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Kansas City Brigade game notes

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


AT A GLANCE

Game: Kansas City Brigade (1-2) vs. Arizona Rattlers (1-3)

Date: Friday, March 30, 2007

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (CT)

Site: Kemper Arena (16,200)

Officials: Referee-Dave Lambros, Umpire-Al Granado, Head Linesman-Mike McCabe, Line Judge-Brian Matthew, Back Judge-Joe Duncan, Supervisor-Bob Mantooth

Television: None

Webcast: AFL Net

Radio: The Brigade's flagship station, ESPN Radio 97.3, will broadcast the game live with Chris Gervino (play-by-play) and Stan Weber (analysis). The station will air a half-hour pre-game show hosted by Nick McCabe and Dave Borchardt beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Series record: The teams have never played

Last meeting: This is the first meeting

Series streaks: N/A

LAST TIME

The Brigade faces its first new conference opponent of the young season in the Rattlers. The AFL's realignment prior to 2007 pushed Kansas City to the American Conference, which puts four Western Division teams on the schedule.

However, the Brigade and Rattlers have seen one another, albeit for a short time. The two teams scrimmaged in Kansas City in February and had quite a spirited session. While there have been multiple changes to the rosters of both teams, the main players are still intact.

Arizona represents one of the league's historical franchises and a Brigade win would be a positive step in the direction of the franchise. It would also mean a 2-1 conference record at the start of a stretch of five straight conference games.

UP NEXT

The Brigade heads to Sin City next week for a date with Las Vegas Gladiators. The game is Easter Sunday, marking the second straight season that the Brigade will have played on the holiday.

THE SCHEDULES

2007 Kansas City Brigade (1-2)

Date Opponent Result/Time TV/Radio

Mar. 4 CHICAGO (W) 54-41 ABC Regional ESPN Radio 97.3

Mar. 10 at Colorado (L) 44-40 ESPN Radio 97.3

Mar. 16 DALLAS (L) 66-54 FSN MidwestESPN Radio 97.3

BYE

Mar. 30 ARIZONA 7 p.m. AFL NetESPN 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. AFL NetESPN Radio 97.3

April 27 COLORADO 7 p.m. ESPN Radio 97.3

May 5 at Philadelphia 6 p.m. AFL NetESPN 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. AFL NetESPN 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 Arizona Rattlers (1-3)

Date Opponent Time (CT) Score

Mar. 3 GEORGIA 8 p.m. (L) 69-65

Mar. 10 UTAH 8 p.m. (L) 75-71

Mar. 16 at Colorado 8 p.m. (L) 56-54

Mar. 23 LAS VEGAS 9 p.m. (W) 68-41

Mar. 30 at Kansas City 7 p.m. -------

April 6 At Los Angeles 9:30 p.m. -------

April 14 NASHVILLE 9 p.m. -------

April 20 At Utah 8 p.m. -------

April 28 At New York 6 p.m. -------

May 5 SAN JOSE 9 p.m. -------

May 12 AUSTIN 9 p.m. -------

May 18 At Tampa Bay 6:30 p.m. -------

May 26 CHICAGO 5 p.m. -------

June 3 at Las Vegas 5 p.m. -------

June 11 LOS ANGELES 9 p.m. -------

June 16 at San Jose 9:30 pm -------

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

Chicago 3 1 .750 205 186

Nashville 2 2 .500 225 239

Colorado 2 2 .500 189 209

Kansas City 1 2 .333 148 151

Grand Rapids 1 3 .250 195 273

Western Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

Utah 3 1 .750 276 243

Los Angeles 2 1 .667 150 139

San Jose 1 2 .333 173 170

Las Vegas 1 3 .250 187 253

Arizona 1 3 .250 258 241

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Southern Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

Georgia 4 0 1.000 254 225

New Orleans 2 2 .500 208 187

Orlando 2 2 .500 183 171

Austin 1 3 .250 201 211

Tampa Bay 0 4 .000 166 231

Eastern Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

Dallas 4 0 1.000 255 150

Philadelphia 3 0 1.000 203 117

Columbus 1 2 .333 150 163

New York 1 2 .333 106 173

WEEK 5 SCHEDULE (all times CT)

Friday, March 30

Arizona Rattlers at Kansas City Brigade, 7 p.m.

Georgia Force at Columbus Destroyers, 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 31

Orlando Predators at New Orleans VooDoo, 7 p.m.

Austin Wranglers at Dallas Desperados, 7:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay Storm at San Jose SaberCats, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 1

Philadelphia Soul at New York Dragons, 12 p.m.

Los Angeles Avengers at Chicago Rush, 12:30 p.m.

Nashville Kats at Colorado Crush, 2 p.m.

Utah Blaze at Las Vegas Gladiators, 5 p.m.

THE COACHES

Kansas City-Kevin Porter

Second year, 4-15 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.

