Post by MizzouTiger on Nov 19, 2007 12:24:33 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/brigade/story/351671.html
Brigade keeps coach, introduces free agents
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
Looks like Brigade coach Kevin Porter will be around for a while.
The team announced Wednesday that Porter has signed a new five-year contract.
Porter, who led the Brigade to a seven-game turnaround this year after the team went 3-13 in its inaugural season, only had one year left on his previous deal.
“We believe in Coach and what he’s started here in Kansas City, and we wanted to give him a chance to finish it,” said co-owner Chris Likens.
The Brigade also took the opportunity to introduce its newest free-agent acquisitions: defensive back Jerald Brown and receiver Mike Horacek, a former Iowa State player.
Neither lack for confidence. And that’s good, because they step into a situation where they are now the two highest-paid players on the roster and will be counted on to provide leadership. The Brigade lost all three of last season’s captains — quarterback Raymond Philyaw, defensive end B.J. Cohen and defensive back Kenny McEntyre — this offseason.
But that’s just fine with Horacek, an Omaha native who said he is excited to move closer to home. Horacek said he can add another downfield threat to the Brigade’s passing attack.
“I go deep, that’s all I do,” said Horacek, who caught 102 passes for 1,470 yards and 32 touchdowns for New York last season.
“That’s what I pride myself on doing, and that’s what I’ve always done.”
Brown, the 2006 AFL defensive player of the year, had 65 1/2 tackles and five interceptions last season for Columbus and led the team in passes defended with 16.
He doesn’t seem worried about the task of replacing McEntyre, who had nine interceptions — including three returned for touchdowns — last season.
“Why would I feel any pressure? I was the defensive player of the year in ’06,” said Brown, 26. “I’m a playmaker.”
Brown joins a unit that returns only one starter, Travis Coleman, and adds veterans Monty Montgomery (dispersal draft) and Kahlil Carter (trade).
Carter, who needs to be signed to a new deal, didn’t play in the AFL last season and is playing now with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
However, Porter is confident Carter will play for the Brigade in 2008.
“I’ve spoken to Kahlil a bunch of times, and he’s looking for an opportunity to come and compete here,” Porter said. “As soon as he’s done in the CFL (playoffs) we plan on starting that negotiation.”
But while the Brigade seems to be set in the secondary, the team is still looking for Philyaw’s replacement at quarterback.
Porter said he was excited about the potential of Matt Kohn, whom the team selected in the dispersal draft, but he also said a deal with another quarterback could be imminent.
“There are several guys we have been in contact with, (who) we may be able to sign in the next week or so,” Porter said.
Notable quarterbacks still available include Dallas’ Nick Browder, Tampa Bay’s Stoney Case, Chicago’s Matt D’Orazio, San Jose’s Mark Grieb and Tampa Bay’s John Kaleo.
Brigade keeps coach, introduces free agents
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
Looks like Brigade coach Kevin Porter will be around for a while.
The team announced Wednesday that Porter has signed a new five-year contract.
Porter, who led the Brigade to a seven-game turnaround this year after the team went 3-13 in its inaugural season, only had one year left on his previous deal.
“We believe in Coach and what he’s started here in Kansas City, and we wanted to give him a chance to finish it,” said co-owner Chris Likens.
The Brigade also took the opportunity to introduce its newest free-agent acquisitions: defensive back Jerald Brown and receiver Mike Horacek, a former Iowa State player.
Neither lack for confidence. And that’s good, because they step into a situation where they are now the two highest-paid players on the roster and will be counted on to provide leadership. The Brigade lost all three of last season’s captains — quarterback Raymond Philyaw, defensive end B.J. Cohen and defensive back Kenny McEntyre — this offseason.
But that’s just fine with Horacek, an Omaha native who said he is excited to move closer to home. Horacek said he can add another downfield threat to the Brigade’s passing attack.
“I go deep, that’s all I do,” said Horacek, who caught 102 passes for 1,470 yards and 32 touchdowns for New York last season.
“That’s what I pride myself on doing, and that’s what I’ve always done.”
Brown, the 2006 AFL defensive player of the year, had 65 1/2 tackles and five interceptions last season for Columbus and led the team in passes defended with 16.
He doesn’t seem worried about the task of replacing McEntyre, who had nine interceptions — including three returned for touchdowns — last season.
“Why would I feel any pressure? I was the defensive player of the year in ’06,” said Brown, 26. “I’m a playmaker.”
Brown joins a unit that returns only one starter, Travis Coleman, and adds veterans Monty Montgomery (dispersal draft) and Kahlil Carter (trade).
Carter, who needs to be signed to a new deal, didn’t play in the AFL last season and is playing now with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
However, Porter is confident Carter will play for the Brigade in 2008.
“I’ve spoken to Kahlil a bunch of times, and he’s looking for an opportunity to come and compete here,” Porter said. “As soon as he’s done in the CFL (playoffs) we plan on starting that negotiation.”
But while the Brigade seems to be set in the secondary, the team is still looking for Philyaw’s replacement at quarterback.
Porter said he was excited about the potential of Matt Kohn, whom the team selected in the dispersal draft, but he also said a deal with another quarterback could be imminent.
“There are several guys we have been in contact with, (who) we may be able to sign in the next week or so,” Porter said.
Notable quarterbacks still available include Dallas’ Nick Browder, Tampa Bay’s Stoney Case, Chicago’s Matt D’Orazio, San Jose’s Mark Grieb and Tampa Bay’s John Kaleo.