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Kansas City Brigade game notes

May 30, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


AT A GLANCE

Game: Kansas City Brigade (7-5) at Grand Rapids Rampage (4-8)

Date: Saturday, June 2, 2007

Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. CT

Site: Van Andel Arena (10,594)

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

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 McCabe and Dave Borchardt beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT

Series record: Kansas City leads 1-0

Last meeting: Brigade won 52-41 in Kansas City on April 14, 2007

Series streaks: Kansas City won the first-ever meeting

LAST TIME

The Brigade and Rampage played a memorable first-ever contest earlier this season at Kemper. Kansas City jumped out to a 17-point lead before halftime only to see it evaporate during the third quarter. A boisterous crowd in the Hangar was able to rally the troops, though, and the Brigade pulled away late in the game. The defense sealed the win on a dramatic sack by BJ Cohen as the clock expired.

While every division game is important, this one against the Rampage is critical at this juncture of the season. The Brigade is on the verge of clinching a playoff berth in only its second year and a home playoff game in the first round is a real possibility. The team knows exactly what's at stake, but it has also played inconsistently on the road.

Grand Rapids needs a win to keep its playoff hopes alive and will be playing its second straight division game on home turf. The Rampage just swept the season series against Colorado with a close win following two road losses. Grand Rapids is only .500 at home, but the team is still very dangerous, especially with its season on the line.

The Brigade is standing on the brink of a remarkable turnaround from its 3-13 inaugural season and has a lot left to play for. That should be enough motivation to come out energized and ready to play from the opening whistle.

UP NEXT

Kansas City completes its two-game road trip with a non-conference game at the Columbus Destroyers. While the game matters in terms of overall record, the Brigade can find relief in the fact that its closet playoff competition has all conference games remaining.

THE SCHEDULES

2007 Kansas City Brigade (7-5)

Date Opponent Result/Time TV/Radio

Mar. 4 CHICAGO (W) 54-41

Mar. 10 at Colorado (L) 44-40

Mar. 16 DALLAS (L) 66-54

BYE

Mar. 30 ARIZONA (W) 62-61

April 8 at Las Vegas (W) 65-31

April 14 GRAND RAPIDS (W) 52-41

April 21 at Nashville (L) 49-40

Apr. 27 COLORADO (L) 45-42

May 5 at Philadelphia (W) 53-41

May 12 UTAH (W) 60-41

May 20 at New York (L) 62-56

May 26 LOS ANGELES (W) 62-56

June 2 at Grand Rapids 6 p.m. AFL Net, 97.3 FM

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 Grand Rapids Rampage (4-8)

Date Opponent Time (CT) Score

Mar. 4 at Colorado 3 p.m. (W) 44-42

Mar. 8 LAS VEGAS 6 p.m. (L) 79-69

Mar. 15 PHILADELPHIA 6 p.m. (L) 69-40

Mar. 23 at Utah 8 p.m. (L) 83-42

BYE

April 7 NEW YORK 7 p.m. (W) 66-53

April 14 at Kansas City 7 p.m. (L) 52-41

April 21 CHICAGO 6 p.m. (L) 75-54

April 28 at Los Angeles 9:30 p.m. (L) 75-71

May 5 NASHVILLE 6 p.m. (W) 71-55

May 11 at Columbus 6 p.m. (L) 59-56

May 19 at San Jose 9:30 p.m. (L) 69-44

May 26 COLORADO 6 p.m. (W) 58-56

June 2 KANSAS CITY 6 p.m. -------

June 9 at CHICAGO 7 p.m. -------

June 16 TAMPA BAY 6 p.m. -------

June 23 at Nashville 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

Chicago 9 3 .750 653 559

Colorado 8 5 .615 664 664

Kansas City 7 5 .583 640 578

Nashville 5 8 .385 668 708

Grand Rapids 4 8 .333 656 767

Western Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

San Jose 9 3 .750 744 588

Los Angeles 6 6 .500 641 660

Utah 6 7 .462 808 812

Arizona 3 10 .231 727 774

Las Vegas 2 10 .167 545 749

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Southern Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

Georgia 10 2 .833 749 653

Orlando 7 5 .583 594 535

Tampa Bay 5 7 .417 555 620

New Orleans 4 8 .333 591 658

Austin 3 9 .250 621 694

Eastern Division

Team W L Pct. PF PA

Dallas 11 1 .917 733 600

Columbus 6 6 .500 608 593

Philadelphia 6 6 .500 666 605

New York 5 7 .417 623 669

WEEK 14 SCHEDULE (all times CT)

Friday, June 1

Dallas Desperados @ Philadelphia Soul, 6:30 p.m.

