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Kansas City Brigade game notes

February 28, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


AT A GLANCE

Game: Kansas City Brigade (0-0) vs. Chicago Rush (0-0)

Date: Sunday, March 4, 2007

Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. (CT)

Site: Kemper Arena (16,200)

Officials: Referee-Bill LeMonnier, Umpire-Mike Delaney, Head Linesman-Allen Baynes, Line Judge-Dana McKinzie, Back Judge-Billy Beckett, Supervisor-Ed Manning

Television: The game will be broadcast live regionally on ABC as part of the new season-long AFL on ESPN package. Ron Jaworski, an ESPN analyst and part-owner of the Philadelphia Soul, and ESPN personality Merrill Hodge make up the broadcast team.

Radio: The Brigade's flagship station, ESPN Radio 97.3, will broadcast the game live with the inaugural team of Chris Gervino (play-by-play) and Stan Weber (analysis) returning, with Dave Borchardt patrolling the sidelines. The station will air a half-hour pre-game show beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Series record: The teams have never played

Last meeting: This is the first-ever meeting

Series streaks: None to date

OPENING DAY

The Brigade has only one season under its belt but lost both its season opener and home opener in 2006. However, both games were closely contested, as the team fell 58-44 at the Dallas Desperados in its inaugural game in the AFL and lost a heartbreaker 37-33 in its first-ever game at Kemper Arena.

UP NEXT

The Brigade hits the road for the first time this season with a visit to new division rival Colorado. The Crush is co-owned by Kansas City nemesis John Elway, who played against and won two Super Bowls with Brigade co-owner Neil Smith.

THE SCHEDULES

2007 Kansas City Brigade (0-0)

Date Opponent Time (CT) TV/Radio

March 4 CHICAGO 11:30 a.m. ABC Regional ESPN Radio 97.3

Mar. 10 at Colorado 8 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

Mar. 16 DALLAS 7 p.m. FSN MidwestESPN Radio 97.3

BYE

Mar. 30 ARIZONA 7 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

April 8 at Las Vegas 3 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

April 14 GRAND RAPIDS 7 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

April 20 at Nashville 7 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

April 27 COLORADO 7 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

May 5 at Philadelphia 6 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

May 12 UTAH 7 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

May 20 at New York 12 p.m. FSN MidwestESPN Radio 97.3

May 26 LOS ANGELES 5 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

June 2 at Grand Rapids 6 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

June 8 at Columbus 6 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

June 16 NASHVILLE 7 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

June 23 at Chicago 7 p.m. FSN MidwestESPN Radio 97.3

2007 Chicago Rush (0-0)

Date Opponent Time (CT) Score

March 4 at Kansas City 11:30 a.m. -

March 9 SAN JOSE 7 p.m. -

Mar. 18 NEW YORK 2 p.m. -

Mar. 24 at Columbus 6 p.m. -

April 1 LOS ANGELES 12:30 p.m. -

April 7 at Nashville 7 p.m. -

BYE

April 21 at Grand Rapids 6 p.m. -

April 30 PHILADELPHIA 7 p.m. -

May 7 COLORADO 7 p.m. -

May 11 at Dallas 6:30 p.m. -

May 19 NASHVILLE 7 p.m. -

May 26 at Arizona 9 p.m. -

June 2 at Los Angeles 9:30 p.m. -

June 9 GRAND RAPIDS 7 p.m. -

June 18 at Colorado 9 p.m. -

June 23 KANSAS CITY 7 p.m. -

2007 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.

AMERICAN CONFERNCE

Central Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

Kansas City 0 0 .000 - -

Chicago 0 0 .000 - -

Colorado 0 0 .000 - -

Grand Rapids 0 0 .000 - -

Nashville 0 0 .000 - -

Western Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

Arizona 0 0 .000 - -

Las Vegas 0 0 .000 - -

Los Angeles 0 0 .000 - -

San Jose 0 0 .000 - -

Utah 0 0 .000 - -

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Southern Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

Austin 0 0 .000 - -

Georgia 0 0 .000 - -

New Orleans 0 0 .000 - -

Orlando 0 0 .000 - -

Tampa Bay 0 0 .000 - -

Eastern Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

Dallas 0 0 .000 - -

Columbus 0 0 .000 - -

New York 0 0 .000 - -

Philadelphia 0 0 .000 - -

WEEK 1 SCHEDULE (all times CT)

Thursday, March 1

Columbus Destroyers at Nashville Kats, 7 p.m.

Friday, March 2

Orlando Predators at Tampa bay Storm, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 3

Georgia Force at Arizona Rattlers, 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 4

Chicago Rush at Kansas City Brigade, 11:30 a.m.

Dallas Desperados at New York Dragons, 11:30 a.m.

Grand Rapids Rampage at Colorado Crush, 2 p.m.

Las Vegas Gladiators at Austin Wranglers 3 p.m.

San Jose SaberCats at Los Angeles Avengers, 4 p.m.

