New Orleans Saints

My All Time Favorite New Orleans Saints Players

For many years, the New Orleans Saints were the laughingstock of the NFL. Their fans wore invented wearing paper bags over their faces at games to conceal their identity because those teams were so bad. One of the only players worth watching in those bad old days was Archie Manning. Superstar quarterback, Manning spent most of his days in New Orleans running for his life behind porous offensive lines and had little talent at the skill positions. It took the Saints nearly 20 years to make the playoffs. Behind the intimidating Dome Patrol linebacking crew, which featured some of the best linebackers of all time, the Saints went to the playoffs four times in six seasons.

It took until Drew Brees arrived in 2006 for the Saints franchise to finally hit their stride. Behind one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, the Saints reached the NFC Championship Game that year. The team’s fortunes improved as they slowly added the greatest players in Saints history. Finally, in 2009, one of the best Saints teams ever captured something that many thought wasn’t possible: a Super Bowl title. Behind Brees, wide receiver Marques Colston and a high-flying offense, the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints offense is one of the best in the NFL and should perform well for the foreseeable future.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS

Drew Brees

Drew Brees - San Diego Chargers - New Orleans Saints

2001 Topps Finest #127 Rookie Card

 

RUNNING BACKS

Deuce McAllister

Deuce McAllister - New Orleans Saints - Aaron Brooks - Joe Horn

2005 Leaf #TT-14 Triple Threads Rookie Card

 

Dalton Hilliard

Dalton Hilliard - New Orleans Saints

1988 Topps #57 Rookie Card

 

Chuck Muncie

Chuck Muncie - New Orleans Saints

1977 Topps #467 Rookie Card

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

WR – Eric Martin (1985-1993)

Joe Horn

Joe Horn - New Orleans Saints - Aaron Brooks - Deuce McAllister

1005 Leaf #TT-14 Triple Threads Rookie Card

 

Wes Chandler

Wes Chandler - New Orleans Saints

1980 Topps #275 Rookie Card

 

TIGHT ENDS

Hoby Brenner

Hoby Brenner - New Orleans Saints

1985 Topps #102 Rookie Card

 

TE – Henry Childs (1974-1980)

 

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Willie Roaf

Willie Roaf - New Orleans Saints

1993 Stadium Club #469 Rookie Card

 

OG – Jahri Evans (2006-2011)

OC – LeCharles Bentley (2002-2004)

OG – Jim Dombrowski (1986-1996)

OT – Stan Brock (1980-1992)

 

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Wayne Martin

Wayne Martin - New Orleans Saints

1989 Topps Traded #118T Rookie Card

 

La’Roi Glover

La'Roi Glover - Oakland Raiders - New Orleans Saints

2001 Bowman Chrome 1996 Rookies Insert Card BRC#15

 

Jim Wilks

Jim Wilks - New Orleans Saints

1984 Topps #307 Rookie Card

 

Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson - New Orleans Saints

1994 Upper Deck #23 Star Rookie Card

 

LINEBACKERS

Rickey Jackson

Ricky Jackson - New Orleans Saints

1984 Topps #303 Rookie Card

 

Pat Swilling

Pat Swilling - New Orleans Saints

1988 Topps #66 Rookie Card

 

Sam Mills

Sam Mills - USFL - Stars - New Orleans Saints

1985 Topps #19 USFL Rookie Card

 

LINEBACKERS

Vaughan Johnson

Vaughan Johnson - New Orleans Saints

1989 Topps #159 Rookie Card

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Dave Waymer

Dave Waymer - New Orleans Saints

1989 Topps Traded #28T Rookie Card

 

Eric Allen

Eric Allen - Philadelphia Eagles - New Orleans Saints

1989 Score #380 Rookie Card

 

Dave Whitsell

Dave Whitsell - New Orleans Saints

1967 Philadelphia #130 Rookie Card

 

Johnnie Poe

Johnnie Poe - New Orleans Saints

1984 Topps #304 Rookie Card

 

Sammy Knight

Sammy Knight - New Orleans Saints

1998 Stadium Club Rookie Card

 

Roman Harper

Quietly, Roman Harper has become one of the true unsung heroes for this Saints team. Already this season, Harper leads the Saints with 6.5 sacks and 73 tackles, coming from the strong safety position.

Harper has grown into one of the best safeties in the league against the run and has become a threat to blitz on every play. Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams has moved Harper around on many different blitz packages and has thrived, finding the ball carrier more than any other player on his team.

