Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 18, 2008 12:38:30 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/brigade/story/479025.html
Brigade will have to find new leaders
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
After an offseason in which all three of the Brigade’s captains departed, it appears the team has begun the process of finding some new leaders.
With some new faces on the roster, this year’s Brigade team has been working on jelling since training camp started Sunday. They’ll be doing it this year without quarterback Raymond Philyaw, defensive end B.J. Cohen and defensive back Kenny McEntyre, key components in last season’s drastic improvement (the Brigade went 10-6 in 2007 after finishing 3-13 in 2006) who were purged from the roster either by trade or free-agency.
However, while their former teammates acknowledge the impact they made on the team, they also realize it’s time to move on.
“They were really influential to everybody,” said receiver Jerel Myers, one of the Brigade’s leading receivers and most consistent players. “They’ve been in the league a long time. But we’ve got a lot of veterans coming back, and we know some guys have to step up and be more vocal this year.”
The Brigade was one of the Arena Football League’s most youthful teams last season. But with 14 players who were on the roster last season returning, coach Kevin Porter is banking on the experience of those young guys to pay off now.
“Anytime you lose good football players there’s always an effect, but we don’t think we’ll have a problem from a leadership standpoint,” said Porter, who also pointed out that the team’s three starting offensive linemen and top three receivers all return.
But part of Porter’s confidence also comes from the fact the team has signed several veteran free agents who are expected to make an impact this season, including quarterback John Fitzgerald, receiver Mike Horacek, linebacker Chris Avery and defensive backs Jerald Brown, Kahlil Carter and Monty Montgomery.
Fitzgerald, 32, has led three different teams to the playoffs during his AFL career and is the favorite to replace Philyaw as the team’s starting quarterback. He, like Porter, doesn’t think leadership will be a problem.
“I don’t think it’s a situation where I’ve had to do anything other than be myself,” Fitzgerald said. “We have so many guys that we brought in here like Monty, Jerald and Mike who are pros. They know what to do.”
Montgomery, who is in his fifth year in the league, also likes the makeup of the team.
“Right now I’m a new guy so I’m just trying to fit in with the team, but from what I’ve seen we’ve got a bunch of leaders,” he said.
However, Montgomery said as the team continues to jell, some guys will eventually step up to fill the primary leadership roles that Cohen, Philyaw and McEntyre served last season.
“Eventually the leaders will come out,” he said. “You’re gonna have to have that person to speak up and keep everybody going.”
However, Porter isn’t rushing it. Nor is he worried about it.
“We just need guys to do what they do,” he said.
Brigade will have to find new leaders
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
After an offseason in which all three of the Brigade’s captains departed, it appears the team has begun the process of finding some new leaders.
With some new faces on the roster, this year’s Brigade team has been working on jelling since training camp started Sunday. They’ll be doing it this year without quarterback Raymond Philyaw, defensive end B.J. Cohen and defensive back Kenny McEntyre, key components in last season’s drastic improvement (the Brigade went 10-6 in 2007 after finishing 3-13 in 2006) who were purged from the roster either by trade or free-agency.
However, while their former teammates acknowledge the impact they made on the team, they also realize it’s time to move on.
“They were really influential to everybody,” said receiver Jerel Myers, one of the Brigade’s leading receivers and most consistent players. “They’ve been in the league a long time. But we’ve got a lot of veterans coming back, and we know some guys have to step up and be more vocal this year.”
The Brigade was one of the Arena Football League’s most youthful teams last season. But with 14 players who were on the roster last season returning, coach Kevin Porter is banking on the experience of those young guys to pay off now.
“Anytime you lose good football players there’s always an effect, but we don’t think we’ll have a problem from a leadership standpoint,” said Porter, who also pointed out that the team’s three starting offensive linemen and top three receivers all return.
But part of Porter’s confidence also comes from the fact the team has signed several veteran free agents who are expected to make an impact this season, including quarterback John Fitzgerald, receiver Mike Horacek, linebacker Chris Avery and defensive backs Jerald Brown, Kahlil Carter and Monty Montgomery.
Fitzgerald, 32, has led three different teams to the playoffs during his AFL career and is the favorite to replace Philyaw as the team’s starting quarterback. He, like Porter, doesn’t think leadership will be a problem.
“I don’t think it’s a situation where I’ve had to do anything other than be myself,” Fitzgerald said. “We have so many guys that we brought in here like Monty, Jerald and Mike who are pros. They know what to do.”
Montgomery, who is in his fifth year in the league, also likes the makeup of the team.
“Right now I’m a new guy so I’m just trying to fit in with the team, but from what I’ve seen we’ve got a bunch of leaders,” he said.
However, Montgomery said as the team continues to jell, some guys will eventually step up to fill the primary leadership roles that Cohen, Philyaw and McEntyre served last season.
“Eventually the leaders will come out,” he said. “You’re gonna have to have that person to speak up and keep everybody going.”
However, Porter isn’t rushing it. Nor is he worried about it.
“We just need guys to do what they do,” he said.