Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Saints and Voodoo Trade Defense

Following this article in the Times-Pic on March 24, and the incredible success of the New Orleans Voodoo, it has been announced that the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Voodoo, both owned by Tom Benson, may be switching part of their defenses.
"We are waiting on confirmation from Commissioner Goodell," Voodoo head coach Mike Neu said, understandably upset in a phone interview.
Having been spotted at the local Voodoo games with his son in Mr. Benson's private box, Saints head coach Sean Payton decided to do a little research. What he discovered could be the Saints saving grace for the 2008 season.
"The NFL lawyers, high ranking officials and I have gone through the formal NFL rules and by-laws and we may be able to make this work." NFL commisioner Roger Goodell stated earlier.
In what seems to be an unnoticed loophole, the governing rules of the National Football League say nothing about players from two different teams in two different leagues under the same ownership playing for each other.
"It forbids players to simply switch within the NFL and between teams with different owners," Goodell added "but not between two teams, one each in the NFL and AFL and with the same owner. It seems they [NFL regulations] were never updated to include the new AFL entity."

Saints coach Sean Payton was very excited at the possibility of receiving much needed defensive help. "It's about time! We are pretty happy with where our defensive line and linebacking corp is right now, so we are only going to take DB's."

Coach Payton and his staff get their first look at his new defensive players at Voodoo practice.

When asked why he was going through with the change, Tom Benson went on record quoting, "It works out for everyone. The Saints are improved by getting a better secondary and players like Jason David have the chance to play at a level more their speed. Slower."
Adding, "The Saints bring more publicity to the city of New Orleans than the Voodoo. The better they do, the more recognition we can get for our city. Recognition brings money. I loooooove money. So lets do this."
Calvin Spears, one of the reasons for the Voodoo's defensive success as of late and the AFL's player of the week was naturally ecstatic, "I have always tried to play at the highest level I could play at. The NFL is the highest level. This is the American dream!"
In reference to whether he would miss his former Voodoo teammates, Spears said, "It's just unfortunate that the Saints secondary happens to be god awful. If it was the offense or special teams, maybe I wouldn't be getting this opportunity, so I feel blessed. It could have been someone else and not me. I will miss them, but I'm not looking back. God was definitely looking out for me on this one."
DB's Keon Raymond and Lin-J Shell will be the other fortunate Voodoo players to get this once in a lifetime chance. Shell had this to say, "London baby! I'm excited about that overseas game in October. London is a foreign country, so they should understand my first name."
If the deal goes through, the Voodoo players involved will have to cut their AFL season short to attend NFL meetings, orientations and Saints mini-camp. Because Benson owns both teams and the same parent company owns them both, all players involved will remain under their same contracts until the end of the season, at which time new ones can or cannot be offered.
"Of course I'm pissed!" Neu exclaimed. "They're sticking me with Jason David and the rest of those bums. What the hell am I gonna do with him? I looked over the Saints game tape from last season. David wasn't even in frame on most of their opponents long scoring passes. As far as I'm concerned, we just went from first to worst. Kiss the f****** 2008 Voodoo season goodbye. [inaudible mumbling]"
David was unavailable for comment, though his agent said he's been on the phone non-stop trying to come up with some appeal since his camp found out the news. "We have our entire staff looking into this. There is no way this can be feasible. Honestly, I'm am completely appalled. I mean, why would Jason [David] want to appeal this? He knows he sucks."
In a rush, he ended the conversation, "Jason [David] and Fred [Thomas] should just take it easy, hit up some strip clubs and 'make it rain'. I gave them 'Pacman's' digits."

Voodoo head coach Mike Neu will have little to
celebrate the rest of this season.

"With a better secondary now, we can focus on filling different needs in this years draft. This is definitely a positive. I feel bad for Mike [Neu] and his team, but this is what Mr. Benson wants, and who am I to complain." said Payton.
The official announcement is scheduled to come from NFL headquarters in New York City later in the week.

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