After getting burned by tightend John Carlson twice last year in the Saints’ infamous playoff upset to the 7-9 Seahawks, Harper has come back even hungrier this year, and his play has not gone unnoticed. The Saints have to be pleased with the investment they made in the offseason in re-signing Harper.

6. Marques Colston, Wide Receiver

Marques Colston, the former seventh-round pick out of Hofstra University, has been Drew Brees’ most consistent and reliable receiver since becoming a member of the Saints. Colston has been bit by the injury bug a few times throughout his short career thus far; but each time he is out of the lineup, it shows.

So far in each of the four seasons that Colston has played in at least 14 games, he has amassed at least 70 catches and 1,000 yards receiving. However, since Colston is such a quiet and humble man, his stats rarely ever get the credit and attention that they deserve.

One thing is for sure though, Brees and Head Coach Sean Payton love having this guy around, and we should see him play a huge role in the Saints’ offense for a long time to come.

5. Darren Sproles, Running Back

It’s unusual that we see a player join a new team and make as big of an impact as Darren Sproles has had on this Saints offense. Sproles can truly do it all; he’s been asked to run the ball, catch it and return kicks and punts—and he has excelled in all areas.

Sproles leads the NFL in all-purpose yards this season with 1,748, and is second on the Saints (fifth in the NFL) with 62 catches already this season as a running back.

Sean Payton was left with a hole to fill after losing the dynamic Reggie Bush in the offseason. However, he wasted no time in signing Sproles, a move that Payton undoubtedly has not regretted for a second.

When it seemed like Bush was the player who could do everything, Sproles has stepped in and shown that he can do even more. Sproles has done everything Bush did for the Saints, and more. He has run between the tackles, adding another element to his game for defenders to have to try to contend. When many NFL fans thought the Saints offense would be missing a key player in Bush, Sproles has stepped in and made all Saints fans say, “Reggie who?”

4. Jonathan Vilma, Middle Linebacker

Jonathan Vilma has become the unquestioned leader of the defense. As middle linebacker and the defensive captain, Vilma has been relegated the play-calling duties for the defense. Vilma has been rewarded with Pro Bowl nods in each of the last two seasons and has become the most highly regarded member of the defense by his teammates.

Rarely do we see a player play with such fire and tenacity than what we see from Vilma. Even in the four games he’s missed so far this season with a knee injury, Vilma can be seen on the sidelines in his visor yelling to his teammates and relaying any observations he has made throughout the game.

Vilma clearly believes that his captain duties are never over and is just as tuned in on the sidelines as he is in the middle of the defense on the field. It really is no mistake that he unanimously viewed as the Saints’ defensive leader; anyone who watches even a single Saints game can see that Vilma brings the entire defense together.

3. Jimmy Graham, Tight End

Not enough can be said of Jimmy Graham’s breakout 2011 season. Graham, who only played one season of football throughout his entire career at the University of Miami, leads all NFL tight ends in receptions (67) and receiving yards (957), and is second to only New England’s Rob Gronkowski in receiving TDs (eight) in only his second season in the NFL.

Graham has clearly become the top target of quarterback Drew Brees in his first full season as the team’s starting tight end. He’s been targeted by Brees a remarkable 102 times already this season and has drawn the most looks inside the red zone. Brees and Sean Payton have not been able to stop praising the job Graham has done. Payton even went to far as to say that he sees Graham as a future Hall of Famer.

Payton and the rest of the Saints organization truly got a steal when they selected Graham in the third round of the NFL Draft, a decision that will pay dividends for years to come.

2. Jahri Evans/Carl Nicks, Offensive Guards

Drew Brees and the Saints offense would not enjoy nearly as much success if it weren’t for the two big boys in the middle, guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks. The duo is a big reason why Brees is once again on pace to break Dan Marino’s single-season mark of 5,084 passing yards.

Both Evans and Nicks made the Pro Bowl in 2010, and Evans also received a selection in 2009. Evans, a fourth-round pick in 2006, and Nicks, a fifth-round selection in 2008, are clearly just beginning to tap into their potential, as they are still relatively young players in this league. It is no wonder why these two are often viewed as the best pair of guards in the entire NFL.

Payton and Brees know what these two mean to the success of the team, so expect to see these two in a Saints uniform for a long time and to continue to see Brees and the offense thrive.

