Saints By The Numbers

by coldpizza on Jun 26, 2009 2:59 PM CDT

Nothing better to do, so I figured I'd give this a shot. Here's a list of what I consider to be the best and/or most significant players in franchise history to ever wear each jersey number (0-99). There were several difficult decisions, including (but not limited to) Steve Walsh over Toby Gowin for 4, Edd Hargett over Richard Todd for 14, Jim Everett over Billy Kilmer for 17, Dalton Hilliard over Eric Allen for 21, Clarence Chapman over Mario Bates for 24, Reggie Bush over Johnnie Poe and Fred McAfee for 25, Tommy Myers over Mel Gray, Steve Gleason and Bennie Thompson for 37, Jim Kovach over Jeff Faine for 52, John Hill over Jerry Fontenot for 62, Elois Grooms over Jon Stinchcomb for 78, Dave Parks over Donte Stallworth for 83, Henry Childs over Hoby Brenner and Wesley Walls for 85, Wayne Martin over Darren Howard for 93 and Jim Wilks over Charles Grant for 94. However, no number was more difficult to assign than 34. In the end, Ricky Williams wound up beating out Tony Galbreath, Craig Heyward, Jess Phillips and Mike McKenzie for the slot.

I'm not 100% comfortable with a few of these and I'm sure this list will lend itself to its fair share of debates. Nothing wrong with that. Let's hear what you think.

0	Obert Logan
00	Ken Burrough
1	Benny Ricardo
2	Aaron Brooks
3	Bobby Hebert
4	Steve Walsh
5	Heath Shuler
6	Tommy Barnhardt
7	Morten Andersen
8	Archie Manning
9	Drew Brees
10	Brian Hansen
11	John Fourcade
12	Marques Colston
13	Kerry Collins
14	Edd Hargett
15	Charlie Durkee
16	Ken Stabler
17	Jim Everett
18	Jeff Blake
19	Tom Dempsey
20	Russell Gary
21	Dalton Hilliard
22	Lorenzo Neal
23	Dave Whitsell
24	Clarence Chapman
25	Reggie Bush
26	Deuce McAllister
27	Walt Roberts
28	Gene Atkins
29	Sammy Knight
30	Les Kelley
31	Jim Taylor
32	Vaughn Dunbar
33	Tyrone Hughes
34	Ricky Williams
35	Earl Campbell
36	Reuben Mayes
37	Tommy Myers
38	George Rogers
39	Brett Maxie
40	Robert Massey
41	John Gilliam
42	Chuck Muncie
43	Ashley Ambrose
44	Dave Waymer
45	Jack Holmes
46	Danny Abramowicz
47	Kevin Houser
48	Andy Livingston
49	Frank Wattelet
50	Jake Kupp
51	Sam Mills
52	Jim Kovach
53	Vaughan Johnson
54	Winfred Tubbs
55	Mark Fields
56	Pat Swilling
57	Rickey Jackson
58	Joe Federspiel
59	Keith Mitchell
60	Steve Korte
61	Joel Hilgenberg
62	John Hill
63	Brad Edelman
64	Dave Lafary
65	LeCharles Bentley
66	Conrad Dobler
67	Stan Brock
68	Kyle Turley
69	Tom Ackerman
70	Jammal Brown
71	Richard Cooper
72	Jim Dombrowski
73	Frank Warren
74	Derland Moore
75	Bruce Clark
76	Dave Rowe
77	Willie Roaf
78	Elois Grooms
79	Emanuel Zanders
80	Brett Perriman
81	Doug Atkins
82	Bob Pollard
83	Dave Parks
84	Eric Martin
85	Henry Childs
86	Jeff Groth
87	Joe Horn
88	Willie Jackson
89	Wes Chandler
90	Jared Tomich
91	Will Smith
92	James Haynes
93	Wayne Martin
94	Jim Wilks
95	Austin Robbins
96	Michael Simmons
97	La'Roi Glover
98	Willie Whitehead
99	Tony Elliott

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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Comments

nice work, coldpizza

Can you link us to the place you found your database of players by roster number? I’d love to see where Danny Abramowicz is and figure out how Ashley Ambrose made the list – didn’t he only play for us for one year?

