it a one-score game. It was the third time in the last four games that the Brigade has come back to get within a score before losing.

- Kansas City was on national television for the first and only time this season. The broadcast on NBC was shown nationwide as the only AFL game on network television.

- NBC provided a nice diversion from the action on Sunday with a bit about the team's recent charitable work. Viewers got to see footage of players building a house for Habitat for Humanity, a project in which over 20 players dedicated an entire afternoon of their day off. Also shown was Neil Smith and some players' involvement with Operation Breakthrough, a center that helps children in poverty develop to their fullest potential in a safe, loving and education environment.

SOARING ATTENDANCE
The Brigade continues to fight for the top spot in the league in attendance through seven home games. The franchise is currently second in total attendance and third in average attendance:
Game Attendance
Week 3 vs. Austin 16,523
Week 4 vs. Columbus 14,632
Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay 15,227
Week 7 vs. Philadelphia 15,379
Week 10 vs. Georgia 16,032
Week 11 vs. Los Angeles 15,173
Week 12 vs. Colorado 12,814
Total 105,780 (15,111 avg.)

BRIGADE HONORS
Players who have received a player of the game honor this season:
Offensive Player of the Game Stats
Andy Kelly, Week 2 vs. Orlando 33-56, 353 yds, 6 TDs
Jerel Myers, Week 3 vs. Austin 10 rec., 116 yds, 2 TDs
Jerel Myers, Week 4 vs. Columbus 5 rec. 71 yds, 1 TD
Steve Smith, Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay 11 rec., 124 yds, 4 TDs
Chris Sanders, Week 10 vs. GEO 29-41, 280 yds, 4 TDs; 9 rush, 12 yds, 3 TDs
Aaron Boone, Week 11 vs. LA 13 rec., 157 yds, 5 TDs

Defensive Player of the Game Stats
Denario Smalls, Week 4 vs. CLB 6 tkls (5 solo), four pass def., 1 forced fum., 1 fum. recovery, 2 int. (1 ret. 39 yards for TD)
Chris Pointer, Week 6 vs. TB 3.5 tkls (3 solo)
Calvin Spears, Week 11 vs. LA 4.5 tkls (3 solo), 3 pass def.

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Stats
Jacques Rumph, Week 4 vs. CLB 5 rec. for 46 yds, 1 rush for 1 yd, 4 tkls (3 solo)
James Jordan, Week 8 at Austin 5 rec, 101 yds, 2 TD
3 tkls (3 solo)
James Jordan, Week 11 vs. LA 2 rec., 46 yds, 3.5 tkls (2 solo)
B.J. Cohen, Week 12 vs. Colorado 1 tkl (1 solo), 1 TFL, 1 sack

WHEN STATS
The Brigade's record when this occurs:
When Record
At Kemper Arena 2-5
On the road 0-5
Scores more than 40 points 2-6
Scores less than 40 points 0-4
Allows more than 40 points 1-9
Allows less than 40 points 1-1
Scores first 2-1
Opponent scores first 0-9
Commits fewer turnovers 2-2
Commits more turnovers 0-8
Leads at halftime 2-0
Trails at halftime 0-9
Commits fewer penalties 1-4
Commits more penalties 1-6
Game decided by 7 points or less 0-4
Game decided by more than 7 points 2-6

