Chicago Fan hates on KC

This isn't breaking news, but I just found it and thought it might be worth mentioning. Not everyone has a strong affinity for the Brigade. Some people don't particularly care for KC, either. How do they handle these preferences? By writing hackneyed insults about Kansas City and our Arena team on discussion boards.

Case in point:

"Apparently, someone thought it was a good idea to give Kansas City an Arena Football team. They're called the Kansas City Brigade and their logo is a stealth bomber. Yes, the team name and the logo have nothing to do with each other. Such is the mindset of Kansas City. This is a team that runs around on the field looking like the Village People, dressed up in baby blue pajamas."

Oh, it turns out that the kid who wrote this hates KC because he had a bad bus trip here once upon a time. And hey, slick, the Village People never wore baby blue. Oh, and the Brigade/Stealth Bomber thing... Yeah, that makes sense. To those who know a darn thing about either of them.

Anyway, just a reminder that the net is not yet dummy-free.

Former Brigade WR with Washington

Jerel Myers, the former KC Brigade player is in Washington. No, he didn't receive some sneaky August recess appointment to a key position in the executive branch. He hooked up with the Washington Redskins, instead. I don't have word on whether he made the final cut, but he was in camp with the 'Skins. Hogs Haven confirms.

This isn't Myers first time to hang out in NFL camp. He did his time on the Buffalo practice squad for at least parts of two seasons.

We'd hate to see Jerel go, but if he's gotta go we hope it's to the NFL. It would be nice to see some of the top Brigade performers make the jump from AFL to NFL ball and Myers is as good a choice as anyone to make it happen.

We'll keep you posted on his whereabouts...

Likens to Give Little Apple Speech

Steve Likens, the co-owner of the Kansas City Brigade (the guy who didn't play DE for the Chiefs and Broncos) is slated to give a presentation in Manhattan, KS, this September.

According to the Manhattan Mercury, Likens will be on the campus of Manhattan Christian College. Based on the brief calendar entry, the September 20 address will have a religious message of some sort.

It appears as if anyone is welcome, but you will need to follow and RSVP if you're interested in attending.

Here's the entry, as it appeared here in the Mercury:

"20 5th Annual Leadership Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m. Community leaders come together on the Manhattan Christian College campus for breakfast and a faith challenging presentation. The featured speaker will be Steve Likens, co-owner of the Kansas City Brigade Arena Football Team. There is no charge, but an RSVP September 17 would be appreciated. RSVP by to [redacted--visit original source for contact email] or call (785)539-3571."

For our adult readers ONLY

This is first and foremost, a blog about the Arena Football League's KC Brigade. However, I do like to share other interesting information and sites with readers. Today's offering is of an adult nature. Consider yourself warned (and appropriately admonished if you happen to be a younger person).

CelebKings has been working for years to locate, secure and offer the best in nude celebrity videos and pictures. There are hundreds of copycat sites out there, but CelebKings looks like the real deal to me. They have "the goods" on everyone from Jessica Alba to Katya Wyeth--and then some.

If you've ever wanted to sneak a peek at one of your favorite celebrities in the buff, this site will give you every opportunity to do exactly that. I was amazed at the sheer magnitude of their archives and offerings and would point anyone with an interest in seeing top stars sans clothing to this site.

(This is a sponsored review)

Brigade Girls...

Sometimes I feel compelled to remind people of the obvious. It's easy to overlook some basic stuff if we don't get reminded about it occasionally, right.

Take, for instance, the Brigade Girls. Lost in the post-season disappointment and free agent QB situation are the beautiful cheer squad and just how damn cute those girls are!

So, a friendly reminder... Visit the Brigade Girls site and re-acquaint yourself with these magna-hot, talented women. You'll be glad you did!

I am (obviously) biased, but I happen to think that we have the best-looking and (more importantly, I must reluctantly admit) most talented dance crew out there. They deserve our support!

Internships available with Brigade...

Just saw this and thought some of the Brigade fans around here might be interested.

The Brigade are looking for a few good, young men (and women) to fill internships with the ball club. If you dig the AFL, have an interest in a sports-related career, and are available you might just want to investigate the possibilities. No word on the money or details about the work expected.

Read more here.

Here's an excerpt:

"The Kansas City Brigade, Arena Football Team, is looking for hard-working and motivated individuals for an intership starting in the fall of 2007. Through hands-on experience with a professional sports team in a major market, you will gain valuable skills, contacts and experience vital to beginning a career in the exciting field of pro sports. The following internships are available for the fall 2007:

Ticket Sales Internship

Community Relations Internship

Game Operations Internship

Media Relations Internship

Sales Internship"

Valuable through time...

What's hot today may not be hot tomorrow. Today's great investment can be tomorrow's horrible regret. That's a fact of life. Fortunately, it isn't a universal law. There are exceptions.

Think gold and silver. The ancient Greeks were enamored by precious metals. So were the Egyptians. People have been clamoring for gold and silver bullion since the beginning and it is still immensely valuable today. Nothing holds value through change and stays so solid during periods of instability.