"Knock 'em the (- -) out!" - G Dub

by Hans Petersen on Jun 26, 2009 6:24 PM CDT reply actions

oops there he is wearing #46 - I was just looking at the roster numbers in the 80's for receivers

"Knock 'em the (- -) out!" - G Dub

by Hans Petersen on Jun 26, 2009 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions

here's an alphabetical listing of all-time Saints that lists uniform number, too

so you can look up your favorite players that might have been left off coldpizza’s list.

It comes from the Saints official website

"Knock 'em the (- -) out!" - G Dub

by Hans Petersen on Jun 26, 2009 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Abramowicz

beat out Gajan. Notable competition, but not exactly a head scratcher.

by coldpizza on Jun 27, 2009 1:06 AM CDT up reply actions

yup, you said it

"Knock 'em the (- -) out!" - G Dub

by Hans Petersen on Jun 27, 2009 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Link to the Past

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/1967_roster.htm

The link is specific to 1967, but it can lead you to everything you need to know for All-the-years of Saints seasons

by Dempsey63 on Jun 26, 2009 7:59 PM CDT reply actions

I think Mike Mckenzie

deserves to be on this list. If not at number 34, then number 43, which was his number his first year with us. I’d definitely take him over Ashley Ambrose ANY DAY.

Rog Smoove

by YESSaints on Jun 26, 2009 9:23 PM CDT reply actions

I mainly went by the number

each player wore most commonly as a Saint, as well as how good the player was throughout his career. Hence, Earl Campbell, Jim Taylor, etc., making the list. There were a few exceptions based on significance, such as John Gilliam — although he did go on to have a solid career and likely would have made it regardless — and Tom Dempsey, who beat out Guido Merkens based solely on one amazing FG. I honestly can’t see McKenzie beating out either Ricky Williams or Ashley Ambrose. Nothing against McKenzie, he just wasn’t a better player than those two, imo. HansDat, I used the 2008 Saints media guide to compile the list.

by coldpizza on Jun 27, 2009 1:04 AM CDT reply actions

If you want to nitpick DBs

I think a better case could be made for Carl Lee over Brett Maxie at 39, based on their careers. Maxie’s closer to Lee than McKenzie is to Ambrose. Close enough to disregard the edge in statistics in favor of tenure, anyway.

by coldpizza on Jun 27, 2009 1:14 AM CDT reply actions

If I felt compelled to squeeze McKenzie in

I’d probably stick him at 43, bump Ambrose to 33 and leave off Hughes. I just don’t readily identify McKenzie with 43. Same reason why I didn’t stick Hilliard at 40 to fit Allen in at 21. It’s too convoluted an approach.

by coldpizza on Jun 27, 2009 1:19 AM CDT reply actions

I feel where you're coming from on that 1

it does cause a problem with trying to stick players with former number and things of that sort, but (there’s always a “but”) I was a Saintling when Ashley Amborse was roaming our defensive backfield and I don’t remember him being pro bowler. On the other hand, a few years ago, Mike Mckenzie didn’t give up a touchdown until the end of the season. I definitely think that he should’ve made the pro bowl that year and I would honestly take him over Ashley Ambrose. In reality, I’ll even go out on a limb and say that I’d take him over Ricky Williams…How ya like that one?

Rog Smoove

by YESSaints on Jun 27, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Are you talking as a Saint

or for their entire careers? As a Saint, I can buy into McKenzie over Ambrose. Not Williams. He led the team in rushing all three years he was here, despite playing in less than 80% of the games during that stretch. As a career, neither one. Ambrose had a 42 interceptions in 192 games, McKenzie 27 in 133 games. Not only is that considerably more, that’s more per game. Williams led the entire league in rushing in 2002 and represents an entire Saints draft class (on the “significant” tip). I think McKenzie was one of the best CBs we’ve ever had and one of the best in run support the NFL has seen over the last decade. I just don’t think he best represents either number he wore while in New Orleans. Even with Williams out of the equation, I’d go with Galbreath over McKenzie. I would take Mike over Ironhead, though. And that’s saying a lot, because Heyward was one of my favorite Saints of all-time. You’re obviously entitled to your opinion. I just disagree with it, based on the criteria I was using.

