Top 10 Draft Successes In Saints History: #7 Danny Abramowicz

by Jon Banks on Apr 21, 2011 2:00 PM CDT

Starting April 4th and continuing through April 29th, Canal Street Chronicles will be counting down the top 10 draft busts and then the top 10 draft successes in Saints history. Feel free to to use these posts as a springboard for discussion about how awful or how great each draft pick turned out.

For explanation on how our draft successes work, go here.

Danny Abramowicz was one of the final draft picks for the Saints in their inaugural draft of 1967. He was taken in the 17th round of that draft. The modern day NFL draft has only seven rounds, so can you imagine seventeen? Danny was a wide receiver from Xavier University (no, not the X-Men school) and found his way into the NFL...barely. Once there, he became a phenomenal WR for the Saints for seven years.

During those seven seasons, Danny A. managed to accumulate 4,775 yards, 37 touchdowns and 309 receptions. For reference, Colston has earned 5,097 yards, 40 TDs and 369 receptions in 5 years and in a much more pass-happy offense with a HOF caliber quarterback. Danny did all of that when the Saints were just getting off the ground...and he was a freakin' 17th rounder.

Sadly, the Saints traded Abramowicz two games into the 1973 season. He would have two sub-par seasons with the 49ers before retiring in 1975. Abramowicz was top 10 in receiving yards and receptions from '68-'70. He was voted as an All-Pro wide receiver by the AP and currently resides in the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. For a 17th rounder, that isn't half bad.

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Abramowicz held the NFL record for most consecutive games with at least one pass reception (105) for quite a number of years following his retirement. It was eventually surpassed (in succession) by Harold Carmichael, Steve Largent, Art Monk and Jerry Rice. Three of those four are currently in the HOF and Carmichael could still possibly make it someday as a senior inductee. Abramowicz also served as Mike Ditka’s offensive coordinator, from 1996-99. To his credit, the offense improved (albeit ever so slightly) in each of those seasons … from 30th to 28th to 19th. This without anyone even resembling a franchise QB.

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

by coldpizza on Apr 21, 2011 2:27 PM CDT reply actions

In comparison to Colston

You also have to take into account that Colston isn’t Brees’ primary target as there are deep threats (Henderson and Moore) as well as the way Brees drills first down passes to his TE’s. Not bad numbers considering that an early Saints offense probably had less amount of weapons that the modern Saints offense has.

by Jee on Apr 21, 2011 2:27 PM CDT reply actions

Exactly. It’s much more difficult to complete passes to a go-to receiver without a supporting cast. Just ask 2010 Larry Fitzgerald fantasy owners.

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

by coldpizza on Apr 21, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Abramowicz was the 420th overall pick. Too bad you didn’t post this yesterday. That equates to a 14th round selection in a modern 32 team draft, btw. From 1977-present, he would have been an UDFA.

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

by coldpizza on Apr 21, 2011 2:39 PM CDT reply actions

I guess every Saint fan has an all-time favorite.

He’s mine (no surprise considering my avitar thingy). We’re talking virgin birth here. Not only a player who started his pro career with the Saints, but one of the original Saints from their inaugural year. A good Roman Catholic boy for what was then a very Roman Catholic city. An over-achiever and future alcoholic. A very fine wide receiver. A fan favorite. A good player on a team not known for having many good players. What more could one ask for? My next comment may be heresy for baseball fans, but I liken Danny to Brooks Robinson, one of (if not) the best 3rd basemen ever. Danny certainly wasn’t one of the best NFL WR’s of all time, but like Robinson, he managed to come up with plays others often wouldn’t make. IMO, great hands, reflexes, and extra effort/hussle are what both men had in common. Thanks for doing this series. I’m very interested to see who you’ve picked for your top 6 draft successes

"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.

by Dang Hu Dat on Apr 21, 2011 5:30 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Danny Abramowicz was my first football hero

I can’t remember how many times I was Danny, making a fingertip catch along the sidelines. I learned to watch the ball into my hands by pretending to be Danny. It’s made me the receiver I am today. Well, the receiver I was. Well, the receiver I thought I was.

It was good while it lasted.

by MtnExile on Apr 21, 2011 8:14 PM CDT reply actions

Who was the sofa arm that decleated you at thigh level, just as you made that fingertip catch along the sidelines? My sofa arm was typically Nolan Cromwell. Kids with no friends FTW.

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

by coldpizza on Apr 21, 2011 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Remember Al Dodd and Bob Newland? They were receivers also and played at the same time as Abramowicz for the Saints. I used to like Dodd alot, he was pretty damn good.

by tommy v on Apr 21, 2011 11:47 PM CDT reply actions

Al Dodd had a hand in all three plays that helped set up Tom Dempsey’s 63 yard FG. He returned the kickoff and caught both passes on the abbreviated drive, wisely ducking out of bounds each time. Considering that the kick barely cleared the cross bar, even the slightest hesitation on Dodd’s part would have resulted in either a miss from further back or a non-attempt.

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

by coldpizza on Apr 22, 2011 1:35 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm going to go out on a limb

and say he was white with a name like Abramowicz

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." Wes Westrum
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 22, 2011 4:03 PM CDT reply actions