That's why the finance and investment gurus of the world strongly advocate the inclusion of precious metals in a properly diversified investment portfolio. It's also why a company like the Monex Deposit Company (MDC) is in high demand. MDC has been helping individuals make precious metals part of their financial planning and investment strategy for decades. Well known for their strong reputation and customer service, MDC can help anyone interested in precious metal holdings.

If gold and/or silver aren't part of your current strategy, it might be time to rethink your approach and to investigate these value-holding commodities. I'm not a financial expert. I'm not an investment adviser. I do, however, think everyone should do some serious research about gold and silver. It seems to make sense to me.

Is this what they meant by "Anchor Tenant"

When the powers behind the scenes rallied private and public support for the construction of Kansas City's new Sprint Center, the biggest dangled carrot was the presence of a professional sports team as an anchor tenant.

So far, the only professional franchise to call the Sprint Center home is the AFL's Kansas City Brigade.

Sure, they've booked Elton John, Hannah Montana, Disney on Ice, some pro volleyball thing and even a wrestling event. The Big XII hoops tourney is also on the horizon. However, there are no NHL or NBA teams running "pick the logo" or "name the team" contests in Kansas City.

I wouldn't mind it all that much if the Sprint Center ended up being the "house the Brigade built", but I don't think AFL football was what the KC donkeys were thinking as they eyed that AEG carrot.

In any case, it will be great to see the AFL come to a non-rotting KC facility. It would be nice, though, if a guy could catch some NBA action when the Brigade isn't on the field, don't you think?

Philyaw Remains Unsigned

Big Wednesday passed and the Brigade resigned a number of last year's players. They did not, however, resign their quarterback.

Number 1 didn't ink a new deal, meaning that he'll be a free agent. We'd guess there will be high demand for Ray Philyaw when negotiations start, too. Hopefully he's back with the Brigade, christening the new Sprint Center with touchdown passes next season.

Kansas City Infozine reports: "Noticeably absent from the re-signings were Raymond Philyaw and B J Cohen. Philyaw, last season's starting quarterback, has indicated a desire to remain with the Brigade, and team officials are anxious to renew negotiations with his agent sometime in September when the league grants permission for teams to talk with free agents. Philyaw passed for 4338 yards with 85 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions last season. Officials are also anxious to resume negotiations with B J Cohen who had 28 tackles and 6.5 sacks for the Brigade last season."

You can read their whole write-up here.

Finding Land and Managing It

You might be a land-buyer if...

Just a riff on the Jeff Foxworthy "you might be a redneck if..." shtick.

Foxworthy, a popular "blue collar"/redneck comedian who's experiencing some extra success as a game show host, is also the lead player in "The Bucks of Tecomate". This program, which shows up repeatedly on cable TV, is an outreach tool for Tecomate--a growing player in the rural recreational property and wildlife consultation field.

Foxworthy and the Tecomate crew have recently undertaken a partnership with LandsOfAmerica.com, a leading online rural real estate marketing firm.

Tecomate co-founder David Morris says his company has been "developing land into wildlife havens" for years and the partnership with LandsOfAmerica should help anyone looking for Land for sale to find it.

So, whether you're looking for land or a way to improve it (and its wildlife), you might just need a redneck to get you the best information.

KC Ad Firm Boasts of Brigade Affiliation

LE Concepts, a marketing and advertising firm, recently announced its plans to enter the lead generation field. In a recent press release, the folks at LE Concepts did the expected tooting of their own horn by mentioning some of their premiere clients.

The Brigade made the list of happy LE Concepts customers, along with the Royals and "numerous" not-mentioned-by name hotels and restaurants.

Hey, the press release itself is your standard bloviation, but it is cool that the LE crew gave a nod to its AFL client. The big question is what LE is planning to actually do for the Brigade as it enters its first season in the new Sprint Center. I love the Brigade (obviously), but have felt like their marketing approach has been a little too minor-league-y. Maybe LE and the other firms involved with AFL promotion in Kansas City will improve their efforts a bit next season.

Maybe LE should pitch Neil Smith on its ability to generate potential season ticket buyer leads?

Anyway, the press release is a bit of off-season Brigade news.

Former Brigade Star Staying in Utah

Aaron Boone, who once made the AFL all-rookie team as a member of the KC Brigade has just signed a two-year deal with the Utah Blaze.

Boone is a well-traveled football pro, having put in time as an NFL Europe player after playing high school and college ball in the states. Actually, he's a Utah native and a Snow College grad.

Injuries kept AB off the field for a significant portion of last season, but he showed enough during his healthier moments to impress the Utah higher-ups and snagged a multi-year deal in the process. That will allow the gifted athlete a chance to keep plugging away in pro bowl while staying close to home.

Good luck to Aaron, as long as he's not suiting up against the Brigade!

Here's where I found the tip about Boone and his new deal.