CSC All-Time Saints Team Election: Strong Safety

Not sure how many of you remember this:

On November 22 1981, the Saints took on the Houston Oilers at the Astrodome. It was Bum Phillips’s first game returning to Houston after being unceremoniously dumped the year prior for not being able to — in his own words — “kick in the door” of an AFC Championship.

The Saints had gone 1-15 the year prior and were basically the laughing stock of the league. Dick Nolan was canned and Dick Stanfel finished out the regular season as interim head coach. The subsequent hiring of Phillips was a major step towards respectability at the time.

Although the 1981 team only wound up going 4-12, Phillips put together one of the best — if not THE best — draft class in team history. With the first pick in the draft, the Saints selected Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers, who led the NFL in rushing as a rookie and remains the only Saints RB (rookie or otherwise) to ever do so.

Other notable selections that year included SS Russell Gary and LB Rickey Jackson in 2nd round, DE Frank Warren and TE Hoby Brenner in the 3rd, CB Johnnie Poe in the 6th, FB Hokie Gajan in the 10th and DE Jim Wilks in the 12th. Several of these would go on to become the veteran leaders of the 1987 team Jim Mora took to the playoffs. Phillips also signed FS Frank Wattelet as an undrafted FA, picked QB Dave Wilson in the supplemental draft and brought in Guido Merkens and Jeff Groth from Houston. Merkens was a phenomenal all-around athlete, who played QB, WR, DB and P. Groth was an underrated possession WR and PR, somewhat in the mold of Ricky Proehl.

Back to the Week 12 contest. Both teams were sputtering along, albeit in opposite directions. Still, it was one of those smash mouth games that most football fans dream about, with both sides out to prove something in light of the man in the 10 gallon hat. The Oilers were led by FB Earl Campbell who was still in his prime. The Saints by Rogers, who was beginning to take the league by storm.

The biggest difference between the two teams was the experience level, particularly on defense. The Saints defense was as green a unit as you will ever see in the NFL. A ton of raw talent, but certainly nothing to write home about. Meanwhile, the Oilers defense was one of the very best in the NFL. Elvin Bethea and Robert Brazile — two HOF caliber athletes in the front 7 — were both in their prime.

The Oilers were heavily favored and the crowd was going absolutely bananas with chants of “Luv Ya Blue”, a sea of azure pom poms, Crazy George pounding on his drum, etc. In any case, there was one particular series in this game just before half time, that I will never forget. On third and 1, Stabler pitched to Campbell on a sweep, Russell Gary shot through a hole and absolutely obliterated him for no gain. I’m talking stood him up in his tracks and slammed him on his back.

Keep in mind, this is a ROOKIE safety taking out one of the hardest runners in the history of the game. I’m sure 60K To this day, I have never seen a harder hit by a Saints defensive player. But wait, that’s not the end of the story. Ed Biles (Houston’s new head coach) decided to go for it on 4th and 1. Nothing fancy about the call or the formation. Campbell lined up in a single back set. Pretty much everyone in the stadium knew what was coming. It was pretty much owner Bud Adams telling Phillips “there’s no way in hell you’re stopping him twice”.

Sure enough, Campbell takes the hand off and … BAM! … ONCE AGAIN, Russell Gary stands him up in the backfield. Met seconds later by a swarm of his Black & Gold brethren. The Astrodome was stunned silent. You could actually hear the Saints players yelling at one another on TV. And this was before those high tech “Sounds of the Game” audio-cone devices. Amazing series for one of the fieriest DBs we’ve ever had. I just wish he could have stuck around a little longer.

The Saints went on to win that game btw, 27-24. Rogers: 142 yards rushing. Campbell: 96 yards, 2 short TDs.

people were thinking “who the hell is number 20”?

Sorry, got sidetracked while typing that.

sammy baby! one of the fan fav saints of all time. good for him

isn’t he still playing? I swear I saw him on the giants last year.

Haslett’s methodology regarding which defensive players to keep and which to let go. He walked into a great defense, and gradually made it a good one. He did get Howard, and the Fresh Prince and Grant(he used to be worth the money). Okay, so he was alright with DE’s, but he let other great players go in exchange for…less…great ones. How we would let Knight go, but we would run with Jay Bellamy until two years into Payton’s regime mystifies me to this day. And Glover for Jackson?

There could have been an offer on the table and Knight just decided to walk. That’s what happened with Sam Mills. Kind of hard to speculate on stuff like that from outside the organization. Unless it leaks or someone outright says “we have no interest in bringing back so-and-so”. I do agree that they should have done more to retain Knight, but who knows? He may have been asking for a ridiculous amount of money. It may have had nothing to do with money. Sometimes players just want a change of scenery, the opportunity to play for the team they rooted for growing up (LeCharles Bentley’s case), a former coach, a good friend on another roster, the direction the teams are headed, there’s so many factors that play into those type decisions.