ESPN AFL

Ex-Kansas City Chiefs star Neil Smith is the co-owner of the Brigade and oversees the day-to-day operations. He is more hands on than you might think and leads an aggressive front office that is not afraid to turn over the roster to get better. Brad Likens handles the business side, including contract negotiations, and works closely with management and the coaching staff.

Coaches and front office

Kevin Porter is starting his third season as coach and director of football operations. As a former player, he has strong Kansas City ties, and he is recognized in AFL circles as a very astute, defense-oriented coach. Maurice Blanding is the defensive coordinator, Ricky Foggie handles the offensive coordinator duties and Otis Moore is the line coach.

Key players

QB John Fitzgerald -- He coached instead of playing in 2007, and his last stint at QB was in 2006 with Austin, where he had respectable production. He is a smart guy with adequate skills, but he is no Raymond Philyaw (now with Cleveland), and the production from this position will be questionable.

WRs Jerel Myers and Mike Horacek -- Both are proven AFL producers and expected to have solid years. Horacek is a 10-year veteran coming off a season in which he caught 103 passes for 1,468 yards and 32 touchdowns for New York. Myers led Grand Rapids last year with 104 catches for 1,183 yards and 21 TDs.

WR Boo Williams -- He is a tight end by trade, and his size (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) makes him an excellent red-zone target and a size mismatch versus smaller defensive backs.

DB Jerald Brown -- The 2006 AFL Defensive Player of the Year was a big free-agent acquisition from Columbus. In 2007, he recorded 65.5 tackles with five interceptions and 16 passes broken up, and he should upgrade an already good secondary.

DBs William Holder, Kahlil Carter, Delmonico Montgomery, Travis Coleman and Denario Smalls -- The strongest unit on this team and one of the better secondaries in the league features great depth. In 2007, Smalls led the team with 72 tackles, and Holder had 66 tackles and five interceptions for the New York Dragons. Montgomery had 43 tackles last year for Nashville, despite missing time with various injuries, and is recognized as a big hitter. Coleman posted 43.5 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups a year ago, while Carter has a reputation as one of the better cover corners in the AFL -- that's why Kansas City traded for him.

DL Charles Alston -- He spent three years with Edmonton in the CFL and could become a good pass-rusher if he adapts to the indoor game.

Players to keep an eye on

WR Chris McCollister -- A short but powerfully built young receiver, he played for South Georgia in AFL2 in 2007 and had 1,738 yards and 39 TDs. He also played for Foggie, the new offensive coordinator, so he already has a good feel for this offense. Because he is an unknown, he will not draw a lot of attention or double coverage, which could allow him to post nice numbers.

Outlook

The Brigade had the biggest turnaround in AFL history last year, going 10-6 and making the playoffs after finishing only 3-13 in 2006. Despite that success, they have had a lot of turnover, and only 14 players from last year's roster were on the team at the beginning of training camp. The biggest question mark is at QB, where the Brigade are trying to replace Philyaw with rusty Fitzgerald. He is a cerebral guy with decent skills, but expecting him to match Philyaw's offensive output is unrealistic.

The Brigade should play solid defense, which will keep them in some close games, but they don't look like a team that has the potential to win a lot of high-scoring affairs. Look for Kansas City to take a step back in 2008, and while it will be well coached and competitive, it will scramble to make the playoffs.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.