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Kansas City Brigade game notes

April 25, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


AT A GLANCE
Game: Kansas City Brigade (3-10) vs. Tampa Bay Storm (6-7)
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2006
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. (CT)
Site: St. Pete Times Forum (19,200)
Officials: Referee-Bill Athan, Umpire-Rick Podraza, Head Linesman-Tim Podraza, Line Judge-Tim Symonette, Back Judge-Greg Wilson
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 p.m.
Series record: Tampa Bay leads 1-0
Last meeting: Tampa Bay won 69-59 at Kansas City
Series streaks: Tampa Bay won the first-ever contest

_________________________________________________________

OVERVIEW
Coming off its first road win in franchise history, the Brigade starts to wrap up the Southern Division schedule in a rematch with the Storm. While the Brigade has won two of its last three, Tampa Bay is in the throes of a three-game losing streak. The Storm was 4-2 after its win in Kansas City but has since gone 2-5. The Brigade is playing its best football of the season and has consecutive wins, both on the road, in its sights.

Tampa Bay still has a potent offense, but it was limited to only 13 points last week in a loss at Orlando. The Brigade defensive line has the ability to force another ineffective performance by Storm quarterback Shane Stafford, but limiting him might not be enough. The real key will be whether the entire defense can stop Tampa Bay drives. The Brigade was successful in stopping two Nashville drives, once on downs and again as the game ended. The ability to prevent Storm scores and give the ball back to the offense could very well be the missing ingredient to the Brigade putting together a flawless game.

The Brigade offense proved last week against the league's top defense that it can score in a myriad of ways. Sanders and his teammates also protected the ball and got into the end zone every time the Brigade needed a score. The Storm defense is vulnerable to long plays, which will work in Sanders' favor as Aaron Boone, James Jordan and Jerel Myers are capable of beating a defense on any given play.

LAST MEETING
The Brigade erupted for its first 50-point game of the season in Week 6 against the Storm. Andy Kelly and Steve Smith were the offensive duo at the time and nearly brought the team back in the final minute, before falling 69-59.



UP NEXT
Kansas City will then returns to "The Hangar" for the home finale and the last division game of the year against Orlando. The team then travels to Utah to face former quarterback Andy Kelly in regular season finale.

THE SCHEDULES
All times CT
2006 Kansas City Brigade (3-10)
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
Apr. 22 at Nashville Won 58-52
Date Opponent Time (CT) TV/Radio
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 Tampa Bay Storm (6-7)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 29 at Philadelphia Lost 52-34
Feb. 3 at Grand Rapids Won 51-43
Feb. 10 GEORGIA Won 61-60
Feb. 19 ORLANDO Lost 67-64
Feb. 25 AUSTIN Won 58-48
Mar. 5 at Kansas City Won 69-59
Mar. 12 DALLAS Lost 64-35
Mar. 18 NEW YORK Won 60-44
Mar. 26 at Georgia Lost 61-51
Apr. 1 UTAH Won 56-41
Apr. 7 SAN JOSE Lost 52-43
Apr. 15 at Austin Lost 60-59
Apr. 22 at Orlando Lost 52-13
Date Opponent Time (CT) TV/Radio
Apr. 29 KANSAS CITY 6:30 p.m.
May 6 at Columbus 6:00 p.m.
May 13 at Nashville 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
Orlando 9 4 .692 656 576
Austin 8 5 .615 659 636
Georgia 7 6 .538 724 611
Tampa Bay 6 7 .461 654 703
Kansas City 3 10 .230 566 666

Eastern Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
x-Dallas 11 2 .846 745 575
New York 8 5 .615 698 712
Philadelphia 7 6 .538 611 593
Columbus 6 7 .461 586 568

AMERICAN CONFERNCE
Central Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
x-Colorado 9 4 .692 656 576
Nashville 7 6 .538 642 615
Chicago 5 8 .384 651 684
Grand Rapids 4 9 .307 576 694

Western Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
Arizona 7 6 .538 618 615
San Jose 7 6 .538 716 710
Las Vegas 5 8 .384 662 713
Utah 5 8 .384 705 714
Los Angeles 3 10 .230 656 770
x-clinched playoff spot

WEEK 14 SCHEDULE (all times CT)

Friday, April 28
Arizona at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 29
Kansas City at Tampa Bay, 6:30 p.m.
Chicago at Georgia, 6 p.m.
Philadelphia at New York, 6 p.m.
Columbus at Austin, 7 p.m.
Nashville at Grand Rapids, 7 p.m.
Utah at Las Vegas, 9:30 p.m.
San Jose at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 30
Orlando at Colorado, 5 p.m.

