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Kansas City Brigade game notes

May 2, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


AT A GLANCE
Game: Kansas City Brigade (3-11) vs. Orlando Predators (8-6)
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2006
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (CT)
Site: Kemper Arena (16,200)
Officials: Referee-Dennis Lipski, Umpire-Rick Nelson, Head Linesman-Kavin McGrath, Line Judge-Darrell Leftwich, Back Judge-Rich Wilborn
Television: The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net Midwest with Dave Armstrong 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 p.m.
Series record: Orlando leads 1-0
Last meeting: Orlando won at home 48-41
Series streaks: Orlando won the first-ever contest

_________________________________________________________

OVERVIEW
The Brigade returns to "The Hangar" for the inaugural season finale against its final division opponent. Kansas City opened the Southern Division schedule against Orlando and nearly pulled off a come-from-behind upset in one of the toughest environments in the league. Now the Predators get a taste of Arena Football, KC style.

Containing Orlando's talented offense will be the first priority for the Brigade defense. The Predators have won five of their last six games and scored at least 50 points in four of them. The size and speed of Kansas City's defensive line will have to neutralize Orlando's rushing attack led by quarterback Joe Hamilton. He is a playmaker when he can get outside the pocket and force defenses to choose to defend the run or the pass. The Brigade defense must take advantage of those situations and force Hamilton into mistakes.

The Kansas City offense will have to be most efficient against an underrated Predators defense. Orlando did give up 75 points to Colorado last week but held Tampa Bay to just 13 points the previous week. What defense shows up this week should not be of the Brigade's concern. If the offense maintains a balanced attack between the run and pass and limits its own mistakes, it should have a chance to put up the winning score late in the game.

LAST MEETING
The Brigade's second straight road game to open the season ended in heartbreak in Orlando. The team overcame a 10-point fourth quarter deficit and had the ball at the Orlando five yard line with just seconds left on the clock. Andy Kelly's final pass into the end zone was knocked down and the clock ran out before the officials ruled the play dead.



UP NEXT
Kansas City travels to Utah to wrap up its inaugural season against former quarterback Andy Kelly.

THE SCHEDULES
All times CT
2006 Kansas City Brigade (3-11)
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
Apr. 29 at Tampa Bay Lost 58-42
Date Opponent Time (CT) TV/Radio
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 Orlando Predators (9-5)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 29 Georgia Lost 48-31
Feb. 3 KANSAS CITY Won 48-41
Feb. 11 PHILADELPHIA Won 47-33
Feb. 19 at Tampa Bay Won 67-64
Feb. 26 at New York Lost 55-35
Mar. 5 LOS ANGELES Won 59-34
Mar. 11 at Arizona Lost 60-57
Mar. 19 DALLAS Lost 87-62
Mar. 25 at Austin Won 47-37
Apr. 2 CHICAGO Won 55-27
Apr. 9 at Columbus Won 39-36
Apr. 14 GEORGIA Won 57-41
Apr. 22 TAMPA BAY Won 52-13
Apr. 28 at Colorado Lost 75-54
Date Opponent Time (CST) TV/Radio
May 6 at Kansas City 7:00 p.m. FSN
May 12 AUSTIN 6:30 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
x-Orlando 9 5 .642 710 651
Austin 8 6 .571 692 646
Georgia 8 6 .571 779 631
Tampa Bay 7 7 .500 712 745
Kansas City 3 11 .214 608 724

Eastern Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
y-Dallas 12 2 .857 799 621
New York 9 5 .642 763 770
Columbus 7 7 .500 626 601
Philadelphia 7 7 .500 669 658

AMERICAN CONFERNCE
Central Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
x-Colorado 10 4 .714 788 737
x-Nashville 7 7 .500 696 676
Chicago 5 9 .357 671 739
Grand Rapids 5 9 .357 637 748

Western Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
x-San Jose 8 6 .571 769 746
Arizona 7 7 .500 664 669
Utah 6 8 .428 768 766
Las Vegas 5 9 .357 714 776
Los Angeles 3 11 .214 692 823
x-clinched playoff spot
y-clinched division and first round bye

WEEK 15 SCHEDULE (all times CT)

Friday, May 5
Las Vegas at Arizona, 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 6
Orlando at Kansas City, 7 p.m.
Dallas at Philadelphia, 3 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Columbus, 6 p.m.
Georgia at New York, 6 p.m.
Utah at Chicago, 7 p.m.
Nashville at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.
Colorado at San Jose, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 7
Grand Rapids at Austin, 2 p.m.