by coldpizza on Jun 27, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions

By the way

Ambrose was a Pro Bowler and 1st team All-Pro for the Bengals. McKenzie wasn’t either with the Packers. Not that I think interceptions and Pro Bowls are what anyone should be basing greatness on. I’m just pointing it out, as you brought up the Pro Bowl. Truth be told, neither are a hair on the butt of Eric Allen, in terms of a career and he isn’t even on the list.

by coldpizza on Jun 27, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I just want to say that

You know your stuff and I respect that A LOT. I love the Saints just as much as you do, and man I am soo interested in hearing all of this great vintage information about the history of my team. My point of Ricky was just that I really didn’t like him too much— non-statistically. I remember when Duece was our punt returner…When he was in that role, both my dad and I were both saying “I cannot wait for the saints to get rid of Ricky Williams and give the ball to this guy”. All that to say is that I’m basing a lot of my feeling towards Ricky on just that, “feelings”. When he was drafted, I was asking myself..“How could we give every draft pick for a RB that wasn’t even first off the board?” I form opinions on players based on what I think about them and I was just always really impressed with Mike Mckenzie as a Saint and I do think he was snubbed a few times for even pro bowl consideration. CB is definitely a position where the general public doesn’t do a good job of assessing there productivity and every year a few good ones get overlooked. Just look who Ocho Cinco said was the best CB he’s faced…Leigh Bodden, who I don’t think has ever been to a pro bowl, but is obviously pretty good for Ocho Cinco to pick him over all the other great guys he faced that year

Rog Smoove

by YESSaints on Jun 27, 2009 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions

You are very correct

that CB is a difficult position to judge as a fan. The mere fact that interceptions are the most telling stat of prolificity readily available attests to that. If you’re a TRUE shutdown corner, opposing QBs are going to avoid your side of the field like the plague, thereby not giving you the opportunity to make those types of plays. I honestly appreciate McKenzie and everything he brought to the team. In hindsight, his coming here from the Packers was probably one of the top 2 or 3 trades the Saints have ever made, in terms of productivity. Certainly moreso than giving up an entire draft for Ricky Williams. But I think you could say that about anyone. I personally wouldn’t be willing to give up that many picks for Drew Brees today, even if we were still starting Danny Wuerffel. Horrible, horrible trade value wise. Productive player while he was here (and healthy), though.

I personally never cared much for Archie Manning. A lot of that stemmed from my dad (and the rest of the stadium) booing him, chanting “we want Bobby (Scott)”, watching him consistently underthrow WRs sidearmed, listening to his dorky, slow southern drawl during interviews, etc. In hindsight, I realize he was better QB than most people were willing to give him credit for, just as I’m convinced Aaron Brooks will someday be thought of fondly, once he’s far enough removed from the fire. That being said, if John Carney had worn number 8, I’d probably be taking a ton of flack for choosing him over Manning to represent that number. That despite Carney being a better professional kicker than Archie ever was a professional QB. And yes, I realize that’s a piss poor analogy. I would have gone with Joe Horn or someone more prominent, if other positions could wear single digits. My point is, sometimes you just have to accept that your personal biases don’t best exemplify the general consensus, especially when you’re dealing with players of Archie (or Ricky’s) collegiately-driven “legendary” status.

by coldpizza on Jun 27, 2009 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Dude, You are a beast!

Rog Smoove

by YESSaints on Jun 30, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

I disagree on Ken Burrough

I think Heath Shuler should have that number, because he was less than zero.

This is OUR year!

by MtnExile on Jun 27, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions

What about Andrew McCarthy?

He starred in “Less Than Zero”.

by coldpizza on Jun 27, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I think Andrew McCarthy played Heath Shuler

…or maybe it was Molly Ringwald.

This is OUR year!

by MtnExile on Jun 27, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Or Bill Bixby

Judging by the circumference of his eyes. “Coach Ditka, don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry”.

by coldpizza on Jun 27, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions

wow

you really named off 101 saints players… how long does an act like this take, I’m sure you put significant amounts of research into this? Impressive, really…

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 28, 2009 1:29 AM CDT reply actions