VooDoo Calm Storm with 55-43 Win
Robert Carver
Sunday March 7, 2004
After recording just one interception in the previous four games, the defense stepped up the pressure and returned three interceptions for touchdowns, which was the main reason for the dominating performance of the VooDoo over the Storm. Wide receiver/defensive back Lamont Moore came up with two of the three picks, which included a great athletic play to grab the Shane Stafford pass out of mid-air and return it 19 yards for the touchdown. Moore was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, in addition to being named as the US Army Ironman for his two-way performance.
New Orleans scored first when quarterback John Fitzgerald connected with Aaron Bailey on a 15-yard pass for a touchdown. Before the crowd could get settled down, Lamont Moore made his first interception of the game and quickly made it 14-0 with 11:18 left in the first period. Moore became the first VooDoo player to return an interception for a touchdown.
Tampa Bay appeared to recover nicely as Stafford led the Storm right down the field. Fullback/linebacker David White covered the last yard as he plowed his way into the end zone to cut the VooDoo lead to seven with 6:45 left in the first quarter. New Orleans answered with a drive that took the VooDoo down to Tampa Bay’s 7-yard line, but the drive stalled and the VooDoo settled for a 25-yard field goal by kicker Brian Schmitz to make it 17-7 with 14:08 left in the second quarter.
Tampa Bay looked like they were going to cut into the VooDoo lead, as they were set up with first and goal at the 5-yard line. A holding call moved the Storm back 10 yards, and on the next play the VooDoo defense stepped up again as lineman Sean Powell brought pressure on Stafford, forcing him to throw up a wounded duck that was picked off by VooDoo defensive specialist Calvin Coleman, who sprinted 37 yards and danced untouched into the end zone to make the score 24-7.
Tampa Bay was close to making this a three-point game, but the Coleman interception changed the whole feel of the game. You had the feeling that this was going to be New Orleans’ day against the Storm. The Graveyard erupted in response to the interception and the crowd was very much into this game, making the arena a very noisy place for the Storm.
Still, the Storm were only down by 21 points, which is not a big gap in the Arena Football League. Sensing the momentum was with the VooDoo, head coach Mike Neu called for an onsides kick. Schmitz pulled off a great kick, which caught the Storm off guard. Schmitz followed the ball to the 10-yard line and then attempted to fall on it, but the ball was knocked back to the 9-yard line where Moore recovered for the VooDoo. After the play, the Storm hotly contested the call and Tampa Bay head coach Tim Marcum was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Momentum was very much on the side of the VooDoo at this point.
“We felt like we had Tampa on the ropes at that time,” said Neu about the decision to go for the onside kick. “Coach Porter did a nice job in saying ‘hey how about going for one here’ and ‘hey we have them on the ropes at the time.’ And with their three guys on the front line, there was quite a bit of space between the middle guy and the one on the right hand, so let’s take it. Brain squibbed it perfectly, and went up and scooped it back to our guy just like we practiced it—just an opportunity to get them while they’re down.”
On the following drive, the VooDoo again crossed up the Storm defense as Fitzgerald handed off to fullback/linebacker Jason Bratton, who burst off tackle for 13 yards. The VooDoo faced fourth down on their 7-yard line and decided to forgo another field goal attempt. Fitzgerald hit Moore, who made the first down at the 2-yard line. It took two attempts, but fullback/linebacker Dan Curran was able to force his way into the end zone to push the VooDoo lead to 31-7 with 3:58 left in the half. The VooDoo had this game under control and it showed in their intensity and aggressiveness, especially on defense.
Facing a 24-point deficit, the Storm were able to mount a drive to close the gap to 31-14 before halftime.
Tampa Bay received the opening kickoff in the second half. Facing a fourth-and-3 at their 14-yard line, the Storm decided to go for the first down. Stafford dropped back, looking for an open receiver, and had plenty of time. His throw went over the middle and into the outstretched hands of a leaping Lamont Moore for his second and most spectacular interception of the day. Moore then made an excellent run to get into the end zone to make the lead 38-14 over the reeling Storm with 12:34 left on the clock in the third quarter.
To their credit, the Storm did not quit and took the next possession 25 yards for a score. Storm fullback/linebacker David White showed great strength with a tough run up the middle that brought the Storm to within 17 points, 38-21, with 8:20 left in the quarter.