Arizona-Gene Nudo

Gene Nudo, the AFL's only three-time Executive of the Year, is celebrating his 13th season with the Arizona Rattlers and second as the team's head coach. In his first year at the helm, Nudo led the Rattlers to their 13th playoff appearance in franchise history. He guided the Rattlers to the American Conference Semifinal after a Wild Card Round playoff victory over the Utah Blaze. Nudo, who joined the Rattlers as an assistant head coach in 1995 after serving as the Arena Football League's Vice President of Football Operations, became the team's Vice President of Administration the following season. Nudo has also served as the team's Vice President of Operations for eight seasons before becoming general manager in 2004.

AT SECOND GLANCE

Brigade fans will notice a familiar face at Kemper Arena on Friday. The Rattlers new backup quarterback is none other than Chris Sanders, who started eight games for the Brigade in the inaugural season but was cut during 2007 training camp. He signed with Arizona shortly after the season started.

2007 STATISTICAL COMPARISON

A look at the offensive and defensive league rankings of the Brigade and the Rattlers after Week 4:

Brigade Offensive Category Rattlers

4 (309) Total Offense (yds/gm) 2 (337.8)

9 ( 6.1) Yards/play 5 (6.9)

1 (44.7) Rushing offense 3 (37.3)

11 (264.3) Passing offense 2 (300.5)

11 (2.8) Pct. of INT/attempt 5 (1.3)

5 (0.93) Sacked/100 pass plays 3 (0.66)

4 (23) First downs/game 1 (26.3)

3 ( 64% made) Third down efficiency 5 (56.5 made)

10 (57.1% made) Fourth down efficiency 3 (80% made)

11 (17.3) Kickoff return average 16 (15.9)

19 (0% made) Field goal percentage 16 (33.3% made)

18 (19.3) Penalties/game 11 (8.3)

Brigade Offensive Category Rattlers

13 (49.3) Points/game 3 (64.5)

Brigade Defensive Category Rattlers

1 (253.7) Total defense (yds/gm) 18 (222.8)

13 (6.5) Yards/play 19 (8.2)

9 (20) Rushing defense 1 (.8)

2 (233.7) Passing defense 19 (333)

11 (2.2%) Pct. of INT/attempt 2 (4.7%)

15 (2.2) Sacks/100 pass plays 14 (2.63)

4 (18.7) First downs/game 5 (19)

8 (50%) Third down efficiency 13 (56.3%)

16 (100) Fourth down efficiency 8 (50%)

2 (14.1) Kick return average 7 (16.8)

19 (100%) Field goal percentage 1 (0%)

17 (6.3) Penalties/game 3 (9.3)

7 (50.3) Points/game 16 (60.3)

ROSTER MOVES

The Brigade moves in Week 5:

Move Date

Waived DL Colin Bryant 3/26

Released OL Chad Pegues 3/26

Waived from Practice Squad DL Marquess Ledbetter 3/26

INJURY REPORT

The updated Brigade injury information for Week 5:

Player Status

WR Boo Williams Probable

DL Arrion Dixon Probable

DB Travis Coleman Questionable

WR Sam Simmons Questionable

OL Jamarr Ward Questionable

DL Chris Demaree Out-Injured Reserve

OL Ed Ta'amu Out-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 of the original 12 players allocated to the Brigade from the New Orleans VooDoo in October 2005-BJ Cohen, James Jordan, and Dawan Moss-started 2007 with the team

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

- Of the 17 new players on the roster to start the season, 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-returned to start 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.

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 1 vs. Chicago 19-15

Week 2 at Colorado 13-17

Week 3 vs. Dallas 20-21

Total 52-53

NEW RECORDS

The Brigade's rushing attack this season has set a number of single-game franchise records.

Player Record

Yards Rushing Charles Frederick (59)

TD Rushes (tied) Charles Frederick (3, twice)

Long Rush Charles Frederick (27)

Team Rushes 23

Team Yards Rushing 95

Team TD Rushes 6

BRIGADE HONORS

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Offensive Player of the Game Stats

Charles Frederick, Week 1 vs. CHI 8 rushes, 549 yards, 3 TD

Defensive Player of the Game Stats

Kenny McEntyre, Week 1 vs. CHI 2 interceptions, 1.5 tackles

AFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

AFL Defensive Player of the Week Stats

Kenny McEntyre, Week 1 2 interceptions, 1.5 tackles

AFL PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

AFL Rookie of the Month Stats

Charles Frederick, March 25 rec., 305 yds, 4 TD20 rushes, 74 yards, 6 TD

TOP-TEN LEAGUE RANKINGS

Where Brigade players rank in the top-ten in league statistical categories:

QB Raymond Philyaw

- 4th in completion percentage (69.8%)

WR Charles Frederick

- 9th in scoring non-kickers (60 points)

- 5th in rushing (74 yards)

- 6th in first downs (9 rush, 15 rec.)

