VooDoo sign five players including FB/LB Dan Curran, QB Andy Kelly and OL/DL Mike Landry
October 3, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
In an effort to build on the success that the franchise experienced in their first two seasons as they plan a return to play, the New Orleans VooDoo have signed FB/LB Dan Curran, QB Andy Kelly, OL/DL Mike Landry, WR/LB Tremaine Neal and WR/DB Calvin Spears for the 2007 season, it was announced by the team.
The VooDoo was forced to suspend operations for the 2006 season due to facility, housing and staffing issues associated with Hurricane Katrina. As part of a league agreement, these players were property of the AFL expansion Kansas City Brigade for the 2006 season. At the conclusion of the season, these players had the option to return to New Orleans.
"We're very excited to have these players under contract for the upcoming season," said coach Mike Neu. "In addition to their outstanding performances on the field for our team in the past and throughout their careers, Dan and Andy will be two of our biggest leaders in the locker room. The addition of Andy in 2005 upgraded our passing offense and Dan will have a positive impact on our running game."
In his first season in New Orleans, Kelly (6-3, 220, Tennessee), the AFL's all-time leading passer, enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his 13-year career as the VooDoo passing offense improved from being ranked 17th in the league in 2004 to third in 2005. In 2005, Kelly completed 466-of-700 passes for 4657 yards with 96 touchdown passes. He set career-highs in all major passing categories, led the league in touchdown passes and finished second in passing yardage. He set AFL season records in passing attempts and completions.
Kelly played for the Brigade and the Utah Blaze in 2006 and completed 292 of 456 passes for 3258 yards with 51 touchdown passes. He joined Utah for the final five games of the season and completed 115-of-162 passes for 1402 yards with 27 touchdown passes and four interceptions. Kelly had a 4-1 record as the team's starter and helped his team rally to qualify for the playoffs. He is the AFL's all-time leader in all major offensive categories, having completed 3621-of-5827 passes for 39,948 yards with 768 touchdown passes.
Curran, (6-0, 230, New Hampshire), came to New Orleans in 2004 and had the finest season of his four-year career, as he was named first team All-AFL and to the league's U.S. Army All-Ironman Team. He led the AFL in rushing, carrying 85 times for 336 yards
and 21 touchdowns, the third highest total in league history. Curran set career-highs in all rushing categories and became only the fourth player in AFL history to record over 20 rushing touchdowns in a season. Defensively, he recorded 26.5 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Following his record-setting season Curran went to training camp with the New Orleans Saints.
Landry, (6-3, 308, Southern) returns to New Orleans after spending the 2006 season with the Brigade, where he appeared in 13 games and made 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and 0.5 sacks for the second ranked defense in the AFL. As a rookie for New Orleans in 2005, Landry started all 15 games he appeared in and recorded 16 tackles, 2.5 sacks for -11 yards, 3.5 tackles for a loss, a team-high three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Landry displayed his playmaking abilities as he finished second among AFL rookies in combined tackles for a loss (6), was tied for first in forced fumbles and was named to the league's 2005 All-Rookie team.
"As we remake our team in 2007, Mike will give us a solid combination of strength and intensity in the middle of our line," said Neu.
Neal (6-3, 218, Valdosta State), is a three-year AFL veteran who played for the VooDoo from 2004-05. He spent this past season with the Brigade. In his career, he had made 21 catches for 170 yards, 22.5 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss and one pass defense.
Spears (6-1, 195, Grambling) played a key role on both sides of the ball for the Brigade in 2006, making 15 catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns and recording a career-high 51 tackles, one tackle for a loss, two interceptions nine passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 3, 2006
- Storm to host open tryouts November 4 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Blaze sign lineman Steve Konopka - Utah Blaze
- VooDoo sign five players including FB/LB Dan Curran, QB Andy Kelly and OL/DL Mike Landry - New Orleans VooDoo
- Destroyers sign five to kick off AFL free agent signing period - Columbus Destroyers
- Rampage Sign af2 Offensive Player of the Year Rob Mager - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Stafford becomes a Predator - Orlando Predators
- "Rush to Read" returns for sixth year with kickoff event in Streamwood - Chicago Rush
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