Orlando Predators @ San Jose SaberCats, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 2

Kansas City Brigade @ Grand Rapids Rampage, 6 p.m.

Austin Wranglers @ New York Dragons, 6 p.m.

Columbus Destroyers @ Georgia Force, 6 p.m.

Tampa Bay Storm @ New Orleans VooDoo, 7 p.m.

Chicago Rush @ Los Angeles Avengers, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 3

Arizona Rattlers @ Las Vegas Gladiators, 5 p.m.

Monday, June 4

Colorado Crush @ Utah Blaze, 9:30 pm

THE COACHES

Kansas City-Kevin Porter

Second year, 10-18 overall

Fourth year as AFL coach, second as head coach

Porter became the inaugural head coach of the Kansas City Brigade in 2006 with a 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 1988 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.

Grand Rapids-Sparky McEwen

Regular Season Record: 13-31

Postseason Record: 0-0

Vs. Brigade: 0-0

At Brigade: 0-1

Years as Rampage Head Coach: 3

Years as AFL Head Coach: 3

AT SECOND GLANCE

Rampage wide receiver/kick return specialist Timon Marshall tore up the Brigade in their first meeting the way he has most teams this season. He is the biggest playmaker on the Grand Rapids roster, a scoring threat every time he touches the ball. What can the Brigade do to counteract his productivity?

2007 STATISTICAL COMPARISON

A look at the offensive and defensive league rankings of the Brigade and the Rampage after Week 13:

Brigade Offensive Category Rampage

6 (307.7) Total Offense (yds/gm) 17 (262.9)

6 ( 6.9) Yards/play 18 (5.7)

2 (26.8) Rushing offense 14 (12.4)

8 (280.9) Passing offense 17 (249.8)

3 (1.7) Pct. of INT/attempt 13 (3.2)

3 (0.96) Sacked/100 pass plays 10 (2.53)

8 (21.8) First downs/game 11 (20.5)

6 ( 54.2% made) Third down efficiency 16 (44.7% made)

5 (63.6% made) Fourth down efficiency 14 (50.0% made)

12 (17.7) Kickoff return average 1 (20.5)

19 (22.2% made) Field goal percentage 6 (57.1% made)

17 (9.9) Penalties/game 14 (8.6)

10(53.3) Points/game 7 (54.7)

Brigade Defensive Category Rampage

1 (266.7) Total defense (yds/gm) 19 (319.8)

2 (5.7) Yards/play 17 (7.4)

13 (20.6) Rushing defense 10 (17.4)

1 (246.1) Passing defense 18 (302.3)

11 (2.7%) Pct. of INT/attempt 14 (1.9%)

16 (1.97) Sacks/100 pass plays 10 (2.53)

10 (20.8) First downs/game 17 (21.1)

15 (51.9%) Third down efficiency 18 (55.4%)

8 (54.5%) Fourth down efficiency 11 (56.3%)

6 (17.1) Kick return average 10 (17.8)

12 (54.5%) Field goal percentage 12 (54.5%)

16 (7.0) Penalties/game 2 (9.2)

3 (48.2) Points/game 19 (63.9)

ROSTER MOVES

The team has made no transaction for Week 14 (through 5/30)

INJURY REPORT

The updated Brigade injury information for Week 14:

Player Status

WR Ira Gooch Questionable-IR

OL Ed Ta'amu Questionable-IR

DB Isaiah Trufant Questionable

DB Nick Ward Questionable

WR Sam Simmons Doubtful-IR

DL Chris Demaree Out-IR

NOT JUST OFFENSE

While the game is designed around offense, the Brigade's defense, led by coordinator Maurice Blanding, is making its presence known. The unit is one of only seven in the league ranked in the top 10 in both total yards allowed per game (1) and points allowed per game (3). In addition, Coach Blanding's secondary is the no. one-ranked pass defense in the league.

OFFENSIVE BALANCE

Coordinator Chris Siegfried has had similar success with his offense. His unit is one of only four in the league in the top 10 in total yards per game (6), passing yards per game (8), and rushing yards per game (2). Including the Brigade, only three of those offenses are part of teams with winning records, the other two being Dallas and Georgia.

Additionally, the offense is one of only seven in the league in the top ten in total yards per game and points scored per game (10).

PROTECTION

The key to success in Arena Football is maximizing possessions. Nothing figures into that more than turnover margin, in which the Brigade is fourth at +9 (28 takeaways and 19 giveaways). In addition, the team has allowed only four sacks, the fourth-fewest in the league. The defense has recorded nine sacks.

