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Kansas City Brigade Weekly

March 22, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


What would have been a match-up of quarterbacks with nearly a combined 1500 touchdowns will now be settled by quarterbacks with less than 100 combined touchdowns. In his first start of the season last week Chris Sanders added another dimension to the offense with his mobility. Another week of practice with the first team will strengthen the timing between Sanders and his receivers and give coordinator Tres Sullivan a better feel for what the offense is capable of with a different signal caller.

Seven-year veteran Nick Browder, in his third start of the season, will lead the Dragons. He replaced the injured Justin Wood, who took over for all-time AFL touchdown leader Aaron Garcia after he broke his leg. New York is a team that outscores its opponents and the production has not fallen off much with Browder at the helm. Explosive receivers Kevin Swayne and Mike Horacek provide the bulk of the offensive output.

The game will see five new players in Brigade uniforms and a kicker in only his second game with the team. Kansas City made four trades before the deadline Wednesday afternoon to add talent and depth to the roster. Three veteran linemen are the centerpieces of the moves as the Brigade seek to better protect Sanders and put more pressure on opponents' quarterbacks.

News, Notes and League Rankings

- Local favorite John Booth will make his professional debut against New York on Friday. A standout at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Booth became beloved by diehard football fans after appearing in preseason games as practice squad player for the Chiefs during two training camps. Booth has been on the Brigade practice squad since the season began.

- Chris Sanders made the sixth start of his three-year AFL career last week. He is not without experience as Sanders started all 16 games in 2004 for Manchester of af2. He set seven team records and finished second in the league in passing (4,184 yards, 66 TDs) and rushing touchdowns (18). Sanders' rushing ability showed against Austin as he led the team with 24 yards on nine carries with one touchdown.

- New kicker MacKenzie Hoambrecker made an immediate impact in his debut for the Brigade against Austin. His opening kickoff went into the slack net for a touchback, one of three on the day. He also hit all four of his extra point attempts and one of two field goals.

- Nate Black had successful surgery to repair torn knee ligaments suffered late in the first half against Austin. "I guess I wasn't meant to play this season," Black said. "But I'll work hard and be back stronger than ever. I am excited to be part of the team's bright future."

- Jerel Myers' 61 receptions ranks him sixth in the league.

- Dawan Moss is fourth in the league with 81 rushing yards. His five touchdowns is tied for ninth.

- Denario Smalls is eighth in the league in solo tackles (42) and total tackles (46.5).

- The entire special teams unit played inspired football last week. Austin entered the game first in kick return average (22.7 offensively, 14.9 defensively) but the Brigade averaged 16.3 yards per return held the Wranglers to only 8.2 yards per return.

- Not convinced Arena Football is played at a frantic pace? Last week the Brigade and Wranglers combined for 24 points in the final minute of the first half. Don't blink is right.

Roster Moves

The Brigade was active before the trade deadline. The team made four trades in the two days leading up to Wednesday's 4 p.m. (CST) deadline to add depth and talent to the roster. On Monday the Brigade made two deals: OS Steve Smith was sent to Philadelphia for OL/DL Cyron Brown and WR/LB Aaron Boone, and OL/DL Abdul-Salam Noah and the rights to FB/LB Dan Curran (failure to report) were traded to Georgia for OL/DL Gillis Wilson. The Brigade made two more deals on Tuesday: OL/DL Aaron Hamilton and OL/DL Matt Walls were sent to Utah for OL/DL Bryan Henderson, and WR/LB Chris Brown was traded to Dallas for WR/LB Rob Johnson.

Community Events

- FB/LB Chris Morant will appear at the Negro League Baseball Museum on April 3 for "Reading around the Bases," a program for school groups.

- Brigade players, coaches, cheerleaders and staff will put on their hard hats and work gloves as part of Habitat for Humanity in Kansas City. The organization will work on two sites in the heart of Kansas City on April 10 from 1 to 5 p.m.

- In conjunction with the American Red Cross, the Brigade will sponsor a blood drive on April 24 (location and time TBD). The Red Cross will raffle off tickets to anyone who donates for the home finale on May 6 against the Orlando Predators. Players and cheerleaders will be there to sign autographs.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 22, 2006


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