Kurt Rocco Impresses in VooDoo Debut
March 19, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - For New Orleans VooDoo quarterback Kurt Rocco this offseason, there was no "Decision". There was no proclamation of where he would be taking his talents this season. There was no statewide hatred when he left the Cleveland Gladiators and made the VooDoo the first team he had ever played for outside of his native state of Ohio. All there was was an assignment from the AFL sending him to New Orleans.
And after Sunday's game, the VooDoo fans must be delighted with their new QB.
Rocco started a bit slow in the VooDoo home opener, but his poise and comfort level seemed to increase with every snap. He played like a seasoned veteran in the final quarter, leading the VooDoo to two go-ahead scores before finally falling to the Philadelphia Soul 63-62. He finished the game with 6 touchdowns on 25-of-39 passing.
"It came down to the wire. I started off a little inconsistent on my part," said Rocco after the game. "I felt like we, me in particular, felt more comfortable as the game went on and I was satisfied on how open our wide receivers were."
Among those receivers was Quorey Payne, who played with Rocco in Cleveland last season. Payne led all VooDoo players with 10 catches for 130 yards and three touchdowns, well surpassing his four-catch total from all of last season. Two of Payne's touchdowns came in the fourth quarter and both momentarily gave the VooDoo the lead.
Rocco had a rhythm with Payne early on, but quickly found it with his other receivers as well. Six different VooDoo players had a reception, including Josh Bush, who had two long scores, and L.J. Castile, who made a tremendous leaping grab in the back corner of the end zone early in the fourth quarter that gave the VooDoo their first lead.
"We kind of emphasized all week about (Castile's) height and how small these DB's are," Rocco said of his touchdown pass to Castile, "Just throw it up to him and give him the ball high and that's what we did."
Head Coach Pat O'Hara saw a lot of positives in this game, and knows that there is a lot of potential for improvement for his young team.
"I'm very pleased with how our players fought today," O'Hara said after the game. "They played hard and I'm happy with their effort. It was a tough loss, but they will learn from their mistakes and effort."
This loss was particularly heartbreaking for the VooDoo and for their fans. New Orleans did not win a home game in the 2011 AFL Season, and it would have been nice to throw that monkey off of their back in the season opener. The hard fought loss did not discourage Rocco and his teammates though.
When Castile was asked about getting the first home win after the game, he replied "We owe New Orleans, and we will get it, soon and often."
And now that Kurt Rocco has brought his talents to the Big Easy, there is no reason the VooDoo cannot make good on Castile's prediction and win - soon and often.
Arena Football League Stories from March 19, 2012
- Q&A With New Orleans VooDoo DL Brian Coulter - New Orleans VooDoo
- Blaze Bring Back Two Training Camp Players - Utah Blaze
- The Week Ahead: Sharks Vs. Force - Jacksonville Sharks
- Time Warner Cable Sports32 Becomes TV Partner of the Mustangs - Milwaukee Mustangs
- Power Re-Acquire QB Bill Stull, Pr 3-19 - Pittsburgh Power
- Arena Football League Launches "AFL Field Pass" - AFL
- Kurt Rocco Impresses in VooDoo Debut - New Orleans VooDoo
- Georgia Force Ol Kevin McAlmont Named Week 1 National Guard Community MVP - Georgia Force
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
