Predators Cast Their Own Spell Over VooDoo
Robert Carver
Saturday May 15, 2004
For the first 11 games, the VooDoo climbed to the top of that list in their inaugural season in the Big Easy. Locals embraced the fast-paced, fan-friendly AFL game and were pleasantly surprised to find out that this team was a winner right out of the gate. In the beginning, fans were a bit wary, as they have been burned by the lackluster play of the NFL Saints. With only one playoff win in franchise history, New Orleaneans have developed a love/hate relationship with the team. The VooDoo appeared to be different, that is until the last two games, where uncharacteristic turnovers at the QB position have cost the VooDoo their first two-game losing streak.
While many fans were upset after witnessing the VooDoo’s first home loss, there was no sense of panic among them.
“I am frustrated by these turnovers,” said season ticket holder Diane Hays of New Orleans. “I don’t know who the quarterback is throwing the ball to at times. He definitely isn’t throwing like he was earlier in the season. I was very disappointed when the backup quarterback (John Rayborn) got hurt. He really looked like he was going to give the offense a spark. The defense played well despite the turnovers. B.J. [Cohen] made a great play when he knocked the ball out of (Predator quarterback Joe) Hamilton’s hands and rolled in for the touchdown. The season isn’t over and the VooDoo are still in great position to finish well and make the playoffs. I can’t imagine (VooDoo) coach (Mike) Neu letting this team fall apart. The VooDoo will be back.”
Ms. Hays is correct in her assessment that New Orleans head coach Mike Neu will do what is necessary to make things right on offense. Neu is a very emotional leader, and you could see the frustration of the VooDoo suffering their second straight loss written on his face as he came to the table for the post-game interview. The media there to cover the coach’s comments on this game sat in silence as we felt the tension radiating from the coach. A minute went by as we watched coach Neu’s teeth grind before a reporter finally broke the silence to ask the first question.
“The defense made some great stops to keep us in a position to strike when we had the chance,” said Neu about what happened in this game. “We scored and then got the onsides kick. Then, unfortunately, we had a few breakdowns and execution on the last drive was certainly not going to get it done if you’re going to find a way to win in the Arena Football League inside of a minute. We were in this position two weeks ago against Austin and we went down the field and put it in the end zone but unfortunately we did not get that done today.”
“We have had too many turnovers in the last two weeks and we cannot continue to do that and be able to put ourselves in the position to win,” said Neu about losing a turnover battle, that included four interceptions by the Orlando defense. “We have got to eliminate turnovers. I draw the line right there that cannot happen and us have a chance to win.
VooDoo QB John Fitzgerald has had seven interceptions in the last two games and was benched at the end of the first period and quarterback John Rayborn took the field. Rayborn’s luck wasn’t much better as he was intercepted on his first pass attempt as Orlando converted the interception into another touchdown. His effectiveness will remain an unanswered question this season as he suffered an Achilles` tendon injury that will sideline him for the year. Fitzgerald returned to the game but he continued to struggle, and the first boos of the year were heard from the home fans at the Graveyard.
“He is just in a funk right now where he is forcing some throws for whatever reason,” said Neu about Fitzgerald’s struggles. “I have just got to work hard with him. This is a position that, when things are great, it’s a rewarding position, but when things are bad, the finger, unfortunately, comes in your direction. John Fitzgerald is our quarterback. We have nine wins with him as our starter. We have got to find a way to get him back into a comfort zone, if possible, and that means me working countless hours with him and trying to get him to relax and not have to shoulder the load, but the throws that are happening in the game we have to eliminate.”
VooDoo fan Mark Neely of Metairie has attended all but two of the home games at the Graveyard. He echoed what many fans were discussing after this game.
“We came so close to pulling this one out at the end. I really thought we were going to win this despite all of the turnovers. We were the better team today except for the interceptions and (kicker Brian) Schmitz missing those kicks. If he had hit the extra points and that field goal, we could have taken the game to overtime and won it. Still, we are what, 9-4. It is hard to complain about being 9-4 with a new team. I think coach Neu will get these guys straight. I think that the team is still talented and capable of winning if they get the QB situation fixed. Too bad about Rayborn, he looked like he might have had something going. I’ll be here next week ‘cause I think we will get back on track against Georgia and then we will have one or two playoff games here at the arena.”
In New Orleans, some things never change; the riverboats still make their runs up and down the Mississippi, the Quarter is still crowded, traffic stays backed up on the I-10, but come next Saturday, expect the Graveyard to be full of loud, crazed VooDoo fanatics backing their team to victory over the Georgia Force.
The VooDoo (9-4) are now in a second place tie with Chicago and Colorado, one game behind San Jose (10-3) for first place in the AFL standings with three games remaining. The VooDoo are home next Saturday, May 15th versus the Georgia Force at 7:00 p.m. in the New Orleans Arena.
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.