Despite being an expansion team, New Orleans showed great poise as they answered the Tampa Bay score with a great drive of their own. On the drive, Fitzgerald hit Bailey, who took the pass, made a great move to shake the defender and fought his way down to the Storm 8-yard line, making it first and goal. On a third down play, Fitzgerald again found Bailey open in the corner of the end zone and floated a soft pass up in the air for Bailey to reel in for the touchdown, making the score 45-21 with 4:27 left to play in the third quarter.
Tampa Bay brought in backup quarterback Pat O’Hara in an attempt to spark some offense. He was able to lead the Storm down the field and, at one point, he took Tampa Bay into the no-huddle, trying to catch New Orleans sleeping. Tampa Bay was successful fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line, and O’Hara hit offensive specialist Freddie Solomon with a pass for a touchdown to again cut into the VooDoo lead, now 45-28 with 14:22 left in the game.
Sensing that the game was getting out of reach, Tampa Bay decided to try an onsides kick of their own. Mike Black’s attempt was cleanly recovered by lineman Bruce McClure at the Storm 10-yard line. The VooDoo were unable to convert such great field position into a touchdown and, facing a fourth down and goal, settled for a 22-yard field goal from Schmitz to make it a 48-28 game with 11:09 showing on the clock.
The Storm came in with an experienced and well-disciplined team. With 11:09 left in the game, the VooDoo knew it wasn’t over. The VooDoo were well aware that the Storm needed to score quickly, but failed to cover Solomon as he streaked down the field. O’Hara had solid protection and plenty of time to find Solomon open for a 35-yard touchdown, cutting into the VooDoo lead in just one play, making the score 48-35 with 10:00 left in the game while leaving crowd at the Graveyard was as quiet as if they were really visiting a graveyard. The VooDoo defense had been tenacious all day, but one missed assignment resulted in the quick six.
New Orleans shook off the shock of the quick score to show that they were not going to relinquish the game. On this drive, Bailey showed why he was such a special player and the favorite target for Fitzgerald when he snatched a Fitzgerald pass out of the air while being sandwiched by two Storm defenders. The Storm were called for pass interference, which was declined by the VooDoo, who had a first-and-goal at the 3-yard line as a result of the amazing catch by Bailey. Hoping to use up some of the clock, the VooDoo ran the ball three straight times with Bratton, who was finally able to dive for the end zone and get the ball just across the line for yet another VooDoo touchdown, pushing the score to 55-35 with 5:29 to go.
Tampa Bay was able to make another drive, but now time was against them. The VooDoo defense was able to hold the Storm to short gains as Tampa Bay drove for another touchdown. They didn’t score until 47 seconds were left in the game and they went for two, and were successful to make it a 55-43 game.
The VooDoo were expecting the onsides kick and Black made the attempt. Black didn’t kick the ball hard enough for it to make the 10, as the ball died at the 7-yard line, giving possession to the VooDoo. The VooDoo ran the ball three times with Curran, but the Storm gambled and stacked the line to stop him. On fourth down, the VooDoo tried to get a swing pass out to Curran, but the pass went incomplete. The Storm took over on downs and were able to get a pass completed down to the New Orleans 16-yard line with 11 seconds left. Time ran out on the next completion and Tampa Bay failed to make the end zone again, losing to the VooDoo 55-43.
Fitzgerald went 13-of-30 for 169 yards with two touchdowns for the VooDoo. Bailey caught five passes for 92 yards and the pair of touchdowns and he was awarded Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game honors.
After the game, Neu stated that the VooDoo were very glad to be back before the home crowd at the Graveyard.
“We’re excited to be back home and play in front of our fans and our house,” said Neu. “Our fans know when to cheer and when not to cheer. We were in Philly in Week 1, and they were sold-out and our fans here are so much louder than the Philadelphia atmosphere. Today, again, this is the loudest place we’ve been all year. We need to build on that and build on our fan base, and keep them coming back and excited about the VooDoo.”
Neu stated that DS Chris Pointer came out of the game with cramping due to dehydration and was not injured.
When asked about the game and being back home, Aaron Bailey said they wanted to come back home and set the tone right away. He also said they were happy to be back in front of their home fans. The VooDoo remain at home for a game this Friday against the Detroit Fury.
Robert Carver is a historian residing in New Orleans. He is married and has recently returned to the Big Easy. He loves the NFL and is a die-hard Saints fan. Robert also follows the SEC closely, cheering on his home state Tennessee Volunteers. He has also had the opportunity to attend the af2's Tennessee Valley Vipers games while living in Huntsville. Robert feels that New Orleans will embrace the wide-open energy of the AFL experience.
