LA KISS Will Look to Compete in 2016

(photo credit: discussions.godandscience.org)

The LA KISS have struggled to find their footing in the Arena Football League. The KISS were 4-14 last season and they were last in the National Conference- West Division. Despite the terrible year last season, the KISS won’t have to worry about having a good enough record to make the playoffs. With the Arena Football League trimming down to eight teams, every team, regardless of record will make the playoffs. Last season, the KISS struggled on both sides of the ball. The KISS ranked 11th out of 12 teams in total offense last season. LA averaged 40 points per game and they recorded 319 first downs last season. LA was also the second to worst defense in the AFL last season.

They only had 14 sacks and 14 interceptions last season. However, the KISS did a good job of revamping their roster over the offseason. The KISS will have a stretch in May where they will play three of four games on the road. LA will be playing four games on national television this season, including their first two game being televised on ESPN2. LA is a revitalized squad that has a chance of making a run in the playoffs this season. With the dominant San Jose Sabercats gone, the field is wide open.

The KISS brought in AFL Hall of Fame defensive back Omarr Smith to be their next head coach. It’s been a busy offseason for Coach Smith and the rest of his staff as they continue to overhaul their roster. There have been 19 acquisitions assigned to the team since the start of free agency. Most notable of these are defensive ends Derrick Summers from Spokane and Rodney Fritz from San Jose, defensive back Terrance Smith from Jacksonville and former Gladiator wide receiver Amarri Jackson.

Summers and Fritz join Los Angeles with the hope of developing a consistent pass rush from the defensive line.

Summers earned Second Team All Arena honors in 2011, and he has 152 tackles and 38 sacks in his career. The strength of the KISS defense is their defensive backs. Rayshaun Kizer and Terrance Smith have combined to play 11 seasons. Kizer earned First Team All-Arena honors in 2010 with the Orlando Predators after recording a league high 26 interceptions. Kizer has 435 tackles and 57 interceptions in his career. Smith earned First Team All Arena honors with the Jacksonville Sharks in 2012. Smith has played both offense and defense during his career. 

Smith has 1,429 receiving yards, and he has 282 tackles and 31 interceptions in his career. On the offensive side of the ball there is a quarterback competition. Smith is bringing three year quarterback Nathan Stanley with him from San Jose. 

In 2015, Stanley threw for 723 yards and 20 touchdowns as a backup last season for San Jose. Stanley threw for 2,436 yards and 50 touchdowns in his rookie season. He will battle with Joe Clancy, a second year quarterback who played eight games for the KISS last season. Captain and wide receiver Donovan Morgan had a spectacular campaign in 2015. He ranked second in the AFL in receiving yards (2,074) and he was tied for most receiving touchdowns (44).

Morgan also reeled in 132 catches which was seventh most in the AFL. Looking for a quality wide receiver to line up alongside Morgan, the KISS brought in Amarri Jackson. Jackson in his one season for Cleveland had 1,173 yards and 24 touchdowns. The LA KISS finally have the offense and the defense to be real contenders in the Arena Football League.