THE COACHES
Kansas City-Kevin Porter, first year
3-10 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.

Tampa Bay-Tim Marcum, 12th year in Tampa Bay, 18th overall
125-63 in Tampa Bay, 180-75 overall
Tim Marcum enters his 12th season as head coach of the Tampa Bay Storm and his 18th overall as an AFL coach. A member of the AFL Hall of Fame, Marcum is the winningest coach in AFL history. He has won seven ArenaBowl championships and has coached in 10 of league's 19 ArenaBowls.

He comes into the 2006 season first all-time in AFL coaching victories (176), winning percentage (.718), games coached (245), and postseason victories (25). Marcum is also the only coach in AFL history to lead three different teams-Denver, Detroit and Tampa Bay-to ArenaBowl championships. He is a two-time recipient of the AFL Coach of the Year Award and received the AFL's Founder's Award in 2001.

Marcum owns a 121-57 overall record in Tampa Bay where he has logged 15 straight postseason berths. He began his AFL career in 1987 when he won the league's first championship and proceeded to lead Detroit to back-to-back championships the next two seasons. He went 50-10 during his five-year tenure in Detroit.

LOCAL ANGLE
B.J. Cohen was a member of Tampa Bay's 2003 ArenaBowl championship team. He earned 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. He was the all-time leader in sacks when he graduated and was an All-Big Eight selection in 1994 and All-Big XII selection in 1996. Wiren prepped at Wichita North High School.

STATISTICAL COMPARISON
A look at the offensive and defensive league rankings of the Brigade and the Storm:
Brigade Offensive Category Storm
10 (283.0) Total Offense 3 (303.4)
16 (5.8) Yards/play 8 (6.4)
9 (18.3) Rushing offense 16 (12.0)
10 (264.7) Passing offense 3 (291.4)
16 (4.1%) Pct. of INT/attempt 6 (2.3%)
6 (1.90) Sacked/100 pass plays 11 (2.63)
3 (21.2) First downs/game 1 (22.2)
12 (46.3% made) Third down efficiency 15 (42.4% made)
12 (45.0% made) Fourth down efficiency 8 (50.0% made)
15 (16.2) Kickoff return average 18 (14.8)
13 (40.0% made) Field goal percentage 13 (40.0% made)
16 (7.9) Penalties/game 1 (5.5)
18 (43.5) Points/game 11 (50.3)

Brigade Defensive Category Storm
1 (261.1) Total defense 15 (296.0)
3 (5.9) Yards/play 17 (6.8)
16 (24.1) Rushing defense 9 (20.4)
1 (237.0) Passing defense 14 (275.6)
18 (1.1%) Pct. of INT/attempt 7 (3.1%)
10 (2.89) Sacks/100 pass plays 17 (1.53)
11 (19.8) First downs/game 6 (18.8)
Brigade Defensive Category Storm
15 (51.8%) Third down efficiency 3 (41.0%)
8 (46.7%) Fourth down efficiency 13 (52.4%)
8 (17.1) Kick return average 13 (18.7)
17 (63.6%) Field goal percentage 2 (36.4%)
4 (7.7) Penalties/game 1 (8.2)
9 (51.2) Points/game 13 (54.1)

ROSTER MOVES
The Brigade's updated roster information for Week 14:
Move Date
FB/LB Jeremy Beutler re-signed 4/20
FB/LB Chris Morant signed to practice squad 4/20

INJURY REPORT
The Brigade's updated injury information for Week 14:
Player Injury Status
OL/DL Jon McCall Shoulder IR-Apr. 29
WR/LB John Booth Hamstring IR-Apr. 29
FB/LB Dawan Moss Ankle IR-Apr. 29
OL/DL Chad Pegues Knee IR-Apr. 29
DS Denario Smalls Knee IR-Apr. 29
DS Cliff Green Achilles IR-out for season
WR/LB Nathan Black Knee IR-out for season

POINTS OF INTEREST
- Chris Sanders has proven to be a prolific rushing quarterback and his stats back up that fact. He is now in a three-way tie for the most rushing touchdowns in the league with 11. Sanders has rushed for at least one touchdown in each of his six starts this season.