THE COACHES

Kansas City-Kevin Porter

Second year, 3-13 overall

Fourth year as AFL coach, second as head coach

Porter became the inaugural head coach of the Kansas City Brigade in 2006 with the reputation as a brilliant defensive strategist in the Arena Football League. His reputation proved true as the Brigade finished its first season ranked second in total defense and third in passing defense. As the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans VooDoo in 2004-05, Porter led the AFL's second-ranked scoring defense, surrendering only 721 points, the fourth-ranked pass defense and the sixth-ranked run defense.

Previously, Porter was the head coach of two teams in arenafootball2. He took the Macon (Ga.) Knights to the 2003 ArenaCup as the head coach in 2001-03. His first head coaching job came with the Pensacola Barracudas in 2000. In four seasons as an af2 head coach, Porter made four playoff appearances and at the time had the most wins in af2 history with a 45-27 record. His career as an indoor football coach began in 1999 as the defensive backs coach of the AFL's Orlando Predators.

A third-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1998 NFL Draft, Porter started four seasons at strong safety. He played with the New York Jets in 1992 and finished a five-year career with 290 tackles, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Previously, Porter starred for the Auburn Tigers as a four-year starter at cornerback, earning Honorable Mention All-American honors as a senior.

Chicago-Mike Hohensee

In his seventh season with the Rush-the only head coach in franchise history-Hohensee is 59-46 overall and 8-5 in six playoff appearances. His teams won ArenaBowl XX in 2006, the Central Division in 2002 and again in 2004, and played in the American Conference championship game in 2002 and three straight seasons in 2004-06. Third in AFL history with 106 wins, Hohensee is one of only four men to be a part of the AFL for all 21 years, including two as a player, 19 as a coach, and 14 as a head coach.

AT SECOND GLANCE

Can it be called a quarterback carousel? Brigade starter Ray Philyaw was also the starter for the Rush in 2004-05. He led the team to the Central Division title in 2004 and the American Conference championship game in 2004 and 2005. Philyaw still holds numerous franchise records:

- Passing yards, season (3,669)

- Passing attempts, season (480)

- Passing completions, season (324)

- Passing yards, game (406)

- Passing touchdowns, game (tied 8)

Brigade backup Michael Bishop was on the Rush roster in 2006 and appeared in seven games working behind starter Matt D'Orazio.

Finally, Rush wide receiver Kevin Beard played last season for Brigade offensive coordinator Chris Siegfried, when he coached the Spokane Shock of arenafootball2 to a win in the ArenaCup. That makes Beard a former teammate of current Brigade players Charles Frederick, Ed Ta'amu, and Isaiah Trufant, all of whom played for Siegfried and the Shock in 2006.

2006 STATISTICAL COMPARISON

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

Brigade Offensive Category Rush

9 (283.6) Total Offense (yds/gm) 8 (285.4)

16 (6.77) Yards/play 8 (7.74)

8 (19.9) Rushing offense 6 (24.1)

9 (263.7) Passing offense 11 (261.3)

16 (3.8%) Pct. of INT/attempt 1 (1.4%)

6 (1.85) Sacked/100 pass plays 15 (4.15)

3 (21.4) First downs/game 12 (18.9)

10 (46% made) Third down efficiency 4 (50.9%)

12 (42.9% made) Fourth down efficiency 14 (40.7% made)

12 (17) Kickoff return average 6 (17.9)

18 (34.5% made) Field goal percentage 8 (48.4% made)

12 (7.6) Penalties/game 18 (8)

18 (44) Points/game 7 (51.6)

Brigade Defensive Category Rush

2 (263.9) Total defense (yds/gm) 11 (286.4)

6 (6.1) Yards/play 5 (6.1)

13 (23.4) Rushing defense 17 (27.6)

3 (245.8) Passing defense 6 (258.9)

18 (1.3%) Pct. of INT/attempt 8 (2.7%)

12 (2.37) Sacks/100 pass plays 4 (2.7)

13 (20) First downs/game 16 (20.8)

14 (50%) Third down efficiency 6 (42.1%)

13 (50%) Fourth down efficiency 17 (63%)

7 (17.2) Kick return average 8 (17.3)

17 (65.4%) Field goal percentage 6 (48%)

8 (7.3) Penalties/game 17 (5.8)

11 (52.6) Points/game 10 (52.1)

ROSTER MOVES

The Brigade's updated roster information for Week 1:

Move Date

Re-signed Boo Williams and Charles Frederick 2/27

Arrion Dixon placed on Injured Reserve 2/26

Gillis Wilson released 2/26

INJURY REPORT

The Brigade's updated injury information for Week 1:

Player Status

DL Arrion Dixon Injured Reserve

OL Ed Ta'amu Injured Reserve

OL Jamarr Ward Injured Reserve

A COACHING TREE

It's not exactly the House of David, but Brigade head coach Kevin Porter is developed his own Bill Walsh-style stable of assistant coaches. Consider these connections:

- Porter's second head coaching job in arenafootball2 was with the Macon (Ga.) Knights and in 2001 he hired Chris Siegfried, who had never coached before, as his offensive coordinator

- The Knights were rivals of the Augusta (Ga.) Stallions, whom Maurice Blanding played for as a defensive back in 2001 and then as the defensive backs and special teams coach in 2002.

