Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 14, 2008 11:02:32 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/story/489182.html
Demaree a big help to Brigade defensive line
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
Chris Demaree hopes Tuesday’s scrimmage in Dallas against the Desperados is just the start of a big comeback campaign.
Demaree, who had a sack in last year’s season opener but missed the majority of the season because of a dislocated wrist and a broken ankle, says he is healthy now.
Good thing too, because with the loss of B.J. Cohen, who led the team in sacks, he’ll be expected to provide consistent pressure from his defensive end spot, along with Jerry Turner and Neil Purvis.
“I’m good, I’m ready to go,” said Demaree, whose goal is to stay healthy this season. “I know there’s some things I need to work on and I need to get some of the rust off me. I’m going to stay in the weight room during the season and stay strong."
Brigade coach Kevin Porter said he was pleased with the play of his defensive line in the scrimmage, which got adequate pressure on Dallas’ quarterbacks. But while Demaree and the defensive line had a nice showing, Porter said the Brigade must shore up a few things in the defensive backfield, where a few blown assignments resulted in some big plays for Dallas.
“Guys were running wide open in the secondary,” Porter said. “That happened too much in the scrimmage, at least three times.”
To be fair, Jerald Brown and Kahlil Carter — two of the team’s biggest free-agent acquisitions — were hampered by injuries. Brown participated in about 40 percent of the defensive snaps in the scrimmage, but was limited because of a hamstring injury.
“We were going to keep him out of the scrimmage, but he wanted to let his teammates know they could count on him so he did what he could,” Porter said.
•TRASH TALKING: Porter knows that different Arena teams have different personalities. Dallas is no different.
The Desperados have a reputation for trash talking, and several Brigade players said Dallas didn’t hold back during the scrimmage.
“That’s guaranteed, you’re going to hear a lot of yapping from Dallas,” said Demaree. “They enjoy it and I enjoy it so it’s fun for me.”
Porter also said there were a few skirmishes during the scrimmage, but that didn’t surprise him.
“It’s a natural part of the game,” he said. “You’ve got a competitive situation, guys are excited, and it’s their first opportunity to go against someone else. So it got a little chippy, but at the end everyone shook hands, hugged and went and ate lunch and dinner together.”
•HURTING RECEIVERS: It appears the injury bug has hit the Brigade’s receiving corps.
Porter said four of the seven receivers in camp have missed some practice time during training camp, but added he’s been pleased with the group, especially Jerel Myers and free-agent acquisition Mike Horacek.
“Those (two) have pretty much taken every rep and haven’t said anything,” he said
Demaree a big help to Brigade defensive line
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
Chris Demaree hopes Tuesday’s scrimmage in Dallas against the Desperados is just the start of a big comeback campaign.
Demaree, who had a sack in last year’s season opener but missed the majority of the season because of a dislocated wrist and a broken ankle, says he is healthy now.
Good thing too, because with the loss of B.J. Cohen, who led the team in sacks, he’ll be expected to provide consistent pressure from his defensive end spot, along with Jerry Turner and Neil Purvis.
“I’m good, I’m ready to go,” said Demaree, whose goal is to stay healthy this season. “I know there’s some things I need to work on and I need to get some of the rust off me. I’m going to stay in the weight room during the season and stay strong."
Brigade coach Kevin Porter said he was pleased with the play of his defensive line in the scrimmage, which got adequate pressure on Dallas’ quarterbacks. But while Demaree and the defensive line had a nice showing, Porter said the Brigade must shore up a few things in the defensive backfield, where a few blown assignments resulted in some big plays for Dallas.
“Guys were running wide open in the secondary,” Porter said. “That happened too much in the scrimmage, at least three times.”
To be fair, Jerald Brown and Kahlil Carter — two of the team’s biggest free-agent acquisitions — were hampered by injuries. Brown participated in about 40 percent of the defensive snaps in the scrimmage, but was limited because of a hamstring injury.
“We were going to keep him out of the scrimmage, but he wanted to let his teammates know they could count on him so he did what he could,” Porter said.
•TRASH TALKING: Porter knows that different Arena teams have different personalities. Dallas is no different.
The Desperados have a reputation for trash talking, and several Brigade players said Dallas didn’t hold back during the scrimmage.
“That’s guaranteed, you’re going to hear a lot of yapping from Dallas,” said Demaree. “They enjoy it and I enjoy it so it’s fun for me.”
Porter also said there were a few skirmishes during the scrimmage, but that didn’t surprise him.
“It’s a natural part of the game,” he said. “You’ve got a competitive situation, guys are excited, and it’s their first opportunity to go against someone else. So it got a little chippy, but at the end everyone shook hands, hugged and went and ate lunch and dinner together.”
•HURTING RECEIVERS: It appears the injury bug has hit the Brigade’s receiving corps.
Porter said four of the seven receivers in camp have missed some practice time during training camp, but added he’s been pleased with the group, especially Jerel Myers and free-agent acquisition Mike Horacek.
“Those (two) have pretty much taken every rep and haven’t said anything,” he said