WHAT STAT IS THAT?

The Brigade is second in the league in total yards per game differential, a fancy name for the number found when total defense is subtracted from total offense:

- 307.7 (Off yards) - 266.7 (Def yards) = 41.00 yards

The Brigade is one of only three teams to total more than 300 yards on offense and give up less than 300 yards on defense.

The Brigade is fifth in the league in points per game differential:

- 53.3 (pts scored) - 48.2 (pts allowed) = 5.09

The team is one of only four that is scoring more than 50 points on offense and allowing less than 50 on defense.

IN THE ZONE

A strong indicator of a team's offensive proficiency is its work in the red zone. While highlights come from the long touchdown bombs, the money is made inside the 10-yard line. The Brigade currently ranks 11th in the league in red zone scoring:

- 53 scores (51 TD) on 66 possessions (80.3%)

HALF THE BATTLE

In a league with no punting, getting stops on defense on third and fourth down is critical to gaining the one extra possession that might be needed to win. Here's how the Brigade defense has performed:

- Third Down stopped 39-of-81 (48.1%)

- Fourth Down stopped 10-of-22 (45.5%)

Stopping its opponents nearly half the time in late-down situations means a lot more possessions for the offense.

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 needs to repeat such late charges to be successful.

Game Fourth quarter score

Week 1 vs. Chicago 19-15

Week 2 at Colorado 13-17

Week 3 vs. Dallas 20-21

Week 5 vs. Arizona 28-14 (7-6 in OT)

Week 6 at Las Vegas 3-7

Week 7 vs. Grand Rapids 10-8

Week 8 at Nashville 6-7

Week 9 vs. Colorado 21-21

Week 10 at Philadelphia 20-14

Week 11 vs. Utah 6-14

Week 12 at New York 21-7

Week 13 vs. Los Angeles 21-21

Total 188-166

RUSHING 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)Dawan Moss (3)

Long Rush Dawan Moss (44)

Team Rushes 23

Team Yards Rushing 95

Team TD Rushes 6

POLL POSITION

A look at how the Brigade has fared in the league's two weekly polls. The Schutt Sports Top 12 is compiled by the AFL Writer's Association, while the Power Poll is done by Mike Rose.

Schutt Sports Top12 rank Week AFL Power Poll rank

17 1 17

7 2 9

10 3 10

13 4 12

13 5 12

12 6 11

8 7 8

6 8 6

9 9 7

9 10 10

7 11 7

7 12 7

9 13 8

? 14 ?

THE EXPERTS PICK

Arenafootball.com has nine experts with backgrounds in the game, including former players, coaches, league and team staff, and current broadcasters, that pick the games each week. In order to maintain the integrity of the picks, two games are left out each week. The second column shows how many of the nine experts picked the Brigade compared to the actual result of the game in the third column.

Week Picked by Result

1 0-of-9 W 54-41 vs. CHI

2 0-of-9 L 44-40 at COL

3 1-of-9 L 66-54 vs. DAL

5 3-of-9 W 62-61, OT vs. ARI

6 NP W 65-31 at LVG

7 7-of-9 W 52-41 vs. GRR

8 3-of-9 L 49-40 at NAS

9 6-of-9 L 45-42 vs. Colorado

10 3-of-9 W 53-41 at PHI

11 2-of-9 W 60-41 vs. Utah

12 NP L 62-56 at New York

13 NP W 62-56 vs. LA

14 ? ?

BRIGADE HONORS

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Offensive Player of the Game Stats

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

Raymond Philyaw, Week 5 vs. ARI 26-37, 352 yds, 6 total TD

Raymond Philyaw, Week 6 vs. LVG 19-23, 292 yds, 6 passing TD

Raymond Philyaw, Week 7 vs. GRR 22-32, 247 yds, 6 passing TD

Raymond Philyaw, Week 10 vs. PHI 36-41, 364 yds, 6 passing TD

Raymond Philyaw, Week 11 vs. UT 20-27, 263 yds, 8 passing TD

Charles Frederick, Week 13 vs. LAA 7 rec., 88 yards, 3 rec. TD

Defensive Player of the Game Stats

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

DaShane Dennis, Week 3 vs. DAL 9.5 total tackles, 8 solo

Denario Smalls, Week 5 vs. ARI 3.5 tkls, 1 int-42 yds TD, 1 PBU

BJ Cohen, Week 6 vs. LVG 0.5 tkls, 2 PBU, 1 QBH

Isaiah Trufant, Week 7 vs. GRR 6.0 total tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 PBU

