VooDoo Conclude First Week of Camp, Trim Roster to 28
Saturday March 14, 2015
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans VooDoo wrapped up the first full week of training camp at Tad Gormley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, after trimming the roster down to 28 players on Friday evening.
Despite training camp being much more up tempo than in past seasons, Saturday’s practice was a bit more light-hearted than normal. The team was visited by Alpha TV’s “World Party” who were shooting an episode for the popular Greek television show. Hosts Sakis Tanimanidis and Georgios Mavridis both donned shoulders pads and helmets, and were put through passing, receiving, blocking and pass rushing drills with the team.
Over the course of training camp, there has been great competition for all spots, as Dean Cokinos described the depth chart as “etched in sand” during the first team meeting. “We won three games last year, there’s a reason for that. Every spot is open, we want great competition everywhere.”
Some of the best competition has come across the offensive and defensive lines, while the defensive line was a step ahead early, the offensive big men more than caught up with their counterparts during the first week or so of camp.
“As a group they work very hard, we’re working on making sure they are in the best shape they can be, as flexible as they can be. Both groups are one unit, we want them to be leaders of the team” added assistant coach Ryan Lingenfelder.
One spot that fans have their eyes on is the battle for the quarterback spot. Camp opened with returnee Adam Kennedy, two-year AFL veteran Brian Reader, former VooDoo quarterback Brian Hudson and rookie Brendon Kay battling away under center. After the first week just Kennedy and Reader remain, with Kay on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the next few weeks.
Kennedy has seen improvements from last season, “I think the fans need to know that this is a different team than last year, they’re going to see better play, better players on the field and I think this is going to be an exciting team to watch.”
The New Orleans VooDoo will further trim their roster down to the final 24 by next Saturday, and will open the season at the Smoothie King Center against the Jacksonville Sharks on March 28 at 7:00 p.m.
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Playing their fifth season since returning in 2011, the New Orleans VooDoo play all their home games at the Smoothie King Center (formerly New Orleans Arena). Season and single game tickets can be purchased by contacting the sales department at 888-277-5526 ext. 109 or ext. 133 or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Like us on Facebook at "New Orleans VooDoo" and follow us on Twitter @AFLVooDoo.
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Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The ESPN family of networks and CBS Sports Network will nationally broadcast AFL games each week for the entire 2015 season. The AFL schedule culminates with ArenaBowl XXVIII Saturday, August 29, 2015 on ESPN.