CSC All-Time Saints Team Nominations: Defensive Tackle No. 2

While deserving of all-time recognition in general, Wilks only played three seasons at DT. At 31 years old and having lost a step, he was moved inside in 1989, after being beaten out of his RDE spot by Jumpy Geathers. The Saints also used a first round pick on Wayne Martin that year, just to give you some idea of the need for an upgrade at the RDE position. Conversely, Frank Warren — who was only one year younger than Wilks — was just hitting his stride that year on the left side.

In terms of what these guys brought to the table AT THE DEFENSIVE TACKLE POSITION, as well as the talent (or lack thereof) with which they were surrounded, this one should be a landslide in favor of Derland Moore. But no one is old enough to remember Derland Moore. So, it will likely come down to Norman Hand or Grady Jackson. I’m also waiting for the Sedrick Ellis nomination. After all, he helped lead us to the Super Bowl.

. . . for Tony Elliot.

Does anybody remember out in Candlestick Park when he “accidentally” kicked the ball and the Niners couldn’t get it spotted in time for a last play? One of the few blessed years in which Montana didn’t sweep us.

Btw, just as a reminder, sacks weren’t kept as an official statistic prior to 1982. From that point on, Moore outsacked Wilks 12-10 from the interior, that in seven fewer games.

The first player I thought of besides Glover, was Norman Hand. He was dominate in his time here, but he wasn’t here long. I only vaguely remember Moore, he was playing before I switched from running back to cornerback. So I payed a lot more attention to the offense then.

I have one question, are we voting on a DT for a 4-3 or 3-4 defense?

I don’t remember him, but I did see him recently on that little half hour show (NFL films) that capsulized Hank Stram’s pathetic first season with the Saints as exemplified by the Packer’s game (in Milwaukee, I think; looked like a college stadium). Derland’s an Ozark mountain hillbilly. He got some cam time in the film and said something stupid. But he was good.
Wikipedia:

At the time he was drafted, Moore was the highest selected college walk-on in history of the NFL Draft. Moore would go on to set a team record for service with 169 games played in 13 seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He led the team in sacks in 1980, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1983.

Here’s a writeup.

The self-proclaimed “Losingest player in the NFL” is one of seven players to log 13 seasons with the Saints. Though he is the only one to never play in a playoff game as a Saint.

Unless you have a particular fondness for some other candidate, this guy deserves your vote. He’s got mine.

I 100% agree with Stujo and CP on Derland Moore. A solid player, never quit, never complained (at least to my limited recollection). 13 Seasons in the trenches for the Saints and had an outstandingly productive career.

That being said, i worry about the sympathetic votes that will go to Norman Hand in part due to his recent passing. Good guy, good Saint, hope the big guy rests in peace, but unfortunately from both a production and longevity stand point, he doesn’t compare to Moore.

and vote on it again in a couple of years. Then no one will bitch when Sedric Ellis takes it.

It’s a theme this year, give it time and a lot of the guys that led us to the promised land, that given time, are the rightful owners of these spots.

Played with the Saints from 1990-95 as a part-time starter at nose tackle, helping the squad to three playoff appearances in that span. I can still see the “PIG” plugging up the middle for the “DOME PATROL” to have their way with offences. But I still like what he said when asked why do they call you “PIG”? His answer? “BECAUSE I TELL ’EM TO!”

is the only player on this list that is in the Saints Hall of Fame. He’ll get my vote. I never thought Grady Jackson or Norman Hand were really all that great. The “Heavy Lunch Bunch” 655 lbs in the middle of the defense, and yet teams could still run up the middle.

Wilks is listed as a DE in the Saints Hall of Fame. Not saying much. It’s wikipedia. I missed it because I was looking for DT. Anyway, I’m still voting for Moore.

that dude was sick

was mentioned above. How about, Mike Tilleman?

I want to vote for Al Woods.

Jim Wilks was an absolute stud for the Saints for 13 years. He gets little to no recognition because he was a quiet unassuming guy who although he was solid as a rock as player, he was not spectacular.
 
It has been stated earlier in this thread that in 1989 Wilks was 31 and had lost a step and was beat out by Jumpy Geathers for the starting RDE position. Actually, that’s not true ( sorry CP, I have the utmost respect for your depth of knowledge of Saints history and your overall knowledge of football in general).
 
Jim Wilks moved to the NT position in 1989 because Tony Elliott “Coked” his way out of football (as CP already accurately pointed out) and the Saints had no one else to replace him. In the previous 5 seasons that Jumpy Geathers had been a Saint, he had never come close to beating out Jim Wilks for that starting RDE position. Jumpy had more physical talent and was a better pure pass rusher, but Wilks was a much more consistent player and much better against the run than Geathers.
 
In fact, the 1989 season with the Saints was the only time in Jumpy Geathers 13 year career that he was a starter for an entire season. He was mainly a specialist brought in on obvious passing downs for his whole career. Although, he was a pass rushing specialist and not a starter, Jumpy Geathers had a reputation around the league as being one of the strongest guys in the NFL. He would literally pick blockers up carry them to the quarterback for a sack. That s**t was awesome.
 
There were other defensive lineman on the team at that time who were physically larger than Wilks that were perhaps more suited to takeover the NT position, but Wilks was the guy who made the transition successfully.
 
It was a big deal on the local news because all the local sports guys wondered if a tall rangy DE could play the NT position. Plus, people were concerned if Wilks (who was the better RDE over Geathers) would be injured while temporarily playing the spot. When Jim was asked about it, he simply said that the team needed him and he was going to do his best. When he was asked which did he prefer, he said that of course he would like to remain at DE but he was willing to do what was necessary to help the team.
 
That’s Jim Wilks.
 
The Saints acquired Robert “Pig” Goff in 1990 specifically to play NT so Wilks could go back to his RDE position as the starter (Geathers was now with the Redskins). But the Saints defense was not as good that year without Wilks playing NT, so in 1991 Wilks was placed as the starter at NT over Goff.
 
For two seasons in 1991 & 1992, the Dome Patrol and the Saints defense were the most dominant in Saints history while Jim Wilks was the starting NT. They were number 1 on defense in fewest points allowed and number 2 on defense in fewest yards allowed both seasons. This was made possible because in those two seasons the Saints 3-4 alignment was their strongest ever because the 3 down lineman up front could provide consistent cover for our “All-World Linebackers” to do their thing. Also, with Wilks playing NT, it allowed the Saints to have their three best lineman on the field at the same time….Martin, Wilks, and Warren.
 
In 1993 Jim Wilks finally did lose that step that CP was referring to, as he was now 35 and injured, so he retired after the season. An end to a great career as an all-time Saints player.
 
I completely agree that Derland Moore should be the other DT, but I also feel that the three seasons Jim Wilks played as a DT should be properly remembered.