1. Drew Brees, Quarterback

Since coming to New Orleans in 2006, Drew Brees has given the city of New Orleans and Saints fans all over a reason to believe in this team once again. For a team with a history of quarterback instability, having started 28 QBs in their 39-year history prior to Brees’ arrival, he has been the team’s rock. Brees has become not only a perennial Pro Bowler and the leader of the offense but a true star in the NFL, an unquestioned member of the league’s elite.

So far in his tenure as Saints QB, Brees has led New Orleans to two NFC Championship games, one NFC Championship, and even the team’s first Super Bowl victory in its first-ever appearance. Brees is once again on pace to break Dan Marino’s single-season record of 5,084 passing yards, a feat that he came within 16 yards of doing in 2008.

Brees arguably means more to this team than any other player does to his team in the entire National Football League. As long as Brees is at the helm, the Saints will be a powerhouse in the NFL year in and year out.

 

S – Tommy Myers (1972-1981)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Morten Anderson

Morten Anderson - New Orleans Saints

1984 Topps #300 Rookie Card

 

P – Tommy Barnhardt (87,89-94,99)

PR – Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush - New Orleans Saints

2008 Topps Turkey Red #192 Rookie Card

 

KR – Tyrone Hughes

Tyrone Hughes - New Orleans Saints

1994 Fleer #8 Rookie Sensations Card

 

HEAD COACH

Jim Mora

Jim Mora - Indianapolis Colts - New Orleans Saints

1989 Pro Set #278 Rookie Coach Card

 

The New Orleans Saints were founded in 1967 and experienced 20 straight seasons without a winning record. During their next 21 seasons, they would make the playoffs eight times and now are a contender in the NFC. With Sean Payton as head coach, the Saints have won their first Super Bowl and have a future that looks bright.

After Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans was in disarray. The New Orleans Saints helped bring the city together with an inspiring season in 2006, going all the way to the NFC Championship Game.

NICKNAME

  • The Saints were admitted into the NFL at a league meeting held on November 1, 1966. That day also happened to be the Roman Catholic Holiday All Saints Day, New Orleans ownership felt it was only natural to call them the Saints for the day they were born on.

HEAD COACHES

  • Tom Fears (1967-1970)
  • J.D. Roberts (1970-1972)
  • John North (1973-1975)
  • Ernie Hefferle (1975)
  • Hank Stram (1976-1977)
  • Dick Nolan (1978-1980)
  • Dick Stanfel (1980)
  • Bum Phillips (1981-1985)
  • Wade Phillips (1985)
  • Jim Mora (1986-1996)
  • Rick Venturi (1996)
  • Mike Ditka (1997-1999)
  • Jim Haslett (2000-2005)
  • Sean Payton* (2006-Present)

* Aaron Kromer and Joe Vitt Interim 2012 when Sean Payton was suspended

SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS

  • Super Bowl XLIV (2009) – New Orleans Saints defeat Indianapolis Colts 31-17

SUPER BOWL APPEARANCES

  • Super Bowl XLIV (2009) – New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts

NFL/NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

  • 2006, 2009

DIVISION CHAMPIONS

  • 1991, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2011

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

  • 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011

PLAYOFF RECORD

  • 7-9 .438

HALL OF FAME PLAYERS

  • Doug Atkins DE (1967-1969)
  • Earl Campbell RB (1984-1985)
  • Jim Finks GM (1986-1993)
  • Rickey Jackson LB (1981-1993)
  • Willie Roaf T (1993-2001)
  • Hank Stram Coach (1976-1977)
  • Jim Taylor FB (1967)

RETIRED NUMBERS

  • 8 Archie Manning QB (1980)
  • 31 Jim Taylor FB (1967)
  • 51 Sam Mills LB (1986-1994)
  • 57 Ricky Jackson LB (1981-1993)
  • 81 Doug Atkins DE (1967-1969)

AWARDS

COACH OF THE YEAR

  • 2000 Jim Haslett
  • 2006 Sean Payton

DEFENSVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

  • None

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

  • 1981 George Rogers RB
  • 1986 Rueben Mayes RB

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • 1991 Pat Swilling DE

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • 2008 Drew Brees QB
  • 2011 Drew Brees QB

NFL MVP

  • None

SUPER BOWL MVP

  • Super Bowl XLIV – Drew Brees QB (2009)
©MMXIX My All Time Favorites, all pictures and logos, team names are property of the National Football League. This site is not affiliated with the NFL or New Orleans Saints.  All Football Cards are low resolution scans from a personal collection and each is credited with the production company name and year.  This site is maintained for research purposes only.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *