VooDoo Training Camp Continues With Off-Day For Players

February 14, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release


With the first nine days of training camp having come to an end, the New Orleans VooDoo coaching staff spent the first day off from practices during camp to spend time evaluating their roster and the performance of their players at what marks the midway point of the preseason.

Line coach Junior Ili has worked in the same capacity with the VooDoo since the team's inaugural season in 2004. During this team, the VooDoo linemen have been known for providing solid protection of the quarterback while the club has finished near the top of the league in sacks.

Ili's approach in this camp is slightly different with the Arena Football League's rule changes which now allow for free substitution. Now the game will feature both pass rushers and as well as natural offensive linemen playing specialized positions.

"This is a learning period for all of us," said Ili. "We were able to bring in some veteran guys on the defensive side of the ball as well as a couple of guys on offense. The rookies that we have brought in have the ability to help out."

Ili welcomes the veteran presence of DL Mike Landry and DL Henry Taylor to the roster. Landry is expected to re-assume the nose guard position that he played for the VooDoo in 2005, when he was named to the league's All-Rookie Team. Taylor, one of the team's prized free agent acquisitions, led the AFL in sacks for Orlando in 2006 with 8.5 and was one of the key figures in their run to the ArenaBowl. Their presence on the defensive line and ability to help younger players allows Ili to work with the offensive line group more extensively in camp.

"They are what I expected from a leadership standpoint," said Ili. "Henry and Mike have really been of help to our rookies. They are not afraid to help out on either side of the ball. When you have that type of leadership on the defensive side of the ball, it frees me up a little to help the guys on the offensive side of the ball."

In his first season as VooDoo defensive coordinator, Jeff Russell has spent the first week of practices working with a youthful, but talented, unit of defensive backs as well as the club's "jack" linebackers. He has spent the practices and meetings implementing his defensive schemes. According to Russell, the substitution rules do not affect him as much as Ili in coaching philosophy, because the league needed to have natural defensive backs play the WR/DB position in previous years.

Russell's emphasis in camp has been working with a defensive backfield which features three rookies on the roster in Cory Bailey, Demetrius Derico and Alex Wallace to complement veterans Chris Brown, the first pick in the expansion draft and a 2006 AFL All-Rookie selection with Georgia and William "Roc" Haith. Although Bailey and Wallace have excelled in af2, they are working to get used to the speed of the AFL.

"We don't have a lot of experience," said Russell. "The only way you can get it is to be in a game. You can drill, scrimmage and practice all you want, but experience comes from playing in games. These guys play hard though and they're tough."

Special teams coordinator Gary Gussman comes to New Orleans after spending the past two seasons in the same position with the Las Vegas Gladiators. He brings with him to New Orleans K Eric Houle, who has developed into a solid AFL kicker. Gussman originally scouted Houle in a Division II college all-star game and gave him his first opportunity in 2004 when he was head coach of the af2 Rio Grande Dorados. Gussman brought Houle to the Gladiators in 2006 and he responded by making 87-of-100 extra points and leading rookies with 31 touchbacks.

"I like Eric's professionalism, his demeanor and approach to things," said Gussman. "If he misses a kick, he bounces back. He has all of the attributes I look for in a kicker."

In addition to the kicking game, Gussman has also worked extensively with the kickoff return and kickoff coverage units in training camp. He took advantage of the team's three-day stay in the New Orleans Arena for practices, emphasizing the use of the actual net and goalpost setup for his return and coverage units.

"Everything has gone extremely well," said Gussman. "From our coverage unit, I have gotten a good deal of leadership and effort from our veterans. I think that carries over to the rookies when they see those guys working hard. They're doing a good job."

The VooDoo will return to the practice field on Wednesday when with two practices from 8;45 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. at the Saints practice facility.

Benson LeBlanc Named to AFL Committee: Owner/Executive Vice President Rita Benson LeBlanc has been named Vice Chairperson of the Arena Football League's Properties Committee, it has been announced today by the league. In addition to her position on the Properties Committee, she also is a member of the league's 12-member Executive Committee as well as the Television Subcommittee. The Executive Committee works closely with Arena Football League Commissioner David Baker on all pertinent league matters and generally votes on all issues before they are presented to the full Board.

Roster Moves: The VooDoo brought back a familiar face today, signing WR Carl Bond to a contract. Bond played for the VooDoo in 2005 and was among their leaders on offense as he made 62 receptions for 594 yards with 14 touchdown receptions. Bond also was the club's second leading kickoff returner as he brought back 29 kicks for 454 yards. Bond played for the Columbus Destroyers in 2006 and finished among the team's receiving leaders with 53 gabs for 793 yards with 13 touchdowns. In corresponding moves, the team waived WR Derek McCoy, DB Roland Cola and LB Keaton Cromartie. The team's roster now stands at 35.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 14, 2007


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