- Chris Sanders is also producing with his arm, averaging five passing touchdowns per start. The last four games have been particularly productive as he has completed over 67 percent of his passes, including twice over 80 percent. His 108.1 passer rating is 12th in the league but ninth among current starters.

- Aaron Boone continues to tear up the AFL, and averages 10.5 receptions, 125 yards and three touchdowns per game.

- Jerel Myers remains seventh in the league with 97 receptions. With a long touchdown reception against Nashville, he has scored at least one TD in 11 of the Brigade's 13 games.

- James Jordan tied a career-high last week with three touchdown catches, including two over 30 yards. It was his third multi-touchdown game of the season and the first since Week 8 at Austin. Jordan also received his third Ironman of the Game honor this season.

- Schlagle High School grad and Kansas City, Kan., resident Sam Simmons caught his first career touchdown-the game winner-against Nashville.

- The offense used the one-hitter quitter to its advantage last week, scoring twice over 30 yards on the first play from scrimmage. In all, four scoring plays totaled at least 30 yards. The unit also set a franchise record with 7.8 yards per play.

- The defense set a franchise record last week with seven pass breakups.

- In winning its first road game of the season at Nashville, the Brigade moved to 3-1 when scoring first and 3-0 when leading at halftime. More impressively, the team made its first fourth-quarter comeback of the season. Down two, the offense scored the go-ahead touchdown with 00:39 left and the defense knocked down the Kats final pass attempt as the clock expired.

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 (7 games) 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
Chris Sanders, Week 13 at Nashville 24-30, 291 yds, 6 TD9 rushes, 24 yds, 2 TD

Defensive Player of the Game Stats
Denario Smalls, Week 4 vs. CLB 6 tkls (5 solo), 4 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.
Chris Pointer, Week 13 at Nashville 5.5 tkls (5 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 TD3 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
James Jordan, Week 13 at Nashville 8 rec., 104 yds, 3 TD

WHEN STATS
The Brigade's record when this occurs:
When Record
At Kemper Arena 2-5
On the road 1-5
Scores more than 40 points 3-6
Scores less than 40 points 0-4
Allows more than 40 points 2-9
Allows less than 40 points 1-1
Scores first 3-1
Opponent scores first 0-9
Commits fewer turnovers 2-2
Commits more turnovers 0-8
Leads at halftime 3-0
Trails at halftime 0-9
Commits fewer penalties 1-4
Commits more penalties 2-6
Game decided by 7 points or less 1-4
Game decided by more than 7 points 2-6

SKY HIGH
The Brigade's individual season highs through Week 14:
High No. Player
Completions 33 Kelly, Week 2 at Orlando
Attempts 56 Kelly, Week 2 at Orlando
Completion pct. 81.0 Sanders, Week 11 vs. Los Angeles
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, Week 12 at Nashville
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 BayHenderson, Week 12 vs. Colorado
Sacks 1 12 times, most recently Brown and Henderson Week 12 vs. Colorado
Pass defenses 4 Smalls, Week 4 vs. ColumbusSpears, Week 11 vs. Los Angeles
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 14:
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 7.8 Week 13 at Nashville
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
High No. Game
TD passes 7 Week 11 vs. LA
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
Pass defenses 7 Week 13 at Nashvile
Interceptions 2 Week 2 at OrlandoWeek 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. ColumbusWeek 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
Fourth quarter comebackWeek 13 at Nashville Down 52-50 with 4:05 leftWon 58-52
50-point game, Week 6 vs. TB 59 total points
60-point game, Week 11 vs. LA 62 total points

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