New Orleans VooDoo Pick Two in AFL Expansion Draft
Published on October 8, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
The New Orleans VooDoo picked two players in the Arena Football League Expansion draft, choosing OL/DL D.J. Cooper and OL/DL Abdul-Salam Noah.
"The expansion draft is the first of several avenues which we will use to field a competitive team in 2004," said coach Mike Neu. "Both Abdul and D.J. will add depth to our defensive and offensive lines." "Now that this is completed, we will look forward to the start of the free agency period next week, which will give us a great opportunity to build our team."
Cooper, a 6-4, 285 pound lineman, was chosen by the VooDoo with the first overall pick of the expansion draft. He comes to New Orleans from the Dallas Desperados, where he spent the last two seasons, appearing in eight regular season games and one playoff game. D.J. recorded nine tackles, a sack, a pass defense and a forced fumble, as well as two touchdown receptions for 15 yards. Prior to joining the Desperados in 2002, Cooper spent the 2001 season with the XFL's Memphis Maniax. Cooper started his professional career in 2000, when he spent training camp with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent defensive tackle, later spending the last three weeks of the regular season on the practice squad of the Chicago Bears. Cooper played collegiately at the University of Arkansas, where he was a four-year mainstay on the defensive line for the Razorbacks, recording 164 tackles and five sacks.
Noah, chosen from the San Jose Sabercats with the fourth pick in the expansion draft, returns to New Orleans after spending part of 2003 training camp with the Saints. In addition to spending this past off-season and training camp with the Saints, the 6-2, 285 pound Noah spent 2002 training camp and part of the 2002 season as a member of the team's practice squad. Originally signed by Oakland as an undrafted free agent in 2000, Noah spent the 2001 season with the XFL's San Francisco Demons. Noah, a Los Angeles native, was a three-year starter at San Jose State, finishing his career with 104 tackles, nine sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 8, 2003
- Philadelphia Soul Add Three Players Through Expansion Draft - Philadelphia Soul
- Georgia Force Names Rockwell as New General Manager - Georgia Force
- New Teams Take Shape - AFL I
- L.A. Avengers acquire OL/DL Doug Lytle - Los Angeles Avengers
- New Orleans VooDoo Pick Two in AFL Expansion Draft - New Orleans VooDoo
- Rush Lose Bowick, Taylor in Expansion Draft - Chicago Rush
- Rampage Add Three Players from Expansion Draft - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Desperados Lose Five in AFL Expansion Draft - Dallas Desperados
- Rush to Read Kicks off Third Year - Chicago Rush
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