Nick Ward, Week 10 vs. PHI 5.5 total tackles, 1 INT

Nick Ward, Week 11 vs. UT 6 total tackles, 2 INT

Travis Coleman, Week 13 vs. LAA 6 total tkls, 1 INT-TD, 4 PBU

Ironman of the Game Stats

Charles Frederick, Week 5 vs. ARI 8 rec., 102 yds, 1 TD, 6 ret., 117 yds, 225 all-purpose yards

Ira Gooch, Week 6 vs. LVG 3 rec, 59 yds, 3 TD, 1.5 tkls

Charles Frederick, Week 5 vs. COL 9 rec, 99 yds, 1 TD, 4 ret., 115 yds, 214 all-purpose yards

Boo Wlliams, Week 11 vs. UT 3 Rec, 30 yds, 3 TD, 1 total tkl

Boo Williams, Week 13 vs. LAA 4 rec., 41 yds, 2 TD, 0.5 tkl

AFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

AFL Defensive Player of the Week Stats

Kenny McEntyre, Week 1 2 interceptions, 1.5 tackles

Isiah Trufant, Week 6 4.5 tkls, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT, 4 PD

AFL Ironman of the Week Stats

Boo Williams, Week 10 8 rec., 68 yds, 3 TD; 3 tkls, 1 FR

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

AFL Offensive Player of the Month Stats

Raymond Philyaw, May 102-144, 1262 yds, 27 TD, 0 INT

TOP-TEN LEAGUE RANKINGS

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

QB Raymond Philyaw

- 4th in completion percentage (70.2)

- 4th in quarterback rating (125.6)

- 3rd in fewest INT (7)

- 6th in completions (288)

- 7th in passing yards (3372)

- 7th in passing attempts (410)

- 8th in TD passes (62)

WR Charles Frederick

- 3rd in first downs, 1st among rookies (17 rush, 61 rec.)

- 7th in all-purpose yards, 1st among rookies (119 rush, 1093 rec., 565 kick)

- 11th in rushing, 1st among rookies (119 yards)

- 17th in kickoff return (19.2 avg.)

FB Dawan Moss

- 6th in rushing yards (157 yards)

DB Denario Smalls

- Tied 7th in fumble recoveries (3)

DB Isiah Trufant

- Tied 7th in fumble recoveries, 2nd among rookies (3)

- 3rd in pass breakups, 1st among rookies (17)

DL BJ Cohen

- Tied for 6th in forced fumbles (4)

DB Kenny McEntyre

- Tied 6th in interceptions (6)

WR Boo Williams

- Tied 7th in fumble recoveries, 3rd among rookies (3)

MCENTYRE CONTINUES THE STREAK

Kenny McEntyre is the standard bearer when it comes to AFL defensive backs. His nickname, the Glove, is not just for show. Here's how the numbers look:

2007 Interceptions Career Interceptions

6* 70 (AFL record)

07 Interception Returns for TD Career Interceptions Returns for TD

1* 14 (AFL record)

* Brigade single-season records

FREDERICK REWRITING RECORD BOOK

Rookie WR Charles Frederick has established himself as one of the premier playmakers in the league and that means scoring touchdowns. He set the single-season franchise scoring record in Week 10 at Philadelphia (132 points on 22 TD):

Total TD Total Points Scored

33 (21 rec., 12 rush)* 198*

On Pace For

44 264

AFL Rookie Record

48 288

* Brigade single-season records

PHILYAW ON TARGET

Veteran QB Ray Philyaw has solidified himself as one of the AFL's most consistent signal callers. He is also establishing new standards at the position for the Brigade:

TD passes-season

2007-62 2006-36

TD passes-game

2007-8 2006-7

Passing yards-season

2007-3,397 2006-2,018

Passing yards-game

2007-411 2006-352

Completions-season

2007-401 2006-184

Completions-game

2007-36 2006-33

WHEN STATS

The Brigade's record when this occurs:

When 2007 All-time

At Kemper Arena 5-2 7-8

On the road 2-3 3-10

Scores 40 or more points 7-5 10-14

Scores less than 40 points -- 0-4

Allows 40 or more points 6-5 8-17

Allows less than 40 points 1-0 2-1

Scores first 4-0 7-2

Opponent scores first 3-5 3-16

Commits fewer turnovers 6-1 8-4

Commits more turnovers 0-2 0-12

Even turnovers 1-2 2-2

Leads at halftime 6-0 9-1

Trails at halftime 1-5 1-16

Tied at halftime -- 0-1

Commits fewer penalties 1-1 3-6

Commits more penalties 6-4 7-12

Game decided by 7 points or less 2-3 3-8

Game decided by more than 7 points 5-2 7-10

SKY HIGH

2007 INDIVIDUAL SEASON HIGHS

® Brigade record

High No. Player

Completions 36 Philyaw, Week 10 vs. Philadelphia®

Attempts 49 Philyaw, Week 12 at New York

Completion pct. 87.8 Philyaw, Week 10 vs. Philadelphia®

Passing yards 411 Philyaw, Week 12 at New York®

TD passes 8 Philyaw, Week 11 vs. Utah; Week 12 at New York

Long pass 42 Philyaw, Week 6 vs. Las Vegas

Receptions 11 Frederick, Week 2 vs. Colorado; Week 12 at New YorkMeyers, Week 10 vs. Philadelphia

Receiving yards 142 Frederick, Week 6 vs. Las Vegas

TD catches 5 Frederick, Week 12 at New York

Long reception 42 Frederick, Week 6 vs. Las Vegas

Rushing att. 9 Moss, Week 9 vs. Colorado®

Rushing yards 59 Frederick, Week 1 vs. Chicago®

Rushing TDs 3 Frederick, Week 1 vs. CHI, Week 3 vs. DALMoss, Week 9 vs. Colorado®

Long rush 44 Moss, Week 6 vs. Las Vegas®

Long kick return 45 Frederick, Week 9 vs. Colorado

Long MFG ret. 25 Meyers, Week 9 vs. Colorado

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

Tackles 9.5 Dennis, Week 3 vs. Dallas

Tackles for loss 3/5 Douzart, Week 8 vs. Nashville®

Sacks 2.0 Douzart, Week 8 vs. Nashville®

Pass defenses 8 Trufant, Week 6 vs. Las Vegas®

Interceptions 2 McEntyre, Week 1 vs. Chicago®McEntyre, Week 11 vs. Utah®Ward, Week 11 vs. Utah®

Forced fumbles 1 Cohen and Coleman, Week 1 vs. ChicagoCohen, Week 5 vs. ArizonaDennis and Trufant, Week 6 vs. Las VegasColeman, Oniwor, & Trufant Wk. 7 vs. GRRCohen, Week 10 vs. PhiladelphiaTurner, Week 13 vs. Los Angeles

Fumble return 2 Douzart, Week 5 vs. ArizonaTrufant, Week 7 vs. Grand Rapids

Field goals 1 Rush, Week 6 vs. Las VegasRush, Week 7 vs. Grand Rapids

Long field goal 28 Rush, Week 6 vs. Las Vegas

2007 TEAM SEASON HIGHS

® Brigade record

High No.

Points 65 Week 6 atLas Vegas®

Offensive touchdowns 9 (8 pass, 1 rush) Week 11 vs. Utah®

Total offense 407 Week 12 at NY®

Total plays 58 Week 10 at PHI

Yards per play 11.5 Week 6 atLas Vegas®

Pass attempts 49 Week 12 at NY

Pass completions 36 Week 10 at PHI®

Passing yards 411 Week 12 at NY®

Yards per completion 15.4 Week 6 atLas Vegas®

TD passes 8 Week 11 vs. UtahWeek 12 at NY

Rushes 23 Week 1 vs. Chicago®

Rushing yards 95 Week 1 vs. Chicago®

Yards per rush 7.0 Week 6 atLas Vegas®

Rushing TDs 6 Week 1 vs. Chicago®

Time of possession 36:01 Week 1 vs. Chicago

Turnovers 0 Week 2 vs. ColoradoWeek 10 at PHI

Tackles 38 Week 8 vs. Nashville

Tackles for loss 6 Week 8 vs. Nashville

Sacks 2 Week 1 vs. ChicagoWeek 3 vs. DallasWeek 8 vs. Nashville

Pass breakups 9 Week 6 at Las Vegas®

Interceptions 4 Week 11 vs. Utah ®

Forced fumbles 3 Week 7 vs. GRR

Fumble recoveries 3 Week 7 vs. GRR

Defensive touchdowns 2 Week 5 vs. Arizona

Special teams TDs -- --

Penalties 16 Week 12 at NY

Penalty yards 111 Week 7 vs. GRD®

Largest Lead 38 Week 6 at Las Vegas

Largest Deficit 21 Week 5 vs. Arizona

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.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 30, 2007


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