The New Orleans Saints Mount Rushmore
Photo Credit: Cheryl Gerber
A popular debate for fans of every team and sport is who would be on their team's version of Mount Rushmore… Four of the greatest players who have made the greatest impact on their respective franchises, and although there are certainly deserving players who couldn’t make the cut, today we're going to go over who would make the New Orleans Saints Mount Rushmore.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated Archives
Drew Brees, Quarterback:
On the shortlist of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Drew Brees was exceptional for so many years in New Orleans. After starting his career with the Chargers, Brees spent 15 seasons in New Orleans where he put up video game-like numbers at the quarterback position. Some think Brees underachieved in his career, only winning one Super Bowl, but the positive effect he had on the Saints over the years is undeniable. Brees made 12 pro bowls with the Saints, along with one 1st team all-pro team and four 2nd team all-pro teams, Brees threw for 68,010 passing yards as a Saint along with 491 touchdown passes, only throwing 190 interceptions for a stellar 2.2% interception percentage for his time in New Orleans. Now that Brees is retired, the Saints are still looking for their next franchise quarterback.
Photo Credit: Canal Street Chronicles
Rickey Jackson, Linebacker:
In 13 seasons with the Saints, Rickey Jackson was the model of consistency and production from an outside linebacker that a team can only hope for. Opposing quarterbacks had nightmares of Jackson hitting them time after time because if there was one area of the game Jackson excelled in, it was getting to the quarterback. In his tenure with the Saints, Jackson racked up 123 sacks, 38 forced fumbles, and over 1100 tackles, all exceptional totals for his position. Jackson ranks 16th all-time in career sacks and was an anchor on some fearsome Saints defenses in the late 1980s to early 1990s. While younger fans might wish that it was Cam Jordan in this spot, Jackson’s consistency and better totals in an era where they weren’t passing as much show how truly dominant he was at rushing the passer.
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Willie Roaf, Offensive Tackle:
One of the things that every NFL team focuses on is finding their franchise left tackle to protect their quarterback, and few have been better at doing that than Willie Roaf. Roaf made the Pro Bowl in 7 out of 9 seasons in New Orleans, and all 7 were consecutive. This seven-year stretch saw him dominate opposing defensive lines, and make a name for himself as one of the best offensive linemen we’ve ever seen. Although there aren’t as many stats to cite with offensive linemen as there are with other positions, let his accolades speak for themselves; Roaf finished his nine-year tenure with the Saints with seven pro bowls, two first-team all-pro selections, and three second-team all-pro selections, as well as being selected for both the 1990s and 2000’s NFL all-decade teams. A talent like Roaf doesn’t come around every day, and he made his impact on the field known, rightfully earning his spot as one of the greatest Saints players of all time.
Photo Credit: New Orleans Saints
Archie Manning, Quarterback:
There were several potential players in consideration for this spot, but the team’s first franchise quarterback ended up getting the final spot. Father of legendary quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, Archie wasn’t half-bad himself either, playing 15 seasons in the NFL with 11 of them being in New Orleans. Manning made two Pro Bowls, which although not being an eye-popping number, Manning was stuck on the brand new expansion team and was burdened with trying to carry a top-to-bottom weak roster. Manning did his best to keep the Saints competitive and stayed loyal to the Saints for 11 years no matter how badly the team struggled. Although this selection was hotly contested, Manning has many’s votes for the Saints Mount Rushmore.