THE COACHES
Kansas City-Kevin Porter, first year
3-11 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.

Orlando-Jay Gruden, seventh year
73-41 overall
Jay Gruden is one of the most successful coaches and players in AFL history. Combined, he has been to the playoffs 15 straight times, appeared in the ArenaBowl six times and won four ArenaBowl championships.

In six seasons as the Tampa Bay Storm's quarterback he compiled more than 15,000 yards passing and 280 touchdowns. With Gruden, the Storm won four Arena Bowl Championships and Gruden was named the 1992 MVP and an All-Arena selection twice.

Gruden then retired, only to be named offensive coordinator for the expansion Nashville Kats. After one year, he was named head coach of the Orlando Predators at age 30, the youngest coach in AFL history. In his first four seasons he took Orlando to the playoffs every year, winning the ArenaBowl in his first and third seasons. At age 35, Gruden returned to the playing field for two seasons, leading the team to a 20-9 record and two playoff appearances.

The next season he returned to his post as head coach and led the Predators to the playoffs again. For his AFL career, Gruden has a record of 64-37 as a head coach and 84-25 as a starting quarterback. He ranks in the top 10 with more than 20,000 passing yards and close to 400 touchdowns. Also, for the past four seasons he has joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL as an offensive assistant and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs in 2002.

LOCAL ANGLE
Line coach Webbie Burnett spent nine seasons in Orlando (1992-2000), playing in five ArenaBowls and winning the title in 1998 and 2000. He was honored this season as one of the 20 greatest Predators of all time. B.J. Cohen played four seasons in Orlando (1999-2002), lining up alongside Burnett in 1999 and 2000. Predators DS Kenny "the Glove" McEntyre, an Arena Football great, played two seasons of football at Kansas State. He also played one season of basketball as he originally signed a basketball scholarship.

STATISTICAL COMPARISON
A look at the offensive and defensive league rankings of the Brigade and the Predators:
Brigade Offensive Category Predators
10 (284.3) Total Offense 5 (290.6)
16 (5.8) Yards/play 6 (6.6)
9 (18.5) Rushing offense 2 (32.7)
9 (265.8) Passing offense 13 (257.9)
16 (3.9%) Pct. of INT/attempt 12 (3.2%)
6 (1.93) Sacked/100 pass plays 7 (2.00)
3 (21.4) First downs/game 6 (20.0)
13 (45.1% made) Third down efficiency 6 (48.9% made)
7 (50.0% made) Fourth down efficiency 4 (52.9% made)
13 (16.6) Kickoff return average 17 (15.5)
15 (37.0% made) Field goal percentage 2 (63.6% made)
14 (7.6) Penalties/game 2 (5.7)
18 (43.4) Points/game 9 (50.7)

Brigade Defensive Category Predators
1 (266.0) Total defense (yards) 14 (292.8)
3 (6.0) Yards/play 9 (6.3)
15 (23.5) Rushing defense 3 (15.0)
1 (242.5) Passing defense 14 (277.8)
18 (1.1%) Pct. of INT/attempt 12 (2.4%)
10 (2.68) Sacks/100 pass plays 7 (3.01)
11 (19.9) First downs/game 2 (17.9)
15 (51.2%) Third down efficiency 1 (36.5%)
9 (46.7%) Fourth down efficiency 8 (44.7%)
7 (16.8) Kick return average 12 (18.6)
17 (62.5%) Field goal percentage 15 (56.5%)
7 (7.4) Penalties/game 11 (7.0)
9 (51.7) Points/game 4 (46.5)

ROSTER MOVES
The Brigade's most recent roster information:
Move Date
WR/DB Sam Simmons re-signed 5/1
QB Steve Bellisari waived from practice squad 5/1