- Porter and Blanding faced off four times in the last two seasons: twice when Porter coached for the New Orleans VooDoo and Blanding the Georgia Force, and twice last season between the Brigade and Force.

- Siegfried was in his first head coaching job in 2002 with the Cape Fear (N.C.) Wildcats of af2 when lineman Travis Crusenberry made the team. Crusenberry played another season for the Wildcats before joining Siegfried's staff in 2004 as the line coach. Crusenberry followed Siegfried when the moved to South Georgia in 2005 and became his assistant head coach when Siegfried accepted the Spokane Shock job. After one season Crusenberry joined Siegfried in Kansas City.

AF2 STOMPING GROUNDS

Both Porter and Siegfried enjoyed huge success in arenafootball2 before starting their AFL careers.

In four seasons as an af2 head coach, Porter made four playoff appearances, including a run to the ArenaCup in 2003. He left after that season with the most wins (47) in the league's history.

Siegfried was simply dominant in af2. He is the all-time leader in victories, compiling a 57-26 record in five seasons. He is one of only three coaches to reach the 50-win plateau, as his teams recorded 10 or more wins in four of out five seasons. Siegfried also owns the second-most playoff wins (6) and won the ArenaCup in 2006, for which he was named coach of the year.

NEW YEAR, NEW...EVERYTHING

An off-season full of changes saw head coach Kevin Porter hire an entirely new staff of four assistants. The roster also underwent serious changes.

- Only three-BJ Cohen, James Jordan, and Dawan Moss-of the original 12 players allocated to the Brigade from the New Orleans VooDoo in October 2005 are still on the team

- Only 10 players-Brown, Cohen, Coleman, Douzart, Jordan, Moss, Myers, Philyaw, Simmons, and Smalls-return from the roster that ended the 2006 season

- Of the 17 new players on the roster, eight were signed as free agents with AFL experience, and 9 are rookies. However, of those nine rookies, five have indoor experience and two have played in the NFL

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

The Brigade finished its inaugural season with 10 rookies on the roster, all of whom saw playing time during the season. Six of those rookies were regular starters, including the entire wide receiving corps, both linebackers, and the kicker.

While only five-Coleman, Douzart, Jordan, Myers, and Simmons-return in 2007, all of them now have one season of Arena Football experience and are expected to remain in the starting roles they filled last year.

FOR WANT OF A KICKER

Don't ask Kansas City football fans about bad kickers, lest they go into a rage. Unfortunately, the Brigade encountered kicking problems last season that conjured memories of Len Elliott.

The Brigade finished 2006 last in the league in field goal percentage and made only 79 percent of its extra point attempts, compared to 90 percent for its opponents.

Enter Clay Rush, a two-time AFL Kicker of the Year who has scored over 900 points with more than 600 extra points and 100 field goals. Think he can win some games by himself?

STRONG FINISH

The Brigade was rarely better in its inaugural season than at the end of games, when it matters most. That attitude stems from Coach Porter's workman-like approach. The team outscored nine of its 14 opponent in the fourth quarter in 2006, giving up the second-fewest points in the league. The Brigade will surely need to repeat such late charges to be successful this season.

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 15 games) 204-173

SOARING ATTENDANCE

How does an expansion team's arena get a nickname in its inaugural season? Air raid sirens and explosions, that's how. Kemper Arena became The Hangar in 2006 thanks to zealous Brigade fans who supported the team till the end. The Brigade finished third in the league in total and per-game 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

Week 15 vs. Orlando 16,095

Total (8 games) 121,875 (15,234 avg.)

WHEN STATS

The Brigade's record when this occurs:

When Record

At Kemper Arena 2-6

On the road 1-7

Scores more than 40 points 3-9

Scores less than 40 points 0-4

Allows more than 40 points 2-12

Allows less than 40 points 1-1

Scores first 3-2

Opponent scores first 0-11

When Record

Commits fewer turnovers 2-3

Commits more turnovers 0-10

Even turnovers 0-1

Leads at halftime 3-1

Trails at halftime 0-11

Tied at halftime 0-1

Commits fewer penalties 1-5

Commits more penalties 2-8

Game decided by 7 points or less 1-5

Game decided by more than 7 points 2-8

SKY HIGH

2006 INDIVIDUAL SEASON HIGHS

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 55t Simmons, Week 15 vs. Orlando

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

2006 TEAM SEASON HIGHS

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

High No. Game

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 Week 4 vs. ColumbusWeek 7 vs. TBWeek 15 vs. ORL

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

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