- 10th in all-purpose yards (74 rush, 305 rec., 165 kick)

FB Dawan Moss

- 1st in third-and-one rushing (2 att., 2 first downs)

WR Jerel Myers

- 1st in third-and-one rushing (1 att., 1 first down)

- 7th in third-down receiving (5 rec., 35 yds, 1 TD)

WR Sam Simmons

- 7th in kickoff returns (5 ret., 108 yards, 21.6 avg.)

DB Kenny McEntyre

- 8th in interceptions (2 int., 14 yards)

- 4th in passes defensed (5)

DB Denario Smalls

- 2nd in fumble recoveries (2)

WHEN STATS

The Brigade's record when this occurs:

When 2007 All-time

At Kemper Arena 1-1 3-7

On the road 0-1 1-8

Scores 40 or more points 1-2 4-11

Scores less than 40 points -- 0-4

Allows 40 or more points 1-2 3-14

Allows less than 40 points -- 1-1

Scores first -- 3-2

Opponent scores first 1-2 1-13

Commits fewer turnovers 1-0 3-3

Commits more turnovers 0-1 0-11

Even turnovers 0-1 1-1

Leads at halftime 1-0 4-1

Trails at halftime 0-2 0-13

Tied at halftime -- 0-1

Commits fewer penalties -- 2-5

Commits more penalties 1-2 2-10

Game decided by 7 points or less 0-1 1-6

Game decided by more than 7 points 1-1 3-9

SKY HIGH

2007 INDIVIDUAL SEASON HIGHS

High No. Player

Completions 29 Philyaw, Week 2 vs. Colorado

Attempts 39 Philyaw, Week 2 vs. Colorado

Completion pct. 74.4 Philyaw, Week 2 vs. Colorado

Passing yards 291 Philyaw, Week 2 vs. Colorado

TD passes 5 Philyaw, Week 2 vs. Colorado

Long pass 38 Philyaw, Week 3 vs. Dallas

Receptions 11 Frederick, Week 2 vs. Colorado

Receiving yards 136 Frederick, Week 3 vs. Dallas

TD catches 2 5 times, most recently Frederick & Simmons, Week 2 vs. Colorado

Long reception 38 Frederick, Week 3 vs. Dallas

Rushing att. 8 Frederick, Week 1 vs. Chicago

Rushing yards 59 Frederick, Week 1 vs. Chicago

Rushing TDs 3 Frederick, Week 1 vs. CHI, Week 3 vs. DAL

Long rush 27 Frederick, Week 1 vs. Chicago

Long kick return 33 Frederick, Week 3 vs. Dallas

Long MFG ret. -- --

All-purpose yds 275 Frederick, Week 3 vs. Dallas

Tackles 9.5 Dennis, Week 3 vs. Dallas

Tackles for loss 1/-9 Demaree, Week 1 vs. Chicago

Sacks 1.0 Cohen and Demaree, Week 1 vs. Chicago

Pass defenses 3 McEntyre, Week 2 vs. Colorado

Interceptions 2 McEntyre, Week 1 vs. Chicago

Forced fumbles 1 Cohen and Coleman, Week 1 vs. Chicago

Fumble return 1 Demaree and Smalls, Week 1 vs. ChicagoCohen, Week 3 vs. Dallas

Field goals -- --

Long field goal -- --

2007 TEAM SEASON HIGHS

High No. Game

Points 54 Week 1 vs. ChicagoWeek 3 vs. Dallas

Offensive touchdowns 8 (2 pass, 6 rush) Week 1 vs. Chicago

Total offense 320 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Total plays 56 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Yards per play 6.8 Week 3 vs. Dallas

Pass attempts 39 Week 2 vs. Colorado

Pass completions 29 Week 2 vs. Colorado

Passing yards 290 Week 2 vs. Colorado

Yards per completion 10.0 Week 2 vs. Colorado

TD passes 5 Week 2 vs. Colorado

Rushes 23 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Rushing yards 95 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Yards per rush 5.7 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Rushing TDs 6 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Time of possession 36:01 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Turnovers 0 Week 2 vs. Colorado

Tackles 31 Week 3 vs. Dallas

2007 TEAM SEASON HIGHS

High No. Game

Tackles for loss 2 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Sacks 2 Week 1 vs. ChicagoWeek 3 vs. Dallas

Pass breakups 6 Week 2 vs. Colorado

Interceptions 2 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Forced fumbles 2 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Fumble recoveries 2 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Defensive touchdowns -- --

Special teams TDs -- --

Penalties 11 Week 2 vs. ColoradoWeek 3 vs. Dallas

Penalty yards 72 Week 2 vs. Colorado

Largest Lead 13 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Largest Deficit 18 Week 3 vs. Dallas

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