newshound

New Orleans VooDoo

In working with the team's philosophy to retain several of their key contributors from the past season, the New Orleans VooDoo have re-signed OL/DL B.J. Cohen, DS Cliff Green, QB Andy Kelly, WR/LB James Jordan, OL/DL Mike Landry, OL/DL Brook Miller, FB/LB Dawan Moss, WR/LB Tremaine Neal, OL/DL Hans Olsen, OL/DL Dan Rumishek and WR/DB Calvin Spears for the 2006 season, it was announced by the team today.

"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 in 2005 and throughout their Arena Football League careers, B.J. and Andy are also two of our biggest leaders in our locker room. The addition of Andy this past season upgraded our passing offense and B.J. has been one of the best linemen in the league during his time in New Orleans and throughout his career."

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 12-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 and earned the league's Offensive Player of the Week award three times this season and was named the league's Offensive Player of the Month for February.

Cohen, (6-2, 280, Marshall), enjoyed the finest season of his seven-year AFL career in his second season in New Orleans, as he was named to the league's first team All-Arena and U.S. Army All-Ironman Teams. Starting all 16 games, he recorded 33 tackles, 9.5 sacks totaling a loss of 46 yards, 4.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and six passes defensed. He set career-highs in total tackles, solo tackles, sacks, tackles for a loss and passes defensed, as he finished the season ranked second in the league in sacks and first in combined tackles for a loss (14). One of the AFL's unofficial all-time receiving leaders at the tight end position, Cohen led New Orleans linemen with seven receptions for 53 yards with one touchdown catch on offense.

Landry, (6-3, 308, Southern) completed his first AFL season after spending part of 2003 with the San Francisco 49ers and emerged as the team's biggest surprise on the line, starting at nose guard in all 15 games he appeared in. Landry 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.

In his rookie season, Mike showed he has a bright future in the league as a lineman due to his combination of intensity and strength," said Neu. With B.J. and Mike returning, we have two outstanding linemen who never take a play off."

Green (5-8, 185, Tennessee State), is a seven-year AFL veteran who spent part of the season on the VooDoo practice squad after spending training camp with the Arizona Rattlers, before being activated for the team's season finale where he was immediately thrust into the starting lineup. During his career, which has spanned stints with the Georgia Force, Nashville Kats and San Jose SaberCats, he has recorded 279.5 tackles, 16 interceptions, 67 passes defensed and four forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

Jordan (6-2, 252, Louisiana Tech) came to the VooDoo at midseason after spending parts of the past three seasons on the practice squad and active roster of the San Francisco 49ers. Jordan is third on Louisiana Tech's all-time reception list with 246 receptions for 2,489 yards and fourth with 19 touchdown receptions.

Miller (6-4, 295, San Diego State) appeared in nine games in his rookie season and recorded five tackles (four solo), one half a tackle for a loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery

Moss (5-11, 255, Michigan State) appeared in five games with one start after being activated from the VooDoo practice squad at midseason. He recorded 6.5 tackles (six solo), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, while rushing 11 times for three yards and adding a 15-yard reception. Moss came to the VooDoo from the Detroit Fury, where as a rookie in 2004, he recorded 40 rushes for 92 yards and eight touchdowns, while recording 18 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery on defense.

Neal (6-3, 215, Valdosta State) has been a solid two-way player for the VooDoo for the past two seasons, recording 18 receptions for 156 yards with one touchdown and 17.5 tackles with one pass defense.

Olsen (6-4, 298, BYU) was acquired by the VooDoo last season from the Indiana Firebirds in the AFL dispersal draft and spent the season as Bruce McClure's backup at C, appearing in all 16 games with two starts. He recorded 11.5 tackles and half a sack.

Rumishek (6-4, 273, Michigan) joined the VooDoo after the season's midpoint after spending training camp with the Arizona Rattlers and appeared in six games, recording one solo tackle and one pass defense. Rumishek went to training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2003 and with the Chicago Bears in 2004. He was a four-year letterman for Michigan, totaling 68 tackles with 11 sacks in his career, including two interceptions.

Spears (6-0, 195, Grambling) played for the VooDoo for the past two seasons. In 2005, he finished fifth on the team with 32.5 tackles, one tackle for a loss, three interceptions, five passes defensed and one forced fumble on defense, while recording 15 receptions for 146 yards with two touchdowns.



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