Best Plays in Saints History

by AJG on Dec 6, 2009 9:11 PM CST

Pat made an interesting observation on his NFC South blog on espn.com when he said Meachem's strip and score was one of the top 5 or 10 plays in franchise history. I was just wondering what other people consider the Saints' best historical plays. I consider the "hot-potato" play where it seemed every Saints player got a hand on the ball to run the length of the field against the Jaguars with no time left to score a few years back to be the best (even though Carney missed the extra point to lose). What others could be considered in the top 5?

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2 others that stick out in my mind

1. Steve Gleason’s blocked punt against Atlanta in the return to the Dome.
2. Hakim drops the ball!

"That Brees is a good quarterback." - Giants Free Safety Michael Johnson after a 48-27 Saints victory.

by VAsaintsfan on Dec 6, 2009 9:17 PM CST reply actions

I do not think that I have ever seen a Saint's play that equals the Meachem

play. That was a first for me. Who Dat !!!!

"Keep your foot on the back of thier necks" Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest

by CaddoCoonass on Dec 6, 2009 9:52 PM CST reply actions

I think the "hot potato" play is the best, but I think it gets overshadowed by the missed extra point.

Meachem play was special and the fact we won the game will keep this in our memories for a long time.

by rustdog74 on Dec 6, 2009 10:00 PM CST up reply actions

I thought the name for the play against Jacksonville was “The River-City Relay”. Best play I’ve ever seen, and I called Carney’s missed PAT before it happened. Only the Saints could miss that extra point.

"Drew Breeeeeeeees!" "Oh, yeah."

by Malsby on Dec 6, 2009 10:08 PM CST reply actions

River-City Relay

You’re right, that was the name for it. It has to be a great play if its got a name for it. Gleason’s blocked punt was amazing. Also Bush’s 80 catch-and-run and pointing at Urlacher in the 2006 NFC championship game was great, but honestly, I don’t even want to think about that game.

by AJG on Dec 6, 2009 10:26 PM CST reply actions

The Dempsey 63 yard field goal

I know it didn’t set us up for any playoffs or did it change history, but you have to understand how little we had to cheer about in those days and until Mora that was the one play we could point to with enormous pride. Also this was the day of the straight on kicker and only about 60% of all kicks were made. Field goals were alot more iffy in those days. To me that was my favorite play of all time.

Ajun Cajun exiled to Charlotte. I miss Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest so much I could cry.

by Ajun Cajun on Dec 6, 2009 11:29 PM CST reply actions

The best play ever will be...

in the Superbowl.

by DrWhoDat on Dec 7, 2009 12:20 AM CST reply actions

uggh carney

Yeah I remember “The River-City relay.” Only the aints could turn a play like that into a nightmare. Thankfully for us the aints have retired and The Saints are playing:)

by Daniel P on Dec 7, 2009 12:47 AM CST reply actions

there were so many

in the late 80’s early 90’s with the dome patrol. i remember sam mills stripping the ball from a back on a running play, the running back was trying to move the pile and sam just took it out of his hands and ran the other way for a td.

by saintsfan77 on Dec 7, 2009 1:38 AM CST reply actions

You sure that wasn't Mark Fields?

He did that 2 or 3 times for the Saints. I don’t remember the Mills one you are talking about.

"The key to them winning is to limit their quarterback to under 20 throws a game." -Cris Carter

by Hooahsaint on Dec 7, 2009 4:44 AM CST up reply actions

My personal top ten

1. Milne’s recovery of Hakim’s muff against the Rams in 2001 playoffs.
2. River City Relay (although, I prefer to call it “The Exclamation Without a Point”) against the Jaguars in 2003.
3. Dempsey’s kick against the Lions in 1970.
4. Gleason’s block, DeLoatch’s score against the Falcons in 2006.
5. Gilliam’s opening day return against the Rams in 1967.
6. The Mills-led goal line stand against the Steelers in 1987.
7. Manning’s game-winning TD against the Rams in his 1971 debut.
8. Meachem’s strip and score against the Redskins today.
9. Andersen’s playoff-clinching FG against the Rams on New Year’s Eve, 1990.
10. Gary’s annihilation of Campbell against the Oilers in 1981.

Plenty of honorable mentions and not-so-great-just-memorable plays, like the Turley helmet throwing incident, Horn’s cell phone gag, etc.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Dec 7, 2009 2:18 AM CST reply actions

I'd have to add . . .

Ironhead Heyward completely flattening Scott Case in the open field against the Falcons.

Or the fake injury to Hebert in order for Mike Buck to come in and throw the bomb. That was pretty good.

"The key to them winning is to limit their quarterback to under 20 throws a game." -Cris Carter

by Hooahsaint on Dec 7, 2009 4:47 AM CST up reply actions

Nice @ the fake Hebert injury, running off the field shaking his hand. I completely forgot about that. I also forgot Ricky Williams’s race to the pylon on the final play to beat the Panthers. That really should be Top 10. Also, Deuce’s horizontal dive from five yards out against the Falcons and running helmetless against the Bucs. And Gajan’s faux duck out of bounds, then rambling down the sidelines against the Bucs. Andre Hastings faking the kneel down in the end zone against the Patriots, then bringing it out past midfield. James Allen’s game winning INT in the end zone vs the Bucs. Lorenzo Neal disappearing into the pile and somehow coming out the other side vs the Falcons. Vince Buck’s return of the blocked FG vs the Bears in the playoffs. Tommy Myers’s INT return vs the Vikings. Just a ton of memorable ones. Even more, if you wanted to include the ones with bad outcomes.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Dec 7, 2009 7:21 AM CST up reply actions