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This reporter finally got a chance to interview reclusive Voodoo owner Big Bubba Long. The great grandson of famed Louisiana politician Hugh Long at his palatial double wide trailer estate deep in the bayou. After making my way thru the beer can littered yard of overgrown weeds, coon dogs, and three cars on cinder blocks. I found Big Bubba kicked back on the blue tarp covered porch watching reruns of Duck Dynasty while cursing and laughing.
After assuring Big Bubba that I was not with the IRS he put the double barrel shotgun down and offered me a beer. I asked Big Bubba if he could give me a run down on the recent Voodoo draft. His reply of “hell no I don’t give damn bout them losing pieces of shit, talk to the GM it’s what I pay him for.” Luckily the GM was just pulling up to get the weeks deposit slip for payroll.
1-4 Albert Pelissier [T] - Well, while Albert wasn’t the glamour pick he was by far the best offensive linemen in the draft and should be the anchor of the line for a long time. We had him as the second best player in the draft overall. For the first time since becoming the GM I feel we have the foundation of an elite offensive line. It all starts with the OL and if you don't have a good one then all the high profile players in the world do you absolutly no good. Adding Albert makes everyone else that much better.
2-8 Chester Pray [OLB] - We had him on our board as the second best OLB of the draft and were stunned he fell to us at 2-8. A tad small which might mean a move to MLB, Chester will be a welcome addition to our linebacking corps.
3-7 Chris Hoying [DE] – A smallish but fast DE who will be used on passing downs. He has a nose for diagnosing the play and with our free agent signings gives us a solid front four.
4-6 Junior Harrison [WR] - We had a need for a WR and Junior looked to be the best available. Grades out decent but is on the small side. Is a better than average punt returner which also was something we needed to add. His sure hands will be an added weapon to new starting QB Shane Bridges. Mentioning Bridges brought Big Bubba back into the conversation with a 15 minute tirade on the” ungrateful piece of shit” Quarter Back Cris Rivera who is holding out for more money. According to Big Bubba, Rivera can just waste away on the inactive list. Or as Big Bubba put it “Just exactly what has that piece-O- shit done to demand a raise? In a review of his stats the simple answer is, not much.
5-5 Jonathan Mooney [G]- We were shocked to see Jonathan still on the board. With his strength and size it was just too much to pass up. Yes we probably had bigger needs at other positions but the way the draft was turning out, Mooney was gift in the fifth round. The Voodoo offensive line appears to be set for many seasons going forward.
6-4 Antonio Hatcher [RB] – We had a need for a solid back up running back and Hatcher fit the bill. If he can come in and give Swinton and Benoot breaks while being a positive yard back. Then it was a good value pick.
7-8 Kendrick Manning [WR] – The perfect example of just how strange and deep this draft was. We had no plans of drafting another WR. However, with a solid possession type receiver available like Manning still on the board. We couldn’t say no. If he comes in and has a solid camp and pre-season somebody else may be looking for a new team.
Overall, we are happy with our draft selections. Granted they are a little smaller then what I like, but they all were in the top five of some physical category which I find intriguing. Add in out free agent signings and I believe that for the first time in over a decade the Voodoo have a real shot at .500 or better. I honestly feel that for the first time since I have been GM the final cut down will actually have some hard decisions to be made.
At that point Big Bubba must have had one beer to many as he started blasting away with his shotgun mumbling something about “liberals in the bushes” and that ungrateful “piece of shit” Rivera while falling thru the guard rail laughing. As I took my leave, it dawned on me just how strangely normal scenes like this are with the Voodoo. Just like Louisiana itself, fact is way stranger than fiction.
For the Bayou Backwater Times Gazette:
Wally “catfish” Pulitzer
After assuring Big Bubba that I was not with the IRS he put the double barrel shotgun down and offered me a beer. I asked Big Bubba if he could give me a run down on the recent Voodoo draft. His reply of “hell no I don’t give damn bout them losing pieces of shit, talk to the GM it’s what I pay him for.” Luckily the GM was just pulling up to get the weeks deposit slip for payroll.
1-4 Albert Pelissier [T] - Well, while Albert wasn’t the glamour pick he was by far the best offensive linemen in the draft and should be the anchor of the line for a long time. We had him as the second best player in the draft overall. For the first time since becoming the GM I feel we have the foundation of an elite offensive line. It all starts with the OL and if you don't have a good one then all the high profile players in the world do you absolutly no good. Adding Albert makes everyone else that much better.
2-8 Chester Pray [OLB] - We had him on our board as the second best OLB of the draft and were stunned he fell to us at 2-8. A tad small which might mean a move to MLB, Chester will be a welcome addition to our linebacking corps.
3-7 Chris Hoying [DE] – A smallish but fast DE who will be used on passing downs. He has a nose for diagnosing the play and with our free agent signings gives us a solid front four.
4-6 Junior Harrison [WR] - We had a need for a WR and Junior looked to be the best available. Grades out decent but is on the small side. Is a better than average punt returner which also was something we needed to add. His sure hands will be an added weapon to new starting QB Shane Bridges. Mentioning Bridges brought Big Bubba back into the conversation with a 15 minute tirade on the” ungrateful piece of shit” Quarter Back Cris Rivera who is holding out for more money. According to Big Bubba, Rivera can just waste away on the inactive list. Or as Big Bubba put it “Just exactly what has that piece-O- shit done to demand a raise? In a review of his stats the simple answer is, not much.
5-5 Jonathan Mooney [G]- We were shocked to see Jonathan still on the board. With his strength and size it was just too much to pass up. Yes we probably had bigger needs at other positions but the way the draft was turning out, Mooney was gift in the fifth round. The Voodoo offensive line appears to be set for many seasons going forward.
6-4 Antonio Hatcher [RB] – We had a need for a solid back up running back and Hatcher fit the bill. If he can come in and give Swinton and Benoot breaks while being a positive yard back. Then it was a good value pick.
7-8 Kendrick Manning [WR] – The perfect example of just how strange and deep this draft was. We had no plans of drafting another WR. However, with a solid possession type receiver available like Manning still on the board. We couldn’t say no. If he comes in and has a solid camp and pre-season somebody else may be looking for a new team.
Overall, we are happy with our draft selections. Granted they are a little smaller then what I like, but they all were in the top five of some physical category which I find intriguing. Add in out free agent signings and I believe that for the first time in over a decade the Voodoo have a real shot at .500 or better. I honestly feel that for the first time since I have been GM the final cut down will actually have some hard decisions to be made.
At that point Big Bubba must have had one beer to many as he started blasting away with his shotgun mumbling something about “liberals in the bushes” and that ungrateful “piece of shit” Rivera while falling thru the guard rail laughing. As I took my leave, it dawned on me just how strangely normal scenes like this are with the Voodoo. Just like Louisiana itself, fact is way stranger than fiction.
For the Bayou Backwater Times Gazette:
Wally “catfish” Pulitzer
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