Countdown to New Orleans Saints kickoff: A History of No. 93

The New Orleans Saints kick off their 2017 season on a Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings, just ninety-three days from today. To celebrate, Canal Street Chronicles continues our numerical history lesson with a look at the Saints players who have worn the number 93.

Some player information courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

Wayne Martin (DE, 1989-1999)

Martin was selected by the Saints in the 1st round of the 1989 draft with the 19th overall pick. The former Arkansas Razorback went on to play all 11 years of his career as a Saint, including 144 consecutive starts over his final nine seasons. He was a key contributor on ferocious New Orleans defenses that helped the team to three straight playoff berths in the early 90s, including the franchise's first NFC West title in 1991.

As those defenses deteriorated into the decade, Martin's high caliber of play did not. Martin had five seasons of double-digit sacks, with a career high of 15.5 in 1992. He finished his career with 82.5 QB sacks, second best in team history, and was voted to his only Pro Bowl in 1994. Martin was voted onto the franchise's 45th anniversary team, and inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2003.

Darren Howard (DE, 2000-2005)

The Saints selected Howard out of Kansas State with their 2nd round pick in 2000. He would start every game that year, finishing with 11 sacks for the eventual NFC West champions that season. Howard would continue to be a pass rushing threat over the next five seasons as well, finishing his Saints career with 44.5 sacks. He left New Orleans for Philadelphia as a free agent following the '05 season, where he would remain until the end of his career in 2009.

Rob Ninkovich (DE/OLB, 2006)

Ninkovich is worth noting here because of a label of "one that got away". A 5th round draft pick in 2006, Sean Payton's first draft, Ninkovich played in three games that season. After playing in 5 games over the following two years in Miami, Ninkovich was picked up by the New England Patriots. Ninkovich has gone on to two world championships, while contributing 46 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions and two touchdowns over his Patriot career. Oops....

Bobby McCray (DE, 2008-2009)

McCray joined New Orleans from Jacksonville prior to the 2008 season. He had six sacks in his first year, and contributed to the New Orleans defensive effort in 2009, on their way to a Super Bowl championship. McCray was released after the '09 season, and played his final NFL season in 2010 with Philadelphia.

Junior Galette (DE/LB, 2010-2014)

Galette got off to a slow start to his professional career, only playing in four contests his rookie season. After better contributions in '11 and '12, Galette exploded in 2013, sacking the quarterback 12 times, then following that up with 10 sacks in 2014. One of the most naturally skilled pass rushers to wear a Saints uniform, we will never get to see how good he truly could have been with New Orleans. After some very public confrontations and rants against the team, the Saints released Galette in the offseason of 2015. He went on to sign with the Washington Redskins, where he has yet to play another down of football. In each of the last two years, Galette has torn an Achilles tendon and been unable to play.

David Onyemata (DT, 2016-present)

Onyemata has only contributed a little for the Saints since they drafted the project from Manitoba, Canada in the 4th round in the spring of 2015. All eyes will be on what kind of progress the 24-year-old Onyemata can make on a New Orleans defensive line that could round into a team strength.

Other Saints to wear No. 93: Gary Lewis (1983), Kevin Young (1987), Josh Savage (2007), Kevin Williams (2015)