SKY HIGH
The Brigade's individual season highs through Week 12:
High No. Player
Completions 33 Kelly, Week 2 at Orlando
Attempts 56 Kelly, Week 2 at Orlando
Passing yards 353 Kelly, Week 2 at Orlando
TD passes 7 Sanders, Week 11 vs. Los Angeles
Long pass 48t Kelly, Week 5 at Georgia
Receptions 13 Boone, Week 11 vs. Los Angeles
Receiving yards 157 Boone, Week 11 vs. Los Angeles
TD catches 5 Boone, Week 11 vs. Los Angeles
Long reception 48t Smith, Week 5 at Georgia
Rushing att. 9 Sanders, Week 8 at Aus & Week 10 vs. Geo
Rushing yards 30 Sanders, Week 8 at Austin
Rushing TDs 3 Sanders, Week 10 vs. Georgia
Long rush 19 Moss, Week 3 vs. Austin
Long kick return 46 Smith, Week 8 at Austin
Long MFG ret. 31 Rumph, Week 4 vs. Columbus
All-purpose yds 309 Smith, Week 7 vs. Tampa Bay
Tackles 10.5 Smalls, Week 3 vs. Austin
Tackles for loss 2.0 Douzart, Week 7 vs. Tampa Bay
Henderson, Week 12 vs. Colorado
Sacks 1 12 times, most recently Brown and Henderson Week 12 vs. Colorado
Interceptions 2 Smalls, Week 4 vs. Columbus
Forced fumbles 1 11 times, most recently Henderson Week 12 vs. Colorado
Fumble return 1 12 times, most recently Johnson Week 11 vs. Los Angeles
Field goals 4 Seder, Week 4 vs. Columbus
Long field goal 43 Seder, Week 1 at Dallas

The Brigade's team season highs through Week 12:
High No. Game
Points 62 Week 11 vs. LA
Offensive touchdowns 9 (7 pass, 2 rush) Week 11 vs. LA
Total offense 371 yards Week 2 at Orlando
Total plays 59 Week 2 at Orlando
Yards per play 7.2 Week 11 vs. LA
Pass attempts 56 Week 2 at Orlando
Pass completions 33 Week 2 at Orlando
Passing yards 353 Week 2 at Orlando
Yards per pass 8.3 Week 11 vs. LA
TD passes 7 Week 11 vs. LAd
High
No. Game
Rushes 13 Week 10 vs. Georgia
Rushing yards 31 Week 8 at Austin
Yards per rush 6.0 Week 2 at Orlando
Rushing TDs 3 Week 10 vs. Georgia
Time of possession 34:07 Week 10 vs. Georgia
Turnovers 4 Week 7 vs. PHI
Tackles 39 Week 8 at Austin
Tackles for loss 5 Week 9 at New York
Sacks 4 Week 9 at New York
Interceptions 2 Week 2 at Orlando
Week 4 vs. Columbus
Forced fumbles 2 Four times, most recently Week 10 vs. Georgia
Fumble recoveries 3 Week 4 vs. Columbus
Defensive touchdowns 1 Week 4 vs. Columbus
Special teams touchdowns 1 (net recovery) Week 4 vs. Columbus
Week 7 vs. TB
Penalties 15 Week 8 vs. PHI
Penalty yards 71 Week 8 vs. PHI
Largest Lead 29 Week 4 vs. Columbus
Largest Deficit 42 Week 7 vs. PHI

TEAM FIRSTS
The Brigade has recorded a number of firsts in its inaugural season:
First Play
Completion, Week 1 vs. Dallas Kelly to Myers for five yards
First down, Week 1 vs. Dallas Kelly to Myers for nine yards
Rushing TD, Week 1 vs. Dallas Moss for one yard
Passing TD, Week 1 vs. Dallas Kelly to Myers for 20 yards
Field goal, Week 1 vs. Dallas Seder from 43 yards
Tackle, Week 1 vs. Dallas Pointer
Sack, Week 5 at Georgia Cohen
Forced fumble, Week 1 vs. Dallas Noah
Fumble recovery, Week 1 vs. Dallas Moss
Interception, Week 1 vs. Dallas Spears
Int. ret. for TD, Week 4 vs. CLB Smalls
Net rec. for TD, Week 4 vs. CLB Coleman
Safety, Week 5 at Georgia Hamilton
Lead, Week 2 vs. Orlando 14-10 in second quarter
50-point game, Week 6 vs. TB 59 total points
60-point game, Week 11 vs. LA 62 total points

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