INJURY REPORT
The Brigade's updated injury information for Week 15:
Player Injury Status
OL/DL Jon McCall Shoulder IR-May 6
WR/LB John Booth Hamstring IR- May 6
FB/LB Dawan Moss Ankle IR- May 6
OL/DL Chad Pegues Knee IR- May 6
DS Denario Smalls Knee IR- May 6
DS Cliff Green Achilles IR-out for season
WR/LB Nathan Black Knee IR-out for season

POINTS OF INTEREST
- Chris Sanders is becoming a great two-way threat. He is 11th in the league with a 107.0 quarterback rating and his 66.9 completion percentage is fourth. Sanders is especially strong in the fourth quarter, in which he is fifth in the league with a 120.7 quarterback rating, including 14 touchdowns and just one interception.

- Sanders continues to climb the league rushing rankings. He is 10th in the league and fourth among quarterbacks with 114 yards. His 12 rushing touchdowns is second in the league and first among quarterbacks. Sanders has rushed for a touchdown in seven straight games.

- Jerel Myers set a franchise single-game record last week with 14 receptions and on the season has 111, good for fourth in the league and first among rookies, with 1120 yards.

- Aaron Boone has a touchdown catch in five consecutive games, all since he joined the Brigade in a trade with Philadelphia in Week 9.

ROOKIES TAKE FLIGHT
The Brigade has played as many as seven rookies in a game this season but they have performed with exceptional confidence on a weekly basis. As these difference-makers continue to climb the statistical charts, the talk of all-rookie honors will only grow louder (includes all rookies, not just specific position):

WR/LB Jerel Myers (13 games)
- First in receptions
- Tied for second in first downs
- Third in touchdown receptions
- Third in receiving yards
- Third in yards from scrimmage
- Third in scoring for non-kickers
- Third in all-purpose yards
- Seventh in third down receptions
FB/LB Byron Douzart (12 games)
- First in special teams tackles (first in AFL)
- Third in rushing touchdowns (second among FB/LB)
- Sixth in forced fumbles
- 10th in rushing yards (fifth among rookie FB/LB)
- Eighth in solo tackles
- Eighth in total tackles
- Top 10 in combined tackles for loss

DS Travis Coleman (10 games)
- Fourth in solo tackles
- Fourth in combined tackles
- Fifth in forced fumbles

WR/DB Sam Simmons (five games on special teams)
- Fourth in combined kickoff/field goal return yards

OS Aaron Boone (four games)
- Fourth in touchdown receptions
- Sixth in scoring for non-kickers
- Sixth in receptions
- Sixth in first downs
- Sixth in third down receptions

STRONG FINISH
The Brigade has rarely been better than at the end of games when it matters most. The team has outscored nine of its 14 opponent in the fourth quarter, giving up the second-fewest points in the league:
Game Fourth quarter score
Week 2 at Orlando 20-17
Week 4 vs. Columbus 17-14
Week 7 vs. Philadelphia 12-3
Week 9 at New York 21-13
Week 10 vs. Georgia 13-13
Week 11 vs. Los Angeles 21-10
Week 12 vs. Colorado 22-6
Week 13 at Nashville 21-10
Week 14 at Tampa Bay 14-7
Total (through all 14 games) 196-159

SOARING ATTENDANCE
The Brigade continues to fight for the top spot in the league in attendance through seven home games. The franchise is currently fourth 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 1-6
Scores more than 40 points 3-7
Scores less than 40 points 0-4
Allows more than 40 points 2-10
Allows less than 40 points 1-1
Scores first 3-1
Opponent scores first 0-10
Commits fewer turnovers 2-2
Commits more turnovers 0-9
Leads at halftime 3-0
Trails at halftime 0-10
Tied at halftime 0-1
Commits fewer penalties 1-5
Commits more penalties 2-6
Game decided by 7 points or less 1-4
Game decided by more than 7 points 2-7

SKY HIGH
The Brigade's individual season highs through Week 15:
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 14 Myers, Week 14 at Tampa Bay
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
High No. Player
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 15:
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
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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